Thursday, March 14, 2013

4 1/2 months old

HAPPY BABY!!

 

They Accepted my Counter!!

I am thankful to report that the buyer on our house has accepted my counter offer. I mentioned in a post earlier this week that the buyer wanted all my major appliances including the washer and dryer. I just couldn't leave them. We lost everything in the house. That loosing the appliances were pretty much not going to happen.

After much discussion and back and forth, I countered back and decided that she could have the fridge, dishwasher and the gas stove. IT KILLS ME!! I hate that we are leaving that behind. I got such a good price on it 4 years ago, it sort of feels like I am leaving a family member behind.

Though I keep reminding myself that I got the most important pieces that were pretty much a deal breaker for me. My double oven, my microwave and my washer/dryer. Hopefully the house we end up buying wont have gas service running to the house. This will make leaving our gas stove top behind so much easier. Though it is killing Jason as he really loved cooking on it.

So there you go. House has a buyer. Bank acceptance is next and that can take anywhere between 60-90 days. Which will give us plenty of time (hopefully) to pack up the house. Finish out the school year and look for a new home to move into.

Until then...we wait.


Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The house Saga Continues......

We have a buyer. Or should I say we "MAY" have a buyer. We received our P and S last night to sign. I took a glance over it and realized that the buyer has asked for all the major appliances to stay. Including the washer and dryer. UGH!!!

Our realtor told the 40 or so people that have walked through the doors since the home went back on the market on February 1st that all the major appliances including the washer and dryer would "NOT" be staying.

Normally when you do a "Short Sale" you have already left your home and take all the appliances with you. We however are still living in our home and because of that. Its required in some instances that appliances stay with the home.

The reason was a tough one to make really. We didn't want to be "those people" who cleaned the house out and made it harder for a buyer to get the things they need to live comfortably. But then again. We are short selling on a home that we are getting nothing in return. And in fact, we are loosing everything and then some. Including a great credit score. And having to rent for the next few years until we qualify for a new mortgage.
So it was pretty much a no brainer to bring our appliances with us. For the price we are selling our home at. Whomever buys it can easily go and get there own appliances.  Top it off with the fact we ourselves have no extra income to buy and replace said appliances.

So with that.....the buyer of our home might be backing out of the deal. If this happens to be the case. We will take our home off the market until we move. Then once everything is out of the house, we will re-list it again as a "short sale" and of course it will be without the appliances and "as is" though I will still make the house look as "new" and "fresh" as possible. Washing and painting walls if need be. Shining the floors and cleaning the yard. I might be short selling my home. But it doesn't mean I want to be a pig about it.

So now we wait and hope.  If the buyer agrees. We will continue on with everything and begin the process with the lawyer and paperwork.


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Its Official....

Our house has a buyer! After many sleepless nights. Countless discussions with our lawyer, family, friends and our realtor (a new one) we decided that the only way we could leave our current home was to short sell it. It was one of the hardest decisions we had to make. And only brought on a lot of tears and guilt. But knew that it was for a good reason. 

We purchased our first home in the fall of 2005. We bought high and ended up paying over $200,000 for it. We did a lot of cosmetic work throughout the last 7 years we have lived here with a major overhaul in 2008 that was unexpected and costly. Between new windows, roof, and add on's, it was another $70,000 worth of repairs and work we have sunk into this home. Only to never see it again. It hurts. A LOT.

The benefits of leaving though outweigh the cost for our decision to move. The biggest being. WE NEED A BIGGER HOUSE. No matter how much we tried or waited. This house was never going to fulfill a long term goal of living here. The market in our area was never going to pick up. And we probably would never see a good return on this home or even break even in a good 10+ years.

It was time. Time to say good bye. We have decided to bring all the major appliances with us. Along with some odds and ends from the house. We hope that our decision will not come back to haunt us. But will turn into a bigger and better investment down the road.

The next step is to get our paperwork in and pray that the bank approves the offer. Until then. Its crunch time for us to find our "forever" home and begin the journey of packing. Wish us luck.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Have you ever really thought about....

What others would say about myself or even you?  What I am talking about is your obituary.

I know this sounds morbid and a little odd for one to think about there own obituary. But after the death of a very dear friend of mine last year. It has been something on my mind since. This woman was amazing. EVERYONE loved her. She had no enemy's. She made friends wherever she went. She was active in her children's school and even went above and beyond in her children's after school programs. She was a fantastic preschool teacher. Loved her family dearly. There were more then 200 visitors that went to her wake and no one had a single bad word or memory of her.

So it got me thinking. Seriously thinking.

Who would visit me? Who would honor me after I was gone? Would I be remembered in a positive way? Would people love me and miss me? Would friends and family say good things about me or would it be a struggle to come up with nice words?

I know my husband and my children would miss me. Love me. Say the best things about me. And for that I am grateful. I know my husband would go above and beyond.

But would my friends? Who would show up? I can't seem to have the friends I have now, be the committed friends that want to visit me while I am alive. I just don't know if they would feel the same way after I am gone.

I care deeply for my friends. I may not be important in there lives. But I do make them important in mine.

I just have wondered about this. Life is so short. Time goes by so quickly. I don't want to waste my days saying "I should call that person" or "I should visit that person" but instead most of us use that time to do dishes. Or clean the house. Or grocery shop. They make excuses. They find reasons.

I just don't want to be that friend that makes excuses or finds reasons. I want to live in the moment and remind myself that I committed to getting to know this person. Making them a part of my life. My kids life. In some way, shape or form.

