Sloooowwwllly... moving forward :)

After a near stress attack yesterday... I know my mom was getting a lot of concern from her friends because of my vague facebook post... *sorry*

I'm happy to report that we have our house inspection tomorrow at 9am. We also were able to "barter" with the previous buyers - we won't have to have a well/septic inspection as we got a deal and bought theirs! Win-Win!

I am not posting photos until the house is ours... but I think we may actually get further with this one. That is the hope and end goal anyways....

Until next time.

Oh man...

I keep being reminded by my sister-in-law, Katie, of how terrible I am at keeping everyone updated on our busy lives... so here goes nothing, almost 2 months (or longer) since I last gave an update... and unfortunately, I do not have much to report this time either  some good news, well exciting/nerve-racking etc... (catch all that strike-out font... this was going to be a boring start, but since I started it a LOT has happened actually - read on!)

Rob and I might be once again (third time is the charm?) - homeowners! It's all happened so fast, but we got a call from the new realtor we are working with about a house we had been interested in and had never gotten the chance to see it. First time around it had a few offers on it so we didn't look at it. We were working with a different realtor at that time... well it was still showing up in my search on realtor.com so I asked our new realtor about it and she said she would look into it... well good thing she did because last wednesday she called and said that the buyer had walked and we could look at it Thursday evening! So Thursday evening came, we saw the house, we wrote an offer... Jump to weekend, we verbally accepted the seller's counter-offer last night (Sunday) and tonight we go and sign paperwork and then hopefully have inspections lined up! I honestly don't want to jinx us because I think this house is perfect for our first home. It's not on a lake, but has lake access (about a mile from Lake Victoria in Laingsburg)... has a lot of unique characteristics to it as is and has lots of room for updates to improve and make a sell down the road profitable. I know that Rob and I have been to this point before and were quite disappointed/frustrated/discouraged when things didn't work out ---- but move up and forward right? And remain optimistic too! So that's the news. Nothing official, but here's to hoping :)

Let's call this one 'Busy, Pre-occupied and Don't Have Time'

That title sounds reasonable.

I really do want to get back to blogging. Honestly. But managing three blogs, keeping up with things at work, home and trying to move up with my photography business - its a lot. And its kicking my butt...!!

In short, I don't know about Rob, but I feel like I'm just trying to survive. End of the day I am exhausted and right now I am over my head in projects. I have a few photo shoots coming up and almost finished with wedding invitations for my cousin and then I get to jump into wedding invitations for my BFF...

Yikes.

So our vacation was AMAZING!! Thank you Heather and Steve, Maya and Puma for making our trip an exceptional one. One we want to repeat again. Like now! LOL.

Vacation Time

Today I write this as we are waiting in the airport waiting to board our plane to Florida! Yea for a hot, stress-free, fun week! So happy to be leaving for a much needed break!

Below are a few photos: luggage, my painted piggies in new sandals, the hubby, and current temperature of our destination! Buh-bye snow and cold!

Another update...

Well the past few weeks have been cray cray to say the least...

In short (because I don't want to deal with the length of the previous post)...

Our vehicle (the older of the 2, the Alero) starting acting up. We got wind that it was a head gasket which was not thrilling at all while waiting on the house situation, since head gaskets are not cheap...

Meanwhile we find out that a) our loan couldn't go through on the house with it being on the flood plain, AFTER we did the inspection they informed us we could do (VERY FRUSTRATED - money we will not get back and didn't have to spend!!)  and that b) we will not be able to afford repairs on a house and a car IF in fact it would be as big as an expense as they predicted....

So we signed paperwork to back out of the house last week (bummer). Now the car is in the shop getting looked at and I just got word that it is a best case scenario - only the intake valve! Yay! Can I get a big Phhheeewww!

So relieved. So what now? Rob and I continue on our budget (or try to), vacation next week (hence the trying the budget) and keep our eyes on the market for a different house that possibly needs a little less work. Please keep us in your thoughts :)

Happy Easter!

