Feb 28 2009

Is the end date of the lease I signed yesterday for our apartment. Our original 3 month lease was up as of 11/30 and they wanted an arm and a leg to continue on a monthly basis. Turns out, since the longer lease you agree to the lower your monthly payment, we were better off to sign a long-term lease and pay a early termination penalty when we are ready to move out. I never imagined that we would be in this situation. Considering the little house we came from and the great places available here, I was sure we'd be in something and happy as clams by now. But for some reason, houses that we'd have been trilled with back in Yakima don't even get a second look here. I am determined to get a home with space (or at least the potential of a space) for the kids to hang out in that's separate from the other living area. We want a great room open to the kitchen and breakfast area. I love tall ceilings and lots of windows. Ideally the master bedroom would be on the main floor and the master bath must have a walk-in shower for Sam. He also wants granite counters, wood floors, brick exterior and a front porch on a professionally landscaped large lot in a community with lots of trees. Did I mention we have a budget to stick to? Geez, I always thought that shopping for a new house would be fun, but there is not much about this that is. I have officially turned the house hunting over to Sam because I get too emotionally attached to places I like and am heart broken when he rejects them. He checks listings online everyday and every free weekend we drive around looking at places. I buried a St Joseph statue when we needed to sell our home in Yakima, I wonder if it would help us find a house too?
Anyway, we are all getting along fine. The kids are enjoying school. Sam is still very busy at work. He says they are way behind schedule trying to prepare for next year. I'm busy doing Christmas shopping and it will be a miracle if I get things shipped to WA in time. Speaking of, I better get off this computer and get some other things done! Here a some pics I took yesterday of the rugrats. Take care y'all!