Buying a House

Well, we've felt like it's time to buy a house for a while, but we didn't want to buy a house in TX. We've always wanted to move to MO and Mike was finally able to get a job here, so we moved back. Well, we haven't moved yet. We're kinda in a state of limbo. Staying at my moms house while I do my research and draw up the paperwork and Mike is doing his training in dallas. It's hard being away from eachother, but he's not in Afghanistan this time so I'm ok with it. We get to talk several times a day, and he said when he gets totally processed, he'll get to fly to MO to come see us. He's got 2 more weeks. Then he'll be working up here full time.

In the meantime, rental housing just never went though. So I decided to look at housing. I figured on looking at things in the 75,000 range...but everything was really tiny and not very nice looking. I found one that looked promising, so I called the realtor and he gave us the key to go look at it. Small but still not quite right. So I told the realtor nevermind on that one. We need a little more space. Then he told me about another house that he had some guys working on right then. He said, it'll cost more in the low 90,000 range, but it's more what we're looking for. Mom and I went to look at it. IT"S WONDERFUL! the bedrooms are a little small, but there is a good sized kitchen and livingroom, and a FINISHED basement!!!!! NO WAY! The basement is the same size as the rest of the house. Perfect! Game room/tv room down stairs and keep the actual house part totally clean! Monday we go in to draw up a contract! I love the house, I just wish buying a house didn't take so long.

It's hard to live in someone elses house. I'm grateful for my parents because they are willing to let us stay here, but I'm sure gonna be glad when closing time comes on that house. So keep us in your prayers. And hope for us that it goes by quickly.

the waiting game

Sigh... We were supposed to come to MO, find a house, and drive back to Greenville within a week...nope. Well I've found a house, but other people have found the same house. So the owners have decided to look at the applications and find the best renter. I wish I knew what to do to better our chances at getting this house. I want to call the guy and say, "hey, we're ready to move in now. And will do the carpet cleaning and painting on the inside for you" but I feel like my chances are better if I just wait and not push the subject. It has been almost a week since we put in the application. I'm SO ready to know if we're in this house or not. I've never wanted to be in a rental so bad in my life.

When Mike applied for the job we figured it'd be a month or two before he started. It's been 2 weeks after his application was sent in, he starts training tomorrow. I realized I had to do something. I took the kiddos and we piled in the van bound for MO to go house hunting. I had done some research before we left and knew there were plenty of rentals in Springfield, I figured we'd have to go look at them and then just decide which one we want. Not quite so, all the good rentals, other people are looking into. Mike seems to think they may be victims of the Joplin tornado. Getting into a 2 bedroom is no problem. But we have to have 3 bedrooms...and those are being taken right and left. A house in Willard I went to look at was on the market for a few weeks, and was leased out the day I went to look at it.

The one thing Michael told me when we came here was, don't settle. I could have already put in an application for a few places, but none of them were right. Too small, no garage, no fence, bad neighborhood, or various other things. I've come to the conclusion, tomorrow I'll either be headed home to pack my bags and move into the one house I've come to envision me and my family in, or I'll be out driving around looking at houses again. The thought of that is just really discouraging. I spent days looking at housing and NOTHING was seeming right until we looked at this farm house. I've been praying fervently that the lord would soften the heart of the owner towards us. But it is so hard to wait for an answer. Deep down I know that we will be taken care of. Even if we don't get into this house, there will be a good house for us elsewhere. But I also know, deep in my heart, that we would be totally happy in that house for a long time.

We've already lived in rentals that we didn't care for. This house was wonderful. It's out in the country, has enough space for growing boys. And has the right family feel/setting I want in a house. If they were selling it I would have bought it in a heartbeat. My heart aches every time I think about that house, knowing it could just slip away. Time has passed so slowly waiting to hear back from the owner. Until we hear back, we wait at my moms house. Because if we don't get it, we'll be staying longer to find a different home. I feel like we don't even have a home right now. We already know we're going to be in Missouri. So our greenville house feels kinda like a storage home while I go house hunting. Because when I go back, it'll be to pack my stuff and bring it home to MO.

