Here is what's going on around here.
1. I turned 34 on December 1 and I feel younger and better than I have since I was 27! YAY for that.
2. We took the kids to Disney on Ice last weekend. They LOVED it which made it fun for us.
3. The foundation of our new house is in!!!
4. This house stuff is about to do me in. We had our preliminary budget meeting and I was WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY over budget. Imagine that. Ha, ha. So, I've spent the week revising things to make this home more affordable. After spending a lot of time in thought I realized one thing - the most important thing to me is that this home is well built and that our family is blessed by it. I do not need fancy to feel blessed. It needs to be practical and in our budget. It is amazing how expensive certain things are. It's all about prioritizing, which is exactly what I've done. I will detail where I've cut back as soon as I have the concrete numbers but I can say for now that I cut over $100,000.00 very easily. How sad is that?
5. Did you know that painted wood cabinets are much more expensive than stained wood? I never knew that...but I do now:)
6. I need to start working out again. I've been eating really well but I haven't been moving enough.
7. This weekend I get to see two of my favorite sorority sisters. These ladies and I are such kindred spirits. I can't wait.
8. We got our Christmas tree on Sunday. We went to a tree farm and had an adventure. Greg got the van stuck in the mud, we had a hard time finding a pretty tree but we knew we couldn't leave without something without the kids freaking out, etc. We felt like the Griswolds and we laughed our heads off about it.
Happy Belated Birthday!
Posted by: Heather | December 07, 2011 at 11:04 AM
too funny!!
love your updates my decemeber birthday friend
xxoo
Posted by: paige | December 07, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Yeah for foundations and Pi Phi sisters. :) I hear you on the budget stuff. I feel like I'm going to say to the builder, "Listen, Mike, I need to be able to open the front door" and he's going to tell me it's an extra $400 to make that happen. The decorator we are working with has been a great help with finding stuff for cheaper.
Posted by: laura | December 07, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Oh, Maria, I am just certain if we were building a house, I'd be doing refiguring like you, too, to the tune of, say, hundreds of thousands of dollars. I have always been plagued by expensive taste. Haha! I have no doubts that you will make your home wonderful and your family will be blessed by your efforts.
Y'all's Christmas tree adventure ... it's always so much more memorable when things don't go according to plan sometimes! :o)
God bless y'all this Christmas!
Posted by: Katie | December 08, 2011 at 09:30 AM
You are one smart woman to cut back and keep with your budget! Proud of you for being wise with your money! I know you will end up with a terrific and beautiful home!
~ Ali
Posted by: Ali | December 08, 2011 at 05:45 PM