Boxes and bunnies

We have arrived at the two week mark since closing on the new house and things are moving along. Maybe not as quickly as I would like, but moving forward all the same. My worst fears of having the closing delayed time after time have somewhat come true as we juggle preparing the Oak House (our former house which is located on Oak Street....simple, huh?) for the market as we deal with nightly homework dramas, demands of  3 schools and the blessings of 2 jobs. Time is limited and Momma Wealsey is starting to deal with more guilt and anxiety as the bulk of our moving/prep work has to be handled on the weekends. 



Evidently my subconscious is trying to sort and analyze how to handle it all as I rest up for another day of  box mazes, work and debates of starting prices and market stability. How else would you explain a dream of Evil Dustbunnies dressed as wizards, a fuzzy Darth Vader and boxes that multiply with just a touch? (need an explanation as to just what are the EBs? click here )


The dream opens in a dark part of the Oak house; it appears to be the master bedroom closet. Imagine, if you please, a twitchy voice as you read the next line:


"It has happened my Lord, the muggles have moved out." 


Grabs your attention, right?!? How I wish I remember more! However, the rest of the dream is a blur of vacuums, dust rags and boxes under the Gemino Charm - a spell that makes things multiply when touched, but the copies are useless (that describes our last few boxes to be moved to a T!). I awoke this morning bemused and making a mental note to skip the milk and oreos before bed tonight. But more importantly, I also realized this morning that I am trying too hard to handle the situation by internalizing the stress and strain. I have lost sight of the wonderful adventure we are getting to experience, and I should revel more in discovering the magic and wonder of our new home.... Time much better spent over fretting on how much work is yet to be finished. 


 I spent time waiting for a repair man at the new house this morning moving boxes and sorting through all the stuff crammed into our formal living room. My mind is clear after spending time identifying who owns what junk, talking things out with myself (yeah, I talk to myself, and some times I answer myself too!) and saying a few prayers.  I now have some perspective, some organization and a reminder that despite what I might think, it is all under control. 

The AU Weasleys' New Burrow

8 years ago, our current home was the perfect house for us to buy when making our return to Auburn. Little did we know that the next year would welcome another addition to our family. :0) And even though our home has slowly been becoming more and more cramped since the kids are so determined to grow up, I haven't been one to complain too much or despair over the lack of space. Three bedrooms, 4 kids.....


I am fond of saying that little houses make for happy families.


And while we have been content with making due,I won't deny that I haven't entertained daydreams of a bigger house. Oh, nothing grand or ostentatious,because that is not us, but big enough to give Jacks his own room. Somewhere big enough to accommodate 4 growing children that in a blink of an eye will be married and visiting with families of their own....


Unnoticed by us, even though looking back now I can see some of the signs,  God has been setting a new path for us to follow (as He is well known to do). That path became clear in the middle of June when an amazing opportunity for a new home sort of fell into our laps. It's an incredible home with room to grow and breathe. A new home where Jacks will finally have a room to call his own, the kids will have their own space in the form of a game room to retreat to and we will be able to spread out, yet still be close knit due to the foundation our current house has given us. We weren't looking for a new home, we never expected an opportunity like this, but yet here we are, 2 months after it all began, owners of a new home.




I have no doubt that God has had a huge role in making the new home a reality. Every stumbling block has been moved out of the way, every piece has fallen into place.... without Him this new chapter in our family's story wouldn't be a possibility. The whole adventure has served to remind me that I am not the one in ultimate control, He is. He alone knows what we need and when we need it, and we should trust in Him to provide. Through all the prep for the move and all the obstacles and hurdles that go along with arranging a new mortgage, I have been reminded repeatedly of Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 


As we face the beginning of a new school year, we have a very busy schedule ahead of us. Moving on top of  the back to school chaos is definitely a first for us. Not the best way to go about it, but I know we will survive. Once we are moved, we then have to focus on getting our current home ready for the market. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a bit worried, but when the fear starts to trickle in and I start to doubt, I remind myself that God is control and He won't let us fail...... as it is written in Psalm 20:4: May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.


We haven't really shared the news up to this point because there were so many hoops and hurdles to jump due to the house being sold as a foreclosure. As you all well know, once the government gets involved with all their red tape nothing is ever simple. We had our closing delayed time after time as one more thing needed to be verified, added or fussed over, and honestly there were times we doubted the deal would ever be completed. We will be glad to share the whole sordid tale with you....it's an adventure story fraught with mystery ( we still don't know why they had to do all they did), anger (try having your life put on hold for over a month), drama (don't even get me started), and thankfully a happy ending. 


If you are  near the new house this weekend, feel free to stop and chat, but don't be surprised if we try to recruit you to move a box or two. :0)  

Another first

How can it already be the first day of  the 2011-2012 school year? Didn't we just have 5th grade graduation, the tears of no more Weasley kids to go to kindergarten, the insane experience of the 7th grade celebration?? I feel like I have suffered a huge blackout for the last two months and completely missed summer! Thank goodness it was just two months of lazy days and freedom. I would hate to not have total recall of any amazing adventures we might have taken, but thankfully we just stayed close to home this year. Nevertheless, I do believe our summer vacation disappeared way too quickly.

The kids were all excited and ready to start their new adventures this morning. I am pretty sure the nerves were there just below the surface. Alecam are headed off to start at the Jr. High school (and I just have to say that place has change so much since I haunted the halls!), Haybug is experiencing her first day at the Middle school and Big Man Jacks is now a first grader.

(Evidently Jr. High kids do not have to smile......)