I've missed you, my precious internet

We have internet again! And I've spent the last hour or so catching up on facebook, email and a few blogs that I follow. SO FUN!

Well, it's official. We closed on the house today and we're moved in. I can hardly believe it. We never imagined when we listed our house on April 20th that it would sell in 9 days and that we would own and live in another house on May 29th!

Yesterday was an emotional day. We emptied our old house and cleaned it for the new owner. What an enormous job!

Memories of the last six years went through my mind all day as I cleaned each room and dusted, cleaned toilets, tubs, sinks and floors, vacuumed, scrubbed out the fridge and wiped down the counters one last time.

Andy and I bought that house - our first house - the summer of 2003. I was offered my teaching job over the phone in August of 2004 in that house. I took a positive pregnancy test in October of 2004 in that house. We brought Lily home from the hospital to that house in June of 2005. I took a positive pregnancy test in November of 2007. We brought Taylor home from the hospital to that house in July of 2008. We had countless get togethers, parties, lunches and playdates with family and friends at that house. We celebrated Lily's 1st, 2nd and 3rd birthdays in that house. She graduated to her big girl bed in that house. We played many rounds of Settlers of Catan in that house. We watched many Vikings games in that house. We painted every room in that house at least once. We added crown moulding in the kitchen, new faucets, new light fixtures, new window treatments, a new deck, a new fireplace, and a new roof.

As we pulled out of the driveway for the last time we were both in tears. We loved that house and are so thankful for all of God's goodness to us in that house. And it's not so much the house that we'll miss, but we get emotional when we think about all of the significant milestones that have happened as we've started our family.

So today we start a new chapter! The closing was this morning and it went incredibly smooth. We're moved into the new house (although not unpacked! ugh. that'll take awhile) and it's already starting to come together and feel homey.

If you would pray for Lily, we would appreciate it. All of this has been really overwhelming and a little confusing to her. She really likes this house, but she keeps saying that she wants to go home and that she wants to live in "her old house". We know that she'll get used to it before we know it, but we'd just like the adjustment to be smooth for her. It'll help when we get her room unpacked and put together. But please say a prayer for her.

One of my favorite things about this house is that we have a guest room! I don't think I can describe the joy in my heart!!! I have wanted a guest room for ever! And now we have one. The new sheets have been washed and the bed is made, so come stay with us!

And now I think I'll check my email one more time before bed. Oh how I've missed you, internet!

ONE MILLION sponsored children!

I LOVE Compassion International because of what they do for children all around the world. This week they reached an incredible milestone: ONE MILLION children sponsored through Compassion! Isn't that absolutely awesome?!?!

For the past few years we've been sponsoring a little girl from Indonesia named Shinta. Getting her letters in the mail is such a day brightener! It's been so cool to be a part of her life from the other side of the globe and "watch" her grow up. She (and her family) always express how grateful they are for our sponsorship and it's so humbling that such a small thing for us is giving her a better life and exposing her to Jesus and the truth about Him.

Compassion makes it so easy, and it's an incredible opportunity to make an eternal difference in a child's life. I can't encourage you enough to consider child sponsorship through Compassion, World Vision or some other Christian organization. It's a sacrifice with an eternal reward!

Bittersweet

These past few weeks have been some of the craziest days of my life. We listed our house one month and one day ago. And we will be official owners of our new house in 8 days. Whirlwind. It's the best word I can think of to describe what's been happening around here.

With the long to-do list and all that we need to accomplish in this short span of time, my darling husband and I have not always been on the same page. Big surprise, I know. Our expectations haven't always lined up and our patience has worn dangerously thin. And it's frustrating to me, because I feel like these should be some of the happiest days of our lives!

Thanks to my parents, my hubby and I were able to get away for a little date last night and we were in desperate need! We had a great time alone and were able to make eye contact and talk about stuff other than paint colors, boxes, and all things moving related. I don't know, but my parents may have saved my marriage last night! =)

As we pack up all our earthly belongings (and how in the world did we accumulate this much junk in six years of marriage???) I've had waves of memories come over me and I've felt really nostalgic about leaving this house. For the record, I have absolutely loved this house. Or perhaps more accurately, I have absolutely loved the life I've lived with Andy, Lily and Taylor in this house.

