My list of lists

I've been having a lot of thoughts lately, to-do lists running through my head, (what-if lists too) but unbelievably, no "I'd rather be" lists.   I've had a quote running thruogh my head from the Disney movie "Up" when Mr. Fredrickson and Russell are watching "Ellie" the house float away. 
Russel: "Sorry about your house Mr. Fredrickson."
Mr. Fredrickson: "Ya know, it's just a house."

Words to live by right now.

We close on the short-sale of our on Friday.  Baby steps (moving boxes) until Friday.  We are so blessed to be released from our house, mortgages, stress, and the chains that would have otherwise dragged us down to where I know not.  We are SOOO blessed to sell, even short sale and we've been released from all remaining deficiencies on the house, another miracle.  Thats been it in a nutshell.  How do you nutshell this experience? It has been a series of miracles from A to Z and there is no denying it.  I'm so grateful for the spirit of peace we've had through this experience.  Because of that peace all the other 'things' that have come up have been easier to handle.  I'm thankful for my ever faithful husband who, when my faith is lacking, supports me and I'm so thankful for the strengh to support him when he needs it. 

It seems the only time I have to post anything here, I don't have time to grab pictures, or I'm not on my computer with the pictures.  Ugh.  I do want to share some details of my birthday/Halloween weekend. 

Everything came back great from the buyer's lender's appraisal, so that cleared, then we had the home inspector come on Saturday morning at 8.  We found this out on Friday night, so I went to trunk or treat with the girls and left Tim to clean in his usual amazing way without kids to blaze a path of destruction behind him.  The girls had fun at trunk or treat, or candy fest as I call it, and their costumes were great. 

Saturday morning I ran 11 miles faster than I have ever run (yay me!) because I had to be back to shower and get the kids out of the house by 8 for Tim to tidy and go through the house with the inspector.  That all went great (the inspector even said it's one of the nicest houses he's seen in a long time).  We came home and ate lunch and got in costume for the Hocus Pocus Pops at the Phoenix Symphony with the kids.  It was a hoot!  We had a good time with the kids and they quite liked it too.  Yay music!! 

Sunday was a mellow day, and rather than trick or treating, we went to show off costumes at the grandparent's houses.  The girls had plenty of candy and had a good time.  I'll eventually get pictures up, but for now we're packing and getting out of the house by Nov 24.  We have a lot coming up, so I'll do my best to keep updated...
Thanks for reading.

House update

We are cautiously excited that we have an offer to buy our home.  More info will come later, but we are feeling really blessed right now with this possible opportunity to sell.  Just wanted to share this with y'all.

Happy Anniversary

Here we are Tim, 11 years down, ??? to go.  We had a great day yesterday. I ran about 11 miles and came home to a beautiful clean kitchen in which I promptly messed it up making my favorite chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for Tim.  We went to dinner and had a nice evening together.  I'm so happy I married my best friend for all eternity.

Congraduations!!!

Not a mispelling. Tim is done with his degree!! YAY for TIM!! CHEERS YIPPEE WAHOO!!  He's still in the throws of getting the formalities of the "diploma/degree" taken care of, but I want to brag about his accomplishments.  He is truly amazing to do what he's done all online, all with 3 kids to shuffle, and a house to maintain  and a high maintenance wife top please.  All done with flying colors and a 3.98 GPA to BOOT!!!!  Way to go Tim!! I am so proud of you!

That's what she said...

A few weeks ago, we were getting ready for church, Tim and I were in our closet putting on finishing touches, and Audrey comes in.

Audrey, looking thoughtfully at Tim, "Dad, you look handsome."
Audrey, turns to me with raised eyebrows, "You should kiss him."
We lean and quick kiss on the lips.
Audrey, with a look of disappointment in me on her face, "You should hug him when you kiss him."
We hug and kiss.
Audrey, "That's gooood."

We're still laughing about it.

a sample

some pictures of our lovely home in all of it's pristine cleanliness.  Fresh cookies just out of the oven too...

Granite countertops, tumbled stone backsplash

16" porcelain tile flooring

Tim finished the tumbled stone detail on the backsplash...beautiful work.

Fresh clean carpets

Fresh paint in the bedroom

Finished tile in master bath

Travertine flooring and wanescotting and tumbled stone tile shower detail

master tub with travertine wanescotting

playroom with built-in shelves for toy/book storage

Girls room

front room with pool table and finally finished the paint in the hall.  Yup. It's beautiful.  Tell everyone, we need a buyer. soon. Thanks.

Preschool for Audrey

She is so excited to go to Miss Becky's.  Yay Preschool!  Kennedy cried, she is sad and lonely for 4 hours a week now.  Soon enough for her though.