CLOSING!!!

Closing day went without a hitch. Adam was a little anxious the day before and started hauling all our "boxed" items down to the garage. My brother Ben came also and helped haul down some of the bigger items, like the desk and a oversized chair. We were up late, but don't ask me what we were doing - things have become kind of a "blurr".

Adam woke up bright and early at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning. I could tell he was anxious and excited. He started loading up the car with things we were going to take to the house right away (ex: cleaning supplies, suitcases with clothes for the next couple days, toilet paper, garbage bags, soap, ect.). The girls just kept on a'sleepin through the whole commotion. Once they woke up and got dressed, I gave them breakfast and talked to them about what was going to happen that day, step by step. We were going to bring them to school early and while they were at school, mommy and daddy were going to go see the house, make sure everything looks good and then go sign all the paperwork to officially make it "ours". Once we all had the plan and the girls seemed ok with everything, we were out the door and on the way to school. Adam followed me in his car, both hauling as much as we could fit in our vehicles (we don't waste any time - ha). We were supposed to meet Vic at the house at 9:30 for the final walk through.

The sellers were supposed to be out by 9 - so when we drove by at 9:15 and saw their trailer still sitting there, we got a little concerned. We waited at a nearby park for another 15 mins. Vic called at 9:30 and said they were still there. Not trying to be rude, but we didn't want them to be there at the final walk through, we wanted to go through the house ourselves and make sure everything was there that should have been, ect. So, Vic kindly asked them to hurry along. He called when they pulled away and Adam and I hustled over there. Vic was waiting at the door when we arrived, opening the garage door for me to pull into our new garage. I jumped out, screamed and jumped up and down like a little kid. Adam and I did a walk through, although I think we were actually skipping with excitement. Everything looked better than we could have ever expected. April and Jay had not only left us a king size bed (for our guests), tons of cleaning supplies, shovel, tiller, all of the towels and shower curtain and decor in the downstairs basement (not that I'm going to leave it there - but a nice gesture) - they even cleaned the place from top to bottom. We could smell the bleach when we walked in. They always had the place spick and span when we were there - so we knew it was going to be clean anyways, but they went over and beyond. They even left the girls a little present (some tub toys) in the bathroom and all of us some Culvers ice cream in the freezer. Adam and I were very pleased.

After our walk through we took off following Vic to Eagan to the Coldwell Banker Burnett office to do the closing. There we met up with Barb, our loan officer, Ali (I don't remember what her title was - but she is the one who handed us all the papers to sign) and Jessica, the power of attorney for April and Jay (the sellers). They had pre-signed on Monday, so they did not attend the closing. Neither did their agent, Roger. I was SO excited to meet Barb (who is actually Vic's cousin). She has been SO good Adam and I. I had only spoken to her over the phone and never met her in person like Adam had. She was such a joy to meet, such a nice lady and talker, like me. We talked and laughed throughout the whole process. Adam and I had fun signing all the papers. We are officially signing our names now with our middle initial. We decided we liked it after about the hundredth time we signed it that way and actually thought it looked more professional. Overall, we had a blast and shared lots of laughs with everyone. I have to admit I was sorta waiting for balloons and confetti to fall when we signed the final paper, but - maybe next time. We were super excited nonetheless. Barb and I got our picture taken together by a Charlie Brown statue in the entry way of the building - she is just way too fun. We'll see her again at the big Bouya? party at Vic and Sara's in October. I'm looking forward to it already.
After we said goodbye to Barb and Vic in the parking lot - Adam and I took off to our new house for the first time to call it officially OURS! I was able to hang my hanging flower basket I got the Adam and the girls for my birthday - it looks FABULOUS!

Ben met us at the house to help unload the cars and then Adam and I took off to Home Depot (who is our new best friend, by the way). We purchased all our paint, a new lawn mower, a sprinkler and much much more for our new house. It was one of those things where everyone saw that I was pushing a plump full cart and Adam was pushing a big pallet thing, so they all were flocking to us to help us out cuz they could tell we were there to spend a lot of money. However, everyone was truly very helpful and wished us luck on our new home. I don't know why but purchasing a paint brush and a gas can was rather thrilling as oddly as that sounds, but we've never needed those things before in our townhouse, so it was, I don't know, kind of a rush.
After our fun trip to Home Depot, we went back to the house to unload again. And by that time it was time for me to go pick up the girls. How the day flew by is beyond me.

