Three years ago we were about halfway down the financial oblivion hole.

It had been about a year since we were making enough money to cover our expenses, we had just filed for bankruptcy, and I couldn’t imagine things getting worse.

It was around this time that I really started being open about our financial situation, and it was the first year that people did things like send us their hand-me-down clothes and  anonymously leave gift cards in our mailbox.

Two years ago, we were about three fourths of the way down the hole. My husband was coming off of unplanned and unexpected total knee replacement surgery that had taken him out of the work force for about four months and which consequently put him in a position where he was struggling to 1) find work and 2) be physically able to work.

People were still amazing to us. Just before Halloween we had a freak blizzard which knocked a couple trees in our back yard down. One of them fell on the kids’ swing set. and the fallen trees were dangerous enough that the kids couldn’t really play anywhere near them.

Friends rallied, came over, cut the trees  up and stacked up the wood.

Meal trains were set up.

Hand-me-downs continued to be dropped off for all the kids.

We received an incredible amount of support. But the stress of  being in an even worse place than we were the year before was building.

Surely things couldn’t get worse.

One year ago, my husband was recovering from cervical fusion surgery after a freak boogie boarding accident that temporarily paralyzed him.

He was completely unemployed.

We were on Medicaid and food stamps and our house went into foreclosure.

We were at the bottom of the hole.

Friends set up a GoFundMe account for us. Another meal train was set up. The hand-me-downs were still coming. The sports teams let the kids play for free.

We continued to receive tremendous support from friends and the community.

But holy shit. The hole was fucking deep. And the weight of the world was getting heavier by the second.

Fast forward to 2016.

Yesterday my husband had his one year follow up appointment with the cervical fusion surgeon.

He got a 100% clean bill of health and doesn’t have to go back to that doctor for any more check ups ever again.

Knock on wood.

And then today something really fucking awesome happened.

Like the Best. Thing. Ever.

Six months ago, back in April, Tyrone gave us that infamous news.

Remember Tyrone?

Tyrone used to be my favorite person in the world.

Until today.

Today Howard came to our house.

And Howard is now officially my new favorite person.

EVER.

Howard is a notary who is employed by mortgage companies to come to your house so you can sign important papers without fucking anything up.

He’s a like a notary for hire. A traveling notary.

And today, Howard brought the official loan modification papers from the mortgage company for us to sign.

TODAY WE SIGNED OUR FUCKING LOAN MODIFICATION PAPERS!!!

Today, we are 100% officially out of foreclosure.

YYYYEEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!!

Do you know how good that feels???

If you’ve ever gone into foreclosure you do.

If you haven’t well, this basically sums it up:

HOLYSHITITFEELSGOOD.

So I’ve got some celebrating to do tonight.

In my house. That’s all mine again.

HOLY SHIT!!! YESSSSSSSS!!!!!

Four years.

It took us four years to get here.

Four years of literal blood, sweat and tears.

Lots of blood. Like actual blood. Mostly my husband’s, but still lots of blood. Lots of sweat. And a fucking shitload of tears.

But we did it.

And if you are in the hole, hang in there.

It might take four months.

Or it might take four years.

But if you have faith, keep moving forward, and don’t give up, you can totally do it, too.

 

I just ordered this super cute set! Check it and tons of other cute stuff out at Betsy Boo’s Boutique — my fave place to shop online!

please take  10 seconds to vote for me!!!!!!!!!