Home Inspection

Today was the home inspection for the house we are buying in Palm Valley and it went really well, only minor issues to repair (it is bank-owned, so to be done by us). I was really worried about some water damage at one point in the home (because it is bank owned, they have no clue when it might have happened or how exactly or if it was ever fixed) but the inspector said it is minimal from what he can tell and no dry wall will have to be replaced, just fixed up. He suggested that a roof company (as where the inspector thinks the problem COULD lie, although he said the roof is in amazing shape) take a look at it. They are coming either tonight or tomorrow morning to give us a bid! Exciting - almost there! We are set to close next Friday!!!! Keep fingers, toes, legs, whatever crossed until then!

Something about Jayla

Ok, more Photoshop time to play since Chad is at Tool, kids are asleep and I should be too! Took this picture of Jayla at Camden's birthday party and was playing around with it tonight! I included the original - which I liked in the first place, second version I tried to make the colors stand out more (thought maybe Susie would like this one more than any of them), and the third is my personal favorite, not everyone loves their pictures vintage looking I know, but had to do it! Jayla is such a muffin and Lola is lucky to have her as a best friend!

Hard to Imagine...

...that we still live in a world today where this is happening. It was shocking and incredibly sad to watch this documentary. Left me speechless - I guess I was naive. To think that there are still such hateful, ignorant people out there. Not the kids, but the parents that were the problem. Worth the time to watch this video. I want to use this somehow in my literature/reading class-we do a whole quarter on the Holocaust and it could tie right, or I could use it in line with History when talking about the Civil War. Either way, think I need to make it work. Morgan Freeman is an amazing man for trying to tear down the walls that divide this town. Hopefully it won't be the end.

New Look! You likey?

Ok, in an attempt to grow out my hair - if you know me, you know I am impatient and get bored easy, I tried something new today! A french braid (of sorts) to keep the hair out of my face! Now, with practice I am sure I will be able to perfect the look...until then, a sloppy one will have to do!

I really want extensions, so my hair will be automatically longer, but with advice from MANY - they say my hair is too short and I have to keep growing it. Well, if I have to continue to grow it, then I might as well save myself the money and do it the old fashioned way!

Susie swears that my hair is just like the girl on So You Think You Can Dance - Randi, but I swear my hair won't do the stuff hers does! Plan on being 8th graders again (no offense to my younger readers by any means) soon and she said she will play with it and try new do's on me! Hopefully she can work some magic on me and will teach me a thing or two and I will continue to not cut it!

Playing around!

Without being photoshopped!

If I could make all of my pictures look like this, I think I would! Favorite action that I have to work with - I know Rae Lynn is pounding her head against the computer right now! I always make her change my pictures to do this - now I can!

Same picture - different action! Boy this is addicting! Before I know it I will be able to change more than just the layer that you can add on top of pictures! Need highlights, straighter teeth? Give me some time and might just be able to do it!



Ok, so after about, I don't know, a years procrastination, I am finally feeling confident enough to dabble in the Photoshop world! While these pictures are far from perfect and I am sure they could use more than what I just did, it is fun playing! Don't know if you will see another picture on my blog that has not been tampered with in some way! Off to have more fun!

Home Sweet NEW Home!!!

Our new mansion - seriously, it is HUGE! This is where we will be settling at the end of the month provided the inspection goes well this week!

Front Entrance

Kitchen

Part of the Master Bathroom

Another part of the Master Bath, not only 2 sinks, but they are even on separate walls!
There are also two closets in the Maser Bedroom! One for each of us!

The Master Bedroom

Family Room off of the Kitchen

One of the 6 bedrooms in the house! So excited that everyone has their own room, including a boys game room and a girls craft room!

Backyard - the house sits on about 1/3 of an acre - our heads are spinning with ideas!

After the Little Gym, my aunt called me and told me that she got an interesting phone call from the Realtor of the house that we put a bid on Monday in Goodyear and the original buyer fell through and they wanted to know if we still wanted the house! We were ready to look at other houses tonight, so this obviously through us for a loop and I was a nervous wreck! They wanted a little bit more than we offered, but still less than we were willing to pay, so we went for it! Thank goodness for Candis, as she helped me negotiate for the bank to pay for some of the closing costs and to Susie who kept telling me that she loved the pictures of the house and that we should go for it (as I was starting to second guess how BIG it really was)! So as long as the inspection goes well this is where we will call home! The washer and dryer are located upstairs and it looks like there was some sort of leak at one point or another, so we need to make sure that it is okay before we go 100% all in! Keep fingers crossed for us!

Camden Joins JayLo at the Little Gym!

Today we met with Candis and Camden for a day at the Little Gym! JayLo already attends every Friday, but wanted to put the invite out to their friend to join them in on the fun! Lucky for the girls, Candis has a flexible work schedule and was able to bring Camden to the west side of town for 45 minutes of fun! Camden seemed to really enjoy herself and may have to talk mommy into signing her up for a class a little closer to home (or you could just move to the west side of town - ok, ok, wishful thinking, but wanted to throw it out there)!

Camden ready to start class!

Flipping backwards with mama!

Camden wasted NO TIME marking her territory! She was smooching this little guy half way through the class!

Jumpin' Jayla

Lola laying down on the bouncy tarp! She was actually running on this thing by herself!

This was as close as I could get the three of the girls - they were BUSY going their seperate ways!

Camden and Lola playing with sticks and their balls!

This is Jayla's favorite time at the gym - BALLS!

Bubbles are Lola's favorite- she runs to them and calls out "bubbles" as soon as she puts her ball away!

Teacher's Pet! Lola loves Miss Helena and would rather sit on her lap and sing songs than on mine - hey, whatever holds her attention!

Lola and I posing for a quick picture after class!

We were supposed to get lunch afterwards, but the girls were fading fast - so I invited us all over to Susie's (something I do quite often on my own, or I try to hint at it they we want to come over) for lunch and swimming while the girls napped! It was such perfect timing for all 3 girls - they quickly ate lunch and off they went to nap! Mommy time?! What?! Kyan got to hang with the mommies too and I got some time to just kick it with him! We cherish that time together for sure! Lucky we had him there too, as he became our photographer! He loves to take pictures using the good camera and thought it was so cool that he could take some of the 3 of us! We were ever so greatful! Thanks Kyan! I swear he gets better every time!

Kyan and I during naptime!

Susie, me, and Candis - we got to enjoy about 2 hours of mommy/tan time! It was so fun to just relax and talk about everything under the sun - but won't lie, a lot of talk revolved around the new house that we bought today provided everything goes well with the inspection! Another post about the house to come soon (but probably not until tomorrow, I am pooped)!

Kyan showing off his swimming skills without floaties! He has got really good, as he has had a lot of practice in Sue's pool this summer!

Smoochin' my boy!

More lovin'!

Thank you Candis and Camden for driving all the way to see us and playing for the day! We had so much fun!

Thank you Susie and Jayla for having us over after the gym, might not have been prepared for us, but you got us anyway! We always have a blast with you and are so lucky that you always let us crash your pad! We had an awesome day!