House or no house?!

HOUSE OR NO HOUSE?!

For all of you that have been keeping up with us on our journey of building a new house, it has been say, less than appealing.  I think I would rather have a root canal or the likes than to EVER build from scratch again.  It just seemed like we were going from one disaster to another and the builder was half present to "left the country" silent.  By Sunday of this last weekend, we were at our wits end!! We finally realized that we were not getting what we were paying for and needed to explore our options.  Scott, being in commerical real estate for almost 12 years, put his experience to practice and notified in writing our builder, the real estate company he works for, and our agent that legal action is necessary at this point.    

Monday evening, the assistant of who we thought was the builder let our agent know that the "builder" was actually the executive broker/agent.  His brother was the actual builder.  This mystery person, whom we have never heard of, never seen, nor had a conversation with was responsible for building our house?   Who signs a contract to build a custom home and never meets with the buyers??  On the other hand, who signs a contract to have a custom home built and never meets with the builder????  The broker is who we have met with from the get-go, at various houses, his office and even on the actual job site.  Bottom line- he was out of line!!!!!

We have a framed house with a dozen or so items that need to be fixed.

SO..........WHAT'S THE SOLUTION????

We have in our possession, a signed contract & addendum signed by both the broker and builder.  So legally, they are contractually liable to "deliver" a house to us under those terms.  If there is a refusal of such, then of course legal action will be necessary.

SOOOOOOOOO...(AGAIN) WHAT'S THE SOLUTION????

Last night we met with the builder ( for the first time!!!) and his custom foreman ( for the first time).  Basically, the builder trusted the broker (did I mention the builder and the broker are brother????geez....) and when a stack of contracts are laid on his desk to sign, he does so...trusting his broker (brother).   We can only assume that he signed the contract and addendum without actually reading them ( again this is only an assumption).

SOOOOOO. ........We (as in us, our agent, the builder, his custom foreman and his assistant) walked through the house room by room and then externally and went step by step with what needs to be repaired/replaced/moved.....etc........He (the builder) has given us his word that this house will be as it was supposed to be originally.......

SO we are currently giving him a chance to correct the wrongs....

I guess time will tell.......

I drove by the house this morning and there were 5 trucks there, hopefully working on the builder's " promises".

I hope tomorrow when I post about the updates on the house I can do so with a happy smile!!!!

TENNIS ANYONE?!

TENNIS ANYONE?

My friend Erin talked me into taking doubles drills class with her at the fitness center.  Ok, I have never played tennis, EVER!!!  But I thought it would be fun to learn something new.  I went to my first lesson and had to ask the instructor how to hold the racket!! That's how not a tennis player I am!!!!!  But I had a lot of fun, there are only 8 ladies in the class  and they  encourage/cheer each other on.  I just finished my 4th lesson this week and I now have my own racket and tennis skirts (so I totally look the part). 

AWANA ENDS!!

AWANA ENDS!!!

Well, we survived AWANA CUBBIES this year!!!  I volunteered to do story time and 3 days before AWANA was to start up last fall, I found out that I would also be responsible for the cubbie puppets!! YIKES!! I do not DO puppets!!!!   But I volunteered and that was that!!!! SOOOOOOOOOOO..........I was a puppet most Wednesdays!!! 

Overall, I did enjoy the program, but I am glad we are now on summer break!!!!

Tonight was the closing ceremony for AWANA.  Natalyn completed her 2nd yr of Cubbies and will be a Spark next year.  Natalyn learned 24 bible verses this year!! 

 The Cubbies got to sit on the stage and also sing a song.

 Afterward, we went to Maria's for some YUM-YUM-YUMMY....chips and salsa. 

I think I could literally live off Dr.Pepper and chips & salsa.

CFA FUN!!!

CFA FUN!!!!

I don't know anyone with lil' kiddos that doesn't LOVE from CFA time!!!

I was soooooooooooo excited that Elz is finally old enough to actually play on the equipment.  Next time we go, I can take (dare I say) A BOOK to read!!!!