Alexa was a bit sad when I picked her up and wouldn't even tell me what was wrong til we got to the car. She said that her and Yazzy got into a fight about who was to push the tire swing. Alexa said that Yazzy was pushing too hard and Alexa was worried that Lillian would get hurt. So, they got in a tiff and Ms. Alli banned them from the tire swing for the rest of the day. That is Alexa's side of the story, so I'd like to believe it's true..but Mmm I don't know? Both Alexa and Lillian looked very exhausted. I can't blame them, they aren't used to going to school ALL day. I surprised them by taking them to McDonalds for dinner. I let them play in the play place for a little bit, then went back to our townhouse to pick up some things. We made it back our house around 7-7:30.

Vic was there and he, Ben and Adam were sittin out on the deck drinkin beers that Vic brought to celebrate. He had also brought some champagne for Sara and I. The girls were SO excited to be at their new house. They ran all over the yard and had the biggest smiles on their faces. I think there was a little tear in Adam's eye when he saw them laughing and playing in our very own back yard. We broke open the sidewalk chalk the got from the Easter bunny and they went to town on the driveway. Sara came shortly after and we ordered some pizza and went over paint colors. She liked what we had picked so far, and suggested another color for the living room that Adam and I both really liked - I'll be showing before and after shots later - I promise.

They had brought us some fun toys to remove our wallpaper - Sara so kindly demonstrated the steamer and the paper tiger. I was a little worried how all the wallpaper would come off, but it actually went very well. We didn't get started til much later than I thought, but with Ben and Adam staying up til nearly 3am they were able to get it all down and the walls washed. Things looked great when I awoke this morning. Alexa and Lillian had their first tubby in the new house, washing all the chalk from their hands and legs. Alexa enjoyed the new tub, but Lillian was a little too tired to want to do anything so it was a bit of a struggle with her.

Adam woke up very early and drove to the townhouse to get another load. Slowly but surely things have been moved over and I have a feeling this move will go rather smoothly. Well, I'm hoping anyways. The girls and I heard a car door and thought it was Adam back to unload, but it was Uncle Isaac. He made it before 8am, impressive. We gave him a quick tour of the inside and outside of the house and when Adam got home he went straight to work taping off the woodwork to begin painting. Adam had brought doughnuts for breakfast, so the girls gobbled them up while we watched the guys go to work. Isaac taped and Adam and Ben washed walls. The girls and I ran around the yard, played tee ball, sidewalk chalk and rode scooters until it was time for them to get to school. We got dressed and ready and off we went to school, out of the way of the guys. They seemed to have things under control, so I (seriously) was not worried. So far, I've been rather calm through this process, which is a very good thing, trust me.

I brought the girls to school and went to work. I got a phone call at about an hour later from Adam asking me to rush to the Home Depot in Apple Valley - major crisis!! They were unable to match the paint we wanted in our living room. The one we had picked out was a 2 in 1 with the primer in it. Since we didn't need the primer in the living room, we wanted them to match it. For some reason the couldn't, so I had to go pick another color that was similar. Thank goodness I only work a couple blocks from Home Depot. The guys looked pretty tired, upset and hungry when I arrived there. It was going on 2 and they hadn't eaten all day. Plus, I came to find out that they waited for over an hour there for the paint. Apparently they went and put in their order and then walked around the store to kill the time. When they came back there was a new guy at the counter and about 5 other people waiting in line. When they finally got helped, they found out that the guy they gave their order to clocked out and never informed his replacement of the order. Sooo, they had to wait some more and when the paint was finally mixed is when they realized it was the wrong color and that's when they called me to pick a new one. I went through some samples and found one that was very very similar, so we went with it. The gentleman mixed it for us and it turned out how we liked it, so the guys took off to get something to eat and I went back to work. Half way through the afternoon I got one small sneak peak at the progress going on back home. Adam took a pic on his camera phone and sent me a pic of the "yellow" wall in the dining room/entry way. I could also see a little green from the kitchen. I was so excited and very pleased. I was anxious to get home and see it all in person.

