Moving...As Always :)

After we decided to move now instead of waiting til Toni was born, we have been searching daily for our next home. We saw many nice ones, but for the price we were looking, we still felt we were making too many compromises. The only home we didn't feel that way about, was bought before our offer could be considered. So we ended up buying basically another investment (future rental) that is a brand new quick move-in. There is a peace of mind in knowing no one has used your kitchen and bathrooms before you :)

 We also had listed our current home for rent on Zillow and had so many inquiries and applicants willing to sign for 3 yrs at full price, that I had to take it down and choose one. We recently complete background and credit checks and we really like the family we have chosen. I know they will love it here, and take care of our home...while building equity in it for us :)

We are moving about a half hour away, which is a little closer to my mom, the kids' godparents, and my nanny. The yard is big and we intend to finally use this one. We will most likely be there 2 yrs and be on the hunt again--thankfully our realtor already pulled rental comps in that area and people pay A LOT to rent even 3 bed homes, so I think we are good. This home is a little bit smaller than our current, which means less to clean. It has real stained wood floors down, master down, and beautiful bathrooms and kitchen. I will have to get used to having one large kitchen sink as opposed to 2 (one to soak) but it's temporary. The loft game room will be the classroom most likely. We are set to close on or before sept 28th. Hopefully sooner so we can move some of our stuff and leave the big stuff to the movers. 

We also have a house guest during this move; our old navy game night buddies are moving here, after getting a job with John's company. I know it's such an awkward time for Jim & Shawna, but we've always said we need to live close again. I love Denbury and I hope they will too. As soon as they sell their home, they will be looking out here to buy. I'm excited for them! In the meantime, Jim is staying with us in between trips home. Sounds like he is doing well at Denbury and I hope he likes it :) He has been a lot of help with the kids...they love him!Can't wait to see the boys and how they've grown!!! And Shawna..you know I love you. 

 

We went swimming the other day with Emily and Susan's help--let L & O try to learn to swim for real--next house will have our own pool and we will get lessons for all 4...er 5 ! Glad summer is ending--ready for fall and nice temps to walk in again. And I love Christmas time :)

And poor Frankie was so brave today for his blood draw...his excema is so bad we decided to get him the same allergy test L & O got. He was the biggest kid with all the vials they drew! Hope to clean up his diet and get on track with everyone's sensitivities.

Clumsy

We were looking at homes today with our realtor in Highland Village and I fell pretty bad. Baby Toni didn't get hurt, but mom did! 

Side note...look how weird my toes are! People used to say I have finger toes...or spaced out toes. I def see it here. :P

I scraped up my knees, shins, feet and hand and sprained my right ankle and right wrist. I wasn't looking down and couldn't tell there was a step outside the house. It hurt and I had the impulse for a split second to cry! I felt better and John helped me up. We continued looking for 6 hours and it progressively got more sore. It's hard to walk on and open jars tonight. Idiot!

   BUT we found a home we really like and it's a bit pricier than we were looking, but the location is awesome for a short (or long) term investment. We plan to keep buying homes and eventually renting them or selling to be able to afford land we want to build on. At that point, we may live in a trailer while we build haha. 

   

    So we have put our current home up fir rent and have a showing already tomorrow. I love this house, but the plot and community is small, and 380 is getting too trafficky. I know the builders sales rep and she told me they will be starting a new phase in Savannah next yr and selling our model for much more than we paid---so we gotta hold onto it til that happens -plus the builder does not include some of our features in their base price anymore :) 

    So we are looking at a hectic next month or so, but I anticipate that towards the end of the year things will have calmed down and it will be a great investment decision. Plus interest rates will be going up in December so we gotta make a move! 

    The other great thing about Highland Village is its pretty much close to everyone we need to be; my mom, the babies' godparents, our game night friends are also moving down to that area from Kansas City, and our wonderful mother's helper Emily will still be close ! It's not a bad commute to Johns work either. I hope we can make an offer this week! 

   And tomorrows my 31st bday --what an awesome bday gift that would be!

Mr. O!

We recently heard from a high school friend we haven't seen in over a decade, and he was coming to our area of Texas on a road trip to show his parents possible areas to buy their "act III" house! So we got to catch up over a sushi lunch and hang out at the house--even play a game haha.

    Jared was one of John's close friends throughout school. When John left for boot camp,  his friends Jared and Alonzo helped me have fun and look forward to better times with John.  Jared is now a successful husband, father and teacher at a charter high school in the Bay Area of California. He is on his way into administration and eventually to be a principal. That's pretty cool! It makes us feel old to think about all the silly stuff they did--like the food prank on John when he passed out at Jared's house one time, and realize we are all growed up and boring now jk. I can tell he and his wife are great parents and I look forward to getting all of us together in the future :)

   Here's some flashback pictures:

2003?

 He drove me to an audition for a recording company in Altadena (?) I think. I was way too nervous to do well, and it was an awkward audition at best lol. We had fun and I think he introduced me to Muse in the car.

 In the AV there isn't much to do by way of nightlife. But we did karaoke and played pool occasionally. There's another one of John's childhood friends (who lived around the corner from him) Alonzo. He played guitar with me in a talent show in our junior year haha.

Side story--so when we were taking him back to meet up with his parents at the hotel, we went to the wrong hotel. It was room 303 we were looking for. So we go to the 3rd floor and look, and I swear, there was no 303! There was a 301, 302, 304 and 305 etc. It was really freaking us out. I called downstairs and they said there is no 303..haha. No reason. Anyway, he called his parents and we drove to the right one, but how odd!

It was fun to catch up Jared! Good luck with your career and hope you get the principal position!