CALL ME CRAZY!!!

After nearly three months of house hunting we weren't having much luck at all. We still haven't heard anything about the offer we put in on the short sale. I truly believes everything happens for a reason. We just needed the time to continue to search for our perfect home! Last week we found a house by the golf course that we thought we liked and walked through it twice and we decided to make an offer. It was a good location but it needed lots of updating. Ughh! This is what we found in all the houses we saw around the golf course and I wasn't really on board with it. On Thursday morning we were going to make an offer and I just woke up nervous and unsure about it. I wasn't sure I would be happy there until all the updating was done and who knew how long that all was going to take. I have always been drawn to two neighborhoods, The Lakes of Creekwood and Kings Mill. These are neighborhoods with newer, more updated homes in the area of Mansfield we wanted to end up in. So, that afternoon I really got motivated. I searched on Zillow.com in these two neighborhoods for all houses that were NOT for sale but met our criteria (in good locations (cul-de-sacs/low traffic areas), desired square footage and right numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms). Then I made little notes stating that we were interested in the neighborhood and if they would consider selling their home to call and signed Bryan's name and number (after getting his permission, of course). I dropped 22 notes in mailboxes between these two neighborhoods. I know - Crazy - right?!?! Well, Bryan got a call from a realtor that evening saying that the homeowner got our note and she had been at their house that day and the house was coming on the market on Saturday. She asked if we wanted to see it on Friday before it listed. We got with Micah (our realtor) and we went over to see it Friday afternoon. We walked in and fell in love with it...this if the home we both felt like we had been waiting and searching for...it is perfect for us!! It is in a cul-de-sac, great size, doesn't need one bit of updating(yay!!), backs up to a greenbelt and pond and I could go on and on. Bryan and I could sleep that night...we were so excited about this house. Early Saturday morning we send an offer over to the seller's realtor and just waited nervously all day to hear back. It was the most nerve wracking day ever!! That evening we got great news...the offer was accepted and we had a signed contract. We are SOOOOO excited about it. So, my note leaving strategy paid off. Since then we have received about 4-5 other calls from people that are thinking of listing their homes in the near future or would consider selling if the price was right. SO--it was a bold move on my part and I am SO happy I did it! We have the inspection scheduled for Tuesday and we are set to close on November 29th if everything goes as planned. We are praying it all works out. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Safari Park

Last week my friend, Jennifer and I took our kids to Safari Park in Southlake. It was nice because we had the place to ourselves and the kids were easily entertained by all the activies.

They had a blast playing in the Jungle Gym and ball pit!







They got to go on a thrilling robotic animal ride. Morgan picked the pretty zebra....It was super cute!

Clayton picked a wild rooster and it swung him all around. He held on tight and did great!!

Graham opted out of the animal rides. He was perfectly content just watching all the excitement!

Clayton LOVED the train tables.

Morgan had fun time jumping around on the trampoline.

Clayton and Graham spent a lot of time on the miniture golf course.



Clayton, Morgan and Graham on a safari ride through the tropical jungle

What a fun safari indoor adventure!

A Sneak Peek

At what's to come this Halloween!

Unless someone changes their mind before Halloween gets here...

Our sweet Strawberry Shortcake...


Our preppy lil' golfer...

Backyard fun - Big Swings, Backbends and More!

First, just a quick house update because there is not much new news. We are still living in our "temporary housing" at the Baughman's with no end in sight. We STILL haven't heard anything back from the bank about the short sale we put an offer on 8 weeks ago. We are still looking around at other houses in the area we want to end up in but haven't found anything else to pursue at this point. The kids are enjoying every minute of their time at Gammy & Pops but they really love playing in their big backyard. Some of there favorite things are....

Swinging...

Racing...


Practicing golf...

I'M A BIG GIRL NOW!

Morgan has been 1/2 way potty trained now for 10 months. In January 2011 we put her in panties and she has done great with tee-teeing but she would not poop on the potty. There was not one bribe that worked! She was frightened and didn't think she could do it. She would ask for a diaper and she would go into the bathroom and take care of her business. Last Monday, October 3rd me and the kids were hanging out around the house and she came and told me, "Mommy, I want to do something that no one thinks I can do." I knew exactly what she was referring to but didn't ask any questions. I just said okay and she asked me to turn on the bathroom light for her. I did and she shut the door. I told her to call me when she needed me and was crossing my fingers that she would poop in the potty and call me back in. A couple minutes passed and she yelled out and asked if we could go to Build A Bear if she pooped in the potty because that was a promise we made months ago. I yelled back...Of Course we can!! Minutes later she called me in and told me she has BIG NEWS and her litle face was filled with excitement. SHE DID IT---POOPED IN THE POTTY!!! I was SO SO SO proud of her. Whatever we had planned that day went by the wayside and we just spend the day praising her for her BIG accomplishment. She wanted to call Daddy, Gammy, Nonny & Uncle Brent right away and tell them what she did. That afternoon we headed out to Build A Bear and she had the best time building herself a Hello Kitty!


After she built Hello Kitty...taking her to get a bath

Bathing and brushing Hello Kitty's hair with Graham supervising :)

All clean and so excited!!

Then it was time to shop for Hello Kitty

Getting her all dressed up and pretty!

On her way to get Hello Kitty's birth certificate

Daddy and his BIG GIRL!


This was her first trip to Build A Bear and she loved it. It was an excellent milestone to celebrate!! She has done great ever since. No more diapers! We actually had to get diapers that afternoon for Graham and she told me that they were for Graham and that she needed new panties. So, of course, we got new Dora panties. Whatever it takes to keep up the great work!!