One year ago from this past Saturday, we moved into this house on 8 acres. It's hard to believe it's already been one year! We asked the kids if they wanted to move back to the old house and we got a resounding, "NO!!" I think they like it here. What little kid wouldn't? They've got a huge backyard to play in, crazy paths and a clubhouse out in the big field, a bigger front yard they can actually play in without me worrying about all of the city suburb traffic whizzing by, and lots of sticks and dirt to play with (toys, too, of course :) ). We've seen lots of rabbits, turtles, deer, and all kinds of birds and bugs. Of course, some of the wildlife adventures weren't quite so grand (skunks), but still exciting.
Dan really enjoys getting outside to do work on our land, whether it be mowing, working in the garden, or building a clubhouse(to be blogged about soon, hopefully). Speaking of the garden, we are having a bountiful harvest, which is one reason why I haven't been blogging much lately.
I enjoy being able to walk outside with the kids, going for walks on our own land or just watching the kids play. It is peaceful and relaxing, and I like being able to see so much of the surrounding countryside from every direction. We still get to see our friends from town and I have long ago gotten used to driving a little farther to get groceries and other things. The sad spot of our year here was the loss of our little Mary Joseph to miscarriage, but we have the room on our land to create a memorial spot for her, which Dan and his brother have been working on this summer (to be blogged about soon, as well).
So, are we glad we moved out here?
Yes, Yes, and Yes!
Showing posts with label The Big Move. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Big Move. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Second Half of the Story
When I left off telling about our Big Move, we had just moved in and started the whole unpacking and settling in process. But, that is only half of the story. Once all of our stuff was out of the old house and into the new, then the process to sell the old house started. After some more fixing up and mega-cleaning (when your house is empty, it has to be super clean!), it went on the market on Aug. 12. Neither of us had ever sold a house before, so it was definitely a learning process.
Two days later, I got the first call from the realtor's office that someone wanted to go look at the house. The first couple weeks were pretty active, with about 10 different people going to see it. The feedback was good and I was on pins and needles, just waiting for someone to make an offer. Then another week or so later, on Sept. 4, we got an offer. It was a bit low, but we haggled back and forth, and then, on Sept. 9, a contract was signed! Yippee! The best part was that they wanted to close on Sept. 19 (the sooner the better for us). There were a couple minor things on the inspection, which Dan took care of, and then a couple days before closing, we all went to visit the Old House for the last time. Here are the kids sitting on the basement storage shelves that Dan built:
It is so much fun to run around like crazy in empty rooms:
Got to have a little wrestling:
The pot rack that Dan built (I miss that - there is no spot for one in this kitchen):
Outside at the hedge, I don't remember what it is called. Look at all those houses right next to each other. It seems crowded now!
The terraced garden that Dan made. We had cucumbers, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, radishes, and several kinds of peppers this year. I think next year's garden will be a little bit bigger. :)
I clipped the last of the yellow roses that were blooming and gave them to the kids. The rosebush was a gift and it looked half dead when Dan planted it. We were amazed when it went on to become a huge, blooming bush. (I guess I should have taken a picture of the rosebush!)
Then it was time for some fun with the cicadas (the shells only!). Catherine is actually holding one:
I think everyone got a turn to have a cicada shell attached to their shirt. They thought it was pretty neat, after the initial fear was overcome.
So goodbye, Old House!
Two days later, I got the first call from the realtor's office that someone wanted to go look at the house. The first couple weeks were pretty active, with about 10 different people going to see it. The feedback was good and I was on pins and needles, just waiting for someone to make an offer. Then another week or so later, on Sept. 4, we got an offer. It was a bit low, but we haggled back and forth, and then, on Sept. 9, a contract was signed! Yippee! The best part was that they wanted to close on Sept. 19 (the sooner the better for us). There were a couple minor things on the inspection, which Dan took care of, and then a couple days before closing, we all went to visit the Old House for the last time. Here are the kids sitting on the basement storage shelves that Dan built:
It is so much fun to run around like crazy in empty rooms:
Got to have a little wrestling:
The pot rack that Dan built (I miss that - there is no spot for one in this kitchen):
Outside at the hedge, I don't remember what it is called. Look at all those houses right next to each other. It seems crowded now!
The terraced garden that Dan made. We had cucumbers, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, radishes, and several kinds of peppers this year. I think next year's garden will be a little bit bigger. :)
I clipped the last of the yellow roses that were blooming and gave them to the kids. The rosebush was a gift and it looked half dead when Dan planted it. We were amazed when it went on to become a huge, blooming bush. (I guess I should have taken a picture of the rosebush!)
