Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Moving, moving, kinda moved??

(warning: long-winded but lots of pics to make up for it!)

Well, Sunday we made the move into the new house…..kinda.  We started sleeping here anyway.  We got our bedroom furniture, couch, Clara’s bed (which she will now not sleep in), and the washer dryer in.  We did not get that working until the next day or should I say Clay did not get that working.  He had to change out plugs, etc.  This is our 5th house.  This has been the most difficult move of them all!  It still saddens me to know that there are people out there that just don’t care how you feel or what you think.  When we first saw this home the yard was short and not overgrown, the pool was very nice looking and clean, the house was spotless, etc.  Well, we buy it and give some people a few weeks to do nothing and that is exactly what they will do!!  The yard hadn’t been touched in at least 3 weeks, the pool was all kinds of out of whack, the house was filthy, they even left us a present in one of the toilets.  To think these people wanted to lease the house back from us.  I even was trying to convince Clay that it was the right thing to do since these people needed the money to buy their other home in which they wanted to build a pool.  We said no, thank goodness!!!  They moved into a temp place until their home is finished.  I would hate to think what they would have done in a few more weeks!  GROSSS!!  I am sorry for the venting but it is so frustrating.  Someone cut themselves while they were moving and they just left the blood splatters/puddles all over the school room tile floor for us to bother with.  They left junk behind for us to throw out or just didn’t double check before they were leaving.  There were 2 PODS parked in the driveway in front of the garage, no less!  They also have not had their mail forwarded b/c there is no where to forward it to.  HELLOOO!!!!  How inconsiderate can people be?!!??  I guess we got a good taste of it with this move.  Just really frustrating.  As if there is not already a lot to do with moving anyway.

We still own our other home but have a contract pending on it.  We are praying this week goes smoothly and the inspections go well.  We are beginning to get a bit concerned as they have not had the inspection as of yet and no appraisal either.  It would be nice to sell it this go around but God knows what the cards hold.  He has the best plan!  I do know that whoever moves in is getting a spotless house and a freshly mowed, weeded, hedged, sparkling, clean pool to enjoy after they haul all their stuff into it! =)

We are beginning to see the light at the “moving” tunnel.  There is still a TON to do but we have most everything over here at the new house now.  The kids are loving it. 

We are enjoying the wildlife around.  They feed the ducks everyday.  The Momma duck and her babies hang outside my kitchen window and I get to see them a few times a day as I wash our many dishes….;)

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This was a tiny, baby turtle I caught sun bathing on a stick.  HOneysuckle Move '10 011

Here is our soon-to-be other Momma duck on her nest under our fish feeder.  There looks to be about 12 or 13 eggs in that nest.  We would love to see all of them make it through. 

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This was a new find of Christian’s today.  Do you know what kind of bird this is??  She has laid her nest on the ground.  You can walk by the nest without ever knowing…..but if Momma bird is there you will sure to figure it out.  She dances around almost acting injured to lure you away from her nest.  I am so glad Christian found the nest with 4 eggs in it.  The yard guy came today and he would have mowed right over it.  :(  I am assuming the backyard did not get much action before we moved in as these birds thought they had chosen a quiet place to nest.  We will try to be patient and somewhat quiet until all hatch and are safe.  HOneysuckle Move '10 036

This is Momma bird dancing around with her tail flailed trying to lure us away.  Christian took the photos of all the birds but the nest of duck eggs.  Good job he did!!HOneysuckle Move '10 040 

We have also enjoyed (or should I say the kids have enjoyed) the pool of course!!  Daddy and I have not made it in yet but plan on it this weekend.

Christian is holding Clara over the fountains…she wanted to be like her brothers.

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Loved this shot of the boys!HOneysuckle Move '10 017

They are lovin’ jumping off the upper level into the lower level!  Looks fun..cannot wait to try it!HOneysuckle Move '10 018

Too sweet not to share with you all!HOneysuckle Move '10 020 HOneysuckle Move '10 021 HOneysuckle Move '10 024 HOneysuckle Move '10 027 

On another note….Cullen got braces!!  I don’t have a shot yet but will soon get one up.  Please say a prayer for him.  He is really, really uncomfortable.  He is one tough kid so I know if he is having trouble eating he hurts! Today seems a bit better and I know tomorrow will be a little bit better and so on.  I keep telling him it will get better.

Sorry such a long-winded post with lots of pics….but it has been a while.  Wanted to update you on how things are going!

Monday, May 3, 2010

Meemaw’s 59th, Strawberries, & More House pics

April 27th was my Mom’s 59th birthday!!  We celebrated by going to Outback and then coming back over here for some vegan Velveteen cupcakes and some talk.  Didn’t fit in cards this visit because it had already gotten too late. I gave my Mom a date for us two to get together at her house and go kayaking together.  I cannot wait for us to cash this in together.

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Sorry the pics are blurry.  I have been working in manual on the camera but inside at at night it can be tough to do it on my camera.  I ended up setting it to Auto.  Meemaw getting her cupcake with her candles on it.Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 001

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This is GG.  She is my Dad’s  Mom.  She and my Uncle Jerry were able to make it over too. Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 008Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 007Clara had to blow out the candles too.  I love my Meemaw….she is truly the best Mom anyone could ever ask for.  I have learned so much from her and am truly grateful that God blessed me with such an amazing family!!  Happy Birthday Meemaw!!

Last week we made it to the strawberry farm.  We did not stay long because a certain 2-year old did not find it fun walking in the aisles to pick strawberries and was just not having it.  ;)  We did make a stop and ate lunch with friends.  It was a great visit and needs to happen more often!  Here are a few pics of the short visit to the strawberry farm.  We got enough to freeze and have been enjoying Christian’s homemade strawberry lemonade!  Excellent stuff!!Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 009Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 010

Today was inspection day on the potential new house.  Everything went smoothly.  We are having the septic inspected tomorrow.  Hopefully that will go smoothly as well.  If all works out then we will be moving in around June 15th!!  We are so excited! 

Here is a shot of the pool.  The best way to explain this area is the middle yard.  You walk in the front door of the house into this yard.

This shot is looking back at the front door after you walk through it.Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 027You then walk through the door and walk into this.  The two black marks in the wading pool are fountains.  They just were not turned on at the moment.Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 012Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 013

I am looking forward to having a space large enough to have family and friends over.  There will be room for everyone!Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 014

Okay…I know.  This is one of the things I am looking forward to most.  Finally having a gas stove again!  I have so missed the gas stove I used to have.  I cannot wait to make my first dinner on it!!  God willing!Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 015

I will be able to see what all is going on from the kitchen.  I can look out one side of windows and see the pool and the other side see the lake.  At my sink I can actually look out a window while I do dishes and see another side of the lake (canal really).  Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 016

Clara is posing in the master bedroom.  Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 021       

Clara is looking forward to baths in the big ‘ol tub!  She is not the only one….=)Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 022

This is something we are looking forward to enjoying during the winter.  A fireplace while we enjoy the view of the lake.  Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 018Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 017

Christian is hanging out in the rocking chair.  This is the view of the water from the side of the house.  It wraps around on 2 sides of the house.Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 030          

Clara in the rocker too! Meemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 029  

Backyard view

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This is part of the master closet.  This just cracks me up!!  How can one person have so many shoes!!  How can 2 people have this many shoes.  I joked with Clay that it will end up being our library….LOL  I said it jokingly but it might just really be.  =DMeemaw's birthday & Honeysuckle House 023

Hopefully everything will work out smoothly.  If not then it is not in God’s plans.  We will be happy to stay where we are also.  I will try to keep you guys posted.