Dreams do come true.

So folks, the yellow house fell through.

I am ok with it now, but at the moment I found out, I may have sobbed like a little girl for about half an hour. Or longer.

I was really mad, upset, fussy, disappointed and every other negative emotion you can feel.

Then I remembered the feeling of peace I have had every time I have prayed about moving to Ellensburg.

It took a few days, but I remembered that God has a perfect plan for my life and the life of my family.

And it's not a house that makes a home, it is a family.

But at the stage that the house fell through, we would have to rent for the time being if we wanted a place to live.

And yes we wanted a place to live.

As luck, fate, divine intervention would have it, the perfect rental awaited us. And after being here for 10 days, I am sooo grateful that the yellow house didn't work out. I love where we are. And we have a rent to own option if we decide we love this place. Which so far, we do.

I knew we made the right decision to move to Ellensburg. But it was confirmed when I was driving home and we passed this:



And Nora says, "Hey! Look at that big, brown wood thing!"

"That's a barn Nora." I replied.

"Oh! A baaarrnn!"

Yes, my baby was not aware of what that big, brown wood thing was called. But having now seen about 50 of those just driving around, she knows.

We have loved our first week here. On Saturday we went to the annual Dachsunds on parade. Yes folks, little weiner dogs all dressed up and paraded around. It was awesome.



We then went on a hike, went to the lake, mowed our giant field and discovered a fire pit.  All this was on the same day, by the way. Without having to drive 45 minutes to get anywhere, we had lots of time to do actual stuff.



Finally, the weather. The beautiful, glorious, non grey and cloudy weather. It did rain yesterday, but only for 30 minutes. Then the sun came back out.

This was the view this morning on my walk:



More big, brown, wood things in the distance. And the Stuart Mountain Range. And big fluffy clouds. And fields of hay.

*sigh*

I honestly can't remember the last time I felt this good. I have been working in the yard, putting the house together, spending time with my family, and feeling grateful every day for even the simplest of things like driving home. Because it is all so beautiful. There is no train just over the fence to wake us up, and I have a view of the big dipper every night from our front porch.

I'm not bragging. (As my kids would call any declaration of happiness)

I'm just so thankful that the dreams I have held in my little heart have come to fruition. And Seattle and the friends and family that it holds is only an hour and a half away. A day trip to see the ocean, or visit downtown, or see people I love.

And then I get to come home to watch the sun set from my front porch.


 

I am a happy girl indeed. I don't know yet why Heavenly Father has directed us here. But I am so thankful for everything we have experienced so far. And I can't wait to see what else is in store.

WE ARE ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!

We have moved into a house and are loving it. Hang in there, pictures and story coming soon!

Homeless

This was our house on the last day.



I did in fact cry. More than once. While the men from church loaded the truck and our good friend Damon reminisced and made me cry. And then while we finished the last cleaning and my bestie Michele let me cry on her shoulder. Kate and Julia cried on each other's shoulders. The younger kids didn't cry because we wisely had them playing at their friends houses during this part.

And then Jeff had an allergic reaction to something in the garage and his face got so puffy that he looked like a lion for 3 days. But he didn't cry. He might have felt bad after Henry saw his eyes though and asked, "Dad, will you put your sunglasses back on?"  He was freaky looking, I gotta say.

So now we are officially homeless. Without a home. Without a permanent residence. Not without a place to stay thanks to family while we wait on our yellow house, WillowBrook at Bountiful Acres, to come through.

It is a strange feeling, not having a place to move our stuff into. Living out of suitcases and on air mattresses. Thankfully for two weeks we are staying in my brother's house until they get back from living half way across the country. There is a Balm in Gilead because my children know this house so well and have had no problems going to sleep. It has made this weird transition much nicer. Thank you Keno and Amy!

And then after that? Stay at my sisters for a little bit, stay with my loving in-laws for a bit. They kindly offered to let us stay there for as long as we need while we wait for our house.

And I know we are not really homeless. We are fortunate to have family to let us stay with them and the means to find somewhere else to live if our dream home doesn't pan out. (which it will). So know that I am not comparing myself to others who truly are homeless.

