IT'S UP TO ME

Since no one else will blog I guess I will. I feel like there is so little to tell, but really so much to let out.

In my last post I said that you never know what will happen in month two, speaking of us turning southern. I think we may be even less southern than in month one! I find a constant need within myself to tell people where I'm from. I don't know why, most people do not know Utah for what I know it for. I know it for home. I realize that more now than ever and I really miss it. I do. More than I thought I would truthfully. I never used to understand when people came to Park City and talked of "home". I now find myself making such references.

There is a constant cliche playing in my world. The one that goes like this: "You never know what you have until it's gone." People who know us; a church home; clear purpose; complete familiarity; job security and comfort. I could go on, but you all know and many of you have lived it too. I miss everyone so much.

I am looking forward to days at the beach this summer. Our summer starts this week! School is out on Tuesday. It feels so early compared to what we've been used to. We impatiently anticipate summer visitors too. Y'all are going to love our tans! Just kidding, but I think we are more tan already than we used to get all summer. Hopefully you can all return home with refreshed color as well.

God speed to all. I have hope for someone else to post soon. I need interaction. Lots of love.

A MONTH IN THE SOUTH

...and we are still Yankees! We have not turned Southern yet, but you never know what might happen next month.

The thing about big moves that most of us have learned now is that LIFE IS LIFE no matter where you are! I still get up every morning to my beautiful children who need to get ready for school. I still have to pay the utilities which means I still have to go to work. So, that means I still wait tables! My husband still loves me, I think. And I know that I still love him.

God is still there waiting for me to make time for Him everyday. Which I still don't always do and somehow thought I would.

My life is settled. Settled more now than it has been in years let's say. In this settling there is an unsettling. We have not established new goals to work toward and therefore sit stagnant. Owen and I do much better, as do most people I would assume, when we have a common goal to partner toward. We will find it soon, I hope.

ROLLER COASTERS

I actually really like roller coasters. I find the adrenaline exciting and enjoy the closeness felt to the one beside you. There is just something about fear that seems to bring people together.

I do not, however, appreciate the roller coaster that references my recent emotions!

I was doing just fine waiting. I struggled a bit with patience, but overall I felt successful in the adventure. I felt that we were really learning how to trust and wait. Being given hope and excitement then having it ripped from you is so disheartening. I was much more content to wait and learn than to hope and be crushed.

The roller coaster post disappointment is much more severe than the roller coaster of wait-go-wait. I feel encouraged by scripture and God one moment, then paralyzed by disappointment the next. It is just really difficult to be on the "countdown" and then be catapulted back to the waiting room. I suppose it would be kind of like false labor. Thankfully I never had any, but can imagine the disappointment there.

I have heard and spoken most all of the cliches associated and for the most part I believe them, but I am still a very emotional person (in case any of you have forgotten) and I wanted to let a little of it out.

Thanks for listening...

TRANSITION

Here's the deal...there has not really been much to report, hence the silence. We are so in need of your prayers right now. Owen and I are both in a new area of trust in the Lord. It is hard to wait not knowing what is going on. We know that He has everything in control, but we are faced with some big decisions and a potential high level of stress. Please pray that we will have clear direction in all that we do in the near future...

Owen will be in need of a new job within the next few days to two weeks. He has options, we just have to know which one he should go with. I will no longer have a job at bdc; it is not a lot of money, but probably about $500 a month so it is significant in our lives. I can most likely work as much as I want/need to at the restaurant, so that is good. We need to feel confident that the Lord wants us to keep our house at the price we have it at now. We are feeling some confusion.

I know you all get it. We are ready to move on to the next chapter in our lives, but obviously God has a lesson to teach us right now. Please pray that we get it soon and we can go!

My parents were here for Thanksgiving and we ate at Jason's. Jason cooked most of the food and it was excellent of course. We celebrated with Diane on Sunday night and that was also a lot of fun.

My mom is still in town, but will be leaving on Monday. With the weather the way it has been (extremely cold!) she has been reminded of why she left Utah and has no regrets! My dad will be leaving within the next two weeks to make his final move. He will be in PC about one week out of four to continue with some work involved with him "merging" his company. Jason and Kris are going to be leaving PC around the 15th to drive to Florida for Christmas. Jason will then fly back on the 28th to pack their moving truck and drive to Shreveport, LA. Kris will meet him there with Fisher after they have closed on their new house. Elle will fly in around the 7th of January. They have not yet sold their house, but are buying a new house anyway in order to keep their family together.

