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?