In case you missed it, we've been trying to build a house for oh....22 months now. It's definitely been an experience which I could not have predicted. It took us 20 months from signing a contract on our land to closing, but I'm thankful we got in on the broker's first land sale experience. He said he actually lost money on this project, which for us is a good thing. It took quite a while for him to get the land divided, utilities to the lots, and for the surveys to be done and approved by city council. Because of all the delays and my pregnancy-hormone fueled move to a smaller and more inexpensive house we were able to pay cash for the land. Yay! Also, the land across the street is for sale in a flood area for 20k more than ours and it is slightly smaller if I'm remembering correctly. All in all, I think it's been a good purchase. It has tried our patience for sure. Waiting and waiting for the land, scrimping and saving every month and denying our own needs wants while living in a house that is 1000 sq feet smaller with no yard and a 30 minute longer commute has not been the best, but it's been worth it. I feel like we're getting a glimmer of hope that the end is near. WE HAVE PLANS!
Albeit, not the plans we were planning on having. We had been in touch with an architect company for a courtyard home back since we signed on the land, so well over a year ago. Once we finally had the land in our pocket, so to speak, we got back in touch to let her know we were ready to pay and move forward. She said great, she would get us a bill for the changes that day. A week goes by- nothing. So I ask her again- oh yeah, not problem she'll send it out that day- nothing. A week later she emails us saying she's having trouble figuring out how to make a change to the roof and having issues with some other changes we wanted- so I told her don't worry about it, just change the roof and we are happy. No word. I send her a suggestion for the roof problem. No response. I follow-up again a week later. Nothing. A week later Josh calls. No response. We were devastated. I had already designed the whole thing in my head. I imagined our kids playing outside in the mini fenced in courtyard with our future pup while I made dinner. It wasn't in the cards, unfortunately. Weeks went by while we tried to figure out what to do. I was praying and praying thinking maybe this isn't right- there's been so many hurdles already, then one day a suggested pin came up on Pinterest. "This could work with a few changes," we thought. "It's risky- changes got us into this position in the first place" I worried. "It's bigger! What if we can't afford it?" I stressed, but it worked out!
Silas Lacey was wonderful to work with. He made all changes in 4 days and offered free services with our purchase, like digitally placing the home on the lot. This is the base exterior of our proposed home- the colors and finishes will be different (think cedar instead of rock and dark blue), but I think it will be great.
It has 4 beds, 3.5 baths, and office, a semi-courtyard and we added a playroom in lieu of a 3 car garage. I'm excited! We have a meeting with a builder on the 12th, so I'm hoping that will work out, but time will tell. We have contacted 6 builders since February and have had NO response from 3 of them, 1 gave us an outrageous quote, 1 said send more information then wouldn't respond (even with follow up emails), and this one helped walk us through the original plan problems. They have been so understanding and patient that I really want to work with them. Crossing fingers! Please pray for this to work out. I'm so tired of Josh's commute.
It's been a big 2 weeks for us. We paid off another loan- my last student loan- and took on another. Womp womp. The Kia died. Well, it still worked, but it kept throwing emissions codes and even though Josh replaced 2 parts, and had Kia fix another it still threw a code. I mean, the next freaking day. We had already invested 1k in a 6k car and the next step would be a $300 part that might fix the problem or a $500 smoke test just to determine what the problem was. We didn't want another car or another loan, but it seemed like a waste to keep investing in maybe solutions. He bought a Nissan Sentra at a really good price and it's under warranty so we're not worried about it crapping out. It has great gas mileage too. Yay for us!
It's week 30, so it's time for my 6 week check in. I've lost 2 more pounds, so I still have 16 more to go. I've worked out more this 6 week period than any other, but after a dip in my ability to feed Anias I upped my calories mostly through lactation cookies and Gatorade. He's eating though, and I feel pretty good!
