My BIL's oldest girl (8) is coming back this weekend. She will be starting school here instead of Virginia. There is an elementary school practically across the street from our house. She really likes big cousin Luke a lot, but Luke finds her annoying. This will be a great time of growth for him as he has to learn to gracefully handle the situation.
My Julia is learning about selflessness also. I had to remind her today that she is still my favorite girl in the world (something I've told her since she was born) but I could love "T" too - and "T" could love me. She and "T" are both 4.
Little "S" is 2. He has a hard time with any adult except for his dad. The first two weeks he was here he would go the other way when I came near. I had a lot of help from his sisters. This week he has become a bit more trusting. We're working out our issues.
There is plenty more to report, unfortunately, time is not something I have an abundance of. Speaking of that, I'm sorry I haven't been commenting lately. Most of the time I just read through my friend page and check on you all, but no time to add my two cents. I'll try to do better :)
My brother-in-law is bringing the two younger kids back to our house. He decided the situation in Virginia wasn't suitable, and they needed to come back with him. The older girl is staying with her mom. :( We miss her already.
Again, I have no time-line or details of what is going on. I'm just trying to be available to love these kids and help their daddy.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...... Lord, help me show Your fruits in all that I do.
The extra blessings are leaving tomorrow. It is bittersweet. It has not been an easy job, but the kids are great and I'll miss them. They will be going to their mom in Virginia to get ready to start school there. Their Dad, my brother-in-law, will continue to stay here and work with my husband until he gets instructions from the Navy -- which he assumes will put him in Virginia with the rest of his family.
I hope to get back to more regular blogging and commenting next week, but we'll have to see how our school days work out.
I leave you all with this picture: I'm such a slave driver, I even had the baby cleaning :)
I'm about to have a house FULL. I don't know how much time I will have to write, but I will be looking on here occasionally to see what my friends are up to.
My Brother-In-Law, his two year old son, four and eight year old daughters are moving in with us for a while. I don't know how long exactly, but I know the whole situation needs to be covered in prayer. Mainly pray that our family will be the Godly example these guys need to see.
Including my kiddos, we will have ages 2, 4, 4, 6, 8, 10,and 12. I'll have my dream of being a "quiverfull" mom for a while.
This is a picture of my daughter, nephew and niece and their horsey (Paul)
I went to the grocery store this afternoon and am still amazed that there are no longer young men willing to take groceries to the car (bag boys). There are probably several reasons that this has occured over the past 10-15 years including the fact that most of us no longer carry cash to use for tips. There was a young man checking me out (as in using the register ) and was complaining because he was going to have to retrieve the buggies (shopping carts for some of you) from outside. Oh poor kid, if you would help us out with our groceries, you could bring the carts right back in! Some of us really could use the help. An older woman was parked next to me. She was finishing up placing her groceries in her truck. This lady used an electronic buggy to get around the store, and no one helped her out with her purchases!
UGH! I was glad to get home and have my three sons bring in the load for me.
This place is so fun! The movers came last Thursday and moved the furniture in. Paul was able to come straight here from work and have all the beds and things already set up. The first night was awesome. We kept asking each other, "Are we really here? Are we dreaming this?" It is just amazing how the Lord worked this out for us.
The kids get up early to go play with the goats and they love the trampoline and swing set that the owners left. I love going onto the screened porch in the mornings with my coffee and Bible and watching the cows. The sun rises over the field -- it's just beautiful!
My mom came Saturday and worked her magic. She is great at decorating and arranging furniture. Thanks Mom!
There are of course some issues with a 100 year old home. There is no dishwasher (except me and the boys) and the downstairs bathroom is the size of a closet -- a really small closet. Speaking of closets, our master bedroom doesn't have one. So while this is a very fun experience, it is not perfect.
The closing for our other house was pushed to next Wednesday. We have to replace the door knob on the front door and add hand rails to the steps of the sun room. The FHA appraiser requires this. I don't know how we're going to get this done, so please pray it works out with little stress.
I have plenty to do today getting ready for the movers to come tomorrow. So I don't have time to post about Luke and Julia's birthday. I will do that when we are moved and the internet service is running. You never know how long that might take. I'll miss you all!
We measure time here in numbers of sleeps until something happens. We have three more sleeps until we move. All of our boxes have been moved. The professionals are coming Thursday to take the furniture. We have Cheerios and PB&Js to eat.
After the house is empty, we will still have a week before the closing to clean, clean , clean. We also want to pull the weeds in the flower bed, and mow the grass one last time.
Now, about that farm. We were delivering some boxes the other night and decided to take a look in the goat pen because the owners have had hens in the goat barn before and we want to get hens when we move in.
Those goats are really cute and the cows are interesting to look at, but... poop was everywhere! This did not excite me. I know animals have to "go", but OH! MY! I think I'll stay in the garden.
Another thing, there is a greater need on the farm for play clothes. Here in the city, my kids can go out and play and maybe get some grass stains from playing ball in the yard. And of course, they get sweaty. But there, they get DIRTY! The driveway is gravel, and it is too fun to "fall" out of the hammock onto the sand below. And there must be an unspoken rule that no shoes are allowed in the country, because my kids remove them as soon as they arrive.
Needless to say, this is going to be a MAJOR transition for us! I have a lot to learn about farm life. There is joy in the journey :)
Corey
By the way, check out my "after" meez on my sidebar.
