How Many Days...?

We are counting on closings of the house we are selling and the house we are buying on August 3rd. It could happen sooner. I'm praying nothing else happens, that requires a big purchase, before we have to move. Our oven quit just a few weeks ago so we had to buy a new one. When we were painting the 3-season porch, one of the big windows was broken. Our next house may need a new furnace soon. This is turning into quite the pricey adventure. We're hoping it's smooth sailing from here to our next house. I am enjoying the new oven!

New Leaves

I hope that once we are moved and settled, I can turn over several new leaves. Things have just seemed so unorganized and chaotic for months. I don't function well in chaos and it is taking a toll on me. I'm trying to hang on for a few more weeks. We have been working hard to finish the list of projects requested by the buyers of our house. My job most of the time is to keep Jack busy so daddy can climb the ladder and paint. I did quite a bit of painting too during nap time. There are so many things I can't find right now. Craig keeps telling me they will show up as I pack or unpack. I have grand plans for great organization in a house with more space and more storage. We'll see what happens.

Our 4th of July was eventful. I will spare you all the details but will share hightlights. We went to the wedding of the owner of the company Craig works for. It was out in the country at his house. It had been raining all day. Jack hadn't had a nap (just the way it worked yesterday.) Craig had to take his company truck to bring back a piece of machinery. Lots of things happened between home and the wedding (even before we left home.) When we got there, the guy in charge of parking, told Craig to park in a back field (I guess because we had the big pick up.) The field was one big mud hole. I walked in mud up to my shins holding up my pants to a wedding. Lovely!!! Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. Jack hadn't had a nap and was wound! This made for such a wonderful evening. It will be a day to remember for sure.

Really...You Just Have To Laugh

I just got a call and the inspector for the FHA appraisal is coming in 2 hours. What?!!! I didn't get any warning. I took Jack for a quick ride in the car, because I knew that would put him to sleep. He is sleeping now in his bed and I am racing to pull the house together! We are in the middle of several projects. I will just have to explain what is going on. Gotta love it :)

Projects

We've been working on BIG projects. After the inspection of our house, the buyers wanted all peeling paint scraped and painted because they knew that FHA would be picky about that. We had wanted to get that done anyway. All day Saturday and Sunday, Craig's mom, and her friend Henry, helped us scrape and paint the inside and outside of our 3-season porch. We took off all the screens, scraped and painted the 12 storm windows and the rest of the porch. Craig's mom and I are still working on the screens. We worked yesterday until it was just too hot (100+ degrees) and will start again this morning. Craig has been working on the the other windows around the house and any other peeling paint he finds. The FHA appraisal for the buyers is all that is left to do. We are praying it goes well. July will be a busy month. I think Craig and I will both be ready to relax for a while once we are moved and settled. I'll try to get some pictures of our projects today. Jack has been a great helper too.

Monotonous

I know my posts are all about our house and the process of selling/buying. Sorry, if I'm extremely boring. It's just where we are right now. We finally heard yesterday, our current home doesn't have radon and the inspection went fine. Our realtor will get a copy of the report tomorrow. Now we are just waiting to hear about closing dates. It was depending on the buyers of our home getting their financing. They are pre-approved but getting an FHA loan. I've heard that can take a little longer.

This weekend I'm playing for a wedding. I practiced with the vocalist yesterday. I'm still giving a few piano/flute lessons this summer. Jack and I are going to try to go the library and the Y this morning. I have felt so unorganized. On my crazy days, it seems to be trips to the Y that get cut. I know that should be the last thing I cut. I've been struggling to stay motivated or find time lately. If anyone is looking for a walking partner (early morning or after kids' bedtimes - let me know.) So glad the sun is shining this morning!

Not Really Any News

We still don't know anything about the inspection of our current house. The guy that did the inspection has been back two times to set up a different radon test kit, because they haven't been working right. Our realtor said we might hear something Monday. I just hate all the waiting. We had the house we are buying inspected and that went fine. We might be looking at new furnaces though. Ugh! The list of things requiring large sums of money, just keeps growing. I bought some used furniture at a sale. We are heading out this morning to go get it. I need some things as the house we are buying has quite a bit more room. I will be able to have a room for music lessons, and need a place for waiting parents and siblings to sit. I'm also looking for a dresser for Jack. I bought the furniture after Craig's mom sent me an email with pictures. We'll see what it looks like!

