Tenant!!!

It's been a little bit of a long road with our townhome in Florida.  The previous tenants that we had did not end up working out very well.  I will start out by saying that I am grateful for the months that they did pay, which was most months, but we also had some pretty big issues with them.  They started to not pay again like they did the end of last year.  They also wouldn't return phone calls or contact us at all; just like last year.  This time my Dad graciously went over there a handful of times, which thankfully they would answer the door for him, and then talk to us on the phone.  Unfortunately, most of the things they told us seemed to be lies.  Long story short, we did not renew their lease in July, nor did they pay us for the month of July when they were living in our house or the 9ish days in August that they were there.  Thank God, they did move out because we couldn't find their lease and couldn't really start eviction processes without that! 

We prayed and prayed about what to do and felt God leading us to use a management company from now on to handle renting out our place.  It is especially hard trying to do it from another state.  We got a great recommendation and decided on someone who we have been very pleased with.  Unfortunately, the bad news didn't stop with not getting paid.  The management company informed us that the tenants wrecked our house.  We ended up having to pay for a thorough cleaning, brand new paint throughout, and brand new carpet throughout.  Ugh!!!!  Not very good news, especially since the townhome is only 5 years old!!!!!!!  And we left it all in good shape!!!! 

After all was said and done, we had to tap into our IRAs to pay for these things, including our rent here and the townhome there, but feel very blessed that we were able to use some our retirement money without being penalized and that we had it to use in the first place. 

Now, for the rest of the good news!!!!  We have a tenant!!!!!!  A lady moving up from Key West that is single with no pets and no kids.  She is a massage therapist.  She LOVED all the new things in the house (of course!) and decided to choose our place over the other cheaper units in our subdivision.  We prayed for a certain monthly rent amount, which she is going to pay, as well.  And she isn't moving in until October, but is paying the prorate for September. 

Praise God!!!!!  All the glory to Him!!!!

1 Corinthians 15:58

King James Version (KJV)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Wrapping up our January

Andrew and I had a great trip to Florida.  He did wonderful on the plane (unlike the car!!!) and it was so nice to see my family and some friends.  I enjoyed having some one on one time with the baby and he got spoiled!  I also enjoyed the time with my dad and introducing Andrew to family and friends.  It was nice to meet my friend's little one, too.  :)  I was not used to the heat there!  lol  I forgot my cell phone back in TN so I also had the chance to fast from technology for a long weekend......and I survived!  Oh it was fun to go back to our old church, too.  I missed my hubby and the other boys, though. 

Dad flew back with me and Andrew on Monday and has been here since.  He leaves tomorrow, Friday.  :'(  We have been enjoying our time with him and getting out to do some fun things.  The boys LOVE their Pappy and I fear it's gonna be a little rough for all of us when he leaves tomorrow. 

We have officially experienced a child with a tummy virus!  On our way home from the Museum of Science and Energy on Tuesday, Hunter started throwing up in the car......EVERYWHERE!!!!!  We still haven't successfully gotten the smell out of his car seat.  Considering putting it through the car wash!  lol  He then threw up again all in his crib in the middle of the night.  Now we still haven't successfully gotten the smell out of his sheets.  We are just praying that no one else gets it.  Hunter seems to be better now, thank God.   How do we get rid of the awful lingering smell?????

I have started taking the boys to the library for storytime on Mondays and Wednesdays and they have been loving it.  It's nice for us, gives us some time out.  :) 

School has been really busy this semester and keeps me busy during nap time and after the boys go down at night.  I graduate end of summer with my bachelor's in nursing and I am excited for that! 

We also have 7 new members to our family........We got some new fish today.....Ryan fish II, Hunter fish II, Andrew fish, Daddy fish, Pappy fish, Allie fish, and Mommy fish.  :) 

Lastly, I went by our townhome while I was home and everything looked good and we were paid for months February through August.  God is good!  A big relief! 

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?