Pray for all of our houses to sell: Mom and Dad, Jason and Kris, Chad and Katy (spec house on the market since April) and Owen and Alyson. A little weird that we are all at the mercy of the market! Thank God for His mercy which outweighs all else!

Other than that things are the same. The kids are good. They are ready to move except the occasional waiver on Mazana's part. She does not want to leave all of her friends! But, they both say that it is too cold here and they want to go to Florida. Funny stuff, I say.

Owen and I will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary next Saturday. Wow, I can't believe it has been that long. (The further we go the younger I feel in relation to the years I have been married.) Each year I feel more strongly that we were meant to be together. I have no regrets about getting married so young. Owen has blossomed into such an amazing man. And I hope that I have grown up a bit myself!

God's blessings to all of you. I pray that we can all keep things in perspective this holiday season. Much love as always.

DAILY HUM DRUM

Most things are still the same...
*Owen is still gone, but returns on Wednesday and I cannot wait! The kids miss him so much too and we have all about reached our limit.
*The house is still for sale. The last offer did not go anywhere after we countered. There is an open house today and at least one realtor coming with potential buyers. Daniel is doing a good job I think. I am ready for it to sale and being pushed to learn patience!
*My trip to Florida last weekend was nice, but way too quick for such a long distance to travel. We found a house that we really like and are praying about what God wants us to do.
*So that's about it, I just wanted to give you a quick update on what's happening-nothing yet! The funny thing is though, it can happen any day. No matter when it is it will be sudden, because I am no longer expecting anyone who looks at the house to actually buy it, but eventually someone will!
*I love you all so much and especially miss you in the midst of my loneliness. I hope you are all well.

LAUGHABLE

We received our first offer. Although it is very laughable we are still happy to have some really good activity. They offered us $406,000 with a contingency for their house to sell and it is not even on the market until Monday! (Although the area they live in has an average of 23 days on the market.) They put down $500 earnest money which for PC is unacceptable-1% is the unspoken norm. Anyway, we countered at $428,000 and more earnest money and changed their dates a bit. They have until 6:00 tomorrow (Wed.) to respond.

We have been having a lot of showings-two just yesterday-so even if this offer doesn't work out we hope that it will create some urgency with other buyers.

Owen has now been gone for a week. With the stress of the new offer and signing and countering, etc. and Mazana's birthday today I am not fabulous. I am starting to feel a little alone in everything. But I must say that I have been handling him being gone much better than expected. Not being depressed and being so busy with school, etc. has made the experience much more livable. I am starting to see how "normal" people can deal with stressful situations. I used to look at people and think I would go crazy if I had to do "that". Thank God for His healing touch!

I hope everyone is good. I'll keep you posted. Lots of love.

TIRED

Today I am just really tired. I feel worn out and a bit discouraged.

For one thing I have been sick for almost two weeks now. I have a very stubborn sinus infection which is giving me a terrible headache. I just want to go back to bed and be alone for awhile.

My kids are behaving fine, but I have to have them at the office with me today and I had hoped for Owen to take the day off to spend with them since he leaves on Tuesday. He is too busy.

I am in the "it's not fair" mode today and I know that is not a good place to be. It will get me nowhere good I know. I could use a fun girls' night out, but can't have it. With Owen leaving I feel like I should spend as much time with him as I can and then after he's gone I'll be stuck at home.

On a more fun note...we are having Mazana's birthday party on Sunday night (since Owen will be gone on her birthday). I am then going to let her invite a few friends from school over for cake and ice cream on her actual birthday. I love birthdays, as you all know, so I am excited about that.

Also, we lowered our price on our house yesterday. We felt like it was what God was leading us to do. We went from $454,900 to $429,900! Wow, big drop. The thing is that the market is so oversaturated it is hard to sell quickly. In the last seven days 60 houses have sold, which sounds great, but 110 have come on the market.

Jenell, I really wish we were still across the street from each other so we could hang out while our husbands are both gone. Boy, would that be nice.

So, that's it. I love you all.