Well, everyone, we did it. Last night we signed our loan docs which is basically an hour of "sign this" "sign this" "sign this" and POOF! As my dad likes to say, we are now a quarter of a million dollars in debt.
Regardless of how you look at it, we are super excited and this week is torture for me. All I want to do is to be at the condo to finish packing and then go put it all in the new house! I have Friday off work which makes it nice, but I wish I had tomorrow off too. Oh well.....Caleb has tomorrow off and is going to go shampoo the carpets so they have a day to dry before we move everything.
Thanks in advance to everyone who is going to be helping us over the weekend and to everyone who has helped us so far. We consider ourselves so blessed to have such great friends and family surrounding us during this time.
2 days.....!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Countdown Begins.....
Next Friday (the 13th!) we should be getting our keys......1 week from today! Let the countdown begin.....we are getting so excited and can't wait to be in our new place.
Pray that nothing goes wrong in the next week!!
Pray that nothing goes wrong in the next week!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Packing, Moving and Cleaning....Oh my!
Well move day is fast approaching, faster than I thought! We found out that our closing date should be March 10th which is just about 3 weeks away. Oh man, so much to do! We have TONS of boxes in our house right now but only about 5 of them are actually packed. I didn't know where to start. The only other time I've moved in my adult life was from my room at my parents house to the condo I'm in now when I got married almost 4 years ago. I've never had to pack up a whole house. So, I thought I'd start with my guest room closet because that has stuff that we never use but can't throw away. I got through about 2 boxes then was overwhelmed. So, the last two nights I took everything off the walls and packed up all the pictures. NOW it's starting to look like we are moving. I hate bare walls but I know it'll be fun putting everything up in our new place.
I know I haven't put any pictures up of our house, I keep forgetting to put them on my computer and put them on the blog. But thanks to Google Maps, Street View....I have this image of the front of the house. It's a bit grainy but you can still see how cute it is. =)
I also realized that I need to clean.....REALLY clean our place. New renters will be moving in and I have to have our place perfect in the next few weeks. That is daunting in itself to think of! Thankfully my dad is my landlord, that comes in handy. =)
I know it will all come together, I'm just anxious for it to get here and be done!
I know I haven't put any pictures up of our house, I keep forgetting to put them on my computer and put them on the blog. But thanks to Google Maps, Street View....I have this image of the front of the house. It's a bit grainy but you can still see how cute it is. =)
I also realized that I need to clean.....REALLY clean our place. New renters will be moving in and I have to have our place perfect in the next few weeks. That is daunting in itself to think of! Thankfully my dad is my landlord, that comes in handy. =)
I know it will all come together, I'm just anxious for it to get here and be done!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Projects around the house
So, Caleb & I are so excited about our house! We're officially in escrow as of a week ago, 6 weeks to go! Our evening conversations are pretty much filled with thoughts of what we want to do to our home when we move in. We are so blessed that the home is so clean and so nice that we really can just move in and don't have to do anything. Even the paint is clean and nice, and neutral. Though, we can't just leave it as is because that'd be boring! So we have some plans.
First, there is a wall between the dining room/hallway/living room, so we are going to make it a 1/2 wall with a supporting column. We want everything to be as open as possible. Then, we are going to put in some dark cherry wood laminate "floating" wood floors. Not real wood, but they look just as good! We both LOVE dark wood floors. We're going to put them in the hallway, entry way, dining room and kitchen. Next is can lighting in the kitchen. The light in there isn't that bad but we love an updated look. We are also going to take 2 hanging cabinets out that kind of get in your way if you're in the kitchen looking into the dining room. In place of the cabinets we're going to hang 2 glass blown pendent lights. We are of course going to paint but the colors still have to be decided. Thankfully we both have very similar decorating tastes. For almost 4 years we've been living with tans,light greens,dark reds and kind of Tuscany villa type colors. We are thinking that we're going to go in a different direction this time to mix it up, but we're still looking for inspiration. The carpet in the house is really nice and neutral so we don't have to change that. We also want to update some more of the lighting and add a ceiling fan or two and also update fixtures in bathrooms. All in all though it's really not too much work. Oh! And I really want to change the kitchen counter tops. They are a light pink 4x4 tile right now. Not really my style =) Thankfully we can live with them for a bit if we need to, because they are in great condition, grout is clean and no chips anywhere. But we want to put in granite tiles. Cheaper than whole granite slabs but you still get the same look. Caleb also wants to re-stain the kitchen cabinets.
