More on our house

So Tuesday I went to Ft. Worth for a very long 4 hour oriention for the school district. After that, Scott and I went to the house for the inspection. In case I didn't mention, we did settle on an offer...we managed to get the house for $55,000 less than the original list price which is funny because we sold our house for $55,000 less than what we wanted.

Anyway, the inspection went relatively well...unless of course you call needing a new roof a big deal...yes seriously. Apparently when a horrible storm came through in May there was extensive damage and it needs replaced. But apparently the seller already knew this and had been working on it with his insurance. Several other houses in the neighborhood were getting work done too.

Of course, the guy still hasn't cleaned up...or stopped drinking and smoking, but oddly enough i was really really excited. The house is big and spread out and will be amazing once we settle in!

We still aren't sure on exact closing dates for either house, but are working on that!

Here are some more photos. Did we mention we just realized we live right by a lake? Lake Weatherford is right outside our neighborhood...maybe a mile to themarina and picnic area with swimming...and ducks to feed! Wow!

Kindergarten Carsyn

We ran into Children's place on the way home today to check out their uniform selection. Carsyn will be going to school with me next year and has to wear uniform. We cleaned house...$120 later we got all of this...she is super excited and I am overwhelmed with how cute she is but how big she is getting!

Our New Home...Maybe???

After countless hours of online and reality searching, we think this is it. It's a home in Weatherford, TX. A big country town just west of Ft. Worth...they have a lake and a farmer's market...love it! Anyway, we put in a bid on this house today. We are determined to get it...just hope we get it for the low low price we bid on!

It's kinda funny that if you would see this house right now you wouldn't believe it... a man apparently lives there alone. No furniture in the three bedrooms, minimal furnishings elsewhere, tons and tons of AFLAC paperwork (job related) and more alcohol and cigarettes than you can imagine...the man obviously has a problem...but he kept the smoke outside and the house will be gorgeous when it's ours.

We will put in all new countertops, brand new appliances and my fav...granite counters!!! What do you think?

Can I hear an "Amen!"

Well it's done...our house is finally undercontract. We had an offer that was really low and turned it down. Then we had four people in one week come through but not make an offer...so we accepted the low one. We are more than fine now...we had plenty of equity inthis house so we didn't lose anything...just didn't make as much as we would have liked. We will close on or before August 15.
So tomorrow we head to Ft. Worth...i need to sign my contract and we need to pick out a home. It is very excited for me...and so relieving!
I must say that I have really seen God in action in our lives through all of this and am rejoicing because of it. Everytime we had a question, he answered. It all worked out...in his time. I have really really tried to take the word "anxious" out of my vocabulary through all of this and have really started to feel peace. Thanks to all of you for your support. We really needed it...and still do!
Photos will come soon of us...and the home we choose!
Last night after we received the official word, I opened my bible and looked up "rejoice." I found this and it just really hit home.

I Peter 1:6 "In this you will greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory"

Nothing new...just tryin to stay postive

Nothing new at the Elliott house. I just subbed for 7 days of summer school...between that and the economic stimulus check which we should finally get this week thanks to a glitch in turbo tax, that should cover the gap in pay between Killeen ISD an Ft. Worth ISD.
We dropped the price on our house and are just waiting for some action. Someone looked on Sunday night,but no offers yet. We are praying and staying as positive as we can. I start work in Ft. Worth in 7 weeks...so we gottabe outta here by then. We don't have a plan B...the house just has to sell. So please keep us in your prayers. Everyone including me says that it'll sell...but some days, like today for instance, I just have a hard time waiting and get upset. So pray for the sale and pray for faith and patience on our behalf
Other than that, we plan to just do nothing fora while. Carsyn is a swimming maniac...you should see her go. She is amazing. Payton continues to get into trouble daily, but she's just so darn cute she usually gets away with it and makes us laugh. Marcus is probably bored to death by now...as most kids his age are. Scott is still chillin at the Budget Suites in Ft. Worth...and starting tohate it. It seems like a dreadful waste of money...and even though he's in a non-smoking room, he comes home with laundry that smells like a bar every weekend.
We are ready to celebrate our last Troy, TX 4th of July in our pool and attending local fireworks.
Nothing more to say really...just wanted to post all of this so you knew we were still around and do not give up blogging that easily!
By the way...any bachelorette watchers? I got sucked in this season and it's just tearing me apart...I wish I knew more single girls since three of the guys who got the boot live in the DFW area!

Paybacks and What you can get for 99cents

Here's two photos from the pool today.

The first I entitle "Paybacks." Payton is most certainly paybacks for everything reckless and ridiculous scott and I ever did...and she's only 2. Here's her giant bruise on her forehead as a result of falling into the window sill while wrestling Carsyn. I also caught her making Ken and Barbie kiss in the pool today...and SHE"S ONLY 2!!!

The second is what you can get for 99cents at Academy...the greatestsports store in Texas...these awesome goggles were less than a dollar. She swims like a fish in them!

Look What I Can Do!

Where have we been?

