Quick "Housing" Update

Just a quick update on where we stand with our housing situation! We have been on the market about 5 weeks now, and we have a potential buyer. The airport is buying her house in October, and our property is her pick for a new place. Our agent and everyone involved is confident enough that everything will work out, that she convinced us to put a contingency on a house ourselves. We went back and forth on the area we want to move. I 'really' wanted to end up in Trussville, and for a short time we actually looked at houses there and started thinking seriously about it. But after MUCH consideration, we quickly tuned back into St. Clair county, either Springville or Moody. There are countless benefits to living over the county line, and we feel it is a more responsible decision on our part. I am a stay at home (work at home) mom, and Curtis' job is in Irondale, so we have no need to be in the middle of the city.

I liked a lot about Springville better, except for the distance. We were shocked however when we sat down with mapping software and learned that the amount of time it would take to get to Springville was 5 minutes or less of a difference from the amount of time it takes to get to our house now. The distance is a little greater, but the difference is that now, we are about 15 minutes off of the interstate. Stop and go traffic, red lights, etc. The neighborhood in Springville we like is only 1 minute off of the interstate. We actually did several trial runs over the weekend and were stunned to find that it really is the same amount of time.

Sooooo, low and behold, we put a contingent offer on a new construction... it is everything we want. It is the same floor plan I was eyeing in a neighborhood in Moody, only it sits on a larger lot with a perfect sized back yard. The back yard butts up to an open field that will never be developed with houses... if anything there will be neighborhood amenities put there (a soccer field or tennis court.) The neighborhood playground and pool and adjacent to the property as well. We know that one small change could throw the whole thing off course, and that is ok! We are staying obedient and faithful to God's plan, but as of now, if everything continued to roll on the path it is now, we would be calling "Legacy Springs" home before the end of the year.

Looks kind of small from the outside, but it is actually almost 2500 square feet! The interior layout and features are what we want and need to a "T"

September Birthdays

Curtis and I both have birthdays in September, and this has just been a really great month!

My birthday is on the 7th, and this year Curtis and Hayden took a day trip to Atlanta with Chris and Will to see a NASCAR race. So I started my birthday weekend with a day completely to myself. I got a prenatal massage, picked up a Pumpkin Spice Latte on my way out and snuck it into the dollar movie to see Eclipse. All by myself. It was glorious! It's been a long time since I had a day like that, and it was much needed!

The next night we had a small get together on the patio at Cocina Superior. Great times! Great Birthday!

27 Weeks Celebrating my 27th Birthday

Ella showing off her twirly dress

Hayden and Brannon (One of my dearest friends from College who now lives and teaches in Arkansas - we miss him dearly!)

We also made it to a Labor Day Festival that weekend. It was hot, but we had fun! Curtis even won a cake at the cake walk!

Hayden was not a fan of the "Jazzercize" Demonstration

And Curtis' birthday was this past weekend on the 17th! We celebrated with a family cookout at Crystal's house on Friday, and then he had a guy's night on Saturday night. He had a lot to celebrate this year. His career is going phenomenal, family life is great, and everything just seems to be following a really great path these days. We feel very overwhelmingly blessed and thankful!

Is it September Already?

Just a few updates for the past couple of weeks!

Hayden officially started 4 year old preschool 2 weeks ago! He is there 3 days a week until 1:00 and he has transitioned very well. I am able to get a lot of work done while he is in school, so the time we have together at home is spent more wisely. His teacher is Mrs. Sheila and I am so excited about all of the things on their curriculum for this year. This week he has started learning how to write (trace) his name, but I love seeing him start to learn handwriting. He is such a bright little boy!

He refused to take a picture for me the first day of school. That's my boy!

I am now 27 weeks pregnant with Garrett. I have reached that point in the pregnancy where I wake up every morning and have doubled in size. I am getting HUUUUGE! And very uncomfortable. Baby Garrett is a wild one and he is constantly practicing the latest ninja moves in the womb. His big brother is so anxious! He wakes up every morning and asks if his "baby brudder" is ready to come out yet. He rubs on my belly and talks to Garrett every day. These are definitely sweet moments to cherish! I hope he is that sweet to him once Garrett arrives!

Curtis has been working a lot lately, so we have been laying low. Last weekend we did get away one night and spend the evening with the Donaldson's. Chris is Curtis' cousin, and they are very much alike. They have 2 little boys, Will (who just turned 6) and Henry is 18 months. Hayden and Will are like 2 peas in a pod. Besides the fact that they share a passion for all things "Nintendo," they also share very similar temperaments and personalities. And their mom Melissa is a doll and we get along great! We don't spend enough time with them! Curtis and Hayden are actually taking a day trip with Chris and Will today to Atlanta to see a Nascar race. Should be interesting!

We also got to spend one evening last weekend at my sister's house. Their computer was acting up, so they traded us a home cooked steak dinner in return for Curtis' computer repair service. Curtis hasn't been in the IT industry for 5 years, but people still come running when they are having computer issues! Luckily he was able to get them up and running. John is passed the halfway point on his chemo, and he and Curtis had a great time talking about life on the porch. I got a couple of pictures of the kids playing with Uncle John!

Look at that sass! Ella will only wear dresses that twirl out really big, so Crystal has a blast picking out clothes for her every day :)

Hayden got his hands on a "science toy."

Disclaimer: He is only shirtless because the kids insisted on swinging outside in the pouring rain when we first got there!

The house has been on the market 22 days now! Very slow moving, but we're not getting discouraged! I know people aren't necessarily lining up to purchase a house in this area, so it will just be a matter of finding that person. We... I mean "I"... am not the kind of person to question God's timing, so I will continue to sit and patiently wait for things to happen. On another note, I will say that having the house "show-ready" all the time is getting a little old! But again... happily, patiently waiting. :)