www.dendel.com

The Big News

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Exactly 11 years ago today, we moved into our Texas home for the first time. Now, after more than a decade, we are starting a new chapter in our journey as we prepare to move back to Michigan in August.

It’s bittersweet because we’ve loved Texas and the community we have here. This is where we grew and changed. Where we started a family and added another puppy to the mix. It is where we found great friendships and a church like no other.

It’s a beautiful full-circle moment as we continue our story – to be able to be closer to our family and friends. To raise Daniel where we were raised.

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for what has been; and we look forward with hope to what will be.

Thank you for your prayers as we make this life-changing transition.

With much love, The Dendels.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

From now on
These eyes will not be blinded by the lights
From now on
What’s waited till tomorrow starts tonight
It starts tonight
Let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on
From now on

And we will come back home
And we will come back home
Home, again!
And we will come back home
And we will come back home
Home, again!

From now on
From now on
Home, again!

~ Paul, J. & Pasek, B. (2017). From Now On [Partial Lyrics]. Retrieved from https://genius.com/Hugh-jackman-from-now-on-lyrics

Eight Years a Texan

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Eight years ago today (yep, that’s on 07/07/07) we completed the second leg of our move to Texas, arriving at our pre-selected apartment in Grand Prairie and beginning the process of unloading our truck and trailer on what had to be the hottest and most humid day of that year.  Thankfully we had some amazing friends who left their day at the lake to come help us unload (Thanks Jason & Bella!).  Still, it was so hot, we unloaded only what we considered essential and left the rest for after sunset…and for the next day. smile

What an adventure it has been!  It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years already.  We’ve had so much fun, our lives have been changed for the better, and we’re so appreciative for the friends we’ve made and experiences had.  Thanks to all who have made what seemed like an extreme risk at the time an amazing journey.  I look forward to what the years ahead hold for my family and I and am glad you’ve decided to join us on our journey via this blog.  Please do jump in with comments and snide remarks (I say that since Alicia does most of the blogging!).

Happy Summer!!

It is finished. (Well, sorta…)

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Image Credit: Cornbread & Beans
Image Credit: Cornbread & Beans

Closing went smoothly on Friday.  Funded and dispersed late.  Then, lots of cleaning and prep in the new house.

Movers got the heavy stuff moved Saturday and we got the internet activated (priorities, people!).

Sunday was the big day, and by big, I mean excessively long.  Thank God for great friends who show up and WORK!

Monday was full of errands and we didn’t get as much accomplished as we’d hoped, so Alicia took Tuesday off work to stay home and get more done.  It was back to work for me, though.

Beginning to wonder when things will normalize, but then, I’m not really sure what normal is anymore.  I’ll see if I can throw some more photos up here later from moving day, or what it looks like now.  For now, you can visit Alicia’s FB page to see what it looked like.

Speaking of which….HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICIA!

Three weeks later..

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Well, here we are.  We closed the sale of our house Tuesday, and it funded yesterday.  So that deal is done.

Now we’re scheduled to close on the purchase of our new home tomorrow morning, but we’re waiting on the title company and the lender to get their acts together.  Both are claiming they don’t have something from the other.

*Sigh*

If we can get this worked out, the wire will drop first thing in the morning and we’ll be closed and funded tomorrow.  If not…well, let’s not think about that.  For now, I’m calling them every hour at quarter-past to crack the whip.  “Engineered to amaze,” my…butt.

Carpet cleaning tomorrow evening, moving company carrying the big stuff Saturday AM, church Saturday evening and then friends/family helping with the rest of it Sunday AM.

Chiropractor Monday morning. smile

Update…

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So…we’re still progressing through the process.  Apparently our roof was damaged in the last hail storm that came through here, so we need to have that replaced.  Other than that, we’re progressing towards the closing of the sale, hopefully about the time we get back from Vegas.

For the purchase, we just had inspections done today and are awaiting the report for how to proceed.  If all works out, I may even get a piano along with the house!  Got all the requested documents over to underwriting, so hopefully we’ll get the loan squared away soon and can schedule a closing!  Wouldn’t that be nice?

Slow and steady….

Almost there…

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Well, it’s been a journey, but we’re nearing the finish line.  Last week we finalized the deal for the sale of our house, yesterday we came to terms on repairs, and today we hope they will waive their option to withdraw.  If they do, we’ll be making an offer on a home we’ve been wanting to buy for some time now.  In fact, before the last deal fell through, we had already signed a contract on it.

While we  won’t share too many details until the i’s are dotted and the t’s crossed, here’s a sample of what’s to come…