Tuesday, January 28, 2014

New Home!

We are under contract for a new Phoenix home, and we are so excited!  

Buying a home (especially in this new-for-us price point) is so emotional.  We found that it requires time spent doing the research, patience in watching the properties, evaluation and re-evaluation of about 100 different things (finances, location, layout, lot position, age of home, commute times, and in our case: potential for golf balls!) -- and the emotions/perspectives can swing mightily in a short time.  We had our inspection tonight and so got to see the property again.  With no 'major' issues arising on inspection and the chance to walk through it with fresh eyes, Mikel and I both feel a lot better (at least for now!) about our decision to pursue this home.  The value of what we will get for the price is something we simply didn't find elsewhere in our looking.

22447 North 49th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85054
We plan to close at the end of February.

When we met the inspector for his summary, I was able to capture a few shots to include here.  
(They're mostly of the back yard ----- but I can't help it.)








These are taken from the balcony off of the master BR (see 2 pics above)
approaching sunset
We're told this will all be green in the summer.  Gives us a reason to (almost) look forward to summer months, I guess!

A little bird's eye panoramic of the back yard as seen from the balcony.
west moving east
 
 If only we got to keep the patio furniture!



Okay, enough with the yard and mountains.
Oh I guess there's this --- I really like the hardware these people have outfitted the house with.  Here's one example --- the outdoor light fixtures
Wait -- sorry -- one more mountain shot.  From the master jacuzzi tub window
I love them.  I might get spoiled and always need mountain views...
*****
A few shots of parts of the rest of the house.
The sun was setting by this point so it wasn't the best for taking pics indoors but you get an idea.

master

looking into the family room from the kitchen/breakfast area railing
Disregard the obnoxious appearance to the paint color.  I had to "brighten" the pic bc the lighting was so dark; it's more of a sunset type of orange.  I don't know if/how long we'll keep it but it's do-able for now.


front door and living room area


Again with brightening the pic and getting the weird paint look, but view from the front door -- living room area on the left, stairs up to 3 bedrooms on the right, 4 steps down into family room beyond main stairs (1 bed and full bath on that lower level), breakfast area where our realtor is standing - he's facing into the kitchen

a couple of weird kitchen shots bc the inspector was sitting at the counter
I like the mountain-scape backsplash.

free standing island/barstool area. Sink and windows to the right looking out to back yard.  I'm standing in archway with family room at my back over railing


Guest bath downstairs.  Someone please come??

Nolan's breaking things in
The Lord is faithful to provide.
As we began the process of looking for a home with space to expand our family and enjoy company, we prayed for clear NO's more than a clear YES.  We are thankful that God in His kindness gave plenty (!) of No's -- and in this one it seems a clear Yes.  I wish I had photos of some of the houses priced higher than this one that were hardly worth seeing...  
Thankful to go to bed tonight feeling confident that the Lord has directed and will continue to provide.
If He wills that we should indeed close on this house, we only pray that He will lead us in its use and that we will be faithful to follow in welcoming whomever He brings -- that all who enter might find blessings abundantly, as we already have from His hand.

Friday, January 3, 2014

The Piotrowskis!

I love living in a place where people come to visit and vacation.  Glory! 
Josh's brother and sis-in-law, Jesse and Leah, moved to the valley very shortly after we did.  We were so lucky to catch Josh, Beth and their boys when they came from Rochester to visit their family over the New Year's holiday. 

We had the pleasure of hosting them at our house for dinner on New Year's day.  Nolan had so much fun playing with 2.5yr old Ben!

 Sweet boys
 Nolan trying to gently "bonk" heads with Ben -- one of his new favorite games
 We were excited to see you, Josh and Beth, but we were EXCITEDDDDD to meet sweetie pie Owen for the first time!  You're lucky I didn't storm your door when we arrived in November.  :)
Josh is such a great, hands-on dad.  A pro, for sure!
*****
Beth has been one of my dearest friends since early in residency.  We served together in Side by Side as care leaders and then co-lead a Tuesday evening Bible study for several seasons.  I've spent many, mannnnnyyyyy an hour perched on the bench of her kitchen table eating home-baked goodies, pondering Scripture, praying together with her, and sharing life.  She is one of the most genuine and truly kind people I know, and I miss her.  
 Deserving of an XL slot.  I love you, dear friend.  And I will never again eat a sugar cookie or a s'more without thinking fondly of you!
 We are so thankful that these friends took time away from the family they really came to visit to spend an evening in our home.  I hope it was as refreshing for them as it was for us!  Can't wait until next time.
 *****
 The next day while Mikel brought home the bacon, Nolan and I were invited to join the Piotrowski clan at Jesse and Leah's condo for an afternoon of more food, fun -- and swimming!  God bless Arizona in January.  :)

Pool bound!  Super Josh carried these two tanks all the way there.


Why yes, this lovely lady DID just have a baby 12 weeks ago.  Who would have thought?!?  You look great, Beth!
Josh was a swim instructor for years, and he put Nolan through the training paces.

 I wonder how many pool shots just like this one we will have before Nolan is grown?  I think this is already number 856.
 *****
When we got back to the condo, the ever-hospitable Beth moved their pack&play into a nice dark room so that Nolan could join ben in crashing for nap time.
While the big boys slept, little Owen got a warm bath in the kitchen sink.  He wasn't overly impressed.
 But when he was done, guess who got to snuggle and squishy, soft, good-smelling little baby????


This was a happy day indeed.  I have no idea how I failed to get any shots of the others in attendance (Grams and Gramps Piotrowski and Jesse!), but Nolan and I are so thankful to you all for letting us join you for the fun.  Josh, Beth and boys - we hope your next visit comes very, very soon indeed!!

