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.

70

Each birthday only happens once. Which is why we celebrate and make a big deal out of it. But certain milestones deserve certain recognition. Usually the ones that add another full decade to your numerical value.

Well, my mom turned 70. And I don't think she would mind me telling you that's how old she is because she looks like this:




Yeah, she does not look like 70. So as is appropriate, we planned a family bash. Unbeknownst to her, Maile and I were feverishly working on a quilt that we had been planning for a while. My mom is an amazing quilter, and so for some reason we thought we should make her a quilt for her birthday. I've never made a quilt before. Just so you know.

We knew we had until Sunday to finish, so my sister came over on Thursday and we worked on it. Then my brother Keno calls. He currently lives in Colorado. "Hey", he says. "I have to come to Washington for business and I will be there tomorrow. Can we change Mom's party to Friday night so that I can be there?"

Maile and I looked at each other, looked at our as yet not sewn together quilt and said, "Sure!"

And my mom, in her easy going-ness didn't bat an eye when we asked if we could change it to Friday because we had "things to do" on Sunday now.

My mom had no idea Keno was coming. But he called her on her birthday, as he was driving up to my parents' house.

He stayed talking to her as he walked around the back to where we all were.

He's laughing at this point because he's standing right across from her and she hasn't realized yet he is there.





She sees him.



Yes, that is my son with a butterfly net over his head. *sigh*




Well done son, well done.




Then it's time for presents. Needless to say, Maile and I were just a tad nervous to give her this quilt. We knew she would love it no matter what, but you see your own mistakes so much easier than other people do.



We collected letters, drawings and pictures from all her children, grandchildren, my dad and my aunt-my mom's sister. Maile printed them onto transfer paper and then ironed them onto white fabric and cut them out.

I was in charge of the cutting of the color blocks. I screwed up royally, so instead of Maile arriving on Thursday to immediately start sewing blocks together, we had to go and buy more fabric.

Thursday afternoon, when we realized our sudden time crunch to get it done by Friday, I decided to go home with her and spend the night and the next day quilting. (Thanks Jeffy for making that possible!!!)

We were up late. Then got up the next day and worked our little tails off until an hour and a half before the party. There was no tagging home plate. This was a full on frantic face first slide into home. But we did it.



I'm happier about her response than I look. I just was REALLY tired by this point.


And here is my solid, reliable, good father who always, ALWAYS can be found in the kitchen cleaning up. No matter what. We  have to force him to sit down on Father's Day. Not that it works, but we try.


I love my family. And I am so grateful for a mother that has blessed my life in more ways than I can ever possibly list. Happy Birthday mom. You're the best.

what the heck?!!

Do you know what this is?



It is a tragedy! That's what it is!

What is up with this little girl, the baby of the family, growing up? Huh? She is only 4!!! How dare she lose a tooth already?!!



I was really proud of myself and I didn't let her see me cry. She was sooo excited and happy for the tooth fairy to come. It was the sweetest thing. But that tooth, isn't that the tiniest tooth you've ever seen NOT still in someone's head?

None of my other children have been 4 when they've lost teeth. Most were kindergarten. So I wasn't expecting it, wasn't prepared mentally to pass this milestone.

Sheesh. What will I do when she starts kindergarten in the fall? Oh, I don't think any of us are prepared for that!

My house is a mess. There are boxes everywhere. But it doesn't seem to phase my children one little bit.

I came down the stairs to find Nora lounging in a big box.

"What are you doing?"




"It's a time machine."

Of course it is.



Boxes. Still the best toys ever.

It's really happening....

This is actually real.

After living in this house longer than we've lived anywhere else in 17 years of marriage, we are on our way out.

We close on this house May 24th. Crazy.

I have been packing already simply because I know that it will take me that long to get it all done in the way I like it.

Meaning, in a way that will not make unpacking turn into a search and rescue operation.

Which means that so far, no one else is allowed to help me pack:) I can't handle seeing someone just throw stuff into a box and not have the entire contents of the box belong together. OCD? No. Just a lot of experience with packing and unpacking.

My house looks so sad right now. A little lost without it's decor and with boxes everywhere.







And no, we don't have anywhere to live in Ellensburg yet. We have a line on something, but nothing confirmed yet.

Am I worried? I'd be a liar if I didn't say a little. But honestly, just a little.

We have had so many miracles in the past 2 months, and we both feel so directed and good about this move that for the most part I feel peaceful and happy and that everything will work out.

