Tuesday, April 17, 2007

IS THIS THE HOUSE?


Impala we saw while eating breakfast



A Women selling smoked corn on the side of the road
Scott, Darin and Quitin looking at a Hydraform House
Yesterday was a blur – I am still waiting for my day of rest. Scott and Darin and I spent a lot of time with a guy named Quintin from Hydraform. (The block building company that is helping Scott). We drove around looking at different houses and fences built by Hydraform brick. Boring to me, but definitely worth while for Scott.

IS THIS THE HOUSE?

We are quite exhausted looking at houses and schools, but all of it is paying off :) We feel this may be the house. Looking for the right house has not been so easy. I was in tears (OK I really cried) – It seems that everyone has an opinion on what areas are safe. Scott and I are having a hard time with this Silver Lakes subdivision (this is where our realtor told us was the safest area )but we came across two issues– 1.) Out of our price range and 2) when we tell people where we are looking for houses they are getting the wrong perception of us Americans. The houses in Silver Lakes run from $1,500 a month to almost $7,000. Scott and I feel that we do not need to portray to his employees and to the people we are in contact with that we are the rich white Americans. We then were walking through the mall and came across another realtor and I stated we should call. She was so excited that she came across a new listing not even on the market yet that she would love to show us - and we were greatly surprised. GOD IS GOOD. We really like it - It is in a safe community - the school is nearby - has a great park and pool for the kids, and just what we had in our head. WHAT A GOOD FEELING. We still looked at other houses today, but they were either not safe, too big, too old, or out of our price range. Let me know what you think?


BACK OF HOUSE
The Top balcony is part of the master suite


INSIDE (Don't mind all the random people in picture)



One of the bedrooms

Looking out of the top balcony
The street inside the secured gated subdivision (the park is across the street with the club house)

We are also learning more about the schools. The one we were thinking of we are coming to find out that the Primary (Grade 1 – 12) is a public school and you need to live in the area. We then visited the school while they were in session and the lady told us of the christain school that a lot of these kids go to instead of the public school. We then checked that school out - Tindley Park - GREAT SCHOOL, Very Friendly, AGAIN ANOTHER GREAT FEELING. There are also 2 Other christain schools that we are looking at (You can never investigate enough to be sure) Hatsfield - No openings unless maddie can test into Grade 1 - and the last school we will visit in the morning.

WHAT A GREAT RELIEF ON EMOTIONS - UP _ DOWN - UP - DOWN. I am sure glad we had a chance to do this now, rather than later.
We really feel that God is truely helping us to check all options, before decisions. He has blessed us with great people that we have been in contact with - VERY HELPFUL.
We are all exhausted. We will be back soon - THANK YOU FOR THE PRAYERS - WE MISS EVERYONE. LOVE YOU

6 comments:

Sonny Huisman said...

The house is beautiful! Wow! I guess I didn't think it would be quite so much like our homes here, but it's beautiful!

I can only imagine the wide range of emotions you must be going through . . . and how scary to be doing it without the help of those you love (like parents). But God is with you, and is obviously guiding you to the right home and the right school! God is good!

denise said...

The house looks wonderful! Maddie said that she likes it too! We never imagined that things would be so "nice" there. It looks just like any American street and home.
It makes us feel so much better! We could certainly come and spend a couple weeks with you next winter without too much problem!
Glad to hear that everything is falling in place and that you have peace about it.
God is good and definately in this adventure with you!
Love you, Mom and Dad

Terri said...

The house looks great! If it is close to a good school for Maddie and not too far from Scott's, work it should be perfect. Just make sure it is in a safe area. The wall reminds me of the walls in Okinawa.

It sounds like you are exhausted, but glad you made the trip together and things are coming falling into place.

Love,
Dad & Mom

joan b. said...

Thanks, Lia, for your wonderful updates that keep us posted on your daily activities and progress in finding a place to settle in. The Seattle's Best comment made me smile, of course, thinking about all the coffee shops we've been in out in Seattle. The word comparison list really shows the influence of Great Britain.
The house looks like it was chosen for you - perfect! You are so wise to be careful about the image you portray to the friends and coworkers you'll meet.
Praying for REST, peace, and a safe trip home!
Sending love and hugs!

Amy said...

hey lia, the house looks great. i'm really happy for you guys; south africa sounds incredible. love you...xoxo

amy

Barb said...

Wow, Lia what an adventure! Looks like a great home in a good area, love those gates and fences!
Blessings for safe travel and an uneventful trip home! God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! See you Monday! The girls did great at practice Monday night! Make sure that it gets taped Sunday morning so that I can enjoy it when I get back from Africa!
Love you,
Barb