84 LONG Hours

Until we become home owners!

Yes, you read correctly...John and I are buying a house!!!!!

Remember back one year ago, if you've been following my blog that long, of the house we loved and the builder who ultimately refused to buy it? http://iwoulddietforthat.blogspot.com/2008/10/house.html

Well, toward the end of September our realtor called to tell us the builder called him to see if we were still interested in the house, and they would buy our condo. As John and I had been down this road before we were really hesitant. I mean REALLY hesitant. But we wanted to give it a shot.

LONG story short (feel free to e-mail me if you want the long, drawn-out, boring version), last Thursday we were approved for our loan, the builder really IS going to buy our condo from us, and we close THIS FRIDAY. Yes, you read correctly. As in 84 hours from now, give or take a few hours.

So after four years of on and off listing of the house, we're going to be the proud owners of a house.

And we couldn't be more excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and to add to the house buying excitement, John got a new job! He applied for a position at a different bank here in Columbus. The position is in risk mitigation, the job he lost at H when they down-sized. He applied on Monday, got the call Tuesday for an interview, went in for the interview on Thursday (same day that our loan was approved), was told they'd call him in a week or two, and three hours later got the call offering him the job. Of course he accepted and starts there on November 9!

So, needless to say, it was quite a day for us! We will NEVER forget Thursday, October 22, 2009!!!!

Six weeks down, 30 weeks to go

Yes, it is approaching the seventh week of school, and I definitely have a countdown going. This year is just so different. I wish I could pin-point the exact reason why, but I can't. I'm more overwhelmed than I've been in MANY years. The Ohio Dept. of Educ., in conjunction with my school district, is putting more and more pressure on teachers to make sure students pass the OGT (Ohio Grad Test) although the test will be non-existent in about four years. And then many (including my own administration) seem to forget that while they are dumping crap upon crap upon crap on us, we're supposed to be Rigorous, Relevant, and building Relationships. Ugh.

But enough about the yuckiness in my life...Things otherwise are going well.

The Adoption Academy is about to enter it's third week. There was no "class" last Monday because of the Jewish holiday. John did a great job taking notes the week before when I was unable to be with him. The class was all about the financial aspects of adoption as well as the emotional issues which could come up with a child who is adopted. This week's class I'm excited about...the ins and outs of home studies. This is something I've heard about, but it will be nice to hear some concrete facts about home studies. Then the week after next is the last week of the "core" classes, and that is a question and answer session with birth moms and adoptive parents. That I'm REALLY looking forward to.

Other than the Adoption Academy and work, life is chugging along. I'll update again soon, when there is something to update about!!! :-)