School Picture.

Sonnet's School Picture!

First Grade

Mrs. Walker

2013-2014

Parade of Homes.

Since the Vegas market is a sad, sad place for us, we decided to bail and head to St. George for the weekend. Every year in February, St. George hosts a great "Parade of Homes" and Nate and I have an annual tradition of going. We've gone for 6 out of the last 7 years and we always have a great time. We usually see about 2/3 of the houses, stay in a hotel, eat some good food, and do lots of talking/dreaming/scheming while driving around. The kids are good sports about it too. Here are some pictures of us and a few of some pretty spaces too...

House Hunt Update.

Well, we made an offer on another house a couple weeks ago. It was the messiest short sale known to man, and it was a long shot that we would ever get the property, but we felt like we were meant to live in that house and that we had to give it all we could. So, after knocking on doors of complete strangers, cold calling the sellers, filling out mountains of paperwork, signing ridiculous addendums that basically asked for my first born child, promising lots and lots of money, getting really mad at stupid lawyers, begging, pleading, and praying… I was convinced that a miracle was going to occur. It had to. It was meant to. I had spiritual confirmation. I felt differently about this house than all of the others. I felt good about the others and I would have been very happy had we got them, but this one felt "right" in a way that the others didn't. I believed this was the reason that none of the other houses have worked out. This was the “plan” all along.

And then… it wasn’t. We didn’t even get past the sellers, let alone get our offer presented to the bank. We offered 15,000 over list price, and 10,000 more than the next highest offer, but the next highest offer was cash (and probably represented by someone at the realty firm handling the sale), so we were DOA. End of story.

Holy crap. I did everything I could possibly think of to do to get that house. I did everything I was inspired to do. I tapped myself out. And it wasn't enough. I don’t even know what to say about it. I mean, I know what I want to say, but then you would think less of me, so I’ll just say that the whole thing was very… unsettling.

I was in denial about it for several days. Then I was very depressed. Now I’m just sort of fed up.

This house hunting thing has been a nightmare. Yes, I’m being a little picky about what we buy, but we plan to spend quite a bit of money and the next 8-10 years of our life in this house so we need to be a little picky. And picky is different than unrealistic. Our expectations are not ridiculous.

Yes, my budget is not huge—we are not a dual income family and contrary to popular belief, fire fighters do not make bank—but our budget is reasonable for what we want.

Yes, our first choice target area is small, but we are also looking at places on the south side of the valley all the way from Las Vegas Boulevard to Boulder Highway and everything in between. That's a pretty big area.

But really, there are not that many houses for sale. There are fewer that meet our criteria and price range. There are few that stay on the market for more than a few days. The few houses that we have been serious enough about to make offers on have all gone to cash buyers. It is not a buyer’s market. And I don’t see any of that changing anytime soon. Prices are not going down. Interest rates are not going down. Inventory may go up come spring, but so will competition as even more buyers enter the marketplace.

We have two friends who live in our target area who both recently sold their houses. They listed them for much higher than they expected to get, and both sold to cash investors for full list price within 2 days. The buyers even paid all closing costs and let them rent the place back on a month to month basis. So now they are free to sit in their house with their pile of money and not move until they find something new. That’s what we’re up against right now. Maddening as it is, I see why sellers don’t want to take our offers.

So, I don’t know what to do. There is nothing currently listed that I want to buy. (I mean, of course there are amazing houses out there, but as far as ones that fit my budget and will work for our current needs and are not just plain awful… well, there's nothing).

I can sit here and wait for something great to come on the market, but I really think that if we love it, a million other people will too, there will be multiple offers, probably there will be a cash offer or two, and we will get rejected again. And I can’t keep doing this over and over.

I feel like an insane person… I keep doing the same things and expecting different results. I don’t have much hope that we will get the outcome we want doing what we’ve been doing. But I can’t do anything else. I will never be a cash buyer. I cannot increase my budget. I’m not going to buy something I hate. So, now what?

I feel like the only way I am going to get an offer accepted is to either know the seller ahead of time and know that they have agreed to sell to me and no one else or to buy something brand new from the builder where there is no competition. Of course I like the idea of new construction (Brand new! Clean! Designed by me!), but there is no new construction in our area that we can afford.

