Search

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Moving

Once upon a time... 3 months ago :)
  Ryan and I both got a strong feeling that there was a change coming. That feeling that something was immanent. It was driving us crazy, because we didn't know what we were getting these feelings for. But we certainly wanted to know. We talked about trying for kid number 3. Nope, not this year. Buying a new truck? Nope, not right now (Ryan's answer to that may vary from mine). Selling our house? Hmm, maybe, but not now. We had way too many projects to finish, and couldn't be done until Spring. Those were all the big changes we could think of. Moving, unfortunately stuck in the back of our mind.
   We have a good friend, one of Ryan's old mission companions that is a prominent real estate agent here in Salt Lake. We got together over lunch to discuss the real estate market. In my mind it was to talk us out of the idea of selling our house, because it still lurked in my mind that we needed to move. We talked about it, he suggested we finished our home projects in two weeks, list it, and then test the waters. Test the waters. That seemed safe.
    As we finished our projects and got the house ready to put on the market I started doubting our decision and timing. I was thinking it would be dumb to put our house on the market now because the peak of the selling season was over. Because Jayden was in preschool, and it would be dumb to move in the middle of the school here. Because we were so comfortable and familiar with where we were. It didn't make sense to move. Ryan and I prayed daily concerning this. I kept getting that strong prompting that, for whatever reason, we needed to list our house now.
   I joked with Ryan that we had these promptings so we could just finally finish all of our started "house projects". That Heavenly Father maybe wanted us to keep the house clean always? Maybe He was just testing us to see if we could actually do it?
   And so it seemed, because for the first 3 weeks of being listed we didn't have a single showing. Not one. Not even a low ball offer. Nothing.  I kept hoping it was because our house was meant for someone specifically, and it had to be ready for them.

Realtors walked through, and they couldn't tell us why our house wasn't getting the attention they thought it would. We lowered the price minimally, and suddenly had an influx of showings. Seriously? Five thousand was holding everyone back? A week later came an offer. They seem like a lovely couple. I don't know much about them, except they were in our house for 10 minutes, and then made an offer. Seems like they got that feeling. And so did we, because it felt right.

And here we are now. Moving in two weeks :( I have to pray every night "Is this REALLY what you want us to do?" because I am having a hard time with this. I love this home. I love this neighborhood. And... we have no idea what we're supposed to do next! We've looked at many houses, many areas in the last week. And I'm feeling a bit nervous because Im not getting that "this is it" feeling. But, I know I will. When whatever we're supposed to be doing presents itself. And with past experiences in my life, I know it's not going to happen until I'm just about ready to give up. And that's reassuring.

We have been here almost 6 years. We have only been married for 7 :) We made this house our home. We spent hours and hours digging up rocks from the horrible soil in our back yard. I got to tear down a wall for the first time in my life, when we were finishing the family room. We painted... over and over and over until the idea of painting made me sick. Ryan worked in California, and every Thursday I'd go to the airport to pick him, and then drop him off back at the airport 3 days later. We cried for joy when Ryan got a job out here in Utah and we could finally live together again (see what I mean about HF waiting until the last minute to let us know WHY we were supposed to build a house in UTAH!)  We started the adoption process in this house. Had a social worker come over and deem it "safe"... and then found out I was pregnant with Jayden.
     I would spend hours in his future room anticipating his arrival. Wondering what it would be like to have a baby. And then a few months later carrying him around our house giving him the "tour" cause I'm kind of weird like that.
     We planted trees. We dug up trees. We landscaped. We painted some more. We sold furniture, we bought furniture. We made great friends, great friends moved away.
     3 years ago I found Ryan passed out in Jayden's room. We had 3 ambulances, 2 fire trucks and  police cars come to our house and take Ryan to the hospital. Every night for the next 4 nights I threw myself on the floor and sobbed until I couldn't cry anymore. I saw more Christlike acts and service given to us in those following days and months than I had seen in my life. And then it made perfect sense to me why we felt so strongly to build a house where we did. I was given blessings in this home promising me that my husband would live. That miracles would be preformed. And so they were. Because 1 month later my husband was back in our home. And our family room was turned into a rehabilitation center. ;)
    5 months later we found out we were pregnant with our 2nd little boy. And because I haven't slept a whole night through since his birth life has kind of been a blur. Haha! But seriously...

I don't know what life has in store for us. And I don't know why we're moving. But I do know that there is a reason. And when I find out what that reason is, I'll let you know.

To all my neighbors- thank you. I'm pretty darn sure we're never going to be able to find another foxboro. I certainly haven't been as outgoing as I used to be these last 21 months... oh wait- Alex was born 21 months ago? Coincidence? No. Someday I'll sleep!!!! And it will be a beautiful thing.

It has been amazing to watch children grow up these last 6 years. Kids I had in nursery are getting baptized!! Couples we used to hang out with until the late hours of the night have kids and we go to bed so early now. It has been such an amazing experience to see these families come together. To see so many miracle babies (!!) come into homes of such wonderful people. I'm so glad I have been able to witness such amazing things.

I was just thinking, if this sale falls through last minute, this post is going to be kind of embarrassing...

But, considering the length of this post I'm doubting anyone has made it this far down...

I have so much packing to do in the next 17 days and I don't. I'm scared because it'll make moving more of the reality. I'm pretty used to this changing thing... but it's still hard. This is the longest I've lived in any one place in my WHOLE life. It was kind of nice growing some roots.

But, yeah. I'm scared. Future.... bring it on.

I should proof read this before I post it. But I'm not going to.


10 comments:

Young Family said...

Amazing how things work! Makes you realize how I aware of you our father in heaven really is!

Young Family said...

Amazing how things work! Makes you realize how I aware of you our father in heaven really is!

Young Family said...

Amazing how things work! Makes you realize how I aware of you our father in heaven really is!

Young Family said...

Amazing how things work! Makes you realize how I aware of you our father in heaven really is!

Richard and Kayla said...

We love you Tiff! I know this was for your neighbors but I feel like you are moving away from us too! haha I was totally crying! I know what you mean about a house becoming your home and having so many memories in it... We have only been here a little over a year and the thought of moving, while exciting, makes me want to cry. We love you and can't wait to see what life has in store for you! :)

Amy said...

This totally has me crying, it's an amazing ward/neighborhood huh? Your faith is impressive! I hope you find "the place"soon soon and I know Foxboro (and former Foxboro) people will miss you terribly!

Nikki Taylor said...

I am so sad and happy all at the same time. Sad to be losing you...you were one of the first to reach out to us when we moved in and made us feel welcome. But so Happy for you! Yeah! Sounds like something amazing is in store for your cute family and I wish you nothing but happiness and rich blessings. You guys have been through so much, and such an amazing examples through it all. Please know how missed you will be. Thank you for being such a great friend! Good luck!!

Camey said...

How neat to have it happen so quickly. Where are you going to move to in the mean time? You are so brave to sell your home without even knowing. Can you send those promptings this way. :)

Unknown said...

I can totally see you giving baby Jayden a tour ;) Love you lots! It'll be fun to make new memories!

chris dobson said...

No fair. You made me cry. But I am still in denial. Yesterday and today I looked at your house on my way back from the mailbox and I refuse to believe that you aren't there. :(