Just an Update

We called a loan officer and started all the stuff for buying a house. We didn't ask the right questions (things like rates and fees) because we just expected a big no.
Although we weren't pre-qualified for as much as we had hoped, we did get an approval for 150K (it was 115K when we were making half as much, but then I guess actually being able to pay the bill is helpful. It costs a lot to feed my family), which would easily buy a 4 bedroom house somewhere, if we can find someone to take our terms (they have to cover closing costs). Someone will be desperate enough.

I can't really say I am excited, because we have been here before and still been denied in the end. But, I guess it won't have a chance to happen unless we try.

Buying a House

We are thinking of trying to buy a house again. We tried 3 years ago, when I was pregnant with Gabe. I didn't think it would happen, but we went through the process, and then a month before closing (a month after making the offer). Bam. No go. So. I am scared. Money is my weak spot, and an area that just makes me tense and nervous and sick. And I am not pretty enough for a rich, Prince Charming apparently (although Karl Evans isn't so bad;o)). So. I . am. scared. Being human, disappointment isn't a feeling I desire. In fact, it's about the worst feeling, isn't it?

We are doing our final credit score checks, before we head to the bank so they can do their own "real" checks.

Last time, we were told we were denied because with income based repayment on my student loans I didn't have to pay anything. They said if it says zero, then they will take the full amount. Although I still owe zero, I have been claiming one less dependent to mohela in order to have to make payments. But I just redid it, and it's zero again. So I have to send a new form in quick, because they put it in forbearance without my permission, so I can owe zero. But supposedly that is what hurt us. We'll find out.
And even if that is okay, apparently banks just aren't approving many people right now.

so I am going to chin up, find the strength (really, I just need to disengage emotionally, I guess), and go through the steps. If it doesn't happen..we'll maybe in another three years.

Gabriel's speech and language therapy

When Gabe turns three in August he will no longer qualify for First Steps. We are in the process of having him evaluated to see if he is eligible to receive services through the public schools. He has improved so much, the lady doing the evaluation didn't even give him the extra speech screening. It wasn't until she was scoring the test and reading through my surveys that she realized he was in First Steps. She then asked why, and after I told her for speech and language, she took him back to test him again. Then she said she would go ahead and give him a referral for further testing with Shining Stars. So even if he doesn't qualify (which is okay, because his daycare will not let a therapist in for some reason), he must not be too far off target.

His DIAL screening was great: 94th percentile overall. He scored 99 on concepts. I am sure it is from the preschool and the one-on-one time with the play therapist. It's weird though, because Liam's DIAL screening was so poor, but Liam appears to know so much. I know the screening is just looking for possible problems, but the lady who screened Liam actually suggested seeing if he qualified for The Wonder Years. I guess I am feeling like it's an intellectual slam on him, but his true issues lie in motor control. He did score below average in language, which blew me away, because he has known letters and their sounds for quite a while. I am not really concerned with his intellect, but I am concerned with his ability to conform to expectations. I guess I worry too much. It's just if an outsider is seeing something different, then he might start viewing himself as different. He is already self-conscious of his body and says he needs to lose weight. I don't want him worrying about his mind. His teacher said he is quite smart, but what good is it, if he doesn't SHOW it? Eh, I don't know. I probably just need to focus on his motor skills and let his teachers worry about his academic pursuits. I don't think he will have problems learning, just cooperating. He is quite a stinker. But his preschool teacher said his behavior is in line with other boys his age, so am probably just worrying over nothing. I don't know why I  worry over him so much. It probably doesn't help that Gabe is quite compliant, and even apologizes when he misbehaves. Gabe is pure sweetness (with a bit of sibling rivalry with Liam, thrown in).

Anyhoo, Gabe will get further testing for S and L, and I woke up too early (not for any reason, just that Gabe came in my room).

Funny thing, Gabe's reported self-help score was 1%. I guess we aren't letting him do as much as other kids are doing. He isn't potty-trained either. He was getting there, but I just got tired of pee all over everything and decided to wait until summer. Plus it just isn't the point of pride that it was when I was younger. Who cares?

"I know it will come true now!"

These were the words uttered by my four year old after he drew a picture of our house with only him and me in it.
He wanted everyone to be gone and me to "babysit" him. Ouch. Does someone need a bit of one on one?

So now,  I plan to really focus on him while Gabe naps today, and next weekend Daddy and Gabe are going to Bass Pro while Liam and I will spend time together. Alone.

MVI 7195

Today's Agenda

The boys have already been outside. I still have mounds of laundry to do. I need to color my grey roots. I am simmering chicken bone broth on the stove. It will simmer all day, then I'll remove the bones and add yesterdays chicken meat and veggies to it. Maybe some noodles and/or dumplings. Rice? Either way, it will smell great, although the taste is just okay. Perhaps I can get Taryn to make some homemade biscuits. I suppose I will read. The house was neat when we awoke, but two l ittle boys have rapidly done their magic, and neat it is no longer.

Currently I am reading two books:

The Opposite of Loneliness

and

I Shall Not Want

I think I Shall Not Want is the second to last book in this mass-market mystery series. It's a strange thing to like. I enjoy trying to "figure it out" and the romance, but I don't care for the characters at all. They are shallow and common, and the chief is very ISTJ, in my opinion. Blech. But I read them anyway. I don't know what the priest would be ESFP? I don't know. She isn't that interesting.

Finally, it's Snow!

Really, aside from a quick dusting here and there, this has been a dry winter. So the boys were up and out the door by 7:15 a.m. to play. Actually, they were up before six, when Liam, accompanied by his very strong vocal cords, determined it was time for me to get up.