So as most of you know we are MOVING! :) But, I can not just leave it like that because God has been at work in and through the story of our new home!
We have had a lot of people ask, so first I wanted to explain why we are moving. We bought this house 2 1/2 years ago because of its location for Jason's job that he had when we first moved here, it had 2,100 square feet, 1/4 acre corner lot, nice pool, 4 beds/3baths, place for homeschool, and living room, and a nice sized dining area :). Which is all well and good......except - 6 months after moving in we brought home Michael- which was really GREAT!
We knew then that with his cerebral palsy we would be moving again.....because we also have 3 levels: upstairs, main area, sunken dining area, and a lower level :(. Works great for those of us who do not struggle to walk, but for Michael- this has now started to hinder him. He has a wheelchair and a walker, but we can't use them in our home :(.
So when things started looking good financially- monthly wise- we started really thinking it was time to get serious. Then came the thought of who to get as a realtor because our last one- well, she stunk!!! :( It was a NOT NICE experience that we lived through, but did not like!
That is when we get a phone call from someone at our church saying that there is a life group that wants to "adopt your family". What??? YES!!! We were blown away!!!! God has once again said- here are more people who will be supporting you. WAHOOO!!!!
Oh and it was by NO accident that the life group leaders were realtors- NOT even kidding you!!! What?? Yep, that is how God rolls!!!!
That in an of itself is amazing, but it keeps getting better! A week and a few days ago we got news that the house we had put in an offer for- was saying our offer wasn't good enough.
Now picture this 3 weeks prior to that we immediately put our home on the market to show them we were serious about selling our home! We had to rush around like headless chickens getting projects done to the home and decluttering! Within 2 weeks we had 14 showings and 2 offers :). ALL GOD!!
We did all of that quickly because we needed the money from our present home to put towards our next home- contingency. Well, 3 weeks later they then after presenting the offer that someone put on our home and a solid closing date- they then say oh well....ummm.......we owe more than we thought, so if you still want the home you will have to pay more- WHAT????
(Ummm......Dawn I thought you said it keeps getting better???)
When our amazing realtor Mickey Arruda called with the information- I was DEVASTATED!!! Crying my eyes out at Sam's Club!!! Thinking are you serious- you had 3 weeks to tell us this, and you wait until now?? 3 weeks and a couple of days before closing? ARE YOU SERIOUS?? Do you not know we have 9 kids? Ummm......we can't live in a hotel!! UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did I mention I cried- as in a lot!!!!
(This is going to be our own private driveway to our home!!! I feel like royalty!!)
THEN........our realtor said- why don't you look and see if you can find ANYTHING that fits what you want. Really I thought? Ummm.....well let me list what our "must haves" were and you will see what I mean. We want: 1 acre, 4 bed/3bath, at least 2,400 sq ft, one level, in the area of Michael's present therapy place, not too far from church, fenced in would be nice, open concept would be amazing and easier for Michael to get around, and of course within our budget. For those who don't know I am a very budgeted person! Did I mention we live in Brandon, FL area? In town. Yeah, now you see this list was pretty long!
Oh and it can't be a short sale or a foreclosure- because we didn't have cash, and we didn't now have time to mess around getting the ok from a bank either!
So that evening we spent a lot of time looking through all the present listings AGAIN. Not a whole lot of new things popped up at all. But, we found a couple that maybe we could go look at.....I guess. Out of the blue Jason said - I think we should go look at "this one". I said clearly you are outside your mind because it is way out of our budget!!!!
We did agree that maybe we should at least look at it. So we went to look at a couple of properties.........but this one- THIS ONE!!! WAS AMAZING!!!
You see.....it has around 2,500 square feet, 4 bedrooms- all good size which is important, all one level- all but 2 rooms are tile, in the area we wanted, and not 1, not 2, BUT 3 FENCED IN ACRES!!!!!!! There was still one thing to get past- the price........
Well, after some quick negotiating over the next day- they came down to even lower than what we would have had to pay for the other home- did you hear that? LOWER!
In addition to that God threw in some amazing "extras". When we first started talking about moving- Jason threw out the idea of building new. Now, I have no idea how people do that, but it did my brain in just thinking about it. I had major reserves. Jason still really pushed, but I couldn't get my head around it, and that would also mean a lot more time here. :( I wanted Michael to be able to start using some of his equipment now.
This home was a "flip"! So although it wasn't new, it has completely been redone!!!! New walls, new kitchen, all new stainless steel appliances including a washer and dryer- all high end, new tubs and showers, and bathrooms, NEW!!!
In addition the new home is all open concept. Sorry the pictures I had on my phone and camera were ones that caught some details I wanted for moving. The pictures that were on the original listing- are already taken down. And I have them in document form, but now can't share them with you. But trust me it is open dining, kitchen, and living area- nice open spaces!!! No more yelling down to the living room and having the kids not hear me. Check that- at least not because they can't hear me ;).
We probably would have not ever spent that much money on some of the high end counters and well the above island- where we can all do cooking together!!! We were in love!!!!
Nice huge patio!!!! Within a few days we were having the inspection- which the important details are being taken care of right now! Praise the Lord!
Now we all know God is also in the details, and not ever wishing this upon anyone, but the water pump broke the day before the inspection so even that is new! And......it has a water softner!!! Now, that may not excite everyone, but we have talked about how we have nice appliances here that we have bought, but the water is so hard on them. Yep, God planned it all out for us. Whew!!!
Did I mention that it has a laundry room? It does!!! :) (right now our laundry is in the garage- which is ok, but a laundry room- is amazing!!!
Oh and just because God threw in a fireplace too!!! I know I know we live in Florida, but when it gets even a chill in the air- we are using that thing!! I love fire :0 places.....
Of course there are details waiting to be worked out, but we are thrilled!!!! God provided a realtor that has been amazingly patient with all our questions and "freak out" moments. God provided a "like new" home. God provided all new appliances. God has covered all the big items (which we just replaced at our present home and didn't want to have to replace again at another home).
Ahhhh.........and this is our new massive circle drive where our kids can scooter until their hearts are content!!!!! Without me stressing that they will get run over :). Just looking at this picture brings a peaceful feeling!!!!!!
And there will be gardens soon, more fruit tress soon (it has a couple of orange trees), and maybe some chickens, and Jason wants to do bees too. ;)
There will be lots of tree climbing, sports playing, running, jumping, playing, walks, talking, bonfires, and probably a lot of fun outdoor noise going on here soon!!!
Did I mention we close on our home we are living in now and on this home in 2 WEEKS!!!!! WHEW!!!! I have packed 79 boxes so far........
Please keep praying as of course it isn't over 'til it's over, but we are thrilled and know that God was in the details even when it seemed to fall apart!!! Seems to be a theme in our lives ;).
