Spring is in the Air

It's been nearly a year since I've updated this blog! My apologies. (Do I still have any viewers?)

We're still loving the house. Decorating has been slow, but it's moving along. I'm talking old, wrinkled snail slow, but step-by-step, we're making progress.

What have we been up to?
MulchingSpring is near! And it's finally time for the grass to get some TLC. There are no houses in my neighborhood like ours and our brick is kind of low key, color wise, so we thought the red mulch would give it some pop. Barry and Brandon are still working on the project.

He didn't reeeally want to do the yard, but what choice did the lil fella have? Lol

We've been cooking...

We've had very few get togethers because we've been chillin!
We are still going to have a home warming (or summer BBQ warming?), but I just wanted to get a few more items inside - and a full yard - before hand. Don't rush me. We've got a 30 year mortgage and nothing but time.

We've been CLEANING! I promise that I'm hiring a maid service to deep clean 4 times a year, but for now, we've been holding it down ourselves. And let me tell you, it takes some effort to keep a 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house clean! Thank God, I have a husband who was raised by a super clean mom, I hate dirt, and Brandon can still be forced/threatened to scrub his bathroom and keep his room in some kind of...order.

I hate an unclean fridge, and I don't let anything go out of date. I TRASH everything that I'm not using. Sometimes Barry's left overs take an accidental dive, and that's always a sad day, but I keeps no old food in my refrigerator.

I've been decorating.
I love my new sage green cordless blinds! I was sooo proud of the both of us for hanging these babies. I'm going for contemporary, not minimalist, in my office, so I've a little bit more decorating to do. But here she is so far.

I made these curtains for my little windows. Pretty good for a first try huh?

Ok, I can't get off the blinds. See how you just push or pull them up???

I decided to use my own photography for pics in the office. I'm not done, but check out the picture of me at the driving range. I think it represents female strength and capability as well as femininity. Me.

Artwork for the family room. I got a great deal and it compliments my color scheme so well.

Cute picture of Barry and Brandon's baby sister...

Had to put one more picture of the boys working... Love it!

Living the Life...

It's been 2 weeks since we moved in and we're still not completely settled. Yes, we're comfortable and we've bought some furniture for the family room and bedrooms, but we JUST got the Internet up and running. And you know, if the 'net's not running, I'm not settled.. :-)

We all absolutely love the home. The architecture! The space! The neighbors! Other than exterminating a few pesky bugs, 1 stove eye that takes a while to ignite, and spending $$$ - we haven't had any problems.

Picture time...


The night before we moved (and closed). I was too excited to do much packing.


Barry realizing the agony of defeat (Tiger Woods Golf) on our last night in the apartment.


Right after closing and picking up the keys. Thank you GOD!!


Brandon carrying in boxes.


Barry exhausted after the move.


Barry talking to Corey. Awww...


Barry FINALLY grilling in his back "yard". Give us a minute--the grass is coming.


"Will the food ever be ready??"


"It's coming! I have to clown first!"


The boys. Believe it or not, this picture wasn't staged.


Barry and Courtney playing a game. Brandon pretending to be shy.


Brandon, way too excited.


Yep, Corey fell up the stairs with a red drink in his hand. We almost had a situation!

More than likely, I'll close the blog soon because I never intended to have a blog about our family, just about the home. She's here now!

Having your home built from the ground up feels like giving birth, in a way. We watched her grow and come to life and now we will nurture her and fill her with love and laughter. I'm still in awe and we do know Whom to thank for this blessing.

Now that our 2009 taxes have been amended (1040-X and 5405 forms), I'm in even more awe at the timing of the home purchase. In order to get the new home buyer credit for a home built in 2010 we had to close between May 1, 2010 and July 1, 2010. We closed on May 21, 2010. AND we had to sign a binding contract for the home before April 30, 2010. That binding contract was signed in Dec. 2009. How good is God?

Moved In!

Closing was a success. Quick, easy, and ultimately we paid less than we anticipated. We closed at 3:30 on Friday and only went back to the apt. to retrieve the essentials.

I haven't had a chance to update the blog because I've been unpacking (of course), but more importantly because I've been in awe of this beautiful home. I loooove my house. I'm just so thankful and appreciative of what God made possible. This home is everything we wanted: space, elegance, comfort, and NEW.

Summer's here and the boys will be in town starting next weekend. For the first summer e-v-e-r we won't be cramped and cranky -- we'll be spacious and smiling. Hallelujah! LOL

:-(

My heart is so heavy. It looks like we might have to wait up to 2 weeks to close. I'll know definitively tomorrow. If we do have to wait 2 weeks that means we need to change the dates on all of the utilities and be in this apt for another 2 weeks. My heart is so heavy....

UPDATED: We will be closing on time! I just gave it to God and he worked it out!

Almost Time!

This time next week we should be homeowners. Super excited and ready to decorate. I'll have to call my lovely and talented mother-in-law to help with the decorating because right about now I'M LOST!

Everything is moving along swiftly. The underwriters had a few questions; we answered, and closing is scheduled for May 21st. So much to do on the 21st: close on a home, pick my car up from the shop, court (for a silly silly ticket!), day before our anniversary, and hopefully I won't have to worry about a big proposal that's due on the 21st! Life's busy right now, but we like the action. :-)

Latest pics below. Nice and open. Perfect for entertaining. Yay!

The Very Next Day...

The workers weren't there this morning, so Barry and I were able to do a walk through. This was my second one in less than 24 hours and his first in about 7 days.


I really wanted this trash can feature. I hate seeing trash in the kitchen.

Update on closing: New date: May 15th!

Landscaping!

To my utter delight, Tamika and her daughter met me at the house today for a walk thru. We had a great time. Tamika loves to take pictures as much as I do. :-)


Guess what we pulled up to? Trees...grass...tan colored paint!


Tamika loved the crib. LOL


We've been friends for over 20 years. Wow!


The kitchen....



View from the front door. I didn't even realize we'd have grass and landscaping. Guess I wasn't paying as much attention as I thought I was.


What the hay...???


Why was THIS beneath the tub?! I'm going to have to tell my salesman about that.


And what's up with the dent in the garage door? Hmmm...


I took this pic because this is the view from my office to the gameroom. From my office, I will easily be able to see Barry in his spot (the gameroom) as well as everything that's going on outside and who's coming and going. Perfect spot.


I was trying to get myself together, but my girl was ready. LOL


Office.