We've Found Our Home!

Interior Photos

After much weeping and gnashing of teeth we've finally found our new home. It took some patience and diligence to agree on the price. You see the home was way out of our price range, I don't even know why we looked at it, I think because we desperately wanted to be in that neighborhood even though we didn't think we could afford it. At one point we even walked away thinking that we just weren't going to be able to do it but, they came back twice with lower offers. (Twice as in two times!) My agent was in shock, apparently that never happens. We had warned her early on that God seems to do some wild things in our lives when it comes to real estate.

It is centrally located. Right near all our activities and work. So hopefully we can cut down on filling up.

Some details about the house...4 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths, almost 2800 sq ft. Master bedroom is downstairs and all hardwoods downstairs. His and Hers vanities and closets and a jacuzzi tub in the master bath. Large bonus room and new frieze carpet upstairs and a side entry garage. We close on the 28th of August. Anybody with a pick-up (or a sweet Lincoln Navigator with push button, fold down seats) is expected to be at my home bright and early. I promise pizza and back rubs.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and encouraging words! Tiffany and Joyce (my agents and friends) thank you for all your hard work and dedication and sacrifice. We couldn't have done this without you two. We love you both, even your "business" side.

...That kinda sounded like an acceptance speech...

Real Estate Rollercoaster

Most of you know that we've miraculously sold our home...
We made a commitment to list our house for 90 days. In today's market, we're told, that it takes about 6-9 months to sell your home, so if it sold then it would be God's will...right? Well...our home sold on the 90th day! We literally showed our home 4 times. God just loves to mess with us.

So now comes the fun part right? WRONG! Turns out that not everyone out there realizes that I have very specific needs for my home and those who have a home that meets those specific requests need to sell me there home for the price I want it for! That seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Yes, I am a little irrational right now but in my defense it is not entirely my fault. I'm a little panicked that registration day for school is about 2 weeks away and we are for all intense and purposes, homeless. Or are about to be.

We could probably get everything we wanted if we built in some of the new developments around town but that would mean being displaced for an undetermined amount of time and being in a treeless neighborhood surrounded by Mexicans with hammers and Porto-potties on the lot across the street. Or we could buy an older home in an established neighborhood surrounded by large shade trees on a peaceful court but then again, said house would have hunter green counter tops, brass light fixtures and mysterious stains on the shag carpet. It's enough to make me lose my mind!

Anytime I get a little "uncomfortable" I (eventually) remember that God is on His throne. I feel VERY hypocritical saying that right now because my memory failed me last night as I laid in my bed sobbing and full of fear because things weren't working out according to my Plan A...or B....or C...you get the idea. Evidently, God is teaching me about faith, trust and patience. Did I mention I've never been very good at any of those things when the chips were down? My good friend Ann brought a little perspective to the table this morning...THANK YOU ANN!

In conclusion, please pray for us as we go on this "adventure". Pray that we'd remember who's in charge and that we'd sit back and enjoy the ride as we watch God do His thang.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Happy 9th Birthday Weslee Cole!

On July 17, 1999 my life as I knew it changed forever. At 9:45 am, after 10 hours of labor, my son was placed in my arms. We were in love! At 7lbs and 1 ounce never could we have prepared ourselves for the emotions that rushed through us the first time he opened his eyes and looked right into ours. How could something so tiny rock your world so hard? Steve and I were in awe. Isn't awe one of the most incredible emotions? We spent countless hours staring at that tiny little thing with his giant eyes and bald head. I have the home movies to prove it. With pure elation and pride we toted car seats and diaper bags and proudly wore infant carriers and burp cloths.

I look back now and laugh at those times. I can remember feeling overwhelmed at times and other times I thought I had it all figured out. Little did I know what God had in store for me...

