We've moved!

We searched high and low, throughout Portland, Gresham and even some houses in Vancouver that were in our price range. November 30th we found it. Two long months of offers, counter offers, inspections and appraisals followed. We knew this house was different than the others. We knew it was the one -- partly because it was the first house that I was truly able to hold with open hands. My hope was pinned on the Lord and not the house. So my hope didn't waver as the house made it's circutous path to our waiting hands. I think the Lord was waiting for me to get to that place so that he could bless us beyond what we could imagine.

We signed on February 2nd -- actually Tre signed for both of us. I was walking through the streets of Rome as he signed both our names: Kelly E. Wilbanks by James Tre Wilbanks Attorney in Fact on every single line. I think that it was the Lords gift to me. I'd been pushing this home purchase so hard. I'm the one borrowing, getting all the necessary documents to our Loan Officer, handeling all the corresondence between us and our realitor -- trying to plan a budget around a new mortgage and additional utility bills --the weight was very heavy. I even took a weakened away at one point in the process to just reconnect with the Lord about the whole thing. Being away for the final steps of closing left room for (an entirely capable) Tre to step up to the table and take care of business.

The Lord has truly blessed us with this home. Before we could get financed for the house the bank had to put on a new roof, decomission the oil tank, put in a new gas furnace, put in a new gas water heater, build a firewall in the garage, fix the dryrot in the laundry room and the bathroom and put in a new tub and surround. The house also appraised for $10,000 less than what we offered so we're monthly payments are only $160 more than what we were paying in rent in South East Portland. We'd looked for rentals in the Gresham area before and hadn't found anything (that let us keep our dog and cat) for the price we're paying for our mortgage.

We are also closer to our church and our home fellowship. People have stopped by to see our place and help us unpack. It's so nice to be in a location that people can casually visit. We felt so alone out in Johnson Creek. We loved our little home, but this one gives us room to stretch and grow. We just feel so blessed.

Here are some pictures of our new little nest.

This the really gay color I painted our front door. (Don't worry I repainted it the nice red color in the first picture).

Our house is number 100. I think it probably was the 100th house we looked at. We are so grateful and can't wait to get it up to snuff so we can have people over for dinner. Mamma Lane even suggested a camp-out in our back yard. It's definately big enough. :) First things first though -- we are going to have a big celebration when Tre graduates. It will be a Birthday/Graduation/House-warming Party -- I'm thinking May 15th, but I've got to double check with him. He graduates May 14th!

Keep you posted!