Then it was time for some fun with the cicadas (the shells only!). Catherine is actually holding one:
I think everyone got a turn to have a cicada shell attached to their shirt. They thought it was pretty neat, after the initial fear was overcome.
So goodbye, Old House! I don't know how people can stand having their houses on the market for months on end. It was stressful and ours wasn't even on for a whole month. Thanks again to all who prayed. I know that is what got us a quick result. Thank you!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Big 3 Year Olds
As you might know already, we finished moving on the twins' 3rd birthday. We celebrated a little that day. Note the "wash me" sign on the top of the bookshelf. I guess I missed the tops of our 7 foot bookshelves in my regular cleaning. :)
We mostly celebrated the day after with a little family party! Dominic and Anne intently study their cake, which Mommy picked up at the grocery store while they were napping. It was hard to find a gender neutral cake. I did find some cool, swirly candles, which mesmerized them.
Dominic got two new train engines for the train table. He was excited about them, even though you can't tell.
Anne got a baby carrier and feeding set for Pink Baby and the little Mommy went right into action.
She loves it!
Lest you think that I bought and wrapped presents the day after we moved, I actually did that a week or so beforehand and put all the party gear in a sack and carried it with me. See, sometimes I am organized!
We mostly celebrated the day after with a little family party! Dominic and Anne intently study their cake, which Mommy picked up at the grocery store while they were napping. It was hard to find a gender neutral cake. I did find some cool, swirly candles, which mesmerized them.
Dominic got two new train engines for the train table. He was excited about them, even though you can't tell.
Anne got a baby carrier and feeding set for Pink Baby and the little Mommy went right into action.
She loves it!
Lest you think that I bought and wrapped presents the day after we moved, I actually did that a week or so beforehand and put all the party gear in a sack and carried it with me. See, sometimes I am organized!Saturday, October 4, 2008
Recapping the Big Move, #4
Moving Day #2
As anyone who has moved with small children knows, it is not a good idea to have the kids around while there are big, heavy things being taken out of open doors of a house to be carried up a fascinating ramp into a giant, mysterious moving truck. So my primary job was to keep the kids out the way. We drove around a bit, checking out our new little town, going by the closest grocery and other stores and basically going to the old house when a load came to the new house and then back to the new house when the movers arrived for another load at the old house. Since we picked the hottest weekend of the summer to move (I saw temps as high as 107. Yikes!), the kids and I just had to stop for some ice cream to share at the old house:
Then back at the new house, Joseph checks out the backyard (yes, that is a little greenhouse back there):
And the kids get busy riding their bigwheels and taking their dolls for walks on the very large deck at the back of the house. The nice thing is that the deck only has a few steps to get to the ground (unlike the old house, where the deck was high off the ground and I was always afraid someone would fall off).
Joseph gets a lift from my brother after a long second day of moving. I am surprised my brother had enough muscles left to do it after helping with all our stuff. My brother, brother-in-law, and Dan's brothers, and a friend all graciously helped us to move. (If they had known just how many boxes there were in the garage and just how hot it would get, they probably would have all been "busy" that day.)
We took everyone out for a pizza dinner at the end of Moving Day #2. Since it was the twins' 3rd birthday the waiter kindly brought out some dipping sticks and chocolate, enough for all to share!
As anyone who has moved with small children knows, it is not a good idea to have the kids around while there are big, heavy things being taken out of open doors of a house to be carried up a fascinating ramp into a giant, mysterious moving truck. So my primary job was to keep the kids out the way. We drove around a bit, checking out our new little town, going by the closest grocery and other stores and basically going to the old house when a load came to the new house and then back to the new house when the movers arrived for another load at the old house. Since we picked the hottest weekend of the summer to move (I saw temps as high as 107. Yikes!), the kids and I just had to stop for some ice cream to share at the old house:
Then back at the new house, Joseph checks out the backyard (yes, that is a little greenhouse back there):
And the kids get busy riding their bigwheels and taking their dolls for walks on the very large deck at the back of the house. The nice thing is that the deck only has a few steps to get to the ground (unlike the old house, where the deck was high off the ground and I was always afraid someone would fall off).
Joseph gets a lift from my brother after a long second day of moving. I am surprised my brother had enough muscles left to do it after helping with all our stuff. My brother, brother-in-law, and Dan's brothers, and a friend all graciously helped us to move. (If they had known just how many boxes there were in the garage and just how hot it would get, they probably would have all been "busy" that day.)