I never thought I'd get so excited about home improvements! Everything changes when it's your own home! This morning I saw that OSH was having a sale and I looked through every page! Last night Caleb & I went to Home Depot just for fun, LoL. He is so excited because in the past I've hated just looking at home stuff when we dont have a reason to buy it and now I'll go look with him. =)
One thing that we'll both have to get used to is yard work. =) The yard isn't huge but the couple kept it in GREAT condition. So, that means that the other thing on our list to buy? A Lawnmower! I'm sure Caleb is excited about that. Hehe. I'm going to have to start studying stuff on gardening (though I have my mother in law, my grandma and my dad to help me!) because the current owners of the house have tons of stuff in their yard for me to keep up. Lemon Tree, Fuji Apple Tree, Plum Tree and Lime bush! On top of that there is a beautiful trellace of a pretty flower I dont even know what it's called, and then about 6 rose bushes all in a row, pruned down perfectly and ready for spring. I want to keep it all nice!
We can't wait to do our projects in the first couple months and then host a house warming party and invite everyone to come see it!
I am such an over analyzer and over-worryer (I dont think thats a word) and if you would have asked me even 3 months ago what I thought about buying a house I would have laughed and said that we can't do that or handle that right now. I'm finding that when you give things to God it really does work out! Yes, that is such a simple thought I know, but it's funny how certain things come up in your life and you really do notice it. This whole home process so far has been easy and I'm almost holding my breath waiting for something bad to happen. To be able to buy a home that is in such great condition in such a cute neighborhood from actual people and not to have to buy it from the bank or anything is such a blessing. We have great families who are supporting us every step of the way and we are looking forward to the future! I am surprised at how calm I feel for this and we just keep praying that God will continue to guide us and that we continue to seek Him.
Well that's about it, just thought I'd put what is on my mind. I'll try to dig up some pics of the house and post them soon!
=)
First, there is a wall between the dining room/hallway/living room, so we are going to make it a 1/2 wall with a supporting column. We want everything to be as open as possible. Then, we are going to put in some dark cherry wood laminate "floating" wood floors. Not real wood, but they look just as good! We both LOVE dark wood floors. We're going to put them in the hallway, entry way, dining room and kitchen. Next is can lighting in the kitchen. The light in there isn't that bad but we love an updated look. We are also going to take 2 hanging cabinets out that kind of get in your way if you're in the kitchen looking into the dining room. In place of the cabinets we're going to hang 2 glass blown pendent lights. We are of course going to paint but the colors still have to be decided. Thankfully we both have very similar decorating tastes. For almost 4 years we've been living with tans,light greens,dark reds and kind of Tuscany villa type colors. We are thinking that we're going to go in a different direction this time to mix it up, but we're still looking for inspiration. The carpet in the house is really nice and neutral so we don't have to change that. We also want to update some more of the lighting and add a ceiling fan or two and also update fixtures in bathrooms. All in all though it's really not too much work. Oh! And I really want to change the kitchen counter tops. They are a light pink 4x4 tile right now. Not really my style =) Thankfully we can live with them for a bit if we need to, because they are in great condition, grout is clean and no chips anywhere. But we want to put in granite tiles. Cheaper than whole granite slabs but you still get the same look. Caleb also wants to re-stain the kitchen cabinets.
I never thought I'd get so excited about home improvements! Everything changes when it's your own home! This morning I saw that OSH was having a sale and I looked through every page! Last night Caleb & I went to Home Depot just for fun, LoL. He is so excited because in the past I've hated just looking at home stuff when we dont have a reason to buy it and now I'll go look with him. =)
One thing that we'll both have to get used to is yard work. =) The yard isn't huge but the couple kept it in GREAT condition. So, that means that the other thing on our list to buy? A Lawnmower! I'm sure Caleb is excited about that. Hehe. I'm going to have to start studying stuff on gardening (though I have my mother in law, my grandma and my dad to help me!) because the current owners of the house have tons of stuff in their yard for me to keep up. Lemon Tree, Fuji Apple Tree, Plum Tree and Lime bush! On top of that there is a beautiful trellace of a pretty flower I dont even know what it's called, and then about 6 rose bushes all in a row, pruned down perfectly and ready for spring. I want to keep it all nice!
We can't wait to do our projects in the first couple months and then host a house warming party and invite everyone to come see it!
I am such an over analyzer and over-worryer (I dont think thats a word) and if you would have asked me even 3 months ago what I thought about buying a house I would have laughed and said that we can't do that or handle that right now. I'm finding that when you give things to God it really does work out! Yes, that is such a simple thought I know, but it's funny how certain things come up in your life and you really do notice it. This whole home process so far has been easy and I'm almost holding my breath waiting for something bad to happen. To be able to buy a home that is in such great condition in such a cute neighborhood from actual people and not to have to buy it from the bank or anything is such a blessing. We have great families who are supporting us every step of the way and we are looking forward to the future! I am surprised at how calm I feel for this and we just keep praying that God will continue to guide us and that we continue to seek Him.
