Well after what has felt like an eternity is finally coming to an end and we are nearly completely done with our latest house purchase! We got notified by Curtis that our loan had been approved by underwriting which means all that is seperating us from our fifth move as a couple is the title company recieving the paperwork and our signatures! Kelli and I are both extremely excited and ready to get there so we can finally settle in to our new lives on this side of the divide. Typically the final week before closing on a house is fairly busy and chaotic, well when you have the GL it's even more of an adventure!
We found out that our loan had cleared on Monday while on my way over to Billings for a two day training. This part of the week was no big deal because I'm going to be home late wednesday night which gives us plenty of time to sign papers and move in to the new place. Me waking up monday morning and throwing up before even getting clothes on was not part of the plan however! I have no idea what kind of a bug I caught but I know it was strange! I tossed and turned all night on Sunday and when I woke up I did not feel good at all, after my unexpected trip to the bathroom my upset stomach continued all the way into the airport and I prayed that I would make it through my air travels without haveing to use the little brown bag in the seat pouch in front of me! Luckily I made it the rest of the day without throwing up again but the body aches and headaches kept on and I was sure I had the flu. So having ate nothing since dinner the night before, I had a small bag of goldfish, a granola bar, and two ibuprofren for dinner and went to bed. I don't know how but I woke up this morning feeling like a brand new man! I felt so good I joined dad and Ryan in the workout center for a run on the treadmill! Whatever I had has seemed to have run it's course, must have been the goldfish dinner:)
So having put that little episode behind us we move forward! Many of the things that will no doubt make this week hectic are out of our control and as those arise we will simply just enjoy the ride. Hopefully no more freak illnesses are in our near future and we can get through the rest of it relatively smoothly! My amazing wife has been packing us up one tote at a time so I think when I get home late tomorrow night she'll be ready for me to load them all up and we'll be ready to go! Now we just have to hope that Wells Fargo gets the paperwork to the title company in time or the Nagle's might have an unexpected houseguest for a few days:)
Remember, time spent worrying about the things you can't control is time wasted!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
God winks!
Often times throughout my life I have heard my mother refer to those little events that happen in which there is no denying that someone is watching out for me as God Winks. She says these are no coincidences, just God's way of reminding me that he has everything under control. Most of the God winks I have experienced throughout my life have been more of a wink and a nudge, my stubbornness usually requires more than a wink to get my attention:) Yesterday however I received a wink that not only made me smile, it verified once again that I am not just wandering along aimlessly through this life without His guidance!
Most God winks are so subtle you almost have to luck out to even notice them, mine yesterday however lasted nearly all day. It all started when Kelli and I got going for the day and she took off for work, since it's currently about a 45 minute commute(hopefully going to be drastically shortening next week!!) she usually calls me when she gets there just to let me know she made it okay. Well yesterday I missed her call because I was still in the shower, I sent her a text telling her to have a good day and that I love her and set out for my day. I went to my parents so Dad and I could run down to Dicks Sporting Goods to check out their selection of new drivers for his golf bag. While at their house my mother passed by his office door and asked me if I was going to go to the AA meeting with dad later, I simply replied "sure why not" and didn't think anything of it. It should be pointed out right here that I probably only attend 3-4 meetings a year if I'm lucky, only going with my dad whenever convenient because I've always felt like my system works for my sobriety. Without going into too much detail, my system is simply seeing the scar on my neck every morning and reliving my accident has been enough to keep me sober for over ten years.
So dad and I headed out to Dicks and after thoroughly checking out their golf section we headed towards the AA meeting. Without compromising the anonymity of the program I'm simply going to say that every time I attend one of these meetings I am moved by someones story and this day was no different. I was surrounded by people who have been through some of the same struggles I have in life and it felt as though one of them was speaking directly to me! He shared how like me he too once had over ten years of sobriety, unlike me though he relapsed and after getting his life back on track is now sober again. His story moved me because the way he described how he felt after his ten years of sobriety is almost exactly how I feel today, like we have total control over our addiction. As I left the meeting I had a slight feeling that maybe I had been directed this way by God for a reason, but it still didn't really register just how important this meeting was for me. I still felt like as much as that guys story moved me, I still had total control over my drinking.
