Housing Decisions

So we're in the market to buy a house.  We started looking at houses the weekend after Thanksgiving and soon saw what our money would get us.  We wanted to stay in a lot lower price range than was offered by the mortgage company, but when we saw what that amount would get us, we quickly realized we would need to go a little higher.  We looked at a couple bank-owned properties that would be a nice fit, but the process to get the house would take much too long, so we focused our search on seller-owned homes. 

We found a really nice home just literally around the corner from where we go to church and about 30 minutes north of Nick's work.  We put an offer in on the property, and after a couple of counter offers, we negotiated a price that worked for all parties involved.  We've gotten the paperwork started for the loan, which when all is said and done, we're paying a little more than we originally intended, but in the long run, this house is the best for us. 

We had a home inspection two days ago which revealed a few minor issues that need to be fixed before settlement, but nothing too major with those.  There is one major issue, however, that could really break our deal.  The roof leaks in a few spots and the home inspector's opinion is that the roof be replaced.  We had a roofing guy come take a look at the roof yesterday and we're waiting to hear what he has to say.  The issue is not with us, but with the seller.  We're afraid that the sellers, who are not being the most cooperative anyhow, won't do anything to fix the problem.  We can't afford to have the roof replaced ourselves and I don't want to just patch it up and inherit their problem for us to fix later down the road.  So we'll see what happens here in the next couple days.  Hopefully by Friday we'll know what the deal is. 

If we lose this house over this it'll be very disappointing.  There isn't a whole lot around where we want to stay that fits into our budget that we really like.  So keep your fingers and your toes crossed, and pray that the outcome is in our favor!

Rock Climbing

My dad took us rock climbing the other day at his building on the base.  They just had a rock climbing wall put in and so we were kind of the "testers".  The boys had a great time playing with all the stuff in the building and trying out the climbing wall.  Being 4 months pregnant, I got to be the official picture taker since it probably wasn't a good idea for me to get harnessed up and strapped in. 

Tanner and Spencer didn't want to go very far up the wall, but they made it up a little ways.  They enjoyed swinging from the rope better than climbing.  There are harnesses small enough for them to wear and it was so cute to see them run around the place with these harnesses on.  Bennett had a great time crawling all over the place.  He even got to go up a little ways on the wall with help from Nick. 

So all in all, it was a good time had by all.  My dad got a lot of experience in before they open the wall up for the general base population.  Glad we could oblige.

Mom Gets A Break

I flew down to San Antonio over the weekend.  I'm not afraid of flying, but my flight from Houston into San Antonio really tested that theory.  The plane bounced and dropped like a roller coaster and jiggled and moved in any way possible for the entire 40 minutes that we were in the air.  I wanted off that plane!!!

I had a great time!  I was able to visit old friends that I hadn't seen in over 8 years.  The part of town I lived in, which was the northeast part of San Antonio had really changed.  Lots of growth and development.  So that was different to see.  I was really grateful to stay with the parents of my dear friend from my young women days at church.  We had a great time! 

My 10-year high school reunion took place while I was there.  There were about 10 of us out of 400 who showed up.  It was good to see a few of the "old gang", but disappointing that more people didn't show up.  I guess in the age of Facebook and Twitter, my generation doesn't feel the need to get together physically anymore. 

I was glad to get home and be back with my family.  The few days I had away from my kids and husband was a nice break, but I was ready to be back home with them.  I'm glad I went.  At the same time, I really don't feel the need to move back down there anymore.  I guess living in the country for the past 8 years has really changed my perspective.  Although, it would be nice to have a few more options when it comes to recreation and dining out here.  I happen to like where I live a lot more than I did before.   

Overwhelming Day

Nick and I were asked to meet with the Bishop at church early this morning.  Of course all kinds of ideas were running through our heads - what calling am I going to get, what calling is Nick getting.  So we show up and immediately we're told that there has been some reorganization in the Relief Society and Primary presidencies.  At which point, the Bishop, who just happens to be my dad mind you, extends the calling of 2nd Counselor in the Primary presidency.  Gulp!!!  The primary is for the kids ages 3-12.  The only calling I've ever held in primary has been either the pianist or leading the music for the kids.  Of course I say yes to the calling, but as the day continues at church, I feel more and more overwhelmed thinking, "what have I just agreed to?"  I have no idea how the primary presidency works.  I feel completely inadequate, but I was blessed to know that as I seek the guidance of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I will know what to do.  I guess this will be good training for me to know how to be more patient with my kids.  I'll learn how to better teach my kids about the gospel.  I know this will be a good calling, I'm just a little scared of the unknown.  So, pray for me, and I'll be doing a lot of praying as well!!

