Another House??

Our offer was accepted by the owner for this house in Apacher Junction. We are actually dealing with a real owner, not a bank. He thinks the appraisal will come in low as well, but just wants to dump the house. He is willing to drop the offer price and to work with us as we work with him. This process seems to be going so much smoother than with the previous house. The location is off of Ironwood Road, just south of the US60- which is just south of where our old house in AJ was located. In a year Dustin will try to start working part time at the new MountainVista Medical Center that was just built in near AJ. If he likes it, he can transfer and be working so much closer to home. We really like this home and are excited once again to possibly be moving. The downside- we locked in with a 3 month lease again and will have the apartment through June. We are supposed to close on the house at the end of April. We will move all of our storage unit stuff in May, stay in the apartment so Noah can finish school and then move officially in June. Hopefully everything will work out with this home.

Back to Square One

I am learning an invaluable lesson at the moment- PATIENCE.

We have backed out of the contract for the house we were hoping to buy. The inspection showed a lot of things that needed fixed- which we were really ok with. The appraisal showed a different story. Mold, termites, and a new roof are needed BEFORE we can get the loan. The sellers agreed to lower the price of the home to the appraisal price, but they would not fix anything, and we have until the 31st to close. We are not going to fix up a roof on a home we don't own yet, the work couldn't be completed in 2 weeks, and we still couldn't get a loan anyway without the repairs. So, we are hoping to get our earnest money back and we are starting the looking process all over again. To say we are frustrated and sad is an understatement. We haven't told the kids yet- that will happen tonight over dinner- but I know they are going to be crushed. They were so excited. I am glad I never started packing. The apartment complex said no problem on a 3 month lease. I am thankful that I know that we still have a place to live! I know things will work out. I'm not sure yet what the reason for this experience was. We know what we are looking for and hope we can find it. We are in no rush since we have 3 months to look- although we begin again tomorrow- but no rush!!

Waiting, but in the mean time...

We are still waiting for the appraisal on the house. Apparently we are on a long list of homes that need appraised and all we can do is sit back and have faith that everything will work out just fine. But in the mean time, some fun things ahve happened in our home:

I held a tarantula today. I was braver than Dustin!!! All he could do was sit back and watch. he just couldn't bring himself to hold it. We dropped our kids off at the Douglass family home today so I could go to the doctor about my medicines for the fibro. They have a pet tarantula. I never would have touched one or even thought of touching one if I hadn't seen Debbie do it. She is a very gentle woman and I would have thought she would be the type to totally freak out over a huge aracnid. She showed me a very cool side of her and I felt brave becasue of her. I love inspiring women and she unkowingly pushed me. It actually was really cool holding the tarantula. I may even think about giving one to the kids down the road. Although, they have their hearts completely set on a puppy!

Noah told Dustin the other day that "Mom only does boring stuff with him and Dad does all the fun stuff with him. All Mom does is read..." I'm not sure how to take that comment. It certainly made me laugh.

Noah and I have come up with a deal. I made a New Year's resolution to practice the piano more. I want to be able to play so much better than what I can right now. So, Noah said he will practice a lot if I practice a lot too. He will give me a lesson on Wednesday- tell me if I am good enough to move on or if I have to repeat the song. I think it will be good for both of us. It will get me playing a lot more and it will help Noah see how to practice correctly. I am excited to see how this will work out.

We have had a great last coule of weeks in our home. We spent some time talking to the kids about all of the fighting and yelling. We are putting pennies in the good jar (serving Heavenly Father) for when we help each other, speak kindly to each other and play nice with each other. We also put pennies in the bad jar for when we fight and thence serve Satan. We look at the levels at the end of each week. When we fill the good jar all the way we will take the kids to Makudo's Island- an indoor play park. It has really made a huge difference with everyone, but especially with Daniel. He is so much more loving and giving and the wonderful side of my boy is coming out from hiding!!!

It's Really Happening!!

After much search, many prayers, and lots of stress it is official. We are closing on our house on April 9!! Only 1 more month in the apartment! The house is huge (2088 square feet) with an ENORMOUS backyard. That was the first thing I saw and I knew I needed this house for Daniel. This, in essence, is a gift for Daniel. He has outgrown the apartment and desperately needed a place where he could be himself. The yard is so big he can ride his bike in it!! It is in a nice quiet neighborhood in Apache Junction. It is an older built home and needs a bathroom redone and carpets professionally cleaned before we can move in. We can't wait to get started!! Dustin is itching to get his hands working. Enjoy the pics and more will come!







We are taking our camera with us on to the inspection and will take as many pictures as we can to help us in decorating ideas. If the inspection happens on a weekday, we are going to pull Noah out of school to come with us. He wasn't there when we found this house. I am having fun looking at home decorating books and paint chips. Buying a new house and dreaming is so fun. The best part of the house- it is only $75 more for a monthly payment than our current rent. I am thinking "No way". We have been so blessed. I am so grateful for with all that my Heavenly Father has blessed me. My heart is constantly poured out in thanksgiving daily- if not hourly!!

Kids Say the Funniest Things

Our kids have said some pretty hilarious things lately.

Jodi on buying a new house: Holy Mackerel, That's totally awesome (complete with fist gestures)

Daniel on my braided hair: I wish I could be a girl with long hair then I could have it looks pretty like yours!! Too cute.

Noah on dreams: I told Noah that Heavenly Father answers the dreams in our hearts, you know like getting a house with a huge yard. He had a nightmare that night, came into my room, woke me up from my drug-induced sleep and said, "Mom you told me Heavenly Father answers my prayers and I just had a BAD dream!" I tried explaining what I meant, but I was really our of it and am not sure how many words got from my brain to my mouth.

Oh to be a first grade teacher reading kids stories: Here are some of Noah's words that he wrote in his Whale report: huooj, ocktupoosis, (on a story he wrote about a fish- fire fite fish. It is hilarious reading some of his stories. He has a great imagination and spelling will come in time!

Look again soon for news on our house hunting!