The family that frosts together stays together

We had a frosting party last night in preparation for Brian's big holiday open house at Tam O'Shanter.

 This guy is a MACHINE!  "Give me all the trees..." He whipped out all things green!

 There was a lot of this happening...

 A mini frosting fight!

 Lots of concentrating!

 And plenty of fun had by all!

 Oh....hey...there's Abby...

 All cleaned up!

I'm a homeowner!

It's been a wild, wild ride, but today I went to the credit union, requested a bigger check than I've ever written at once, signed more papers in one sitting than I ever have before, and committed to a MUCH bigger loan than I ever have before! 

And the reward for all these firsts? I can (almost!) call myself a homeowner!!  Technically we're in escrow until the seller signs the closing documents on Monday. 

I have to say, I have had the BEST realtor and an awesome mortgage guy!  Seriously, Chad Beckwith and Andy Fernando with Windermere were amazing guys.  Without them this deal would NOT have come together!  

So... Some of you are probably wondering what happened since the last time I blogged I had said my goodbyes to the condo.  Well, all I can say is God had other plans!  I had totally relinquished control and was quite content, knowing that only God could make it happen.  We had a deal, we didn't have a deal, we had a deal, we didn't have a deal. It was craziness!  

On Monday, November 28th, after the holiday weekend, I signed the recission document stating I was withdrawing my offer on the condo.  I'd found a cute apartment that I liked, was close to work, and within my means.  That very day I found out that my salary was changing, and not in an upward direction.  My health insurance stipend (aka extra income) was being removed as of Jan 1 and the firm is going back to supplying health insurance.  Now since my insurance cost roughly half of my stipend, that was a bit devastating to me. I'd planned my whole budget based on a different salary amount.  (okay, breathe! God is still good, and He is still in control!)

Tuesday I get an e-mail from my realtor saying that the seller's agent doesn't want to sign the recission. He still thinks we can make it work to close on the 1st.  Right, I've heard this before.  I'm at work, in tears on the phone with Chad... I don't know what to do... I've signed for an apartment...they said it couldn't happen...how could it happen, etc.  Let me just say, he was great!  He really stepped up and reminded me that God's in control and to just pray about it and see what happens.  (Good advice, man!)

We did, and things DID come together.  The delinquencies, which were a problem before, were lowered to an approvable amount... Documents were resubmitted to the lender and after a whole lot more breath-holding and constant reminders to myself that God was in control, I gave up the apartment.  That. was. scary. 

But, God was faithful, and He provided!  In fact, he provided again today at closing when I discovered my final monthly payment would be less than I'd anticipated, and certainly much less than rent would have been!  

One of my favorite things about all of this is getting to experience God's will and provision!  Not only in a home, but faithful friends praying for me, peace that surpassed my understanding more than once, wonderfully faithful friends who reminded me GOD. IS. SOVEREIGN.  (You know who you are! You say it every time I see you -- and it's awesome cause it's TRUE!), and a gracious host family that was supposed to put me up for up to two weeks after I puppy sat for them, and I've now been occupying their guest room for OVER THREE MONTHS!  I could go on!