I'm back!!

Well I realize it has been awhile since my last post but it has been a crazy time! Moving was horrible! As it usually is. Next time remind me to hire people to pack us and move us! We are just getting too old for this! I say this as my husband turns only 28 in a couple of months! LOL

  Here are some updates! The new refrigerator was delivered the day after closing. And it is absolutely wonderful!

 

We started moving the day after. My brother was kind enough to lend us some arms and both he and my husband managed to move almost everything in one day. We spent the night in our new home that night and it was great! Everything we needed was accessible thanks to my professional packing skills! And most importantly the Keurig was in place and fully stocked for the weekend! A weekend of just plain work! We worked our little tails off cleaning out the house we were renting and trying to get our new house functionable. But I am pleased to say that from Friday to Sunday we were able to move our entire home and clean out the other house so we did not have to return back after Sunday. We turned over our keys and received our full deposit back! And now we could channel all of our energy into the new home. Which after that weekend, our energy levels were on EMPTY!

 

Since moving, I will be the first to admit, I have gotten extremely lazy! I managed to get the majority unpacked and somewhat in the area that it belongs in. But I stopped after making it a functioning home! I am slowly starting to begin all of the projects on my list. My husband has been so kind to help cross one off the list! Check out my new vanity! I mean I only wanted the table but he added a side piece that holds my hairdryer and straightener with a shelf underneath also! Such a great man I have!

 

And I decided to make a makeup stand to put on the vanity as well! It only cost $3 to make and it turned out so cute!

 

All in all it has been crazy this past month! My husband started chopping away at trees with a skill saw! It was definitely a site to see! Needless to say, the next time he returns to landscaping he will have a chainsaw in hand! My baby started Kindergarten! And yes I cried! My eyes only watered the first day after I walked him to his class. A week later, I decided he was ready to get out of the car and walk all by himself. And it was only after he closed the door and I began to drive away that I began to blubber like a baby! It is so hard to believe that he is already in Kindergarten and I feel like I just gave birth to him yesterday!

 

It has been a crazy first month and I am sure it will be one heck of a year! Stay tuned more projects and pictures to come!

Closed!!

So closing went great yesterday! Of course we couldn't get to that point without experiencing another issue with NVR! We received our HUD-1 Statement with the amount we needed to bring to closing the day before closing. So we made the trip to the bank to get an official check only to receive notification three hours prior to closing that they made an error and the amount to bring was incorrect! So we had to go back to the bank to get a new check. They are just such a pleasure to work with(if only you could hear the sarcasm in my voice!). But thankfully, it is over!

 

We met with the closing attorney, who was super nice, and signed a bazillion papers and received our keys! We are relieved that this process is finally over! Now that my online banking has a big "LOL" where the account balance used to be, we did what only comes natural after spending all of your savings. We went to HH Gregg to spend some more money on a refrigerator! It is being delivered today and it is freaking sweet! So I am excited about getting that bad boy in this afternoon.

 

Overall my experience with Ryan Homes has been pretty good. NVR has been a big pain in my ass but I guess anyone that is about to loan you a bunch of money is guaranteed to have a big stick up theirs! But don't think you're going to get by that easy NVR! (Survey time!! *wink*wink) Our sales agent has been easy to work with. Our project manager has been pretty cool and has definitely done a good job throughout the entire building process. Though, in finding out yesterday that someone tracked mud through my entire house, his job is not completely finished! But I spoke with him this morning and he assured me that it will be cleaned this afternoon.

 

So now let the fun begin! Tomorrow is moving day!!

 

 

My cute little flowerbed that our project manager promised us considering that fire hydrant was sticking two feet higher than it was supposed to be!

Day before closing!!

The day before closing is finally here! We just received the HUD1 Settlement Statement and the final amount due at closing tomorrow which is way lower than we were expecting so no more complaining there! We are just super excited that the moment is finally closing in. The moment where we can kick our feet back and finally look at how far we have come. We can stop and think about how much we have accomplished through the ups and downs. We can think about all that has been sacrificed, the time that has been spent, and all the blood, sweat and tears that have brought us to this very moment.

 

We have learned so much over the past ten years, my husband and I. I feel that we have worked so hard and I truly believe that we deserve so much. Now that I sit back and think about everything that has happened, everything that has come and gone, I know that everything has been worth it to see what we will now be able to show as trophy for all of our accomplishments!

 

I am so thankful for my husband! He has been and remains my rock through everything and someone I can depend on. Not only has he helped bring our child into this world, but he has helped me provide a wonderful life for our family. A life we can be proud of and a life that we know we earned every bit of!

 

So enough with the mushy gushy stuff already, I know that's what you're thinking! We are making the last minute preparations for closing, finishing up all of the packing, and mentally getting ready for this next chapter of our lives. We had our pre-settlement meeting yesterday with Jeff, our project manager. That went really well. The house looked absolutely amazing! There were still a couple last minute touches that needed to be finished like the front door needed to be painted the right color, the flowerbed around the fire hydrant needs to be finished, and we are still waiting for the hardware for the cabinetry in the kitchen. Otherwise, everything is ready!

Our new home!!

 

Mailbox is in!

 

One more money shot!

 

Update: One week until closing!

