Waiting, Waiting, Waiting

So, we offered on a second house. Same neighborhood. Same model as the other one, only a little bigger. And then they countered. So we countered. Then they countered again with their final offer. I emailed our realtor a question and am waiting back to hear her answer, since their final offer was very ambiguous regarding one of our requests. But, barring any other random thing that might come up, I think we may be signing a contract this week. Yay! I'm sad to say this, but if we still lived in California this never would've been possible. My formal education is incomplete and I was laid off, and Rob wasn't making as much money there as he does here. Not to mention, his body and his mind are extremely burnt out from being a mechanic. It is time for a change (more on that in another post.) We love California with all our hearts. Our entire lives were there, and in some ways, much of our hearts still are. Knowing we are building a life here without many of our nearest and dearest is still crushing at times. But for Lincoln's sake and our own, we press on. I am doubtful we would ever be able to own a home there, and I want my kid to have memories in a home he can call his own, and that we can make our own. 2012 was literally one of the top three worst of my entire life. I wouldn't wish my 2012 on my worst enemy. But living here in Texas, despite some of the misery we've endured, has brought us to a place where we might be able to do something we never had hope for prior to moving here. And that's got to count for something.

Back to the drawing board

Turns out the realtor we were dealing with on our dream home was Shady McShaderson. While what he did was not illegal, it certainly was unethical. I don't want to get into the entire thing. So, no house for us. Yet. Inventory is super low and I refuse to be rushed so for now we wait till something else we like comes along. As our realtor reminded me today, "Man's rejection is God's protection." So yeah, I just keep telling myself we dodged a bullet.

Why Do People Put Themselves Through This?

Why does anyone ever try to buy a home? The stress and anxiety have given me the equivalent of a week-long colon cleanse! Ugh, ugh, ugh. The obvious answer is that owning property has many more benefits than renting. Yesterday it was looking like the other realtor stalled us to entertain another offer, but then late late last night he emailed to say we are still in the running. So, who knows! The house is almost too good to be true for our first home. I DO know that I do not want to live in a house God doesn't want me in, so I am just trying to hold tight and respect His will. Patience is a virtue, right?

Rough!

Sorry for the unintended break. About a week before Christmas, Lincoln came down sick. He got progressively worse and needed to be hospitalized a few days before Christmas. We finally felt good for about a week, and then New Year's Day, things took another turn. Rob and I met with our realtor to look at homes and I had what I thought was a bad migraine the entire time. By the end of our appointment I could barely see straight. I went to bed early and woke up with terrible sickness from both ends. Ugh, sorry. Just keepin' it real here. Thankfully it seems to be (mostly) a 24-hour bug. I haven't thrown up in a day, and for that I am thankful. Vomiting is the absolute worst. Wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Now Lincoln has a nasty cold. I will not miss this season! And in other news...we put an offer in on our first house! Squee! Of course, the thought of that is enough to make me want to vomit, too! Ha!