September 15th is finally here

September 15th is a very important day to me each year. Since I have known Kevin, it has been a day I looked forward to each year. It is the day that all of our new residents have moved in and have settled into their new rooms and have usually stopped bugging us about getting another dresser, desk, light bulb and so on. This September 15th is a little different this year.

Last year and the year before were very trying times for us. As soon as we had Sallie Rose (the best day of our lives of course), the stock market crashed a week later and our downward spiral of events began to happen with Kevin's work and with the rentals. As much as I would like to reflect on those events to help myself realize what we have overcome and accomplished in the last year, I am moving forward and trying not to think about some of the events that forever scarred Kevin and me. Some of the things that happened were things that were out of our hands, but still felt so incredibly close and personal and that we pray and hope never happen again, and not just for our sake, but for the sake of our young, vulnerable art student renters.

This year, we tried new things and we came to grips with the fact that these rental properties brought us together as a couple and they would not pull us apart. As difficult and demanding as they are, both financially and time wise, they are a part of us and they should never determine how we live our lives. We do have a very busy time of year, which was these last 2 months, but we have to work together and grow stronger in the situation rather than apart. I have a hard time telling people what it is we do, but it is very physically and mentally challenging and it is a struggle to figure out how to deal with so many different types of personalities and most of all PARENTS! Some of these parents, ooo weee, they are awful. I had one Dad call me a slumlord and that I take advantage of young children. That kind of thing makes me so mad, if he only knew how hard I worked and how much I truly did care about most of my renters, he might change his attitude. Not to mention, he was mad over something so petty and something he had no idea about. I get all worked up just typing it.

Those are the kinds of situations that build my character and help me to deal with people, who I don't really care to even deal with. This year has been different. I was not working in an office and trying to run the properties on Friday. I had a better outlook on life in general and I took the chip off my shoulder and quit wondering "why me?". Because that obviously is a very dumb question and I am so grateful that I am healthy and have so many people in my life who I love.

And by the Grace of God, we are 100% rented and I made it through move in week and I think I have a pretty good group of new tenants. I thanked God last night for giving me the strength to make it through another rental season and for helping us improve our outlook and outcome. Not to mention, I have a very cool design job I am working on! Woo-hoo for work that is actually what I went to 8 years of college for.

This weekend, Kevin and I are going to Atlanta, alone, and Sallie Rose is staying with Susan. Next weekend, we are taking a much needed 3 day family vacation and in October we are going to Dallas to have Sallie Rose's 3rd birthday with her whole family (minus Kevin's parents). God is good!

First day of pre-pre-pre school

Here she is preparing to be serious and learn so much

Here she is showing me her change of clothes bag

And, the beautiful, contrived smile

Sallie Rose had her first official day of pre school, which in my mind it really pre to the third degree, because technically she won't be in preschool until pre kindergarten. Although it doesn't matter, I still like to clarify.

She is now attending the school at our Church. I was very hesitant to take her out of her previous school, because she loved it so much and she learned SO much. She never had any problems. Plus, Kevin was concerned that this was their first year of having a school and she would suffer in spite of that. We shall see. So far, she has had a few bad days and has been a little defiant, but I honestly believe that is her age. She is definitely testing her limits at home and very strongly. And then some days, she is as fun and happy as can be.

On a side note, last night she fell out of her bed while sleeping and that was not cool. Not cool at all. Those darn safety rails evidently are not fool proof. She does seem a little stranger than normal today.

We were so busy for the last 4 weeks and we are ready to slow down, enjoy the changing weather and take a few small family trips.