As you may have seen on Facebook, we recently purchased our first home. [ Yay! ]
You know what? Buying a house is crazy stressful. As anyone who has gone through the process can probably attest to, I think I may have developed an ulcer and 13 gray hairs that weren’t there before. It doesn’t help that my husband had THREE work trips over the course of three weeks right in the middle of the process. He ended up being gone during closing and I had to sign everything as his power of attorney (read: my hand began cramping on page 237).
But it’s finally complete. We’ve got the keys. We’re moving in soon. We’re officially homeowners.
There was a point during signing where I joked about I had no idea what these papers even said and I may have just unknowingly signed my life away, and everyone in the room laughed and said, “you pretty much just did.” And then I had a moment of panic and thought, “OMG, what have we done??” And I started to sweat. A lot. But then, it was like 80 degrees in that conference room so that didn’t help. When my heart rate returned to normal, I had to remind myself that this was a good thing. Relax Amy, relax.
And then I got home and jumped on Pinterest and felt better. Because we finally have a place to call our own – and you know what? I can paint the friggin walls purple if I want to. Not that I would; ew. Why would I do that? The point is, I can make changes to my house and I don’t have to have the mentality of “it’s only a temporary fix” anymore. Nor do I have to deal with a landlord – yessssssss.
When we go to the house to work on it and get it prepped, the kids run around in every room laughing and playing and I almost want to cry. All I’ve wanted since we got married was a place to call our own, and all I’ve wanted since having kids was a place where they could grow up and create moments that they’ll remember forever. And I am reminded that this is such a blessing. We have worked so hard to get where we are and to be in the position to finally buy a home all on our own. We’ve paid off debts and saved and taken odd jobs and worked late nights. But we would have nothing without the grace of our Father. He has blessed us immensely and everything that “we’ve” done to get here hasn’t been void of His help. He’s been there every step of the way making things happen; whether I acknowledged it at the time or not. And so now, all I can feel is thankful. What an amazing gift He’s given us in this home.
And I plan to do it justice and make it a place full of love and warmth and an open door for all. That’s what we’re called to do, after all. So if you’re in Colorado, come on by! I’d love to show you around and cook you a meal. And if you like chocolate or wine (or both), you won’t have a problem finding it in my pantry.
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