The other feeling of occasional panic I just have to squash down from time to time and then the peaceful feelings return.

And while I have you here, if you were staying in  an empty house for 2 weeks while you were in between  your house selling and your kids being out of school, what would you take? Taking into consideration that we will not be eating out hardly at all.

I am a little curflumoxed on what I should bring. Air mattresses and blankets and pillows seem a no brainer, but what kitchen items will I need for two weeks?

Thoughts are greatly appreciated:)

Old Glory on a dresser.

It has been eerily silent on this blog lately. Not intentionally. But we are moving. Yes, the offer on our house is going through and I have 45 days to pack my house.

Seems like a long time, but when most of your days only have a few moments here and there to devote to de-junking and packing, 45 days seems to fly by.

And admittedly, I have a weird way of doing things.

Now that I know when we are moving, I think of all the things I had planned to do, projects, organizing, what have you.

And I know that once we move into our new house, I won't have time to do some of those things because I will be unpacking.

So what better time to do it then when I should be packing?

Yes, it's crazy in my head.

One of the things that's been on my to do list is to redo Charlie and Henry's dressers.

They have an Avenger themed room right now. Don't get me started on themed rooms. I hate them. But I always wanted a Strawberry Shortcake room when I was little, and I never got it. So I have allowed them for my children when they want them. Kate and Julia had a pink and purple Disney Princess room. Yikes.

But one of the things I have wanted to do was to turn Charlie's dresser into an American flag. Its a long 50's dresser, with just the right lines for such a thing.

And since I had such good luck with my Union Jack dresser,



I was ready to tackle the Stars and Stripes.

The dresser was already painted white, so I just had to paint red stripes on, and the blue for where the stars would go.

This was harder than it sounds. You have to tape it all perfectly. Making sure you have enough space for all 13 stripes. You know, for the 13 original colonies. And then make sure you have an adequate amount of space for the blue background of the stars, otherwise it will look dis-proportioned when your done.

So I found some wide blue painters tape and went to work.




I started to regret the project as soon as I started it, but by then it was too late.

Everything took more coats of paint than I expected. And once I pulled the painters tape away, I saw where the paint had bled through because I was too lazy to seal everything ahead of time. So then I had to take an art brush and painstakingly fix all the spots where it bled. Arrggghhhh!

I hate it when things take longer than I planned. I'm super impatient that way.

After painting the blue background for the stars, I realized I was also  too impatient and not a perfectionist enough to paint 50 individual little stars. No freakin way, man.

So Jeff made me a stencil for one big star and I decided that was A-ok.

When all was said and done, I'm very pleased with how it turned out. And since I already had all the paint, this project required just my time and some painters tape.



Charlie likes it I think. He'd better. He's using it til he moves out! Ok, who actually believes that based on my track record for changing things around here? Yeah, me neither.

Now I will be working on Henry's dresser. He wants Captain America's shield painted on his dresser. Three perfect circles surrounding a star? No problem!!! Hahahahaha! Yeah right. How about three wobbly circles and a off center star?

And by the way, we love the United States of America around. There is no place I would rather live. This country was founded on some of the most beautiful ideas and principles known to man. And I am grateful.

Bomb us all you want,whoever you are, but we won't give up our freedoms or ideals. Never, ever.

Why Dad gets all the credit, and Mom is a slacker

I know that scouting is not just a Mormon thing. But it is a huge deal in our culture. Most boys participate, many of them going on to earn their Eagle Scout.

They start out in cub scouts, working their way through Wolf Den, Bear Den and then Webelos. When they turn 11 they move onto Boy Scouts.

When you complete all the requirements for Webelos, you go to you last Pack Meeting, and if you've worked very hard you also will have earned the Arrow of Light.

Well, Charlie, and Jeff, worked very hard and Charlie earned his Arrow of Light. Traditionally, the boys pin the pin they earn with each advancement onto their moms. See photo:)




However, while I play a role in helping him earn his Wolf and Bear badge and pin ( I was his den leader for a while) Jeff really was the one who helped Charlie earn his Webelos badge and pin. His den leaders obviously play a big role as well since they head up weekly activities where the boys can earn stuff.

But throughout the night, and before each time he pinned one on me-one for his Webelos advancement, one for earning his Arrow of Light, he reminded me that Dad helped him, not me. "Why isn't dad getting this instead of you?"

