Windows: Complete!

Last week, the window installers came back to finish wrapping the trim on the outside of the windows.  You might remember in this post, I mentioned how the colors did not match when they were here earlier.

This was the view from my front window for most of the afternoon...

custom bending the trim

Here is how the house looks now that it is complete!

A few closer up, comparison views (old windows on left, new windows on right)
Living room window on east side of the house

Living room windows on the north/front side of the house

Bedroom windows on the north/front side of the house

Bedroom windows on the west side of the house

Until next time...

Upgrade Project

This week, we had a major project going on at our house.  We got new windows!  

We had talked about it before, but had not actively looked into it.  Then, one day, a salesman stopped by and asked if he could meet with us to discuss new windows.  I took the bait.  That lead to getting a few different estimates, and going forward with the project.  We also had more insulation blown into our attic.

New homes are required to have at least 15 inches of insulation.  We had about 3 inches in our attic!  Let's hope these new upgrades make a difference in our electric and gas bills.

Now, onto some out with the old and in with the new pictures...

         old window on the left, new window on the right

Dallas' bedroom (facing the road)

D's room to the NW

Living room (facing the road)

Master bedroom (facing the backyard)

Master (looking to the NW)

Reba's room (facing the road)

We only had 9 windows to replace, and the workers were able to switch them all out in about half a day.

Unfortunately, the trim metal was the wrong color when they started to finish the outside, so they have to come back and finish that on another day.

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fact

One year ago today, we signed the closing papers on our house!

Until next time...

Flashback Friday

It's been a while since I have done Monday Memories, but it struck me today that a year ago today we made a HUGE announcement to our blogging friends.

Do you remember?

It's hard to believe a year has passed since we told everyone that we were selling our house and were moving back to Indiana.  It has been an amazing year filled with many challenges and even more blessings.  We are so thankful we made this decision, and we are truly grateful to be "back home again, in Indiana."

Until next time...

Oh, Happy Day!

Hallelujah!

Rejoice!

Celebrate!

Jump for Joy!

Blessed!

Jubilated!

Kick up your heels!

Live it up!

Cheer!

Tickled pink!

Elated!

Overjoyed!

Whoop!

Success!

Winning!

Glorify!

Give Thanks!

Blissful!

Glad!

Glee!

Delighted!

Enthusiastic!

Thrilled!

Happy dance!

Amazed!

Overcome!

All words to describe our feelings today...we closed on the house at 4 o'clock this afternoon!  We are hoping to move in on June 6th!

Oh, Happy Day!

Until next time...

Wordless Wednesday - Moving

Until next time...

We're still here...

I hope I still have a few followers after my week plus absence.  I traveled to Iowa last Tuesday morning so I could be there bright and early Wednesday morning when the packers/movers arrived!  That's right - Wednesday we started packing the house!  The moving company sent two workers to pack and load all of our crap things.  They started about 8:30 each morning and worked until 6 something Wednesday night, 7 something Thursday night, and pulled out of the drive at 5:05 p.m. on Friday...done.  I forgot to take my camera (I accidentally sent it in the kiddos bag to my parents house on Monday night), but I found an old disposable camera at the house that I took some pictures with.  I'm waiting to get it developed, so I don't know how they turned out...

I left the Iowa house for the last time a little before 6 p.m. on Friday.  The closing is today.  We're going to miss it a lot, but it is a house, we are taking our home with us.

Until next time...

Sorry for the Lack of Blogging

I sorry for all you adoring fans out there who have been missing posts from me as of lately.  Things have been pretty busy around here, that I just haven't found the time to sit down and blog.  The kiddos are beginning to get spring fever and cabin fever - it's the worst case I ever remember seeing.  Plus, they haven't been napping well lately, so when they are down, I am trying to catch my breath, do the dishes, straighten up the apartment, and stay up to date on everyone's blog.

OK...so what have we been up to...