As we've made trips back and forth between the two houses I've made a mental list of all the things I'll miss about this house and this neighborhood and what I'll like about our new house and new neighborhood. I decided to write that list out and share it with you. You're welcome.



What I'll miss about our little brown house (in no particular order):
The skylight in the bathroom (the kids' bathroom in the new house has no window and it seems so dark to me!)
Our neighbors (we have some really nice neighbors including a 3 year old little girl)
The park at the end of the street (super convenient and Lily LOVES it)
The convenience store in our backyard
The walk-in closets in Lily and Taylor's rooms
The size of Lily and Taylor's rooms
I brought both of my babies home to this house
The smallness of the house

What I won't miss about our little brown house (in no particular order):
The smallness of the house
The lack of cupboard space in the kitchen
No pantry in the kitchen
The kitchen being on a separate level from everything else
Some of the other neighbors (sorry!)
The L.O.U.D. garbage truck emptying the convenience store's dumpster at 5:00 in the morning!
The insane bushes in front of the house which grow an extra 3 or 4 feet every summer!

What I'll like about our new house (in no particular order):
The master bathroom!!!
And my own sink in the bathroom!!!
TONS of cupboard space in the kitchen
The kitchen, laundry and living room all on the same level
The bedrooms all on the same level
Having a guest room!!! (Come and see us!)
Being next door to Taylor, rather than having to climb the stairs in the middle of the night (the thought of this brings me more joy than I can express!)
The sidewalks and walking trails in the neighborhood
Maintenance free deck
Formal dining room

We're moving into a dream house and God has done more than we could have asked or imagined. Did you know that across the street from our new house lives a 3 year old girl??? I nearly cried when I found out. It's another blessing from the Lord and something we didn't even think to ask Him for.

So I am excited to move into this new house. And I'm really going to miss our little brown house. This process is very bittersweet.

Progress

Our painting party at the house on Saturday went really well. We're SO thankful to our friends who came and worked their butts off to help us! Andy and I were there all three days over the weekend working on it. And I took the kids this afternoon to take a load of stuff over and do some touch-ups. We're still not done!!! But, we're SO thankful that we have these next 11 days to git er done. =)

The one bummer is that the kitchen looks awful! We chose a red color (deeper than the red we currently have in our kitchen) and primed it first, but that darn color is NOT covering! It looks absolutely terrible. There are at least three coats on right now and it's splotchy and tacky. We've just about had it with that room and neither of us have any desire whatsoever to put another coat of anything on the walls.

We broke down and called a painter. He's coming Wednesday morning and I feel so relieved! We're going to do a different color and we're just praying that we like how it turns out and that it"goes" with the other colors already in the house.

Just an update about my kids - Taylor was 10 months on Friday! He's getting a ton of teeth right now - he got one a week ago Friday and then another on last Sunday and now a couple more are right there. Poor little guy! And, he climbed the stairs by himself! I was standing in the kitchen watching him when he went up the first step and thought to myself, "He won't do it. Will he?" And By George, he did! I was right behind him the whole way and was speechless when he reached the top and crawled into the living room, going about his business like it was no big deal! What a stinker! He claps and says, "Yay" in his sweet little boy voice. I've tried to teach him a few signs and he refuses! It's actually hilarious to me, because he looks right at me as if to say, "Not gonna happen, mom!"

Lily is doing very well, too. She is growing up before my eyes and she'll be four in less than a month! She's debating between a Princess or a Stawberry Shortcake birthday party. =) She LOVES the new house and when we took her there for the first time she ran throughout the house and asked what each room was. She likes her room and can't decide between pink or blue. We went with pink because that's what she said on the day we bought paint. And now she says she'd rather it was blue. It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind! =) Her latest thing is that she can't wait to turn 16 so that she can drive! Heaven help us!!! I know that'll happen before I know it!

Wordless Wednesday

Inside the new house

We were at the new house today for the inspection. It went very well and there are just a couple minor things to take care of before we move in. It was fun to be inside for awhile today and watch Taylor crawling around, and then think that in just a couple weeks he'll be doing that all the time in that house! We like the house more every time we go back.

Here are a few pics of the interior. It needs COLOR so desperately! Andy and I love color. We're going in on Saturday to try to get as much painting done as we can. I can't wait to see what a little paint will do for the place. =) If you're available on Saturday, grab a brush or roller and come paint with us!!! We'll provide pizza and beverages!

