SOLD

So last night James and I signed a contract on our current home! After a few back and forth's with the buyer we finally came to an agreement. This is our first time selling a home and to be honest I am way more stressed then I ever thought I would be. I am not usually one to stress out or become overwhelmed. I am usually the calm and cool one telling James to "relax, it will all work out, or it won't". Did you know that when you sell your house you are supposed to leave curtains, or anything attached to the wall?? (like mounted TV's) - I didn't. I had to add in exclusions just to be able to keep the curtains that match Levi's bedding....why in the world would someone want curtains that don't match anything they have?

see his matching curtains? Why would she want those?

Somehow I ended up giving up my drapes in the livingroom, master bedroom and bathroom. I fought for Levi's curtains, though. We are being required to paint a few rooms (one we JUST finished not too long ago. I am bummed about painting it back now), get the carpet cleaned (no big deal), and leave the pool (no big deal either, new house has a pool!!) The main thing we went back and forth on was the buyers wanting to keep Cori's playground.

So cool. I wish I had one when I was young!

We originally thought we could leave it but when it came down to it I knew we had to keep it and take it with us for a few reasons. Cori was very upset when we asked if it was okay to leave it. I knew that once we got in the new house that James would never buy and assemble another one after the trouble (and lots of curse words) he experienced putting the first one together. She plays on it all the time and I couldn't imagine breaking her little heart.

The other things the buyers asked to keep was the TV, stereo and speakers on the patio. James was okay with this because when we purchased these things we didn't spend a lot of money. We knew that they would stay outside all the time and we didn't want to spend a lot in case the {horrid} humidity in Houston ruined them. So far so good - and he's kinda relieved that he doesn't have to climb on a 15' ladder to take them down anyway. They buyers were happy! We are happy.

TV on the wall, and stereo on the little shelf will stay.

One last thing the buyers asked for - which I thought was kind of weird was a piece of rot iron I had on the wall of my entry way. Quick Story: I bought it with my Memaw in Ft. Worth about 4 years ago. We went into a store that was closing down and it had a price tag of $180 - I kept coming back to it over and over telling myself there is no way I could spend almost two hundred dollars on it, James would kill me. Finally we were about to leave and I said "screw it, I'm getting it" when I went to the counter to purchase it rang up for FOUR DOLLARS....yes, $4. I think I almost peed on myself! My little cancer ridden Memaw, who wasn't getting around very well basically did a cart wheel. We were both so excited. We were laughing and so giddy over it b/c we both originally thought I was crazy buying it. We somehow managed to get this huge piece of iron into the backseat of my little Altima, squeezed poor memaw in, and load up her wheel chair. We laughed and giggled all the way back to her house. It sat in my house for about 2 months before I could figure out what to do with it. I painted a huge rectangle on the wall and hung it up. James wasn't thrilled with it, but I loved it. Mostly because of the story & memory. My Memaw died in January of 2011. When I saw on the contract that she wanted that piece to stay, tears flooded my eyes. James knew why I was upset, but poor Jackie (our Realtor) had no idea. James was so sweet, he just told Jackie that I wasn't giving that up. She didn't ask any questions....just scratched it out. I know the stupid piece of iron isn't that spectacular, but something told me to buy it, even thought it was way too expensive and the memory of me and my little Memaw laughing and being so excited wasn't something I was willing to give up.

The best picture I could find (iPhone ick)

Anyway, the house is "sold" although I hate saying that because we have a month for something to fall through. My biggest fear is that we'll waste time if they back out. Pray that this all goes through, please. They did offer what we were asking  and their Realtor told us that the couple is in love with our house - so, so far, so good. Fingers (and toes) crossed!!

Father's Day

I have the greatest daddy anyone could ask for! He is over protective, over opinionated, and beyond crazy!! He would give anything he had to someone in need, but he'd rather teach you how to get it yourself. He can sell socks to a man with no feet. Everyone loves him. He knows everyone....and when I say everyone, I mean it. He will run into someone he knows everywhere we go - even in other cities & states. He is definitely a good person to know too. He's sneaky and sometimes we wonder if he thinks he is the neighborhood police officer. If I ever find myself in trouble, I know who to call first - even though he has said it a million times "If you get in trouble b/c your too stupid to what's right, don't call me" He doesn't say I love you or show much affection, but we all know he loves us very much. He will say what is on his mind and he doesn't care who he offends. Sometimes it's embarrassing, but most of the time he says what we are all thinking, but too afraid to say it out loud. He love his grandbabies more than anything else I can think of, even my brother and me. We got the back burner when I had Cori. They are lucky to have him too.

