Our Moving Story

I write this with smiles and tears.  Things did not happen the way that I thought that they would.  But Hello I am a Callahan and I can tell you that not many things work as I think they will or should for that matter.  It has been a rough few months, and an even harder last few weeks.  Things I don't understand, questions, oh I have so many questions.  But I am here, I am beyond blessed and The Callahan's are moving. And by the time I am sitting here writing this I am writing from my new home.

A friend said that she would help us find a place, I was grateful.   Between emails things were not working, I was disappointed, I didn't understand.  So I contacted a friend of mine and asked for the number of the realtor that she worked with.  I texted and called and I heard right back.  She was not a specialist in the area but knew of someone that was and got me in touch with them.  With in the hour I got a call saying he would love to help us that his wife was a retired teacher, and that they were both at times single parents.  He was so awesome on the phone and so looking forward to helping us find our very own home.  They were amazing, listening and giving me advise, listening to all of my questions.  It was a perfect fit.  She was sending me houses that she thought I would like. Many of them were in this one neighborhood, that I Absolutely loved.  Kinda reminded me of a little town in Boston, and felt like the right place.  There were a few that were a total yes, and of coarse they were gone before you had the chance to even send another email.  There were those that you think, OH MY no that will just not work. Then we found the perfect house on Creekview DR.  Oh it was more than perfect.  It took over a week and a half to get in touch with the landlord, my realtors just would never hear from anyone. Then finally they did and asked when we could go see it.  I sent a frantic message back saying I got off school at 3:30 and we would head that way.  I sent the kids a text at school telling them that we finally heard back and were going right after school.

I am not sure that much work got done,  I really loved the house.  We made it there in no time ready to see our new home.  We looked in the windows checked everything out, as we waited for our realtors to let us in.  We were more than happy.  Then we looked at the house next door, and there was a guy outside, and he said oh well this one is for lease too, we are moving in about a week.  OK thanks, but I honestly didn't give him the time of day.   I kind of laughed and blew him off, I said thanks and continued checking out our home.  Our realtors showed up, and we walked in.  The house and the set up were perfect.  We walked in and I think the house could have been, anything and we would have loved it.  It was kind of messy but all i could see was where all of my pictures were going to go, where my whales, and shelves and furniture were going to go.  The carpet was a mess, there was a lot for them to fix.  There was a lot that was out of sorts, things left behind, but I am not sure that I cared.  The realtors were upset at the shape of the house and started making calls, they were making lists of all the things that needed to be fixed.  They were listening to me, and wanted things to be great.  We walked outside, and it was a perfect little porch, and a good sized back yard.  But then Vincent looked next door and was like mom but look at that deck (On the house next door )  yes it was amazing but we weren't looking at that house.  We walked around some more checking out the kitchen, living room, the kids rooms it was surreal and amazing.  I said yes that we would take it and asked what I need to do next.  There were many conversations back and forth and the following day they said fill out the application and they should get back to you with in a day or two.

So I did that filled out the application and waited and waited.  Then waited some more for what felt like a million years.  I called the company asking about it to make sure that everything was taken care of, and finally got a real live person.  She was like oh yea that is pretty fast looks like the application has gone to the owner for approval.  Oh I am sure that my heart was busting.  There were these great pictures in my head of how things were going to look.  And then the email we are sorry to tell you that the owner rejected your application.  I got the email at school and the tears started, but why, this was more than perfect,  there was no real reason why this house shouldn't have been ours it was everything perfect, It was bright and open and perfect.   I contacted the realtor, neither one of us really understood.  Because my credit was really good, things were all in line but still we were declined for that perfect house.  And I must say that my heart was more than a little broken.  Finding a place was not an option,  we needed to be out yesterday and things were not happening as I had imagined.  I texted the kids let them know, the disappointment was looming in the air.  And it was really hard looking at other houses when I had already found the perfect one!

Giving up was not an option and the realtor sent more homes, some were OK some I didn't even look at, then I thought what about that house next door, I asked the kids what they thought,  and asked if they wanted to get the phone number and just see what they had to say.  So once again after school, we drove to our perfect little neighborhood, and we got the phone number off the lease sign in the front yard.  What could it hurt right ???  What was the worst that they could say ??? No again ?  Well that was my worst fear.

So we got the number and drove to the CVS on the corner and made the call.  I have to say I was more than a little worried. The message on the phone was like don't leave a message I don't answer,  and she repeated herself and I was like oh man,that is a little harsh...so I sent her a text and I heard right back, and she seemed so very nice. She asked if We could get in touch the following day that she was having people over for diner.  She apologized, more than once , little did she know I was just more than relieved that she was so kind.  I needed kind, LOTS of kind.  And again I was excited and looking forward to speaking with her.  I sleep little and slept even littler this night, I was so looking forward to speaking with her and maybe seeing this new house.  The one right next to the one that I thought was perfect that we were denied, with the big deck in the back, yes that one.  316 Creekview.

