Praying for a new house

I realize I should have been writing about this all along but to be quite honest, I forget about the blog.  So here is an update:

Chris and I have been wanting a house of our own for awhile now, not a rental but one that is owned by us!  Last year around Garner's birthday we moved into the house right next door because the current house we were living in went into foreclosure. We really love the house we are currently in. Big, 4 bed 2 1/2 baths, big yard that is not fenced in. Great neighbors (not anymore), just a great move. Well now, the person that owns the house apparently has not been using our money to pay the rent so this house is going into foreclosure. What are the odds?!  I think there should be a law against a house going into foreclosure if the renter is paying on time and the amount agreed on.  This is ridiculous. I have heard of several of my friends having to move b/c the owner basically took their money and didn't pay the mortgage. It's not right! Not sure who I would email or write too but I think something should be done. Ok, I'm off my soapbox now....

Because of all this, we decided to see if we qualified for a mortgage. The little boy named Landon that I watch, his mom Aubrey,  deals with mortgages, so we got her to help us. We had to pay off a couple medical bills which fortunately we had the money for, and the credit score went up.  So off to look for a house.  One requirement was to have a fenced in back yard and with trees, not dinky trees but well established trees like Gran's backyard.  It also had to have 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms with a bonus room.

We found one in Mint Hill which is where Kagan's school, Queen's Grant, is located. We wanted to move closer to the school since all 3 children will be attending that school, it will be less of a drive.  The house we found is 4 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths with a fenced in backyard with trees. The yard is beautiful. The only thing the house doesn't have is a garage, but Chris can eventually build one. We really only use our garage for storage and to park the motorcycle. So it wasn't a huge deal.  We put in an offer and after back and forth a couple times they accepted our offer. So it begins.

As of right now, we are waiting for the appraisal to come back then we will have the inspection. Please pray everything comes back acceptable and all the loans, closings, and everything else goes smoothly.  We are trusting God to provide for us all the unexpected costs and anything else that might come our way. We know that if this house is the house God wants us to live in for the next 30+ years then everything will come together just right.  The closing date is set for July 31st.

Garner turns 2

 Well my Garn Garn has turned two. He is no longer a baby but a toddler (but acts like a preschooler).  He is such a momma's boy and I love it.  I would say I love every minute of it but that would be a lie. I don't love the whiny moments when he won't go to anyone else esp when I am in the process of doing something, but it won't last long. Time does go by fast.
He is a ball player. Any kind of ball, he likes. He can dribble a basketball like nobody's business, for his age. He is a sweetheart but can turn on you at any moment. He can be loving on you and then you tell him to do something and it's a short, quick "no", with arms crossed and lips poked out. He's darn cute.   For the actual day of his birth, April 10th, I asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner and he responded "chicken and chinch chies" (chicken and french fries). I thought I took a picture of it but I guess I didn't. And we had a Publix cake since we have a Publix that is about 30 mins away.

PS. I am having trouble getting these pictures side by side so if you know how to help, I will gladly take it!

getting ready to blow out the candle

birthday present

 
 

So since obviously I have no idea how to do a blog and put pictures where they are suppose to be, I will just explain. Sunday we had some friends over to celebrate Garn's bday. My friend Deanne made lasagna and bread and I made the cake. Mindy, Deanne's sister, made the fondant I used. It was my first time using homemade fondant.  Since Garner is so into sports, we decided with a ball theme. We didn't go all out like I wanted too, so we went real simple, he doesn't know the difference, and either way he is happy.

I just noticed there is a picture of Adaline and Garner in their pajamas, it's b/c I let them have cake the next morning for breakfast. (Liz, I know you noticed that)

Breakfast with Santa

Mt. Harmony also had Breakfast with Santa last saturday. Our neighbors go to that church and is the Children's Pastor so even though Chris couldn't go, I was able to sit with them and Alison was able to help me with the kids.  They had my kids favorite breakfast, cereal and doughnuts, fruit cup or a danish.

 

 

I was really impressed with Garner, he didn't cry at all. He didn't smile either but at least he didn't cry :)  Kagan asked Santa for an Xbox and Adaline asked him for a Barbie.  Kagan is going to be highly disappointed. We have told him and told him he isn't going to get an Xbox but he said he would ask Santa for it. Good Luck buddy. Christmas Day should be fun!!!

 

Our neighbors: Tyler, Justin, and Katelyn

Adaline's Christmas Play

Every year Mt. Harmony Preschool does a little 15 min Christmas Play. Kagan was in it when he went there and this year was Adaline's turn. Chris had to work the night before so he didn't get to go, so it was just me and Garn. I came barring candy, snacks, Ipod, and Leapster just to make he stayed quiet.  I tried to take pictures and video at the same time all while he wallowed over me. Needless to say I didn't get very good pictures or video, but here are some pictures I did get.



the little boy standing up is Landon





Wisdom

About a month ago, we got a letter home from Kagan's teacher telling us he will be presented with a Moral Focus Award for Wisdom.  Each month or quarter or something like that, the school focuses on a specific Moral. The first one being Wisdom.  In Kagan's class, they are to give each other a thumbs up which means "you need to check yourself" to see if they are doing something they would get in trouble for, before the teacher has to intervene.  According to Kagan, he "checks" people, trying to help out his friends so they don't get in trouble. He says this is why he got this award.  I'm not sure if this is the exact reason why he got this award but we are proud of him either way.

His school has assembly a couple times a week and in the assembly was when he was going to presented his award. So, Chris and I along with the littles went to assembly. This was the first time Chris and I had been to assembly so we weren't sure what to expect. Wow, to say the least!  We were impressed.   First, the principal walked up to the front and she said something like "Good morning students" and they in harmony (now this is K-8th grade in this assembly) would say "Good Morning Mrs. Morrin", followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, the school's creed, and singing My Country Tis of Thee and one other song which has slipped my mind. Then they presented the awards calling each child up by name.

 



Principal Mrs. Morrin



Kagan's 6th bday

I just realized I haven't posted about Kagan's bday......

We went to Kate's Skating Center with several of his friends- Austin, Caleb, and Tyler. Our neighbor's came with us to go skating then after skating we went back to the house for cake, ice cream and presents. Then for a sleepover. Unfortunately Chris was in bed due to having Pneumonia so he didn't get to join in for the festivites.

 

 

 

 

Time for cake, ice cream and presents

 

 

 

After cake, ice cream and presents the boys played until time for bed. I let them watch movies on the Wii (mostly Avengers cartoons or Caillou is what they chose) until midnight then it was time to go to sleep. They were all well behaved and I think they had a great time. I thought it was a successful bday!