• This past weekend Doug and I headed back to Iowa to do some packing before the movers come
• Ma-maw, Pa-paw and Aunt Lisa came to Iowa as well to take a trailer load of goodies back to Indiana for us (i.e. the things the movers won't take) 
• Gram and Pa were gracious enough to watch the kiddos here in Indiana.
• Dallas had an ear infection last week, but it never really slowed him down.
• The weekend of the 26th, Doug and I had a weekend away to Goshen, IN, for our friends' Justin and Kayla's wedding.  Can you believe I forgot to take my camera!?!?  You can see pictures here and here, if you wish.
• While up in the northern part of the state, we stopped by Norte Dame University.  I did have my camera for that stop, so I will post pictures later.
• The house selling process is moving along.  We are waiting to hear the report from the appraiser.  That is pretty much the final part of the process.  Once the house appraises at or above the selling price, the buyer's loan is secured, and all we have left to do is the abstract and title work...then sign away!
• On the other hand, the house buying process is going well.  We have the home inspection and radon test tomorrow.  The appraisal has been done as well; again, just waiting on the report.  We will have the pest inspection and septic/well inspection done in the next week.
• Dallas has a follow up doctor appointment this Friday for his ear infection.  Then, on Monday, we are finally meeting with the speech therapist.
• On Tuesday, I leave for Iowa, to meet the movers.  They will be packing and loading the truck on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I hope to head back to Indiana on Saturday.

So...lots of fun and exciting times.  "I will try to do better" - something Dallas is always working on as well - about keeping you updated on our lives!

Until next time...

Info/Pictures of the new House

I have had quite a few requests for pictures of the new house, so I copied these from the realtor's website...I hope they don't mind :o)

The house has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a living room, a family room, a nicely updated kitchen, and a full (unfinished) basement that can be used for a play area as well.  The house sits on 3.9 acres to the west of Evansville in Posey County.  It is along a state highway, but we are saying it is in the country.  There is a dense tree line to the east of the house, but there will be a lot of grass for me to mow in the summer time!  Doug and I will have to work on a space so that we can put out a garden, and we will have to work on some areas to make flower beds...I'm going to miss my nicely established ones in Iowa.  OK...on to the pictures.

The front of the house - with an attached 2.5 car garage.  (The house sits on the south side of the highway; therefore, it faces the north)

This is standing at the front door looking into the living room.  You can see the kitchen through the doorway and window.

This is standing in the doorway from the living room.  You can also see the family room addition (through the window and doorway) the sellers added in '98.

This is the family room addition on the back of the house.  It has a cozy bay window seat that you can partially see to the left, and it has the patio doors leading to a covered patio area outside.

This is part of the backyard.  As you can see, it is fenced in which will be great for the kids beings we are on the highway.  Also, note the basketball goal already on the barn!  Welcome to the Hoosier state!  The swingset you see in the picture is going with the sellers, but we are bringing our swingset from Iowa.

Until next time...

Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow...

Doug and I are excited to share news on the house selling front!

On March 17th, we received not one, but TWO, offers for our house in Iowa!  Call it "luck of the Irish" - if you will ;o)

We, of course, accepted one of the offers, and things are progressing smoothly.  We are set to close on the house April 18th.  We have since made an offer on a house in Indiana, and the sellers accepted it!  We are set to close on that house April 29th.

Now, some might think this was a very quick offer after selling our house, but the house we are buying was the very first house we looked at back in October!  Yes, it has been on the market the entire time.  Each and every other house we were somewhat interested in these past five months sold a few days after we viewed them, but not the house we were wishing for all along.  God does have a hand in all of this!

Please keep us in your prayers over the next few weeks that things continue to go according to God's plan, and that the closings on both houses goes as smoothly as possible!

Until next time...

Pig Tails and Prayers

Reba sported her first set of pig tails today!  They lasted all morning and then she went down for naptime.  We will have to try again another day.

As far as prayers...I haven't mentioned much about the house selling process because there has not been much to mention.  The housing market (as most of you know) is slow, and it is especially slow in Williamsburg, Iowa.  Early last week when I talked with our realtor, she had not shown a house ...any house... in over 2 weeks! 

Ouch. 

Doug and I have been saying our prayers for patience through all of this, and of course, praying that St. Joseph will help us.  Then...yesterday, we got a call from the realtor.  Our house was shown twice over the weekend!  Whoo-hoo!  It was the first time since Christmas that it had been shown. 

So...if you all could add a few extra prayers for: The housing market to pick up (especially in W'burg); that, if it is according to God's plan right now, that He send us a good buyer, one who is eager, compliant, and honest; and that nothing impede for a rapid conclusion of the sale, we would be greatly appreciative.

Until next time...

Lots of Posts...

