As I begin this entry, I see by the tiny clock that it is 4:18. (A.M )  And yes, Susan, I am yelling.  Who does 4:00 in the morning?  I woke up about 3:30 wide awake.  I may be experiencing sympathy pregnancy insomnia with Catherine.   We're close like that.  Or it could  have something to do with the huge gash in my head from an incident with a ceiling fan earlier or it could have something to do with one of the 10,000 things on my mind

We're moving to the woods. We close tomorrow ( or today) at 4:00p.m.  A little less than 12 hours.  Well, we PLAN to close then.  This house buying has been over the top stressful. Seriously. Have you tried to buy house in the last couple years? Not an easy process this day and time. Did I mention the stress?

Said house is, well, amazing.  To us, that is.  It is my hubby' s dream. It sits right smack dab in the middle of 13.48 acres and is less than 1 mile from my parents.  The house is about 3/10ths of a mile from where I lived as a child.  Said house was built in 1984 (the year of our marital union...awwwwww) and is amazing and full of character. Oh, it needs some paint and a wall down and some doors replaced, etc. But amazing. Lots of pinterest projects.
Big kitchen, freshly remodeled and a great dining room.  A great sunroom freshly cleaned by Susan Cloninger.  Lots of nooks and crannies. The babes have already discovered some secret hiding places and have laid claim to their own rooms upstairs.  (Like they will really sleep up there alone....)

The yard needs a little love.  I can't wait for the fall so I can walk round and see what is there.  I have already discovered a pear tree (full of fruit), a black walnut tree (full of nuts), a grapevine, a cherry tree, and blackberry vines.

There is a huge garage with a real wood burning fireplace.  This should hold lots of car junk(hubby' s passion). Oh, and I say junk affectionately..:)


There is an old pool house, which is to become a potting shed, with an outside shower. (Great pinterest project)There is a wonderful place for my garden and there is an old chicken coop back in the woods. I am sure there is a lot yet to be discovered.

The greatest thing about the move, to me, is the location. A couple years ago I wrote about growing up in Dixon. Well, guess where  this house is?  That's right.  There is a creek down the hill from the house and across that creek is where my uncle always had a garden.  I played there as a child and in a few hours will own it..his house, built by him and my dad, is just up the hill. My cousin lives there now.  The back side of the property backs up to two more cousins. The creek seems a bit smaller now but was a favorite Sunday spot for us Dixon kids in the summer.

We are so excited.  It has been a hard decision.  I love my house here on Wintergreen. My neighbors are wonderful.  The location is great.  But the woods are calling.  When we made an offer and were immediately accepted, we both about fainted. I was up till 3:00a.m. one night looking at pictures, thinking and praying.  Was this what God wanted for us? Did I really want to start this new adventure at the age of....., well, my age?  Could I really leave my house I love and my neighbors I love more?  I waited until the last possible minute to tell my neighbors/dear friends across the street. I cried about it. I prayed about it.  Then I came to the realization that they are more than my neighbors.  They are our friends and will continue to be and can come enjoy the woods with us.  No, it won't be the same as being across the street but it will still be special.

So, I guess this is why I am up so early. I'm almost certain there is a nap in my future.

 God is good and has blessed us beyond comprehension. I want to use everything I have for His glory and this house in the woods is no exception.