So, I am as crappy of a blogger as I thougth I'd be. It's been weeks and no updates.

We are full speed ahead on the house. I got the appraisal today and the house is appraising just above what we are paying for the house. The exterior paint passed! Which means we can get it done after we move in and don't have to worry about getting it done before closing. Because we are going through FHA, the appraisal has to meet minimum standards and we were a little concerned about the paint. It isn't flaking yet, but it's cracked and will need to be done in the next year or so. (If anyone is in town and wants to help us paint, we won't say no...There may even be pizza and beer/soda for those who help. Enticing, isn't it?)

The inspection went well. We now have a laundry list of things that will need to be taken care of. Mostly little things, like insulating the heating ducts and hot water pipes, reversing polarity of some outlets, lengthening the downspouts so the water goes away from the house, etc. The only bigger thing that needs to be done is radon mitigation. Now, since our sellers have no money to offer to fix these things, we have been offered furniture in exchange. We've asked for the wicker furniture on the front porch, the buffet in the dining room, the bedroom set in the upstairs bedroom, and air conditioners. The used value of these items seem to be comparable to the cost of mitigating the radon and doing the smaller repairs ourselves. We are still waiting to hear back from the sellers about the trade.

This week, I am calling around for homeowners insurance. It is crazy how different policies can be. One company wants us to insure for $220,000 replacement value, another for $270,000. If we get car insurance through them, then that drops the rate. My insurance company seems to have switched me to another agent, which is very annoying since I've been working with the same agent for 5 years now. It is definitely a pain to work through.

Update on the kids-

Dillon started T-ball last week and seems to enjoy it. His first game was rained out, so I will get to see him play this coming Saturday. He is doing well in school and his reading is really coming along. He is not looking forward to this move, mainly because he won't live right above Zackary any more. We've promised to have Zack over this summer and hopefully that will ease the transition.

Dillon is looking forward to his birthday at the end of the month. We have compromised on the party- he wanted his entire class, I wanted 2-3 kids. His party will consist of dinner with my family and our neighbors, cake and ice cream after, and Zack is spending the night. In the morning, we will head up to Earth Fest (more for Mommy and Daddy) and have a nice family day, while Mommy gets to see Soul Asylum in concert at the festival.

Gilbey is a typical almost 3 year old. One day is total meltdown and tantrum after tantrum and the next he is a sweet funny kid. I can't wait for the sweet days to start overtaking the meltdown days! He is talking up a storm and is a pretty funny kid. He loves Mickey Mouse, tools, and anything on the shelves he shouldn't be getting into!

If you made it to here, thanks for reading! Keep your fingers crossed for us that all goes well over the next few weeks.