Turning the page

...and a new chapter begins!

It's been a little bit since I last posted. So much has happened and so much has changed. 

For the last 12 years, we've lived in what we jokingly called "Happy Acres". Our house was big and at one time full of family. Times changed and family moved on. Soon the big-ol' house at Happy Acres was too big and a little too empty. Kevin and I came to the realization that it was too much house for us in many ways. Too big, too much yard, and too expensive.

Not that we're OLD or anything, but we ARE about 10-15 years from retirement. At some point, it would be nice to have paid-off our home. That was NOT going to be possible with the BIG house at Happy Acres; so we made the decision to sell and move to a smaller place.

That decision led to changes for all the inmates at Happy Acres. Marc found and purchased his own little slice of Heaven in a new condo-complex.  Jackie is "technically" living with us, but mostly stays with Jairen and his family.  Kevin and I - after a long search (we've been looking off and on for 5 years), finally found our own new place.  It's certainly not what we expected or even what we were looking for. It wasn't until we quit telling the Lord what WE wanted and expected and listened to what HE was trying to tell us; that we found our place in paradise.  We're calling our new place "The Cottage at Happy Acres".

Our new house has a very cottage-like feel to it. It's much smaller, but bright and airy. It's funny that being so much smaller, it doesn't make us feel hemmed in.  We love our new neighborhood and Ward. We're looking forward to many new adventures as we make this place our own.

It's a little weird being here - just the two of us. It's VERY quiet...lol We haven't lived alone with just each other for almost 26 years. We've either had kids or extended family with us for most of our married life. I'm surprised at how seamless this adjustment has been. We're really having fun making the Cottage at Happy Acres into our home. We're really looking forward to many adventures as we begin this new phase of our lives!

Alan Jackson's song "Remember When" has a line that fits our situation so well!

"Remember when
We said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad

For all the life we've had..."

So, here's to a new home and new experiences with my forever Sweetheart! Let the adventure continue!!! We have so many things to look forward to!  I'll be sure to keep you posted!!! 

*Stay tuned to your local Whacky-Webster's channel*