House Hunting

We're not too busy for a little fun!

I laid down on the couch for a bit yesterday and the girls promptly started in on my hair.  Twenty-one clips later I am thinking that maybe we need to add cosmetology to our coursework next year.  LOL

OK, so six houses yesterday.  The first was utterly depressing.  We couldn't wait to just get out of the house.  It was so dark in there and it needs a TON of work.  Needs it, not just updating aesthetically.  I told our agent that if it was $50,000 less I might be up for the challenge.

Then we went to number two.  Night and day difference.  It is gorgeous and we wouldn't need to do anything to it at all.  Just move in and enjoy.  All the children's rooms are upstairs, though, and I've always said I don't want to have to go upstairs all the time.  We love the house and the neighborhood is perfect for our family with walking trails and playgrounds and lots of green space.  We're gonna take another look at it today to make sure, but we plan to make an offer on it.  They have it priced too high and we plan to offer them what houses are actually selling for in the neighborhood.  It is about $10,000 less than they are asking, but also puts us at the top of our budget.  We need some prayer.  If they accept our offer, we can do it.  If they counter, I don't think we'll be able to buy it.

There was another house we saw yesterday that would work and is priced well.  The yard is tiny, though. And we'd want to totally re-do the kitchen at some point because it is ugly and odd.  Other than that it is a good house.  It just doesn't have the charming family neighborhood to go with it.

The others just aren't worth mentioning.  They were ok.  They would work, but each had things that were not appealing.  One was located way too close to a very, very busy road.   With our little escape artist, it just wouldn't be safe.

This N That

This photo is for Veronica, who I know is feeling a bit photo-deprived.

Sheesh, some people just come here to see photos of cute children.

Well, you can't get much cuter than this.

This is what she wore to look at houses the other day.  She LOVES her sunglasses!

Nevermind that it is HOT outside, that hat is also a current favorite.

More and more I look at her and realize she truly is not a baby anymore.  sigh

I haven't fallen off the planet, I've just been very, very busy.  And emotional.  And overwhelmed.

That house that I thought would be perfect for us?

It is gorgeous and well-built.  But the kid's rooms are small.  Like so small I don't think I can fit three kids in each room.  One bunkbed would fill each room up.

Then there was the septic system.  The septic is uphill from the house and requires a pump to work.

That pump requires electricity.  The mere thought of what happens if the power goes out is enough to make me run the other way.  My Mister says we could have a back-up generator attached to it.  True enough,  but I can't make the bedrooms bigger.  

Anyhow, we've looked at six houses so far and we have another six lined up today.

Right now it looks like we might have to move twice.  That is okay, not ideal, but thankful nonetheless.

We made a run out to Arkadelphia to meet my sister-in-law and two cousins.  She brought us moving boxes as they have recently moved into a beautiful new house in Texas.  We are incredibly thankful for the boxes.  We were also able to pick up a bunch through FreeCycle.  I can't imagine how much they would have all cost, but I know it would add up fast.

The inspection of our home was yesterday afternoon.  We are waiting to hear how it went and what repairs we will need to make.  I'm a bit nervous.  I suppose that is because we've walked away from two houses after poor inspections.  That is why I have only packed a few boxes thus far.

It was just about 100 degrees here yesterday.  It's been rather hot for days and days now.  And we are so dry.  I was very thankful when I looked at the forecast and saw a little cool front with rain heading our way.  That will make Friday the perfect day to clean out our attic.  Twelve years worth of stuff up there....not looking forward to that.  But it needs to be done, even if these folks back out of the contract.

I think our children are looking forward to seeing what mysteries are up in the attic.  They know that is where the Christmas decor comes from and often toys that have been absent re-appear from that hole in the ceiling.  Yes, I think they are counting the hours until we clean out that attic.

UN-Packing First

I mostly feel a sense of peace about moving in thirty days, but every now and then my eyes bug out and my pulse increases.  I don't yet feel like I know what to do next, but I decided to start by unpacking.  That might seem a bit opposite of what I should do, but I am going to slowly UNpack our freezers and pantry.
I took an inventory today of what we have food-wise and came up with all the following meals.

Spaghetti with meat"balls" using left-over frozen meatloaf

Beef and Veggie Stew

Southwestern Pasta Salad with Chicken

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Salmon; broccoli and cheese, corn, green beans

Homemade pizzas

Fajitas

Steak, corn, green beans, salad

Roast chicken, hash browns, more green beans, pumpkin pie

Chicken N Dumplings

Vegetable and Rice Soup

Lots of beans and rice combos

Smoothies with the frozen fruits

I didn't realize I have over twenty pounds of whole wheat flour in my freezer, but I will be using it to make rolls, bread, cinnamon buns, tortillas, etc.

I'm a little concerned that I have 5 lbs of frozen green beans when my children are pretty burned out on green beans.  I must find some new recipes to try with green beans.  Or hide them in the food.  Or give them to my neighbor.

I also went to the library today and borrowed the Duggar's first book.  They have outlined their system for packing and moving.  I fully intend to utilize their system, but I will use a notebook instead of file cards as I prefer the bigger size and I have a thing for plastic sleeves.   Besides, I think I would lose a small file box in the business of moving.  Or it would pop open and spill out and make a mess.  I secretly look forward to color-coding all those boxes.....I am such a control freak.  Having an organized system like that will make me feel in control of an otherwise stressful transition.

So, right now anyway, I feel excited and ready to tackle this huge project.  But first, I need to clean my house before the inspection.  I can not tell you how wonderful it has been the last two days to not bend over backward keeping everything picked up and wiped up and put up in case they call wanting to show the house.  But alas, it only takes two days to make a pretty big mess :)

Giddy

We have an offer on our house that we are going to accept this afternoon!!!!!   