Well that's about it, just thought I'd put what is on my mind. I'll try to dig up some pics of the house and post them soon!
=)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Off the Market - the housing market that is!
So............last night we signed our papers and bought a house! Escrow starts today, can you beleive it!? After hearing so many horror stories about people putting in 18 offers, or looking for 8 months, I thought "we are doomed"! However, our realtor found us a really cute newer home on the north east of town by the Levy/River that an older couple was selling so they could move to a retirement community.
Tuesday morning the sellers had their caravan at the house for the agents to see it, then Tuesday at noon my dad & I saw it with our realtor, loved it, so brought Caleb back Tuesday at 4. Tuesday night we wrote an offer.....Wednesday night it was accepted by the seller! All of this happened before the house even hit the MLS market online and before a "For Sale" sign hit the front yard. We are so blessed to have scooped this up!
Escrow is set to close mid-march so we have a bit of time to get ready. Thankfully, the house is in such great condition that it is move in ready and all we have to do is things that we want to do, not need to do. Change paint colors, things like that.
We are so excited!!!!
I have some pics but they aren't that good so I'll take better ones soon and post them.
I still can't beleive how fast this happend, thank you God!
Tuesday morning the sellers had their caravan at the house for the agents to see it, then Tuesday at noon my dad & I saw it with our realtor, loved it, so brought Caleb back Tuesday at 4. Tuesday night we wrote an offer.....Wednesday night it was accepted by the seller! All of this happened before the house even hit the MLS market online and before a "For Sale" sign hit the front yard. We are so blessed to have scooped this up!
Escrow is set to close mid-march so we have a bit of time to get ready. Thankfully, the house is in such great condition that it is move in ready and all we have to do is things that we want to do, not need to do. Change paint colors, things like that.
We are so excited!!!!
I have some pics but they aren't that good so I'll take better ones soon and post them.
I still can't beleive how fast this happend, thank you God!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Officially In....
Well, so it's official! We went to a lender Wednesday, got pre-qualified for an amount that we are comfortable with, and tonight are meeting with our realtor to start talking about properties!
Of course Caleb & I have been hunting all over online every day for a few weeks now so we have some houses in mind but we are excited to actually talk to our realtor about these places and see what really is possible and what she suggests.
I can't beleive we are doing this.........we are just in a lot of prayer every day that God will guide us to the right house and if it takes longer than we thought or if something doesn't work out how we think it should.....that we remember that we aren't in control, God is, and HIS timing is perfect.
We have a list of things that we know we want in a house, but I also know that realistically we will have to compromise on the way. Now, what we actually do compromise on, I have no idea what that will be.
I'll keep you all posted!
=)
Of course Caleb & I have been hunting all over online every day for a few weeks now so we have some houses in mind but we are excited to actually talk to our realtor about these places and see what really is possible and what she suggests.
I can't beleive we are doing this.........we are just in a lot of prayer every day that God will guide us to the right house and if it takes longer than we thought or if something doesn't work out how we think it should.....that we remember that we aren't in control, God is, and HIS timing is perfect.
We have a list of things that we know we want in a house, but I also know that realistically we will have to compromise on the way. Now, what we actually do compromise on, I have no idea what that will be.
I'll keep you all posted!
=)
Monday, January 12, 2009
House Hunting!!!
Well, after almost 2 years of people saying "buy! buy! buy!"..... Caleb & I have finally decided to jump into the pot. We are so excited! We both are in agreement that this is the right time for us to start trying to buy a home and have been spending TONS of time looking online at homes in the area. We already have a realtor we'll be working with, and we are going to meet with a lender this week (hopefully) and get this process officially started. It is a bit scary, but I feel such a peace about it, I really feel that God is telling us we are good to go. Caleb has wanted to buy for the past year or so but I kept saying no, I didn't feel it was right. Since we weren't in agreement, we kept waiting. A few weeks ago, I was praying about it and realized I was ready. My mom & dad are so excited because they can help us look since they've bought/sold quite a few homes. And my grandpa is excited becuase it means they'll be a new house in the family to do projects on! =)
Please pray for us that we make the right decision and that God leads us to the right place! I'll keep everyone posted on our progress =)
Please pray for us that we make the right decision and that God leads us to the right place! I'll keep everyone posted on our progress =)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Festivities
So - I have slacked lately with posting. So this will be the last couple of months tied into one. A lot has happened! Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and now today is New Years Eve. I can't beleive it'll be 2009 already. We are so thankful and blessed for our life, family, friends, jobs, and a nice place to live. Here are some pics of what we've done lately!