Monday, December 30, 2013

An Oklahoma Christmas - part 2


What a wonderful visit we had already enjoyed thus far!  And we knew the best was yet to come.
*****
Christmas Eve arrived.  We enjoyed our usual morning of lounging in PJ's before Debby treated us to this wonderful, fancy lunch!
You might recall that I've written about our friend Lola Mae before. She's 94 years young and lives alone, just a few houses down from Debby.  The youngest of 13 kids, Lola Mae is witty and sharp as a tack -- quite an amazing lady.  I hope I'm just like her some day.  We were so happy to pay her a visit and take along the little gift we had brought.
Lola Mae always says she is extra fond of our boy because she had a brother named Nolan.
Blurry but too sweet not to include.  Nolan loves her!  

That evening, we attended a Christmas Eve service at a church in Elk City.  It was lovely!
Had to snap some dressed-up photos before changing (back) into our jams.
I love this one!

Nolan and a beautiful shot of Aunt Lizzie (or AL, as I'm teaching him to call her)  ;)
Then Nolan got to open a gift from Lizzie --- Christmas Jammies!!!
When Nolan went to bed, everybody got busy:
Debby prepped Christmas morning's breakfast...
...the pups helped with dishes...
...and Mikel shuffled cards in anticipation of the impending and inescapable round of Dutch Blitz.
Now, for anyone reading who might be fortunate enough to have escaped the experience thus far, Mikel and Lizzie are each a little psycho when it comes to Dutch Blitz.  Two intensely intelligent and competitive people, they can fan their cards and lock horns over this Battle of Speed like you wouldn't believe.  I have personally borne witness a variety of offenses, including but not limited to:
- yelling matches
- re-counts
- accusations of cheating
- actual cheating
- vehement denials of cheating
- bad words
- bad breath
- red faces
- middle fingers communicated with eyes
- gloating
- moping
- clapping at inappropriate times
- smirked offers of "Good Game"
- profoundly rejected offers of "Good Game"
- thrown elbows
- thrown cards
- bent cards
- pocketed cards

And when you mix in some son-of-a-fireball home brewed eggnog, you can imagine the results.

But it was too late for my escape.  I was, after all, iced in...
So the table was set:
The pups were called in to act as impartial judges:
The Christmas tree was set ablaze in hopes of reminding all in attendance of the Christmas spirit which was about to get dragged through the mud....
And it began.
Friendly enough at first....
............... and then?  
Something magical happened.
It was as if the Holy Spirit rose up inside of me and said, "My daughter, you have suffered long enough at the hands of these fiends."
.... And lo and behold, I started winning!  
"BLITZ!!" I called time and again, hand after hand, round after round.  The battle cry of the Amish, dropping all others to their knees and driving their game scores deeper into the negatives.

...Until?
It was over.
It was OVER!

VICTORY WAS MINE!!!!  
And I had the score card (complete with Debby's hand drawn emoticons and time notations), to prove it.
As you can plainly see, at 10:43 I thought my lead was doomed to be like sand, slipping through my fingers in only a matter of time.  Lizzie the Great was hot on my heels and Mikel the Mighty was right behind her.  These two were in it for blood, and I was the reddest meat on the chopping block.

So I got a star and the others got frowny faces.

But I will say it again: the Spirit of the Good Lawd saw me fit to carry this torch.  This beacon.  This message of hope.  That ALL people, regardless of race, order, creed or past Dutch Blitz failings, can find within themselves the strength, power and ability to TRIUMPH in the face of adversitynamedmikelandlizzie.  ALL people. 

Even Debby whose score was 1.

~ It was indeed a Christmas miracle ~

(Love you three. :)  Glad we got this documented since it will never ever happen again!)
******
Christmas morning was a sweet time of quiet breakfast, gift exchange, sipping coffee and enjoying each other.  We are so very blessed!
Grandpa John and Ramona stopped by to say hello and exchange some gifts. 


Even the pups got a couple of new toys for Christmas from Grandma.
Khaki destroyed the squeakers within the hour -- something I actually love about her!
Deaf Dog Paisley isn't bothered by suffering squeaky toys...

Investigating the stockings (my favorite part!)
 


Then came the gifts! There was so much generosity represented under that sweet little tree.  I'm so happy we were able to have this Oklahoma Christmas.
This is the necklace I almost stole from Lizzie.



Another delicious and decadent lunch, compliments of Chef Gram.

*****
Then that evening we went to pay a visit to Ray and Loretha, some sweet family friends who live just across town.
When we got there, Ray greeted us in this getup, complete with a piece of kleenex stuck in his "nose ring" to make fun of Lizzie's.  You never know what that guy is going to come up with!
Nolan never changed out of his Christmas jammies.
Debby and Loretha
There were looooottttttts of little tiny breakable things for tiny hands to "touch touch touch".


*****
The next morning, it was time for us to make the long trek back to Phoenix.  How can a week pass so quickly?  I will admit --- this sight made the homecoming a little easier to bear:

*****
Our Christmas was marked by meaningful time with many people we love.  What more can we ask for?  Debby, thank you for how much you do to ensure that we are all comfortable, refreshed and stuffed to the brim.  You are wonderful and we are all lucky to have you, but mostly I am lucky to have landed you for a mother in law.  

We are thankful to have had such a sweet time to reflect on God's superb and unmatched generosity in the ultimate gift of salvation through Jesus.  The Reason for these days was not lost on us, and I pray that in 2014, I as an individual, our family as a unit, and we all as a nation will strive even harder to pattern our lives after our mighty and perfect Savior.

"The paradox of Jesus is this: 
He speaks harsher than we do about sin and sweeter than we do about grace.  
He's willing to be dogmatic about judgement AND mercy.
He's willing to risk everything - including His reputation - to rescue us.
His love is tenacious and exacting and He does not intend to leave us as He found us."
- Edie Wadsworth