Yup. True story. :)Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!
We haven't been neglecting anyone..really......
After weeks and weeks of no internet and much headache trying to get everything straightened out..we are finally back online!! What a hassel. Remind me to tell you the story one of these days. It does have a happy ending. :)
We're starting to get settled..just about everything is painted and most of the boxes are unpacked and broken down. Still some things to do...but we'll get there. Here are some pics that were taken at our home inspection back in August, so needless to say it does not look the same now.
I'll try to get up some recent ones soon...
Our bedroom...(with their paint and furniture etc.)
View into the kitchen...
Carina's room......
Bathroom......
A small portion of the basement...
Our "to be" dining room.........
Michael's room...........
The kitchen again........
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
THE WHOLE STORY
Good Morning everyone...So, as Paul Harvey is known to say...would you like to know the REST of the story??
Back in July we went to go look at a house in Blairstown...it was a little bit out of our price range--our realtor told us not to bother looking at it--but nevertheless we went to go look.
Well, Mike fell in love with the place....we ended up getting a "tour" from the owners before the realtor got there and so we got to chat a bit about the place and things--which I believe was in our favor. We told them flat out that the price they were asking, we could not afford...
Mike and I talked it over and hemmed and hawed over presenting them an offer--not thinking they would accept our offer which was significantly lower than the asking price. Buuutt...a few days later (2??) we got a phone call from our realtor--the owners were offering us their house at the exact price we were thinking of offering them!!!! Pretty amazing huh??
We jumped on it....and for the next couple of weeks everything flew by soooo smoothly-we set a closing date for August 22nd. And it really looked like everything would fall into place by then. THEN--the bomb hit!!! We found out a week before we were supposed to close--well it was actually a week and one day--that the mortgage we had applied for and been pre-approved for, fell through. And the way it was put to us was that, we would not be able to get a mortgage anywhere for at least a couple more years. It had to do with Mike's new position and our income being commission...anyway, we were stunned and disappointed and ...you can imagine.
God is in control. There is no way anyone can deny it. A day later, I happened to mention our situation to my mother---who told me--that very day, her boss had asked about our home buying situation and found out about our troubles. She had gone to see a mortgage underwriter that very morning and mentioned us to her....we were urged to give her a call--maybe she could help. At the very least she would tell us if there was "hope" for us. Which I promptly did...and she was very confident on the phone...took a whole lot of info and said we would be in touch.
She went on vacation the very next day for a week!!! (keep in mind we only had a week to get everything together) We had her cell number, she had said call her even though she was away. Well...we called, and called, and left messages, and sent emails--starting to get antsy--and nothing. Finally, just as we were about to give up on her and the whole deal--she answered an email (claiming she had no phone service where she was)...
We met with her the day after she got back from vacation at a diner to go over paperwork...She assured us everything would be fine.
So okay, relief!! We got a mortgage....we find out that the septic (which failed and the seller was going to get taken care of before closing) has not been started yet!! And, on top of that--the well test failed. What does that mean for us?? A lot of patience and faith....which at times are not always easy to come by.
We were told the well was going to be re-tested and we should have the results by the beginning of September--a house cannot be sold by law without a functioning well. We waited and waited and waited...no results...no progress on the septic...I think it was just last week that we finally found out that the well test was good...to date, the septic has not been started. The town has not issued the proper permits yet.
So by now, we are into September--our closing date has been pushed back obviously...and we get an email telling us that we MUST close by 9/15 in order to qualify for certain mortgage assistance (without which we would be unable to purchase any house)...this email came the 11th I think.
We made many phone calls and raced around...and finally got a date and time for closing--Yesterday, 9/15 at 12:30pm.
We went to do the walk-through yesterday morning--and we got a "nice" surprise. Not something I should really be sharing with anyone I guess, but I'm sure we will look back and laugh someday...FLEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ew!!! (No fear, they are being taken care of, possibly as we converse here.) Thanks to Michael who kept brushing at his legs and arms. The lady who did the walk through with us was pretty disgusted. We promptly called our lawyer to see what could be done--who is great by the way--she really came through for us with everything. I would recommend her in a heartbeat. We were and are really disappointed in everyone else who was involved in the process.
