I Am Thankful For...

...vacuum attachments!  We were doing yard work and some cleaning yesterday at our new house.  I'm so very glad our vacuum has attachments.  They're simple - but, I'm happy to report there are no more cobwebs between the ceiling and curtain rods, no more dust on the baseboards and the list could go on.  I was just thinking about that one yesterday - since I literally spent hours vacuuming. 

I'm also thankful for the gospel, family, friends, freedom, a place to live, a body that functions well, food to eat, an income, a vehicle that runs smoothly, a school that's a good fit for our family, and an education.  Well, I guess that's the beginning of the list of generalities.  Too bad there's not enough time or space for all the specifics - I'm sure that would be fun to read!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So Sad

When you move the people are always what you miss the most.  This time will be no different.  Jonny asked the other day if he could go to the local neighborhood school (as a way to continue to hang out with his friends in the neighborhood).  Jacob has also asked in family prayers to help us make new friends.  We will all miss being able to walk out the door and find a friend.  Luckily, we still live close enough to get together with friends.  It's also comforting to know that we all get to take our best friend with us.  Have I mentioned yet that I LOVE that my children are each other's best friends?  And, it's obviously in my best interest to take Layne along.:}

Mom of the Year!

Not me!  I realized today I could never have this title.  I don't really do play-doh - I know research says...It's just too much of a mess no matter what precautions we take.  So, it's rare to never around here. I'm also terrible about cooking with my kids - again...completely aware of the research.  I just forget - and sometimes I just have to face the hard truth that I'm just too lazy.  I could go on - but, I think the list of these particular two are incriminating enough on their own.:}

To my credit - I do have to say I'm in my kids' classes, I love to go on field trips and read to my kids (although, I did the last two more with the boys than I have with the girls - still working on that).

How are things coming with the house?

We have been asked this hundreds of times - at least it feels like it. We're glad so many of you are interested in what's going on. Or...maybe you're just making conversation - I don't know.:}  

We did the closing items yesterday - a couple of things happened where I really felt like we had 'people' that know what they're doing and want to make sure we actually do what's best for us.  I've felt that way all along.  It's good to know we have good people on our side. We've asked lots of questions - the more you know, the better...and we started out knowing nothing so they really have put up with lots of questions.  It would make me too nervous just to say 'ok' without really knowing what was going on.  Yikes.

So...like I said, we did our closing stuff yesterday (still have the hand cramp) - the escrow document was 70 pages.  The seller had an appointment in the afternoon and our realtor was going to call us about how things went.  We were all assuming they would go just fine - that is until it was close to 6:pm and we hadn't heard from said realtor yet.  The afternoon had been busy and I hadn't given any of it a second thought until the kids and I got back from school Something happened (maybe walking into our front room where we have an extra 8 dining room chairs waiting for a new home reminded me that we hadn't heard about said home yet) - anyway...called Layne to see if he'd heard anything (left message).  At this point I started to wonder...did something dramatic happen with the seller and we have no home?  Our realtor is usually pretty timely.  I thought he would have called already.  I rarely get nervous...this was a time when I started to worry a little - not panic - just concern.  An hour or two went by - still no call and I figured that we wouldn't hear anything until the next day because the work day was over - well, I forgot that realtors put in quite a few evening hours.  I was downstairs eating my dinner - when the phone rang.  I thought maybe it was the realtor - but, didn't really assume.  Layne was upstairs and answered the phone (after one ring).  I eventually finished my dinner and headed upstairs to finish getting ready for my class.  After a couple of minutes Layne casually mentioned that it was the realtor that had called.  There wasn't much emotion so I wasn't sure what to think (he was busy online - something about internet and phone services).  So I had to wait a little longer for him to say everything went through.  I was ready to do a little dance while he was just sitting there.  Boring!  Anyway...

WE HAVE A HOUSE!!!

