Madness!

It's been two and a half months since my last post. What have we been up to? Oh, not much- only working full time, juggling two boys playing baseball, putting our house the market again, selling our house, finding a new house, packing and getting ready to move--- that's all. Yep, it's been a crazy, busy few months.

It all started shortly after my last post, I love March!!, where I boldly declared, "let the Madness begin." I was referring to the NCAA basketball tournament madness, but low and behold, our life quickly became MADNESS!

March 9, my partner at work was let go suddenly. I found myself forced to step up & fill in on a full time basis until someone else could be hired and trained. I am hoping that I will be able to transition back to my regular 15 hr a week position by the end of June. However, it is more likely that I will be working close to full time through the summer. As a whole, I love my job, but I do not love juggling working full time and being a full time mom without childcare. It's been a challenge for sure! I am also missing my work partner. We worked together for 8 yrs, the past 5 as partners. It is going to take time to adjust to working with someone new.

Then on March 12, Mark suggested we call our realtor and see about re-listing our house. (We had attempted to sell last summer without success. When school started in the fall we took it off the market.) Our realtor suggested we jump on it and list quickly. She had seen some movement in the market and thought we could capitalize on it. So we took one week to thoroughly clean and stage the house and by March 20th the house was listed. March 22 we had our first (and only) showing. March 23 we got a full price offer. We accepted and just like that we were under contract to sell our house. But that presented a new dilemma, to find a new home! We were not prepared to move so quickly and were caught a little off guard.

By the weekend of April 17, almost a month later, we still hadn't found a house to buy. We were faced with the reality that we would need to start looking for a place to rent and accept we would have to move twice. A scary thought for a family of five and a dog. Just as we were ready to accept that possibility, a house came on the market in our desired location. We quickly went to see the house and made an offer the spot. The house already had another offer, but fortunately the sellers decided to accept ours. With a little negotiating, we were able to move closing back on selling our home to coincide with closing on the home we are buying. Everything has seemingly fallen right into place.

With moving day this Saturday, May 21. We are in the final packing stage. I have to admit it is a little bittersweet. I am excited for our new home, more space, better location & schools, but there is some sadness at leaving our first house too. When we bought this house 7 years ago, we were a young family of 3. Now, we are leaving this house a family of 5+. It's been a wonderful 7 years and lots of precious memories: bringing home babies, a puppy, first steps, first garden, first days of school, baby showers & bridal showers, birthdays & anniversaries, visits from Santa, the Easter Bunny & Tooth Fairy, & so much more. I will miss this house.

So as you can tell, we have been busy!! Add to that both Corbin & Trent are playing baseball which means practice +/or games 5 days a week. I can honestly say, I have never been busier. I am certainly looking forward to life calming down soon.

Here's a few preview pics of our new house- once we get settled, we'd love to have company!