The New Place

I've had lots of people ask where our new house is located. Since I don't know who reads this blog I will not post our actual address but we are moving off of Wyoming, north of Paseo. For those of you familiar with the area, from the upstairs bedrooms, you can see La Cueva High School. We have to be out of this house by the 11th and hopefully all the timing is right and we can move right into the new house. If there are some issues with closing appointments, we may have to be between houses for 1-2 days. I guess at that point we'll kennel the dogs and stay in a hotel with all of Mike's points from travel. I'm not sure yet if we're going with a moving company or if we're just renting a U-Haul and doing it ourselves. We have one company coming to give us an estimate in about 15 minutes and we had one last week that was way over priced for us. We'll see if this new one is any better. I'd love to have someone do it all for us if it is decently priced. I don't mind the packing necessarily but I can't really help with the moving with 3 kids. That's about all that's going on around here. We're having our new home inspected on Thursday as well as some minor repairs on our house that the buyer would like done. After all that I guess it's just packing and closing! Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers!

WE'RE MOVING!!!

Ok, so we already knew we were moving but now we know WHERE we're moving to! Our offer has been officially accepted! Thanks again for all your prayers. I'll keep you posted and send pics when we move in about 2 weeks!

What Wonderful Friends and Family We Have

I just want to thank all of you for your overwhelming support during this time whether it's been prayers, words of encouragement, packing boxes, offers to help us move, or helping us get the house ready for the new buyer...we really appreciate everything! It has been very stressful trying to sell the house and then to sell it so quickly only to find out that we weren't going to get the house we were after was a little bit of a let down. This whole process has really tested my faith and I am just so happy with how at peace I am with this whole situation now. Most of you know that I'm a big, fat worrier about everything; little or big. Lately I've just been at peace because I know that we're taken care of and that we have been seeking God's will in all of this and growing more and more mature in our faith.

Here is the latest...we put in an offer on the house we've liked since October but that was way out of our price range. We seriously thought that the offer would come back rejected or with a larger counter than we were willing to agree to. It came back $10,000 more than we could do so we countered back that we would stay with our original offer but pay for all inspections. Well, by about 9 last night we found out (unofficially) that the offer was going to be accepted. There are a few things we're still in the works with in order to finalize the deal but we are pretty confident that everything will be accepted and we will be moving into this house on February 11th. This was the house that we compared all other houses to that we've looked at so we're pretty excited to possibly close this deal. God has truly blessed us and even if we don't get the house, we know everything is in his hands and we don't have to worry about it. And it also means a better house if this isn't the one!

Another Update

It is official..."our house" is off the market. But at least we know and we don't have to sit around waiting to hear something about it. We're currently offering on another house that we have liked since October. Why didn't we just start there you ask? Well, the other house was too good to pass on because of the price and the amount of house we'd be getting. The only thing with "our" new house is that it tops our price range and we're pretty sure they aren't going to agree to go much lower than what they're listed at. I guess we just wait some more. Things are moving right along with our old house. All but one inspection has been done and they've all come back good. We should know in the next few days if the buyer requires any repairs otherwise, we're just trying to pack here and there. Since I have a bunch of friends who have all moved away (not very nice!) can anyone recommend any movers or tell me who NOT to go with if you've had a bad experience...we'd greatly appreciate the input.

What a Rollercoaster Ride

So, we've sold the house and are officially in "pending" status. Just going through all the inspections/appraisals and such and then we're done. Except one minor detail...we don't have a house to move into. We knew there was a possibility that we wouldn't be getting "our house" and it is quickly becoming a reality. We resubmitted our offer this morning with paperwork to back up the sale of our house since that was originally why it was rejected but the banks broker said they don't like the contingency of the funding. I'm a little irritated that it just wasn't stated from the beginning that the bank is looking for a cash deal. All of this could have been avoided. But we did sell our house and that is a huge blessing and a big part of the equation out of the way. Someone very dear has told me that she doesn't believe God would bring us this far to just leave us hanging. I just need to keep the faith as I leap off the mountain and know that God will catch me. We still have a lot of options....1) the deal could still go through 2) there is another house we like that we could offer on 3) or if the bank owned property is still on the market when we get our money from the sale of our house, we turn around and give it to the bank and everyone is happy. We'll just have to wait and see what happens...either way we're out of this house by the 11th of February!

I Guess its Snowing in Albuquerque!

So yesterday when I was pretty down on ever seeing "the offer" come through, about an hour after I posted it happened! Things are still pretty up in the air but we do have an offer and we are resubmitting ours on the other house. Please keep up the prayers because I know they are helping, if nothing more than for my sanity! Thanks and I'll keep you updated as things progress.

What a Hoot

So yesterday Ainsley got a paper cut on her pinkie and wanted a band-aid. Here is how the conversation played out...

Ainsley: "Can I have a band-aid?"

Me: "I don't know if we have one small enough."

Ainsley: "I want Strawberry Shortcake."

Me: "I don't think we have a Strawberry Shortcake band-aid small enough but I'll check."

I came back with a plain band-aid.

Ains: "But I don't want a plain one, Mom!"

Me: "That's all we have that will fit."

I start to put the band-aid on...

Me: "And besides, ten bucks says you take it off in 5 minutes."

Ains: "Who's Ten Bucks?"

I thought I was going to fall over laughing! That was just what I needed yesterday...trying to sell the house has been rough on all involved. It is so inconvenient when you have kids too! We had someone come and look at it last Friday and then come back later. His realtor told us he was making an offer and then...nothing. We kept hearing that the offer was coming and we still had nothing by Sunday so I'm done "holding my breath". Supposedly the offer is still coming but I'm not putting too much stock in that. Like snow in Albuquerque, I'll believe it when I see it. We figured we'd keep the house on the market until Friday and if nothing happens we'll take it off until the summer.