I just wanted to let everyone know that I believe I am caught up on m blogging.  The kiddos and I had a wonderful trip to Indiana for Reba's birthday and Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for, and we are blessed to have such wonderful families to share this time with.

As far as some random things things that have happened (i.e. no pictures to go with the stories):

Tuesday morning at 12:30-ish, Reba made her first trip to the ER.  She is fine, but does have croup.  The doctor administered a steriod shot and a couple nebulizer treatments.  After another 2 hours for observations, we were sent "home" (we were still in Evansville at the time).  Reba slept peacefully the rest of the night, and almost the entire way back to Iowa on Tuesday.

Wednesday morning was Reba's 1 year check up!  She weighed in at 20 lb 11 oz, and she is 29.25 inches.  Dr. Boelter had her hemoglobin level rechecked, and it was actually lower than at her 9-month check up; therefore, we have to go back to the hospital to have another blood draw done.  Yipp-ee.

The kiddos are excited to be home and with their own toys.  They love being able to move about freely, and I love not having to worry about disturbing the neighbors in the hotel.

We haven't had any lookers at the house in a couple weeks.  It's a little disappointing, but we keep saying our prayers that the right buyer will come soon.

I'm debating about decorating for Christmas.  I know Dallas will like having the tree, but I'm afraid Reba will be climbing it.  Also, it's just not that fun when Doug isn't here to help and be a part of it.

Well, that's all for now.  Make sure to check out all my recent posts...there are about 10 new ones (counting this one).

Until next time...

Nothing too Blog Worthy

It has been pretty low key around here lately.  The kiddos and I returned to Iowa Monday afternoon after having spent about 10 days in Indiana.  We first traveled to Evansville to spend the weekend with Doug.  We then headed up to Shelby County to see the grandparents.  I also spent a morning at the National FFA Convention as a judge for the ag sales contest.  Then, Reba and I headed back to Evansville to do some house hunting with Doug.  Dallas stayed with Gram and Pa Bergman - we didn't think he would be very cooperative house hunting.  Unfortunately, we didn't have great luck in our search of a new home...but it will come.  Saturday afternoon, Doug, Reba and I headed back to Shelby County for a party at some friends'.  Then, it was a peaceful, quiet Sunday with my parents before heading our separate ways.

Thankfully, the kiddos did pretty well on the car trip.  I was pretty nervous about taking them by myself.  I was never "scared" traveling with just Dallas, but now with two - one potty training and the other still nursing - it was a different story!  Needless to say, the what-should-have-been 7 hour trip to Evansville took 9.5 hours!  They did good until hour 7 of the trip, and then they both started crying at the same time...and I was almost in tears too.  So, after another pit stop...we were back on the road with dry eyes, dry pants, and full bellies.  Thankfully, the trip back to Indiana only took 8 hours.  The kiddos slept for a good majority of that trip and we had the DVD players working :o)

In selling news...we haven't had any bids on our house.  It has been two weeks, and we have had two showings.  Just keep your fingers crossed, and say your prayers that the right buyer will come along quickly.

Until next time...

Quick Update...

...before I head off to bed.

Monday, Doug and I made the trip back to Iowa after a wonderful weekend in Indiana. Dallas stayed in Indiana with Grandma and Grandpa Robertson! He spent Monday and Tuesday with them, and then the hand-off was made to Grandpa and Gram Bergman on Wednesday morning. Dallas will be staying with them for the remainder of the week, and he will then travel home on Friday when Doug's parents come for the weekend.

So...what have I been doing to keep my mind off of the fact that Dallas is not here?

Doug and I have been painting! Doug went ahead and took Tuesday and Wednesday off work so he could help me paint the kitchen. It took a little while to "empty" the kitchen and prep it for the actual painting. By the time Tuesday was over, we had painted two coats of primer.

Wednesday morning, I had a doctor's appointment for Gertie. Since, Doug was off work, he went along with. We heard Gertie's heartbeat, but I was too busy asking Dr. Smollen questions, that she didn't state what the heart rate was! Also, Dr. Smollen gave us the paperwork to set up another ultrasound. We weren't sure if we would have one half-way through this pregnancy since I had one at 8 weeks, but it looks like we will! So, look forward to more pictures of Gertie in another month.

Once we returned home, it was right to work painting. We finished one coat of paint, and then mowed the yard. After the yard work was finished, we put on a second coat of paint. I have some before and and after pictures, but I need to download them from the camera later. After we cleaned up our mess, we weeded in the veggie garden and picked some radishes! They are so yummy. I love the rewards of having our own garden.

