He'll sleep anywhere

Except his bed...

I'm getting the idea that my kids are not the only ones who don't want to go to sleep at bedtime. Grant does okay, some nights, especially when we drop a nap. But probably half the time, he falls asleep else where. It used to be in our bed. The last few times, he's brought his pillow and blanket into our bedroom and fallen asleep on Lily's pillow, definetly not a clean place to sleep. I guess I don't care, as long as I don't see him and he's actually sleeping.

Grant's New Do

Grant kinda has crazy hair -- well, not kinda, really has crazy hair. It is so full up top and then doesn't really come in on the sides, and NEVER looks good except straight out of the bath. Nick decided to use the clippers on him, but accidently used the beard trimmer setting so Grant's hair ended up super short. I think it's really cute. And, this way, we also get to support our friends Jerrica and Maralee, who just had their heads shaved prior to brain surgery.

One of my favorite stories

This is a picture of my grandparents (well their faces at least).

In my grandma's words:
"Grandpa sent this picture of us when Grandma Herrmann asked for a picture of me when we were engaged. Grandma took a train to San Francisco shortly after to see what kind of a floozy he was soon to marry."

I love to see my grandparents personalities in the stories they share, and to me, this one shows quite a bit!

Samantha's First Birthday Party

Halloween

One of these things is not like the other...

We were actually all m&ms - even Nick dressed up at Trunk or Treat. This was the night before with a friend. Saturday night I was too busy to sit down and take a picture... make a note for next years Trunk or Treat to have a photo booth...

(Aren't these costumes beautiful, my very talented and creative sister made them!)

Cards for Stamp Camp

1: Trees

2. Dasher

3: Peace

4: ornament

5: Bethlehem

6: mistletoe

Anybody who would like to come make cards on November 20th at my house is welcome. $30 for 25 cards, 10:00 - 2:00ish. Let me know, I'd love to have you!

Making home affordable

Hello!

This post is for any random person searching for some hope that the "Making Home Affordable" program actually works. The short answer: YES IT DOES! It took 10 months from our first trial period payment, and LOTS of phone calls, but our mortgage was eventually modified and our payment was essentially cut in half. So, again, the short answer, it'll work, just hang in there.

IT WAS A NIGHTMARE THOUGH! We first started in May of 2009 and were told that we qualified. Then we heard nothing. Eventually, I called back and we were approved. We made our first trial period payment in August. We qualified because I'm no longer working and so our debt to income ratio was higher than the allowed amount. We made trial period payments, not hearing anything (but expecting to) because the 3 month trial period was over. In November, we got papers from the bank to get notarized, and were given a different mortgage payment. Sent them back. Heard nothing. In January, we got the same paperwork, but different numbers. No explanation, just a letter saying notarize and send back. We got a notice in the mail saying we had to do credit counseling. Did both. Waited and were told 4-6 weeks. Waited. Told 3-4 months. FINALLY the May statement reflected the changed interest rate and official payment.

I'm actually on the phone right now trying to fix a supposed late payment (we've NEVER been late). The account isn't showing on credit reports as delinquent anymore, just one late payment in January. Hopefully it'll be easy to fix.

Please feel free to share your experiences -- I've had a hard time finding a good site for these and I can move the comments to another blog if necessary!