Happy 4th of July you cool kids!

Recently

Disappointment

A month of endless showings- nearly two a day for thirty days!- and then the decision. Off the market, air conditioning purchased and installed, colorful walls painted 'realtor white.' One month of working, and waiting, and trying not to worry. Back on the market and a full schedule of showings once again. Three days later, an offer. We counter, they accept, the ball is rolling!  Inspection scheduled, papers signed, we begin to think about a new house. Long story short we find a house and are encouraged to make an offer. We are hesitant and have low expectations but surprisingly the offer is accepted!  Two days later our buyers come back asking for a major price reduction. We decline.  Both houses fall out of escrow. Back on the market. The end was in sight. Disappointment. 

Discouragement

Receiving a call for a second showing. Prospective buyers deciding between our house and another.  "Your street is so quiet- especially compared to the other houses we've seen." Dinner is cleaned up and dishes put away. Floors mopped, toys tucked into their hiding places. Boys and dog loaded into car five minutes before the showing is scheduled. Austin makes one more sweep of the backyard and the party erupts. Our neighbors steadily getting louder.  We rush to the car, nothing to be done, and are pulling out of the driveway when three police cars screech to a halt in front of our house. Officers hurry to the neighbors' door.  Our quiet street is suddenly not so quiet... And it's all completely out of our control.  We leave and don't know if the prospective buyers came, drove by and saw police cars and kept going, or blew us off entirely.  Discouraging. 

Despair

I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.  Psalm 27:13-14

So we will wait. And we will not despair. And we will believe in the goodness of God. 

Things recently enjoyed:

First fruits from our Anna Apple tree

A growing, almost- three year old imaginary world of trucks, donuts, neigh- neighs, and more trucks

Kale pesto- and watching my kids devour it

Excursion to the fair- 2 mamas vs 4 little boys...and the mamas decisively won!

Watching tentative, first steps from an almost one year old

Photographing 3! newborns this past month

A sweet baby shower for a college roommate

Hearing "mama!" from the baby

Homemade antipasta

Meeting new friends

...The goodness of the Lord in the land of the living...