House Hunting

Some of you may know that Ollie and I have been on the hunt for a house since October! Yup, october...who ever thought it would take this long to find a home?? Maybe we have our standards too high or maybe we started at a bad time. Apparently in Illinois, people don't like to put their house for sale in the winter! The crazy part is we have only looked at houses six times in six months! Seriously this process needs to move along. We have fell in love with two houses so far...and are in the process of falling in love with another house that we haven't even been into! 

When I was praying about it this morning (as I do every morning or maybe five times a day...LOL), I was reminded on why I really want a house. Here are some reasons: 

1. To grow our family (it's no surprise Ollie and I want a big family!).

2. For our kids to have a stable environment to learn and grow.

3. To build community with our neighborhood.

4. For fellowship and ministry (we love having small group in our home).

5. So our poor old dogs can RUN!

Obviously I am a list girl. Sorry I tried writing it another way and my mind just works better in list format! Dork, I know.

More than anything, I don't just want a house. I want a home. I want a place where my kids can come home and feel comfortable. A place that they can take their first steps and have fun. A place where we can put our pictures on the walls and fill the rooms with warmth and laughter. Regardless of the size, the appearance, or amenities, I want a place that my FAMILY can come HOME to. 

Ollie and I have been in Illinois for almost 3 years now, and it's time we lay down some roots and soak up the soil! 

What is it that makes your house a home? Where have you decided to lay down your roots? What purposes has God given you in having a home?

I Can't Believe She...

{Note: I don't know why I didn't post this, but just found it as a draft in blogger and wanted to share...10 months later!}

I know I say it all the time, but I can't believe how fast time goes by. I remember being a teenager and thinking that time was moving so slow. I wanted to grow up so bad! I wanted to be in my 20s. I remember looking at girls in their 20s thinking, "Wow, they are so cool!" I know I am a dork...but c'mon, girls, you felt like this too at some point, right?

I remember one time, there were these girls that came and stayed with our family for a week. Their parents were good friends with my parents. As soon as they arrived they spread out their make-up, hairspray and TONS of stuff all over the bathroom. I was probably still in elementary school, and I remember thinking that I couldn't wait to be their age...I wanted to be able to wear make-up, drive, and talk to boys.

Now here I am in my 20s and my mind set has changed so much. I have learned to really enjoy the age that I am at. I still yearn for things, but I think of this as dreaming (BIG). Now I have this little girl that is growing faster than I can capture and I am constantly saying, "I can't believe she is..." I'm sure one day I will look back on these times when she was a baby on her first day of kindergarten, graduating high school, going away to college, getting married, and having a baby of her own. Watching a child grow right before your eyes is truly amazing.

So here it goes...I can't believe she is almost 8 months! I can't believe she is almost crawling, that she can sit up by herself, and play independently. I can't believe she is in the big girl tub and can recognize Ollie and I. I can't believe she can reach for me and that this little being grew inside me. But most of all I can't believe she is mine.