We're having a luau!

As we approach the due date, I’m getting more and more excited about welcoming our baby girl home.  Along with the excitement comes the anxiety of trying to get everything done and make sure everything is ready by the time she arrives.  I’m sure we’ll be fine though; Dan has done a great job of moving things, painting, stripping wallpaper, etc.  We are just 34 days away from the due date and only 19 days away from our move.  Everything is down to the wire and the carpet is actually getting installed in the nursery today. I can’t wait to see how everything will look once it’s finished.  I have all of the Hawaiian décor ready to go and Dan will be making her a personalized surfboard to display her name above her crib. 

As a way to welcome her home and get everyone together, we are planning a “Welcome Home” party.  I’ve decided to go with a luau theme, since her room is a tropical, Hawaiian, “beachy” paradise.  I’ve sent out some invites on Facebook and hope that everyone will be able to stop by to visit and eat.  Once she’s born, I plan on sending out formal announcements through the (“snail”) mail and including the party information there, as well.  The party has been tentatively set for Saturday, May 7^th at 3pm.  I’m making a couple of CD’s of Summer, Luau, Beach Music and am planning on serving sloppy joes, hot dogs, pasta salad, mostacolli, fruit salad, veggies, various dips, Watergate salad, Banana pudding, cookies, etc.  Everyone is encouraged to wear their Hawaiian garb, if they desire.  Candace will be decked out in a little luau dress and I’ve yet to decide what they rest of us are going to wear. 

I’m officially 35 weeks pregnant as of this Sunday and will have my 36 week check-up on the 22^nd of March.  I’m still working and staying very busy packing and moving things here and there, getting the house ready for showings, washing baby clothes, etc.  In addition, my friend, Michelle, is getting married in May, so we’ve got a lot going on with preparing for her shower, bachelorette party and wedding.  Times are very busy, but they are fun.  I can’t wait until the baby is finally here and I can enjoy some time at home with the kids and Dan to get to know our newest addition. 

A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams

“A House is built with boards and beams; A Home is built with love and dreams”.  This statement hangs on a plaque above the entryway in our dining room.  Now, more than ever, I’m trying to remind myself of this.  The ability for me to remain in my “house” may be lost, but I will always have my “home”. 

It is only Monday and we’ve already received two requests of realtors to show our house this week.  We listed our house about 2 months ago for around $137,000 and our realtor has already dropped the price to under $70,000.  So now, the calls will start rolling in I guess.  It’s surreal and bittersweet.  Purchasing the house 3 and ½ years ago, I never would have imagined that this is where we would be so soon. 

All I can do is warn others of the dangers of modifications.  I often wonder if successful modifications even happen.  Dan and I did everything by the book.   We did every single thing asked of us by our lender.  How did this happen?  Why is it ok for the banks to receive bailout money and then turnaround and do this to their customers?  We are exactly one week away from the first hearing on our case in federal court. It’s only a scheduling conference, but at least it’s a start. 

Next Friday, I will be enrolling Zach in the new school district as well.  I feel bad for him that he’s switching schools again, but I really have no choice.  It makes me feel better though, knowing that at least he doesn’t mind.  Zach adapts to change so easily and is so much more socially adaptable than I am that I’m sure he’ll do fine, but I can’t help but be worried.  I will also register Amber for kindergarten on that same day.  She will begin kindergarten in September and I am excited for her, but she, on the other hand, is not so excited.  Usually when I bring it up, she cries and tells me that she doesn’t want to leave Ms. Tanya.  Amber doesn’t adapt to change as easily as Zach.  She reminds me of myself.  She is shy when she first meets new people, but once she gets to know someone she’s herself, so I’m sure she’ll be fine, it will just take some time. 

In less than one month (25 days), we will make our “home” in a new “house”.  Zach will begin school in a new school district (with only 2 months left in the school year) and we will be preparing for Candace’s arrival which is expected on April 17^th.   So many major things happening all at once, but we will manage. 

Everyone always says that things happen for a reason and that God has a plan for us.  I know that God directs our lives and will never steer us wrong.  Even though things are happening that are beyond our control, God is always in control and will lead the way.  Bad things may be happening (losing the house, going through a lawsuit, having my credit damaged, etc.), but good things are coming with it.  Dan has returned to school and is doing amazingly well.  In 2-3 years, he will have a wonderful career and I am so very proud of him.  After that, we hope that he will receive a job offer in a warm state where I can then begin law school.  Until then, we have something even more exciting to look forward to… in just 41 days, we are expecting our daughter, who will surely bring joy and happiness to our “home”.