Jobs, Airline Tickets, & Babies

After a few months of fruitless job searching, Nick has finally landed a job.  We were pretty positive after a few "no's" that we wouldn't be able to stay here close to family.  We've been applying for jobs all over the country to no avail.  We did say no to a job on Wisconsin though.  It would have been too much travel for Nick, and not good for our family.  So we graciously declined that one.  But, Nick made a few phone calls and found a place that was just hiring a MRI tech.  After two interviews, they offered him the job!  The pay is good for a starting tech here in our podunk state, so we were grateful for that.  So we're well on our way to financial independence and self-reliance!  Hopefully by Christmas we'll be able to start looking for a house to live!

To celebrate Nick's job, I bought myself a plane ticket to San Antonio!  Not really to celebrate, but because he got this job, I don't feel quite so bad buying a plane ticket.  I'm going down to Texas for my 10-year high school reunion.  I told Nick a long time ago that going to my reunion was one thing that I really, really wanted to do.  Not so much for the reunion part, but mostly to go back down to San Antonio to see a few people that I dearly miss.  The reunion was just the excuse to get me to go.  After some debate, Nick agreed to let me go for a few days.  So I quickly bought my ticket and I'll be on my way November 11!!!!  I am so excited! 

Okay, so now for the kicker.  Nick and I are expecting baby #4 come the middle of May.  We weren't sure if we were going to have another one, but after many different promptings for both of us, we knew that another baby was in store for the Surdukowski family.  We were going to wait to start trying until after Nick got a job, but I kept getting these nagging feelings that we shouldn't wait.  So, in traditional Surdukowski style, I was pregnant practically just by thinking about it.  Everything checks out well with the baby.  I'm pretty nauseous this time around.  It seems that every pregnancy I have it gets progressively worse.  Nothing major thankfully, but it gets harder on me every time.  So we'll see if this will be our last little Surdukowski to join our family.

So as you can see, we're busy beavers here.  The boys are getting so big.  Bennett will be walking soon.  Probably in the next two weeks.  The older two boys continue to learn more and more words every day.  Most days are fun, but I do get short with them a lot more since I've been pregnant.  Dang hormones!  Gotta learn to control those!

Tear My Hair Out

So my 10 month old decided that he wants to cry all the time since Saturday.  He's fine when we hold him and stand up with him, as if he's gone back to being a 2 month old.  But when you put him down, he screams and just about throws a fit.  Man, this screaming is about to make me go insane!  I'm not sure what's going on with him.  He doesn't seem to have a tummy ache because he's eating things just as eagerly as before.  I'm not sure if he's teething and that's causing any issues.  But we've given him some Tylenol and that doesn't seem to make any difference.  So he's just now screaming for no reason it seems like.  I have just about had it.  It's days like today that makes me want to not be the mom anymore.  Enough already!!!

Pneumonia

I ended up taking Bennett to the urgent clinic the other day.  He'd been feeling warm for a few days and was pretty fussy, so I figured he had an ear infection.  He's had a awful sounding cough for about a month, so that's why I thought it was an ear infection.

After a thorough check-up, everything seemed fine.  His ears looked good, nothing wrong with his throat.  But when the doctor listened to Bennett's chest he noticed some scratchy noises down low in his lungs.  So he sent us off for a chest x-ray.  I'll tell ya, the contraption they put little babies in to get a chest x-ray is just sad and pathetic to see your little guy bound up it.  He has to be strapped in this thing with his arms positioned above his head.  It tears at you to see your little one looking so helpless like that! 

So turns out to be pneumonia.  He has a mild case, thank goodness.  He was also starting to develop a lung infection.  That's what was causing the fever.  Thankfully, we were able to go home and just have him take an antibiotic.  He's doing much better today.  He spent most of the day on my lap or in my arms yesterday.  I'll just keep an eye on him these next few days and hope we don't have any troubles.