Our new house

As promised I have a few updates on our move and the house we bought! :) Kyle and I were able to go up and spend an entire day looking at houses last week.  We found a couple that we liked but only one that really stuck out.  There were other people interested in the home and we were a little worried that there would be some competition but thankfully there wasn't!  We went back with both of our parents and looked at it a second time and ended up putting an offer in last Saturday.  The whole process went very quickly and they accepted our offer that day! This week has been spent looking for financing and insurance and we were able to get all the papers signed and that process started today.  Just in time for us to leave on our cruise Sunday!  Here is a link to the house we bought so everyone can pictures :)   http://www.fsbmarcus.com/real_estate_display.php?207-S.-Hamilton-Ave---Sale-Pending-47 
It's a really great house, less than 40 years old.  It does need some more modern updates, carpet, light fixtures, etc. but is really is a great house.  And it's ours which makes it even better :)  Our target closing date is July 22 and we hope to move the last weekend in July.  That will be just in time for Kyle to start football practice on August 1.

In all honesty, this week has been CRAZY stressful.  With us being gone on vacation all of next week I have been working double-time to get everything ready for the people taking over for me this week.  So, with all of the stuff going on with the house, getting ready for the cruise, getting stuff ready for work....it's been NUTS at our house.  But, it seems like when things get crazy that's when we need to slow down and listen for Gods voice.  This afternoon, after running around like crazy all day, Kyle and I took a couple of our FCA kids to a youth retreat up in Emmetsburg.  There weren't a lot of people there but the speakers were so good.  There were a couple testimonies given that really spoke to me.  They were great reminders to live for God and do HIS will for your life.  The main speaker was the youth pastor at the church my brother goes to in Des Moines.  He did a great job connecting with the kids and drawing them into his message.  He spoke on apathy and how we are so easily bored these days.  But when we truly love the Lord we find joy in reading the Bible and praying and serving the Lord in different ways.  As I have mentioned before, I have been reading a book called Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George.  This book has had a wonderful impact on my life and I find myself getting into a better prayer and quiet time routine. I find myself enjoying my own time with the Lord even more.  After the craziness of the week, and even though I was still spending time with God, I felt like tonight was a nice  little spiritual retreat.  A much needed retreat where I could slow down from all the craziness and remember to listen for the Lords voice. 

Anyway, after this week, God knew I needed a break to prepare for tomorrow....I haven't even started packing yet!!!  I have to completely pack all three of us by tomorrow night.  I know, the craziness doesn't end.  But, Kyle will be home to help and I know that with careful planning and God's help I can make it through.  I also want to be able to spend as much time as I can with my baby girl.  I am going to miss her sooooo much!!!  I have never been away from her for longer than a couple days, and even then she was just with Kyle!   Pray for me that I won't get too depressed being away from her all week and that I will still be able to enjoy my cruise.  I know that Kyle will be a big help tomorrow as well, and he will help me as much as he can.   We drop off Hayden with my parents Saturday night and leave right away Sunday morning to fly out of Omaha.  We probably wouldn't have planned to go on a cruise right in the middle of buying a home and moving, but I think God knew that we would need a break at about this time.