Our new home...

We've been renting for a while, and I've been monitoring the local real estate listings for longer than I care to admit, but finally, we found a house. This house wasn't even on my radar because of the price; then, in early July, the seller made a huge price reduction. I made Max drive past it as we were out running errands, but we didn't get our hopes up because we needed a lease/purchase home and had a feeling this one would be sold in 2 or 3 days. Fast forward 3 weeks later, and the house was still on the market. I made a call to the agent, found out the seller was agreeable to a lease/purchase, and we made our first visit. Three weeks later, the final contract was signed.

This home is our favorite floor plan (and trust me, we've seen a ton of floor plans): a split 2/2 with 2 bedrooms sharing a jack-and-jill bathroom and the third child's bedroom next to a third full bath. The kitchen is huge - there's even an extra "nook" space that we are thinking will be an office or library space...I'm still deciding. The yard's not huge, but the backyard is private, and there's plenty of space for tossing a football or getting on a mean game of bocce. :)

We love the extra bonuses in the neighborhood - a community playground, pool, and tennis courts, not to mention the golf course. Not that my husband would be swayed by an 18-hole golf course down the road. ;)

Considering where we were less than 2 years ago, this is such an amazing blessing. God has been so faithful to us, and He really has blessed us beyond what we ever expected.

Now, I'm off to homeschool and then pack. In the next five weeks, I need to craigslist some furniture, pack the house, go on vacation (yay!), move, and then have surgery. The vacation, which was planned months ago, is our breathing time (thank you, Mom and Dad, for having a timeshare!).

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. --Romans 15:13