So, okay we got prices from some exterminators etc. Like I said, its being taken care of today. This is turning into a long story!! Needless to say, instead of closing at 12:30--we didn't even get into the lawyers office till 3ish-pm...and the mortgage money was not wired in a timely manner (giving us a scare) so we did not actually close till 5pm...Till the last second there was always something...but Praise God, we are now in possession of a home...I have tried 4 times to get pictures up and its just not working. I'm sorry. I will try again soon I promise.
Our plans were somewhat skewed due to the critters, and we didn't want the kids amidst the things...but Mike and I did end up going over last night (and leaving this morning--yawn) to clean some (its pretty filthy) and spray a bit on our own, because after the place is bombed or sprayed or whatever they're going to do with it...we cannot clean for 24 hours....and being that this is Mike's only week off, we wanted to get as much done as possible before the weekend.
We're allowed in 4 hours after the fleas are taken care of....and we're hoping to get some painting done.
So after much, stress and headaches--we hope to be out of here by the end of the month. Well, we HAVE to be out of here by the end of the month. FYI we will no longer be having a land-line as of Monday, so if anyone needs to reach us, it will be by cell phone only. The computer should be up and running by the middle of next week..I'll have service till the end of this week.
I'm sure I've missed a few things, but you get the jist of our whole home-buying experience. I hope never to go through it again. :)
I guess that is our story. And we're sticking to it.
Back in July we went to go look at a house in Blairstown...it was a little bit out of our price range--our realtor told us not to bother looking at it--but nevertheless we went to go look.
Well, Mike fell in love with the place....we ended up getting a "tour" from the owners before the realtor got there and so we got to chat a bit about the place and things--which I believe was in our favor. We told them flat out that the price they were asking, we could not afford...
Mike and I talked it over and hemmed and hawed over presenting them an offer--not thinking they would accept our offer which was significantly lower than the asking price. Buuutt...a few days later (2??) we got a phone call from our realtor--the owners were offering us their house at the exact price we were thinking of offering them!!!! Pretty amazing huh??
We jumped on it....and for the next couple of weeks everything flew by soooo smoothly-we set a closing date for August 22nd. And it really looked like everything would fall into place by then. THEN--the bomb hit!!! We found out a week before we were supposed to close--well it was actually a week and one day--that the mortgage we had applied for and been pre-approved for, fell through. And the way it was put to us was that, we would not be able to get a mortgage anywhere for at least a couple more years. It had to do with Mike's new position and our income being commission...anyway, we were stunned and disappointed and ...you can imagine.
God is in control. There is no way anyone can deny it. A day later, I happened to mention our situation to my mother---who told me--that very day, her boss had asked about our home buying situation and found out about our troubles. She had gone to see a mortgage underwriter that very morning and mentioned us to her....we were urged to give her a call--maybe she could help. At the very least she would tell us if there was "hope" for us. Which I promptly did...and she was very confident on the phone...took a whole lot of info and said we would be in touch.
She went on vacation the very next day for a week!!! (keep in mind we only had a week to get everything together) We had her cell number, she had said call her even though she was away. Well...we called, and called, and left messages, and sent emails--starting to get antsy--and nothing. Finally, just as we were about to give up on her and the whole deal--she answered an email (claiming she had no phone service where she was)...
We met with her the day after she got back from vacation at a diner to go over paperwork...She assured us everything would be fine.
So okay, relief!! We got a mortgage....we find out that the septic (which failed and the seller was going to get taken care of before closing) has not been started yet!! And, on top of that--the well test failed. What does that mean for us?? A lot of patience and faith....which at times are not always easy to come by.
We were told the well was going to be re-tested and we should have the results by the beginning of September--a house cannot be sold by law without a functioning well. We waited and waited and waited...no results...no progress on the septic...I think it was just last week that we finally found out that the well test was good...to date, the septic has not been started. The town has not issued the proper permits yet.