So, I know we have been hiding for a while now. I don't have any photos, but I'll write.
First of all, we did NOT sell the house...they bought a house in Holland...as in a cruddy town in Texas with horrible schools. Very disappointing. So we are back to square one. Actually I think we are in the negatives because our air conditioning broke yesterday afternoon...it's suposed to get fixed tomorrow. We are getting anxious about the sale and the living apart thing i definitely getting old...and expensive. So keep on praying!
Last weekend was father's day and our anniversary. Scott and I went out to dinner at our favorite restaurant to celebrate year number 6...seems like just yesterday i was in a panick over a random texas summer rainstorm and an outdoor wedding! I ran into one of my little flower girls yesterday...she's bigger than me, gorgeous and going into middle school...crazy
For father's day we got Scott Rockband for the PS2...I got it for a steal of a deal on Amazon...$120 and free shipping. It is so much fun. I am a fantastc drummer...but Scott, Marcus and I switch out drums, guitar and singing to keep us well rounded...gotta be prepared!
That's about it for now. I got suckered into subbing a week of summer school while a friend is recovering from surgery and another is at a conference in Dallas...I have to be up and out of the house by 6:45 everyday this week....but it's good money!

I need help!!!

I need a word or a short phrase to title this picture on a scrapbook page. Amy tookit last summer at Lake Erie..but it doesn't look like summer vacation...it looks...????? I can't come up ith a title. Help!

Greetings from Cowtown!

No, we haven't moved yet...but we're getting closer! Payton, Marcus and I went up this week while Jill had Carsyn at SeaWorld. I got a job teaching deaf ed in an elementary school...quite a change from my last ten years, but I am excited about it. The best news is that it is on the side of town we wanted, Carsyn can go to school with me and we found an awesome day care right across the street for Payton! Now all we need is a home and a school for Marcus.

Please pray pray pray for this house to sell. We are getting anxious, but still have two months til school starts.

Here are some Cowtown photos for you!

Prima Ballerina

Carsyn had her last dance class on Monday. Yesterday was her dress rehearsal for the recital which will be next Saturday. Jill and Luke came to watch the rehearsal...we saved Luke the pain of the two hour show next week. Here are some photos. She got a t shirt and medal at class. Then we took some photos before we left yesterday. She is center stage in her class. I don't mean to gloat, but she was definitely the best one out there...in fact you can ask Jill...there were only one or two other girls who had a clue what was going on. Please note the hair and makeup...it was a huge deal to Carsyn!

Why worry?

Here's my inspirational story for y'all. We have much to worry about...selling the house, buying a house, moving, new schools, money, and me finding a job. But I have been really trying not to worry...but to just pray to God to deliver our needs instead. Carsyn got this new bible for graduation and likes me to read to her. I found a passage in Luke about worry. Last night I read it to Scott. It basically was God saying we have little or no power compared to him so don't bother worrying, just pray instead.
Today we drove to Aledo to meet again with the realtor and seriously look at a house we thought would be perfect. And it was. We endedup putting a contingency offer on it...word on that and photos will follow later. It just seemed perfect...and as I was lookingand loving it and then thinking again about everything that has to workout in the next two months, you will not believe this.
Scott and I walked into the little girls' room. On her bed was a pillow that said:
Worry about Nothing
Pray about Everything

How awesome is that???

School Pictures...not so good

I also call this post "We Miss you AMY!!!" The girls got school pictures taken. I've become ultra picky thanks to Amy and these are so fake!!! I scanned them for you to see. What do you think?

What a Wonderful World

Today is just one of those good days so far. I have been really sick with strep since Wednesday and of course Scott was in F. Worth. I was so miserable. Then I had a reaction to the antibiotic and got very nauseous so was truly miserable by Friday night.

But now I am on a new antibiotic. My husband is home. The sun is shining. We have the bluest skies you've ever seen. People are finally looking at our house. And nature is alive everywhere. We skipped church sinceI am still not 100% better. Instead we had morning coffee beside the pool in our jammies while the girls played. We were all a mess but in love with our lives and each other. Here are some photos.

There's baby birds just hatched right outside our backdoor. Their mommy and daddy dive bomb us when we get too close. We also have lady bugs galore in the pool...we captured some in a container. Wasps are building their hives on the porch. Carsyn likes to pick flowers for me. And Payton goes back and forth from being a natural wonder to a natural disaster. (Can you tll mommy's been sick? It's been a while since the girls have bathed or brushed their hair!)

Graduation Day!

Today was preK graduation day. I absolutely love the daycare the girls go to. Carsyn's been there since she was 6 weeks old. She got a bible from the director. Here are some photos...Carsyn and her friends and teachers. I tried to take some of the ceremony but the lighting didn't cooperate with my camera.

Look What I Did...For $10!!!

I made this cute gift basket for my student teacher for only $10...I had everything laying around the house except the Starbucks gift card. She's getting married this summer so I made her all new stationary/teacher stuff with her married name. It was super easy and so cute!!!

Hair Help, Please!

Ok, I am usually really up on the hair thing, but I am a mess right now. I was doing the graduated bob thing. Apparently so is everyone else, soI find that annoying. Not to mention, I think it's a pain in the butt to maintain and style...not too many options with it. Not to mention I have't had anything done to my hair since Feb.2 so it is just a mess...so unlike me to neglect it this way!

Anyway, help me out. I want some sort of bang. Should I got for style #1 which is shorter? Or style number two,which is basically what I have now, but with bangs.

The shorter is soooo cute. But the medium could grow and it would be an easy summer style. What do you think?????



Style #1: see photo













Style #2: See link (it's style number 4...and not that hideous color)

http://hairstyles.virtual-hairstyles.com/virtual_hairstyles.asp