Ducks in a Row

One thing we've noticed with the whole housing thing (buying one) is that you really have to have all your 'ducks in a row'.  So much depends on being able to pay all the extra fees/charges that go along with obtaining a house and you have to have a good chunk for earnest money.  It's great if you can make the process go as quickly as possible.  It's vital to have high credit scores and money for a down payment - at least 20% is ideal.  Banks have really tightened up what they will and will not do.  No loan, no house, no exceptions.

There are too many people that just can't do what it takes.  I think that's why there are so many people that find renting is the option they need to go with for the time being.  We have heard so many times that it's a buyers market - well, not really - at least for the average American who is being hit hard by the current economy and is just starting out (and/or has lots of debt).  It's not a sellers market either.  Obviously...no buyers, no sellers.  There are too many homes that just aren't selling and sellers have to lower their prices, etc...

Ute Tribe

Trivia for the day... The Ute tribe has 'no tradition or evidence of migration' (phrase I've seen in several resources) that put the tribe here (CO/UT/WY/NM) at a specific date.  The documents say that it must mean the tribe has been here for at least a thousand years (probably more).  Hmm...I wonder if I would get linched tomorrow if I told the 3rd/4th graders my theory.  It might just be mixing church and state considering I would have to bring the Book of Mormon into the explanation.  (We're learning about Indigenous Peoples in Jonny's class.)

Jacob's class?  Today we reviewed a bit about Newton and one of his theories before doing 'rockets' outside - wish I had brought my camera!  The rockets were made with water and 'Alka Seltzer' in a film canister for 'ancient cameras' (according to one of the students).  The kids had a great time with it.  (We also edited their 'space' research and they wrote a 'newspaper review' after watching a DVD of the show they put on.)

Sunday Drive

We went for a drive about a week and a half ago.  We drove over to the neighborhood where we're looking at a house.  I'm saying 'looking' at a house because it's all such an unsure process that we aren't even close to considering it being ours at this point - too many factors.  Although, we're hoping something tangible works out soon - we only have about a month.

Our drive consisted of showing the kids which house it was - the real owners were home, so we really just did a 'drive by'.  We looked around and found the closest park (about a block away), a couple of LDS chapels, the grocery store, gas station, library - there was even a skate park and golf course not too far away.  We also saw a couple of elementary schools and a junior high school - we're still going to have our children go to the same school they are attending now - but, it is good to have signs that we will have other children living nearby. (There are actually several classmates that live there already - so, we're happy about that.)

The house comes with a yard, a spot for a garden and a 2 car garage (unattached).  It also has the potential for hardwood floors and has a bathroom in the 'master' bedroom.  (No more surprises of children walking in while I'm getting out of the shower - maybe.)

We'll see what happens.  Cross your fingers for us.

Visual Check

This is why you MUST do a visual check

AFTER Daddy changes the diaper and

BEFORE you send the child out into the cold, cruel world. 

Seasons

It seems even the plants are confused around here.  Last week we had weather similar to summer.  This week we've had a rainy day, a snowy day and now a sunshine/blue sky type of day - all beautiful. (Although, today's sunny weather does not mean the temperature is in the 70s or even 60s range - it was 30 degrees this morning when I drove the boys to school.  It's a good thing we have a sliding door on one side of our van - the 'manual' one was frozen shut.)

Fall or Winter?

I look great!

I was combing Megan's hair after her bath.  This conversation happened out of the blue.

Megan:  I look great!  My mom told me I look great. 

Mom: You look great?  (Hoping to get more out of her.)

Megan: Yes, you told me I look great.

Mom: Well, you do look great.

Megan: Yes.  And you told me I can make good choices too.

Somehow, somewhere she has remembered something.  I'm glad. How great it would be to be able to tell yourself each day (like you meant it) that you look great and you are able to make right choices. What a great life.  It doesn't matter that most of the time she doesn't match - still learning all about that.  It also doesn't matter that her hair is 'done' when it's actually combed - no fancy stuff around here. (They have a habit of running when I get out the comb.)  How great that even though she knows she makes mistakes sometimes - she really is capable of making good choices.  What a great way to live your life.  I need to make that my mantra too - I look great and I can make good choices.