There's No Place Like Home

MOVING DAY IS FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are FINALLY going home!  Carpet went in on Monday, and looks awesome!  It is amazing how much flooring makes a difference.  The upstairs went from being a work zone to looking like a home just from the carpet going in.  I forgot to snap a few pictures when I was over there, but I will get a few taken in the next few days and hopefully get them posted here soon. 

The first time we moved into our house was in mid to late October, and now we are moving back in in late October.  I'm sure we made God chuckle out loud when we bought that house.  He we were, a young naive couple, thinking we could remodel the house ourselves and then fill it with children.  We all know how that story played out.  We are NOT "Do It Yourself" kind of people, and seven years later, the only "children" to roam the house are four legged and furry.  I can't believe we moved there seven years ago.  I also can't believe how great the house looks.  I told Gus yesterday that it is hard to believe that OUR house is that beautiful.  We can't wait to get back in and enjoy it!!!  2 more sleeps!!!  The restoration company is giving it a good cleaning today and tomorrow and then they will be there Friday morning with our stuff.  I'm a little afraid how the animals are going to react.  I'm not sure if they will remember and put two and two together or not.  If I was stuck in a burning house thinking I was going to die, I would remember.  But hopefully their little pea brains have moved on to much nicer thoughts since then. 

We plan on having an open house once we get settled, especially to thank everyone who has helped us over the last 10 1/2 months.  There are so many people who gave us their time, knowledge, skills, connections, resources, and meals.  Some of which we didn't even meet until they showed up to help out.  There have been so many times through this whole journey that people have simply amazed me and restored my faith in humanity.  I've also realized what I've taken for granted.  That two story house is more than a building, it is our home.  I haven't exactly been in the holiday spirit the last couple of years, so Christmas decorations never came out of the attic.  But you better believe that our home will be decorated this year, with whatever survived the fire and the decorations that have already been donated to us. 

Gus had someone recently tell him that the day of the fire must have been the worst day ever.  We both thought about it and said that it was up there, but definitely not the worst day ever.  It was scary, especially before I knew the pets were okay.  I found out before I got there that Noah was alright, but I was still on edge until there was a Nigel sighting.  We had other things on our minds that day.  Things that mattered more to us than if our belongings were gone.  Perhaps both situations acted as a numbing agent for the other.  God works in mysterious ways.

On a side note, do you think the Lifetime Network would be interested in purchasing our story?  I think that would be one heck of an adoption fundraiser idea. :)