There is, however, some new construction back in the Southwest part of town (where we just moved from). So, I started thinking… maybe we should go back! It’s sad because the main two reasons we moved were to 1) get a little bigger, nicer place and 2) be closer to our families in Henderson and Sonnet’s school in Green Valley. So, we’d be giving up one of our big requirements and that feels like a major sacrifice.

But, we’d have a house.

And I have friends in the southwest. And there are good wards. And good places to eat. And lots less traffic. And I did love it there. I just felt like we belonged in Henderson. But, apparently Henderson doesn’t share my sentiments. I’m sick of trying to get in the club. I just want a home.

It’s been 6 months since we sold our house. 6 months is a long time for me to be in limbo. I hate it. I really do. It's just not what I intended and I don't feel good about it. And even if we go buy something today, we’re still looking at 2-4 months before we get in it. Which means by the time all of this is said and done, I will have spent waaaaaay longer being displaced than I ever wanted to.

I had no idea buying a house would be this hard. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just crazy. No one else seems to be having this experience. But I don't know what to do other than what I'm doing. So... I’m just not really sure what to do now.

And that's my house story for now. Someday, (I think! I hope!) I will tell one with a happy ending. Right?

And she was happy.

Sonnet had to give the talk in primary yesterday. When I was a kid, my mom told me a story about a little girl and her hair and having a positive attitude. It has always stuck in my memory. I tell it to Sonnet once in a while and she always giggles. She decided she wanted to share the story today for her talk. She went up to the microphone by herself and spoke very clearly. She is such a sweet, happy little thing and I am so proud of her. Here is what she said:

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS A NICE LITTLE GIRL. ONE DAY, SHE WOKE UP AND SHE ONLY HAD 3 HAIRS LEFT ON HER HEAD. SHE SAID, THAT’S OK, I’LL JUST MAKE A BRAID. AND SHE WENT TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS HAPPY.

THE NEXT DAY SHE WOKE UP AND SHE ONLY HAD 2 HAIRS LEFT ON HER HEAD. SHE SAID, THAT’S OK, I’LL JUST MAKE PIG TAILS. AND SHE WENT TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS HAPPY.

 

THE NEXT DAY SHE WOKE UP AND SHE ONLY HAD 1 HAIR LEFT ON HER HEAD. SHE SAID, THAT’S OK, I’LL JUST MAKE A PONYTAIL. AND SHE WENT TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS HAPPY.

THE NEXT DAY SHE WOKE UP AND SHE HAD NO HAIR LEFT ON HER HEAD. SHE SAID, THAT’S OK, NOW I DON’T HAVE TO DO MY HAIR AT ALL! AND SHE WENT TO SCHOOL AND SHE WAS HAPPY.

SOMETIMES THINGS DON’T TURN OUT LIKE WE WANT, BUT THE LORD HAS GIVEN US MANY BLESSINGS. WE SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE AND BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT WE HAVE.

HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES US. HE WANTS US TO BE HAPPY. IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.

Birthday Boy.

Stetson had a birthday today. He opened presents and cards, got a balloon (my kids looooove balloons), had a donut for breakfast (his favorite, but he couldn't wait to blow out the candles before he took a bite!), played with his new toys, went to church, didn't get a nap, fell asleep on the couch at 6pm, went to Grandma's for cupcakes, played with cousins, had some cake and ice cream at our house, played with Granny and Pop Pop, got lots of love and attention, requested we sing the Happy Birthday song about a million times, and then finally tuckered out much later than usual. He said in his sleepy, toddler voice before he fell asleep "I had fun day. I two!" So I think it was a success.

Terrific Two's!

 

 

Stetson turns two tomorrow. I actually feel like he’s much older than two. It feels like he’s been around forever. Not that it’s been a drag, but I just can’t remember life without him and I feel like he acts much older than two. I mean, he can throw a hissy fit like any normal two year old, but he is just so good and smart and talkative and athletic… I forget that he’s just a baby.

