New House

Where to begin, after not writing since March?  I've had so much on my heart to share, but it just seems like a lot.  So, I've put it off...time & time again deciding to wait until later.  Unfortunately, accompanying "later" are usually a few more things to add to my list of ideas.  So, here I sit...wondering where on earth to start.     

I guess I'll start a couple of days after my last post.

March 17th...St. Patrick's Day!  I had found a house listing online, admired the pictures and talked Chad into stopping by the open house that day. 

We had always been thankful for our first house, but we knew in our hearts it wasn't our last home...not out of lack of contentment.  We just knew we would eventually move. 

For years, we've researched various properties online, attended open houses for both new and existing homes, strolled through the local Parade of Homes, and even thought about building a house.  Most times, we'd see a lot of things we liked...but in different houses.  A piece of wonderfulness here...a gem of happiness over there.  Ultimately, we'd return home, look around & not feel as if it was time to move.  Content with our home, we knew it was going to take something special to make it worth moving. 

While waiting, it was fun to dream together.  Where did God want us?  Would we live in the country?  A different, nearby city?  Would we own wide open spaces...complete with horses and a dog?  Would we continue life in the suburbs?  How were the surrounding schools?  We admired nice woodwork, loved houses with character, found French doors charming, desired lots of natural light, and main floor laundry seemed like a plus.

Fast forward to finding our current home on online.    

Our first visit probably took an hour, as we opened every cabinet door & explored every nook & cranny.  That visit turned into four more visits, each one lasting maybe forty-five minutes or more.  It was getting serious up in here, Friends.  We took family & trusted friends through showings, we prayed & we sought counsel on if we should put an offer on the home.  Buying a house isn't a small deal.  We wanted to be certain & be within God's will.  We wanted to communicate well & reach compromises.  We wanted to decide together. 

Ultimately, we moved forward and put a contract on the house!  After negotiating, we came to acceptable terms and purchased the house.  Chad and I were both thrilled & at peace.  It had all gone so smoothly.  Our friend and buyer's agent, Carman, had advised all along that if it's God's will, it will run smoothly...if we encountered problems, it was God's protection. 

Most things with the house moved along with tremendous ease.  No glitches with paperwork, finances, etc.  We were often told that it was amazing how easily it all came together. 

God did allow some growing opportunities in our marriage, prior to our complete peace.  One evening, we had a pretty sizable argument.  I'm sure the fact that we had a real life argument shocks all you married couples, being marriage is usually so easy and all.  ;)  Anyway, in an effort to not say things I would regret, I may or may not have left and gone to a movie by myself...texting only after I was in my movie theater seat...and not really extending an invitation to join me.  I'm not saying this is mature.  I'm just being honest about where I was, at that moment. 

After the movie, I arrived home & I was stubbornly still harboring frustration...feeling my thoughts were unvalued.  Then, God spoke to my heart...while I was all busy thinking of how Chad should hurry up and change his...lol!  Gee, selfish much, Kate??  I remember praying that I didn't want a house to be a source of division in our marriage...that no matter how much we loved the house, we need to love each other a million times more.  If that meant letting go of what seemed like our dream house, so be it.  Light bulb moment, for me, People.

I practiced holding my tongue when Chad needed space to process vs. attempting to control with my words to encourage him to process faster.  The man likes to research, and honestly he is stellar at it.  He may be unsure about how to move forward for awhile, but once he knows, HE KNOWS & has unwavering confidence that really comforts me.  I'm not foolish in my processing; I just usually come to a quicker decision.  I practiced (again) trusting Him with this big decision & letting Him work in Chad's & my heart.   

Chad practiced valuing my ideas & realizing there are flaws in every house (new or existing).  There isn't a perfect house, in a way.  We knew that even if we tried to build this same house from scratch that it would be more expensive & a huge time investment that would trying on our marriage.   

I'm still in awe that God has seen fit to bless us so abundantly with our new house...and that He sold our other house in ten days (one day before I started another long-term subbing position)!!  We had an incredible seller's agent & our dear, wise friend was our buyer's agent.  They both held unmatched expertise in their jobs, if you ask us.     

Even though our new home is in a neighborhood we've visited many times, it has a unique charm about it.  It is a "story and a half" versus the familiar, local ranch-style home.  Natural light abounds, which is soothing to my often vitamin D deficient body.  I thank God all the time for that light!!!  

French doors lead to an office...the one where two bucks stare down at me, as I write this post.  Plantation shutters are stunningly placed throughout the main level.  A loft area houses a bathroom, the boys' bedrooms and a extra area for them to play/work on homework.  The white cabinetry in the kitchen is gorgeous (one of the photos that first attracted me to the house). White woodwork is throughout the house, further adding to the light.  We hardly ever have to flip on a light switch or a lamp...even on cloudy days.   

An amazing deck welcomes sunrises and a quaint porch is home to the setting sun. 

A wooden play set sits at an angle in the the backyard; I almost cried upon seeing it.  The boys' regular, metal swing set had been "loved" so well, it had fallen apart.  Considering their ages, we knew they could use something bigger, but we didn't plan to purchase a new one...especially a wooden play set.  Could they have lived without the one that was here?  Sure.  However, it was a sweet treat from Jesus. 

Just beyond the porch is a peach tree...another gift.  We had a peach tree at our other house & Chad had loved it!  It lived its life & died a year or so ago; he was disappointed to see it no longer produce fruit.  To discover a new peach tree was a huge joy for him, and he recently froze a bounty of peaches.  He makes a mean cobbler.  Don't get any ideas, Ladies.  He's taken.  :)   

I only list out all of these things, because I want to praise Him & remember His good gifts...things we could live without, but they're sweet blessings that remind us He hears our hearts...even in the little things/unnecessary things in life.  Does that make sense?   

We've prayed about using our home to host events & to reach out to others through meals & get-togethers.  It is fun to consider how God will help us use this place to serve & love others.  After we had the keys to the house, we stood as a family in the empty, dining area & Chad prayed we'd use this house for God's glory.  It was a sweet moment.

We're grateful to our moms for cleaning the thunder out of this place.  They wiped down every surface, every piece of woodwork...you name it.  We're thankful for everyone who helped us move and for the meal provided by a friend, as we settled in to our new home.  We've already had the joy of hosting a friend's 30th birthday (wad up, Des) & soon, a Ladie's brunch for church.

It's honestly felt like home, since moving day.  We miss previous neighbors, but have enjoyed slowly getting to know our new ones.  We're fortunate to have friends living in the neighborhood.  Their kids have eased our boys' concerns of having kids to play with, here.  They're riding bikes and scooters to friends' houses & friends often stop by to play in our home.  They even saw friends at the neighborhood pool.  So good for our hearts to witness!

Yes...new memories are being made.  Wiggly teeth lost, games played, snuggles on the couch, meals shared, stories read, and various celebrations all happen here.  The relationships, the interactions, & the sharing of things as a family creates the heart of our home...no matter its location.  It's with gratitude in our hearts that we say thank for the fun, little surprises, but especially for the meaningful moments that inspire us to love well & grow.  As we live out our days, in this season of living here, I pray we'll do it all for His glory.