We took everyone out for a pizza dinner at the end of Moving Day #2. Since it was the twins' 3rd birthday the waiter kindly brought out some dipping sticks and chocolate, enough for all to share!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Recapping the Big Move, #3
Moving Day #1, Part II
Did I mention that the kids and I had to wait a while for the moving truck to come? Here is how we entertained ourselves: making funny faces,
watching out the window, taking a nap on the floor, checking out the camera,
more funny faces:
At last the moving truck arrives!
We got to stay in our new house that first night and even sleep in beds that the guys set up for us. What excitement! And yes, there were doughnuts for breakfast the next day.
To be continued...
Did I mention that the kids and I had to wait a while for the moving truck to come? Here is how we entertained ourselves: making funny faces,
watching out the window, taking a nap on the floor, checking out the camera,
more funny faces:
At last the moving truck arrives!
We got to stay in our new house that first night and even sleep in beds that the guys set up for us. What excitement! And yes, there were doughnuts for breakfast the next day.To be continued...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Recapping the Big Move, #2
After a month of packing and packing (Packing Tip: Don't leave half-open boxes laying around if you have small children, you may find you got more "help" than you wanted.) we finally got to Moving Day #1. This was also closing day. A friend of ours watched the kids all morning (brave woman) while Dan and I went to the closing. That went smoothly and on the way back we picked up the rental truck.
Here are the kids sitting in front of the old house:
Two of Dan's brothers came to help and that was my cue to load up the kids and get the heck out of there. So I took them out to our New House:
We walked up the front steps and first thing Dominic had to check the doorbell. Yes, it works, and yes, I have gotten to hear it many times since. We also tested out the front porch swing -very nice. Each kid got to pack their most precious items in their backpacks, i.e. dolls, stuffed animals, blankies...
Here is our new fireplace, which is similar to the old one, except it is a real woodburning fireplace!
The kids loved to play in the empty rooms and explore everything, while we waited for the arrival of the first load.
To be continued...
Here are the kids sitting in front of the old house:
Two of Dan's brothers came to help and that was my cue to load up the kids and get the heck out of there. So I took them out to our New House:
We walked up the front steps and first thing Dominic had to check the doorbell. Yes, it works, and yes, I have gotten to hear it many times since. We also tested out the front porch swing -very nice. Each kid got to pack their most precious items in their backpacks, i.e. dolls, stuffed animals, blankies...
Here is our new fireplace, which is similar to the old one, except it is a real woodburning fireplace!
The kids loved to play in the empty rooms and explore everything, while we waited for the arrival of the first load.
To be continued...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Recapping The Big Move, #1
The last 8 months have been quite a roller coaster. First there was the hunt for a house on a few acres out in the country. We were looking for a fairly specific kind of place: out in the country, but not too far so Dan would not have to drive a long ways to get to work; between 5-10 acres with the ability to have a big garden, lots of room for the kids to run around, and a good spot for a few animals in the future; a pretty place with trees; a house in good condition so Dan wouldn't have to spend all his spare time renovating; a little bigger than the current house; and of course, within our price range (which had to increase as we kept looking!).
I remember the first house we looked at because it was on our anniversary back in Feb. It was a big white colonial style house built in the 1980's on 5 acres in the right area. At that time it was more than we wanted to spend (funny, because we ended up spending more on the place we got!). But when we got there, the realtor informed us that a contract had just been signed on the place. Missed that one!
There weren't a whole lot of places for us to see, so we had to sit and wait for them to come on the market. It seems like we went to look at one every couple weeks or so. Some of them we drove by and ruled out on the spot! None of them seemed quite right. Either they were old and needed some renovating, or the location wasn't quite right (one was literally, right next to the highway, oh yeah, that would be nice and peaceful), or not enough bedrooms, or a little too far out, or something.
So it seemed impossible to place our house on the market while we were looking because one, we didn't have to move, so we could wait for the right place, and two, we didn't want to sell our house and then be stuck with nowhere to go and settle for something we didn't like all that much.
Then, in May we went to see a place and it seemed close to perfect: 8 acres, newer house not needing work, a big shed, fenced in fields ready for animals, great location with more of a country feel, but not too far away. The only downsides were that the house was about the same size, and the price was a bit too high. Then our realtor found out that the owners had bought it only 8 months prior for a lot less than they were asking and she found out that they had tried to sell it themselves on Craig's List and been unsuccessful. So armed with this information, we made a low offer (it was still more than they had just paid for it!) and at that point the owners were not willing to negotiate. So we just left it there and continued to look at houses.