After the meeting I went out to the Nagles to pick up dad's enclosed trailer so we can use it for the move. It didn't take long before I had nearly forgotten about what I had listened to at the meeting. Then on the way home with the trailer, Kelli called me while on her way home from work. She began to explain to me what she had wanted to tell me in the morning when I had missed her call, her dream from the previous night. In the dream I had gone out with friends while she was out of town for work and when she got home I nonchalantly told her I had a beer. She was shocked that I didn't think this was an issue and she was furious when later on I admitted to her that I had more like 6 or 7! She called my dad to inform him she didn't know what to do and couldn't handle the fact that I would lie to her like that about it so she packed a bag and left. This prompted her to wake up from her dream abruptly.
Now I know this was just a dream, but I truly believe that God speaks to us all through our dreams, and when Kelli and I sat down last night to relive the day we were both in awe of how meaningless this entire day would have been had she gotten ahold of me in the morning. I certainly would have forgotten about her dream by the time I went to the meeting, more than likely forgetting about what I'd heard at the meeting also. Now I'm not saying in any way that I believe I would have drank had I not gone to the meeting, but I will say that everything truly does happen for a reason so who knows, maybe I would have. One thing is for sure, I think I will be attending a few more AA meetings!
Whether you've ever experienced a God wink like this or not, all I can tell you is the way Kelli and I both felt last night while discussing the days events have us believing even more than before that we truly are being looked after! After a day like that I am more thankful than ever for the blessings I have in this life!
Remember, pay attention to the little things in life and you may be surprised just how many God Winks you get in a day:)
Most God winks are so subtle you almost have to luck out to even notice them, mine yesterday however lasted nearly all day. It all started when Kelli and I got going for the day and she took off for work, since it's currently about a 45 minute commute(hopefully going to be drastically shortening next week!!) she usually calls me when she gets there just to let me know she made it okay. Well yesterday I missed her call because I was still in the shower, I sent her a text telling her to have a good day and that I love her and set out for my day. I went to my parents so Dad and I could run down to Dicks Sporting Goods to check out their selection of new drivers for his golf bag. While at their house my mother passed by his office door and asked me if I was going to go to the AA meeting with dad later, I simply replied "sure why not" and didn't think anything of it. It should be pointed out right here that I probably only attend 3-4 meetings a year if I'm lucky, only going with my dad whenever convenient because I've always felt like my system works for my sobriety. Without going into too much detail, my system is simply seeing the scar on my neck every morning and reliving my accident has been enough to keep me sober for over ten years.
So dad and I headed out to Dicks and after thoroughly checking out their golf section we headed towards the AA meeting. Without compromising the anonymity of the program I'm simply going to say that every time I attend one of these meetings I am moved by someones story and this day was no different. I was surrounded by people who have been through some of the same struggles I have in life and it felt as though one of them was speaking directly to me! He shared how like me he too once had over ten years of sobriety, unlike me though he relapsed and after getting his life back on track is now sober again. His story moved me because the way he described how he felt after his ten years of sobriety is almost exactly how I feel today, like we have total control over our addiction. As I left the meeting I had a slight feeling that maybe I had been directed this way by God for a reason, but it still didn't really register just how important this meeting was for me. I still felt like as much as that guys story moved me, I still had total control over my drinking.
After the meeting I went out to the Nagles to pick up dad's enclosed trailer so we can use it for the move. It didn't take long before I had nearly forgotten about what I had listened to at the meeting. Then on the way home with the trailer, Kelli called me while on her way home from work. She began to explain to me what she had wanted to tell me in the morning when I had missed her call, her dream from the previous night. In the dream I had gone out with friends while she was out of town for work and when she got home I nonchalantly told her I had a beer. She was shocked that I didn't think this was an issue and she was furious when later on I admitted to her that I had more like 6 or 7! She called my dad to inform him she didn't know what to do and couldn't handle the fact that I would lie to her like that about it so she packed a bag and left. This prompted her to wake up from her dream abruptly.
