Well today I am happy to report that the bank accepted our offer and we signed the paperwork last night for our new house! I am SO excited and thankful to God for providing for us and blessing us beyond what we ever imagined. We're waiting for our loan approval and then we can move on to the next step!

Today we are supposed to get a response from the bank on the second house we have made an offer on. We were outbid on the first house, and the buyers ended up paying over asking price. This house is similar and in the same neighborhood. There are already two of us making offers on it...let's hope we win this time! So much for a "buyers market."

From our house photos

When we first moved into this house in September of 2004, we never imagined that within four years, our family would double in size. When we moved our one bed, table, couch, TV, and a few dishes and towels into this three bedroom house, it felt so empty. Now it feels like we are bursting at the seams with all of the toys, clothes, and stuff that come with two kids - it is finally time to look for somewhere bigger to call home.

I get all choked up thinking about all of the "firsts" that happened in this space on Fernwood Court, and how much God blessed us here.

Well, now our house is under contract, the inspector came yesterday, and we are waiting for the results. If everything goes well, we should be closing on February 26!

Now comes the fun part - finding a new place to live!

Jack the ROLLER SKATING Superbuddy!

Just when you thought Superbuddy could not get any crazier. Jack got roller skates for Christmas.

From January 2008

Thankfully they come with elbow and knee pads. He puts on his cape and skates around the house yelling SUPERBUDDY!

From January 2008

Since he never got what he really wanted for Christmas - "sticking shoes," or magnetic shoes that he can use to climb up the side of the refrigerator, the roller skates will have to do.

Now he is asking for a Funslide carpet skateboard that he saw on a commercial. The kids in the commercial are sliding around the house, up and down the stairs, and on ramps made of carpet, having the time of their lives. I don't see this in Jack's future.

From January 2008

Charlotte had her one-year well check with Dr. Gutman on Wednesday. She is 29" tall (50th %), weighs 20 lbs and 7.25 oz (50th %), and her head is 48 cm (95th %). The doctor said she looks fabulous and is doing great! She got 4 shots. Charlotte is transitioning from two naps to one, and is weaning (sort of). She walks like a pro, still says "daddy" all the time, and follows her brother around constantly. She loves books, brushes her own teeth and hair, and pretends to talk on the cell phone and blow her nose with tissues. Her favorite toy is the remote control and her favorite food is spaghetti and any fruit. Grammy taught her to play patty cake with the cabbage patch kids. She can already open all the cabinets and drawers in the house, and climbs on top of the coffee table and Jack's bed. She likes to take things out of the refrigerator, and kitchen and bathroom cabinets. (Just when Jack has learned not to do that, we need to re-install all of the child safety locks.) Charlotte enjoys playing outside with Jack and riding his old bike. She has started throwing little temper tantrums if she can't have something - she screeches and lays down on the floor and kicks her legs. We just think it is cute!

Christmas 2008

From Christmas 2008

Christmas was exciting this year, as usual. Jack was old enough to understand that Christmas is Jesus' birthday (and that Santa was coming that night), and Charlotte is excited about anything and everything. Grammy and Grandpap Holland were here for the month of December - they rented a house in Terravita, and it was so wonderful to have them here. It felt like we lived in the same town for a few weeks, and I miss them so much already. Yia Yia arrived Christmas eve with tons of food and presents, as usual! Jack was thrilled to help her unload the car and read books together. That evening, we all went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church, North Ridge. Rich rocked the bass guitar in the worship band. Jack was so happy about having a "sleepover" in his room with Yia Yia that night.

Christmas morning, Grandpa Chief and Grandma Susan came over to help open presents. We loved having them at our house in the morning to celebrate Christmas. Later in the day, after the kids were worn out from playing with all of their new toys, we went over to Terravita for Christmas dinner. The kids opened more gifts from Grammy and Grandpap, and we spent the evening together. Most importantly, we all remember what Christmas is really all about. In Jack's words, Jesus is special because ... "SON!"

From Christmas 2008

From Christmas 2008