An Update...

First I just want to say thanks so much for the thoughts and prayers! There has been no activity with any of the other offers on the house we would like to buy. The bank has not accepted the non-contingency offer which could work in our favor provided we can sell our house quickly. If nothing happens today, by the time the bank closes, its probably safe to say that we have a chance as long as we can sell the house this weekend. That's a big IF! We are having an open house on Saturday and hoping to at least get some people through here and our house is priced to sell. We're also hoping for some first time home-buyers because we wouldn't want to accept an offer with a contingency either. If don't get any offers and/or the house we want sells we will just take ours off the market and keep looking. I will have to say that I have enjoyed having a clean, non-cluttered home for the past week. It is a little stressful keeping everything so picked up and clean but it looks great. I wish it was realistic to keep it this way...except for the fact that Mike can't park in the garage!

Here's the Latest...

Sorry I've been a little lax on updated the blog lately. Things have been a wee bit crazy around here. We went and looked at a house on Saturday and liked it so we put in an offer and simultaneously put our house on the market yesterday. We also found out today that our offer was rejected...the house is a bank-owned property and they don't usually like contingency offers. Then, we found out that there are 2 other offers on the house; one with a contingency (that was also rejected) and one without. We are going to keep our house on the market for at least a week and see if we can't sell it quickly and turn around and get the house before someone else does! I of course was disappointed to find out all the above info, but I know that God has control of all of this and if it doesn't work out for us to be in this new house, He just has something better planned!

Nice Eyelashes!

I cannot leave Z for a minute! How I am able to pee without a major disaster occurring, I'll never know. I was prepping dinner last night and the kids were painting with Crayola watercolors (thankfully) so I thought it was safe to get the veggies ready...apparently Z got bored with using his paper and this is what I found when I turned around!

This morning there was still a little bit of black "haze" around his eyes so it looked like he'd been socked in both eyes. I wonder what his teachers thought when I dropped him off at school this morning? Never a dull moment!

My Title Picture

I've had several people ask me what the picture is behind my blog title. It was taken when I went to see O at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. It is the ceiling where the main character comes down from a trapeze in the beginning of the show. It would change colors and I thought it would make a great picture so, before we left, I took one (or two!)...and got in trouble! I didn't know you couldn't use flash photography...especially since the show was over. Now I know. Here's the other picture I have.

I thought I'd recap on 2008 using a list of questions borrowed from my friend Christina's blog.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Gone to Rhode Island. Ted and Anna got married there so we all visited RI for the first time and I'd like to go back again someday!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I gave up on New Year's Resolutions because I never seem to be able to stick with them. I just go day by day and do the best I can.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, that would be me!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my brother-in-law Jim.

5. What countries did you visit?
None but Ainsley told me the other day that when she gets older, she's going to drive her brother to China!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
I don't think we're lacking much but I'd be dishonest if I didn't say I'd really like a new house.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Definitely August 19th because of it being Zechariah's 2nd birthday and first day of school and the day Jessica was born.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Learning to let some things go and enjoy the little things more

9. What was your biggest failure? Wasting time and not smiling/laughing more.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Nothing major.

11. What was the best thing you bought? No laughing...my new diaper bag that should arrive today.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration? I wouldn't say behavior necessarily but all of our family needs a great big pat on the back for all of their help throughout the year. We couldn't have done much without their help...all the doctor appointments, errands where I didn't want to drag 3 kids out of the car for and "dates" Mike and I were able to go to. I am so grateful to all of your for the gift of your time!

13. Who's behavior made you appalled or depressed? Just the lack of thought of others that some people in the world have.

14. Where did most of your money go? The never-ending pit I'll call the house.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Having another baby. I won't lie...3 kids is a real challenge and I'm sure it will be harder when Jessica is mobile but it is a blessing to watch them grow and see what kind of personalities they have.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Same as #38

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? Happier b) thinner or fatter? Fatter but I'm not complaining. c) richer or poorer? Richer for the learning experience of 2008 and for the relationships I have in my life.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Laughing/smiling, reading, scrapbooking and exercising.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying, thinking of myself too much and trying to keep the house cleaner than it needs to be with 3 kids.

20. How did you spend Christmas? At home with family

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? More and more each day with all my kids and Mike.

22. What was your favorite TV program? The Office and The Biggest Loser.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Hate is such a harsh word. There were certainly people who weren't very kind but I don't hate them and I'm sure there were a few people I wasn't kind to either.

24. What was the best book you read? Maybe next year I'll have an answer to this question.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? I really enjoyed hearing more of Phil Wickam's songs...especially the ones where he had the audience singing with him.

26. What did you want and get? Hmmm...still waiting on that one!

27. What did you want and not get? A new house but that might change this year!

28. What was your favorite film of this year? We have seen a lot of movies since we got Netflix so that is a pretty hard to answer...

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Mike and I went to dinner at Il Vicino (kid free!) and I turned 31.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Fashion...that's funny! I was pretty much in maternity clothes or jeans and a t-shirt.

32. What kept you sane? My relationship with Christ and my ability to steal away by myself here and there to just be me...do my own thing at my own pace.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? No one really.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? The election of course.

35. Who did you miss? Far away family and friends.

36. Who was the best new person you met? ???

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. I'm still learning this day by day...God does have a plan and it is far better than anything I could plan myself. Even when things are rough or I feel like things aren't fair, God shows me that He's in control and that great things are coming!

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Na Na Na Na Na Na Na...Bunny Town!

Just Wanted to Say...

Happy New Year!

What a year 2008 was...we are looking forward to what will happen in 2009. May all of you be very blessed with health, happiness and love in the coming year.