WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

It is official.  We are finally homeowners!!!!!  For those of you that know our story and have been through this journey with us, I will try to spare some of the details.  However, we have been searching for a home since I found out I was pregnant with Eli, so we have been searching for about 1.5 years now.  Austin is a crazy market.  When houses would come up for sale, Derek and I would have to leave work right away to go see the house and put an offer on it right then and there.  The lowest amount of bids we went against on a home was 8 offers, and the highest was 22 offers for one house - ridiculous! We were always told that we came close, or we were their first "backup", but we always lost to cash investors.  Clearly Money Talks - so annoying for us!  I even sent in heartfelt letters to every seller with pictures of us and my pregnant belly to hopefully gain some sympathy points.

We came close a 2 months before Eli was born.  I told Derek this was our last house that we are looking at before Eli is born.  Somebody FINALLY accepted our offer, but we backed out after we received the inspection.  It was just something we could not take on with a new baby.  It was a total bummer, but we knew we were doing the right thing.  It turns out, had we of gone with that house, the closing date was on Eli's birthday - God clearly knew what was going to happen :)

Fast forward 9 months later to present day, we were actually looking in our current neighborhood to lease a house. That same day our home came on the market and we thought we would just go ahead and take a chance.  At this point, I had already given up on the house idea and was in a "whatever" state of mind.  Seth. our realtor called us the next day and told us we were under contract.  CAN YOU BELIEVE IT - THEY CHOSE US OVER OTHER OFFERS (and we were not the highest).  Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!  God is so good, and his timing is impeccable!  This is the absolute perfect house, and we love every bit of it.  Built in 2006, one story 3/2 with a playroom for Eli, open concept, community parks and pool down the street, and 4 miles of greenbelt around us for Derek to ride. Practically has everything we were looking for.

This process has been a MAJOR learning experience.  Definitely frustrating at times when we thought it wasn't going our way, but that's the thing ... it's not our way and it's not our plan.  When Derek and I did the Daniel Fast, this was my focus and prayer - where do You want us for Your will? I was even frustrated then when I still didn't have a clear answer ... but look at us now, 1 month later and we are home owners!!!!!!  We are so thankful and grateful for everything.  The sellers live in our neighborhood and have already been helpful with all of the little tips.  Once again, God is good, God is kind, and we are so thankful and thrilled.

More pictures of the house to come.  We are moving in a few weeks, so yall come and visit - plenty of room for everybody!!

 My matching boys on closing day!

 CLOSING!!!

 Our amazing realtor, Seth.  We did it -- Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HAVING A GARAGE!!!!  This garage alone is worth a million dollars.  No more throwing Eli on my hip, while carrying my bags, or groceries, in a parking garage and then down a mile long hallway.  Once again, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HAVING A GARAGE!!

 Picnic on the living room floor.  Eli loved the acoustics in an empty room.  He was all about singing and being vocal to hear his echo.

 My handy men at Lowe's!

 Decorating and Furniture shopping is exhausting.  I loved it though -- We just all need to stick with what we do best :)

A screen shot of our house.  More pics to come - stayed tuned.  Easter weekend our move in date!