So, it was the day that I was also scheduled to take my Sped certification at noon.    I dropped the kids off at school and went and sat in the library parking lot until it was time to leave for my test..  There was lots of crying in the car that morning.  I was worried.  I had to find a house, things were so rushed, and I wanted things to be right for the kids and I.  We needed a place to call our very very on home. My heart was confused and hurt and I wanted this to be right.  I was worried about taking my test,  my job was riding on the fact that I needed to pass this test.   And with the heartache there was also a calmness. I knew that I was meant to have this job and I would pass the test just like I had passed all the others, and I would do it with flying colors. SO I was supposed to call her at 10 am.  And I dialed the phone praying this would be a good fit, that this would be the right place for us.  And I can not tell you the relief, she was amazing!!!  She was kind, and nice and was telling me all that she wanted for this house.  The things that she was saying YES YES, those are all the things I want in my home.  I want a home a place to live and take care of that is my very own.  We talked about the house, the tenants when they wee leaving, when we could go by and see it.  Everything about that conversation in that library parking lot was perfect.  Things felt so right.  I spoke with her for about 30 minutes, and my face hurt from smiling we clicked, she hadn't even put the house back on the market. And yet here we were in the most wonderful conversation about the most perfect house.  We hung up, and I balled my eyes out, I think we just found a house I kept saying to myself over and over.  I texted the kids told them how awesome that she was.  That we were going to set a time to go see it, see if it was what we wanted, it this was the right place for us.  I gave her my email, and she sent me the application, things seemed to be turning around.

Through the tears I got a text asking if I was taking my test yet,  um no.  And one of my students had a rough morning, so I smiled and I ran to school to check and make sure that he was ok.  That I knew I would be back the following day.  My co-workers were amazing and took extra care of him. I was grateful and I knew that I belonged here at this school with these students and these teachers.  I got to print off the application, and things were good.  My student was well taken care of,  I was scheduled to go see a house, and I was on my way to take my test for something that I was meant to do.  Today was going to be a great day.  I left work feeling like i belonged.

And I was on my way, to take my test with my heart full,  things were going to be ok.

I arrived early for my test, and there was not a nervous bone in my body.  I was more than ready for this. I  knew this, it was my heart, all the time that i spent in the self contained class last year, with amazing teachers  was more than great practice, and during the test I heard her voice and all the explanations of the how's and why's.    I answered the questions thinking, yes, I totally have this,  the answers came easy.   I finished the test in about an hour an a half and ran back to school to check on my student, he smiled and I talked with him for a few minutes. He was good.

The following day we were supposed to go see the house, the old tenants were Supposed to be out.  They were not, and I was disappointed but Kim said no worries that they remembered me and were more than happy to let me in and see. We went in and it was not what I expected, because honestly the picture that I had in my head was of the one next door.  And I am not even sure I saw a lot of the house,  I just was envisioning where our things were going to go and what it would look like once we decorated it.  I called her and told Kim the landlord how much we liked it and it was quite unbelievable.  She had not listed the house, not doe anything and here I was looking at our house.  We met her that Thursday and I gave her the deposit we had a house.  And we were going to  start moving our things in the following week. There was a little drama, the family was not in any rush to leave, and I was in the biggest rush to get in.  They kept saying they were going to be out then were not, then it was that the truck wasn't big enough.  The electricity was shut off.  It was one thing after the other.  For me it didn't feel real, I needed this house and I needed them to be out.
I didn't have a clue how it was all going to work, My city group at church was amazing, they said not to worry that they would help me move,  that felt great.  These people had not even known me for very long and they were stepping up for me.  Then I got a message and that someone completely understood, and they were taking care of the movers for me.  I cried and cried and cried some more, I was beyond blessed and I can't tell you, the relief.  I was beyond grateful.

The last few weeks were more than rough and I needed so much help, I needed understanding and I got that in the most amazing ways.  It was happening, I had my house.  It still makes me cry.  There are so many other little pieces that all came together.  Beds were an issue we had to have beds.  We got beds, we got our TV, the stand, things were all falling into place.  And in the middle of all that I passed my test.  WooHoo, I am a completely certified teacher in every area in Texas.  Wow me dreams ere coming true on every front.

Finally moving day was here,  and all the packing we had done there was more to do.  I had to run pick up the furniture, and a few of the guys from church didn't hesitate to help.  And the couch was so big, it didn't fit in the  truck and  Dan, who had made plans for his anniversary said you need to have it now, and he filled his tank with gas loaded the couch and followed us to Anna , I had my living room set.  The kindness that I received, was beyond amazing. Tovah wrote me a card and I cried most of the way to Anna,  beyond blessed,  things that I don't even have words for, that are the magnificent and amazing.  So now the living room was in my new house, back to meet the movers.  The movers were there and started moving,  oh the commotion was everywhere,  the panic and anxiety were unbelievable there were moments of hiding just trying to believe. This was my moving day.

Then the truck was completly full a 24 foot truck,  kind of funny they even had to strp the dollies to the outside of the truck, they were so full.  Yep, the Callahan's have a lot of stuff.  Only one small load that I would have to go back and get.  We were off to my house.  My house that sounded so very amazing.


So we made it to my house and the unpacking began,  waiting for installers, and deliveries.  After some time, we were at peace.  My children and I had a home and it was perfect.  It was open and bright,  we had a library,  our own rooms.  I am sure that its all still sinking in.  Different freedoms that having our own home allows, I honestly don't have words.  So many things I will never understand, but pieces fell together people stepped in to help, and I sit and write this my children sleeping in their own rooms, my things are everywhere, my beautiful pictures covering every wall.  My kitchen filled with my things, and the cats, oh we have our cat back and things are amazing.

The stars are more than amazing,  the sunrise and sunsets are something special and we enjoy every single one.  Our home is a work in progress but its our home, and our things and I am grateful.  And in another post we even had Thanksgiving with friends and it was amazing.  Good things are happening, good things.

To so very many of you for holding my heart, I am truly grateful.

I heart your heart.