Now I know this was just a dream, but I truly believe that God speaks to us all through our dreams, and when Kelli and I sat down last night to relive the day we were both in awe of how meaningless this entire day would have been had she gotten ahold of me in the morning. I certainly would have forgotten about her dream by the time I went to the meeting, more than likely forgetting about what I'd heard at the meeting also. Now I'm not saying in any way that I believe I would have drank had I not gone to the meeting, but I will say that everything truly does happen for a reason so who knows, maybe I would have. One thing is for sure, I think I will be attending a few more AA meetings!
Whether you've ever experienced a God wink like this or not, all I can tell you is the way Kelli and I both felt last night while discussing the days events have us believing even more than before that we truly are being looked after! After a day like that I am more thankful than ever for the blessings I have in this life!
Remember, pay attention to the little things in life and you may be surprised just how many God Winks you get in a day:)
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
tick tock
Oh how the hands of time seem to slow down to nearly a complete halt whenever there is something on the horizon in which we are eager to obtain! We've all been there, whether it's buying a house, going on a vacation, Christmas, one way or another each of us has wished at some point in our lives for the clock to tick just a bit faster. Nothing in life portrays our human nature to be materialistic than being forced to wait for something we want. In our case this is currently being played out while we anxiously await the closing of our new house!
If you stop and think about it during the course of ones time on this earth we generally have a habit of never being happy with time. When we are kids we live much like animals do and we simply have no sense of time, when we become young adults we begin to speed things up until by the time we're in our mid 30's we race through life complaining of never having enough time, then as we age and slowly begin to grasp the big picture we realize that ANY time is enough time! Eventually the older we get the more we return to thinking like a child does, not even keeping track of time because we know each day is precious.
So why can't we find a common ground and live more like a child or an elderly person during our middle years? Well the simplest answer is our lives won't allow it, somewhere between jobs, kids, dogs, friends, hobbies, habits, and sleep, we loose track of the big picture. Even those of us like me, who have been in life altering experiences, have trouble connecting with the big picture in life. It's nones fault, and we shouldn't feel bad about this, it's simply human nature. Just like anything else in life it is something we constantly have to work on in order to never loose sight of it. Do you think because I haven't had a drink in over 10 years that I have succeeded and I no longer have to worry about being drunk again? No! I have to WORK at it just as hard as the person who's been sober for one day. If I want to make it to 10 years 2 months and 14 days I have to get through today first, and that is going to take work just like any other day.
Obviously my sobriety is a pretty drastic example, but Kelli and I wishing that time would go by faster for the house is really no different. We have fallen victim to the "can't get there fast enough" mentality that far too often overcomes many of us. We simply need to slow down, understand that all good things truly do come to those who wait, and know that everything will happen as it is supposed to! Too many of us attempt to dictate our futures, even if we already know there is a greater plan in store for us all. I don't care how faithful you are, we are all susceptible to trying to control our own destiny. So the next time I look at the calendar and see that we aren't scheduled to close on our house for another 16 days, instead of wishing those days would go by faster I'm going to simply enjoy today for what it has to offer. I know it will take some work in order to do this but enjoying each day for what it brings, treating each day as another gift, that's work I think I can handle:)
Remember, I know it's difficult, but try to approach each day like the kid in you would! Don't ever get in too much of a hurry!
If you stop and think about it during the course of ones time on this earth we generally have a habit of never being happy with time. When we are kids we live much like animals do and we simply have no sense of time, when we become young adults we begin to speed things up until by the time we're in our mid 30's we race through life complaining of never having enough time, then as we age and slowly begin to grasp the big picture we realize that ANY time is enough time! Eventually the older we get the more we return to thinking like a child does, not even keeping track of time because we know each day is precious.
