Update!!! Finally!

Wow! I don't even know where to start! It has been almost a month since I posted last! We finally got our internet hooked up this past week! Yea! It only took them 6 weeks, but what can you do... nothing. It is working great and we are enjoying having it. We are continuing to settle in to the new house and land. It has been a crazy few weeks but we love the new place. We have started to see more and more deer and the boys are loving that. We have set up several feeders on the property to feed the deer. We have made a little progress on the barn but not near as much as Troye had hoped. We will just continue to work on it and it will eventually get done! We have had several friends come out to the house. It is great to visit with friends and let the kids play! The boys love the land but I know they miss their friends. We have not made it to church yet... the one day we were headed to a new chuch the truck had brake issues and we couldn't make it. The boys were really sad. I continue to pray that we will find the right church home and that the boys will make great friends. We have been back to Montgomery a couple of times but mainly for doctor appointments and errands. We did get our storage completely cleaned out. So glad about that! Now we just have to continue finding places for everything. We also got the boys bunkbed assembled and they love being back in it. Troye's Dad just moved in with us this weekend so he is trying to get settled as well. Even though we have been busy working we have also had lots of fun! We have had army wars, complete with camo paint and water balloons. We sent the boys on a scavenger hunt to look for a secret treasure. And we have been teaching the boys how to build a fort in the woods. I hope I can update more frequently now that we have internet. Yea!

Sickness, Visits, unpacking and working!

WEll last time I posted we were all doing good but later that night I came down with a fever. It was horrible! It lasted 4 days and was very high. I also had a severe headache with it. After 3 days I went to the er, I just couldn't take it anymore! They determined that I had a HORRIBLE bacterial bladder infection! So that gave me a shot and some antibiotics! I was shocked because I didn't have the usual symptoms but was relieved to know what was going on! That sickness pretty much took up the whole week for us! The weekend consisted of several visits from people! On Saturday, Grandad and Trever and Stephanie with kids visited. The guys did some work on the barn and such during the day. That evening the kids played Wii and watched movies while the adults played a board game! It was fun and good to relax! I was still tired at this point but feeling better. On Sunday, Grammy and Grumpy came to visit. They brought some fried chicken for lunch, we all enjoyed that. They also brought the library card catalog with them. I am so excited to start setting up the school room! It was a good visit but much too quick! We also started setting up the boys swing set fort on Sunday. They are excited to get it up and have a fun place to play. The beginning of the new week Troye had to work so the boys and I did some cleaning up around the land, and they started exploring the forest more. They are wanting to make trails from their fort to the house. I started making some new meals, freezer meals that I can have ready to go whenever we need them. It has been a fun process. I also figured out how to make homemade goldfish. They were good! Well Cam didn't like them but that is to be expected! We have continued to work on the boys fort and it is almost complete. We also had to do some hauling of logs up the big hill There was a huge burn pile by the fort but it would not be safe to burn down there so we had to haul all of the logs and trees up the hill to the trailer and Troye will at some point burn it. As of now we are about 90 percent finished with the pile. Troye also was able to move the old deer stand that was left on the property to the fort area. It needs some new siding but once that it done the boys can have it to play in as well. I can see some big wars going on very soon! They are already talking about another fort on top of the hill and where the zip line is going to go! Troye continues to work on the barn when he can. He almost has all of the main post holes dug. i think he hopes to get them all set in concrete next week. But then he also said he wanted to do the bunk bed next week! I think he has more planned than hours! LOL! So there is a small update... going to try to post some pictures soon.

Working the Land

Today Troye was off work so we did a few things around the house but mostly worked at the barn site. The barn is our first priority right now so we can have somewhere to store all of our tools and extra storage stuff. For now it is in the living room! One wall is up and it is exciting to see it progress. The boys help when they can but this part is dealing with so many heavy things they can't do much. But today they both picked a tree (I did too) and we all started the process of cutting it down with an ax! The boys are excited and want to see a tree fall! Of course we will supervise but it is good for them to have a goal and see the fruit of their labor! Now it may be Christmas before they fall but that is ok! Ok, just wanted to clarify that I am no longer going to update this blog daily! Just too much to do here and we need to start school soon. But I will still be updating it, just not as frequently! Stay Tuned for our 20 Acre land adventures!

First day of work

Well today was Troye’s first day to go to work from living out here! He had everything ready to go and was up at 4 am and left by 4:30. He said it was fine and the drive wasn’t bad at all. The boys and worked hard on cleaning out boxes and rearranging everything. So things are starting to look like they are falling into place. Though the living room is the storage room for now! All in all a good day!