It's been nice to relax this weekend! Last night we hung out at my sister and nephew's place for our Easter gathering! We enjoyed a yummy dinner of ham, 7-layer salad, biscuits, and sweet potato casserole (that I made). A little offended Rob didn't try it, but oh well. Sis and I gad a relaxing time and we watched a cute movie, "What's Your Number?" (I think it's what it's called, or similar). Super cute definitely one I would buy! Rob and Kor got to bond over Xbox games!

Today Rob and I got up and went to Easter service. We came over to his dads afterwards for a yummy brunch! Katie and Asher are in town so it's been nice to see them! Lunch was yummy and we ate too much for sure! It really has been a great weekend with family. Here's a cute bonding photo of "Knuckle Rob", niece Emma and nephew, Asher! I hope every one had a blessed Easter!

Updates and updates...

Part I - pre-inspection...

Well, as of today we have made it further in the housing market than we have in quite some time...Read my lengthy, very lengthy update below to jump to the point at which we stand today.

By the time you are reading this, Rob and I will have been dressed like the kids from Christmas Story out at the house scraping trim off of the outside windows and attempting to re-paint them. Yes this is amusing, because a) it likely wont adhere and b) it will probably glob up and freeze, but if it gets us pass the mortgage company assessment - woohoo thats the goal!

So how did we get this far...

Long story short, but we'll start from the beginning...

In October 2012 we put an offer in on a HUD home in Bath. That offer was the second or later and we didn't get the house.

December 2012 - we put an offer in on a house in Dewitt (we call this house the Jason house). At this point, while awaiting to see if we were approved - lots of prayers, thoughts and well wishes were being sent our way and I am pretty sure everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, thought this house was a "for sure" thing. We had 'banked' on getting this house. Remember the saying - don't put your eggs all in one basket? Yes, *pointing to myself* <-- guilty as charged! That is exactly what Rob and I did. After 4-5 weeks of long, LONG waiting (or so it felt), we got the bad news that the other offer was accepted instead of ours. Big B.U.M.M.E.R.

Jump forward to March and not seeing a lot of houses, and still being upset, frustrated and saddened by not getting the Jason house... we start hearing rumors of that house coming back on the market (Wahoo right?)...well just as we are putting in an offer on a house in Saint Johns... KID YOU NOT, literally Rob is submitting our final and best offer on the house in Saint Johns (March 1) we are hit with knowing Jason house is back on the market. SIGH... what to do... what to do?

Well we do what any crazy person would do, submit the offer on the house in Saint Johns and re-submit the offer for Jason house (with updated dates - nothing more, quick and easy right?!)... Nerve-racking to say the least having two offers out there... I think in our minds we knew the house in Saint Johns was a no go. It was a too good of a deal, at a great price and with the high taxes we simply couldn't bid high enough. We found out the following Monday (3/4) that the house ended in a bidding war in which it sold for about $25,000 more than what we offered. So a bit of relief, but still stress in our minds with the Jason house. You see, we I thought it was a sign that maybe this house was "meant to be"" since the previous offer fell through. So why did it fall through with the previous buyers? - because a year and a half to two years ago the flood plain lines were re-drawn by FEMA. Nice widened lines and now the house is in the floodplain. How they figure that, we will never know, but at first glance we were questioning be able to afford the house with flood insurance. Our first quote on flood insurance was going to max out our budget after adding it in to our pre-existing budget...

... well super long story made longer... in the past week, we have gotten new estimates based on our loan amount (and not replacement cost) and I know we can afford it. Our offer for Jason Rd was signed wednesday March 6 after the seller said they would not sell to anyone else (Thank you so much!!). The seller came into the realtor's office the following day, accepted our offer with official signature to which we had already signed the documents claiming that we acknowledged her acceptance of our offer (confused yet?!), and Friday, March 8 our offer was sent to the bank. The following Thursday brings us (basically) up to speed at where we stand now. We were given notification that we could start housing inspections! Can we say "Yay!", "Holy Crap!" etc etc?! Talk about nerve-racking! The biggest concern is that at this point since our offer hasn't been officially accepted, we will lose out on the money from the inspection. Our take is that we are going to get the house and we won't be out the money (normally inspections are done AFTER your offer is accepted so that you have a reason to back out if you so choose..), but the thought sticks in the back of our mind. Our house inspection is today at 3pm. But because our loan is unconventional the lender will be doing an assessment of the house so we need to pretty it up some - paint the trim. And we are doing that today... and its below freezing out. Yes, good luck with that one.

