Another house
It's hard to be back in the running for a house, but here we are. We know the God has something out there for us, we just don't know where or what it is. He is faithful, though, and bring it in his good time.
We did go and see a house this morning. Here's what we thought:
There were lots of positives on the house (great kitchen--oh how I loved the kitchen, great location--one street over from friends and a walk away from library and park, wrap around porch, great main floor layout, hardwoods, cool brick entry floor, pocket doors and window seat, play room area off kitchen, main floor laundry, nice backyard with brick patio and grass and privacy fence, decent sized bedrooms, nice sized office for Nate, two car garage).
But there were a few negatives that are really causing us hesitation on it (the bathrooms--functional but not laid out very well and an older tub upstairs, possibility of the office not being grounded even though there were three-prong plugs in there). Okay, so it's mostly the bathrooms. The downstairs bath has a corner shower that's so-so, a VERY small sink attached to the wall and a toilet. The upstairs bath had an old blue tub, the sink facing the tub, so you have to stand between the sink and one end of the tub--not much room there. Like I said, it's functional, but not ideal.
We know how much we would offer on the house if we did present an offer. We feel a little frustrated with the timing of all of this. The listing expires on the 31st (it's been listed since June). We kind of feel that now would be the time to offer something (since we want to offer quite a bit lower than the listing price) since it's possible that the sellers are motivated.
What would y'all do? I can send the link for the listing on the house via email if anyone is interested in seeing it...just didn't want to provide that info on here.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Pajama day
The girls and I had a pajama day today. We just all needed to recover from our trip this past weekend. I did get all the laundry done, with the help of Nate folding it all (thank you, honey!). And I fixed lunch and picked up a few things, but that was the extent of what I did today pertaining to housework.
Other things I did today: nursed Ally, took Ally in the bath tub so she could take a bath with her sister, read many Pooh stories, read Prince Caspian while I laid down next to Ally for rest time, played with Becca and her stuffed animals and a cardboard box, drew a zoom car and a stop sign on the cardboard box at Becca's request, corresponded with the realtor via email to set up the house appointment, changed many diapers (only Ally's today! Becca didn't wear a diaper for nap time and did great!), planned our meals for the next week and made a grocery list.
Things I didn't do because I husband did them for me: folded laundry, got Becca and Ally ready for bed while I took a shower, put Becca to bed, made dinner, cleaned up dinner.
Yes, he's wonderful. :) He was that wonderful all weekend too. I just have to tell y'all that because he didn't complain one time about having to travel with two little kiddos and all that comes with them. We both did our share of complaining about the Minneapolis airport, but it was the kind of complaining that is half-joking and just makes you laugh at the whole situation.
The girls and I had a pajama day today. We just all needed to recover from our trip this past weekend. I did get all the laundry done, with the help of Nate folding it all (thank you, honey!). And I fixed lunch and picked up a few things, but that was the extent of what I did today pertaining to housework.
Other things I did today: nursed Ally, took Ally in the bath tub so she could take a bath with her sister, read many Pooh stories, read Prince Caspian while I laid down next to Ally for rest time, played with Becca and her stuffed animals and a cardboard box, drew a zoom car and a stop sign on the cardboard box at Becca's request, corresponded with the realtor via email to set up the house appointment, changed many diapers (only Ally's today! Becca didn't wear a diaper for nap time and did great!), planned our meals for the next week and made a grocery list.
Things I didn't do because I husband did them for me: folded laundry, got Becca and Ally ready for bed while I took a shower, put Becca to bed, made dinner, cleaned up dinner.
Yes, he's wonderful. :) He was that wonderful all weekend too. I just have to tell y'all that because he didn't complain one time about having to travel with two little kiddos and all that comes with them. We both did our share of complaining about the Minneapolis airport, but it was the kind of complaining that is half-joking and just makes you laugh at the whole situation.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Home again, home again
Sorry for the lack of posting. It's not for lack of things to post, but lack of time.
I'm pretty tired right now, so I'll just do a quick update and hope to write more specific posts later.