Anias: Week 29
I like to dive head-first from sitting to whatever interests me. I have been rocking back and forth trying to crawl and am successful in moving myself all around. I'm super curious and busy. I love to sit on mom or dad's lap and bounce.
Anias: Week 30
I'm really interested in toys now. I love brother's stuffed animal racoon (Eli's favorite for a long while), and will "dance" for almost an hour when playing with my Dance & Move BowWow. I make a new funny face that is a mix between smiling and crinkling up my nose when I'm happy.
Eli
One night I had mom pray for mac n' Jesus. I want to be a fireman or astronaut and I think 'Shantel' is just another name for Nashville.
Albeit, not the plans we were planning on having. We had been in touch with an architect company for a courtyard home back since we signed on the land, so well over a year ago. Once we finally had the land in our pocket, so to speak, we got back in touch to let her know we were ready to pay and move forward. She said great, she would get us a bill for the changes that day. A week goes by- nothing. So I ask her again- oh yeah, not problem she'll send it out that day- nothing. A week later she emails us saying she's having trouble figuring out how to make a change to the roof and having issues with some other changes we wanted- so I told her don't worry about it, just change the roof and we are happy. No word. I send her a suggestion for the roof problem. No response. I follow-up again a week later. Nothing. A week later Josh calls. No response. We were devastated. I had already designed the whole thing in my head. I imagined our kids playing outside in the mini fenced in courtyard with our future pup while I made dinner. It wasn't in the cards, unfortunately. Weeks went by while we tried to figure out what to do. I was praying and praying thinking maybe this isn't right- there's been so many hurdles already, then one day a suggested pin came up on Pinterest. "This could work with a few changes," we thought. "It's risky- changes got us into this position in the first place" I worried. "It's bigger! What if we can't afford it?" I stressed, but it worked out!
Silas Lacey was wonderful to work with. He made all changes in 4 days and offered free services with our purchase, like digitally placing the home on the lot. This is the base exterior of our proposed home- the colors and finishes will be different (think cedar instead of rock and dark blue), but I think it will be great.
It has 4 beds, 3.5 baths, and office, a semi-courtyard and we added a playroom in lieu of a 3 car garage. I'm excited! We have a meeting with a builder on the 12th, so I'm hoping that will work out, but time will tell. We have contacted 6 builders since February and have had NO response from 3 of them, 1 gave us an outrageous quote, 1 said send more information then wouldn't respond (even with follow up emails), and this one helped walk us through the original plan problems. They have been so understanding and patient that I really want to work with them. Crossing fingers! Please pray for this to work out. I'm so tired of Josh's commute.
It's been a big 2 weeks for us. We paid off another loan- my last student loan- and took on another. Womp womp. The Kia died. Well, it still worked, but it kept throwing emissions codes and even though Josh replaced 2 parts, and had Kia fix another it still threw a code. I mean, the next freaking day. We had already invested 1k in a 6k car and the next step would be a $300 part that might fix the problem or a $500 smoke test just to determine what the problem was. We didn't want another car or another loan, but it seemed like a waste to keep investing in maybe solutions. He bought a Nissan Sentra at a really good price and it's under warranty so we're not worried about it crapping out. It has great gas mileage too. Yay for us!
It's week 30, so it's time for my 6 week check in. I've lost 2 more pounds, so I still have 16 more to go. I've worked out more this 6 week period than any other, but after a dip in my ability to feed Anias I upped my calories mostly through lactation cookies and Gatorade. He's eating though, and I feel pretty good!
Anias: Week 29
Anias: Week 30
I'm really interested in toys now. I love brother's stuffed animal racoon (Eli's favorite for a long while), and will "dance" for almost an hour when playing with my Dance & Move BowWow. I make a new funny face that is a mix between smiling and crinkling up my nose when I'm happy.
Eli
One night I had mom pray for mac n' Jesus. I want to be a fireman or astronaut and I think 'Shantel' is just another name for Nashville.
That house is beautiful! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
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