Hooray!

Tomorrow is the day! Mom, Sara, and Jake fly in tomorrow night. Unfortunately got word yesterday I have to work all weekend - which I guess I really should be grateful for, considering the last month - but there's SO much to do, ugh. Just have to try and fit everything in I guess. Now of course, we've had completely gorgeous weather in the 80s and now poof - rain for the last couple of days, now down to 30s/40s at night, brrr! I was hoping it would stay in the 80s for them but it looks like probably 60s instead. So much for the suntan Sara! :-)

We finally got all our packages out so they should be arriving shortly. Hopefully everything gets there in one piece!

Uploading new pics to photobucket right now :)

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/diva70/stuff/Florida/

new pictures

Hey all, Merry Christmas! I just got a few more new pics up. I need to still upload some from my phone though, so check back. These are some old ones from the Zoo back in July I hadn't got to yet, and some from the Keys trip we took in September, and a few new ones. They're on page 1 and 2 of the site. Here's the link again -
http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/diva70/stuff/Florida/

we're in!

We're here...and wow, we're extremely tired. We just about have everything out of Kerri's house, just a few things to pick up in the garage. Now we're trying to get everything done here, and it's a wreck. To top it off, these oh so lovely sellers left the house a complete mess. I don't think they've cleaned in years. GAK. Kids are loving it, pets are doing well. Cats were MAD about being back in the carrier, I'm sure they thought they were headed for another 5 day trip. :) Will post some pics of the chaos soon.

Today is the Day!

WOW! Finally after 5 long years, today is the day, we close on our house in Florida. It's going to be a long hard day! Will post more later.

First Florida report cards are in! Jordan; four As, one B, Caitlin; all As. WOOT! :-D

shuttle launch

This is video from the midnight shuttle launch in August. I realize it's kind of difficult to see, I took it with my digital camera instead of the real DVD camera. This is looking back directly over our house. I'll try to get the actual photos up soon.

new pics

Sorry! I'm finally getting around to editing and uploading a bunch of photos.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/diva70/stuff/Florida/

10/05

OK, you know how it goes...I have to brag up Caitlin a little.

Last week she went out and tried for the Stars of Tomorrow program at the Cocoa Village Playhouse. It's a pretty big deal here for kids and very tough to get in. It was sort of like a mini American Idol tryout and took just hours. She sang "I'm Yours" (Jason Mraz) and had to learn a very quick dance. She finally heard this weekend - she got in! Now she'll be automatically cast in four productions, Seussical, High School Musical 2, the Holiday Showcase, and Disney's Cinderella's Kids. Also she tried out for Annie last night, and probably will be trying for Curtains, Ragtime, and Man of La Mancha.

She's also trying out shortly for the Brevard County Orchestra - the kid is busy. Hoping she doesn't have too much on her plate, but you know Caitlin. :)

On the house situation - in case you haven't heard - we made an offer on the second house below (the yellow one) and they took it - 25k under asking, 5k closing costs. WOOT! Now we're just doing the busy stuff - inspections, repairs, getting all the crazy loan paperwork done, etc. FHA appraisal is next, this week I think. Whew! We should close 11/2 (hope!), will keep you posted. If you'd like to see the virtual tour, here is the link:
http://www.propertypanorama.com/tour.asp?id=75082&

Wahoo!

We are SO thrilled! Not only does Jas have a job but we have more great news!

We've been looking and looking at houses, as you know. We had been told by a broker a while back that if Jas didn't get a job in the same field, we'd have to wait on getting a loan. Turns out that was erroneous info! We just got a pre-qualification done yesterday, hooray! Now this weekend we're looking a little more seriously rather than just well, we like this, maybe the owners will do a lease option. We have a long list to look at, but we both have a feeling we know which two we are seriously looking at a little harder, the two we tried to get a lease option on. It'll be great to be able to go back through with the knowledge that yes, we might just be able to do this.

Of course...they won't be getting full price now. ;-) Ah, coulda shoulda woulda....

Not going to go for the house below, I don't think. The more we thought about it the more we realized our hearts are really "beachside". If we could move the house over there, it would be perfect.

Will keep you posted. Also I need to tell you about our trip down to the Keys over Labor Day for the kid's birthdays. We had quite a time. Of course Cait's b-day isn't until next week, but we decided to do a combined b-day.

wildlife

Even if you don't like Florida for the heat, at least you can appreciate the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities we have here.

Just today - baby armadillo crossed the road in front of our car, a mama raccoon went through the yard with four new babies trailing behind, and we were entertained by two little lizards fighting for territory (our patio lol), then having a huge stare down. :-D

09/02/2009

Hey all, small update. We saw the night shuttle launch Friday and it was amazing. We just stood outside the house - came right up and over. We got some pictures and video but they're not great - I will still upload them soon so you can see.

As you know Jordan's birthday is this weekend, I think we're going to try and take the kids to the Keys, as long as TS Erika stays away, looking good for that. They're dying to go and do "real" snorkeling. :)

Jas is working on taking a couple of tests for his EPA card. Seems like every employer here wants them to have that, so he needs to get that done. I'm doing my regular job, but it's a lot harder here, considering I'd really rather be out in the sun :) Speaking of sun, we're all very tan!

Kids are doing well in their schools. We bought Cait her own violin and she sounds amazing. She's going to be trying out for the County-wide orchestra pretty quick here, and she made the first section of the chamber orchestra at school. Jordan is enjoying his new school a lot and doing well.

We drove over to the Gulf side for the day on Sunday - Tampa, Clearwater, and Dunedin. We were at Honeymoon Island for most of the time. It's gorgeous over there - crystal blue water, very few waves, and the sand is like white talc, very smooth and very cool due to the quartz in it.

That's all for the moment, I have to get back to work. Will get pics up soon. Take care all!

first post!

Hello all! I decided to start another blog, this one just for updates about what is going on down here in Florida with everyone. I'll try and update as much as I can. You can add a comment to the blog in the box down below if you'd like. You can also become a "follower" and then every time I create a post you will be notified.