It was about a month later that the owners of the house reopened negotiations. It seemed like the longest, most drawn-out thing. I was ready to give up and move on more than once. Finally toward the end of June a contract was signed. The inspection and appraisal went fine and everything with the bank was good and the closing was set for Aug. 1st. Meanwhile we were busy getting the old house ready to sell (painting and such, you know, erasing the evidence of 4 small children living in a house!). I should say Dan was busy with that, I was busy with the kids. Then we decided that we would wait to put our house on the market until after we moved, a little risky I guess, but we wanted to make a good first impression on the market, and trying to pack, show the house, and keep it clean with 4 sometimes destructive tornadoes living there seemed counterproductive.
Stay tuned for the next installment of The Big Move!
I remember the first house we looked at because it was on our anniversary back in Feb. It was a big white colonial style house built in the 1980's on 5 acres in the right area. At that time it was more than we wanted to spend (funny, because we ended up spending more on the place we got!). But when we got there, the realtor informed us that a contract had just been signed on the place. Missed that one!
There weren't a whole lot of places for us to see, so we had to sit and wait for them to come on the market. It seems like we went to look at one every couple weeks or so. Some of them we drove by and ruled out on the spot! None of them seemed quite right. Either they were old and needed some renovating, or the location wasn't quite right (one was literally, right next to the highway, oh yeah, that would be nice and peaceful), or not enough bedrooms, or a little too far out, or something.
So it seemed impossible to place our house on the market while we were looking because one, we didn't have to move, so we could wait for the right place, and two, we didn't want to sell our house and then be stuck with nowhere to go and settle for something we didn't like all that much.
Then, in May we went to see a place and it seemed close to perfect: 8 acres, newer house not needing work, a big shed, fenced in fields ready for animals, great location with more of a country feel, but not too far away. The only downsides were that the house was about the same size, and the price was a bit too high. Then our realtor found out that the owners had bought it only 8 months prior for a lot less than they were asking and she found out that they had tried to sell it themselves on Craig's List and been unsuccessful. So armed with this information, we made a low offer (it was still more than they had just paid for it!) and at that point the owners were not willing to negotiate. So we just left it there and continued to look at houses.
It was about a month later that the owners of the house reopened negotiations. It seemed like the longest, most drawn-out thing. I was ready to give up and move on more than once. Finally toward the end of June a contract was signed. The inspection and appraisal went fine and everything with the bank was good and the closing was set for Aug. 1st. Meanwhile we were busy getting the old house ready to sell (painting and such, you know, erasing the evidence of 4 small children living in a house!). I should say Dan was busy with that, I was busy with the kids. Then we decided that we would wait to put our house on the market until after we moved, a little risky I guess, but we wanted to make a good first impression on the market, and trying to pack, show the house, and keep it clean with 4 sometimes destructive tornadoes living there seemed counterproductive.
Stay tuned for the next installment of The Big Move!
Monday, September 29, 2008
We're Back!
I can't tell you how giddy I am! After 2 months with no internet, it was exciting to have the internet guy come out and hook us up this past Saturday evening. My fingers were itching as he climbed up on the roof to install the equipment (being out in the country now, we can't get internet by phone or cable, so we are wireless). After 3 hours, he was done. I must say, he earned his installation fee.
So now, I don't know where to start. Yesterday I got on the internet for a while and flitted from site to site, paying a few bills online, reading a couple blogs, checking my thousands of emails (okay, it was only 500 and some, but Dan had cleared out some of them). Last night, I couldn't go to sleep as I lay there composing blog posts in my head, all of which were promptly forgotten by morning. I had a list going of blog ideas over the past couple months, but I can't find the paper on which they were jotted. St. Anthony hasn't pulled through on this one yet! Of course, if I accidentally threw it away...
So, my plans for the next while are to tell you (I'll have to go round up some readers, now, it has been so long!) all about our move to the country, our new house, all the unpacking, the selling of our old house, and all the other little various things that have been happening around here. And pictures. If I remember how to do it (lol).
Oh, and thank you to everyone who has been praying for our move/sale of our old house. It was so appreciated and I know it helped tremendously. Of course, the novena to St. Joseph didn't hurt either!
Bye for now.
