Getting my move on Part V: The rest of the story

And now for the final installment of how we got to where we've been for the last 2 months. . . {for a refresher on the story of our move this is part I part II part III and part IV }

I last ended with this moment:

{A disappointing phone call from the landlords of our perfect house deciding they weren't going to rent it out anymore. }

I let out a shriek/gasp/moan type noise.

My sister came (well, more like ran) down the stairs to ask what was wrong probably fearing silently something along the lines of "oh no, are you guys living with us for another week?" Just kidding. She doesn't think like that. But I was feeling bad. You can only bum off the family for so long, at at this point there seemed to be no end in sight. I needed a game plan. With my kids sore and cranky from their shots earlier that day, I was ready to put them to bed and figure out the rest of my life. Or at least the next month. My sister gave me a side hug and smile and said, "You can stay here as long as you need." She left with her family to go see their Monday night neighborhood family movie and I, remaining steadfast in my strict MMM (mean-mother-mode) denied my children the choice of drinking up the last days of summer by watching an outdoor movie and promptly put them to bed.

My phone rang and I begrudgingly answered it. Feeling defeated I wasn't sure if I could handle any more disappointments. The call came from a girl living in a rental that I had been interested in. She was returning my call about when I could come by and see the place.

I perked. "Great! So when could I drop by and check it out?"

"Well, the thing is the landlord changed her mind. She doesn't want to rent it out. She wants to sell it"

What is it with all these homeowners deciding to put their homes on the market in August? It really didn't seem like the brightest of ideas...if only for my own selfish reasons of wanting to RENT out their home.

The girl was sweet and sensed my frustration and asked if X+150 (remember X being Kyle's original ultimate price on how much we pay in rent?) was in my price range. At this point, X+ $500 was in my price range. I just wanted a home. She proceeded to tell me about this cute little street with nice homes that were in her stake. She had just been to a party in the neighborhood and heard one of the homes was for rent. She couldn't remember the address, so she gave me directions.

What an angel! I was feeling better already.

I went online back to KSL and noticed The Big Brick House (the recently gutted gorgeous home in my girlfriend's old neighborhood with the language school down the road) was just posted moments for rent. (again) I had to chuckle. I did notice they had risen their already high price to X+$400 but really, at this point it was an option.

So. I had 2 options. Life wasn't completely turning upside down....was it?

I still hadn't called Kyle to tell him the bad news. I didn't want to tell him any news. I just wanted to figure it all out before we spoke again. It was my turn to take over finding our home.

The next morning I arose and poured my heart out to the Lord in prayer. I begged and pleaded that I would find a home for my family. I let go of all of my lists and told Him I would be happy wherever He directed me.

I followed the directions to the mysterious neighborhood the woman on the phone had told me about the night before. It seemed as if the road would never end. It kept going up the mountain. And then I found it. There was one sign in the entire neighborhood. But it was a lease-to-own sign. My heart sank.

I decided to call the number anyway. A soft-spoken guy answered, "This is Sean." I mentioned I was in the neighborhood and wanted to know a little bit more about his home and take a look at it.

"Well," he began. "It's a 4 bedroom , 3 bathroom, availble any time...and it's for rent"

For rent? What about the lease-to-own sign? I didn't see anything for rent. Hmmmm. I decided not to ask and just be happy with what I just heard.

We arranged to meet at the house in 30 minutes. Which was perfect because Savannah was thirsty and Cade needed to use the bathroom.

I drove back to the house and began walking around the front yard. A woman about my mother's age walked up and introduced herself.

"Hi! I am Barbara. I live right over there across the street." She proceeded to tell me about who lived in each home and how old each of the kids were.

It was an omen. A Barbara across the street? Just like Chicago....

It was meant to be.

All that was realized when I looked inside the home. It was perfect. And even more, flexible lease terms. We could move out whenever we found the home we wanted to buy.
It didn't seem real. Flexible lease terms for a reasonable price in Utah. Say what? I called Kyle and he agreed with me. The next morning I found myself signing a lease and picking up keys.

A home at last.

On Friday August 7, 2009 my darling dad drove his motorcycle down and met me. I was too chicken to drive the rental truck to our storage unit, so he did. My wonderful neighbors who hadn't even met me unloaded our storage unit into a truck, and then unloaded it into my house. I swear this place is better than Mayberry.

Allow me to introduce you to....

my view from the kitchen window (one in which I am not looking into someone's family room):

not a bad view, even for a cold, gloomy day is it?

my laundry room with gas hookups for my beloved dryer:

my clothes not battling kyle's clothes for space:

Amazing how many of the little things the Lord keeps in in mind when you do all you can and then put it in His hands...