Offer accepted

 Exactly 2 weeks after listing we got a strong offer.  The buyers wanted to move in May 1.  We countered to cover the expense of moving out 1 month early.  They accepted so now we are in a 9 day period of inspection.  Wow!

So now P needs to apply for jobs, we need to put our lives in storage and get a 1 month rental.  Also, G needs to be in a play, get surgery for his wrist, give a valedictorian speech, and graduate.  M needs to have her last concert, band banquet and AICE exams.  lP has a concert.  B and L have co-op and life.

Tonight there is a lonely firefly lighting up my window in the dark.  It is magical but also sad.  He/She is lighting up the night but all alone.  When we visited Georgia the kids got to experience the magic of hundreds of fireflies going one evening at the Air BnB.

I'm searching for a short term rental for us.  It is expensive.  But we have some good leads.  And we will be forced to spend our last month in St. Augustine on vacation.  It is all working out.

Things work out

 I was to teach RS today but hadn't really prepared.  Between wards I went to choir practice then out to the car where the family was eating lunch.  P started toward our friend JC and I followed him to find that she was having car problems.  I provided support as P and Brother H worked on the car.  I wasn't going to make it to RS so I texted SH to ask if RS could go to YW.  By the time I got in class was half over.  5 YW and 4 sisters (3 visiting) were there enjoying TS's lesson.  It was beautiful.  The family visiting from Utah to consider moving here had a positive experience.  The Lord Knows.

School carnival

We went to the carnival at G's school.  It was so much fun.  I'm grateful the children have been able to experience the beauty of the school.  This was an event for deaf and blind schools.  I love the school. 

I love these kids.

I love this friend who is the president of the school.  15 years ago we started attending church here once a month, then more and more often until we moved here.  She is amazing and I wanted her to be involved in G's life.  She has been his sunday school teacher for most of the last 15 years.  Now she is the girl's YW leader.  She always chooses kindness.  She puts her shoulder to the wheel with grace and a smile.  I'm so grateful for her example.  It means a lot to me that she thinks our family does a great job of signing and teaching the children.

Beach!

Tonight we went to the beach for the first time this year.  We've been, but not to swim, and not since the new van.   It was a good moment to enjoy now that the work on the house is done.

I'm so grateful for my children.  B and G didn't swim but M, lP and L got all in!  This has been a beautiful life here.
 

Pi Day

 We had photos taken on March 14.  I was so grateful and celebratory that we made it through getting the pictures taken that I decided to let everyone pick a pie at Walmart.  They ate pie for days! 

I made 2 quiche for myself.  I love a store bought pie crust!  And for dinner we had pizza pie!

Showings

 We had a showing this morning at 10am.  From 5-7 there was an open house for the neighborhood and 3 families came that were interested.  We have another showing Friday Morning and Monday afternoon already.  Saturday 2-4 and Sunday 12-2 there will be more open houses.  So far so good.

Thursday 3/16 10:00am For our first showing we went to the library.

Thursday 3/16 5-7 open house we went to burger king for dinner then a playground.

Friday 3/17 9:00AM Diane's for bulk snacks, Walmart for apple watch protector, stop by the farm on Kings Estate Rd.

Friday 3/17 1:00  Alligator Farm

Friday 3/17 2:00 Alligator Farm

Saturday 3/18 2-4 open house we went to Ikea and did not buy all the cute things.

Sunday 3/19 12-2 we were at church

Monday 3/20 11:45 Walmart snack run

Tuesday 3/21 11:00 playground and then on the road for a Dr. Appointment

Friday 3/24 10:00 playground and then Levi's therapy apt.  Tonight we hosted friends which was so nice since they hosted lP and B for the last month of our regular Friday playdate.

Tuesday 3/28 4:30 the buyers showed up at 4!  We finished our preparations and departed glad that P always plans for us to leave 30 minutes early.  P took kids to choir and I took kids to pick up G.  We got Panda Express for dinner. 

Thursday 3/30 2:00 the buyers from Tuesday made an offer and wanted to come see the house again.  We countered to cover the cost of moving out in 1 month instead of 2.  They accepted the offer and so we may not need to do any more showings!

listing is live

 It is really happening.  I know we've been getting ready to sell for years.  But now the listing is live and there are pictures posted.  It is exciting and scary.  I saw it at 3:45 am. I wonder if N posted it at 3:30 am or if it was a scheduled posting.  I'm hoping she is asleep.

clean roof and fancy staging

Our realtor connected us with a pressure washing company to have the roof cleaned.  I was worried $345 was a lot, but he spent 4+ hours and the roof shines like new.  Worth it!

Our realtor brought in a home decorator to stage the furniture.  With her help we moved all the furniture, moved paintings, and she did cute tasteful organizing of our random clutter on the book shelves. When the decorator left we had specific instructions to get a picture framed, get a 6 foot plant for the dining room and other last minute tidying and touch ups.   It felt very DIY show nice.

Our realtor will host 3 open houses including one for neighbors.  She is having them catered and has sent out post cards inviting 100+ neighbors.  She is a full service realtor and I'm so grateful for her.

Going into this process I felt really anxious about our home being on display.  Now I feel excited to show it and calm.  

Still up at 5am doing little things like organizing a closet that people will look in.

car bump and cleaning mistake

 Yesterday I was turning into a small neighborhood street.  A truck was coming but I thought that would be OK.  Then the truck moved left to make a wide right turn and there was no longer room so I edged right.  Right into a pole on the corner.  This is the story I tell myself to make it seem as though I was not being hasty.  It's totally working.

Another mistake I made recently was in selling the van.  I'm pretty good at keeping paperwork so imagine my surprise when I couldn't find the title 10 minutes before meeting up with someone who drove 45 minutes.  I was so embarrassed and upset to have wasted their time.  Then I was conveniently able to transfer my upset when I found the title application from the dealer.  One application showed the sale price.  Another application showed 0 tax owed.  I thought they had collected tax from me and not paid it and now I was on the hook to pay it again or say I had gotten the car for free and therefore owed no tax.  It turns out that they did pay the tax and that the title was held electronically.  I just needed to pay $10 to print it.  

Last night I looked at the calendar and thought that the cleaner was coming Thursday at 2:30.  So with dread I activated the emergency family cleaning system.  We let the kids stay up until 10:30 helping to pick up all the this and that clutter.  Then, I realized that it is Friday they will come.  PHEW!  And now the house is mostly clean.  Like, I would be very OK with a stranger coming in to clean it at this point.  I'm grateful for this tender mercy.

G has so many events and practices.  M has so many events and practices.  lP has events.  B and L have events.  It is wonderful and amazing that their events conflict so little.  Each time I hear of a new major event, I put it on the calendar and feel gratitude that it is on a day that doesn't conflict with 20 other activities in the next 2 months.

possibililties for March

 By the end of the month we might have our house under contract.

G might have his mission call.

P might have a new job lined up.

This is all exciting and terrifying.

beautiful light

 As I drove home tonight I hoped I would be able to get a picture of the kids in the beautiful setting sun light.  B and L were super silly and many silly pictures were taken.  I couldn't convince them that I just wanted a pretty picture.  I really love beautiful pictures.  I'm sure I will like the silly ones someday.  But I really love a beautiful picture with a nice smile.