And the search goes on

Well, the seller on that house wouldn't budge on the price. In this market, that's ridiculous. It's a nice house, but there are brand new ones exactly like it for 15K less. So that's exactly what we put an offer on yesterday. We found a brand new one that sits kind of funny in the neighborhood, but has over a half acre lot. Same floor plan, same colors, everything. HUGE backyard. No landscaping in the back since it's new and it needs some of the fence put in (it shares a backyard with 4 other neighbors, so it needs a few sections). We met a couple of the neighbors and I think we'll really like living there. Anyway, we put in an offer and we'll find out soon.

In the meantime, I got a call from St. Mark's, the Catholic school I interviewed with and found out I got the job. I'm very excited! From the people I've met and things I've heard about the school, I think I'll be very happy there. I'll be teaching 7th grade Reading, English and Social Studies. I've never taught history before, so that will be a fun new challenge. I taught 7th grade English for 3 years though, so it will balance out :)

We leave on Wednesday for Utah. I am so excited. My uncle rented a cabin in the mountains and we have family coming from Idaho, Pennsylvania, Utah and California. We'll have 7 kids under 8, so it should be tons of fun for my boys. They just don't get to see their cousins enough since we're so spread out. We have different games and activities planned for the kids each day, so they are super excited, especially about the treasure hunt Grandma is planning.

I'm going to sign off for now. I'm hoping to actually get my stamps out today and create, but we'll see.

So tired

of looking at houses!! The first house our offer was rejected for being too low and they didn't even counter. Found another house that was GORGEOUS! Tile, granite, theater room, upgraded EVERYTHING, but NO BACKYARD. None, a few feet of grass and only a two car garage. We've been going back and forth, but decided not to put in an offer because we had to many questions about whether it would work. No storage space inside and with no space in the garage, I just don't know. To top it off, the people were not happy about leaving and took all the appliances, so we're looking at having to buy a dishwasher, stove/microwave, and fridge. Plus, it's a bank owned and our realtor told us that those are taking anywhere from 2 to 4 months. I really can't wait four months. She's going to talk to the realtor for the first house one more time and see if they're willing to move on the price at all. If not, we're back to square one. There are lots out there, but sadly most don't have big backyards, which is something we really, really want.

Our poor realtor deserves a medal for putting up with us. I would say she's spent close to 20 hours just looking at houses with us. Luckily ( or maybe not so lucky for her) she's also a family friend. She's been great at helping us look at all options and look at how each house would work for us instead of just pushing houses on us. However, I told her I am so ready to be done WORKING with her and go back to just enjoying her company--LOL! Seriously, I just want a house and to have all our stuff back.

Forgive my whining and complaining. We do have some fun things coming up. Next week we leave to head down to Utah for a family reunion. I can't wait. Then Mike told me this morning he has to go to Portland for work in the next few weeks. I think we're going to tag along and go see my sister and my new (ok 3 month old) nephew. That should be a lot of fun!

Here's a pic of the house--think good thoughts. That the owners will give it to us for the price we need!

Happy 4th!

Ok, actually 6th--LOL! We had a fun 4th. My mom's neighborhood had a block party, and we got to visit and eat while the kids all played with water balloons and squirt guns. Then we lit tons of fireworks. Austin got totally into it this year. Brendan sat in Grandma's lap with his hands over his ears the whole time. I'll try to upload some pics this week.

We put an offer on a house this weekend. We'll know by tomorrow night if they accept the offer or not. It's a great house--4 bedrooms plus a den and a loft. Nice big backyard for the boys. We're really hoping we get it. As for the job, I'm meeting with some of the other teachers this week and if all goes well, I should sign a contract by the end of the week. Lots of things to look forward to this week.

We took the boys to see WALL-E today. It was a cute movie. I still like Cars and Finding Nemo better, but Austin LOVED it! Poor Brendy fell asleep. Crazy kid. Uncle Taylor, his girlfriend and Grandma and Papa came along too.

Would you believe I haven't touched my scrapbook stuff in over two weeks. I'm just not motivated and every time I do, I realize what I forgot to pack with me. I do have a CTMH order coming soon though, so maybe it will be the kick in the rear I need to start creating again. I just seem to be falling behind on everything, including my blog. Once everything gets settled maybe that will change.

Anyway, just wanted to check in. Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday weekend.

An update

Sorry, I know my posts are few and far between lately. Hopefully, we'll be able to settle in soon. Mike is here now. He starts his new position tomorrow. I still don't have a job. I interviewed last week at a fabulous Catholic school. I would be teaching 7th grade English and Social Studies and 6th grade English. I was really impressed with the principal and school. I should find out on Friday. I also applied for a position at Boise State University as a student advisor. Now it's just wait and see. We've been house hunting and have found a couple possibilities. I am so anxious to get our own place and have our own stuff back.

As for our house in CA, we've heard a few versions of what happened. No charges ended up being filed. Mike was able to get everything done and we turned it over to the property management company. Fingers crossed we get good renters soon.

In the meantime, here's a few cards I've managed to create. When I got here, my new Sweet N Sassy stamps were waiting for me and I had to play with Olivia. I just love her! The papers are from a retro mat stack I have. It was a thank you card for my friend Brandy who threw me a fabulous goodbye party before I left.

This one was for my friend Cyndie. She and her husband and kids helped us load up the PODS before we moved. The stamps are CTMH's July SOTM and Sarsaparilla papers.

Finally, another card using the mat stack.

I made a few other birthday and father's day cards I'll try to take pictures and show you all. One I made for my mom uses SEI's gorgeous new Poppy papers. Anyway, I'll try to be better at keeping up the blog--I've missed doing it lately.

Just when you think you've got it all figured out

Ugh! I just have to vent, so forgive me. Mike called last night and I knew it must be bad news because it was after one in DC. It was. He got woken up by a call from the Sheriff in CA. Apparently, our neighbor's 14 year old daughter and her friends were partying in our empty house. They'd also helped themselves to the alcohol we'd left there and were running up and down the street spraying our fire extinguishers. Nice! Parents weren't home and we don't even know how many people were in the house. Our other neighbors across the street called the police because they knew that we were no longer there. Thank goodness for them.

How did they get in you ask? Well, the girl's parents had offered to keep an eye on our house for us and Mike gave them a key so they could get the lawn mower and BBQ that we were GIVING them. What a great way to pay us back. We knew it was against our better judgement to give them a key, but I didn't expect this. We don't know what else the kids messed with or broke. I guess we'll have to wait until Friday when Mike gets there to see how bad it is. I last talked to him at 3 his time (one ours) and he was still waiting for both the Sheriff and the mom to call him back. Angry doesn't even begin to describe how I feel.

Still here...

I know, it's like I've fallen off the face of the earth. It's been an adjustment to living with my family. As much as I love them, it's not the same as having your own house and your own stuff :) We're doing well. I actually got out some of my stuff and made a few cards the other night. I don't, however, have a clue how to upload my pics onto this computer, so that will be my next challenge. We're headed to Salt Lake City today for a wedding, so hopefully Monday I'll have time to sit and figure out the pictures.

Had an oh so wonderful, life with boys story to share yesterday. Brendan comes running up to me with blood pouring out his nose and screaming. Turns out he shoved Play-Doh up his nose. Now why, I ask you, would he do that?! I guess the simple answer would be, he's a three year old boy. Life is never dull around my boys, that's for sure :)

Been looking at houses. Going out with a realtor early next week, so hopefully we'll find something. We fell in love with one from the description and picture. We'll see how it holds up in person. Would love to get into a place soon. Had my screening interview with the school district, so hopefully I'll get an interview at one of the schools soon! Ta-ta for now, I have to finish packing and get the boys up and fed.

We made it!!

Just wanted to stop by and say that we made it to Idaho safely. It was a loooooong drive, but the kids and dogs did great on the road. We didn't get here until one am and didn't go to bed until after three, so I'm a little tired today. Thanks for all the wonderful comments and good wishes for our trip. I'll be updating soon.