Trying to buy a house

So we've been here in Moses Lake for a year now.  Part of me can hardly believe that it's already been a year and then again part of me can certainly believe it and thinks, "It's only been a year?".  The kids just completed another year of school.  I will soon have a 5th grader, a 2nd grader, and a preschooler!  Lincoln is 3 months old and such a joy!  Work is going well for Tony, now that he has a new supervisor.  I'm feeling great not being pregnant anymore.  I've lost all my pregnancy weight plus some and don't mind being so tired all the time because I feel so "light".

The plan was always to buy a house after we'd been here for a year.  We wanted to learn the town and decide where we wanted to be.  We also wanted to have a good grip on what our financial situation would be.  About 6 weeks ago we started our search.  We got pre-approved, and set our house budget.  I don't know how the bank thinks we could afford what they're willing to lend to us.  We don't want to be "house poor".  We found an excellent realtor and started our search.  After a couple weeks we felt like we had finally found the one.  It was really close to us.  The kids would go to the same school.  We'd be in another ward, but close enough to the friends we've made.  It was pretty much everything we wanted in a house.  It was on the higher end of our budget, but thought we could make it work.  So we put in an offer.  They countered and we accepted.  Then we had the inspection.  We found some things that we weren't thrilled about, but as long as the seller was willing to fix everything we'd be ok.  Well, the seller wasn't willing to fix what we asked and wouldn't make allowances for us to fix them.  So, we walked away.

We started searching again.  We found a house that was even closer to where we are now and it's in our ward.  It was an older home (it reminded me of the home I grew up in) and needed some updating and work, but it was a much more comfortable price for us.  Then we found out it had a wood foundation, and that the bank won't finance it because wood foundations aren't typical for Moses Lake.  The fact that the foundation was sound had nothing to do with it.  (So Stupid!)

Now we are in a situation where we've looked at all 4 bedroom, 2 car garage houses in our preferred locations and in our budget in Moses Lake.  We're trying to be patient and watching the real estate websites for anything new to come on the market.  Which there isn't.  I wanted to move during the kids summer break so in case they switch schools it's not during the school year.  But that's starting to look less likely to happen.

I keep asking myself, "Are we being too picky?"  Not really, and I don't want to buy a house I'm not happy with.  "Could we raise our house budget?"  Sure, but forget about that new family car, any new furniture for said house, any trips or fun activities with the kids, and anything extra at all!

Now what, you ask?  We keep looking praying that the right home for us is here somewhere.  We are fortunate that we aren't on any real time line because our lease is now on a month to month basis.  So we can be patient (as hard as it is) until the right one comes along, and when it does we'll be glad we waited.

Spring Break

Last week was Spring Break for our kids.  Tony still had to work and it was his turn to drive so the kids and I just sorta hung out at the house.  The kids were doing a pretty good job keeping themselves entertained until Thursday.  On Friday the kids hung out with our neighbors while I went to a doctor's appointment and to the store.  Once Tony got home from work he asked me what I thought about a weekend getaway.  I heartily agreed.  Within an hour we had a hotel booked in Post Falls, Idaho and were packed and ready to go on our impromptu mini-vacation!

Saturday morning we went to Breakfast at a diner featured on "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives" called Jimmy's Down the Street.  It was just a little place but it was really yummy "real" food!    

 Alaina, me, Lincoln in his car seat, Charlie, and Carson.

 Tony showing off their "world-famous" pecan caramel roll.  It was huge and so yummy!  We shared 1 between the 5 of us.

After we rolled out of the cafe and a stop at Cabellas, we took the kids to a Science Discovery Center in Spokane.  It wasn't nearly as cool as the Discovery Center in Boise, but it was still neat to see the different displays.

 Alaina making a web.

 Charlie playing with magnets.

 The boys making circuits.

After the Science Center we checked out the 3 story mall across the street.  Each of the kids picked up a toy at the Toy store and we got some pretzels for lunch.

 Charlie thoroughly enjoying his cinnamon sugar pretzel.

Then we took the kids to a trampoline park.  The kids were so excited!

 The kids were a bit worn out after an hour of running and jumping.

After expelling lots of energy we went out for pizza for dinner.

Lincoln and I doing what we did most of the day.  I was amazed at the number of comment we got on our little baby and the number of kids we had.  We were fortunate enough that they were all good comments, and the kids were well behaved most of the day so I could accept them easily.

We finished off our fun filled day with swimming at the hotel pool.  Needless to say that it didn't take long for the kids to fall asleep and they slept in until 8:00!  Sunday morning we headed home.  We all really enjoyed our full and fun day away from home!  

Soccer Girl

At the beginning of February a flyer came home about spring soccer starting soon.  Carson was just finishing up Basketball and getting ready to start his robotics club.  Alaina was feeling a bit left out that she didn't have an activity for her to do.  She announced that she wanted to try soccer.  Tony and I were a bit hesitant at first because Alaina can be a bit dramatic and we were concerned about the rough and tumble aspect of sports.  But Alaina was adamant, so we agreed.  To our pleasant surprise Alaina showed a natural talent.  By the end of the season she was the only girl on her team to have scored any goals.  She really liked playing and I think that with some real coaching and some practice she could be a great soccer player.  

Lincoln's Birth

So men have their "war stories" and women have their "birth stories".  I guess for both men and women these are the times that make the biggest impression on our lives.  I think its because we are pushed to our limits, going through something extremely difficult and come out on the other side with something to show for it.  In my case, a sweet little baby.