He’s still a tanker. He weighs 30 pounds and he wears a size 9 shoe. He’s not chubby, he’s just solid. He eats pretty well. He’s less picky than Sonnet, so in my book that means he’s a good eater. He’ll at least try new foods. The problem is I can’t get him to sit still at the table long enough to actually consume a decent amount of food. He’ll take two or three bites and then run off to play again. Or he’ll shove everything on his plate into his mouth at once without chewing, gag, spit it out, and then say he’s done. He likes to eat... he just doesn’t have the patience for it.

He sleeps from about 9pm to 7am at night and usually naps from 1-2:30 in the afternoon. Just last week he decided he didn’t want to sleep in his crib anymore so we took it down (sniff) and moved him to a toddler bed. It was a rough transition for a few days because once he had discovered freedom (meaning he figured out that he could get out of bed and wander around the house at 2am) he resented being told to stay in his room. But things are mostly back to normal now. I’ve considered giving up the nap because sometimes it seems inconvenient (like on Sundays when we have to leave for church at the time that I’m usually putting him down), but he just can’t make it all the way through the day without a nap and he turns into a raging beast when he doesn’t sleep. (I’m pretty sure I know where he gets that from). So for now, the baby's sleep schedule is still a ruling factor in my life.

Stetson speaks really well. He knows a bazillion words and I am constantly surprised by the funny/insightful/random things he says. He can identify all the letters of the alphabet and sing the ABC song. He can count to 16. He knows the colors (yellow is his favorite) and all the shapes. He loves to sing songs! “Popcorn Popping” and “Head, Shoulders” are his current favorites. He loves to read books! He will sit on my lap forever looking at pictures, pointing things out, and flipping pages. He does not know how to be quiet. Church is especially fun with him. He'll yell out "good job" when someone sings a solo or "you ok?" when someone cries during a talk or "amen" whether it's time to go or not. He'll comment on things he sees when he looks around the room and he asks me about a hundred times if we're "all done now." Haha.

He loves to take walks outside. For a long time, when we went on our daily walks, he would stop at every car in our neighborhood and point out each letter and number on the license plate. I would say it out loud and he would repeat it. That’s how he learned his ABC’s. He also really likes cars. He points out trucks and cars on the road that he likes. He always makes Nate walk out to the garage and show him the firetrucks when we Facetime him at night. One of his favorite things to do is sit in the driver’s seat of my car when it’s parked in the garage and “dive” (drive). He turns the wheel and pushes buttons and makes little sound effects and he yells when you make him get out.

He’s a wee bit shy… it still takes him time to warm up to “new” people. He’s all rough and tumble, but then he’s snuggly and so very sweet too. He’s kind of a sensitive little guy… he’s always worried about others if they get hurt or cry… he calls out my name several times a day just to “check in” with me, he gives hugs for no reason, and he has very nice manners. He says please (“hees, hees!”) everytime he asks me for something (which makes it hard to say no- haha) and thank you (“dank-u!”) anytime you hand him something or do something for him. He loves to say bless you (“dess-u”) if he hears someone sneeze and he likes to shake hands with you when you leave. If I give him something (like a snack or a toy) he always asks for one for “Sissy” too. He adores her! And she sort of just tolerates him. Haha. He is a drama queen when he gets hurt. He hurt his toe really bad 6 MONTHS ago and he still tells me every day that his "toe got hurt" and makes me kiss it better.

He’s obsessed with sports. He knows the difference between basketballs, footballs, bowling balls, baseballs, soccer balls, tennis balls, and golf balls. He has several of each type and they are his favorite things. He loves to watch football on TV (honestly, I turn on NFL highlights on youtube and he will stare transfixed at the screen forever). He’s better than Sonnet at soccer. He got a little basketball hoop and a big bowling set for his birthday and he has already spent hours happily playing with both. He loves to play catch and "bamming" things with his toy bat is his ultimate idea of a good time.

I could brag forever, but he's my baby and I can't help it. He’s just a freaking cool little guy. I love his guts! He makes me laugh and heals me and drives me bonkers and makes me grateful to be alive. I’m so glad he’s only two… I don’t want this to go too fast. I'm so glad he's mine.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy.

-Mama

Birthday Bowling.

Stetson's birthday is on Sunday. (He'll be two)! I asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday and of course he said "I go bo-ing!" So, we went today and as usual, he refused to let anyone help him and he had a blast rolling the ball down the lane over and over and over again.