We are moving.

The last few months we have discussed our plans for our next house, but we had no plans to move in the immediate future.  Cory was thinking we'd stay in this house for 2 more years, and I felt like we should stay for 4 or 5 years until Brady was no longer at the elementary school down the street.  We love the convenience of living so close to the school, but even more, we love our neighbors!  This is our first home, and we have really appreciated becoming friends with our neighbors.  Not only are we friends with them, they are all friends with each other!  It seems like such a rare thing these days, and a blessing not lost on us.  In fact, at our last block party a week ago, we decided we should take a group picture.

Our kids have spent hours and hours playing outside with these rascals.  They all hold a special place in our hearts.

(For record-keeping purposes) Front: Addie McCulley, Reese Clanton, Emryn McCulley, Brooke, Anaya Rennix, Jace Pike, Kennedy Clanton, Ryder Hart. Middle: Alicia and Camille Rennix, Ayden McCulley, Brady, Colin, Eston and Aaden Arellano. Back: Liam Pennamped-Herrlinger and Julian Mendez.

Cory had been on Zillow quite a bit the last six months or so, just seeing what's on the market.  Then one day a house popped up in King Ranch, a neighborhood just south of ours. 

There were plenty of photos to see online, and I was really impressed with the house.  Also, the lot size is much larger than most around here since this is a newer area with fairly new homes.  (For the most part, you have to buy a fixer-upper or a custom home to get a decent lot these days, and with a custom home, we would be much less likely to have young children nearby for our kids to play with.)

One day the kids and I were heading past King Ranch, and I was curious to see the house.  We drove by and I realized it's a corner lot in a cul-de-sac.   I also saw how far that back fence went behind the house.  

A couple days later, we were all in the car headed to Elitch Gardens.  Since I was driving, I insisted we drive by the house so Cory could see it.  He was also impressed, so the rest of the drive he looked again at the house photos on his phone.  By the end of our day at the amusement park we had called a realtor and made an appointment to walk through the house three days later.

Once we saw the house there was no turning back, at least, not in my mind.  All my questions were answered in the affirmative: Is that desk built-in between the kitchen and family room? Is there a bedroom on the main floor? Is there a storage room in the basement?  Are there two air compressors/HVAC systems?

We wanted to make sure this was what the Lord wanted for our family.  The next day was Sunday, so we fasted and prayed about this decision to buy the house.  We felt like it was right, but...

Cory, being the family accountant, was concerned about the finances.  But we secured a loan with the bank his office uses, and they are making it possible for us to move into the new house before we list the Spruce Street house.  (That was also very important to us.  This house would show well except for the bedrooms which are very cramped.)  Once that was confirmed, we were all set.

We have now finished the inspection and approval without many hiccups.  (The house is only 3 years old.)  Our closing date is September 29.  Cory works all that day, so we will move some boxes over on October 1 and we'll hire movers to get everything else on Friday, October 3.  September has already been a long month, and I am anxious for it to be over.

As I mentioned, we have been cramped in our three upstairs bedrooms, so it will be nice to have more space for the kids.  When we purchased our current  home we figured we would live here 5 to 7 years.  As much as we will miss living on this street, two of our close neighbors are already planning to move anyway.  Since we are only moving 2 miles away, we will still meet with the same church congregation, and the kids will stay at the same schools.

I'm sure there will be many changes we haven't even anticipated.  We hope to take it in stride, and we will always remember our first house and the welcoming environment on Spruce Street.