Labels, Tags and Plans

I haven't been real motivated to blog lately because we have been SO busy. Plus, I have been in a crazy organizing mode. Derek's new job means he now works from home, which is good and bad. Good because it is often VERY helpful to me, but bad because we have very limited space in our "temporary dwelling". We created an office for him, which required a lot of creative use of space, and from there my organization continued. Anyone who knows me, knows how giddy I get about organizing. I can't always keep it up, but I love the initial organizing! Here is Derek's (and my) new office space...

We are loving working right next to each other, especially with all the planning we are in the middle of (more on that later).

And here are the other organizing projects it has led to...

This last picture shows Symantha's new homework space, which was really needed. It is just a part of our old computer desk, but it works perfectly in their room. I am all about function right now, because I have to be.

All this organization has helped me to be ok with living here for another year. Because, yes, our plans have changed once again. Let's recap for those of you who may not remember...

2004: We decided to buy 5 1/2 acres and build a house. It needed to be subdivided (we were splitting 11 acres with Kurt and Steph), which took 1 1/2 years. Love King County. Were planning to build in the next couple of years, after Kurt and Steph built their house.

2006: Kurt and Steph move into the mobile home on Derek's parents' Black Diamond property. A blessing that both of our families would have a place to live while we built our houses. They work on building their house for the next two years.

2007: We discover another baby is one the way! Change the house plans and wait a little longer.

2008:  Addison is born, Kurt and Steph move into their new house, we move into the mobile home in Black Diamond, getting ready to start our house. Economy goes downhill in September and we can't sell our Maple Valley house. Decide to rent it until economy recovers. 

2010: We decide to sell the property and the Maple Valley house and just look for a house to buy. We are tired of this whole process and worry about being able to afford the house and property, due to high taxes in King County. The house sold in three days, the property has been for sale for 10 months, with no offers. 

Are you still with me? It's been a crazy few years, and I was sure we were done with the whole building process. However, then Derek got his new job. And our property isn't selling, and we don't want to lose money by trying to just get rid of it. And builders are really looking for work, which helps building be a little more affordable. And we found a smaller house plan, that we both love and will fit our needs. There has been a lot of THIS going on...

SO, we are back to building a house. We are finishing up plans, choosing between two great builders who will help us with the process, and submitting for our building permit in the next month. That should take a few months to get back, then the plan is to dig the foundation March/April and hopefully be in the house by Sept/Oct. There is a LOT of work to be done now, as we are making decision after decision about this house. A little overwhelming at times, but we are feeling really good about this plan. 

We are so excited to change this property that we have loved...

into our new home in the next year!