Part II - post-inspection and painting...

Well post inspection, I'm lying on the couch with very little of a voice and a very sore throat! I just finished looking over our official inspection report. The house needs some work.

While at the house we were not able to paint (darn, sooooo disappointing) but we added some sauffit and replaced some trim on a window. It was so cold and with being sick I felt pretty useless. I think my job was more or less to supervise, give opinion or for moral support. At the end I was just downright cold, so I sat in the truck. Did I mention it was 23 degrees out? Sounds like there's potential to go back and paint, when its warmer... So maybe next week! A lot of scraping and painting...

I'm exhausted and I've reported most everything so I'm off to sleep. Here's a few photos...

Not much to report!

I'm keeping this short, but am including photos...

Rob and I are still on the house hunting after a second house we put an offer in on was shot down. We were bummed but are moving on...

So what photos do I have. New Hobby!
Crocheting!

Sheesh

I'm apparently no good at blogging, personal or for business. Ugh!

So, so much to update on too!

Let's see...

Since the last update (a long, LONG time ago)...

I formally launched my photography business website: jessicaledergerberphotography.com... business isn't what I would call 'booming' by any means, but I get to photography on average about once a month and its a little extra income and I LOVE doing it... so if you know anyone who needs some photos done... you know where you could send them :)

Rob and I have put an offer in on another house (that is if I failed to mention we had put an offer in on a HUD home in Bath, that we did not get). This house is perfect location for us. I think the biggest downside is not having a basement, but its 1,344 square feet on 1.12 acres of country land. Rob's perk is that the creek in the backyard is our land boundary and just beyond that is over 200 acres of public hunting land. Hopefully, fingers crossed and some added prayers, we should know in the next couple weeks whether our offer is accepted by the bank :) We will keep you informed of any news, but for now we keep praying and hope this is the plan that HE has in mind for us.

So the holidays quickly approached and now are gone... My parents surprised the crap out of us and drove into town Christmas Eve. Luckily, I had Christmas Eve-the day after Christmas off, so I could spend some good quality time with them before they headed out this morning! Rob's stepbrother and his wife were in town with their son, Brady from NC and it was great to catch up with them too. I love spending time with my family and my newly acquired family on Rob's side :)

I'm unsure of our plans for NYE, but it sounds like we may be hanging out with a couple we don't see often enough... other than that, this year has flown by! I can't believe Rob and I have already passed the 8 month mark of being married!

I guess that is about the latest. I will attempt to update this a little more regularly - maybe a New Year's resolution? And next time I will even try to include some photos :)

Until next time :)

Wow

Apparently it's been busy around here! Between the last post and now... Woah! Rob and I started looking for a house. We're keeping our heads up, but we haven't had a lot of luck at all. We really are out growing our apartment. I have started dreaming a lot lately... about painting our house, planting a garden, having a dog and eventually starting a family... House hunting can be so frustrating!!

In more recent news Molly and Justin tied the knot (just over a month ago already - wow). It was a very HOT day, but Molly was absolutely breath-taking and you cannot deny the love between the two of them! We wish them all the happiness and love for their new lives together!

Now for a few photos... Our Internet is suck-tacular so this post and photos are from my phone!

We got Molly's bachelorette party, Emma and Heather, Rob and I at M + J's wedding, Emma, and Rob and I at our friends' parents new pub, EagleMonk Pub and Brewery

Wedded Bliss + The Future

Well we have been happily married for about a month and a half. Life is great.

A recap on a little recent stuff, as most of you may know, Rob, unfortunately, did not make it into the state police academy. We were both a little disappointed, but now know that God has other plans for us. If Rob so decides he can reapply in 2 years. We aren't sure at this moment if he will do that or see if something else comes along.

This past weekend we found ourselves over in the Frandor area conveniently while the Ingham County Animal Shelter was having their 30 hr Adopt-A-Fest for lots of dogs and cats. Of course we couldn't not stop by there  to see what they had, despite the fact we can't have a dog in our current apartment. There were so many dogs there (we didn't look at the cats) and we got to pet and love on them! I was in heaven! We ended up talking to one of the workers from the shelter and she was very informative about what their volunteer program is, and how fostering works etc. It sounds like Rob and I may start volunteering there in the near future. I think it would be a lot of fun, and a good way for Rob and I to spend time together doing something that benefits the animals and helps out the shelter! Who knows, maybe Rob will even get to know a little more about the animal control officers and what they do...

