Reno in full swing

There isn't one single room inside and out that is not in need of an update. So far this is what's been done. I've been concentrating on the kitchen so far. Painted the cabinets and resurfaced the Countertops. The new floors are going in and should be finished tomorrow. There is still so much to do though but every day I'm starting to like it even more, even though it's starting to show its quirks.

Speaking of renovations... Semira is progressing at max speed all of a sudden. She'll turn two on June 3rd but being a micro premie she's been behind. But right now she's on a roll just kicking into high gear for being a mobile 1 year old. She's mastered pulling to stand and climbing the stairs. She's also getting into everything, putting everything into her mouth, and playing with toys with purpose. She's a handful and finally giving my hubby a taste of the real meaning of needing to baby proof everything. We've tethered down every dresser and shelf that sits on the floor. There are gates going up and door locks on cabinets. She's the first he's really had to really watch. I'm so very excited and proud of her.

Foster over

After 3 years, 12 placements, nearly 4 adoptions ( just waiting on Macs date) and three houses, we are officially no longer a licensed foster home. No more licensing worker, no more O#L#R governing decisions made on how we can parent, store items, put our kids to bed, or any of the other silly rules. We still have 1 caseworker visit a month and the CASA advocate for Mac who still wants to play grandma for him. But those are ok.

So short but productive that's for sure.

Starting to settle in

Most of our things are moved over to the new house. Somehow a ton of stuff we know we had are missing. There are many many boxes to unpack still. My days off consisted of trying to get Emily and Spuds rooms back together and their supplies organized because the new nurse started Monday. So far so great!

I've also been redoing the kitchen in the process as well. I can't afford the official upgrades yet but I've resurfaced the counters and painted the cabinets. The flooring guys are coming tomorrow to measure and quote us. I've ordered the backsplash and some of the wainscoting. I've also finally picked out the paint colors and Saturday I'm painting the kitchen. The kitchen was my must do first project because it's the room you walk right into and the ugliest. The yard I think is next as that barren wasteland needs some color.

Pictures to follow.

It's moving day

And it's going to be a beast.,As usual we are only half packed but in our defense we have 4 med fragile babies. David and Semira and Emily all had major meltdowns at bed last night. David woke numerous times and Semira slept in my bed. Both woke early this morning and continued where they left off.

We are waiting on the mover and my awesome brother and sister in law to come and help wrangle the babies so we can get over to the new house.

I've started my kitchen redo, but with working all week and the new house being an hour from here, it was just impossible to finish before we move in. It'll easier once we are in to finish it.

Busy packing and parenting

We are going to move in a bit of an unconventional way so as to settle faster into our usual routine. The chaos of packing and trying to keep things out is just too much for me. Since the new house is an hour away from the old house, and we don't have extra hands to help with the kids right now, nothing can get done at the new house until we actually live there. So the movers are coming on Sunday and from tomorrow until then... It's throw everything into a box mode.

Hopefully once we move we will be able to get some more help. Lots of things going on right now in that department.

Got the house

Signed all the paperwork today. Funding is tomorrow and they will record the deed later that day and we get the keys Thursday because I have to work Wednesday night and am not driving the hour down there to get them.

Final Closing Disclosure Received

We can sign as soon as Tuesday so we will see what they can schedule tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow we do the final walk through in the morning, along with three of our four kiddos. Should be an interesting experience. I really hope the signing ends up in Tuesday because it's the only day we have access to a babysitter.