House stuff--It looks like things with our house have come to an end. We couldn't meet on a price that would satisfy both of us, so we are having to walk away. It's sad, mostly because of the community that we longed to be a part of there, but we think it's the best choice.
More house stuff--We are setting up an appointment to view a Victorian style house in another neighborhood we had considered before. This neighborhood also has community possibilities, since we already know some people in the area. This house is really our best and only option at the moment.
Post title--We took a last minute trip to Minnesota this weekend to meet Nate's parents, sister, and some other extended family because his grandmother (his mom's mom) passed away last week. We were there from Friday to today. It was Ally's first plane ride, and she did fabulously both ways. Becca did well too, sitting in her car seat on the plane for the first time and not kicking or pushing on the seat in front of her.
My dad--He's doing well, now three-four weeks post-surgery. We're thankful for his progress. He will be taking the rest of the year off work since he has cardiac therapy and still needs lots of rest right now. He is cleared to drive around town and is walking a half hour each day--I need to take some lessons from him and get my heart working too.
I'm sure there is more, but the screen is going blurry as I type. In the midst of laundry, picking up, going to see a house, reading to my girls, changing diapers, trying to focus on Advent and Christmas, using my (new, thank you, Kate) crockpot, and just generally trying to enjoy this time of the year...I might get to a few posts in the coming week. We'll see.
Goodnight, all.
Sorry for the lack of posting. It's not for lack of things to post, but lack of time.
I'm pretty tired right now, so I'll just do a quick update and hope to write more specific posts later.
House stuff--It looks like things with our house have come to an end. We couldn't meet on a price that would satisfy both of us, so we are having to walk away. It's sad, mostly because of the community that we longed to be a part of there, but we think it's the best choice.
More house stuff--We are setting up an appointment to view a Victorian style house in another neighborhood we had considered before. This neighborhood also has community possibilities, since we already know some people in the area. This house is really our best and only option at the moment.
Post title--We took a last minute trip to Minnesota this weekend to meet Nate's parents, sister, and some other extended family because his grandmother (his mom's mom) passed away last week. We were there from Friday to today. It was Ally's first plane ride, and she did fabulously both ways. Becca did well too, sitting in her car seat on the plane for the first time and not kicking or pushing on the seat in front of her.
My dad--He's doing well, now three-four weeks post-surgery. We're thankful for his progress. He will be taking the rest of the year off work since he has cardiac therapy and still needs lots of rest right now. He is cleared to drive around town and is walking a half hour each day--I need to take some lessons from him and get my heart working too.
I'm sure there is more, but the screen is going blurry as I type. In the midst of laundry, picking up, going to see a house, reading to my girls, changing diapers, trying to focus on Advent and Christmas, using my (new, thank you, Kate) crockpot, and just generally trying to enjoy this time of the year...I might get to a few posts in the coming week. We'll see.
Goodnight, all.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
A few pictures from present opening and sugar cookie making
Ally and I cutting out our first sugar cookie
Becca pleased with her candy cane shaped sugar cookie (notice her baby carrier--she was also wearing her baby...a red bear):
Becca and Nate sampling the dough (Becca asked to eat dough after every time she cut out a cookie shape):
Happy with the gift her sister gave her:
Becca opening Ally's gift for her:
Becca showing Ally "The Wheels on the Bus" book that she gave to Ally:
Ally and I cutting out our first sugar cookie
Becca pleased with her candy cane shaped sugar cookie (notice her baby carrier--she was also wearing her baby...a red bear):
Becca and Nate sampling the dough (Becca asked to eat dough after every time she cut out a cookie shape):
Happy with the gift her sister gave her:
Becca opening Ally's gift for her:
Becca showing Ally "The Wheels on the Bus" book that she gave to Ally:
Meeting with the loan officer--the highlights
1. We decided to get another appraisal on the house, so we went through with another loan application. We should know by Tuesday at the latest.
