Three days after moving into our dream home, our neighbors called the authorities over our kids playing—six months later, my son was afraid to laugh in his own backyard

watching my two kids chase our dog across the sprawling backyard.

This house had taken us years of saving, two rejected offers, and a thousand quiet prayers.

For the first time in years, I felt like we had finally arrived somewhere permanent.

“Mom, look how far I can throw the ball!”

I laughed and pressed my palm against the glass.