Moving and more unpacking!

Today we headed to Conroe to try to get the last of the items in the storage. We did get a good load but there are a few other items remaining. Hopefully it will be empty soon! Ha! We also rented a heavy duty dolly so that the safe can get moved tonight. Troye had a couple of guys come over after work to help move the heavy safe! They were able to get it moved in and actually made it look easy! It is good to have that thing in the house and done! Trever and Steph and the boys also came over. My boys loved having their cousins over! They played and played! While the guys were here moving the safe, Troye also asked them to help raise one side of the barn! Sort of a good ole fashion barn raising! Ha! They did get it up so now one side of the barn is standing! So exciting!

Unpacking!

Today the flooring guys were coming to finish off a section of the floor. Unfortunatly that didn’t work out because the piece they brought didn’t’ cover like it shold have! Oh well someone will get it right one day! Unpacking continues! And barn building continues!

Good Bye RV!

Today the internet guy came to check out installing the internet. We have to run some wires under the house and then they have to come back to bury the cable form the road to the house. Until then no internet! Boo! Dad also came today to pick up the rv! He also brought a dining room table set! Mom and dad decided they want a new set so we are getting their old one. It looks great in the new house! Perfect fit and color! So excited! We went to lunch with Dad and enjoyed the visit. Late afternoon he loaded up the rv and headed out. The front of the house looks different without the rv there! Sad to see it go… ok not really! But we were so thankful to have been able to use it and that it was our home for 3 months! Thanks mom and dad!

Moving continued!

We continued cleaning out the rv today. It was looking bigger and better by the moment! Ha! My conclusion was that we had too much stuff in the rv! After working on that a while I headed with Camaron to the grocery store. I went on Sunday but just picked up a few items, so I needed to stock our pantry and fridge with some goodies to eat! Troye and Colt worked on burning some of the tree piles. We didn’t go get any storage items today. I also continued to unpack the boxes that are already here. It is a never ending process!

Day 100 - Rv and New House!

We got up early and headed to the KOA! Today was rv moving day! We have been at the rv park for exactly 100 days! We loaded up everything and headed out! We picked up Colt’s medicine while we were in town and then headed to the new house, camper in tow! Everything went well and we got the rv at the house and hooked up. We then started unloading the rv and taking all of the stuff into the house. You would be amazed at how much stuff we had packed into the rv!

Day 99 - Rv and Moving

Well it did rain last night! The storm didn’t turn bad but it did give us some rain so it was good that we moved the boxes and safe. We decided not to move the RV today due to the mud at the house. So we unpacked some boxes and Troye worked on the barn some. After lunch I headed to Livingston to get some groceries. Our friends, the Freemeyer family, were going to eat dinner with us. We had planned months ago for them to come and stay with us the day before their church camp. Well that plan didn’t exactly work out since we just moved in! Ha! But they did still come for a visit and dinner. It was great to see them and their girls. The only down side was that Colt was sick! Boo! He actually slept almost the whole time they were here. Thankfully, Vince is a doctor so he looked and Colt and called in some antibiotics for him! Camaron had fun playing with the girls. It was a nice day and so nice to actually not lift anything heavy! Also gave me a chance to get some boxes empty!

Day 98 - Rv and Moving!

We woke up early and started getting ready for a day of moving.  We first headed to the church to pick up our friends van.  They are gone for the week on a mission trip and felt bad that they couldn’t help us move.  So they decided that they could help by letting us borrow their  van!  That thing holds LOTS of boxes!  We then went to storage and loaded up the trailer, truck, and van.  We got tons of stuff and then headed to the house.  I was following behind Troye and the boys.  We were about half way to the land when I rounded a corner and saw a strange sight on the side of the road… furniture!  Then I saw our entertainment center sitting in the middle of the road!!!!  I pulled over and and a man helped me move it to the side of the road.  I called Troye who had already noticed the problem!  He turned around and came back.  Another guy stopped to help load the items back onto the trailer.  What an experience!  We still are not sure what happened, but two tow straps came undone and the unit slid off the trailer! Amazingly the unit was only slightly damaged and Troye can repair the little damage!  It was hot day, but we got the first load unloaded.   We decided to go for another load and then spend the night at the house.   So we made the drive back to Conroe (1hour).  I went and picked up Bobber and some of our clothes while Troye started loading another load.  When I arrived at the storage Troye had the safe almost loaded and a friend was there helping!  This thing is HEAVY!  Finally it was loaded and we made the drive back to the house.  We were exhausted when we got to the house so we put the boys to bed and then decided to just wait until the morning to unload the trailer.  Well that was a great plan in theory… until a storm blew in at 10 pm!  Troye and I rushed outside to bring in the boxes and then we had to figure out how to cover the safe!  It is way too heavy for us to move.  Finally we get the car jack and were able to jack it up and flip it over!  We had to do this twice so that the safe was facing down and rain could not get inside of it!  WHEW! Crazy night but all was ok! 

