Closed

As of Wednesday, we are the official owners of a house- a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home, no less. I was surprised to find a home that size in our price range. The mountains are fraught with large homes, all excessively expensive. Of course, our journey with this home has been a difficult one at best.

First, we were elated that our offer on the home, considerably less than what the buyer was asking for, was accepted. Then we were dismayed that the house had apparent structural problems that the buyer would not fix. Next we were happy to learn the buyer was willing to make repairs. After that we were glad to discover that the house was in sound condition after said repairs.

Then we were annoyed that the closing date was moved due to some technicalities concerning the termite report. After which we were happy to again have a solid closing date until our lawyer had to go out of town for a trial, and the closing date was moved again. It was, we hoped, for the last time, till we found out that the paralegal had waited till the last minute to file certain paperwork. But we made it to the lawyer's office to sign the paperwork anyway.

After we signed a gazillion documents, some stating that we would sign more documents if necessary, and others joyfully proclaiming that we would go to prison if we lied on said documents, we were told that we would be homeowners as soon as the wire transfer came through from the bank. Fast forward to the next day when we received a call from our lawyer saying, "I don't know how to tell you this, but..."

The bank had not sent the wire, claiming that the lending service we were using had reached its lending limit. Huh? After 24 hours of sweating and praying, we learned that the wire had finally come through. The bank had made a mistake. Ya think? We now have the keys to our home, and we can begin to make it our own. It may not be the prettiest house on the block, or the newest, but it's ours, and that's all that matters.

I can't wait to post some before and after pictures for you (there will be lots). Maybe by next week I'll have some. We plan on painting the kitchen cabinets, and installing new hardware. We'll also be painting CiCi's room before we move in. Other projects we have planned for later (some of which will cost more money than we have right now)- removing the outside doors in the master bedroom (yeah, I know...WHY?), redoing master bedroom closet and bathroom, replacing fixtures in hall bathroom, replacing kitchen appliances, removing partitioning walls in living room/kitchen, replacing flooring in main living space, carpeting master bedroom, and improving curb appeal (covers more than I think I can list).

At least we passed the biggest hurdle- making this house ours.

To Da Zoo!

This past Saturday we embarked on the excursion of a lifetime- CiCi's first trip to the zoo! It was warm and sunny at the Greenville Zoo when we arrived, but we weren't fooled by appearances. This was a journey fraught with danger. Hundreds of tiny human beings bounding through the crowds threatened to send us careening off the safely pathed paths into the sharp, twisted limbs of holly bushes.

We fought desperately to reach the animal enclosures to view UP CLOSE the branches of trees hanging nearby. We were stunned at the sight of mammals whose necks closely resemble the bed posts we see everyday. We nearly suffocated in the heat of the reptile building while viewing other children. Somehow, despite the odds, we made out alive.

This is the evidence of our great adventure-

Whine and Cheese

True talent exists even in 12 month-olds. Like the ability to whine at just the right pitch. You see if you hit the right tone it makes one's head reverberate. I'm positive it's the exact sensation you might feel before your head exploded. Apparently, a 1 year old must whine about everything. I can't wait for actual words to be apart of CiCi's vocabulary, though I'm sure that comes with some, um, quid pro quos.

Speaking of whine, can we please stop cutting the cheese at inconvenient moments? Church, for instance, is not a good place to let one loose. And saying uh oh does not make it better. It just makes everyone laugh. During prayer time. Burps should also be off limits. Especially when they're pointed directly at my face. How does a baby always manage that. I tell you it's got to be talent.

Finally! A Slideshow...

To CiCi At One Year

The day you were born my world changed forever. I had never known a love for another person like the love I felt for you. I couldn’t imagine that love growing deeper and yet it has. This past year has brought me more joy than I ever thought possible. I’ve watched your personality begin to blossom. I’ve seen you learn and grow day by day. Everything is brand new and exciting in your eyes. And though I feel sad sometime that you’re not the tiny baby you were when I first held you in my arms, I am excited to see you grow and change in the years to come.

I want to be there for you every step of the journey. You have a sweet spirit, and you’re smart as a whip (just like your daddy, but don’t tell him). You’re as mischievous as your mother (don’t worry she already knows) and you’re as stubborn as both your parents put together (this could make things interesting). You make me stop and enjoy each moment of our time together. You make me smile when I feel like frowning, you make me laugh when I feel like crying, and you make each day more exciting than the next.

I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I can’t wait to find out. You have made your daddy and I better people- more responsible, more patient, more childlike. We see the world through your eyes and delight in the innocence you lend to everyday moments. You try our patience at times (a little less whining would be nice, and no more spitting food at me when I’m not looking), you test our attention span (I think a few bumps and bruises aren’t bad, you haven’t fallen off the bed or dived out of your high chair), and you bring out the silly in us (all those weird noises you’ve picked up over the past year, we’ll blame those on your dad).

No matter how many time I’ve gotten food in my eye or spit up on my clothes I’ll cherish this past year for the rest of my life. You’ll grow up, but in my heart you’ll always be my baby girl. I’ll see you crawling down the hall laughing while your MeMaw chases after you, I’ll see you digging fistfuls of icing from your birthday cake, I’ll see you sleeping on my chest with the cat curled up beside you, and I’ll see you smiling with a flower tucked behind your ear.

Sometimes I wish I could pause time. These moments keep whizzing by and I know soon you’ll be heading off to college or starting a family of your own with someone special. I pray that no matter what you do or where you go you will trust God in everything. I pray you’ll know his grace. I pray your beautiful smile will be lit with his love. You’re more special to me and your daddy than you’ll ever know little one, and you always will be. Happy Birthday!

Valentine's

Counting Down

Despite all the hoopla involving our possible purchase of a home in Dillsboro (another post entirely), I have had one thing on my mind lately- CiCi's impending birthday. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that it's been almost a year since she was born. It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital holding my tiny bundle and wondering if I had lost my mind nine months before. I was in awe of this little person and the huge, nay, ginormous burden of raising her to be a godly young woman. I am still in awe of her- how much she's grown, how much her personality has developed, how mobile she is (Lord help us).

It's difficult to imagine myself as a mom, especially the mom of an impending toddler, but when someone mentions mama and CiCi points at me accusingly, I am reminded that I am no longer just Susanna. She frustrates me sometimes (she tried to delete my entire post moments ago), but delights me most of the time. I can only imagine the joys the coming year will provide. I plan on writing her a letter on her birthday. Perhaps I will post it here so you can all cry and reminisce with me. I also plan on creating a 1 year slideshow which I will definitely post here. Stay tuned- it'll be a sappyfest of epic proportions.

I leave you with this:

She scores a 100 on the cuteness-O-meter.