1st time Homeowners....FINALLY!

It has been quite sometime since I last blogged. 2011 turned out to be a very busy year mostly consuming us in the purchase of our first home. We started back in March 2011 with just talking about our dream and soon found ourselves talking with a mortgage broker at our bank. At this sit down we weren't expecting to be told that we were in a great position for purchasing a home, we thought we were close, but still had some things to take care of before we felt comfortable making our dream a reality.

That same day the mortgage broker recommended a realtor, we called her and the process started. We had several houses lined up to tour by that weekend. We had been really liking this one particular neighborhood since we had moved to Canby Oregon 2 years ago and the 1st house we looked at we loved. We ended up putting in an offer right away and waited to hear back. Now this was a short-sale house which meant that it was priced low in order to get offers but the liens on the house had to be approved by the bank and they weren't willing to take the cut in price the house was listed at. Anyway several weeks went by and we were told that the bank would only entertain on offer and we got beat out by a higher offer.

As bummed as we were to hear this we pushed on telling ourselves that there are plenty of houses out there and we will find the right one for us. We pushed forward looking at many more houses and then another one came on the market in this same ideal neighborhood. We'll call it NE 19th. It too happen to be a short-sale. But despite that we decided that after going in it we liked it a lot and it fit our family. We put in an offer and waited to hear back. The back and forth process went on for about 4 months and we were getting really tired how long the process was taking. With Baby Ard #5 coming I was feeling overwhelmed. Brandon and I just happen to be looking online one day and saw another house on NE 21st that was posted as a foreclosure just blocks down and we had been wanting to see it. We were feeling committed to this NE 19th but had really forgotten what it looked like in the inside because we hadn't been in it for over 4 months. We talked with out realtor who got us into NE 21st and then into NE 19th again, this was solely to compare the 2 houses. We ended up liking and feeling like the NE 21st was the perfect fit for our family. We then made the decision to drop the NE 19th contact and offer on NE 21st. We heard back within about 4 days that NE 21st had excepted our offer and we were moving forward with a contact. 4 days before Christmas this year moved into our very 1st home.

The home buying process was literally an emotional roller coaster! The ups and downs were hell! But we made it through. If you ever want to hear all the horrible details you will have to catch me on a day when I have nothing but time on my hands to talk about it :)

Our Beautiful Home

Be Prepared

My parents living in the South always puts me on edge when it comes to hurricane season. Growing up we prepared by making sure emergency packs were updated, boards were available if we needed to cover windows, water, batteries, etc. The most we ever received from hurricane weather was high winds, rain, power-outages and the occasional fallen trees or branches. I don't think there was ever a time when I felt we weren't prepared for any situation. Today I ran across this photo on one of my blogs that I follow for couponing sent from another reader who lives in Pennsylvania and saw this in a Rite-Aid store. Be prepared! It made me laugh :)

Can't believe it's been over a year already!

Lukas is getting so big! He has brought such joy to our family. He loves is big "Bi" and 2 very helpful sissies. He is babbling like crazy and says many new things. He just started saying Da De and Baba when he wants his sippy cup. When we are getting ready to go somewhere all I have to say is lets GO..and he is runnin' for the door. He loves to dance, give kisses, bring me things, read books, and say prayers with brother and sissies. He wakes up smiling and grabs his binky and blankie and runs to the kids room to see if they are awake yet. Since I work 3 nights a week, mornings are hard for me and Bryce loves to take Lukas for me, giving me an extra hour of sleep. He is so great with his baby brother! I have come down many mornings and seen Lukas snuggled up with Bryce. It melts this mama's heart. Kayla from the day Lukas arrived has taken on 2nd mommy. She loves to help give him baths and put him in his highchair for meal time and bring me things I need. She has even been caught dressing him as a girl! It was pretty funny! Lukas' face was begging to be saved. Maybe if I had been home that evening I would of, but daddy was letting it happen. Maddy loves to help me in many ways with Lukas like getting outfits if we are headed out, but she mostly has done many things to help mom and dad. She has done the dishes without even being asked and loves to vacuum for us. It is the littlest things that bring joy to my heart. We all agreed he was meant to be part of our family and fits right in with all the craziness :)

Pain Scale

Since I work in the ER I am familiar with this pain scale. When I saw this post on another blog I had to share. It had me rollin' on the floor laughing!

You've probably seen some version of that chart before. You may also have noticed how inadequate it is at helping you. Based on the faces, this is my interpretation of the chart:

0: Haha! I'm not wearing any pants!

2: Awesome! Someone just offered me a free hot dog!

4: Huh. I never knew that about giraffes.

6: I'm sorry about your cat, but can we talk about something else now? I'm bored.

8: The ice cream I bought barely has any cookie dough chunks in it. This is not what I expected and I am disappointed.

10:You hurt my feelings and now I'm crying!

None of that is medically useful and it doesn't even have all the numbers, so I made a better one with all the numbers:

0: Hi. I am not experiencing any pain at all. I don't know why I'm even here.

1: I am completely unsure whether I am experiencing pain or itching or maybe I just have a bad taste in my mouth.

2: I probably just need a Band Aid.

3: This is distressing. I don't want this to be happening to me at all.

4: My pain is not messin' around.

5: Why is this happening to me??

6: Ow. Okay, my pain is super legit now.

7: I see Jesus coming for me and I'm scared.

8: I am experiencing a disturbing amount of pain. I might actually be dying. Please help.

9: I am almost definitely dying.

10: I am actively being mauled by a bear.