Day 97 - Rv and MOVING DAY!

We got the call early this morning and headed to pick up the keys to the house!! It is officially ours!  Yea!  We already had the trailor so we took the kids to their friends house and headed to storage.  A buddy of Troye's helped us out today.  We got a good load from the storage unit and headed to the house.  It was super hot out!  But we got it all unloaded!  It was a little overwhelming seeing all of the boxes!  And lots of them are garage stuff and the barn is not ready yet so we have to find places to store it all!  YIKEs!  But it will all work out, I just realized that it is really going to take time to unpack!  I have had rose colored glasses on!! LOL  We went and picked up the boys.  Colt was not feeling well and I started to get worse (i have been fighting congestion this week)  Once we got to the rv I headed to Walmart and loaded up on some meds.... we don't have time to be sick!  I did some laundry too.  I wanted to get lots of the sheets in the rv washed since we are probably on our last night at the rv!  All in all it was a good productive day!  Now to rest up and get ready for more moving!

Day 96 - RV

Today we ran a few errands and then headed out to the house.  It was locked up but we had left a window open! So I was able to get in and do some cleaning and such.  We dropped off some wood and cleaned off our utility trailer.  It was super hot but we got stuff done!  We were told the loan has funded and a check has been cut so that means that we should get keys tomorrow. 

WE ARE MOVING!!!  Yea!  I am not sure if we will stay in the rv another night or so, it will all just depend on how the moving days go.  Troye has a guy from work that is going to help us and a friend of ours is going to watch the boys!

Day 95 - Rv

The boys and I headed to the laundry mat to get laundry done!  We had lots!  Nine loads today! But we got it all done quickly!  (and it cost $22.50 to do the 9 loads, just in case you were wondering!) While we were doing laundry, we got the call.... Inspection passed and report was finalized!  yea!  So I met Troye at the builders office and we signed all the final paperwork!! YES!!!  We are done with all of the paperwork and everything is complete on this end! Now we are waiting on the mortgage company to fund the final loan and then we will be given the keys!!!!  We are sooooo close!! Realistically we are looking at Monday still but there is a chance that we could get keys on Friday since all paper work was turned in today.  We will just have to see!

Day 94 - Rv

We woke up early and headed out to the land.  The contractor was going to meet us to finish up all the work left and then inspection.   We arrived before the contractor so we looked around.  We started a burn pile! Our first one!  The contractor arrived and they got to work.  They finished the plumbing and turned on the water.  They were also kind enough to use their tractor to help with the burn pile so we got more burned! Yea!  They finished up after lunch and we waited for the inspector.  He arrived and looked around and took pictures.  He pointed out a few things but all was in order for it to pass!  Yea!  Now we just wait for the official report to come in!  It was about 9 pm when we got to the rv and we were all tired and dirty! 

Day 93 - Rv

We received an email early this morning tell us that the air conditioner had not been installed on Friday.  It was too muddy.  If it doesn't get installed by inspection time on Tuesday, we will have a problem and all will be delayed.   The rain chances were much less today so we knew we needed to get out of  the rv.  I voted to go to the land!  I didn't really know why since we knew that nothing had been done but I just wanted to go.  So we loaded up and went.  When we got there they ac guys were not around so I was very frustrated.  I just knew we were going to get delayed again!  We rode the 4 wheeler and unloaded some wood.  And around 2pm the Ac guys arrived!  Boy was I glad to see them!  They got to work and since they had to get in the house we were able to get in too!  Looks the same, but it just is nice to see it again!  They had the unit up and running in no time and we could feel the cool air blowing into the house!  Great feeling on a hot day!  Colt has been saying for weeks that he loves the land but will love it more when we have air conditioning!  LOL!  The ac guys left but we hung around a little longer.  The contractor is scheduled to arrive in the morning to turn on the water and do last minute touch ups.  And then the inspection is scheduled for the afternoon.  So we will go back to the land tomorrow.  If all goes well we are looking at 8 days or so!  Praying for a passed inspection! 