Dining Room

Taylor's Dedication

We dedicated Taylor to the Lord yesterday. I thought it was really special that we were able to do that on Mother's Day! It's really a big commitment that we made to do our best to raise Taylor in the nurture and admonition of the Lord with His help and by His grace.

At our church we're asked five questions by our Pastor and we respond by saying, "I do." Then he goes down the line and dedicates each baby to God. We were fortunate enough that my dad was allowed to participate and we're so delighted that he dedicated his grandson to the Lord.

Here are the questions that we were asked:

1. Do you recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God’s blessing?
2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God?
3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God’s fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives?
4. Do you promise to provide, through God’s blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own Heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them?
5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God’s grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life; and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?

And then my dad laid his hand on Taylor's head and said these words:

Taylor Andrew Becker , together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever.

It was just awesome. Here are a few picture highlights.

Some of the families dedicating their children yesterday: Kristin and Tim with Shiloh and Jericho, Lorelie and Neil with Will, Steph and Mitch with Tirzah, and me and Andy with Lily and Taylor, and there's my daddio on the end

Taylor was very interested in the microphone!

My kids with their beloved uncle and aunt

Mandi and Bryan, bless their hearts, made the six hour trip for the dedication and drove back right after lunch!

Our SOLD sign!!! This is our last big family get together at this house, so I thought it was appropriate to take a family pic by the sign.

My auntie Shari with T

Cousins - T, Max, Lily and Zach

T and Grandpa Sam

Andy's parents Ed and Kathy

Great grandma Irene

Grandma Vicki

I have a picture of her reading to Lily on the day of her dedication so when I saw her reading to Taylor I had to grab my camera!

We had our families over for lunch afterward and it was such a wonderful day! It's so neat that it just happened to be Mother's Day and that we were all together.

I Corinthians 13

Last year on Mother's Day I heard this version of I Corinthians 13 on the radio and it made me tear up. I really like it, so I've decided to post it again. Happy Mother's Day, all you amazing mommies!

A Mother’s Version of 1 Corinthians 13

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love, I am a housekeeper–not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements, but have not love, my children learn cleanliness–not godliness.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child’s laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love is present through the trials.
Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Love is the key that opens salvation’s message to a child’s heart.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection. Now I glory in God’s perfection of my child.
As a mother, there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.

I never win anything

I won! I won!

Have you ever shopped on Etsy? Etsy is this incredible place to buy all things handmade online! I'm serious when I say you can find almost anything you can dream of on Etsy. Cloth napkins, jewelry, hair clips, purses, scarves, candles, notecards, art, frames, ceramics, etc! You could spend an entire day browsing Etsy - it's just huge.

When you go to the site you can do a search for a very specific thing, such as pink yellow blue bead necklace, and you won't believe the lovely things that you'll find!

Anyway, BriarClaire is one of my favorite sellers on Etsy. She makes some of the cutest little clippies that I've ever seen. I placed an order the other day and today I got an email saying that I had won my order for FREE! The money has already been refunded to my paypal account. Isn't that so exciting?!?! I never win anything. Truly. So this is a big deal for me. =)

If you visit her site you'll see a little announcement near the top that says that happyheart21 is a winner and that's me!!! Yay!

More Lilyisms

I just needed to write these down before I forget them:

In the car yesterday she was using her water bottle and a couple other things as characters talking to each other. And I heard, "Hey Mr. Water Bottle, do you have a noodle in your belly?"

My parents were visiting yesterday and we were sitting at the kitchen table talking. I said to my mom and dad, "I'm not aware of blah blah blah." Lily piped up saying, "What?!?! You're not aware?!?!" It was HILARIOUS!

Let's make a deal

A deal has been reached! Here's a brief synopsis:

Monday morning we met with our realtor and wrote an offer. We gave the bank until Friday(today) at 5 to let us know.

Last night (Thursday) we received a counter offer.

First thing this morning we countered.

Mid-morning they countered and late morning we countered back.

About a half hour ago they countered again and we agreed to the deal!

Can you tell we totally low balled since there was so much room in the middle for all this countering??? =) Andy and I feel really happy with the final price and we even got a washer and dryer thrown in!!!

Here's the part that really thrills me: We can start moving in on the 15th! That's right! One week from today!!! It's is a HUGE burden lifted to not be worrying about finding/dealing with any temporary housing! What an unbelievably smooth transition this allows for us!