11: Blood is going to explode out of my face at any moment.

I love what I do!

Spring Break 2011

Trip to the Oregon Coast for Spring Break, we played at the beach, visited Cape Mears Lighthouse, and just enjoyed hanging out as a family.

Trip to Florida

I enjoyed a trip back home to Florida at the end of February for my little sister Emily's wedding. I am glad that I got the opportunity to take Lukas and go. Kayla, Maddy & Bryce had school and Brandon was drowning with year end budgets at work. At first I was very torn whether or not to go. Only guessing that Brandon was tired of hearing me be indecisive he booked the plane ticket. Thinking it would be fun to surprise Emily I had asked my parents to keep it a secret. My plan was going pretty good until the day I flew in. I receive a text from Emily and my oldest sister Tami asking "So what time are you flying in?" I said, what are you talking about? I am not coming because tickets are too expensive!" This banter went back and forth and I tried playing it off. The last thing they said was "well see ya tonight at dinner!" I could only laugh. My parents had to go to Emily's and drop some things off and as I walked through the door, Tami yelled, " I knew it!, I knew you were here!" The reaction from Emily was really nothing, not even a hug. I was expecting a little more reaction. I have to admit I felt hurt. I had just left my family, flown 3000 miles, 3 kids at home, and it was Brandon's busiest time of the year at work and the one person I came for was not excited to see me it seemed. As the evening went on things seemed to only get worse. Brandon called me to let me know that it was snowing, which meant NO SCHOOL for the 3 kids at home. This was a nightmare because Brandon had to be at work the next two days. So I found myself feeling guilty for leaving him alone, especially after the reception I had so far received. Emily and I growing up had a close relationship, but distance between us with me going to school, getting married, and moving away to Oregon in such a short period of time had really severed that relationship in many ways. I didn't realize that it had affected her so deeply. With tears in my eyes I told her that I wanted to have things back to the way they were and she expressed the same. Even as hard as it seemed to sacrifice the money, time, and tears, all that went out the window when I saw my little sister radiating with beauty in her dress as she walked down the isle hand & hand with her prince charming, Steven.

8 Weeks To A Healthier Me

As most of you know I have signed on to participate in my 1st triathlon May 8th of this year. After I signed up to do this I finally had to face the fact that this was only going to be possible with a trainer. I have known for years that I was over-weight and needed to do something about it, but I would put it off for no apparent reason. I have been told for years and years from peers/friends/family "whatever, Afton you look great you don't need to lose weight!" I can't even count how many times I have been asked if I was pregnant and seeing the horrific embarrassment on the persons face as I tell them I am not. I am sick of hearing it!

I have always been a person of determination but lack of motivation to get started and this time I am setting myself up for success. I did some research/talked with some friends and I was able to find a trainer to help me reach my goal. 8 weeks & 50lbs. I know what you are thinking. And yes, people I can stand to lose that much & more! I am finally taking care of Afton! I am only 1 week in and have already started feeling like I have more energy. I look forward to working out and haven't really had a problem eating what is in my meal plan except when Brandon is sitting there eating a big bowl of buttery popcorn and I, my cucumbers and red peppers.

So to all of you I might see on a regular basis, please don't tempt or offer me any doughnuts or pizza because these are my weaknesses. And in 8 weeks I will be a happier healthier new me.

My New Love

A little over a year ago my sister-in-law took my on my 1st couponing trip. I was hooked! Over the last year however since Lukas was born I have been busy, understandingly so. Well last Monday on the television was a show about EXTREME couponing and so I set my DVR to record. I eventually got the time to sit and watch it later that evening and I was blown away. These people were hard core, I think it would even be safe to say OCD. But its simple concepts to saving money with coupons pulled me in!

Later that week I went out and purchased my Sunday papers and researched some coupon blogs on the Internet and by Monday the following week I was doing my first trip to the store to get the bargains. I picked the line that looked like it had the most young & friendly cashier(believe it makes a difference),with butterflies in my stomach I put my items up on the belt and rushed over to watch the prices ring up. At the time there were 2 other women standing behind me in line looking, their eyes got as big as melons when the cashier said out loud "you saved 66% today Mrs. Bonney (that's a whole other story), Great Job!!" I said Thank You! Have a great day!

20 cans~Progresso Soup
12 boxes~Rice Roni
4 boxes~Pasta Roni
5 boxes~Natures valley bars
10/4packs~Chocolate Pudding Snacks
8 jars~Prego Spaghetti Sauce

Total before Club card & Coupons $157.98
I paid $47.04!!

I was so excited that that I had gotten my groove back I went again today, except today I got what is in the picture above

10 boxes~Fruit Roll-ups
10 boxes~Fruit Snacks
5 boxes~Honey Nut Cheerios
8 Boxes~Cinnamon Toast Crunch
3 lbs~Roma Tomatoes
2 1/2lbs~Bananas
1 box~100 Cal Cookies
1/2pk~5hr. Energy

Total before club card & coupons $103.26
I paid $24.55!!

I "HEART" Couponing!

The Nutcracker

Kayla, Maddy & I had the opportunity to go to the Nutcracker recently. Brandon had put his name in a lottery at work and he got 3 tickets. I remember going to the play when I was about the girls age and it was really neat. Every little girl dreams to be a ballerina, right? This would be the 1st really big thing that just the girls and I have ever gone and done together. So I got he idea from my sister-in-law to make it special for us, it would be fun to get all dressed up, go out to dinner and the show. So that is just what we did!

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