I don't want to be the person everyone forgets when I die. I want to be the person everyone remembers and loves and doesn't spend there days with a guilty conscience.

I wonder what others would say about me? Do you ever wonder the same thing?

Trisomy 18

I just wanted to let those who visit my sight often to notice at the top of the screen there is a place you can view about my experience with Trisomy 18. Currently it just has our "STORY" and events that took place in 2004. But I am going to be adding it as the days go with information of people to talk too. Questions to ask Doctors, your ultrasound tech. and even the genetic councilor. Ways you can bond and make memories before and after your little one is born. So stay tuned. As always, if you have questions. Please feel free to contact me at kiley@walkingalready.com. I am happy to answer any questions or just listen to your story.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Daily (Healthy) Diet Diary

Just in case you haven't seen at the top of my blog. I started a new thread called my Daily (Healthy) Diet Diary I am really excited to start back on my journey to healthier eating and weight loss. When I started  back in 2010 after having Oliver. I never felt better. And with summer soon approaching, I want to get back into the swing of things now. March seemed like the perfect month to do so. Everly has been sleeping through the night for awhile now. And and an added bonus is she changed her bedtime at 6pm which gives me the chance to go out after I put her to bed. The days are getting longer, which is a big plus. The best part, is there are no major holidays coming until the end of the month (Easter) which allows me to establish a good routine of healthy eating choices and exercise program.

So no more excuses!! If you have great food recipe ideas, or helpful hints and ideas I would love to hear from you. Words of encouragement are fantastic. And if you would like to join my journey let me know. Maybe we can even start a 60 day weight loss challenge. Its always fun when your working with others.

I am excited!!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Bucket List

A great Christian website I started reading back when I was pregnant for Olivia has a tread going that was titled What is on your Bucket List"  For those of you who might be unfamiliar with the term. It basically is a list of things you want to accomplish before you die. Though it might sound a bit morbid to talk about such a "list" I think its a great way to organize things you want to do in your life. Mini accomplishments so to speak. They can be as simple as learning how to knit. To bigger items like jumping out of a plane or backpacking across Europe.

I thought this was a fun experiment to find the things that are important to me. And see what I can accomplish. So what is on your "Bucket List"

In No Particular Order

1. Own my own Daycare/Nursery school
2. Visit New York City and watch a live taping of "THE PEOPLE"S COURT"
3. Visit Copenhagen
4. Travel to all 48 states (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) with the kids in a Winnebago
5. Visit Hawaii
6. See a active volcano up close
8. Start a website for bullying and prevent bullying in schools across the nation
9. Lose 60 pounds
10. Have a sustainable fruit and vegetable garden that will supply our family with fresh produce year around  
11. Find my first pen-pal from the 5th grade. Lori Huddleston (pretty good I remember her name)
12. Write my children's book and have it published
13. Live in a turn of the century colonial home
14. Own chickens
15. go on a HONEYMOON with my husband (never been on one)
16. take a family vacation to Florida and Disney World for 2 weeks
17. Pet a moose
19.Finish College (there are a few things I would love to do, but I am unsure if they are the right fit or people would think I was nuts)
20. Have a working compost pile (we throw out so much I feel)
21. rewrite any wrongs and say "sorry" to anyone I might have heart intentionally or unintentionally ( if your one of them. please let me know)
22. Join a jazz dance group
23. Join a gym for a year
24. Read a new book once a month for a full year
25. Finally get my Tatoo I have been dreaming about for the last 8 years!! Time to suck it up 

Monday, March 4, 2013

A difference 4 months makes...

Amazing what 4 months will do! I believe they each had a growth spurt during this time too! 

Olivia (9) Emma (6) Owen (5) Ezme (3) Oliver (2) Everly 11 days old
 
Olivia (10) Emma (7) Owen (5) Ezme (3 1/2) Oliver (2 1/2) Everly 4 months old
 

Friday, March 1, 2013

EVERLY!

WOW! Its been a long time since I wrote on my blog. We have been "EXTREMELY" busy around here. Between holidays and Birthdays. A house falling through last minute. Re-listing our current home to sell as well as trying to find a new one. Its been a busy to say the least. I wish there were more hours in the day to spend time on the main computer to work on my website (I spend more time on my ipad as its easily portable to be with the kids) and with Facebook so much more easily accessible to post pictures. I find that the usual case for me as my "go too" Here are a few pictures of the last few months of our newest little arrival.

Everly is all around a terrific baby. She has been sleeping through the night since 2 weeks old. And currently she is eating roughly 4 times a day at 8 ounces each. She is in bed by 6pm and usually up between 7:30am and 8am. I can't really complain too much about this new skill. She is starting to show some "stranger" anxiety. Something completely new to me as my other kiddos were pretty much "who wants to love on me now" She is almost ready to start sitting up on one her own. I barely hold onto her for support. Another few weeks and she will be doing it like a pro. Its hard to believe that she is 4 months old already. Time flies when your busy and having fun!

8 days old 5lbs 2oz and 18 1/2 inches long
 
9 days old
 
2 weeks old 5lbs 5oz
 
3 weeks old 5lbs 7oz
 
4 weeks old (1 month) 5lbs 7oz
 
5 weeks old 5lbs 10oz
 
6 weeks old 5lbs 10oz
 
7 weeks old 5lbs 11oz
 
7 weeks old and first smile and laugh
 
8 weeks old (2 months) 6lbs 2oz
 
9 weeks old 8lbs 2oz
 
11 weeks old 9lbs 4oz
 
16 weeks old (4 months) 10lbs 14oz and 23 inches long