Home Bittersweet Home

The Barnetts are officially homeless.  After several weeks of high stress, anxiety and uncertainty we closed on our Jefferson home and handed the keys over to its new owner. Over the years we have lived there, I often cursed my missing pantry, my small master bath and in recent years the long walk up the stairs to my baby's nursery in the middle of the night.  When we made the decision as a family for Parker to return to school to pursue a doctorate of Chiropractic, I was so excited at the thought of having a change of scenery.  However,  when it came time to move the last items out of our home and we stood in our now empty living room with Parker and our two boys we were overcome with emotion.   

The walls of this little house saw us become proud home owners for the first time at the ripe age of 24.  We were still technically newlyweds.   We cried many tears within these walls and shared so much laughter. We received long awaited news within these walls and at the age of 32 and 34 brought two precious babies home to this house.  It is no small matter to call a house a home for over 10 years. That is the longest Parker had ever lived in one place.  
We knelt by the fireplace in our empty living room with our boys and offered one last family prayer. We gave thanks for the multitude of blessings that had been poured out upon us in our years at 119 Ashley Way.  Tears filled my eyes as I peeked at my two year old with his eyes shut tight and arms folded reverently during that prayer. What a special place home is and how cherished the memories made there are. 

I look forward to having our own home again soon. Parker and I are in a state of limbo as we get our ducks in a row and search for the right home to rent for the three more years he is in school. While we bunk temporarily with our respective mothers and I drive myself and the kids down to Grandma Jan's house for our weekend visitation with 'Daddy', I am more thankful than ever for time together as a family. I'm thankful that we are the kind of family that longs to be together.  While I get to bed a little earlier and keep things cleaner when we are apart during the week.... i would rather not and have Parker under the same roof all week!

So with our closing behind us it is on to search for a new temporary HOME.