Pretty much finished and locked out!

So it was a good thing that I stopped by the house earlier this week, because we are now officially locked out!  They've changed the code on the lock to the house to keep anyone out that doesn't have a work-related reason to be in the house.  I guess that's OK, but I think it's going to drive me nuts not being able to go in for the next two weeks!

When I stopped this week, they had installed the carpeting and had done a complete cleaning. 

There were only a few things I could notice that wasn't done such as door knobs on all the interior doors and the oven was still to be installed.

Then later in the week, they formed and then poured our driveway and sidewalks.

I really don't know what's left to do, but I suppose it's just final finishing touches to make it perfect.  We have our walk through on the 19th at which time we'll get to see the final finished product!  Can't wait!!!

Today, we cleaned out our attic.  There was quite a bit up there, but luckily, most of it is going in the garbage this week.  We consolidated and cleared out junk so there isn't a lot of unnecessary stuff making the move.  I've still got quite a bit of the house to pack up,  but its hard when you're still living here for another few weeks.  Probably next weekend, I'll work on getting things down to basic necessities and get everything else packed up.  I think that last week, we'll be eating out and eating with plastic utensils and paper plates.  I'm sure the next two and a half weeks will fly by, but then on one hand, it seems like forever until it gets here!

House update - getting so close!

Wow, so much has happened since my last post.
First thing is this!

Yep, we're under contract for our house with a pending sale.  The buyer had their home inspection, we did the couple of things they asked us to do (that's a long story that I'd rather leave in the past where it now resides).  They had their appraisal yesterday (don't have the results of that, but we don't anticipate any issues) and then we're pretty much set for a final sale.
That has been a huge source of stress removed.  Mostly for Tony - he really hated this process.  It's a huge relief for me as well as the worry of two mortgage payments has gone away and I no longer have to keep preparing the house for showings which was exhausting.  Now I get to spend my time packing....also no fun, but needed to make the move.

I've been off most of this week to do packing and move-related stuff.  We've hired a mover, bought a new refrigerator, and started packing (and purging).  I'm so ready to get into this new  house.
The progress with the construction is moving so quickly now.  All the finishing touches are happening which has us really getting excited to get in there!  Here's where we stand:
Painting was finished (lots of touchups remain).  Doors are hung.

Cabinets are in.

Wood and vinyl floors are in.  All of them are still covered with cardboard to protect them, so pics aren't that good... but they look nice!

Fireplace is done. 

Countertops are in - LOVE them!  I was so worried about the laminate we chose for our master bath, but I do like it.  Kitchen granite is fantastic!

All the sinks, faucets and toilets are now in.

Lighting fixtures done.

HVAC finished and outlets and switches are all done.

Appliances are there, dishwasher and microwave were installed today, range is still in the office.  They stained the banisters on the staircase and over the foyer. 

Today the first round of cleaning was being done....I was tempted to help them clean so it was done my way, but I refrained!!!

I just absolutely love how its coming together!  This is such a blessing of an experience to have been part of and I'm so grateful.

One last thing that was great was that I went to a Tastefully Simple party at one of the neighbor's  houses this past week.  I got to meet several of the neighbors and they are all great.  Lots of young families and they are all trying to do things as a community and become a unit.  It seems like it could be a little Wisteria-Lane like, but I think it's going to be great to have a close neighborhood like this that the kids can grow up in.

We are under one month until the move............so ready!  House is about 95% complete after this week.  Lots of touch up and fine-tuning left and then it'll be ready!

And the last item to report is that we decided to send Hannah back to private school next year thanks to the selfish, striking teachers of Strongsville.  I know I have some teacher friends that might not have the same views as me (or they might??), however, since this is my blog, I get to write my views and I say YAY to the school board to hold their ground for the best and final offer being the only one that will work.  Do not give into the dirty tactics of the union and put us in the red.  You have a huge responsibility to set the precedence of the entire state - don't let the tail wag the dog Strongsville Schools!!!  Teachers, perform well and you'll be compensated nicely and fairly (thanks to us taxpayers) and your jobs will be secure as they can be - come on back to reality and get back into your classrooms!!!

Nicholas at Three

Nicholas turned three on February 18.  He is SO three.  And three is way worse than "terrible twos".  He's actually just got a super strong personality and wants what Nick wants (when Nick wants) and is very much a boy with some spit-fire Italian blood.  So, really, he's not that bad, he's just Nick!

He is very, very active.  He likes to play rough and has a really sweet side too.  He's super cute, which I often say is a good thing because I might beat him otherwise!  He likes cars, trucks, trains, planes and tractors.  He likes dinosaurs, Spiderman and sports stuff.  He would eat junk food if it were available all the time and definitely will not be a saver.

Here are his three year old pictures

 

The last one in black & white is obviously the same pose as one in color.  I got that to go with the black & white of Hannah to put in our foyer of the new house...I think they'll look so great!

We had a birthday party for him last month at the Jump Yard.  That's where we had it last year, but then, it was more for Hannah.  This year, we invited his friends from daycare and it was totally his party.  He had a spiderman cake and really enjoyed his friends!

The Outside is 90% done

They got the siding done on the house this week.  It looks fantastic!

So about all that's left for the outside is the light fixtures and some trim work.
This week, they also completed drywall finish, stippled the ceilings and they primed all the walls.
Next week all the wood work is going in - doors, cabinets and trim work.  Can't wait to see that finished!

And as I do this post, I'm so, so happy to report that we are now officially under contract with our current home!!!!  We're not completely in the clear just yet, but only subject to a home inspection, which we don't anticipate any major issues with.
This is a huge relief!  Not only to have this house sold, but then to get our weekends back and spend our time packing up and preparing for this move.  Timing is going to be sort of touchy.  We close on this house the same day the new house is scheduled to close, so unless the new house is finished a day or two or three earlier than planned, we could be homeless for a day or a weekend.  I'm sure it'll all work out just fine though - it always does!  God is good!

Drywall Complete

The entire house is now drywalled....and it looks great!  It's amazing how it makes the rooms look bigger and it's great to see the flow of the house now.
This past week, they were mudding the drywall.  The siding was delivered (should be up early this week) and I think all of our cabinets were also delivered.....well, there were a whole bunch of boxes about that side in the garage Friday afternoon.

So here's the tour coming in from our front door:

The two-story foyer

dining room

study in front

great room with morning sun through the windows

from great room into breakfast room/kitchen

kitchen

upstairs hall bathroom

Nicholas' room

Hannah's room

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

where sinks will go in master bath

 

So that's all the good news stuff on the house....it's coming along nicely.  It should be finished around April 26, but we're 99% sure we won't take possession until May 1st.

 

So here's the scoop on our house....we got an offer last Tuesday night - it was TERRIBLE!  $18k under our asking price, which we totally couldn't accept.  The buyers agent is pretty much an idiot!  We gave our final offer and left it at that.  They did end up coming up to a more respectable number Friday night, but we're still several thousand away from our absolute bottom line.  We gave our final offer - again.  That's where it stands right now.  We'll see if they cave or not....if not, we're back to square one.  We had 5 more showings this weekend, but this process is getting so exhausting.  I spend the weekends cleaning, and re-cleaning and making it ready to show....I'd so much rather be packing.  The stress is really building at our house, so we just need to get this house under contract!  I'm trying to be patient and remain hopeful.  I think I should hire a housekeeper, maybe that would make it easier!  The funny part is, even if I could afford one, I wouldn't get one!  I guess I'll just practice being patient and keep refining my cleaning skills!