Anyways, near future holds that we are working on our budgets to get things squared away so that we can purchase a house in the next year. We've been looking on and off for a while and nothing really has perked either of our interest, but we also are not in a rush seeing as we signed a new lease in April and that goes for a year. Hopefully when the right house goes on the market, we will get our opportunity to claim it as ours. We will be sure to keep you all posted :)

Taste-testing + Other fun stuff

This past week, on Tuesday, Rob and I had our taste-testing for our reception menu! There was so much yummy food. We sat at a table with two other couples who were getting married May and June and we're having their receptions the same place as us (as opposed to Eagle Eye reception rooms, since they had different color cards for Hawk Hollow and Eagle Eye). Right before the tasting, I showed Rob the room we reserved for the rehearsal - called the Log Cabin room, which as it states is very log cabin - it has the log walls, lots of deer heads and a full mount brown bear and wolf. Rob was pretty excited to see it in person. But anyways, at the tasting, we tried various chickens, beefs, salmon and tilapia, and some vegetarian meals. All were very yummy, but I think we have finally narrowed it down to one each of chicken and beef.

The saturday before, we met with Uncle Mike to go over Ceremony stuff. He gave us a couple books, which we need to look through for ideas for readings and such. He says we can do whatever, but these books provide the most popular and common readings specifically for weddings. Funny, while meeting (at the Wheel Inn) we had parked next to a vehicle who ended up being someone that Rob knows. Well, when he was backing out, he hit the car (BUMMER!), but since we were not occupying the vehicle, it was considered private property and all damages are being covered by their auto insurance, plus a rental car since the work will be about 3 days worth. Aside from the minimal damage, the waitress was the driver's wife, who felt seriously bad and covered our bill, letting us leave a nice tip for her. All in all, it was all quite amusing, and after meeting with Uncle Mike, I think we are well on our way to finalizing ceremony details!

In other wedding news, I pick up my dress on Wednesday, fingers crossed all the alterations are just as they need to stay! I am very excited to have that back! This coming weekend is "Jessy day/weekend" as my good friend Megan called it today while at bowling. Funny enough I questioned why she said that until I realized that this weekend I have back-to-back bridal showers (with both families) and a bachelorette party in the middle! Woohoo, funny how all the wedding stuff is moving forward so fast and I forgot that next weekend already are my showers! Rob has a 10 game 9-pin no tap bowling tournament on saturday, so at least he will be kept busy, though he plans on leaving at 9:30 Saturday and I probably won't see him except for a bit on sunday morning and then sunday evening. I am hoping the weekend will be fun for both of us, not to mention that my parents will be in town for the short weekend. It will be really good to see them and spend time with them for the little time they are here.

We have had a laid back weekend. Went out coyote hunting last night. I find it to be very boring so I have informed Rob to not bother asking me any more. Between sitting in the cold, not moving or talking, watching for what appears to be nothing, and listening to the most annoying fake rabbit shrieking for an hour, I was pretty fed up with it. Oh yes, add all the layers of clothes to put on, the 3 sizes too large military boots (Thanks dad, they do keep my feet very warm, but are slightly too large) and then carrying a chair and a gun = not fun, not doing again. Save my energy for deer hunting where we only got skunked once or twice this past season! Today we had church and then lunch. I took a late afternoon siesta and then this evening we had bowling leagues. It feels funny bowling with all the rest of the league since we haven't in 6 weeks due to our trip to Myrtle Beach and Megan and Jim's cruise. Sigh.

Work tomorrow and I am sure it will be another long week. Until another update...

While I'm on my lunch...

I have three blogs now and have a difficult time updating every one of them, though they are all different (photos, crafts, and this one).

So here's an update on Rob and I.

Today we have 158 days until we are married. As for wedding stuff to be done:

- Need to purchase stamps for RSVP postcards + $0.03 stamps (stupid prices going up in Jan.). Then those  are done!

