Finally... We're Homeless!!!

Today was the day, and a big day it was! We closed the sale of our house at 10am this morning. We left from there to get the stereo yanked from the Thunderbird at a nearby Best Buy. While they were doing that, we jumped in the van and traveled to Sean's home so we could get a monetary advance to get us through till the money is wired to our account. (What a blessing you have been to our family, Sean. Thank you!) We went back, picked up the car and had lunch. Then we went to Maryland, near BWI, and purchased the first new vehicle we've ever owned! John is giddy with excitement over his new Jeep. He is like a kid at Christmas!

Yesterday, we were out of the house by 3pm for the pre-sale walkthrough by the buyers and their agent. We came back at 6:20 to pick up our last load of things from the garage and inadvertantly met our buyers there. What a great meeting it was though and totally ordained by God Himself. The family who is moving in is a family with a commitment to Christ, and a complete answer to our prayers. They love the house and their boys fell in as fast friends with our boys. They are people with whom I felt an immediate connection and I know we could've been great friends. It made it a pleasure to sign our much loved home over into their care. We were even invited to come back and visit when we return for our things. I'd love to take them up on it and see what they add to the place. Everyone has their own personalities to pour into a home and I'd be excited to see the results of this family's character!

Tomorrow we hit the road for Nags Head, NC after we get the hitch on the jeep and load up the U-haul trailer we're renting to get the RV stuff to Florida. I hope to get some photos of John and his beloved jeep tomorrow. I'll be sure to post them! After the Outer Banks, we'll try to hit a few cities on the way to Florida, but we want to be in to Robby's Sunday night if possible. We'll keep you posted as the adventure has officially begun!

Steph

A Note from the Boys

Hi this is Alex. How are you doing? I'm doing fine. We're going to Six Flags and it's going to be so fun. They have waterparks and rollercoasters. I think it's going to be fun. That hot sauce was really hot. I guess the driod starfighter is really worth it. That hot stuff almost made me throw up. I wouldn't do that again. Not even for another Star Wars toy.

Well we're starting on our adventure. We're all having a good time. I got spilled on by chocolate milk. So I am guessing this is going to be a really sticky ride. We are going to Six Flags which is going to be fun. We're going to do a couple of big rides. Here's the bad part, PJ's Grandma died on a rollercoater there. So David doesn't want to ride any. And this adventure is probably going to be really long. We're buying an RV and touring the country. Is that scary or what? I am looking forward to it a lot because buying an RV and going around the country is going to be really fun. I want to go to California and go to Disneyland. And I really want to visit Ohio where my grandparents are. I want to go to Florida because Papa Robby's brother knows a lot about semis and is going to teach me and give me a tour of his. And I'm going to see one of my best friends, Dylan. That's it for now. Zach

Hi! My name's David. I'm going to talk about lots of stuff that's going on and probably will happen. First, I like to read a lot. I'm really interested in books. I go to the library a lot. This time, though, I went and got two audio books. One of them was called Ender's Game, one of my Daddy's favorites. Another was a Star Wars book I had heard about and wanted to hear. Ender's Game turned out to be one of my absolute favorite books. It probably is my favorite. We went for a bike ride down at the W&OD. At the beginning, we were maybe a mile into it when Mrs. Merchant challenged us to a race. My two brothers, Zach & Alex, zoomed after her. Zach got in front of her and there was a fork in the trail. Mrs. Merchant started to go right then Zach cut her off and they got into a huge wreck. So Mr. And Mrs. Merchant had to go back home. Mrs. Merchant was bleeding a little bit but she was OK. Her bike needed two new wheels. We went on for about another 8 miles. Then at the Trail's End Bike Store at the trail's end, I got a new biking shirt. It matched my bike. Then we went over to Fire & Ice and got lots of ice cream. Us 3 boys got 3 scoops, Mom & Dad got 4. I got Birthday Cake flavored ice ceream. Then we went for the ride back. Dad challenged Alex that if he got there first or second, he could choose to play Halo when we got home. Then he challenged me that I could choose Xbox for the next 2 nights if I got back first. I got in first real quick. Then we were near the end and I stopped for a potty break and to wait up for the others. I was maybe a whole mile ahead of them. When they caught up I asked them to come and sit down for a break with me, but they zoomed on by. Then I remembered the challenge. I tried even with my secret way of pedaling I call "hyperspace" but I couldn't catch up. Mom ended up getting there first, but Alex got there second and got his reward. All ther rest of the night he wouldn't let me play Halo with him. We ended up going to bed that night and since then it's been pretty regular. But I'll try to tell you a bit more. I bet you've heard about our adventure so I won't try telling you that. I think you've heard this one too but I'll tell you anyways. We went to a place called Old Dominion. We all straddled up to the bar and had some beer. Then we went over to the wing factory and they had this hottest sauce that you've ever tasted that was called Flatliner. As in in a hospital when the heart thing is going in a zig zag line and when you're dead it's flat, that's what it means. That's what we did last night and not much has happened since. Well, that's it for now. David

Home Again

Well, we've been back at the house for a week now. It feels different, like a very familiar and comfortable place that doesn't belong to us. It's nice to sleep on our own matresses-- Gosh, I love my bed! We've been trying to keep relatively busy, but it is difficult since we don't have a lot of money nor do we have chores or the regular kinds of activities we are used to. We have been going on various bike trips, playing Xbox, reading books and taking library trips, and John has had some freelance work. On Saturday, we rode 18 miles on the Washington & Old Dominion trail from Leesburg to Purcellville, Virginia. It was 9 miles one way, then we tooka break for ice cream and headed back on way too full tummies. We were all a bit tired by the time we reached the van, but we were really impressed by how well we did, especially the boys!

Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day with steak on the grill after attending church for the first time in a month. We decided we really miss church and hope we will be able to find one where we settle that we can love as much as Grace. Our Pastor was telling John of a vibrant and exciting church in Boise, which John was all too happy to tell me about! After our steak, we relaxed and played Xbox then watched 3 episodes of Enterprise. The kids were very pleased with that choice!

Yesterday, we took a trip to Manassas, Virginia to pick up our escrow check from the old buyers who failed to satify their contract with us. John had worked till 2pm for a client in Fredericksburg, then came to pick us up. It was our intention to ride bikes at the Manassas battlefield park after conducting our business. However, we discovered that bikes were not permitted on the trails, and the roads were looped onto busy roads that we would've been uncomfortable taking the boys onto. Thus, we just hiked some of the trails then headed to Old Dominion Brewry for a round of root beers! We didn't eat there, although they do have great food. Instead, we went across the road to the Buffalo Wing Factory where we had our fill of 25 chicken fingers and all types of variety of dipping sauces. John signed a waiver to get a sauce that they call "Flatliner", an extremely hot sauce that can cause actual trouble for those of weaker constitutions. He enjoyed showing the family what kind of a man he really is by dipping his chicken occassionally in it. As a challenge, he told the boys he'd buy them a new toy if they tried just a tiny bit of it. None of them really wanted to do it, but Alex gave in to the temptation. He REALLY wanted a new Star Wars toy! He ate the piece of french fry with Flatliner sauce on the end of it, and his eyes grew really wide with a few tears he held bak! Then he proceeded to drink all of Zach's drink, his own and some of mine. We stopped at Walmart on the way home even though it was midnight. He earned it!!!

Today, we are on our way to Six Flags America. Someone had given us 5 free passes. We are getting a late start, but it doesn't matter. It all good. We'll be sure to post some pics later. We are looking forward to closing on the house early next week, but still don't know the exact date yet. Keep us in your prayers!

John & Steph

And now for something completely different...

I am soooo not in control of this situation. It took me a lot to realize this. It took me even longer to accept it. And now, finally I nearly revel in it! We didn't go to settlement today with our original buyers. They still hadn't sold (settled) on their place. And so, we voided our contract with them and ratified the backup offer on our house. It's a solid offer - for the same price with a significant chunk of change in escrow, no contingencies, and a VA loan. I feel really good about it - so does
Steph. This family seems to be a really neat family who will enjoy our home as we did!

We loaded up the van with items from the hotel and took them back to our house (the stuff that was going in the RV). We jokingly called a few friends and asked for assistance in "moving in"!! Reality is that I went to storage and got mattresses and the kitchen table to take back home. We're going to be there for the next two and a half weeks until the new closing date. We don't want to unpack much stuff - but we want to be semi-comfortable. Then we needed to go to the grocery and get milk and cereal and some stuff to eat. Crazy situation - but I'm doing ok with that!

I am excited about our trip - whenever it happens! We can roll with the changes whatever they may be. God has my back - and He's never let us down!

John

(8 posts and we haven't really gone anywhere yet!)

There is a God and He Ain't Me

Well, we went to settlement Monday morning after checking into our hotel room late Sunday night. We got there only to find out that we aren't selling our house this week. We left disgruntled, confused and sad. Our plans were obviously not on God's timeline. So, we put the house on the market this week so we could get some backup offers in case our original buyers fall through yet again (third time's a charm). We received a really great offer should our original not close this coming Monday, which we are set to do at 5pm. If it doesn't happen again, the back up offer is near ironclad and would close in 2 weeks. We are once again at God's mercy, but we know full well that He is in control and knows what is best for us. We see but through the keyhole and He can see the entire room on the other side! So, we are at peace even though we are in flux. We'll keep y'all updated come Monday as to what the next 14 days hold for us!

Steph (John kept dragging his feet on posting!)

The Move

After I wrote last Monday, I took the boys for a bike ride through Steph's parents neighborhood. They were on the sidewalk and I was on the street. Heading down a hill - cruising pretty fast when a car came around the bend flying towards me. I locked up the brakes and turned the wheel to get out of the street - BAD Combination!!! I laid it down and got the worst road rash of my life on my knee and elbow. The bike didn't suffer much damage - but I still hurt a week later!! I read about a hydro colloidal wound dressing that should heal things quicker - we'll see how it goes. I almost feel like it's an expensive large foam band-aid! It has kept me from injuring it further though while we pack and move!

Stress levels are high. For all of us I think. We just can't wait for the work here to be done! Today we have mattresses to get out and some other odd miscellaneous stuff. Then we clean. How well do we have to clean? By waiving the building inspection, what do our buyers expect today? Steph has done a fair amount of painting to cover some areas that needed it - and we've patched holes - I'm just wondering what is expected. We'll do the best that we can with the time we have left today.

I hate moving. At least this part of it. Most everything is in storage - ready to sit there for the summer. But then there's the last few things - 2 or 3 van loads worth - and oh does that drag on forever!! This evening we have the pre-settlement walkthrough. And then tomorrow morning we are homeless!

This is the time for a shout out to thank those that helped us out with some of the packing and moving process. Matt - thanks for helping with the fridge!! Mike and Alicia - thanks for helping pack and load the van - It is much appreciated! And A HUGE special thanks to Solomon for coming over and staying the night to help us get things done!! Your youthful muscle and enthusiasm have made such a big difference - especially after I twisted my ankle yesterday!

I need to check and see what hotel we'll be staying in for the next 4 nights. I haven't decided yet - I've been kind of busy! I'll make sure they have net access though!

Things started becoming more real for me when I called Friday to cancel the utilities. It was like "wow - this is really close!" Fortunately they didn't shut off our DSL early like they warned me could happen!

Well I need to get back to it - I have a van to load and I'm running out of time! Until next time .....

John