A Peek into my Abode

Let me give you some history of the places we have lived since being married with children. 

We started off in a one bedroom apartment...lived there for one year.  

The following year we moved into a two bedroom mobile home....again stayed there about one year. 

We then moved into university married housing (we were students)....another small two bedroom apartment....

it was around 500 sq ft...lived there about 2 years. 

After graduation we moved into a nice, new three bedroom/2 bath apartment. 

We lived there about 1 year and then bought our first home.  

Our first home was a cute little three bedroom/1 bathroom home around 900sq ft.  

We were paying a very low mortgage (sorta wished we still had that payment). 

We lived in that home almost 5 years.  

Had 4 of the children in that home (no didn't give birth there....you know what I mean).  

We then decided to "move up" in size of home and into a nicer neighborhood. 

uh..huh...moving on up...to the eastside (remember the Jeffersons...ha ha)

actually we moved to the northwest side...ha ha.  

 

The home we built was nice.  

Had beautiful wood floors...

It was a nice size of 2200 sq ft./ two bathrooms

But you know what??

  I didn't really care for the cookie cutter neighborhood. 

I really thought I was going to like it but never really got use to it.

  Actually our time in that home was not something I want to remember. 

I felt trapped in this museum with no furniture. 

You see....right after we bought this home my husband began a career in full time real estate.

  This was when the housing market looked profitable.

The downside was that we never thought two hurricanes would hit Florida that year and shortly after.....

the housing market began to plummet.  

Not good!! 

Anyway....the profits we had saved from the sell of our old house had to be spent and 6 months after our moving in....

I WANTED OUT!! 

Out of the house that is... ha ha!!  

Donnie got another job and worked it.  

We stayed in the house for another year.

You know what???

I learned so much about life during that stay in my "summer home".  

I don't know why I call it a "summer home".  

I guess because it always felt like summer there.  

For one...it was hot all the time...yeah, even in the winter and it never felt like it was my "home".

  I did give birth to two beautiful boys in the bathtub there.  

So I guess that's the ONLY thing I think is meaningful about that house.

  Anyway....  we finally sold the house to friends...thank God!!  

We immediately started looking for a place to rent and lo and behold this place came upon our path. 

I love the big front yard and the oak trees

  I fell in love with the house and the family that we are renting it from.  

Wonderful people!!  

  I really like living in this house. 

My house is in need of some transformation.  

I know that will come as the $$ comes in. 

I want to paint. 

Hang more pictures up on the walls. 

Ummmm.....

lots of different things. 

When you walk in you see this view

You look to the right and you see this room

So I'm hoping to revamp this place. 

I've also thought of us "maybe" buying this place. 

The location is excellent.  

5 minute drive to the grocery store and 10 minute drive to the Interstate.

Hallway leading down to the bedrooms.

our den

Dining area

My kitchen where all the action is...

homeschooling books

Office, and Donnie's studio (see the green screen)

the toy closet

My laundry room which needs some organizing --AGAIN!

My bedroom

All  5 boys sleep in this room

The girls room

The guest bathroom...no pics of my other bathroom..it was messy.

  The yard is a nice size and the kids love the neighbors. 

Our back porch

Right side of back yard

Left view of the back yard

My kids "rule" the neighborhood....which I like.  ha ha 

Our home is the "hang out"

I know that sounds weird but....What I mean is that they are a bigger influence here than not.  

Which I like much better than our last neighborhood.   

As for now we will remain in this home. 

I am living my life day by day not knowing what will happen tomorrow,

next week,

or next year. 

But I remain content in where we are right now.  

I am hoping that we will be able to stay here longer, but am willing with whatever may happen. 

It is uncertain with Donnie's business right now but it's OK....

God is showing up daily to reveal His providence and goodness in our lives.

  It's rather neat to experience this.  

So when I'm feeling down, stressed, and not sure....

I think of what He's done and is doing in my life. 

:)

I might not know the bigger plan and picture but can rest in the fact that I am being taken care of 

TODAY.

 PS...

So God continues to do amazing things in our lives. 

Like I said before I will be sharing how He is blessing us. 

I want to come to a place where I will appreciate and be thankful for even the littlest blessings He brings our way.

  

Like my friend giving me puzzles for the children.  

Sooooo....

The day after the puzzles-- Friday:

I was sharing with Donnie about how I was blessed with the puzzles.  We were sharing how it has been so awesome how the Lord has been coming almost everyday and blessing us in one way or the other.  Just at that moment....Fed Ex pulls up (unexpected) and delivers a package.   Laughing and thinking maybe someone decided to send us "something" special.  Well it was special but it was a little something the kids had wanted.  Some sort of challenge coins they've wanted for their Civil Air Patrol (just something special for them)  Later that afternoon we received a letter from Donnie's old employer back in 2007 saying they owed us money!!  I know....right!!??  Out of the blue they said they owe us $600!!  We were floored and praise God so much!!  God is amazing!!

Then today:  

A friend of mine who is downsizing her business and home emailed me saying she had a few things for the kids, comforter sets for my bed (in need...go up and look at my bedroom again), a computer printer (which we needed) and a two COMPUTERS!!  Also something we need!!  Since Donnie is using the computer all day, the kids have to wait to do their assignments.  Blessings!!  So, so wonderful.  

The kids are also going to be on the local news again tonight and the newspaper for their Color Guard presentation they did today for the grand opening of a new hotel in town.  Pretty cool!!  

Life is good!!