We don't have many pictures of my dad smiling....something was obviously funny!
Me, Dad & Brother, Stewart

Always ready for a good time...yes, that is a T-shirt under his jacket...
He lost a bet & had to wear this to my cousin's wedding!

Mowing the yard!

He can not wait for Levi to grow up a little and go  hunting and fishing!
He calls Levi his little side kick! 

Filla Filla Rides!

 I love you Daddy-O, Happy Father's Day!! 

Orgnaization

I typed in the word "Organization" into Pinterest and let me tell you, I am having SO much fun looking around. I visited my friend Ashley when she lived in FL and she was OCD organized, but ever since, I have been inspired to stay more organized and I am actually good and it and really enjoy it. You already know that we are buying a new house and, oh my, my mind is going 100 mph thinking of all the possibilities of decorating, organizing, and creating a new home for us. I have about 253 projects listed out on the notepad of my iPhone and most of them go along with pins from Pinterest. Oh Pinterest you are so dangerous but so cool. I try to get James to look at my boards but he is very uninterested - typical guy, I suppose. He says we will broke, old and tired if I complete all the things I have in mind. I'm trying my best to convince him that each and every one is necessary - even the chandelier in the master closet....so cute {okay, maybe he's right, maybe I am crazy} There are TWO closets in the master bedroom and I have some big plans for mine! The kids each have built in desks and shelves in their rooms and those are gonna be cute too.....is painting in their closets silly? I don't think so. I have BIG plans for the kitchen, but that will be a big spender. It needs some major upgrades and renovation. I don't consider that one of my projects. I'll let James handle that one. How do pick a place to start in the new house? I guess I should take it one step at a time and the first step will actually be moving into the house....until then I will keep pinning, dreaming, and annoying my husband with all my ramble. I can't wait. I'm beyond excited.

Ashley, I wish you lived closer! I bet you'd LOVE to come help me organize. I'm sure I still have a ton to learn from you. One day when your girls are in school, I hope you become a professional organizer. I bet a lot of people would appreciate your OCD when it comes to that!! I miss you and can't wait to see you next week!!!!

Our House

I love seeing houses. New houses, old houses, model houses....you name it! If you invite me into your home for a tour I will never say no!! So, with that said, I'll show you some picture of my house, that we are now selling. It would be easy to just post the online listing of our house, but that would be putting my address out there and I'm not cool with that. This is our very first home. We purchased it a month after our wedding (almost 5 years ago!!) Enjoy the pictures!

Welcome to our home!

Entry way. Cori & Levi's rooms, and bathroom are to the right, the dining/office to the left

 Living Room, the French Doors go out to the back yard.

the open squares look into the kitchen

Dining room that we use as an office for James. Wait until you see his office at the new house!! 

It's AWESOME!

Master Bed Room

My crazy red & zebra bathroom. I think this was one of those bad pregnant decisions. Even though I still like it, what in the world was I thinking painting RED on the walls? My Realtor says she likes it too, so we didn't paint over it before we listed our house. 

My sweet Levi's room. 

Cori's Room

The kid's bathroom

Our grand patio! Jackie says this will sell our house!

We have loved having this pool, but the pool at the new house is much better! 

We sure are going to miss this place but the new house has more to offer and a lot more property!! I can't wait to post about that!!

Before & After

So as you know our house is on the market to be sold. We already have a contract on our new house & we are supposed to close July 31st (giving us some time to sell ours. Pray, pray hard that it sells soon!). We've had 5 showings in 2 weeks & over 650 online views. Jackie, our realtor says that's great & she is hopeful that it will sell quickly! Anyway, Jackie was able to pull the original online listing of our home & send me pictures. I forgot how plane & dirty our house was when we bought it. It was a foreclosure & it looked like the previous owners trashed the place before they left. I made a few collages to show before & after. I did all of this from my phone so excuse the horrible quality!

James built a HUGE 26x26 covered patio on the back of our house, all wired with speakers, fans and recessed lights. I was so proud of him for thinking and creating this!! We have spent MANY hours outside here and a few birthday parties. I'm going to miss our outdoor space, seriously!! 

We upgraded all the fixtures, put hard wood floors in & painted. 

Masterbath and Breakfast room

I'm going to miss my baby's first bedrooms. This is so emotional!!