The House Hunt and other stuff (very long post)

So we have been looking for a while. We have only seen 5 or 6 houses in person, but honestly there are probably only 15 houses listed in our price range total! So there is not a lot to choose from.

Jeff REALLY wanted (and I did too) a house on the other side of 20 closer to our church. But the reality is that there are less houses that direction anyway, making the chances lower that there is one for sale. We did find 2, but they wouldn't work for us.

We did find 2 that we REALLY liked here in Marshall. One is by Crockett (the "good" school....and consequently the "good" neighborhood). It is 3 bedrooms 1 bath. 1 bath kind of stinks, but it is a big bathroom, and 1 bath is not as big of deal until you have teenagers. Also there is potential to add a full or half bath. So we might do that to add value to the house. The kitchen is small, but updated and clean. The living room is HUGE. It has an attached 2 car carport that is really nice. The only work it needs is some landscaping and a deck in the back....and the 2nd bathroom if we chose to.

The other one is down town just south of the hospital. It is by South Marshall Elem. But also less than 2 miles to my school. It is a shotgun style of house. Older...built in 1920. But nice. The layout was NOT what we liked though. Its basically one big long hallway with rooms off of it. The living room was in a weird spot and it wasn't even close to the dining and kitchen. However, this house had 2 baths that were NICE. And the kitchen was SO big and nice. It just needed new countertops. It had very high ceilings which looked cool but is not very energy efficient. It did have potential for us knock out some walls to change the layout though.

However, we are leaning toward the first one. We like the neighborhood SO much better. And out of all the schools, I want Colin to go to Crockett. And if not,
he will come with me. We wouldn't have to do as much work on it either. And the layout is good. Its kind of nerve-racking. the whole making an offer, closing costs, inspections, etc.

People keep telling me "make sure you really want to stay there/here." Mainly because we came here with the intent of leaving right after Jeff graduated. I have that concern some too. Are we sure we want to do this? Well the funny thing is, I don't want to stay but feel at peace about staying.

Marshall is not that great of a town. There is nothing that appeals to me here. But we both feel that our work here is not done. Jeff and I LOVE the church and feel that we are making some great relationships there with people. I love my school and feel that I am making some great relationships there too. There are lots of lost people here (as there is anywhere). I know that I can't save people, but I want to be available to let God work through me in these relationships that I have built with people here in Marshall.

Also, Jeff has no doubt that God wants us to stay here longer. For the most indecisive person to say that is comforting to me. He rarely says that about decisions we have to make. He has only said that about 3 things since we've been together. Marrying me, moving here, and now staying here!

As far as Jeff working full time after he graduates. It will happen in some form or fashion. The church really doesn't know if they will do it or not. They might eventually. If not, Jeff said that he will sub at EF schools. Also, there might potentially be some work for Jeff with a photographer from our church. He does all pictures (class pictures and sporting events) for EF and another district and does alot of weddings. Jeff is actually helping him with a wedding today. But the guy kind of hinted that if things go well, maybe he could help him out with some other stuff. That would be great for him to do sporting events, since we go to some of those anyway. So I'm not too worried about him making a little more money after he graduates.

In some other notes. We've been hanging out with Jenni and Tim ALOT. I love them so much and have already cried twice thinking about them leaving next summer. I understand why they are and am excited for them to start a life somewhere else. I just hate that what God wants for us doesn't always include the people you love the most. But like Jenni said yesterday, "We just have to relish the rest of the time we do have together." And its definitely not the end. It will just look a little different. I hope to do alot of us sending each other's kids to eachother. Some cousin time. And some just visiting eachother for weekends!

Colin is SO dadgum cute! Just a fun little man. Talking in some short sentences, labeling things. He can 1/2 way spell his name (saying it, not writing it obviously). He says, "C 0 L ....Cockin!" Its cute how he says his name. He can also count to 7! By himself, its crazy. He loves to dance. He loves to look in the mirror when he is naked and slap his belly. He loves to write...not color though. He wants a pen or pencil. He's definitely in the throwing a fit stage though. Like the arching his back and plopping on the ground kind of stuff. He did that at the ETBU baseball game last night...it was embarrasing.

Youth stuff is going great. Having fun with the kids. We just had a junior high only event and took 18 jr high kids. They are crazy kids. We are having a service project coming up in a few weeks that will help pay for 1/3 of kids youth camp if they come. We have also just started a Wed night series about the parables of Jesus. That's cool. Everyone loves a good story. I am excited about continuing that.

Well I have definitely rambled on for long enough. Sorry it was so long. I had alot to catch up on!