Musical Houses

My wife Jacinda and I are about to buy our first home! In fact, we drew up the contract this evening and are elated. What's even cooler is that we are purchasing our home from her parents! You may ask, "how is that cool?" This is how:

1. Jacinda has the coolest parents. Her parents are as loving, honest, and understanding as possible.
2. We know that we can trust the buyer in the contract.
3. We have already moved half of our belongings over.
4. Jacinda's dad is an Ag professor and both yards look immaculate!

Here's the funny situation. When Jacinda and I moved to Abilene in May 2007, Jacinda's parents sold their house of 22+ years in Snyder, Texas and bought property about 10-15 miles outside of Abilene with the intention of building on the land. In the meantime, they began to rent a property and wound up purchasing the home she and I wanted (kind of to hold it for us for until we could afford it!) last summer. Obviously, as Jacinda and I got closer and closer to buying the house Jim and Deborah were beginning to feel obligated to go somewhere. Without having decided whether they are going to build on the land outside of Abilene and - being the kind and considerate people they are - they began looking at other options for the time being, while they begin to build, decide to buy somewhere else, etc.

While I was in Chicago for a conference, I got a voice message from Jacinda at 7:35 pm saying that her parents were going to look at a house. I received another voice message from Jacinda around 9:00 pm declaring that her parents were on their way to draw up the contract on the house! The best part: the house is only three doors down from the house we are buying from them!! So as Jacinda and I are moving all of our belongings into our new house (my in-laws old house) at the end of this week, we will begin painting her parents' house on Saturday. Then as the house begins to be painted, we can forget all about trucks and simply carry everything down the street!

I am thoroughly excited about our first home and cannot wait for the hilarious adventures that are sure to come in the days and weeks to follow! Pictures of the new house are coming soon!

Senior Sunday celebration

Let me begin this post by apologizing for taking a two week hiatus from the blogging community. As summer is picking up, I will have a little difficulty writing on a daily basis.

This past weekend was chocked full of preparation and activity for Hillcrest's Senior Sunday. We celebrated 17 students' achievement of graduating high school and their future as they head to college.

One of these students, Logan Cole, shared his story of how God is bigger and in more control than he could have ever imagined. His story was a major blessing to the family at Hillcrest and I hope it blesses you! To hear his story, click on the link above and Logan begins at 21:25. His part of the sermon is about 5 minutes long.

I'm Free! Maybe...

You know those days where you can't say anything right? I mean, everything you say comes across with a tone and possibly a scowl? Your temper is short and your emotions sensitive? Well, I had four of those days in a row this past Friday through Monday - the main reason I haven't posted since Thursday. :) I literally couldn't get anything out without regretting that I said it immediately afterward! An example? Sure, I'll give you an example: I was taking a nap on Saturday afternoon before Jacinda had some girls over for a girls' night. Jacinda woke me up during a nap saying, "honey, some of the girls are here early to make a cake..." My response? "IS THAT WHY YOU WOKE ME UP?!" It turns out that the only reason she was waking me up was so that I wouldn't walk into the living room in my underwear! Seriously, I was ridiculous. If I snapped your head off, I apologize.

Well, today it was gone! I had patience and grace and felt so comfortable in conversations. I also taught a 3rd grade class today ... for 6 hours. I'm so impressed with teachers. I have no clue how they talk that much! So now that I feel gracious and patient in my responses again, my voice is hoarse and I sound harsh even if I were to say the kindest things. I'm at a loss. If I bite your head off in the next few days, please accept my apology in advance. Even if I am angry, I'll blame it on my voice!