Our Big Van

 Here it is. My dream come true! Not a mini and not a 15 passenger.

 I told the boys I needed pictures of the van.

 so naturally they wanted to come help.

 I guess in their minds they were helping....

 Xander trying his hardest to reach the pedals

 The van is very basic, as you can see...nothing but radio. Nothings electric. But it does have rear AC. That was a MUST

 view from the front passenger side. you can see all 4 car seats. And look how much room is left over!

 I went grocery shopping for the first time in this a few days ago and it was AWESOME. I have So much room back here!

 Just an idea on how big the van is. lol.

 Owen eating a Nutella sandwich. He caught me eating one, and I can't say no to that face.

 having a race. In our neighborhood we're the only house with a sidewalk...its the perfect track course.

On your mark! Wait Gavin I didn't say go yet!

 On your Mark.

 Get Set!

 Wait don't hit the baby!

 my poor Xander, scratching his feet again.

 Owen running away from mom.

and yes, Xander was sitting under the van for shade. It's big, but so perfect for our family. Love that van.

Still Sick

Oh yeah, it's been one of those weeks. It just keeps going around and around. It started off with Owen last week, then I got it....and still have it. Then Daddy got sick, now Owen is sick again, and Gavin and Xander are both coughing. YAY! It's a plus when we can't even drive our car to go get more cough syrup. (though mike did pick some up yesterday on his motorcycle. Everyone just lays around the house feeling sick. And lots of snot noses today too...keep the kleenex commin.

Getting Creative

 So as mentioned earlier...I have no access to a working car at the moment. And tonight I had an emergency....I wanted chocolate. Usually if I'm really needing chocolate I'll load up children and take a drive and get either ice cream or a chocolate bar. Tonight that wasn't an option. So I start scanning the kitchen. I found some semi sweet chips in the cupboard....but those just don't cut it when you really need a chocolate fix. Then, I found my salvation....ice cream fudge topping! I ate a spoonful right then, right out of the jar. (slightly stressful day. I forgot to mention in my last post that everyone is also Sick. WOO HOO!) And that helped...but I wanted a crunch with it...hum what to do. Cereal? Nope all we have is strawberry shredded wheat uh....I think I'll pass for now. Chocolate covered wheat thins? no thanks. Then I found popcorn...well it's worth a shot...it is buttery and salty...so I pop a bag....Guess what. NOT BAD! Not only not bad...it was kinda tasty!


either that or I'm just getting really desperate.

running out of seats quickly

So we've all been crowded in my little Olds Mobile for a few years now. It's been ok because it has just enough seatbelts for all of us. Well we decided daddy needed his own vehical so I could keep the car when he went to work. So we paid cash for a motorcycle for him. Then we paid a visit to our family in MO. Wonderful visit, then we drove home, found out that mikes hometown was destroyed, and had to stop 1 1/2 hours from home because of lightning and get a hotel. YAY! :S   Then I go to take my car to get some groceries after being in MO for a week....and the car wont start. As Mike is evaluating the situation, I get a call that the car we just sold my brother is having issues. Great...now I feel guilty for selling him a car that broke after a few months. Lovely. My mom said don't worry about it, its just what happens with all cars...but it's still annoying that I didn't sell him as reliable of a car as I thought. To top it off Mike has come to the conclusion that it's probably a cracked engine block...YAY! And it's supposed to be rainy all week. Mike gets to drive to work on his bike in the rain. SUPER! Guess who's stranded at home without a car again! ME! I'm so excited! Oy....ok time to pick option A instead of E.

When life throws you lemons...

A) Live in denial and ignore them
B) Imagine they're something exciting and will somehow miraculously make your life better.
C) Shoot them like clay pidgins
D) Eat them anyway and just suck it up and be a man.
E) Throw a fit and blog


bet you can't guess what I'm doing!