So by now, we are into September--our closing date has been pushed back obviously...and we get an email telling us that we MUST close by 9/15 in order to qualify for certain mortgage assistance (without which we would be unable to purchase any house)...this email came the 11th I think.
We made many phone calls and raced around...and finally got a date and time for closing--Yesterday, 9/15 at 12:30pm.
We went to do the walk-through yesterday morning--and we got a "nice" surprise. Not something I should really be sharing with anyone I guess, but I'm sure we will look back and laugh someday...FLEAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ew!!! (No fear, they are being taken care of, possibly as we converse here.) Thanks to Michael who kept brushing at his legs and arms. The lady who did the walk through with us was pretty disgusted. We promptly called our lawyer to see what could be done--who is great by the way--she really came through for us with everything. I would recommend her in a heartbeat. We were and are really disappointed in everyone else who was involved in the process.
So, okay we got prices from some exterminators etc. Like I said, its being taken care of today. This is turning into a long story!! Needless to say, instead of closing at 12:30--we didn't even get into the lawyers office till 3ish-pm...and the mortgage money was not wired in a timely manner (giving us a scare) so we did not actually close till 5pm...Till the last second there was always something...but Praise God, we are now in possession of a home...I have tried 4 times to get pictures up and its just not working. I'm sorry. I will try again soon I promise.
Our plans were somewhat skewed due to the critters, and we didn't want the kids amidst the things...but Mike and I did end up going over last night (and leaving this morning--yawn) to clean some (its pretty filthy) and spray a bit on our own, because after the place is bombed or sprayed or whatever they're going to do with it...we cannot clean for 24 hours....and being that this is Mike's only week off, we wanted to get as much done as possible before the weekend.
We're allowed in 4 hours after the fleas are taken care of....and we're hoping to get some painting done.
So after much, stress and headaches--we hope to be out of here by the end of the month. Well, we HAVE to be out of here by the end of the month. FYI we will no longer be having a land-line as of Monday, so if anyone needs to reach us, it will be by cell phone only. The computer should be up and running by the middle of next week..I'll have service till the end of this week.
I'm sure I've missed a few things, but you get the jist of our whole home-buying experience. I hope never to go through it again. :)
I guess that is our story. And we're sticking to it.
Monday, September 8, 2008
BABY STAR
A new family of three...this is hours after the birth.
Mommy and baby.....
Estrella Frances VanderValk was born on Friday, September 5th at 4:51pm. She is a little thing...7lbs 6oz at birth and a mere 18" long er..short. She has her Daddy's nose and a whole lot of hair!!!
A new cousin to play with!!!!
Mommy and baby.....
Estrella Frances VanderValk was born on Friday, September 5th at 4:51pm. She is a little thing...7lbs 6oz at birth and a mere 18" long er..short. She has her Daddy's nose and a whole lot of hair!!!
We haven't seen her awake yet...though we've been to visit 3 times....
A new cousin to play with!!!!
So sweet...isn't she small!!
My first niece....
Michael kept looking at her like...wow.....
Michael was so cute with her!! He put out his arms to hold her and was sooooo gentle.
A parting shot...
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
SILLY
Here are some fun shots.....
Peek-a-boo!!
The things that this guy comes up with..He is just too funny. Too bad I didn't have my camera handy last night. Michael found one of Daddy's cigars and decided to "try it out." It was still in the package (a gift from a customer) and not something we want to encourage...but it was pretty funny to see him with a big cigar hanging out of his mouth. Little eyes see everything......I don't even know where he picked that up.
This little girl can pack away food!!! She took her first step last night....hopefully more to come. She has been trying a variety of "table food" and I haven't found anything that she does not like yet.
Sitting pretty....I don't know why this picture is so blurry.
That is all for now. I guess I have to go back to scanning in every picture--thats how I finally got these up.