Nervous

The inspection of the house we live in now, is tomorrow. Craig doesn't seem worried at all. I am nervous. I'm just praying that they don't have a long list of things they want us to fix. We want to put all of the money we have saved toward the downpayment of our next house. I'm also hoping that since they are having the inspection tomorrow, if everything else is ready to go, we could move up the closing date. I'm ready to move!!!

Ready Already

I'm so ready to be moved and settled. I know we've come a long way to get an offer and have an offer accepted on the house we want, but it seems like there is so much to do before we can be moved in and settled. The next hurdle is the inspection of our house. It makes us nervous. Our house is VERY old and there are some things we can't do much about but we know they could be "turn offs" to the buyers. When I think about all the packing, cleaning, painting, closings, etc., etc., it's a little overwhelming right now. Just trying to take it one day at a time and remembering my other friends trying to sell houses.

The Longest Week

This last week has felt SOOOO long. We sold our house and then began the process of deciding what to do. My dad and stepmom came last Friday and looked at houses with us. Craig and I have prayed and prayed and prayed. We decided on a direction to move. We made our offer. The seller wasn't willing to come down much. Then we doubted our decision and struggled some more. I looked at more houses. There just wasn't anything else we liked or felt God was telling us to move towards. We counter-offered. The seller countered again a little lower than his first counter. As of this morning, we agreed on his last counter and he threw in the new washer and dryer with the house. We are excited but a little hesitant to talk about it much. Something could still happen with inspections or the buyers of our house. We pray that things continue to move forward smoothly. I really do want to jump up and down and scream today!!!

3D

We tried the 3D sidewalk chalk. I'm not sure Jack understood what he was seeing through the glasses. I don't think it was worth the extra dollar for the glasses. I had a good laugh when he put them on though.

Summertime!

A couple weekends ago, when it was warm all weekend, we filled Jack's pool. He LOVED it! We were outside for a couple hours and he still cried when it was time to go in the house. Our summer will be busy but fun! Even though our house is "sold," it's not a done deal until closings. Craig keeps reminding me that something could happen with the buyers between now and then. We're praying it doesn't. We have made an offer on a house and are waiting to hear from our realtor. I'm trying to enjoy the whole process now, and not wish away my summer. I'm ready to be settled and moving on to things that I've been wanting to do like, sewing, new ideas for my piano/flute students, potty training, moving Jack to a "big boy" bed, etc. Craig has a lot of things he would like to be doing too. We're getting closer!

As Of 4:05 pm Today....

our house is SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Now we just have to figure out where we are going. Craig said we can always live in a tent for a few months since it's summertime.

Trying To Catch My Breath

We are still here. This week has been crazy and eventful. I don't have time to explain it all now. I will share pictures and details later.

Daddy's Shadow

As soon as Jack hears Craig's truck pull in at night, he runs to the back door yelling, "Daddy home! Daddy home!" He wants to spend every minute with Craig when he is at home. This makes getting yard work and house projects done, quite a challenge. Jack loves to help us both. He is my little helper with dusting, picking up toys, unloading the dishwasher, and making cookies. Yesterday, Craig trimmed the bushes and Jack helped rake the trimmings and haul them to the transfer station. He had a great afternoon with Daddy!

Redneck Games

I think riding on a sled in the grass while wearing a bike helmet could qualify as redneck fun!

Our Comedian

Jack is constantly making us laugh. Craig will ask him, "Are you being funny?" He will chuckle and say, "Yeah!" During some recent nice days, he insisted on wearing daddy's bike helmet while playing. These pictures just make my heart smile. (He picked the yellow Crocs himself. I was voting for navy blue or black, but he insisted on BRIGHT yellow :)

That Much Time Already?!!

I can't believe that much time has passed since I last blogged. Life is just passing too quickly! Right now, I'm procrastinating getting ready for a showing. It could be a very interesting day as the weather could be severe and someone will be looking at our house just at the time they have predicted the severe weather. With the heavy rain comes a lot of water in our basement which is wonderful for a house showing! :) They are also talking about the possibility of tornadoes which is great with elementary age kids and piano lessons.

We had a nice Mother's Day. Craig's mom came over after church and we took her to lunch. In the evening, Craig, Jack and I went to Dairy Queen and ate our ice cream outside. Jack thought this was pretty neat and has wanted to do it again every time we've driven by DQ since.

Craig is taking a week of vacation the last week of May. He told me the other day I need to go do something fun. He thinks I need a break. Leaving town to visit friends would be so fun but it's just too difficult to get away. That is also the week before my piano recital, so I can't leave town because I can't miss any lessons. There is also that minor detail of possible house showings. I'll have to keep thinking and see what I can find to do.

These pictures were taken a while ago. Jack loves my makeup, headbands, bracelets, etc. Craig wonders if we need to be concerned. ;)

Refreshed

I had to get a picture with Mandisa :) She is truly as beautiful on the inside as she is outside.

I was able to get away Friday and Saturday with a great group of women from our church. We attended "A Grand New Day," in Des Moines. It was as wonderful as we had expected it to be! I was reminded of so many truths. We heard great music from Steven Curtis Chapman and Mandisa - two of my favorites. Steven Curtis Chapman shared genuinely from his heart about the journey their family has been on this past year after losing their daughter last May. I loved Mandisa and her spirit after seeing her first audition on American Idol. I have kind of followed her since. My iPod is full of her music and makes the treadmill not seem so bad most days :) While listening to all the speakers and music, I felt God so clearly speaking to my heart in so many ways. So thankful I could go and so thankful Craig was willing to let me go and hold down the fort at home.

Summary of The Last Few Days

I know I'm boring the few of you that read my blog. It's always about the house. Here we go again... We had showings Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday last week. Thursday's and Fridays were early morning showings. We stayed at my grandma's house the night before each of those so I could just come in, turn the lights on, and vacuum. Saturday's showing was a second showing for a young couple that was very interested. They wanted to look at the house with their parents. Every time the phone rang yesterday, I jumped and ran to see if it was our realtor. We didn't hear anything yet. They were interested in two houses, and I'm guessing they went with the other house since we haven't heard. I'm just so tired - literally. I went to bed early last night and still fell asleep on the couch a little while ago while Jack was watching Curious George.

Other excitement from the weekend: Jack pulled the fire alarm at church! Thank goodness church was over and people were just visiting with each other. I was in the bathroom and hurried out to find everyone quickly leaving the building and one of our pastors (Bruce) holding Jack up in the air. This scared Jack and he started crying and reaching for Craig. Craig said it happened so fast it was like slow motion. Just as Jack's hand reached for the alarm, Craig's was right behind but didn't reach Jack's hand in time. I'm pretty sure Jack didn't know what it was or that pulling it would do anything. I also want to know why a fire alarm is low enough on the wall that a 2-year-old can reach it?!! While we were eating lunch a friend left a message on my phone posing as a cop, saying we were to call him back immediately to report the incident or it would result in a misdemeanor. Very funny!

I'm hoping for a little more relaxed week. We shall see. Friday morning, I am leaving early with some friends to go to "Women of Faith," in Des Moines. The speakers will be wonderful but I am most excited about he music - Steven Curtis Chapman and Mandisa! I can't wait. I just hope there are no showings on Friday or Saturday because Craig will be in charge.

My Life Is...

basically house showings and music lessons. I really feel like that is all I'm doing and trying to fit in a little time with Jack. It has been so crazy. Last week, I agreed to a showing an hour from the time the receptionist at the office called to arrange the showing. It was so stressful! I asked yesterday, and we have now passed 30 showings. We had one yesterday, have one today and one Friday morning at 8:30. I won't at all be surprised if there are a few more in between now and Friday. I'm thankful for them, but it's exhausting and stressful. I don't feel very well today and I know it's due to lack of sleep and such a busy schedule. I am just so ready for our house to sell, so we can be settled and not feel like we are in such limbo all the time! I guess we are just paying for our mistake in buying this house. All other home buyers are a lot smarter than we were, and realize that this house would be a poor choice I guess.