The Backup Plan

As most of you know, we had an offer 'accepted' on a house in Oakley....WAAAAY down past Knightsen.  It was a short sale with TWO loans out on it.  The realtor took our offer, as the only one they would consider and told us to settle in for a long wait while the two banks duked it out for their share of the price. 

Fine.

We've waited for the better part of 3 months and then received a message from the realtor.

He had been in constant contact with the bank holding the second loan and after many documented calls and messages he found out that loan had been sold to a collection agency. 

Meanwhile the first bank decided to offer the second bank only $3,000. 

Um, I'm not sure how much the loan was for, but that sure doesn't sound like much!

The collection agency regretted to inform us that they would take no less than $16,300.

Let's see, if my math skills are sharp that means we need to come up with $13,300 and pronto.

The selling realtor told us we could take this deal or he would be forced to put the house back on the market.  There wasn't anything anyone, including our realtor could do.

Did I mention we don't HAVE $13,300 just sitting around here?

Way to shut THAT door!

Now lest you feel sorry for us, I must mention that we kept looking at other houses in the past 3 months.  It's not that we weren't totally content with that house, we just knew we had to keep our options open.

The amazing part is that as we looked, it became clear how much that house had become our 'backup plan.' We were 'willing' to go there, and saw many great things the Lord could do with us in that neighborhood.....but in some ways we would be settling.  Because it was 'so' far out of town, it was A LOT of house for a great deal....newer and more of a clean palette for us....more so than any other house we've seen.   But try as we might....it wasn't right.  Hee hee that rhymes.

Now I started this post over a week or two ago...and I just couldn't gather my thoughts enough to finish it. 

Basically, this whole time of transition has been such a whirlwind that it's tough to be coherent!

In the end we are SO thankful to have a door closed.  Notice I say 'a' door....any door at this point will do!  We were craving a definite answer on SOMETHING in our life ;}

So I wanted to update you if you hadn't heard just yet about that offer.  Mentally we 'had' a house for a time....the ball was in OUR court...and we just had to wait it out.  Now that option is gone.

By now we've seen a dozen or so more house, and placed three other offers on houses in locations much closer to the freeway (something I've finally reconciled as a 'need'......the ease of freeway access dawned on me as I was shuttling the kids to classes in Oakland.....I LOVE the offerings of events and courses across the Bay Area and don't want to add to the madness of homeschooling when we've 'got to get up and GO!')

As I was saying...we've placed several offers, and are the 'backup offer' on one house....and we'll turn in one of our favorite offers in the morning.

Summer is flying by, and our quest continues...not just for a new home...but for a direction.

I feel like we're playing a treasure hunt and we need to be very still to here God whisper....'you're getting warmer.....warmer still.......nope, not that way, now you're getting cold!'

So no more back up plan.  It was an easy place to rest mentally, but now we're depending MORE on our Daddy's faint calling.

I'm SO excited to see where it leads!

In the meantime, we DO miss the gloriousness of our 'old' mess......

but in a nostalgic way.  It will be nice to be a family in our 'own' spot again one day. 

Until then, we're listening God.

Art Projects for Kids is Awesome!

I couldn't have survived this year prepping projects for 4 active boys without this website:
Art Projects for Kids 

One of our favorite projects used sharpies on tinfoil ....whowouldathunk?
The whole process was modeled after the work of Jim Dine.  Check it out here if you'd like to give it a try...we used these as large Valentines!

That's a wrap folks!

2010 is halfway over! Can you believe it?

Friday night was our Open House/Graduation for our Science/History/Art Co-op.

The kids had such an amazing time showing off their work and performing for their family. 

As their teacher, and mostly as their momma it was wonderful to see at a glance just how much they really learned during this hectic year!

I'll feature much more about that evening on our family blog, but here is one of my favorite pieces.

A lapbook about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

Merrick and Ian made their 'Washington French'...see the mustache.  "Wee wee,"  they'll say if you ask them about it.  It's hilarious!

As I was saying though....

We've wrapped up the school year and have begun planning for next year.

This week is also the last week of baseball for the boys.

I snapped this shot at today's game.

I love the angle of Merrick tapping the base as he readies to hit Ian home (from 3rd base.)

There he goes! What great teamwork! 

And just think, this moment was NOT doctor recommended!

Remember this guy....we signed him up for baseball against the orders of his doctor ....well atleast with the knowledge that he may not be able to run just 6 weeks after surgery. 

Well this was him at one of his first baseball practices.  He hobbled with the aid of a walker, and he tired very easily.  He didn't even bother trying to hit the ball since he didn't have the balance to stand unassissted.

And just look at him now....

That's the way you score a run baby!

And that would be the game ball!

Those events were spread out over this season.

A successful season if you ask me!

So I sit here tonight So grateful for our kid's health.

For Merrick's recovery, and for the grace of God that allowed our kids to learn SO much even as we worked our way through a tumor diagnosis, major surgery, recovery, and then moving out of our house.

It's been quite a ride to say the least!

And like I said, 2010 is only HALF way done ;)

To the other half I say....bring it!