- fun paper things - menus, programs etc
- order flowers for groomsmen, dads, moms etc.
- order flowers from Sams for bouquets, not till closer to the wedding (YES, I did say Sams - bulk flowers for good $ =  SAWEEET!)

- Go over piano music with Judy for during the ceremony
- pick songs for the important dances at the reception
- a wedding license would be good, but not till closer
- finalize bridesmaid dresses - should be completing in the next week - YAY!

Um, that is all I can think of right now. All that Rob is thinking of is tee time for golfing. You can see the difference between man and woman minds when planning a wedding, lol.

In other news, this past weekend Rob and I sighted in guns for gun season. In fact, today and tomorrow I am solo - Rob is hunting and I am left alone at our place! Yay, lets hope I can get some stuff accomplished...

I took some pretty photos at Silver Lake a few weekends ago when we attended the Bunce wedding reception, so I will post those in the photography blog later - photographybyjh.blogspot.com

Um, nothing more. Hoping to update more often then currently

XO

So Long!

Wow - already end of October. I have obviously been slacking on keeping this blog up-to-date! Sorry!

Anyways, I'm going to start recent and then go backwards (I think I will remember better that way, but bare with me as this may end up being a wordy post).

So recent recent, my mom and I went to taste-test a cake at Eagle Eye (Naomi Batterbee) last night. We tried 4 different flavors, all which were so yummy! Rob and my dad got to taste as well, although they didn't go with us, she had just prepared a few extra servings. She sketched a real simple and elegant design for our cake and we, with no hesitation, signed her on as our official wedding  cake baker! So one more thing to cross off the list as done! Now just need to make sure on the flavors, but since it is so early in the game we could change that up to a few weeks before. No worries.

Go backwards a few more days, Saturday, April October 22, mom and I met with Sarah at Eagle Eye to go over linens and get questions answered. We left very pleased, an estimated cost in hand, and even got some clever ideas from the two receptions that were setting up - yet again, Success!

Prior to that Rob got a deer!! A nice one compared to the dog deer he got last year. Photo below (sorry, deer is a little messy...)

And shortly after my last post - a new member joined the family. Mr Asher Leo Nance, made his grand debut on 10.10.11. He is so cute - I cannot wait to snuggle him when they come to Michigan Christmas time

Hunting Season

well its been a little while since we updated.

This week, since October is just around the corner, we have been gearing up for the hunting season. It will be my first time ever hunting and I am both excited and nervous. I'm pretty much sited in with both field tips and broadheads, but today Rob wanted me to shoot from the stand. Now normally I wouldn't have too much an issue- I'm a little afraid of heights, but managed ok. When he placed the target close though I had to stop because I was too nervous to lean over the stand without a harness on...and falling from 17 feet, would be just a little bit painful. The next step is get my apprentice hunting license, which means I can hunt just like anyone else, but I need to be with a hunter who has had hunters safety and is over 18. Next year I will do a women's hunter safety course.

Anyways, on to excitement. Here are some exciting photos of some of the critters on the property this past week.

Nice 8 point! Big rack!

Another buck, smaller and hard to tell, but nice.

Another nice 8 pt!!

6 or 8 point. Buck nonetheless.

Tomorrow we have our second week of our mixed doubles bowling league. Our first week I missed as I was visiting family in Myrtle Beach. I am excited to see how this season turns out...not to mention it makes time go by quicker and thus wedding comes up quicker!

In wedding news - Save the Dates should be going out this week, so keep your eyes in the mail and look forward to something special online :) I can't tell you what the second is, but its simple cute and I love it!

Have a good week!

Day to day life...

This week has been crazy busy, and yet it is going by sooooo slow! My work is crazy busy and Rob is exhausted...

it's sad I just want to go home and go to bed when I get out of work. Absolutely no motivation. The past two nights (not tonight) Rob has ended up taking a nap prior to going to bed. Sheesh.

In better news, this weekend we have a Lugnuts game with CTFE on Saturday night and a birthday party on Sunday afternoon. So I'm hoping things calm down after this weekend, because at least for me, tomorrow is super busy and I don't want to think about Friday... Bring on the weekend!!