We had a home inspection Tuesday. I was concerned about the results because our house is 58 years old. We have had a ton of work done here, but there are still problems. The inspector found a laundry list of problems and work that was not done to code :( -- By the way, we paid "professionals" to do this work for us, we did not do it ourselves, and it was not to code . Anyway, the buyer looked over the list with his realtor and decided that he is getting a great deal on the house and is not asking us to fix ANYTHING!!! What a blessing from the Lord! My realtor said she has never had anyone that didn't have a repair list.
So far, so good. Please pray the rest of the process goes smoothly as well. We will be moving next Thursday and closing on the 25th.
Juliestew, it is not in Easley, but still close :)
thelordismyshepherd, we have no idea how to take care of these animals. We don't have to take care of them, their owners will. However, we would love to learn and maybe add some of our own animals in the future. There is a small garden there also. I can barely keep a house plant alive, but will be learning how to grow a garden. I forsee a HUGE transformation in the near future.
I'm meeting a friend today to swim and have lunch. On the way back I will stop by our new place and snap some pictures. We are all so excited about this move!! I'll post the pics ASAP
We have a closing date - the 25th. The termite inspector was here yesterday and is preparing his letter - no current activity. The home inspector will be here Tuesday. I'm praying that will be a good report. The gentleman from the moving company is coming by this morning to give us an estimate. I don't know when the appraiser will be here. The attic is packed. I'm begining to pack items we don't use daily.
This is the ninth month that our lives have been in limbo. I'm so happy to see the end of this chaos is near. Praise God I'm not in the middle of the school year!
Saturday was my mom's birthday. My sister and I took our girls to the NC mountains to visit with her and had a "Girl's Day". I snapped a couple of pictures with my cell phone in the car.
My sister on the left and me
Mom, Julia, and my sister's daughter
Thanks for stopping by. Now I have to go pack. If you don't know why, look here.
They accepted our counter offer this morning!! It has been a long 8 months. Remember the wonderful housing opportunity I told you about? It's unbelievable!!
Earlier this month, our realtor (and friend) inherited her mother's house. They are currently living in a house they inherited from her husbands grandmother. (What an ordeal ) They want to move to the mother's house, but don't want the 100 year old farm house on 11 acres to be lifeless. So they asked if we would rent it from them so that they would know that it would be taken care of and not "trashed or smoked up". The rent is to cover taxes and insurance and is very cheap! Another great benifit is that there is a huge four bay building where Paul can work!
I'll post pictures as soon as I can. There are cows and goats and a garden. I have no idea how to take care of any of that, but it looks like I'm about to learn. What a journey that will be!
Each time my realtor calls she says, "It's not bad news, and it's not good news." However, each time there is the hint that things are going well. Yesterday, she said the bank is waiting on one more form about rental history and they will be ready. I think this sounds great!
Then she always says, "If we don't hear something by the late afternoon, it will be the next morning." How many days do I have to anticipate a call before this is done? I feel like my life is on hold. It is diffucult to work around the house, all I want to do is try to get my mind off of it.
Yesterday, I was in one of these moods where I just wanted to watch TV to pass the time. I turned on "Little House on the Prarie" and Almonzo was upset with Laura for not appreciating his hard work all day by not having a decent meal on the table and not paying attention to him. I quickly realized that I had better figure out what's for supper! Nothing like a little conviction to get you working :)
I'm on phone watch again today, although I'm not expecting a call until late afternoon. I can't wait 'til the contract is written and I can tell you all where we are moving :) I'm sure you can understand my not wanting to jump the gun again and it not work out.
We were supposed to know Friday if the gentleman trying to buy our house was approved by the bank. However, the lady at the bank decided to take Friday off and not let anyone know. So, I spent the weekend trying to stay busy and not think about it. Not an easy task. We should know today and have a contract this evening. If he wasn't approved, it is back to the beginning yet again. How disappointing that will be.
A young man and his roommates came to see our house Monday night. They LOVED it!! The one guy would buy the house and rent to his roommates. Our house is perfect for that. Our basement is practically an apartment. It has its own kitchen, dining area, living room, two bedrooms and a bathroom. He is waiting to hear from the bank.
Another person is scheduled to see it today between 11 and 1.
Also, we are excited about a housing opportunity that was shared with us earlier this month. (more about that when we sell)
Praying for God's perfect will.
Corey
*** UPDATE: The bank has to send his loan application to the underwriter to be sure they will approve the loan. Bank says application is looking good, but with new regulations, it's best to be sure before writing contract.
My husband Paul and I have been married for 13 years and have sons 12, 10, 5, and daughter 4. This is our 9th year homeschooling -13th if you believe like I do that homeschooling begins at birth.
She will be starting school here instead of Virginia. There is an elementary school practically across the street from our house. She really likes big cousin Luke a lot, but Luke finds her annoying. 
This will be a great time of growth for him as he has to learn to gracefully handle the situation.
) and was complaining because he was going to have to retrieve the buggies (shopping carts for some of you) from outside. Oh poor kid, if you would help us out with our groceries, you could bring the carts right back in! Some of us really could use the help. An older woman was parked next to me. She was finishing up placing her groceries in her truck. This lady used an electronic buggy to get around the store, and no one helped her out with her purchases! 
So while this is a very fun experience, it is not perfect.
I don't know how we're going to get this done, so please pray it works out with little stress.
. Anyway, the buyer looked over the list with his realtor and decided that he is getting a great deal on the house and is not asking us to fix ANYTHING!!! What a blessing from the Lord! My realtor said she has never had anyone that didn't have a repair list. 