I told my children that as long as we are a family, we are never without a home. Home is where your family is-so your car, a hotel, a family members house-all home if we are together.

I also told them, which I know they hated, that happiness is a choice. That having stuff and things to entertain us is not what true happiness is. That we can choose to be happy over being miserable. And why would anyone choose misery over happiness? Maybe it's easier to let that feeling creep into your heart instead of showing faith and working hard to be grateful and joyous for all that we do have. I'm sure it is. But I wasn't raised to be lazy.

Plus, I like the adventure. It's a little disorienting, but at the same time exciting to not know what's going to happen. To just live,  in faith and trust that God knows us and has a perfect plan for us.

The Savior himself was homeless at one point. Born in a manger. Yet He lived with perfect joy, serving others, bringing about a righteous purpose and saving all mankind.

And all I have to do is keep my chin up and find joy in my  family and in the beautiful life that I have?
Done:)

Turn that frown upside down

I'm reposting this from a few years ago. It still applies and especially today when we are about to leave our house. Enjoy:)

Turn that frown upside down

On days when you feel like this:


Or this:



What do you do to change it to this?




And this:



For me it helps when the sun is shining, and I have a splendid walk with kiddies in tow. And being able to enjoy the day at home without anywhere to go is helpful as well.

Other things that help:

 1. diet coke
 2. chocolate
 3. being down a few pounds
 4. date night
 5. other people's babies
 6. a clean kitchen
 7. all the laundry done
 8. money in the bank
 9. fresh homemade bread
10. sleeping in
11. new clothes
12. shopping
13. redecorating
14. warm chocolate chip cookies
15. a great book
16. a great church meeting
17. a bubble bath with candles and a good book...alone!
18. family movie parties
19. my kids telling me they love me
20. my husband's arms around me

What does your list look like?

Moving day

It's load the truck day around these parts.  Bittersweet. Seeing our lives and memories packed up. Thinking of all the hopes and dreams that came with buying this house.

I'm happy and optimistic for the future, but the past and present are haunting me at the moment. Just a little.
We have lived in this house for 5 years. That is a record for us. I potty trained two children in this house. Watched Nora take her first steps here.  Witnessed two girls become young women. Watched Henry learn to ride a bike here. Saw Charlie stand up for other people in this neighborhood. Watched Anne Marie start kindergarten.

It's been a whirlwind and a HUGE growing experience. But it is time to say goodbye.


The room that changed more than once (wait, EVERY room in my house is like that:)



The maze of boxes outside my bedroom door.



And the room where so much love was made. Not just that kind sillies. Children climbing into bed in the middle of the night. Late night talks with our older children. Scripture reading and prayer as a family. Locking the doors to wrap a pile of Christmas presents. That kind of love as well.



There is so much awaiting us with our next adventure. And the best part is that anywhere we live is just a house. The contents are what makes it our home. The love we share as a family is what makes it a soft place to land at the end of every kind of day you can imagine.

And that is something we can take with us.

Priorities

We had a pretty amazing evening last night. For about a week I've been asking Henry if he wants to learn to ride without his training wheels. He needed some time to think about it.

Last night I asked him again, and he said, yes.

Honestly, we are sooo busy right now trying to pack our house and get ready for a final walk through today, but the second he said yes, none of that mattered.

Jeff came out, took off the training wheels, and I kid you not, in three passes Henry was riding all by himself!





We were so excited! Jeff ran in to tell the other kids that Henry was riding without training wheels. They all came running out immediately and watched him. And then clapped and clapped!



I love my family and how supportive they are of each other.

And we will get everything packed and it will be fine. Today was priceless.

Yes, I am THAT mom.

An old picture of Halloween you wonder?  No, just a trip to Costco.




You see, if you're going to get out all the costumes so that you can pack them up to move, either make sure your small children aren't around, or be prepared to let them wear their too small costumes out in public.

At least, that is my philosophy. So yes, it makes me THAT mom. The one you said you'd never be. The one we all looked at with the thought, "SOMEONE lost a battle over clothes today."  I used to think that. But now I know better. I didn't lose a battle, I just know how to pick them.