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!

New Beginnings!!!

We are now entering a new era in the Frier family. Dustin is an official Murse- male nurse!! He begins orientation shifts with nurse pay on Monday!! We are so unbuliebably excited!!!! We find ourselves quite giddy at the moment.

So what does our future hold: A HOUSE!!!! We have resumed our house hunting. We are looking in Apache Junction again. We loved the small town feel. Plus Apache Junction offers bigger homes for a better cost. Our lease on the apartment is up at the end of March and can't wait to be in a house by then!! We will keep Noah at the same school for the rest of the year and will switch him over in August.

We are excited for the changes that are coming to our family. They have been long in coming, but well worth this feeling of elation. Of course, we could not have done it without many prayers to a loving Heavenly Father, the love and support of family and friends, and wonderful kids who have waited patiently for Daddy to be done with school so he can play with them more.

Thanks to all and
YYYYYYEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Happy Holidays

Dear Family and Friends,

It is so hard to believe that another year has come and gone. It flew by so fast! 2009 has been a great year for the Frier family, hard, but great.

The biggest and best news of all is that Dustin graduated from Scottsdale Community College with his AAS in nursing. We are so thrilled that school is finally over. The kids are so glad to have their Daddy back. I am so glad to have my husband back. The next big hurdle is the NCLEX test so he can be registered. It's a huge test, but we have all the faith in the world that Dustin will do well and pass. He already has a job lined up as a float pool nurse for the hospital in Scottsdale, the same one where he has been working the last 4 years. It was our hope to move to Colorado, but with a job already waiting we feel Mesa is still the place for us to be. Our Colorado dream will have to wait awhile.

Because Dustin will have his RN, we will now be able to move out of these apartments!!! That is probably the best gift I could have. We only have a few more months here. We are looking at a move by March or April at the latest. We can not even begin to say how excited we are for that move!

We also said goodbye to Dustin's mom, Joan. She passed away on July. She was always so happy. The kids mention Grandma Joan in many conversations. They know they will get to see her again someday and that brings them and us peace and joy. We love her very much.

Noah has had a good year. He moved on from Kindergarten to first grade. He is reading so good and writing so well. He loves math, PE, and playing with his friends. He loves Mrs. Vaughan. Noah played Tball this spring and had a blast. He loved being the catcher and hitting the ball. Noah also started piano lessons this year. His piano book is awesome. Almost every song he learns has an accompaniment part. So, I have been able to play the piano with Noah. It has been so much fun to play with him. Noah turns 7 in February. He is growing up way too fast.

Daniel has had a good year to. He is in the same preschool program as he was last year getting extra help in speech. He loves to go to school. He loves all the crafts they get to make. He is learning to write his numbers with cute little rhymes. He is starting to sing for us- he never would before, but he will sing the songs he learned at school to us. He is still as happy and excitable as ever. He gives the best hugs and can be such a little puppy- literally. Daniel turned 5 in October. He loves everything Batman, animals, cars, etc... He and Jodi have become best friends. I love watching them play. Daniel also loves riding his bike and is getting really close to taking the training wheels off.

Jodi is my little Princess. She turned 3 in July. She is forever dancing and singing. She loves watching "Dancing with the Stars" and "SYTYCD" with me. She is always picking up new dance moves. She is such a hoot to watch. Jodi is so adaptable. She can play transformers and animals and all the boy games with her brothers, but she also loves her baby dolls, purse, make-up, and Barbies. Our one concern with her is her respiratory problems. They have not gotten any better. She has to do breathing treatments twice daily and she still catches any little cold that is in the air. She will be in Primary this coming year (for kids 3- 11 in our church). She is excited because that means she is a BIG girl now. I am excited because she won't be in a nursery room with all the younger kids spreading germs on all the toys. So hopefully she won't get sick as often.

Now that leaves me. What can I say- my life is pretty boring. I have been supporting Dustin in all his studies and work. I have been taking care of 3 children- not so easy on some days. I am no longer the Primary chorister (kids music director for ages 3-11 at my church). It became too painful. I was very sad to have to leave that position. I have been devouring every book I can get my hands on. I can read about 3-4 books a week. I try to play my flute on my "good" days. I just have to take some pain meds! I have to say that I have a wonderful husband who picks up the slack for me- even with all he does. I have 3 awesome children who love me and try hard, mostly, to adapt to my life. They help me as best as they can.

We hope this holiday season brings you much joy and happiness. We miss all of the friends we have made over the years. Please keep in touch. You are all so close to our hearts. You have all affected our lives in some way and we are better for our friendships with you all.

With Love,
The Frier Family