So...that's what we have been up to.

Until next time...

Really...where does the time go?

I'm going to start off with asking for forgiveness. I don't have pictures to put up with this post. Therefore, I don't blame you if you navigate away right now...

Alright, for those that stayed with me! Our weekend was full of events. Friday morning, Doug arrived home from Memphis. His flight was about 20 minutes delayed because the pilot told them, "the lavatory is a little full, and I'm afraid it might spill on take off." Doug was not bothered one bit to have a delay for that reason! After Dallas and I picked him up, we did a quick Wal-Mart run and then came home. Doug ended up going into work for the afternoon, Dallas napped, and I started laundry.

Saturday morning, Doug took Dallas to a toy show in Montezuma (about 45 minutes southeast of here). I had a chiropractor appointment, so I couldn't go with. Doug said that Dallas did great, and some of the vendors were trying to convince Doug that Dallas needed some toys. Somehow, Doug didn't give in!

After we all got home, we went into town for the Benefit Dinner and Auction for our neighbors. It all started at 11 a.m., but it was 12:15 before we got there. It was AMAZING how many people were there! We could hardly walk into the church. We "quickly" walked through the (almost 200) silent auction items and made our way to the soup line. It's wonderful when a church puts on a meal...those little ladies are the best cooks. When we finished eating, it was time for the live auction to begin. We finally found two seats, and watch over 100 items sell. It was incredible to see the things people in the community donated for such a wonderful cause. Unfortunately, we didn't come home with anything. We tried bidding on a couple things, but were quickly out bidded! Which is a good thing.

Sunday morning started with church, where Dallas was a little cranky. He kept throwing his toys and crying, no matter what we did. I finally took him downstairs, nursed him, and changed his diaper. He was a completely different boy then. We were able to make it back to Mass in time for communion. I'm sure this is just the start of having an antsy boy in church.

After church, we all took a nap before heading to some friends' house to watch the Super Bowl. This was the 4th time we have gone to Brad and Tamara's for the Super Bowl. (It is hard to believe we have lived out here that long!) They were our bowling partners our first winter out here, and they are HUGE Steeler fans...so it was a very intense evening at their house. I don't know about you all...but I was somewhat disappointed with the commercials last night. There were a few good ones, but a lot could have been better.

When we got home last night, I thought to myself as I walked through the door..."It's a little chilly in here," but I went about my business of changing Dallas into his PJ's and took him upstairs for bed. When I opened the door to his room, and the cool air hit me, I knew something was wrong. (Dallas' bedroom is always warm) I yelled at Doug to check the thermostat, and the temp was down to 60, but it was set at 68. Not good. There was a fuse blown on furnace so we decided to ride out the night and Doug could get a new fuse in the morning. Luckily, we have a small space heater that we put in Dallas' room, and I put another blanket on our bed. When we woke up this morning, it was a little below 50 in the house...that will wake a person up! Doug got out our portable heater and set it up in the front room, so the downstairs would be somewhat warm when Dallas woke up. That little thing did great! By the time Dallas woke up, it was the regular 68 degrees in the living room. Doug took an early lunch, changed the fuse, blew the fuse, and called in a professional! The repair man came right after lunch...the diagnosis: we need a new "door/panel switch" and new burners. Not as big of a problem as I had imagined. Thank goodness!

So, that wraps up our weekend. I hope you all had a nice, relaxing weekend.

Until next time...

House Picture

Since there were many inquiries about the old house picture, I thought I would just write a blog about it!

The house was built in 1902, by Don Lortz's grandfather. When Don & Leo (the couple we brought from) were cleaning out the house, they came across many old slides of various events and activities from years ago...one being the house. This past summer the town of Williamsburg celebrated its 150th year...so Don submitted the slides to the Williamsburg Sesquicentennial committee to upload to the website. Don told us about this, and I was able to sift through the numerous photos and find it! It is a pretty cool keepsake to have, and if you check out the website, I'm pretty lucky to have found it among the pictures!

Oh, and as for my mums...I'm sure they will come back next year. Leo told me that those flowers have been there for a LONG time! I was just bummed about them being smashed because it took them forever to bloom this year. Oh, well, I enjoyed them for a while.

Until next time...