The boys fell asleep on the way home and now that it is almost 10pm they are wide awake and Troye has crashed and I am about too! 

Day 79 - Rv

Today we headed to the land.  The water was scheduled to be installed but when we arrived they were not working on it! I called and found out that the permit had not arrived yet so they couldn't start.  The septic guys were there installing the tanks.  That was great but also problematic.  They need water in them so that they don't float up.  So after lots of calls and discussions we finally decided that the septic guy would bring about 800 gallons of water tomorrow and then if more is needed the guys from the water company would get more water from the fire department.  The water company is trying to be helpful since this delay is due to their mistake.  And we do appreciate that.  After lunch we worked on the barn.  We are just staking out the perimeter for now.  But it is fun and exciting to work on something. The boys had fun playing in the rock and dirt piles that were left over from the septic digging.  We were tired when we headed home!  I was really sad that we couldn't just walk into the house and sleep!  The septic should be finished tomorrow and then hopefully we will get a permit soon and can start the boring and connect the water.  Of course the holiday on Wednesday means that nothing will happen until Thursday.

Day 75 - Rv

Today we took Colt to camp and then headed to the land.  We had a very important meeting to walk thru the house and do a punch list! SO EXCITING!  We were amazed at how much had been done since the weekend!   The house is all cleaned up and there were only a handful of items to be fixed and those will be done next week!  They were also installing the electrical lines while we there!  The water has been delayed again..ugh!  But it was permit problems and out of our control! It is suppose to be done on Monday.  After it is installed then the septic and air conditioner can be finished!  We are VERY close to being done!!!  After we finished with the house we picked up Colt and came home to swim and play.  Before went swimming we made snake bubbles! So much fun! Swimming was very refreshing after the hot day at the house.  Colt was acting strange and didn't want to swim much but rather sit in the hot tub.. we thought it was him just being exhausted but hoped he wasnt sick.  

Day 66 - Rv

Well we decided to go to the land again today.  We were told more guys would be working on the decking, plumbing and skirting.  So we took our time getting ready then headed out there.  I tried to get in touch with the water company but was just told someone would call me!  Ugh!  I explained to them that our move in date was being delayed if we didn't get this done now, I tired to be nice!  When we got to the land NOTHING new had been done!  Ha!  But there were starting to work on the electrical connections and more rock was delivered.  The other crew was cancelled due to the rain forecast.  And it did start storming before we left.  The good news is that some of the road is done so we can get in and out even if it rains, this will help with preventing delays for the people that can work on the inside!

I have realized that I am becoming very impaitent!  I am ready to move in!  There are days I feel like the rv walls are closing in on us but I realize that it is just because we are all getting excited to move into the house.  It is starting to seem real and like a home now that they are getting it all together.  The last 2 months of no house out there just made it seem like a piece of land.  But we are close!  We are still hoping to be in by July 14th.  We were first told that July 1 was our goal, but with the water delay and now the electrical delay that is not happening!  The electrical company is not planning on installing the line until late next week.  We are not really sure why, I guess just their time frame! It is frustrating that we contacted them 2 months ago but they would not do anything until certain steps were in place and now that those steps are done we have to just wait! 

We are not planning on going out there until Friday.  Troye has to work the next few days and I have some activities planned for the boys.  We are trying to have get togethers with friends before we move.

Day 65 - Rv

We have not heard anything about the house since last week so Troye said we could ride out and see what was going on.   When we arrived there was lots of activity going on!! Yea!  The culvert had been delivered and rock for the road was being delivered! When we got to the house there was a guy working on the interior.  He was sheetrocking and patching and taping and floating!  He let us walk thru the whole house - this was the first time we saw some of the rooms!  I honestly didn't want to leave! Ha!  I kept visualizing where things were going to go!  But we needed to let the worker continue working!  He is hoping to be done with the inside by the end of next week.  Outside the house the guys were working on the road and digging the ditch for the water line.  We have not heard from the water company in a week so I called to see when the water meter would be installed.  They of course never called back!  Ugh!  But just before we were leaving a guy stops by and says he is from the water company.  He then gives us the bad news.... the water line is across the road (we thought this was the case) and we are responsible for having someone bore under the road and the cost of that!  This was news to us and our contractor!!!  Both our contractor and I have spoken with them several times and never was this told to us!  So yet another delay!  We will see what they say tomorrow because the guy thought we knew that and said he would check into things.