It's hard to believe we have been in our new city for a year. It seems like only yesterday I was unpacking boxes and setting up the rental house we have been living in. However with our lease coming to an end, we have decided that the home we have been living in does not suit our needs for a variety of reasons. When Kevin was offered his job a year ago, we had 3 days to find a home and we knew very little about the city we are living in. You may remember that we pulled Kyle out of the Middle School that our current home is zoned for back in Sept. I just finished home schooling him for his 8th grade year. We've decided that Kyle will return to public school for High School and Kyle is very excited to go in the fall. What we don't want however is for Kyle to go to the HS that the home we are living in is zoned for. One of the three bullies that bothered Kyle lives in this neighborhood and has continiously bothered Kyle over the past year. The boys have had 2 fist fights (iniated by the boy) in which both ended up with black eyes, AND the boy has assured Kyle that he and the other 2 bullies from Middle School will be waiting for him on his first day of HS to make his life hell. We've decided that we do not want a repeat of last year and we want Kyle's HS experience to get off to the right start. Luckily, our city has three HS's to choose from. Kyle has made good friends with two boys from his church youth group. Blane and Trevor are both starting HS in the fall. Like Kyle, Blane has been homeschooled this past year. Blane and Trevor will be going to the HS in the North part of town. (CHS) I have researched CHS and although all HS's have their issues, I find that this school has a lot to offer and is a "our state" Distinguished School. A few months back I put in for a intradistrict transfer so that Kyle could attend this CHS instead of the HS our current home is zoned for. Unfortunately I missed the deadline to apply by a week and my request was not considered/denied. It is very important to us that Kyle be able to start CHS with his buddies Blane and Trevor and so at this point the only option has been to move to the North side of town so that we can live where the zoning is for CHS. In addition to this all important schooling issue, here are a few other reasons we have decided to move.
1. It's too big! At 2,800 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 3 baths...our current home is just much too big for the three of us. We only use 1/2 the house.
2. The high cost to live here. Not only is the rent way too high, but the utility bills are outrageous. Due to it's large size and ultra high ceilings, it cost us $500 a month to air condition it last Summer.
3. The stairs. A two story has been difficult with my old back injury.
4. Time to clean. I like an ultra clean home, and in the past have typically cleaned once a week. However, this house takes over 6 hours to clean and again...it's too much on my old back injury.
With all that being said, we decided back in December that as soon as our lease was up in July that we would look for a smaller, single story home that was in the area zoned for CHS. Since that time We've been praying for months that the Lord would provide us with a single story home that meets all our needs. We've also prayed that the owner of our current rental home would agree to let us out of our lease a month or two early as long as we could find new tenants for the property. Once again I'm literally speechless and in awe to find that God has answered our prayers. Not only has the owner of our current home agreed to let us out of our lease on July 1 (if new tenants are found ie: our lease officially ends on July 30), but in addition we have found the PERFECT home in one of the best neighborhoods of the area zoned for CHS. Here it is!
Isn't it sweet!? Kev and I looked at nearly 60 homes from the outside and walked through over 10 and none of them could hold a candle to this gem of a home. It is 10 years old and in a beautiful country club community. (T___Hills) It was owned by a single man who never used the oven and kept such pristine care of the property that the home seems to be brand new. This house is a formal model home and each room has beautiful window coverings, upgraded flooring, beautiful two toned paint, wall paper, built ins etc etc... The front and back yards are impeccable and the potted flowers with drip systems stay with the home as does the lawn mower! The refrigerator and washer and drier are less than a year old and in like new, perfect condition. Another great feature is that the home is directly accross the street from the club house which has a pool, exercise room, billiard room, tennis courts, basket ball courts and even a restaurant! Honestly, we could not ask for more. This house is just ideal for us. It's 3 bedroom 2 bath 2,100 sq foot home. Here are some more pics:
The front courtyard area. The screen door to the left goes into what will be my new scrap book room/office.
all these potted flowers/plants stay with the home and are on a drip system!
(all stay with home!)
just outside the hall bath, looking into my new scrapbook room/office
built in desk and book shelves in office
walking into the office, more built in cabinets!
the fabulous kitchen!
Granite is my preference, but this tile is in like new condition. I love the hand painted fruit!
Maple cabs are my preference, but these country oak cabs are in such like new condition that they are just fine! I love the built in desk ,wine bottle storage and plant shelves.
family room
Love the fireplace with mantle, built in entertainment center, wood shutter blinds and upgraded tile.
standing in family room, looking into the living room/dining room (love the arched door ways)
standing at entrance of family room looking towards the backyard.
close up of window valances in family room
love the small, but beautiful backyard. The landscaping is gorgeous!
\
We are super excited to be moving in the beginning to middle of July (date not yet determined) Now for the not so fun part....packing!
(not pictured Kyle's room)
It looks gorgeous! I bet you are so excited to get settled in!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing from the Lord for your family Debi! The fruit painted in the kitcheni is amazing!Leads me to see the Lord's hand in your move, Fruit of the Spirit!
ReplyDeletePS...I love reading your Blog! You are one talented Woman of God!
Blessing,
Julie Rampenthal