But it's tradition for the moms to get the pin. Why? I don't  know. Maybe it's cuz I drove him to so many things and sewed on his badges. Do you know how NOT easy that is? Maybe it's cuz I have made treats for many pack meetings on his behalf. Maybe it's cuz I'm the one who forced him to go the many times he didn't feel like it. And it was all worth it as he beamed during the special ceremony they held for his Arrow of Light award.

But maybe Jeff and I can just share the pins? I'm not begrudging Jeff his role in this. I KNOW that he was instrumental in helping Charlie, and me, not so much.

But I'm a little miffed at my say whatever he thinks son. His mind obviously just remembers the last few months, and not the years before that.

That's ok. I'm not vengeful. I will just wait until he needs cookies for something, or a ride somewhere, or help finding his scout shirt, and I will remind him that I'm not the one who does those things, dad is.

And he will say, "But dad isn't here. He's at work!" And then I will give a diabolical laugh and throw something at him.

Hee hee.

No really, I am proud of Charlie. He has not naturally love Scouts the way some kids do. I have pushed him and reminded him how much girls like a guy that's an Eagle Scout. And the road to that is lined with Merit Badges and hikes and campouts and other stuff that is work but also a lot of fun. So for him to have worked to get his Arrow of Light is really great. And I'm excited for him to move onto to Boy Scouts now.

But I'm still not going to bake him any more cookies;)

Our boy

Legos

Harry Potter-Books and movies

Pokemon

Basketball

Lord of the Rings-Books and movies

Playing outside with friends

Reading waaaay past bedtime

Doritos

Swimming

Bike riding

Treats

Family

Fun

That's what our boy is made of.



Lots of hot air=loud noises, giggles and whoops of delight. And of course, blowing out 11 candles.



Happy Birthday Charlie. We love you and all that you are!

What would you give up?

What would you give up or sacrifice in order to have a dream come true?

Obviously, the answer is different for everyone.

Some may give up a good paying job to be able to stay home with their children.

Some may give up cookies and birthday cake in order to be healthier.

Some may go without vacations or fancy cars in order to save for the future.

Some people give up a life of convenience in the city to give their children something better.

Well, I am trying to decide what I would give up in order to have this:



And I think I have the answer.

I will give up my belongings. Most of them anyway.

You see, we need a down payment in order to buy another house. And if you've followed my blog for long you know that extra money doesn't abound in these parts.

But that doesn't mean it's impossible. It just means I have to work a little harder.

So in order to have that house, or one like it-with it's accompanying red barn and creek, I need 15 thousand dollars.

Not a small amount.

But there are little chunks of money coming our way.

And I have stuff. Stuff that doesn't matter in the long run.

What is a kitchen table or sofa compared to 3 acres and sunshine?

What are bookshelves and pictures compared to fruit trees?

What is a television and dvd player compared to country living?

You also know, if you've  been here long, that I have been waiting to give this life to my children. For them and for me.

So what will I give up?

I have no idea if this will work. Maybe we will just end up renting and have no furniture to sit on.

But isn't it worth a shot?

Doesn't God know us and love us and bless us when we show faith and initiative?

I have to believe that He does.

I have to believe that dreams can come true. Cuz otherwise, what's the point of dreaming? And I'm a hopeless dreamer.  I would rather give up my furniture than my dreams.

Can't you just see my children playing happily for hours here? Me too:)


I don't know how this will all work out. I don't know what God's plan for us is at this particular junction in our lives.

But I know I can't give up.

Ever.

Enjoying while I can

I saw something yesterday that at first confused me, and then saddened me.

While driving, I was behind a lady in a little green Mazda Miata.

I first noticed her license plate holder that said, "My Miata Moment......No more child support!!!"

I was confused. I don't normally associate women with being the ones to pay child support.

And that's not sexist of me, just traditionally children stay with their mother.

Then I noticed her license plate. It said, "SHEIS18"

Then it all clicked.

This women's daughter turned 18, and since she no longer had to support said daughter, so she went out and bought herself a little sports car.

Fine, she is excited that her daughter can support herself now and so her money is freed up for a 1998 green Mazda Miata.

But to advertise it with a vanity plate and license plate holder?

I tried to imagine the relationship she and her daughter have. I can't imagine it's anything like the relationship I have with my children. I certainly don't expect to be done helping them just because they turn 18.

Why? Here is one example:



This is a picture of my double jogging stroller. I bought it almost 14 years ago right after Julia was born.

I have logged thousands of miles on it. Lost a lot of weight because of this awesome little stroller.

All of my children have sat in it while I ran or walked.

But it is the end of an era. For two reasons.

