Blessed and Thankful

For some reason the month of October and early November are always months full of events in the Willis Family.  I can't say why; maybe it is the way the stars align or something.  We have been so very busy and lots of fun and exciting things to share.  

It's hard to believe that November is almost over!  It seems that we were just preparing to vote for our new president.  Congrats to President Obama by the way.  Honestly, I was glad the election was over.  Over the years the presidential election years have taken on an aire of competition and political loyalty to say the least.  It has become more like rooting for your team rather than thinking about what is best for our country.  Let's just hope that everyone can unify, support our elected officials, and do what is best for our country. 

We are in the final weeks of our whole house renovation (or at least we hope so).  So much has happened since I last updated everyone.  

• Countertops installed
• New smooth ceilings (no more popcorn!)
• Painting
• New crown moulding
• New bathroom framed out and drywalled
• Lighting outlined and switches placed
• Hardwood floors refinished
• Appliances ordered
• Old furniture and appliances sold
• New tankless hot water heater installed
• Gas lines run to the kitchen and fireplace
• The condo we have been living in now has been rented
• We sold our old house!
• Our sweet E had her 6th birthday 
• 3 days after E's birthday she lost her first tooth!

It has been a lot of work, but we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Unfortunately, we won't be settled in our house by Thanksgiving, but we will be by Christmas!   

It has truly been a blessed week!  God was thinking of us, that is for sure!
We listed the condo for rent and in 2 days we had 2 persons who wanted the place.  Our new tenant moves in Mid-December.  The best thing of the week was that we sold our house.  Our friends that have been renting it decided to buy and we closed on Tuesday.  JOY!  Both families feel blessed.  God is good!

So, this week is as packed as last!  We have our new appliances being delivered on Monday and our Singapore shipment arrives on Tuesday.  Not to mention we are finally getting to have our Uverse installed this week.  We have only had to reschedule that at least 10 times.

Our official move day is December 3rd and we still have a lot to do.  

As I close for this semi short post let me just say how very thankful I am!  Like I said, God is good!  We are Thankful for:

• Having a place to live when we returned from Singapore
• The ability to keep in touch with all of our new Singapore friends
• Our friends and family for supporting us with childcare, help at the house and just a listening ear during this renovation
• All of the businesses and individuals that have done fantastic work on our new old house
• Great neighbors who offer a beer after a long day and letting us smooch off their wireless network
• The the leaves of fall
• Halloween, dressing up, trick or treating, and traditions
• Democracy and being American
• Cooler weather
• My health
• And most of all my wonderful little family!

Thank you God!

New Countertops

 Where is she going?

 E found a little nook

 Putting in the smooth ceilings

 Now that's the way to sand drywall

Finished ceilings, preparing for hardwood refinishing

 Refinished Hardwoods

 The new hallway

Bye, Bye old window

Some more things that we found that came from the attic when we tore out the ceiling.  The slide is a picture of a military base

 Our poor toilet, just waiting to get back into our new old house

 The trees of our new old backyard

The home renovation pumpkin!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson