Home Sweet Home Part 1

SOME of you bloggers have been asking for pictures.  So I snapped a few tonight.   I was forced to unpack the dreaded box (ok...I didn't unpack so much as I did just open it) to find our pool bags.  lol  So I grabbed the camera bag while I was in there.  I hope to unpack it tomorrow.  Before viewing the photos....

Please please try and remember a few things:

1.  Our stuff is OLD!!

2.  We're still unpacking and settling in some

3.  Yes, I know we need curtains. 

4.  Please excuse the blue card table in the kitchen corner.  It's our staging area for now.  It will go.  And eventually we'll find something nice for the corner.  A plant.  Corner shelves or cabinet.  We have time.

5.  These were taken tonight, not long ago.  So no sunlight.  Sorry.

6.  We're still decorating.  It's going to take time.

I guess that's enough with the disclaimers.  I can't believe I'm going to do this.....  Here we go:

Going to add curtains, a tree in the corner on left, and something pretty over fireplace
The boxes next to the tv have our gaming systems in it.

front hall
Please ignore the picture on the floor in the dining room  lol

Our ugly bar stools!!  We are currently shopping for
prettier ones.  =)

Coming in from Morning Room

I LOVE my Kitchen
Soon we'll be able sit at the island and enjoy a
movie at the same time.  lol 
No more food in the den!

Hubby's cake and birthday cards are on the island. 
It's his bday today and he won't be home until midnight.
*sigh*

The first one says:  FAITH is being sure of what you for
and certain of you do not see
Hebrews 11:1
the second one says:  BELIEVE...
All things are possible if you believe
Mark 9:23
Kinds sums up our journey
Also, we will have bar stools under the island on the left soon.  =)

Pink Dora chair is still trying to find a permanent home  lol
That blue table in the back would be that staging table
I was warning you about.  It's not permanent.  Something pretty
some day  will go there.  Until then, the table will go and it will
remain empty.

We seriously need a picture up there.  lol

above our picture table in the hall.  It reads:
I know the plans I have for you...
They are plans for GOOD and not evil,
to give you a FUTURE and a HOPE.

Our Hunter Fan in the Den.  We love it!  And we have it in white
in our bedroom.

So that's it guys.  At least for tonight.  I'll try and get morning room pics, dining room pics and bedroom pics soon.  I hope this will do.  Please don't laugh at my stuff.  =(  I know we need new stuff .  Eventually we'll fill this home with all the decor we hope to get it.  But for now, it's filled with love.  And that is what is most important to us.   ♥  =)

The fence thing, and other updates

We have learned that HOA is going to start up in January.   And as much as I would LOVE to think that it would mean money to be put aside for the pool.  I'm thinking it's going to go to care for the berms, sidewalks, and such.  We'll see.

Since the HOA is starting up, we have to abide by the current HOA rules.  (now if a developer takes over, they can change them)  So the person in our development that has the 6 ft privacy fence is going to be told they have to either take off 2 feet of fence, or take down the fence.  YIKES!  So for now, we must stick with the current rule of no fences higher than 4 ft tall.

There are currently no real limitations on what kind of fence it has to be though.  Just not a chain link one.  So you can split rail, wood, wrought iron, ect.  There is also no current covenant in place about sheds.  So if you want one, I suggest you get it to match your house.

I know where my camera is now (The last box I haven't unpacked.  It's a huge vacuum box.  lol)  I will be taking some pictures this week.  Just please remember my furniture is far from new and we still have a lot of decorating to do. 

We had a dinner party here last night in honor of my Dh's birthday today.  It was nice to host for a change.  =)

We have a list going of things to bring up at our 30 day inspection.  Nothing too major really.  However we do need our hall floor fixed (wood laminate).  It's bubbled up in one section.  And our shower isn't sealed properly.  Water flows outside the glass wall into the tub area.  Those are our 2 major things. 

We are currently re-wiring the bathrooms.  Who wants to flip on the fan when you first enter it?  You want it to be light.  My BIL come over to show us how.  He said it was just pure laziness on the work of the electricians who did the house.  I am inclined to agree.  But it's not hard fix.  =)

Otherwise, we are settling and very happy.  =)  Half of the lots in our neighborhood are now sold!  Less than 6 months ago, we were the 2nd to contract.  It's booming!!

I'm off to go return our rental keys!  We're finally done!  =)

Gas Water Heater

I have been in my new home a week tonight!  =)  Almost done!!  My girls are scheduled to have a sleep over tomorrow night.  We are at least that far along.  =)  Tomorrow we hang our few wall decors we have.  =D

Anyway........  When we contracted, we opted for the upgrade to the gas water heater.  I know in some areas, if you decide to pay a lot premium for special lots you get the most awesome tankless water heater.   I cannot even imagine what that would be like.  Why?

Well, let me tell you!

I have been fortunate enough to have gas water heaters most of my life.  After my father died, we moved into a new home that had one (20+ yrs ago  and if you've been following my blog you have probably put it together he died when I was still a child.  You would be correct.  But that's a whole other story).  And since being married, most of our homes have had one (all but our 1st one), even though all our homes had been previously lived in.

The hot water was nice, and from what knowledge I had gained from conversations with others, it heated up faster and kept water warmer, longer, than electric ones.  Okay.  If you say so.  *shrugs*  What did I know?

Well, this I do know:  The hot water here is amazing!  They must have done some pretty great upgrades in the past 10 or so years.  The water here is hot almost instantly and stays hotter, longer.  I use to have to turn on the shower and wait a few minutes for it warm up.  Not any more!  =D  Insta-hot!  And the knob does not even need to go as far over as all my other homes for the water to be even hotter.

NO worries!!  I am a responsible parent and always check and re-check the temperature of the water before my kiddos shower or get bathed.  And the hot water heater set to what we are use too.  I am just so amazed by how wonderfully it works!!

Now I cannot, with any knowledge, speak on how the electric hot waters heaters work.  But I can tell you that if you decide to upgrade to the gas one, that it is awesome!  Instant hot showers, ROCK!!!  lol

*note:  please feel free to comment if you have an electric hot water heater on how well it works if you have one! 

In the mean time, I just wanted to write my opinion on this upgrade.  And my opinion is, it is WELL worth it.  If you have the means (as I don't know the cost of the upgrade in every area or for each model), I suggest you look into it.  Just my thoughts though.  I am one very satisfied customer!

Word of advice for your pre-drywall meetings (electrical)

Find out where your half-hots are going to be.  There are several here that are just completely in the wrong the spot.  We knew where the outlets were all going, but we had no idea which ones would be the half-hots.  We should asked and then have specified where the we would have liked half-hot ones to be.   >=/

For instance, in the Den, it's in a corner we will NEVER have any lights, between the fireplace and the tv.  In the corner....   Really?   It should have gone behind the couch.

And they stuck the half-hot in the study next to the internet line.  Really?  So you want me to turn my computer stuff on and off by the switch?  Um.....NO!  We fixed that by getting a surge protector that plugged into the wall in the one socket that wasn't controlled by the switch.  It covers the hot plate socket and has several other sockets for us to use.  At least we could fix this one.  We can't fix the den.

OH... and if you are getting a light in the morning room, discuss where the switch for the actual light will go.   We have a switch when you first walk into the M.R. that works a half-hot we'll never use.  We have to walk to the back of the M.R. and use that switch for the actual light.  Who's bright idea was that?

I would definitely discuss things like this with your PMs before drywall goes up.  Just a thought!


On the whole, we are so incredibly pleased.  The house is beautiful.  And our PM showed up today with several carpet guys and fixed our carpet tack problem.  (Sorry BD, my camera is still in one of the few boxes we have left to unpack).  They knocked it out in maybe 10 minutes.  Could have be less than that!

We LOVE our new fridge!!  =)  It's most awesome!   They did knock the thermostat off the wall bringing it in though.  lol  And I cooked our first meal in the house.  No more take out and subway and pizza.  lol  No more fast food!!  (Thank God!!  My skin and stomach can't take any more!)  I even sat down and did the girls' nails tonight.  =)  

Oh, and I LOVE my kitchen!!  In my old kitchen, the light in it was not enough to really cook by.  I cooked tonight with NO lights on and still has more light than my old kitchen.  =) 

My FIL is going to help us purchase and install hardware on the cabinets.  He is just full of surprises!  Some of the cabinets and drawers are hard to open without hardware to grab.  But the cabinets are beautiful!

My family signed a contract and is waiting to approval for the loan.  Fingers crossed and prayers being said there.  I would love to have them neighbors.

Life is very good right now.  Moving is stressful.  Remind yourselves of this!  Communication is very important.  Be VERY clear with your significant other upfront about ideas and plans.  lol  We kinda learned this one the hard way.  Learn from our mistakes!  lol

All is well and good.  We are all very happy here.  Even our dog seems to be finally settling in.  =)  Hope ya'll are doing well too!

Home Sweet Home

I finally got to sleep in my bed last night.  AHHHHHH!!!

I got to tell you, it's kinda weird.  Anytime we've ever moved before, there as been an adjustment period.  We've moved in, and even though our stuff was there, it took some time to see it as home and feel like home. 

NOT THIS TIME!!

No adjustments needed.  And it's not just me.  It's like this for my kids and husband too.   It truly feels like home.  =)  Kinda like we've been here for years (minus all the boxes that remind us we haven't been).  I never knew it could be this way.  It feels great!

Some things to keep in mind when you move:

1.  Put your beds up ASAP.  We didn't get our bed up until it almost too late.  Not fun.  You are tired and just want to go to bed.  Make sure it's done once the trucks are unloaded.

2.  Daylight only lasts so long.  Take advantage if you don't have over-head lighting in yet.  (for example, you may want to get some of those overhead lights up and working)

3.  Blinds/shades are good thing!!  The sun sure does come up early!!  lol 

Boxes can wait.  Get what you need out immediately!!  But some of it can be put off until these things are accomplished.  And the more help you have, the better.  We couldn't have done this without all the wonderful people who put in their hard work and long hours to help us.

There was an update on the carpet tacks around the banister:

1.  My daughter is all caught up on her tetanus shots, so the doc said she wouldn't need it.  Other wise, guess where we would be this a.m.? 
2.  Our PM came by personally this morning.  I wasn't dressed yet, so I ran.  lol  He did talk to my hubby though.  Long story short, they are going to come fix the tacks at the banister upstairs.  =)   My kids love that banister.  Especially my toddler.  They love being able to look down and talk to us from it. 

I hate that any of them got hurt like that.  But I'm thankful if anyone had too, it was my eldest and not my baby.  My eldest handled it like trooper.  I'm not sure my youngest or middle girl would have done so well.  And I am super impressed our PM came by personally to talk to us about it!

Ok...off to unpack and do more things around here.  I have never been more motivated to get things done!  =)

My new neighbors! You won't beleive tihs! Small world!

No worries Anons!!  It's not that kind of post.

I KNOW my neighbors!  I was so shocked when I found out who they were.  They were the parents of an ex-boyfriend of my sister.

The neighbors up the road came down and invited us to come watch fireworks tonight.  It was their child's birthday and they wanted to come and say hello and invited us to come.  I was sooooo hoping to go say hello.  Unfortunately, we were losing light, and needed to get things unpacked and done (including putting up some lights) while we had the help here to do it.  So we never made it.  I hope they aren't too upset and can understand.  My kids would have loved it.  And even though I look like crap after moving all day, I would have loved to met some more people in our neighborhood.  =(   I hope they understand.

We had 2 full truck loads today (26 ft u-haul).  But it's all here now.  Our beds are done, furniture is where it needs to be.  Kitchen is unpacked, clothes put away, girls rooms 90% done.  We still have a lot to do, but if you ask me, we've done a lot.  We even have the china unpacked!

I am enjoying my first glass of wine here, on my couch.  =)  It's nice to have furniture!! And I can't imagine how nice it will be to actually sleep in my own bed tonight!

My daughter did slice her foot open pretty good tonight on a carpet tack.  They didn't ... file them down?  bend them?  .... whatever needed to be done to them, and it's horrible.  I sent a message to our PM.  I'm not sure if ti's something we can fixed asap, or if we have to wait.  But I wanted to let him know the whole house needs that fixed.

Other than that, we are tired, sore, and completely content and happy.  =)   Life is good!  And we've have had a ton of help.  My family helped us move and some of our friends.  His side of the family helped out with the unpacking and putting things away.  It's been amazing.  And we've made some memories.   Hopefully by Tuesday, we'll have blinds in all the windows.  Drywall people made a few "oops" and some of the blinds need trimmed up to fit now.  But that's okay.  Shouldn't be a hard or expensive fix.  And it's not all the windows.  =)

So now it's time for Big Brother and time with my man.  Life is good!  God is good!

the big day

Well today is the big day!!  Our furniture arrives!!  (eventually).  lol

My kids and I have been camping out in the house.  The first night my sister and her kids were here too.  Last night was just us.  It was nice.  We watched Mrs. Doubtfire and just chilled out. 

Moving in this heat is HORRILBE!!!  But we all stayed hydrated.  I had a super crew helping me and bought them all lunch.  I am super duper sore today.  But, we were able to get some of the smaller furniture here and all the boxes here yesterday.  I have gotten all I can get unpacked done without the rest of the furniture to here.  I need it to finish to the unpacking.  And even though my kitchen is unpacked, it's going to need some tweaking over time.  lol 

Men:  We know how hard it is to move!  That furniture is heavy!!  But you do pretty much know where all the furniture will go.  Do you have any clue how long it takes and how mentally draining it can be (if you have NO idea what you're going to do to begin with) to unpack a kitchen?  lol   Tons of the little things you have NO IDEA what to do with.  lol  I'm just glad it's done.  lol

And our shower.... AMAZING!!!  I took my toddler up to jump in the shower last night (well, she just kinda walked in with her clothes on and plopped down.  lol)  And then another daughter came up and wanted a shower "in the big shower too".  So all three of us fit in it...NO PROBLEM!!  Lots of room!!  Not that we'll be doing it again.  But it was nice to know we had that much room!  So much better than barely having enough to raise your arms to wash your own hair! 

I also got to admit, I love waking up and having my coffee in our morning room.  It just does something to soul to sit there, and look at the scenery and the peace and quiet.  I'm betting if all this construction were to to finally stop, we'd have deer.  We did have a HUGE wild turkey for a little while (seriously...bigger than my toddler) but it's gone now.

I LOVE my home!!  I think KNOW we are going to be very happy here!

OH....and let me tell you about my neighbor!  Shoot, out of time.  I have to get going.  Big day and all.  I'll tell ya'll tonight.

TTYS!