And now it begins!

I should preface this by saying that what I'm about to write is likely not very interesting for anyone other than us.  But since this blog is a journal of sorts about times and thoughts, I thought I should record a few things about this little adventure in home buying/selling that we're on right now.

I'm sorry that I don't have any pictures to share this morning, but I thought I should post that our closing went well yesterday and we are now the proud owners (well, us and the bank, of course) of our new home in Turbotville.  We spent the afternoon moving things from the garage over to the new house so that we have a small prayer of staying organized and being able to find tools through this whole process.  The locksmiths and carpet cleaners were out yesterday afternoon as well.  And as a small side note, I have to tell you that to look at the carpet in this house, you'd have never in a million years thought it needed to be cleaned.  Actually, as the carpet guy was starting to work I kept thinking that it was a colossal waste of a couple hundred dollars.  But you should have SEEN the filter when he was done!  Suffice it to say that it was a good move to have them cleaned.

Our walk through process on Thursday afternoon was a bit less than ideal, since the previous owners were still moving out of the house when we got there.  There's something very strange about going over everything with a fine tooth comb when the person who is a little upset to be leaving the place to begin with is standing there.  It was especially uncomfortable when I had to put on insurance agent hat and kindly request that they TURN THE HEAT ON to prevent the pipes from freezing.  It was a very chilly 54 degrees in the house and the magic number for frozen pipes is 55.  We asked our realtor to do a final check of the house in the morning before we closed to make sure all was right on Cherry Tree Lane.  So after Jason and I were able to be in the house alone, we really enjoyed walking around and seeing the place on our own.  We're going to be really really happy there, we can just tell.  But there was a definite element of awe in the fact that we're just two kids who love each other....and how did we ever end up here?  With two beautiful kids we adore, and someone who was willing to lend us some money so that we can live in this gorgeous home.  We are so blessed.

Early in the morning, Joshua had declared that he didn't want to go and see the inside of the new house because he wanted to be surprised on Wednesday when we were going there to live for good.  Luckily for all of us, he changed his mind and went back to the house with us on one of our trips.  He was pretty funny to watch, eyes wide open as he put the pieces together that we were actually going to get to live there.  His favorite parts:  the fireplace, the big BIG bathtub in our bathroom and the deck.  He even insisted on running around a bit in the backyard.  I'm betting the neighbors are already starting to form some strange opinions of the weirdos who are moving in.....running around in the 15 degree temperatures as if it's spring.

The moving is on hold for today as we head to Lewistown to spend the day celebrating Christmas with my family.  Thankfully, the two ear infections Lauren came up with on Thursday are doing better, we've gotten some sleep (finally) and I think she's well enough to travel without being a  bear or infecting the whole Richard clan for Christmas.  We'll return tonight and then get starting with the hauling back and forth tomorrow.  We're so lucky to have Zig's help tomorrow, as well as a visit from my parents and Jeff and Judy to help with the kids in the afternoon.  I'll be working on cleaning while Zig and Jason are moving the basement over.  The basement is probably the most dreaded of all the moving so we hope it goes quickly and smoothly.  Then, on Monday and Tuesday, we'll work on closets, dresser drawers, toys, etc. to get ready for the movers to do their thing on Wednesday.  To look at our house now, you'd really have no idea that we're moving, so there's going to be a whole lot of shoving into totes and throwing them in the vehicle for the 10 minute trip up the road.

I may not be posting for a while, but I'll be sure to share some photos once we're in and have the place looking like home (including the Christmas tree and other appropriate hall decking stuff).  What an adventure!