2. It took us longer to get ready to go (cleaning snow off car, trying to go to the potty, convincing Becca that she didn't need to wear her snow pants, getting on regular pants, socks, shoes, hat, etc, etc, getting Ally in her seat and covered up) than it took us to drive there (we honestly could have walked, it's just around the corner, but it was too cold for the girls).
3. We signed a million papers. Not as many as we will at our closing (for whichever house we buy).
4. And we are trying to figure out what was the true high point to the meeting:
1. We decided to get another appraisal on the house, so we went through with another loan application. We should know by Tuesday at the latest.
2. It took us longer to get ready to go (cleaning snow off car, trying to go to the potty, convincing Becca that she didn't need to wear her snow pants, getting on regular pants, socks, shoes, hat, etc, etc, getting Ally in her seat and covered up) than it took us to drive there (we honestly could have walked, it's just around the corner, but it was too cold for the girls).
3. We signed a million papers. Not as many as we will at our closing (for whichever house we buy).
4. And we are trying to figure out what was the true high point to the meeting:
- When Becca took off her shoes and socks after entering the bank--I guess she felt at home.
- Ally filling her diaper for the first time in a week---I just knew she would do that at the bank. I will extol the virtues of Pampers, since that is what she was wearing and it kept it all contained.
- Becca telling us she had to use the potty at the beginning of the meeting and then immediately proceeding to pull down her pants and underwear. Even now that makes me laugh. While in the bathroom we had a good talk about how we wait until we are in the bathroom to disrobe. :)
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Christmas gifts
Continuing in our family tradition, we opened Christmas gifts as a family this past Saturday. I like exchanging gifts at the beginning of the advent season because it helps us both enjoy the gift giving and then get our minds focused on preparing for Christmas itself throughout Advent.
On Saturday morning I had all the gifts sitting out on the table when we got up. We made some blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast and did the first day of our advent calendar at our meal.
After the meal we opened gifts. In previous years we have stopped to pray before opening gifts, but my mommy brain wasn't on the ball enough to remember that and my 2 and a half year old daughter was so eager to open gifts that it was even easier to forget than normal.
I wanted to list our favorite gifts and gifts of note, both from Saturday and from gifts given to us when we were home at my parents.
1. O-ball--this was the best gift for Ally. Her little hands can easily grasp it and it entertains her for awhile. Plus it's fun for the rest of us too. It's PVC and latex free.
2. Frog towel from Pottery Barn kids--this was for Becca from my brother and his wife and she loves it. She happily uses it after her baths and calls herself Miss Jeremy Fisher while she does (like Mr. Jeremy Fisher from Beatrix Potter if you didn't catch that). Daddy is happy because she doesn't use his towel anymore. :)
4. A hippo stuffed animal from PB Kids outlet--for Ally from Justin and Kristi, but played with by Becca mostly. She named it Mr. Tiggywinkle (also a Beatrix Potter reference).
5. WMU hooded sweatshirt--for Becca--she wore this for two days straight and would have worn it longer if it hadn't gotten dirty.--from Justin and Kristi
6. Power Squid--the girls gave this to Nate. It's a power strip sort of thing with a different design twist.
7. Jesus Storybook Bible--I was going to give this to the girls later, but couldn't wait. It came highly recommended by many. We started reading it tonight and I can't wait to continue. That's what Bible reading should be like, right?
8. Wheels on the Bus--for Ally from Becca--a board book. I don't normally allow Raffi in our house (not because he's bad, but for my sanity), but Becca picked this out for Ally at the store, so I couldn't say no. It's cute and Ally likes to look at the illustrations while I read it to her.
9. Original Memory Game--Ally gave this to Becca--Becca has already caught on to the game since we started playing it yesterday. We only set out 10-14 cards right now. She already has shown that she can remember where certain cards are. She has asked to play it with each of us frequently.
10. Scissors and crayons--for Becca from us. We got her the triangle shaped Crayola crayons and a child-sized scissors that fits her hand nicely. She enjoyed cutting extra tissue paper I had out while making my skirt pattern. We also got her some Stockmar beeswax block crayons. I'll let you know how we like them if I think of it. I'm trying to build up our art supplies.
