A Place called Home

When Alan and I got married we left apartment life due to some friends who were renovating rental property.  We got to watch the house go from a shell to a beautiful home...and then we got to live there!  Then, due to some circumstances within their extended family, they needed that house for another family. But they took care of us!  They moved us to a different house down the road.  We've been there 2 years.  After about a year we started dreaming of the day we could buy a house...one that we picked out just for us.  One that we could change and suit to our dreams.  But at the time, we knew there was no way.  Then Alan got the job in Dallas and we started saving and planned on looking 'in about a year'.

Well, then Grandmother passed away and I found out she had left me some money.  You guys...my Grandmother's last, last great gift to me is helping us get a house!  We started looking in October and looked at houses all over Allen, McKinney, Melissa, Anna, and Sherman.  After a lot of looking and discussing we decided the closer we could get to McKinney, the better.  We put a bid on a house in McKinney and waited.  The next day we found out that in 72 hours, 18 bids were placed on that house.  They sold it for OVER the asking price...and that wasn't our bid!  So we kept looking.  We found another house in McKinney that we liked and bid on it -- again, we weren't chosen.  Then we bid on a house in Melissa...for less than the asking price and - TADA - they accepted and we moved into the option period.

This process has not been without hiccups...there have been a few...but I am excited to say that we are slated to close on the house next Monday and move the Saturday after Thanksgiving!  I can not even begin to tell you how excited I am! :)

We do plan on doing an open house -- it just may be in March in conjunction with the Paddy's Day Party.  We can't wait to show you around the new place!  For the time being -- here's what I'll show you:

The front

 

The back

 

(oh...and see the bed looking thing on the porch...we get to keep that!!)

It's a 3/2/2 car garage with an extremely open floor plan.  

There ya have it...homeowners...I might be growing up!

(Like I said - we move in after Thanksgiving, so watch for more pics of the house!)

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real)

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

~Every Thursday at Like Mother, Like Daughter~

 

 

{Pretty}

 

 

 

An opportunity to dress up?!  Of course I'll take it!  Months ago Alan told me the Symphony would be hosting a Fall Ball.  I asked if we could go and he agreed.  Then I fell and hurt my ankle and wasn't sure I'd be able to go.  Blessedly, my ankle healed enough that I could, so a few weeks ago Mom and I went shopping and found this gorgeous green dress.  Then I had my final doctor's appointment and I got special permission to wear black flats.  No tennis shoes/big brace for one night!  Exciting!  I got Alan a matching green tie and off we went.  We had a great time and were pleased to find that we knew a good few of the people there...including (but not limited to) the lovely ladies pictured above and their spouses.  Laura (on the left) I met 4 years ago while in The Sound of Music.  She and her husband (who is also the director of the Symphony) have been our landlords for the last 3 years.  While we are not sad to see 'renting' go, I am sad that Laura will no longer be just across the street!  Kathy (on the right) I met when Alan and I applied for our marriage certificate, but I didn't get to know her till over a year later.  I can't imagine life without her!

{Happy}

 

 

 These girls!  We got to see them for the first time in about 6 weeks the other day.  I will say I was a bit worried they wouldn't remember me or that they wouldn't want to see us...but I worried in vain!  Ally is almost 2.5 and Rissa will be 4 next month...time just flies!

{Funny}

 Oh, that Lily-dog!  She's something else!  The other night we were snuggling in the red chair (admittedly, I was likely watching Dr. Who) and she snuggled her head down under the blanket, but the rest of her stayed out.  Almost like "If you can't see my you can't tell me what to do...".  Yesterday morning while I was getting ready she was stretched out on the bed and gave me this look when I called her name.  (Please ignore the mess...we will call it 'the moving mess'.)  I sure love this crazy, loud dog!

{Real}

 

Last weekend I went to 2 baby showers.  One was for my sweet friend Cheryl and her little boy, Josiah, that will be coming soon (but not too soon).  I made the blanket on top for her.  Then I had another shower to go to on Sunday afternoon.  This time for a family friend, Shannon.  She is having her first boy and her nursery colors are navy blue, orange, and lime green.  So I decided to make her some blankets too.  As she opened them she asked if I made them and if Grandmother taught me how.  Unfortunately Grandmother didn't teach me to sew. By the time I took an interest in it Grandmother had long since quit.  But she was so proud of me.  And I love that.  So while she didn't teach me to sew - I believe seeing her sew for years and years probably planted some little seed deep down -- it just took a looooooong time to grow into a desire!  Anyway - I'm excited to welcome these sweet boys to the world and hope they enjoy their new super soft blankets!

 On a different note:

As a part of today's {Real} -

November is Adoption Awareness Month.  While I have not adopted a child, I know those who have and I have seen first hand the good, the bad, and the ugly that my friends have dealt with.  Also, I have been adopted - I have been adopted by the ONE TRUE KING into the kingdom of heaven.  Despite my good, bad, and ugly - Jesus loves me unconditionally...

This month, please remember to pray for those who are adopting or have adopted.  Think of ways you can support them: prayer, cook dinner, offer to babysit, etc.  Also, think about what you can do for orphans, here and worldwide.  Perhaps you can't adopt one right now.  Can you support an organization that deals with adoptions and families that adopt?  If nothing else - PRAY. 

  

(Disclaimer: didn't mean to end on such a serious note!)