So it has been mainly touchups and repairs for the past week. My hubs went to check on everything yesterday and the 'touch-up' guy was there so the house was open. That happen to be from the same company that will come do our 10 month inspection as well. So he was able to offer some helpful tips and advice of what to look for and how to flag it for repair if necessary. Everyone wants to think that everything will remain perfect but we all know once the house settles there could always be imperfections that start to surface. So I think it's great that they do a 10 month inspection! It was such a bummer that the house was locked up when we went back out there once I got home but at least the hubs took pictures of what matters most to me! I'm sure you've guessed by now that the selling point for me on this home was definitely the kitchen!! Appliances have arrive and been installed. They look great in there! Also, the blinds have all been installed and the front door has been painted but I am a little concerned on the color. It looks more like a very dark army green or gray. It's supposed to be black so we shall see about that! Here are some pictures!

 

 

Just beautiful! I am absolutely stoked about getting to work in here! I think I will be afraid to cook though. I don't want to get it dirty!

 

Four days until our pre-settlement meeting and six days until settlement! It just can't get here fast enough! But it's also a reminder that I only have one week to finish packing my house! AHHHH!

Update: Two weeks until closing!!

Ok so the hubs and I decided to take a peek yesterday to see what has been done over the past few days and when we rounded the corner we were super stoked to see grass! But let's not stop there! The garage door was installed, bushes, a tree, and (uh oh) front door hardware! I thought for sure it's locked now and yes my intuitions were true! So I thought we were limited to peeking through windows from here on up to closing. We walked around the house to find our brand new deck and then my other half discovered the back door was not locked! Score!! So let's forget about garage doors, grass, trees, bushes, and decks and skip to what's important! My new kitchen sink and faucet is exactly what I wanted! Oh the little things bring me such joy! Like my new garbage disposal that I can't wait to use! Here are some pictures!!

 

 

Pedestal sink in the powder room

 

Master bath shower and tub with faucet now

 

The new deck is partially completed. Can't wait for our first cookout! 

 

Our little bushes! That pine straw will probably be the first to go!

 

And a tree! I didn't realize we would be getting a tree but I am very excited for it!

 

And here is the almost finished product! The door will be black. It's just primed right now. So exciting that the day is almost here!

 

Update: Just a few pics from this past weekend!

Bathroom Vanity in the Master Bath

 

 

Carpet Installed Master Bedroom

 

Carpet in Living/Family Room

 

Finally a column was added on the front stoop. I'm not sure if that is painted the color of the house or if that will be painted white. We shall see!

Update: Lights, Counters, Action!

Another update! I was trying to wait until the end of the week but I just happened to be in the area on my lunch break today and couldn't resist! And I was definitely not disappointed! The granite arrived and has been installed along with the flooring for the kitchen and bathrooms. It is absolutely beautiful! Here are some pictures!

 

 

The gourmet island

 

Kitchen flooring

 

 

My fabulous morning room flooring complete

 And I wasn't paying attention last time because I was so excited about the Lazy Susan cabinet that right next to that cabinet is a set of deep drawers. I'm kind of excited about that find! It's the little things!

 

Bathroom flooring

 

Ceiling fans

 

Light over the stairway

 

Bathroom lights

 

Recessed lighting in the kitchen

 

Lighting in the morning room

 

And more granite around the sink

 

The AC unit installed!

 

 

Carriage lights by the garage

 

 

And last but not least, it looks like we will have neighbors in a few short months! The lot has been cleared next door!

Update: Cabinetry and Siding!

Well it seems that I have been away for over a week! Needless to say my hectic life is catching back up with me! Work...blah! Let's not go there! The once fruit of my womb has been sick with Strep throat. Poor baby but he is feeling much better this week. I also now have a new nephew that was born last week! And I just can't wait until this house is up and running so I can start on fruit number two! Just a little baby fever going on here! Anyways back to the point of this post!

 

As of Wednesday evening, siding has begun! I began to get a little worried on Tuesday when our sales agent questioned what color the siding was supposed to be and said then said it had arrived. But no worries because it's on and it's perfect! They had 3/4 on this side, the right side was complete, and the back was about 1/3 of the way.

 

 

But much to my surprise, I was told that the cabinets were installed. That was my main reason for rushing by after work. When I walked through the door, I'm sure I was grinning from ear to ear! I am in love with my 42" Espresso cabinets!

 

And check out this cute little Lazy Susan cabinet. I didn't realize we would have that but excited about that find!

 

Another view of my beautiful new kitchen! I absolutely cannot wait to get in there and decorate!

 

And the surprises just kept on coming! I walked upstairs to find that all of the ceramic tile surround was complete! I didn't know they were doing that last week. And I am super stoked about my seat in the shower! I know all of you leg shavers can agree how handy that will be! Ha!

 

Another view showing the tub!

 

And I just couldn't resist another picture of the kitchen!

 

And two days later...completed siding and shutters! I just love the color we chose! We had originally went with the Charcoal Gray. Thanks to the neighbor for going with the Charcoal, we decided to change to the Irish Thistle and it's perfect!

More drywall and updates!

Just an update!

Everything seems to be taped and mudded. They are just finishing up sanding everything down to be painted. I believe the doors and trim are to be done next week along with first coat of paint. Siding is supposed to be happening next week though we've heard this for the past two weeks.

 

My crazy husband in the morning room with his bright shoes! Ha!

 

 

The loft

Drywall!!

So I just had to sneak in and see what was done yesterday. After a week of supposed to be starting drywall and nothing happening, I began to get a little antsy! But they did a lot in the past two days! It appears that all of the drywall is hung. So now let the taping and mudding begin!!

 

Here's a few pictures from my visit. We have doors!

 

 

The Morning Room

 

Mudroom Entrance

 

From the top of the stairs

 

The Master Bedroom

 

My Closet

 

The Garage

 

And just had to snap the SOLD sign in the window!