Jen, Melinda, Jess, Cara, me and Karin out for Christmas Dinner with the girls :-)
Jen (and Simon!) being cute in her Santa Hat
Me & Melinda!
Me and Jess :-)
Jen, Karin, Jess and Melinda
Caleb & I: very excited after seeing our Phantom of the Opera tickets. Thanks mom & dad!
Me, my mom and my cousin Amanda at the top of Bishops Peak. 12/27/2008
Ok, so Caleb & My dad were REALLY at the top.
Aunt Susan, Amanda, Mom, Dad, me and Caleb at the top of Bishop's Peak. Fun day!!
Me & Melinda being cute at a party. It took us about 10 pictures to get this one. :-)
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Tale of the Roast Chicken
I love to watch the Food Network and I love to cook. The longer I'm married the more adventerous I feel. So, last week the Food Network had quite a few shows on how to roast a whole chicken! I thought "I can do that!" So I set off to tackle the whole chicken. Once I got it home, I realized that chickens are different from Turkeys. When you buy a Turkey for thanksgiving, usually the neck and giblets are in a bag inside the bird. Well apparently it's different with chickens! I was not prepared for that. So, home alone, at 6pm, I am staring at this chicken and peering inside of it. How do I know what's a giblet or not? I have to tear the neck bone off? Yuck! So 30 minutes later I am fairly confident I have taken care of all that stuff.
Once I got past that, the rest was easy. Season & stuff with lemon, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. About 45 minutes into cooking I added chopped turnips, parsnips, sweet potatoes, onion, garlic and carrots. I also layered bacon on the top of the chicken to keep it moist (Per Tyler Florence on the Food Network! Good tip!)....it smelled so good!
So, it was done almost 2 hrs later. Poor Caleb, dinner after 8pm! We take it out, let it rest for 10 minutes then realize we have to carve it up.
Well.....it's kind of easier said than done for us! Caleb was so happy he got out his carving utensils and set out to carve away. It was taking a while so I checked in (with my camera of course).......this is what I saw.
STEP 1: Good intentions of properly carving the bird
STEP 2: Forget it and tear into it
STEP 3: Still kind of hard and messy but easier than cutting! Poor chicken it didn't know it had it coming!
The pic looks funky but it's all my yummy roasted vegitables! =)
Our chicken ended up to be shredded chicken that we mixed in with the veggies and it turned into a chicken/veggie hash. Don't get me wrong it had awesome flavor! But.....didnt look to pretty. Next on our list is to learn how to properly carve a chicken =) Good thing we aren't cookin' the Turkey this year or we'd be in trouble!
Our chicken ended up to be shredded chicken that we mixed in with the veggies and it turned into a chicken/veggie hash. Don't get me wrong it had awesome flavor! But.....didnt look to pretty. Next on our list is to learn how to properly carve a chicken =) Good thing we aren't cookin' the Turkey this year or we'd be in trouble!
You live and you learn........just another day in the life of Caleb & Becky. =)
**I'd like to thank my husband Caleb for allowing me to be a camera hound and letting me capture this fun frustration on film** =)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Apple Pie!
Yes!
I made one! (Kara Johnson Miller I know this is an every day occurance for you....so humor me...LoL)
I am NOT a baker. I am a cook. I love to cook. I cook dinner just about every night for Caleb and I am not afraid to experiment with recipes. However every time I bake I mess it up. Plus with baking you have to be so much more exact (which I have no patience for) so I stay away from it. I think the fact that I dont like sweets as much (and I especially dont care for pie or cake) has something to do with why I don't bake.
But, we got apples from Gopher Glen last week with my parents and my mom made an apple pie so of course my husband was begging for one. I love him, so I gave it a shot.
This picture is fresh out of the oven, and you'll have to excuse the bubbly bits on the edge of the pan. As I type this, it's still "resting" so Caleb hasn't tried it yet.
I'm so proud of myself!
I made one! (Kara Johnson Miller I know this is an every day occurance for you....so humor me...LoL)
I am NOT a baker. I am a cook. I love to cook. I cook dinner just about every night for Caleb and I am not afraid to experiment with recipes. However every time I bake I mess it up. Plus with baking you have to be so much more exact (which I have no patience for) so I stay away from it. I think the fact that I dont like sweets as much (and I especially dont care for pie or cake) has something to do with why I don't bake.
But, we got apples from Gopher Glen last week with my parents and my mom made an apple pie so of course my husband was begging for one. I love him, so I gave it a shot.
This picture is fresh out of the oven, and you'll have to excuse the bubbly bits on the edge of the pan. As I type this, it's still "resting" so Caleb hasn't tried it yet.
I'm so proud of myself!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)