Grateful!

     As is usually the case with us, things have changed a bit since the last time I posted anything on here.  We've had a busy few days as we had to back out of our house deal we had.  During the home inspection process some issues came about with the fireplace chimney and to spare you all of the details we decided to back out while we still could.  Although it was certainly a disheartening experience, lessons were learned by both Kelli and I and I believe we have come out of this thing in good shape.  We have both had our foot on the gas pedal since we've been here to buy a house, the only explanation I can come up with is that we haven't rented for so long and we got so used to home ownership that it felt as though we couldn't get settled into this area until we owned a house.  Well all it took was not one but two houses to fall through for us to realize that renting until we can find the perfect house is a luxury, not a burden!
     The good news is we have both learned a lot through this ordeal and the most important thing we've learned is to be content with what we currently have in life.  After the house deal was officially terminated Kelli and I sat down and evaluated what we had going for us in the present and we immediately understood how much we had taken for granted.  We have a rental that works for not only our needs but all of our pets needs as well.  So we decided right then and there to stop spending so much of our free time trying to find our next mortgage, and began enjoying what we had around us!  All in the course of the next couple days we got library cards at the local library, ordered home Internet service since we were no longer anticipating leaving the rental, and attended the church that happens to be within walking distance of our house.  These few small acts may not seem like much but they helped us realize that we didn't need to keep waiting to settle in to our lives here, we can fully settle in right where we're at and start enjoying everything this town has to offer!
     Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "we are always getting ready to live, but never living".  This one quote sums up how we have been acting since moving over here.  We have only begun to settle in and experience this moment in our lives and it already feels much more comfortable! 

Remember, if we all take a moment to think about the blessings we have, it truly is difficult to be anything short of grateful!