My official due date was Friday, February 27th.  All of my other babies had been early, and as with every women who is 9 months pregnant, I was hoping this baby would be too.  I had my membranes scrapped on Friday the 20th to put me into labor.  After all that's all it took with Alaina and Charlie.  I had contractions off and on all weekend.  But nothing consistent or very hard.  Monday I saw my midwife again.  She suggested an induction.  If we had been under different circumstances I probably wouldn't have considered induction.  But such as it was we headed to the hospital Monday evening to have a baby.

I wanted to try and avoid Pitocin if I could, so they started me off with a medication put in my cervix.  It worked...as long as I didn't sit or lay down.  Come 11:00 p.m. I was exhausted.  Tony suggested I lay down and get some sleep.  So I slept as much as I could in between vital checks, sparatic contractions and super comfy hospital bed (please note my sarcasm).  By 7:00 a.m. there hadn't been any change since the night before.  4 cm dilated and 50% effaced.  So by 8:00 a.m. they started me on Pitocin.  Now the contractions were starting to be consistent and a bit stronger.  At 9:00 a.m. my midwife broke my water.  At this point Tony and I warned her that once my water goes the baby comes fast.  And so he did.  I was fully dilated, effaced, and ready to push within 30 minutes.  Lincoln was born at 9:37 a.m.

So I'd say that in reality I was in and out of labor the entire weekend, but once I was in established full blown labor it was only 2 1/2 hours.  I've managed to have all my babies without pain medication.  The hospital staff seem to think of me as some super women.  I wouldn't think of myself as one.  I honestly felt like i didn't need it and I don't feel any ill will to any women who chooses to use pain medication.

We named our baby Lincoln Anthony Foster.  Lincoln was 8 lbs and 1 oz and 20 inches long.  About the same size as Carson and Alaina.  I was thrilled to not have another Charlie size baby.  Lincoln had a bit of a low blood sugar when he was born, but it continued to rise after each nursing and by afternoon he was fine.

Lincoln is a really good baby and is a great nurser.  He rarely spits up which is a nice change.  He likes his binkie, and he loves to be cuddled.  Which is good because there are plenty of family members happy to cuddle and love on him.  We are all still adjusting to having a baby in the house again.  Last week was especially hard on Charlie and Alaina, but this week seems to be better now that we are getting into a routine again.  I'm trying to get used to being constantly sleep deprived.  Naps are hard to come by when you've got four kids and a home to take care of.  So I try to go to bed early and keep Lincoln in bed with Tony and I so I don't have to get up so much in the middle of the night.  I'm thoroughly enjoying food again and am feeling more like myself each day.

So all in all Lincoln arrival went well and we are all excited he's finally here!        

Tony and Lincoln shortly after his birth.

8 lbs 1 oz

Sweet baby feet

Warming up under the heater.

I know all my babies look alike.  That's ok though.  That way we all know who they belong to.

Charlie loves Lincoln and refers to him as "My baby".

Carson has always loved babies and has already proved to be a big help with Lincoln.

Alaina loving on the baby.  I don't think she minds so much anymore that he's a boy.

Ready to go home.

Look at that sweet baby...not at the very tired mommy.  Honestly I don't know how they expect you to get any rest at all in the hospital when the nurses (as nice as they were) are coming in every few hours to check on you and the baby.  The bed is less than desirable and the baby next door is crying all night.  Of course my baby didn't cry hardly at all.  My baby is an angel.  ;)

Lincoln Anthony

Born Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 9:37 a.m.

8 lbs 1 oz 20 in long

*details regarding labor, delivery, and our first week as a family of six to follow. 

Pinewood Derby 2015

So last night was the much anticipated Pinewood Derby.  Carson was excited and I was super stressed.  Since I'm the Cubmaster in our ward I felt a great responsibility to plan and make a fun night for the boys.  I would say that I had a lot of anxiety about the event.  But with the help of the other leaders and from Tony the night went pretty well with just one hiccup, that was ironed out pretty well.  Carson told me that it was so much fun.  He didn't place this year, but it didn't seem to bother him.

Carson after all the races showing off his car.  It may not have been super fast, but it looked cool!

Christmas 2014

This year we spent Christmas in Boise.  It was 10 days filled with large family gatherings, Christmas shopping, a date for Tony and my upcoming 12th anniversary, and various other activities.  We enjoyed our time there but I was certainly glad when we made it home with our own space and beds.  All the merry making and constant running around can really take it out of you, especially if you're 8 months pregnant!  I have to say I'm a bit sad at the limited number of pictures we have to document our time, but it is what it is.  So I'll share what we've got.

Tony's mom waited until we came into town to get their tree so my kids could experience the whole "picking out a tree" and "decorating the tree" thing.  We had kind of a hard time finding a tree lot and then when we did all that was left were the big ones.  But we were able to get a discount so a normally $70 tree was $40 made it worth the trouble.

Carson

Alaina

Charlie

I'm rearranging the kids decorations and trying to reach the top without toppling over myself.

The kids also made ginger bread houses with their cousins.  I have to admit this isn't usually something we do around the holidays but the kids had fun for the short amount of time their houses actually stayed up.

Carson

Alaina

Charlie

  And yes even I joined in to make a house.  The kids quickly devoured their houses, especially Charlie.

So come Christmas morning I got some videos of the kids opening presents and such.  But totally spaced getting pictures on Christmas Eve of the kids acting out the nativity or wearing their Christmas p.j.s.  I also never got pictures of the kids with all their gifts like I usually do.  I'll blame it on pregnancy brain combined with the ciaos of Christmas morning.

But all in all we had a good Christmas and the kids were thrilled with all their gifts.  I have to admit that I always look forward to Christmas but I'm glad when it's all said and done.  Now that all the festivities are almost over I can start concentrating on getting ready for the baby.  He'll be here in about 8 weeks, so we'd better get busy!