I picked up the girls and we went right home. We had strict instructions to enter the house through the deck door so we wouldn't mess up their painting. We were so shocked at all the bright colors. I mean REALLY bright. You'll see. But, we really like it. I liked it even more this morning after it was all dry. The girls screamed over their pink bedroom, too. Wow..another BRIGHT color. We've been so used to having white walls, so this is a bit shocking, but it's color and we like it. I'll be honest and say that I was a little freaked out about the "orange" on the living room walls, but now it's my favorite color of the house. It's so sharp looking. I think it will look really nice with our furniture.

The guys had worked their butts off and got the first coat on every wall done. They did such a great job. A HUGE THANK YOU to my brother Ben and Isaac for your wonderful painting skills and all your hard work. Whoo!! And Adam too, of course. I love you babe.

After the girls and I inspected everything we continued to stay out of their way by going to eat at Wendy's. This move is KILLING my diet with me having to eat out so much. Ugh! We weigh in on the 17th - so I have to kick it in high gear now.

Lillian ended up peeing through her diaper - they didn't have a changing station at Wendy's, so her diaper was soaked through and then she spilled her milk all the way down her front so we went straight home afterwards to change her and then go to the park. But, when we got home Alexa decided to run through the sprinkler in the back yard with her clothes on and got soaking wet. So instead of taking them to the park, i threw them in the bathtub instead. Lillian enjoyed it more this time and they were able to play with their tub toys that Adam brought in one of his loads from the townhouse. I got them in their jammies and by then it was 8 o'clock, so I snuggled them in for bed. Adam, Ben and Ike left to get something to eat, so it was quiet for them to fall asleep. I wanted them to get to bed early, as I knew it would be a big, long weekend for them. Lillian fell asleep right away and Alexa woke from the doorbell. It was Vic, bringing us a ladder that he so kindly borrowed us from Sara's parents. He also brought along some extra paint they had that will go perfect in mine and Adam's bedroom. We chit chatted and he helped himself to a beer in the fridge. Adam mentioned the other day that it's nice that we aren't really Vic's "clients" anymore, now that we've closed on the house, now we can be "friends". If that makes sense. Adam and the boys came shortly after and so did Sara. Sara LOVED the paint. She said it was a lot of color and bright, but it looked good. She said she could see the orange (maple leaf) from the road and said it looked really good when she pulled in.

We walked through the house, admiring the steller painting job the guys did. Drank a few and chit chatted. They've become such great friends and we appreciate them a TON.

The guys hung out in the garage after they left and I went to bed. I was so exhausted yesterday and I am again today.

The girls and I got up this morning, got ready and took off to Fairview Ridges in Burnsville to meet baby Julia. A co-worker of mine had a baby girl Wednesday, the day we closed on the house. Julia is so precious. 6 lbs 19" long. Alexa and Lillian just ogled over her. Tram looks good and said everything went very well. Congratulations to Taun and Tram and Big Sister Cecilia.
From there we went to the grocery store and picked up a few things and then brought them home, made lunches for the girls and then off to school. The guys had already put a second coat on the living room - it looks so good.

We look forward to the family picnic tonight at the girls' school. Our last name starts with "L" so we are to bring beverages, said the list. So I picked up a 24 pack of bottled water at the grocery store. They'll grill brats, burgers and hot dogs and depending on the letter of your last name you could bring a salad, chips, cups, plates...ect. I've already reserved a seat next to Renee, Jayita's mom. We'll be discussing and planning the girls' dance recital on June 20th. So exciting.

We also look forward to our moving and cleaning crew coming tonight and tomorrow morning. My mom, dad and brother Tiny will be coming tonight and Linda and Dre will be coming tomorrow morning. I'm anxious to finally get all our stuff moved to the house and be done with the townhouse completely. I will breathe a sigh of relief driving away from that place.
So, so far so good on everything. Everything has been going smooth with the move so far and I'm hoping that continues through tomorrow....I hear rain is in the forecast, so I'm a little nervous. Please cross your fingers the rain hold out til Sunday. We need the rain so bad, just NOT tomorrow. Wish us luck.

I'll be updating next week......