The first and foremost is that because of my back, I can't push a stroller anymore. Pretty much all I can do is the elliptical. That is getting better though and I expect to feel very recovered in the next 6 months.

But by that time, Nora will be in kindergarten and Henry will be at school all day, and there will be no need for a double stroller.

So I sold it today. And cried on my way home from meeting the gal who has 3 small children. One an infant.

Whaaaa!

That is how I feel about my children. I am sad that they are growing up.

Example number 2: As we are looking for houses in Ellensburg, I am realizing that Kate will only live under whatever roof we find for 3 1/2 more years.

Then she is either off to serve a mission for our church or to college.

3 1/2 more years is nothing!!!! That is the blink of an eye. I already get teary eyed when I think about not having her here all the time. When I realize that I won't be able to go down to her bedroom and wake her up or sit on her bed and talk to her.

And then a year after her? Julia is gone.

I love my children. I don't relish the thought of them being gone. I really don't.

3rd example: Anne Marie went on a field trip today and it didn't work for me to chaperone this time. I felt so sad as she went to the bus stop thinking that I would miss out on seeing her face as she walked around the Museum of Flight.

And no, that is not mother guilt. That is a true desire to be with my children.

It honestly is amazing that I don't homeschool them. But I know it would be more about me than them.

Example number 4:



This is how Nora went to the bus stop yesterday. How much longer will she put her own outfits together like this? How much longer will be want to sleep with me at night? (Of course Jeff wishes this stage was over already)

She will be 5 in July. In 4 months, my BABY will be 5!!!!!

I am a mess about all of this lately. I know that there are good things about your children growing up, time together with Jeff, grandbabies!!!!

I just don't understand when people celebrate their children leaving. I'm not saying there aren't up sides to having a house to yourself and less of your money leaving your bank account. But at the cost of no more pitter patter of little feet. No more teenage girls laughing. No more brothers wrestling.

So to the lady in the green Miata. I hope you really are happier now than you were when she was home. Which you probably are since you're advertising it to the world.

I don't plan on being LESS happy when my children are gone. Because they will still be mine. But I sure won't have a party to celebrate them leaving. And you will NEVER see a vanity plate on my car that shouts to the world, "They're all gone and I couldn't be happier about it"

Because I won't be happier about it.Andt for now, I will enjoy every moment with them while I can.

The end.

Being a Wicked Witch has it's perks

So, once again, we attended a play.

This time Julia shined brightly as the Wicked Witch of the West, Evilene, in a production of the Wiz.

Our little family waited patiently for the evening to start.


Kate is always so supportive of her siblings. What a gal.



And our grandparents from the burg came to see and support. Thank you so much! More grandparents and aunts and cousins next week too!



I heard Julia practicing a little around the house. But I did not hear the full version until opening night. I already know her vocal capabilities, but she blew me away.

I bawled during her song. Literally. Kate and I both cried as we told her how amazed by her we were.

And when her skirt came undone during her song, she handled it beautifully and didn't miss a beat vocally. Her focus was on her skirt for a moment or so, but I'm glad. Even though she has bike shorts underneath, no mother wants to see their daughter on stage like that! Obviously Julia felt the same and made getting her skirt back together a priority.

But at curtain call, her Lord High Underling, who she torments during the play, "accidentally" stepped on her skirt as they walked across the stage. Again, luckily she had bike shorts on underneath because there was a full reveal that time. I laughed and laughed because it seemed Lord High Underling got his revenge. It really was an accident, but they were both so mortified that it was cute.

I had to post the happy, non-evil picture of her as Evilene.



She just blew it out of the water. Seriously. I am still stunned by her performance. Her number is in the middle of the play, and it infuses some life into everything. Most of the songs are a little slower, and then Evilene gets to come along and rock the joint.

We are so proud of you Julia.

I can't imagine that there are not big things in your future.

An offer

Remember how excited I was to get these shelves up? Well, it seems they will be coming down in the next few months.

We got an offer on our house. Two actually. One's a back up.

It's surreal.

Are we really doing this?

Really moving to the country?

Really leaving hustle and bustle of the west side of the mountains behind?

Seems we are.

Now hopefully the bank says yes to one of the offers at least.

Yes, our house is a short sale. I guess it doesn't have to be if you have 100 thousand dollars you want to give me to cover the difference between what we owe and what it's worth. No?

That's ok. It is what it is and I'm not sad about it.

The best part about these offers? I don't have to keep my house ridiculously clean every day.

Happy am I.