There were a few more gifts than that, but those are the ones that stood out and have been played with the most.
Continuing in our family tradition, we opened Christmas gifts as a family this past Saturday. I like exchanging gifts at the beginning of the advent season because it helps us both enjoy the gift giving and then get our minds focused on preparing for Christmas itself throughout Advent.
On Saturday morning I had all the gifts sitting out on the table when we got up. We made some blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs for breakfast and did the first day of our advent calendar at our meal.
After the meal we opened gifts. In previous years we have stopped to pray before opening gifts, but my mommy brain wasn't on the ball enough to remember that and my 2 and a half year old daughter was so eager to open gifts that it was even easier to forget than normal.
I wanted to list our favorite gifts and gifts of note, both from Saturday and from gifts given to us when we were home at my parents.
1. O-ball--this was the best gift for Ally. Her little hands can easily grasp it and it entertains her for awhile. Plus it's fun for the rest of us too. It's PVC and latex free.
2. Frog towel from Pottery Barn kids--this was for Becca from my brother and his wife and she loves it. She happily uses it after her baths and calls herself Miss Jeremy Fisher while she does (like Mr. Jeremy Fisher from Beatrix Potter if you didn't catch that). Daddy is happy because she doesn't use his towel anymore. :)
4. A hippo stuffed animal from PB Kids outlet--for Ally from Justin and Kristi, but played with by Becca mostly. She named it Mr. Tiggywinkle (also a Beatrix Potter reference).
5. WMU hooded sweatshirt--for Becca--she wore this for two days straight and would have worn it longer if it hadn't gotten dirty.--from Justin and Kristi
6. Power Squid--the girls gave this to Nate. It's a power strip sort of thing with a different design twist.
7. Jesus Storybook Bible--I was going to give this to the girls later, but couldn't wait. It came highly recommended by many. We started reading it tonight and I can't wait to continue. That's what Bible reading should be like, right?
8. Wheels on the Bus--for Ally from Becca--a board book. I don't normally allow Raffi in our house (not because he's bad, but for my sanity), but Becca picked this out for Ally at the store, so I couldn't say no. It's cute and Ally likes to look at the illustrations while I read it to her.
9. Original Memory Game--Ally gave this to Becca--Becca has already caught on to the game since we started playing it yesterday. We only set out 10-14 cards right now. She already has shown that she can remember where certain cards are. She has asked to play it with each of us frequently.
10. Scissors and crayons--for Becca from us. We got her the triangle shaped Crayola crayons and a child-sized scissors that fits her hand nicely. She enjoyed cutting extra tissue paper I had out while making my skirt pattern. We also got her some Stockmar beeswax block crayons. I'll let you know how we like them if I think of it. I'm trying to build up our art supplies.
There were a few more gifts than that, but those are the ones that stood out and have been played with the most.
The best gift
Besides Jesus, of course.
Nathan gave me the best Christmas gift he could give a mommy of two--time.
Every Sunday for the next two to three months Nate is going to take care of Ally during Becca's hour and a half rest time so I can have time to sew (or knit or finish Becca's scrapbook).
I got to start today. I decided to use some fabric I had to attempt my first skirt--an A-line with an elastic waist. I drafted the pattern and got the skirt cut out and ironed. Next Sunday I'll do the sewing and insert the elastic and be done.
Oh, and he is letting me pick out whatever fabric I want for him to buy for me as an additional gift.
Besides Jesus, of course.
Nathan gave me the best Christmas gift he could give a mommy of two--time.
Every Sunday for the next two to three months Nate is going to take care of Ally during Becca's hour and a half rest time so I can have time to sew (or knit or finish Becca's scrapbook).
I got to start today. I decided to use some fabric I had to attempt my first skirt--an A-line with an elastic waist. I drafted the pattern and got the skirt cut out and ironed. Next Sunday I'll do the sewing and insert the elastic and be done.
Oh, and he is letting me pick out whatever fabric I want for him to buy for me as an additional gift.
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