My emotions are all over the place and my mind is awhirl.  We are going to look at two houses later today.  They both sound very promising, but just don't know until we see them for real.  One is brand new construction, which I never would have thought we could do, but it is in our range.  The other is at the end of a private road and would be ideal for the kids to play and ride bikes, etc.  The kitchen in that one looks very small, but then I have been very spoiled with a huge kitchen the past twelve years.

Meanwhile, we have some school to finish up for the year, but part of me just wants to close the books.    We are supposed to be out of our house in 36 days.

While I was typing all that my phone rang and some friends of ours just offered to let us stay in their empty house for as long as we need to until we can move into the next place.  What a tremendous blessing!!!!!!  I'm just overwhelmed with God's goodness and the generosity of our friends to make such an offer.   I'm weeping with joy, it is such a huge load off my shoulders to know we have that "safety net" if we need it.

Y'all I am so excited to see how all of this is going to work out!   I've been saying for the past couple of years that when it is time for us to move that I just trust that God will have a place for us.  It is so exciting to be part of this great adventure of life knowing that He is in control and we don't have to worry, only trust and obey.

Miscellaneous

After six and half years "stuck" in Cambodia, my friend Kerri finally gets to bring her adopted children home!!!!!!   Noah got his visa and they will be here in a few weeks.  We are praising God and so very excited.

On our homefront a horrid stomach bug has attacked.  I've been ill since Friday.  Joe has it, too.  This is just solidifying my Mister's desire to have a house with three bathrooms, only there is nothing solid about it.    I've never been sick so many times back to back like this.  What was a very long April is now turning into a long May as well.  :(

We still managed to have the house shown this weekend and one couple is asking lots of questions.  We'll see if they make an offer this week.  Our agent is expecting them to make one soon.  If we do get an offer,  I think I have found a great house for us to move into, but haven't seen it in person yet.  It is in one of my most favorite neighborhoods and just went on the market.   We're praying for God's will to be done in all of this.

Journal May 13th

• In my life this week…

I am finally feeling well again for the most part after being sick for a couple of weeks with a chest cold.  It seemed to take forever to get completely over it.   My toe is starting to heal as well and I am starting to see new skin around the surgery site.  I have even been able to wear three different pairs of sandals this week instead of the one pair of old Birkenstocks that have been my sole choice of footwear the past month and half.   I did try to wear my sneakers most of the day Monday and found myself in great pain as a result.  Not ready for those yet.

• In our homeschool this week…

*sigh* that about sums up our homeschool this week.  We are finishing up some subjects for the "year," but have a ways to go on others.

• Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We've been going a lot this week.  

Monday we had a pizza party with our cub scout den and Hope and Faith both started a new term of swim lessons.

Tuesday found us at Jason's Deli for dinner while our house had its first showing.

Wednesday I was feeling displaced as we had three showings that day and went to Chick Fil A to hang out for lunch followed by errands.  That evening we had a potluck and business meeting at church.

Thursday the phone rang for another showing so we met some friends at the park and played for a couple of hours.  The older children had a massive game of Risk going, but didn't quite get to finish it.

Friday was blissfully quiet and spent at home, though I did go out by myself in search of swimwear.  That was a total fail.

Saturday, the guys went to a scouting event all day, then I went out with some gal pals for dinner and to the Symphony.  We had a lovely evening together.

• My favorite thing this week was…

Sitting on the front porch swing with my Mister this afternoon.  The weather is perfect today and it was a lovely relaxing time together while the children played Legos in the garage with the neighbor boys.

• What’s working/not working for us…

*sigh* there's that sighing again.  A few weeks ago the older boys requested that I just assign them their work by the week, rather than broken into daily assignments.  They could decide how much to do each day and if they wanted to do just one subject a day, that would be fine.  I was up for trying it out...after all they need to learn to manage their time and pace their own work, right?  

Let's just say this has been a complete disaster.  Joe decided he could just kick back and play around, read, etc at the beginning of the week thinking he'd get it done sometime.  Or maybe he just knew I wouldn't say much about it trusting that he'd come through in the end. Except he hasn't.  And my blood pressure has risen as a result.  We'll be going back to daily assignments this week.

• Questions/thoughts I have…

I am contemplating what we will do for school for the Fab Four next year.  I want to do something that is more fun, maybe some science unit studies, lapbooks, etc.  Def. still do American History, but again, I want to do notebooking and projects.  

• Things I’m working on…

I painted the trim through much of the house this past week.  That has been on my to-do list for months and it is such a relief to cross it off.

I've also been busy with digital scrapbooking in my "free" time.  I'm hoping to get my oldest son's photos completely caught up this month.  Just two years worth to go.....woo-hoo!

• I’m grateful for…

The privilege of being a Mother. I am so thankful to have these six children and to be able to stay home with them and raise them and teach them and love them.  My oldest had one of his friends customize a Nerf gun for my gift today (we love Nerf battles at our house).  Kinkade, age 8, made me a leaf necklace.  Such sweet sentiments.  Gotta love those boys!

• I’m praying for…

My friend's adopted son, Noah, to get his visa to come to the U.S.  She is planning to bring all the kids here for the next year and there has been a little slow down in the visa for Noah. So, y'all please just pray that Noah gets his visa so she doesn't have to leave him behind with friends.

Scrapping Saturday

I did a bit of school with the Fab Four and cleaned the house today.  We made a pretty cool model of the human eye from "The Body Book."

The Dynamic Duo went to Merit Badge University with their Dad in tow.

Cale worked on his badges for Electronics and Personal Fitness.

Joe worked on badges for Fingerprinting and Personal Management.  

Cale LOVED his Electronics class and Joe thought Fingerprinting was awesome.

I'm still working on getting Cale's scrapbook caught up, but here are a couple of pages I pulled together today.....