celebration!

tonight we went out to our favorite japanese steakhouse for a celebratory dinner because we finally sold our home in new mexico!!! we got a babysitter for the little girls and had some big kid fun!

our sweet renters bought our house and we couldn't be more excited for them!

that was our first home as a family of 4, the first home we bought, the home we brought addie from the hospital to. we have so many good memories of our little home on bob jay drive!

(group self portraits are always fun! we each tried to take it, but in the end we all felt that christian's was best. yes, this picture was the best of the bunch!)

when boeing closed it's shop in nm and we were faced with moving, the housing market was terrible. we tried to sell with a realtor and tried to sell on our own, but in the end, renting was the best option and after lots of prayer, the way we decided to go. unwilling landlords we became.

(i-phones are so, so fun!)

until the house closed, i don't think we let ourselves realize how very stressful it's been to have a second home. or could have been, i guess i should say. we were very, very blessed with good tenants and no major problems. but to know, at all times for the past 3+ years, that we could have a major problem in one or both houses, that we could have tenants move out and be faced with 2 mortgages, and that we really have never been financially prepared for any one of those 2 scenarios, that has been stressful.

in the end, we learned a lot and would actually like to own an investment property.

someday.
when we are financially secure enough to do it wisely.

and live within 1500 miles of said investment property, that would be nice.

but for now, we are celebrating owning only 1 home!!!

goodbye little house!!!