So now, I don't know where to start. Yesterday I got on the internet for a while and flitted from site to site, paying a few bills online, reading a couple blogs, checking my thousands of emails (okay, it was only 500 and some, but Dan had cleared out some of them). Last night, I couldn't go to sleep as I lay there composing blog posts in my head, all of which were promptly forgotten by morning. I had a list going of blog ideas over the past couple months, but I can't find the paper on which they were jotted. St. Anthony hasn't pulled through on this one yet! Of course, if I accidentally threw it away...
So, my plans for the next while are to tell you (I'll have to go round up some readers, now, it has been so long!) all about our move to the country, our new house, all the unpacking, the selling of our old house, and all the other little various things that have been happening around here. And pictures. If I remember how to do it (lol).
Oh, and thank you to everyone who has been praying for our move/sale of our old house. It was so appreciated and I know it helped tremendously. Of course, the novena to St. Joseph didn't hurt either!
Bye for now.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Signing Off For a While
Hello all, as you may know, we have now just moved out to the country. We are getting ready to put our house on the market, so we currently have 2 mortgages to pay (yikes!). So, internet service does not yet make it into the budget. Therefore, we will be going on hiatus for a while. (Not to mention the fact that we will be busy unpacking!)
So, to all who may read this, please say a prayer that we sell our house quickly! I think I'll miss blogging, so hopefully I can start up again in a month or two.
Talk to you all later!
So, to all who may read this, please say a prayer that we sell our house quickly! I think I'll miss blogging, so hopefully I can start up again in a month or two.
Talk to you all later!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
A New Kind of Decor
Aaahh, time to kick back and relax.
What else do you decorate your mantel with when you've packed everything away?
Don't worry, Grandmas, Daddy was hovering close by!
What else do you decorate your mantel with when you've packed everything away?
Don't worry, Grandmas, Daddy was hovering close by!Monday, July 7, 2008
More Zoo
I am one cool baby.
Hey, Mom, look at me!
Peek-a-boo!
Playing in the petting zoo barn.
Look at those faces. I think it's time to go home!
Hey, Mom, look at me!
Peek-a-boo!
Playing in the petting zoo barn.
Look at those faces. I think it's time to go home!
Zoo Time!
Last week, while Dan and my dad were painting, my job was to get the kids out of the house. So, one day, when they were painting the kitchen and the hall outside of the bedrooms, we went to the zoo. For five hours!
We made a stop to see the giraffes and Catherine helped Anne put her sandal back on. What a big sister!
And what are those bars and railings for anyway?
Time for a picnic lunch, or maybe I should say, picnic snacking.
Then off to watch the grizzly bear playing in the water. I asked Catherine if she wanted to play in the water with the bear, and she said, "No! It looks yucky in there!" Smart kid.
It was getting hot outside so we went into the rain forest and it actually felt a little cool in there. Time to climb on more railings.
We made a stop to see the giraffes and Catherine helped Anne put her sandal back on. What a big sister!
And what are those bars and railings for anyway?
Time for a picnic lunch, or maybe I should say, picnic snacking.
Then off to watch the grizzly bear playing in the water. I asked Catherine if she wanted to play in the water with the bear, and she said, "No! It looks yucky in there!" Smart kid.
It was getting hot outside so we went into the rain forest and it actually felt a little cool in there. Time to climb on more railings.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
If You Empty Out Your China Cabinet...
...your 13 month old will soon discover that interesting fact.
If one child crawls in, another is sure to follow...
...providing endless hours of entertainment!
If one child crawls in, another is sure to follow...
...providing endless hours of entertainment!
Monday, June 23, 2008
We Have a Contract!
We have been house hunting for the past 5 months and after a month-long negotiation, we now have a contract on a house! We are moving out to the country. It's only about 10 miles or so from here, to the east. The house is only 9 years old and the layout is very similar to ours. The dining area is bigger (yay!), which was the main thing we didn't like about this house. The best part is it sits on almost 8 acres! About half of it is fenced off (they had horses) in a couple different sections. There is a big machine shed (Dan likes that!). Between our new place and the neighbor's property there is a woodsy, hilly area with a small pond. And as for neighbors, there are really only 2 houses that are within view. It will sure be different.
So, if everything works out, we will be moving soon! Yikes! Packing and moving with 4 little ones will be interesting, to say the least.
So, if everything works out, we will be moving soon! Yikes! Packing and moving with 4 little ones will be interesting, to say the least.
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