 I had to add this picture in of Elz.  This is her "tough baby" face.  I wonder who she was trying to intimidate?!? 

PROM 2012

PROM 2012

We had a crazy busy weekend!!!! Yesterday, our niece Mackenzie "Kenzie Kay" went to her first prom in Farmington.  She is a freshman and her date was her main squeeze, Alex, who is a Junior.  I think she looked absolutely BE-U-TI-FULLL!!!!!!!(I know the spelling is not correct!)  Natalyn thought Kenzie's "Barbie outfit" was so wonderful!  I remember when Kenz was born and so it is a little bitter-sweet to see her "almost" all grown-up!

 I  gotta squeeze in a pic of my lil' cuties!!!

 Saturday night, cousin Keeley got to sleep over.  The girls were pretty much glued to her the entire time.  She was such a good sport (and good helper)!!!  I decided that I need a 10 yr old, like RIGHT NOW!!!  Keeley and Natalyn slept on the floor in Natalyn's room and Keeley reported that she slept fine other than Natalyn steeling all the blankets and also placing barbie furniture all around her at some point in the middle of the night so whenever she rolled over (while she was freezing) she would feel a jab in the ribs (or legs or face).   She was such a trooper, that I rewarded her with a

Vanilla DR. Pepper from Sonic (and OK- a Reg Dr. Pepper for myself!)!!!  

 We went out to the lot and there are like a ton of scrap wood, so I took a few pieces for the girls to paint. 

Ending with another PROM pic (not sure why this one ended at the bottom of my list, but OH WELL!)

ALEX & KENZIE



Painting furniture

Painting Furniture

Ok. Since we are moving, I have decided to update our furniture-CHEAPLY! Which basically means, I plan to paint it!! We got our pine furniture when we got married (a million)-oh I mean, 11.5 yrs ago. I am just not really into pine anymore. Anyways, after two kiddos, it has seen better days and needs "freshening up a bit!" I have researched several DIY blogs and one will say " no primer" and another will say it " always primer", one will say " spray paint is best" and another will say " brush paint ONLY!" Soooooooo...........I decided to talk to my friend, Maegan (who is the most awesomest decorator/painter/designer in NWA) and get her thoughts. This post is just about the "BEFORE", so there will be more updates in the weeks to come as I tackle the following pieces.

I have not one, not four, but SIX chairs. (I hope to find a short-cut product to sanding, or even better----NO SANDING!)

This hutch just appears to be bigger than it is. It is 2ft deep and 5 ft long. I think I will also do some kind of treatment to the glass/and or mirrors in the back. Don't I sound ambitious?!?! And here is the table, with all of our mess covering it so you can't see it all that well. Oh-and there is Elz humming "Jingle Bells" for the 800th time straight!

Oh-Yes! Another house update!

Another house update!!

The house is coming along pretty quickly! We've had a few snags, like the plumbing being put in the wrong place. (Do you think I am being picky that I have a problem with the girls bathtub water line currently sticking out of the foundation in the hallway instead of say,.....THE BATHROOM!!)

Also the laundry room was framed incorrectly......and the garage....and the master bathroom ceiling...and Elia'a closet......other than that-things are going just fine!!!! Here are some pictures of what is going on currently! Hopefully my next update with include the exterior being finished completely!!!!

Here is my ( I mean, OUR) front door. It will be stained to match the mantle/cabinets..etc. I wanted a solid door because it kind of creeps me out to have people be able to see right into the house through a window in the door. There is a rectangular window above the door frame to let in some light.

here is the front of the house. side viewHere is our tile choice, I found it in another house when I was checking out cabinet finishes! I love it because it sort of has that "dirt" look. Hopefully, it will be easier to keep clean than our light tile we currently have! This is looking a the living room/kitchen dining area from front door. There will be a fireplace/shelving in the corner.And this room I have been praying/complaining/stressing out for since Natalyn was born------
A TOY ROOM!!! I have already warned/threatened the girls that if I find their "treasures" outside this special room, they will be thrown in the trash!Here is Nat and Elz sitting where the fireplace will be, just being goofy!!!