Making Plans

On Tuesday my hubby had a full day/night off from work so we decided to make the most of it. For months we had been talking about taking a really first big step to talk with a banker about what steps we needed to start taking as far as buying a house. My husband and I are so ready to be home owners, but at the same time we still need to work on fixing/building our credit. We both thought that speaking with a professional and getting some initial questions tackled/answered would be a great foundation to starting this process. 

We went to our bank and spoke with a banker, he wasn't a mortgage lender, so wasn't able to help us to much but did point us to a ML at a nearby location. He also was very helpful as to what web sites we can go to, to check our credit and scores, which would help us start improving the grey areas. 

Immediately I went home and reviewed my report and jotted down what was there & what I needed to improve. It was the first time I have checked my report, it's embarrassing that I haven't before this. It just goes to show I am still growing up, still figuring this thing called adult hood out. 

My husband and I sat down and had ourselves a little pow wow. He is very adimate about replacing all of our old outdated equipment (TV, DVD PLAYER, GAMING SYSTEM = guy stuff) since our income has improved greatly. I on the other hand am hard core about paying debt, getting rid of some of the yuck on our reports BUT also know we need some more hard credit on our reports. 

Our plan is to bust out the really big bills first and get those taken care of. Once that stress is eliminated then we will work on our hard credit which would be financing a TV. 

We plan to put as much as we can into savings to come up with some sort of a down payment. Our goal is by next summer to have revamped our credit and then start the house buying process.

Another decision we have had to face is do we move from our shack? We both hate it here, bad. BUT rent is cheap, we are able to have our dog, and we have been here almost 5 years. My husband wants to get out, but said we would only do so if I were able to find a place around the same price range. My gut flips at the thought of putting up with this outdated place for another year but my heart rejoices at the image of (hopefully) our final year as renters.

I have been daydreaming for months on end of what kind of home I want to see myself in, where I want that home to be. My husbands 2 requests, out of the city and it HAS to have a garage. I would love to get out of the city myself. Raise my 2 kiddos on a little property is my ideal dream. I love what country life has to offer vs. city life. My aunt has property in woodland. Its a drive but not too bad and it is serene. Life slows down, the air is crisp, the only noise you hear is that of nature, AND the kids are free to roam and I don't freak out where they are headed. There is not a busy street close by, a HUGE drop in stranger danger, & they get to explore nature. I see us settling in the Woodland area. It a small town but close enough to the big city. 

I feel like the I am finding the pieces to this huge puzzle and very slowly a beautiful image is starting to appear. Its feels great to finally have a foundation starting, now we just have to build some woodwork :) 

Daddy, Mommy, & Michael makes 3

We finally took Michael out for some 1 on 1 time with just myself and Sean. I have been dreaming about doing this since reading a fellow bloggers story with her son. I've asked my husband multiple times, but with his sced. and my forgetfulness, the idea kept falling through. With our youngest, Shelby, turning 2 at the end of the month, my mind has been wrapped around her and her birthday. I'd look at Michael and know I needed to take time for him this month. I made it known to my husband that I really wanted to do this for Michael. It needed to be a priority. I know Michael is going to feel left out on Shelby's birthday so I needed this day for him, just him so he knew he was special.

Today Michael didn't wake up feeling good. He was crying and had a slight fever. I gave him some ibprophen and said we are just going to stay home and take an easy day. Soon after, Mike was back to his normal self, playing and ruff housing per his norm. Around 3 Mike even asked if we could go to the park. Shortly after Sean called and asked if I wanted to take Mike out tonight. I knew I didn't want to take him outside because of the weather but since he was feeling better I agreed and then made plans with my mom for her to watch Shell's.

We got a pizza for my mom and Shelby and then the 3 of us headed out. We drove around downtown vancouver looking for a place to eat (we had no clue what was around down there). We ended up with a corner pizza diner. We enjoyed the view of the downtown area and the cars that drove by. The entertainment really picked up when it started pouring buckets of rain. A family ran into the pizza Place to escape the downpour. While Sean was paying, Mike and I headed for the car, and inbetween the car and curb was fast moving runoff water. Michael made the comment "look a river!"

We got to the theater and I took Mike to the RR but he didn't stay to long, he is not a fan of the automatic toilets since they tend to go off randomly and it scares him "I don't want it mom!"

Before the movie started a lot of great previews came on for some upcoming flics. There are two in particular we are excited for. One was called walking with dinosaurs and Michael was all over that, "wow! look at those big Dinosaurs!" and two, was a teaser for Rio 2 due for April 2014. I don't know who was more excited for that, Michael or Myself. He and Shelby adore Rio. Its so full of color and great music and they both love to dance to it. I enjoy it just as much and its one I have not tired of.

Epic was the movie of choice. Great movie for both adults and kids. Full of action, comedy, adventure, and color! Michael deemed it his favorite movie and gave me the biggest hug & said "thank you so much!"

We were parked in the parking garage so Sean swooped Michael up and tried having him walk on the ceiling, that didn't go over to well. So then he tired having Mike touch the ceiling which made him happy, but didn't. We also took Mike to the side of the garage so he can look out (we were parked on the second story). Sean let him look down and Mike held on real tight "NO! I don't want it, it's too high!" I had no idea Michael had a fear of heights but it really makes sense. I have an intense fear of heights that I've had since I was super little.

When we returned home "nana" got an earful of the evening adventures. I also received an earful from my mom as to her 1 on 1 with Shelby. She had no idea Shelby actually played with toys. That she is quiet and content and just plays. It was quite comical. Shelby usually only gets to play like that while Michael is away or asleep, which is rare, so I'm happy she
Got some play time to herself.

I am so grateful we did this tonight, it was humbling to my mommy soul. It was food for my heart and I def. crave more.