Is this Home Sweet Home?

 Team Southards has put an offer on a house this week. 

It is a long story that started finding this home over a year ago before we had even fully committed to moving to Dayton. 

God's hand has been all over this situation from the beginning.

We have looked and looked at other homes, and this one has come on and off the radar over the last year, but we knew through prayer the time was not right before.

Our prayer the whole time has been to either clear wide the path to this home or slam the door shut if it is not a wise move for our family. 

Most recently, the path has been cleared and we are taking steps until we end up with the house or the door is shut.

We are dealing with the banks (it is a short sale).

We have very specific prayers we are praying that I will share if we end up with this home. I will also share the whole story about the home because it has been such a journey of growing and waiting.

Asking others to join us in prayer for this home. 

Praying for:

- God's hand to either clear the path or shut the door

- Favor with the bank

- For the details to work out in a way that leave people scratching their heads wondering "how that happened?" allowing us to give God the glory

This home is on 5 acres with a creek, pond, woods, and a ton of area for the kids to run around and be kids and for us to host people in our home. 

Thanks so much for joining us in prayer!

Just a glimpse of the home, this is where I would be having my morning quiet time and coffee

 

Getting outside and Riding Horses

I know I didn't post much after our move to Ohio and during the winter months. That was mostly because I wasn't sure I needed to report that we sat inside most of the winter and hibernated. We moved to a new place and had started making some friends and I had some playdates, but our calendar was pretty clear and we did the same thing every day. Needless to say, we are so thankful for the warmer weather so we can get outside and start exploring Ohio. Moving to a new place provides opportunity for new adventures. 

So we have been getting outside more and yesterday was one of the most exciting days for Payton since we moved here because she finally got to ride a horse. We have new friends Josh and Shala that were in our Life Group and when we first met Shala this winter, Payton learned that Shala used to show horses when she was younger and her parents still had horses. Shala has 2 little boys and she told Payton she would love to take a little girl out on her horse Mack. Payton has really loved the idea of horses for a few years and we looked into lessons that but they were really pricey and we weren't sure about spending that much money on something we weren't even sure if she would like.  She was elated that yesterday she finally got to ride Mack. All the kids enjoyed him.

We have also been exploring different parks, fishing at friends homes, and taking walks and getting rewarded by cops for wearing helmets.

Presley thinks she needs her shirt off right now when the boys have their shirts off.

 

Payton has 4 days of school left then we head to Florida for our Wiens family beach vacation. We are so excited for summer. We have a lot of fun trips planned and we love being outside!

MO trip

 Last weekend we made a quick trip to Missouri to celebrate our niece's High School Graduation. We spent one night at the Southards' farm and visited Papa Southards in the nursing home. We know Papa will be going home to heaven soon, so we cherish every time we get to see him. 

We then went to Poplar Bluff to join the rest of the family and celebrate Maddy. Maddy is Tim (Steve's older brother) and Shari's oldest daughter. She is headed to Cornerstone College (in Michigan) next year. She is an absolutely beautiful girl inside and out and we are so excited to see how she grows over these next 4 years. My sister-in-law Shari enjoyed having all of her and Tim's family together for the first time since their wedding over 10 years ago. The cousins loved playing together as usual.

It was a fast and furious trip but we are so thankful that even moving to Ohio, we are close enough to make those trips for special occasions.

Going "Home"

This past weekend Steve and I went different ways across the country to our own "old" homes. Steve sent me to Florida with only Stetson to give me a little down time without all the kids and he took the older 3 to Missouri to go turkey hunting.

He spent some time in St. Louis at his parents and then headed down to one of the family farms to hunt. He got to visit with all four of his grandparents while home. Granny Coats has not been doing well and has lost her eye sight, so he was thankful to spend time with her. Unfortunately Papa Southards is not doing well either and was in the hospital while Steve was at the farm. He was so so thankful to really have some great conversations and time with his Papa as we do not know how much longer Papa has. Oh and he did kill a turkey himself and call one in for his little brother. The kids got to run and play outside and shoot their new BB gun.

This dog just showed up at the farm while they were there, no one had seen it before. It was the sweetest thing and Payton kept asking to take it home to Ohio.

Papa (Steve's dad) treated Colton to "his" steakhouse

While in Florida I had no agenda, mostly relax, enjoy family and the warm sunshine. I got to spend some precious time with my 93-year-old grandma. My older brother and his kids came over one day but otherwise I went on a lot of walks, shopped and ate yummy food. It was just what I needed. Stetson got more attention that a #4 kid usually gets.

Friends like Family and Family

This past weekend we had a blast with all sorts of visitors. 

Our dear friends The Branton's made a special trip to Ohio to spend the weekend and celebrate Presley's 2nd birthday. We hung low most of the weekend and enjoyed some great conversations.

We also had some amazing goodies delivered from KC. Chinese New Year and Ginger Pork courtesy of Eric and Michelle (and some of Steve and my fav KC food) as well as a photo book of Indian Creek families wishing us well on our last day at Indian Creek. I recently made some Chinese food and the kids adamantly told me that my food was yucky and Eric makes the best Chinese food and they miss KC because of Eric's food and Michelle's fun. 

Tim and Shari and the girls were also in town (Steve's older brother). Shari's parents just started on staff at Salem. We are so excited to have them here. Steve's little brother Ben is at college a little over an hour away so he came down as well. 

Southards boys all together on a Sunday for the first time in many many years.

We have had a few snow days since our visitors this weekend and we are using them to catch up on sleep! We loved having everyone in town.

School

Payton has been loving school here. She has told us that school is her favorite thing about Ohio. She has a wonderful teacher and nice small class (only 10 kids). I wasn't sure how she would do with wearing a uniform since the girl has her own style, surprisingly she has loved wearing a uniform and getting dressed in the morning is much easier. 

Colton started school after the first of the year. We had a few snow days so he started a week later than originally planned. He too loves school here. We are so thankful for the great schools for both kids. Both the preschool and the academy are housed at our church, so Steve drives the kids in to school each day (Colton only T/Th). I have enjoyed my alone time with sweet Presley Rae while the big kids are in school and Steston is napping.

Here are some other recent pics

Kids got an indoor trampoline for Christmas and they have loved it!

Colton's first day of school Presley insisted her get herself ready for school too

The kid who only wanted to wear gym shorts and no shirt has now decided he likes "church" shirts with his gym shorts.