The Roof Over My Head

Okay, I have avoided writing this post and am only doing it b/c I'm getting questions daily and want to let everyone know what's going on with our house, the new house, and the entire moving extravaganza.

In a word, craziness is going on -- craziness, I tell you! I'm going to try to make this very short as it is a Friday night, I am surrounded by half-packed boxes, and am trying to enjoy a nice glass of merlot and a bit of procrastination.

Many moons ago, we started looking for a house. We made an offer on one that Greg loved, but I never felt good about it so we ended up pulling out of it. We made an offer on another one--the PERFECT one mind you, and watched it get snatched right out from under us. There were tears, and still are occasionally, I'm not gonna lie. Then we made an offer on a third house. The offer went through, and we were slung into an option period that would prove to end us if it didn't make us stronger.

The house we are buying is a great house if you remove almost everything in it. It's dirty, it hasn't been updated in 12 years, and it needs a new roof. However, the foundation is good, the floorplan is great, and the neighborhood is perfect. Furthermore, the backyard opens up to a huge greenbelt with rolling hills (okay like 2 hills), trees galore, a nature preserve, and a walking trail. The house has amazing potential so we decided to take a chance.

So we've already closed on our current house and are leasing it back until next Thursday when we have already arranged and paid for movers to move us out. But move where, you say? We aren't sure. The seller of the new house found out that his house needs a new roof in order for us to get approved for the loan. He didn't want to replace the roof and pretty much asked my realtor if she and I would split the cost. Seriously. He didn't want to fix anything that the inspector found because he thinks his house is perfect just as it is. Dirt, grime, and all. Seriously. I feel a little bad for the guy b/c a new roof is a lot of money, but he's got to sell the house, and we are one of very few people willing to put the money into it that is required to make it look good! He finally has agreed to replace it b/c his insurance company wrote him a check to do so. However, he was about a week late in scheduling the roofers. Here's the timeline:

-Roofers started today and said they'd be finished by next week "sometime."
-The roof has to be 100% completed and the invoice sent to the mortgage company at least 24 hours before closing.
-We have to close on Wednesday morning in order for the funds to clear so we can have keys and move in Thursday.
-We have to move in on Thursday b/c the new people are moving into our current house that night.
-We are leaving for vacation Saturday morning for a week.

If the roof doesn't get done by Monday afternoon or early Tuesday morning, we will not be able to close on time to move in. If it doesn't get finished by Wednesday, there is a good chance we won't close next week at all, will be living on the streets (just kidding, with family) and will have to look at postponing it for 2 weeks or not going on our vacation.

In short, pray for sunshine this weekend and efficient roofers!

It's as I said to Greg, whether or not we get into the new house by the time we are kicked out of this house completely rests on the shoulders of the roofing company, and in the hands of the Lord! Shingle well, my friends.

Firsts

So you all know that the last several weeks and months have been frantic for us as far as selling our house, looking for a new house, having the perfect house snatched away from us, starting new jobs, etc. However, I realized as I was copying pictures onto my computer that a lot of great things happened during this time, too. It's funny how we can be consumed by the craziness of our lives, and then when we step back we see that we almost missed out on some milestones. So although we've been on our "last nerve" with the house hunting, here are a few "firsts" I want to stop and appreciate:


First family trip to the zoo!


Noah's first bloody nose inflicted (accidentally) by a cousin with a rogue basketball.


First time Noah stuffed all 67 of his matchbox cars in his shirt for sheer amusement.


Two "firsts" here: Lauren sitting up and playing steadily for the first time, and both my kids sitting together quietly and playing for the first time.


Lauren's first time in a bathing suit and, subsequently, her first time in a pool.


First time my kids got to meet their second-cousins (visiting from NC).

So the moral for today's post is to stop getting caught up in the frenzy so you can stop and notice what's around you!

A Girl's Best Friend

So diamonds are not Lauren's best friend yet. Delicious treats are. She hates vegetables and loves fruit, but apparently her sweet tooth doesn't end there...

Rice cereal for breakfast? No thanks. I'll take some of these pancakes, thank you. Hmmmm, can't...quite...reach...


What are you looking at? Help a sister out!


Ha ha! Turn away from me for two minutes in Walmart and my go-go-gadget hands will reach whatever sweets are within arms' length! For today? Chocolate chips! With a little gumming and some fancy finger work, these bags are so easy to rip open...


Please don't take them from me, mom, please don't. They're so tasty and feel super good all melted under my chin, in my armpits, and smashed in the carseat under my butt...oooh, I think I feel one melting between a leg roll!

Eight Years Later

Greg and I went to a wedding last night. At one point in the evening I was watching him out on that dance floor and I remember thinking that after eight crazy fun years, he can still make me smile like a ridiculous school girl.



Here's to saying Yes!