Throughout this entire process I have felt very peaceful (just a little anxiety the last couple days about being out by the 29th and wondering where we'd live in limbo). My prayer has always been for God's will to be done and for him to make it clear where he wants us. I've never once asked him for a certain house. And when we received this last counter offer, Andy and I both felt great about it and were in total agreement to accept.

What a whirlwind! We made the decision to list our house in the middle of April, listed it on the 20th, "sold" it on the 29th, and will close on our new one on May 29th! Only God could orchestrate this. We couldn't have conceived it!

But oh, the incredible amount of work to be done in these next days! Your prayers for sanity, energy and sleep would be much appreciated!

Yippee! I am SO excited! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Wordless Wednesday

Lilyisms

Lily has grown up a lot in the last couple months. She's taller. And more articulate. And so darn precious. She's always been a talker and says some of the funniest things. But she's been a hoot lately. I thought I'd share a few Lilyisms with you.

Today in the car she asked for her water bottle, took a drink, and then handed it back to me saying, "Can you handle this?" I have no idea what that means, but I laughed out loud.

I was looking at her adoringly and saying that I can't believe she's going to be 4 in six weeks. She said, "Can I be 4 in five minutes?" She is really looking forward to being 4. In case you couldn't tell.

Tonight she was playing with her piggy bank and had all the coins in a pile on the floor. I said, "What are you going to do with all your money?" To which she replied, "Pay for pills." What?!?! Pills?! That's just about the last thing I was expecting!

Now we wait

Today we made an offer on the house that I told you about. And now we wait.

This house is a foreclosure and has been sitting empty for two years! The price has already come down considerably and we're hoping to get a really, really good deal on it.

It's a 2 story, which I love. The main floor is a formal dining room, big kitchen, half bath, laundry, and ginormous living room. The upstairs has 4 bedrooms including a full bath and master bath. The basement isn't finished, but we could put in a nice sized family room, bathroom, and another bedroom or two.

We're both cautiously optimistic and would be thrilled to buy this house. However, we only want to be in it if God wants us to be in it. My prayer is that he would close the door if it isn't meant to be. Throughout this process so far I just keep asking Him to guide us clearly.

The turquoise parts look *really* turquoise in the pic, but they aren't as extreme in person. =)

What a whirlwind

Hello all my long lost bloggy friends!!! I know I've done a terrible job blogging lately. And I call myself a blogger???

The past few weeks have been an absolutely whirlwind. We decided about three weeks ago that we were going to put our house on the market. As I've said before, we tried to sell it the summer of 2007. We had it on the market for three months and had TONS of showings. And lots of positive feedback. It just wasn't meant to be. And then I got pregnant with Taylor and was super sick and couldn't fathom cleaning for showings while feeling like that. So, we took it off the market.

And then this economy happened. We totally believe that God was protecting us. If we had bought the house we wanted to back then we'd be in a financial pickle.

But we got the itch. And decided to try selling our house again. Our house is a "first time home buyer" kind of house and we thought that maybe with the $8000 tax credit this year somebody might take advantage of that by buying our house.

So we listed our house on Monday, April 20th and have had six showings and another one is scheduled for tonight! It has been insane!!! It's SO HARD to clean for showings whilst also taking care of two kids. I escaped to the cities for a few days while my sister was in town and it was really nice.

We got an offer last Saturday and went back and forth and finally reached a deal on Wednesday. They did the inspection last night and it looks like we're good to go with a closing date of May 29th! What?!?! It all seems a little surreal to me. And now it's settling in that we need to find a place to live within 4 weeks! We'd definitely appreciate your prayers!

There are a few things we've learned that we want in whatever house we end up in - a few of our "non-negotiables" if you will: A master bathroom, a fireplace, a 3-car garage, a guest room, LOTS of cupboard space in the kitchen and a big basement.

We've looked at 11 houses so far and found one last night that we're pretty excited about. We're going away for the weekend and are meeting with our realtor Monday morning to possibly write an offer.

So, we're off to Worthington to visit our friends Lucas and Eir. Should be fun! And a good little break from all the craziness of the past few weeks. I'm gonna really enjoy it, because I know that when we get back we have to start packing and the whirlwind will resume.

Happy May Day!!!