*This post is actually from Aug. 23rd. I had saved it as a draft because I wanted to add a picture. The camera was dead but I videotaped everything. But...I have no idea how to get the pictures off there and onto here. Oh well.
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Last night 9 yo Natalie taught 5yo Olivia how to ride a bike. She probably could have done it loooong ago, but she has neglectful parents. Ahem.
So anyway, Natalie decided to do it herself! She was an AWESOME teacher, so patient & encouraging! I heard her tell Olivia "You just have to believe in yourself!" Awwww! Natalie was giving her instructions, and prompting her on what to do. At one point as they passed by me, I heard Olivia say to herself "I just have to believe in myself!" Awwwww! Within 15 or 20 minutes, there was no stopping her. She was an EXPERT. She could make U-turns, go on and off the curb, and she was having a blast.
The next day my sister brought her 6yo over so Natalie could give her bike riding lessons, too. In no time, Olivia & Hallee were both zooming back and forth all over the street. I think Natalie was a little sad that they didn't need her anymore! Maybe she should go into business!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Refinancing!
We're joining zillions of other people taking advantage of super-low interest rates, and refinancing our mortgage. We're going from a 30 yr mortgage @5.25% (with about 21-22 yrs left) to a 15 yr mortgage @4%, a move that will save us tens of thousands of $$$. I figure that's worth the temporary aggravation of going through this process!
I had been watching interest rates for a while, and finally decided to take the plunge a few days ago. It has been a WHIRLWIND since then, gathering about a zillion documents they need. My advice to anyone considering doing this is to gather up as many documents as you can think of AHEAD of time. They needed the last 2 years of taxes, W2's, the last 2 of: pay stubs, checking account statements, savings account statements, stocks/bonds/whatever other liquid assets you have, retirement account statements, etc., homeowners insurance statements, HOA statements, & mortgage statements. We needed to sign a bunch of disclosures, the appraiser came (had to clean the entire house), and get everything overnighted to them - all within 48 hours of when we said "go." We are by no means done, but now is the easy part - waiting for them to do their part. They said it's currently taking around 45 days.
Every bit of interest you pay is money down the drain, money that lines someone else's pockets. I'd rather keep that money for myself!
I had been watching interest rates for a while, and finally decided to take the plunge a few days ago. It has been a WHIRLWIND since then, gathering about a zillion documents they need. My advice to anyone considering doing this is to gather up as many documents as you can think of AHEAD of time. They needed the last 2 years of taxes, W2's, the last 2 of: pay stubs, checking account statements, savings account statements, stocks/bonds/whatever other liquid assets you have, retirement account statements, etc., homeowners insurance statements, HOA statements, & mortgage statements. We needed to sign a bunch of disclosures, the appraiser came (had to clean the entire house), and get everything overnighted to them - all within 48 hours of when we said "go." We are by no means done, but now is the easy part - waiting for them to do their part. They said it's currently taking around 45 days.
Every bit of interest you pay is money down the drain, money that lines someone else's pockets. I'd rather keep that money for myself!
Back to School
The kids started back to school this week! Natalie had made a paper chain and was counting down for weeks. (Needless to say, she was excited!) She's in 4th this year. Ben is in 7th and school's not as exciting in middle school. He's not looking forward to homework but he really needs the structure of school. Olivia started Kindergarten, so she was a mix of excitement and worry. Here they are on Day 1.
Ben on the way out the door. "I'm off to meet my doom" he said. He's getting pretty tall for 12 - I think he's about 5'2" or so. He doesn't tell us much about school or how his day went. His scout leader is always telling me about some funny thing Ben did or how much Ben enjoyed such-and-such an activity, but Ben rarely tells us anything!
I hope they all have a great year at school and learn a LOT!
Natalie on her way to the bus stop. I drove Olivia, but Natalie wanted to ride the bus with her friend. They've been best friends since they were 2. They were sad to find out they're in different classes. They've been excited to learn about Idaho history this year in school.
Olivia waiting for her first day of Kindergarten. She was all smiles - just beaming all morning, dancing around, happy as can be. Right after I took this picture, the teacher opened the door to let the kids in, and Olivia burst into tears. Luckily, she had a great day and was all smiles again when I picked her up. She told me all about Kindergarten, sang me the morning song, and chattered on and on about all the fun things she did. I'm so relieved that she likes it!
I hope they all have a great year at school and learn a LOT!
Woops.
I have been lax in posting things. Got into that trap of "I don't have anything worth writing about" and "I don't have pictures" and "I don't have time." I have started a dozen different posts and just left them as drafts. I'm going to TRY to post more, regardless of whether it's interesting, well thought out, has pictures, or whatever. I forget things that happen around here and need to write it down or it goes down the brain drain. In that spirit, this post is boring, has no pictures, but I'm posting it, baby!
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