Aaannnnddddd...lets just hope that no news is good news...we still do not have a closing date. :( Patience is a virtue.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
DAY OFF
Happy Saturday!! This is the first Saturday in 3 years (that is a slight exaggeration--though it feels like not by much) that we have had an entire day together as a family with NO plans!!!!!!!
It was nice not to have to rush around and beat the clock or worry about having to go into work...
Of course, we had expected to be closing on "our" yesterday... and so today was dedicated to painting and what not...but thats okay.
We had a nice breakfast, worked on this computer (arg!!) trying to get some internet connection, did laundry, got haircuts, went to the mall to check out dishwashers--(big labor day sales!!), stopped by Sherilyn and Joe and now we're home again...Mike is making dinner (thank you.) Michael is sleeping...he is exhausted and Carina is playing.
I don't know what the deal is...I haven't been able to get pictures up here for a couple of weeks. I'm sorry. I"m getting really frustrated. I hope this posts, cause I've tried to post a few times in the past 2 weeks and I haven't been able to.
So, I bet you're wondering what the deal is with our home buying fiasco...yeah??? Well, Praise the Lord, it seems all is well. We did a bit of scrambling the past 2 weeks. We hope to close next week, Lord willing. When the papers are all signed and the deal is done...I'll give you the whole scoop. :)
I guess that is all for now...sorry no pictures. I'll have to figure out what is wrong and rectify it in the near future. Ya know--in my spare time.
LOL.
Monday, August 11, 2008
BUMPS
HELLO EVERYONE...
YES, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED..ERR...ARE ENCOUNTERING, SOME BUMPS ALONG THE HOME BUYING ROAD....AS WE SEE IT, EACH BUMP IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRAISE AND A HUMBLING FACTOR.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: WE CANNOT MOVE THIS MONTH BECAUSE THE LORD HAS SOMETHING BETTER IN STORE FOR US DOWN THE ROAD. AND WE'RE SURE IT IS WORTH WAITING FOR. DISAPPOINTING...OF COURSE--BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL. IT MAY "WORK OUT" YET.
I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DETAILS, BUT DO KEEP US AND THIS SITUATION IN PRAYER. (MEANING--DON'T ASK). THANKS IN ADVANCE. :) WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED...
IN OTHER NEWS, IT WAS NENA AND POPI'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON THE 2ND. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. THEY HAD A HAWAIIAN THEMED PARTY. AUNT SUSAN CAME OUT FROM UTAH FOR THE EVENT. IT WAS NICE TO SEE HER. CONGRATS TO MICHAEL AND PENNY ON THE NEW BABY..
YES, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED..ERR...ARE ENCOUNTERING, SOME BUMPS ALONG THE HOME BUYING ROAD....AS WE SEE IT, EACH BUMP IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PRAISE AND A HUMBLING FACTOR.
WORST CASE SCENARIO: WE CANNOT MOVE THIS MONTH BECAUSE THE LORD HAS SOMETHING BETTER IN STORE FOR US DOWN THE ROAD. AND WE'RE SURE IT IS WORTH WAITING FOR. DISAPPOINTING...OF COURSE--BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL. IT MAY "WORK OUT" YET.
I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DETAILS, BUT DO KEEP US AND THIS SITUATION IN PRAYER. (MEANING--DON'T ASK). THANKS IN ADVANCE. :) WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED...
FAMILY SHOT...
IN OTHER NEWS, IT WAS NENA AND POPI'S 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON THE 2ND. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. THEY HAD A HAWAIIAN THEMED PARTY. AUNT SUSAN CAME OUT FROM UTAH FOR THE EVENT. IT WAS NICE TO SEE HER. CONGRATS TO MICHAEL AND PENNY ON THE NEW BABY..
CARVING THE PIG....
NENA AND "JAKIE"......
RENA HANGING OUT.....
THE HAPPY COUPLE.... :) CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER.
MICHAEL ALL DECKED OUT FOR THE PARTY......
SINCE THIS IS MY 3RD TIME TRYING TO GET PICTURES UP. I'M GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THAT FOR NOW. TILL NEXT TIME
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