I am a newly-minted 40 year old mother of 4 small children.  The oldest is 6, the next sweet one is 4, and the final two were (surprise!) twins.  I've got a confession though...

I am a 40 year old virgin. 

Really, I am.

What?!  You don't think that a woman THIS educated, experienced in worldly travels, sculpted by life's ups and downs...oh yeah, and there's the mother-of-4 thing...can possibly be a virgin?

You'd be right, at least until I add one little word:  I am a 40 year old mortgage virgin. 

I've never owned a home.   Always lived in someone else's abode.  It all started when I was born in Denver to two wonderful people.  My parents moved us Texas when I was 4 years old, and the rest is Texan. 

Well, almost.  I did convince my then-newlywed husband to head for the Colorado hills. We were there 3 short years before we decided to move back to Dallas.  I was a portly 35 weeks pregnant with our second child, and time was of importance.   No time to shop around and not much savings; we leased a home near my folks.

A year later, we moved again.  Considering a long-term stay in Dallas, we decided to try out family-friendly Lake Highlands.  Older homes, lots of scenery, and a strong local community held major appeal for us.  We grabbed the opportunity to rent from our minister and her husband while they were (temporarily?) living in Vancouver. 

Almost 4 years later, after twins for them (surprise!) AND twins for us (really?)...we have all come to the realization that life in Lake Highlands isn't going to work for either of our families.  The R's aren't leaving Vancouver anytime soon, and we need more space.

Housing prices have driven us right out of our current favorite part of DFW.  Price per square foot and property taxes are much higher in Lake Highlands.   We can pay almost the same amount for twice the square footage if we head further away from downtown. 

We've searched a variety of locations over the past few months, and have finally chosen a house north and slightly east of our current location.  Works out well for hub's commute, more frequent visits from my parents, and recent job-relocation for myself. 

We've placed an offer, they've accepted, and we just had an inspection yesterday. 

The foreign process of home ownership has officially begun.