Waiting, Waiting & Waiting ...

How much longer will we have to wait?  Just as I began typing this post I received a phone call from our realtor informing us that the appraisal on the home we are in the process of purchasing is scheduled to take place this coming weekend.  Unfortunately, my realtor warned me that this particular appraiser has a history of taking up to 5 weeks to submit his paperwork AND he has a history of low-balling his appraisals.  If he takes a long time, then the closing date will have to be pushed back accordingly.   If he grossly under appraises the property the entire deal could fall through resulting in another year of living in limbo and temporary housing. I am now praying that the appraiser works quickly AND the property appraises at purchase value.  This relocation process has worn me down. Thus far, we are at 2 years and 9 months.  I've never in my life heard of a relocation taking this long - not even for the pioneers setteling the west by wagon trains.  This whole process has certainly been an exercise in patience.  Mr. B has far more patience than I, apparently God thinks mine needs to be improved.

While waiting we have been keeping busy.  OG is indulging in a 2nd dose of softball.  Ball season is during the summer up here verses the spring down in Texas.  So far, her team, Fusion, has played in two tournaments.  Fusion took the championship during the first tournament.  However, they did not fare as well during the second.  They have another scheduled in a couple weeks.  We are hoping they will have a good come back.  !!Go Fusion!!

EJ only played two games in his 2nd round of baseball.  4 weeks ago he broke his arm during a bicycle crash.  He's missed most of the season up here.  But a broken arm hasn't stopped him from practicing his roping.  Everyday he has been outside roping his bucket and the two back legs of a sawhorse.  One of these days he may be good enough to learn how to rope off a horse. 

This coming weekend we are planning a little excursion out to my dad's mountain cabin.  The littles are very excited.  They LOVE visiting grandpa's log cabin and living, for a few days, "the way they did in the olden days".  Grandpa's log cabin is off-grid.  He heats it with a wood stove and cooks on an antique wood burning cookstove.  He also has an antique icebox to keep some of his food cold.  Last month, grandpa installed a flush potty, in the past we've always used the outside privy.  I am very excited about not having to fumble around in pitch black darkness to find the outhouse in the middle of the night.  A few years ago he installed a gravity fed water system for the large claw foot soaker tub.  Last year he put in a propane water heater so we now have HOT running water in the bathroom.  I really enjoy living without electricity, but have only tolerated the "no running water" aspect of the cabin.  When Dad brought the plumbing up to the late 19th century, I was beside myself with glee.  I've never even minded heating water on the stove - I just hated having to haul it and the excessive rationing of a very limited supply.  But that's all over now, the plumbing has come into the 20th century - HooRay!!  The cabin is now, in my opinion, perfect ... well, except for a few choices in decor, but hey! it's not my house - it's my dad's.

For all you out there who have been praying for us during our long relocation journey, Thank You.  You will never know how much we appreciate it.  Hopefully, our prayers to be settled in our new home will be answered very soon.