So why can't we find a common ground and live more like a child or an elderly person during our middle years? Well the simplest answer is our lives won't allow it, somewhere between jobs, kids, dogs, friends, hobbies, habits, and sleep, we loose track of the big picture. Even those of us like me, who have been in life altering experiences, have trouble connecting with the big picture in life. It's nones fault, and we shouldn't feel bad about this, it's simply human nature. Just like anything else in life it is something we constantly have to work on in order to never loose sight of it. Do you think because I haven't had a drink in over 10 years that I have succeeded and I no longer have to worry about being drunk again? No! I have to WORK at it just as hard as the person who's been sober for one day. If I want to make it to 10 years 2 months and 14 days I have to get through today first, and that is going to take work just like any other day.
Obviously my sobriety is a pretty drastic example, but Kelli and I wishing that time would go by faster for the house is really no different. We have fallen victim to the "can't get there fast enough" mentality that far too often overcomes many of us. We simply need to slow down, understand that all good things truly do come to those who wait, and know that everything will happen as it is supposed to! Too many of us attempt to dictate our futures, even if we already know there is a greater plan in store for us all. I don't care how faithful you are, we are all susceptible to trying to control our own destiny. So the next time I look at the calendar and see that we aren't scheduled to close on our house for another 16 days, instead of wishing those days would go by faster I'm going to simply enjoy today for what it has to offer. I know it will take some work in order to do this but enjoying each day for what it brings, treating each day as another gift, that's work I think I can handle:)
Remember, I know it's difficult, but try to approach each day like the kid in you would! Don't ever get in too much of a hurry!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Third times the charm!!
Well, after what seems like the longest roller coaster ride we've ever been on in our lives, our search for our next house finally appears as though it's over! If you follow this blog, or talk to any of our families, you probably already have a fairly good understanding of just what Kelli and I have been through. For those of you who don't know however, here is a brief recap of the past three months:
December-thought we found the perfect house only to find out the taxes put our mortgage
out of reach.
January-slipped into a minor state of depression but dusted ourselves off and got back on
the horse, found house number two as the month came to a close.
February-house number two, although being much more affordable, was much older also
and the home inspection brought up a few issues neither us or the seller wanted
to repair, deal fell through and again, minor state of depression.
Today- after dusting ourselves off one more time, we decided to give it one more shot
and found house number three as February came to a close. This one meets our
price criteria, passed the home inspection, and is scheduled to close in just
21 days!
Although this is a very condensed version, you get the idea of how things have been. Even though we have only lived on the West side of the divide for a little more than three months, this house hunt combined with Kelli's job search has made it feel more like three years! I am happy to report though that not only have we found the right house for us, she also found a job the same week! She went to work for a Montana native periodontist on the north end, there's only four of them on staff including the dentist so the office has a very good feel to it and she is really happy to have found it. She told me through this process, which has included something like 7 working interviews as well as probably double that many sit down interviews, that she figures the closest thing she's going to find that will compare to her Montana jobs is a Montana dentist working in Spokane. She lucked out and found what appears to be exactly what she was hoping for!
Throughout this process of searching for our next home and trying to find a job for Kelli, we have been through more ups and downs than either one of us can remember. There were more than a few tears of frustration shed over these ordeals by both of us, yes even me, of course if you know me that probably does'nt surprise you:) Along the way we continued to remind ourselves that everything happens for a reason and the way both the house and the job fell into place simultaneously has us believing that even more! We both know that God has our entire lives under control, but we are no different than anyone else in the fact that we have this constant inner desire to attempt to control our own fate. I believe this is probably the most common fault of all of us as it is very easy to forget that everything is always under control! This may sound strange, or you may be nodding your head in agreement while reading this, but I truly believe that this entire process was part of God's plan all along. What we didn't understand until recently was that in the grand scheme of things everything we've been through since the move has only made us stronger and more faithful.
Of course I'm not saying that we are perfect by any means, but I do think that months or maybe years from now we will look back on this and realize just how much we grew through this process. And if your still a little sceptical about whether or not God had a hand in this, less than a week after we signed the buy/sell on our house I contacted our landlord to let her know we found a house and would be moving out at the end of March. She listed the house on a Tuesday and that night she had someone set up to come look at it. I met the couple at the house to show it to them and they were an elderly couple who told me they had been in their current rental for years. Just a few days prior to this house being listed again, they were informed their landlord's house was going into foreclosure and they had to be out by the end of March! Devastated by the shock of having to pack up and move on extremely short notice, they were extremely grateful to have found this house, they had nowhere else to go. As that elderly couple left that day and I fought back tears of joy, I know God was smiling, and I could feel him telling me everything is under control!
Remember, if you look back and think about it I would bet we all could find that every crisis we've ever dealt with brought with it a positive outcome in some way!
December-thought we found the perfect house only to find out the taxes put our mortgage
out of reach.
January-slipped into a minor state of depression but dusted ourselves off and got back on
the horse, found house number two as the month came to a close.
February-house number two, although being much more affordable, was much older also
and the home inspection brought up a few issues neither us or the seller wanted
to repair, deal fell through and again, minor state of depression.
Today- after dusting ourselves off one more time, we decided to give it one more shot
and found house number three as February came to a close. This one meets our
price criteria, passed the home inspection, and is scheduled to close in just
21 days!
Although this is a very condensed version, you get the idea of how things have been. Even though we have only lived on the West side of the divide for a little more than three months, this house hunt combined with Kelli's job search has made it feel more like three years! I am happy to report though that not only have we found the right house for us, she also found a job the same week! She went to work for a Montana native periodontist on the north end, there's only four of them on staff including the dentist so the office has a very good feel to it and she is really happy to have found it. She told me through this process, which has included something like 7 working interviews as well as probably double that many sit down interviews, that she figures the closest thing she's going to find that will compare to her Montana jobs is a Montana dentist working in Spokane. She lucked out and found what appears to be exactly what she was hoping for!
Throughout this process of searching for our next home and trying to find a job for Kelli, we have been through more ups and downs than either one of us can remember. There were more than a few tears of frustration shed over these ordeals by both of us, yes even me, of course if you know me that probably does'nt surprise you:) Along the way we continued to remind ourselves that everything happens for a reason and the way both the house and the job fell into place simultaneously has us believing that even more! We both know that God has our entire lives under control, but we are no different than anyone else in the fact that we have this constant inner desire to attempt to control our own fate. I believe this is probably the most common fault of all of us as it is very easy to forget that everything is always under control! This may sound strange, or you may be nodding your head in agreement while reading this, but I truly believe that this entire process was part of God's plan all along. What we didn't understand until recently was that in the grand scheme of things everything we've been through since the move has only made us stronger and more faithful.
Of course I'm not saying that we are perfect by any means, but I do think that months or maybe years from now we will look back on this and realize just how much we grew through this process. And if your still a little sceptical about whether or not God had a hand in this, less than a week after we signed the buy/sell on our house I contacted our landlord to let her know we found a house and would be moving out at the end of March. She listed the house on a Tuesday and that night she had someone set up to come look at it. I met the couple at the house to show it to them and they were an elderly couple who told me they had been in their current rental for years. Just a few days prior to this house being listed again, they were informed their landlord's house was going into foreclosure and they had to be out by the end of March! Devastated by the shock of having to pack up and move on extremely short notice, they were extremely grateful to have found this house, they had nowhere else to go. As that elderly couple left that day and I fought back tears of joy, I know God was smiling, and I could feel him telling me everything is under control!
Remember, if you look back and think about it I would bet we all could find that every crisis we've ever dealt with brought with it a positive outcome in some way!
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