I think so. LOL But we are still living in the basement. It's been over a month since we sold our house, and what a tangled path God has led us safely through!

The first house we thought we were going to buy was a house and 35 acres. We dreamed about 80 acres, but agreed on a price we thought was "too high", so we went back to 35 acres. We then found out they were negotating a contract on a lot more land than we had considered - and the house!

Looking back,  I'm glad we lost that one, as one upstairs bedroom Jonathan couldn't even stand up in, and the cellar had foundation issues going on. But at the time we loved it and were very excited.

We looked at several other houses. Then we found a house and five acres, with the offer of more. We decided on 20 acres, and started negotations. This house was at the top of our budget - but about 3,000 square feet! When the sellers didn't budge the last little bit on closing costs, we walked away. The worst thing about this house was that it didn't have a full stove, just a wall oven and an electric range top, and IT WAS GOING TO NECESSITATE A 90-DAY CLOSING. That last  part scared me the most.

The last house was 16 acres. I did like this house! It was small, but do-able for another 3-5 years, which is why we would have bought it. We had agreed on a price and put down our earnest money, and my dad found a lot of recent water damage. The house sort of sat down in a hollow and all the water drained toward it. You couldn't even see foundation - the ground was flush with the house. Not a great idea. This one was well within our budget ... so it was hard to let go ...

So here we are. Three potentail homes later. Still praying, still searching.

~Ashley~

It is so wonderful having children that talk.

This morning our alarm went off, which is the radio turning on. After only two songs, silence. I told Jonathan I thought someone turned it off. After a moment, he realized Samuel had made himself a bed on the floor next to our bed.

"Daddy, did you want that on? I was trying to let you sleep."

Elijah wanted his taggy today, and I asked him if he found it and he said "No, no, no!"

I can't believe that Elijah is almost two. It just doesn't seem possible that I had him. Even though I've had another child since him! LOL

Anyway, it's lovely having children talk. Samuel is able to get pretty creative when it comes to helping us figure out what he's trying to say. We can say "We don't understand, we're so sorry!" and often he'll think of another way to say it or describe it.

I will make sure I let ya'll know, with pictures eventually, when we are living somewhere else .... :)

Ashley

We have looked at all kinds of properties since I last blogged. At the moment, we think we know what God has for us. But we shall see. Trying to follow God's leading is so interesting and challenging both at the same time - your heart says one thing, your brain says another and then you are trying to listen for a still, small voice.

Anyway, things are complicated right now. Exciting, but complicated. One of these days when things are all settled, I'll explain the twisting path God has led us down. In the meantime, it takes a lot of concentration to just walk that path.

Added to all of this, my younger brother Adam, has fractured his neck in three places. According to the doctor's, only 3% of those thus injured are able to manage in a neck brace instead of surgery. He has to wear the neck brace for three months at least ... his life has just taken a very interesting turn.

Life goes on, in my second parent's basement, pretty well. I certainly hope to be moving into my own home again soon! But in the meantime, this is pretty well.

~Ashley~

So, today is my 5th anniversary, and God had a special suprise in store. :)

Not only did we get moved into my inlaws, but my sister in law, her husband, and three children are moving in as well for a week and a half. For some strange reason, I feel completely peaceful, no longer possibly unwanted or in the way. I'm lost in the crowd a bit, no longer feeling singled out or in the spotlight in this akward position of invading these good people's privacy. Everybody's here, so it's just a different feeling.

It's a wonderful anniversary present, Lord. How did You know what I needed? Oh, that's right. You know me . . . .

Thank You!
~Ashley~

Well, the farm we were looking at ... has a contract on it already. Under negotiation. So, it's kinda not in the running anymore. Our runner-up canidate? Has THREE contracts on it! One, under negotation.

Can you say "SLAM"? That was God closing a door. It didn't feel that gentle, but whatever. My perception as a human is screwy anyway. At least He made it really clear!

So, I'm house-hunting. Combing through the MLS as much as I can.

I wish there was an easier way to find for-sell-by-owners! *sigh* I'd much rather work with an individual!

There are a couple of potentials on the plate, but neither as "secluded" as I would like. I probably sound like a recluse when I wax poetic on not having people within shout'in distance. Let alone a stone's throw, or as my husband would say "spitt'in distance". LOL

There are tecnically four or five possiblities, but I'm not too excited about any of them, each has their own issue that makes it not perfect. Of course!!! I don't expect something that meets all our criteria. It's interesting what we're having to work around, though. I'm trying to consider all possibilities and let the home speak for itself. So we're looking at a few long shots mixed in there, too.

My guess is that the Lord has a house for us. I don't think I could handle losing my husband to work on a house all the time while our children are all little.

So. Anyone who is still following this poor, rarily updated blog, please be praying we find the right house. And that God makes it very, very clear where we are supposed to be. And that moving in with J's parents on Friday doesn't make me panic and leap for anything. That we find what we want despite the pressure from all the other fringe parties that all think we should be looking at this, that and the other.

I really covet ya'lls prayers.

Thank you,
Ashley - who is one step closer to the country, but tecnically homeless and bobbing back and forth from a blissful "God has a plan, and I'll manage okay sharing a house because He's surely going to show us where we are to live super, duper soon, right?" to a shrill "ABANDON SHIP!!!! FIND A HOUSE, FIND A HOUSE! ANY HOUSE! *wheeze, gasp, choke* Where is my brown bag to breath into?!?!"