Since that time we've added a few more to our quiver but those subsequent birthing experiences didn't quite compare to that first time. Through Weslee, God has taught us countless lessons of faith as we rushed out little man to the ER in the middle of the night. Wisdom when we couldn't soothe his crying. Patience after we told him a thousand time to stop throwing his toys at the TV. If anything we've learned to pray without ceasing. That, after all, is one of the job requirements of parenting. The thing I'm so thankful for are the memories. I remember sitting around the dinner table when I was a kid and listening to my brothers tell horror stories of how they swung from the chandeliers and landed in the giant bowl of potato salad in their Sunday clothes. We laughed and laughed. I'm thankful that I can look back on some of those disastrous moments we've had and laugh about them, even though at the time the humor of the situation may have escaped me.

Being Weslee's Mom is a blessing I never could've imagined. God knew I'd need help after his siblings arrived and Weslee has always been there for me. He's changed diapers, applied band aids, done dishes since he was 2 (I also have video to prove this) and was always my informant. He adores his brother's and sister and loves to go paint with his Dad. He loves football and rollerblading and is a straight A student with very little effort. He's sticking to his original career goals of Marine Biologist. He's completely fascinated with sea life, especially sharks. He wants to get his SCUBA certification as soon as possible so he can begin his research. He has a soft spot for the underdog and he's willing to risk life and limb for the chance to crack up his baby sister.

Thanks Weslee for blessing us these last 9 years! Your future is bright buddy, we look forward to the next 9 years.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.

Aly's Mind

1. Today I went to the grocery store with a list of things I needed and STILL I forgot to buy juice! It was on my list.....HOW did I forget it???!!!! Absolutely infuriating!

2. Isn't this weather unbelievable? Went to the park with Ann and her boys today just to enjoy the beautiful day. All 5 boys decided they needed to pee so they all lined up facing the trees. Where is my camera when I need it!

3. I HATE dealing with car salesmen....BLECK!

4. Phineas and Pherb is the most annoying cartoon....make it stop!

5. Should I dye my hair red? Steve thinks not but I looked HOT as a redhead.

6. Happy 80th birthday Daddy! I miss you and love you!

7. Taking all the kids to NCG tonight to see Wall-E. C'mon, we'll be there at 6pm and back home for pie and ice cream after.

Car Shopping

So, we've decided it's time to buy a new vehicle. Mainly because the Lexus spends more time in the shop than in our possesion and because it gets about 5 miles to the gallon. So now I'm going to lose all my cool status by returning to the mini-van. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make in this tight economy, not to mention I'm sick of my kids falling out of that big ol' SUV. We've spent the last month researching what would be the best ride for us. After talking to our mechanic (who also happens to be my cousin) we're stearing clear of all things Dodge and Chrysler. I don't care for the Toyota's suspension, all the Toyotas in my past provided a pretty rough ride.

That leaves me with the Nissan Quest or the Honda Odyssey. Being that I'm making such style sacrifice I want ALL the bells and whistles, DVD, power sliding doors, power liftgate, Bose speakers and an ipod doc. I need some advice and helpful tips to help me make my decision. I'll admit I'm leaning towards the Quest because its body style is kinda cool and edgy, as edgy as a minivan can be I suppose....

Happy Fourth!

So today is Independence Day. Admittedly it is one of my favorite holidays. It's not that I'm super patriotic or anything it's just that I have a lot of happy memories associated with this time of year. I had my first flirtatious encounter with my hubby at Ben & Darla's annual 4th party and 3 years later at that same party I was 9 months pregnant with my first son.....I could go on and on.

Last night we went out on Old Hickory Lake to watch the fireworks over Fairvue Plantation. I love boaters, they are some of the friendliest people. Perfect strangers waving at each other as we pass by. Okay, so some of them were a little tossed but still, very lovable. We tied up with a couple of houseboats and kicked back while the boys jumped off the back of the boats and swam around.

This year we're celebrating the fourth like any red blooded American would by stuffing ourselves with vats of potato salad and blowing stuff up. If that doesn't scream Independence than I don't know what does. In the south we are fortunate enough to have access to some pretty sweet pyrotechnics that are illegal out west so there is always some story on the news the next day about some inebriated, moron who blew off his thumb. God Bless America!

So here's to being American, pass the ribs!