More pictures of the New Place! (upstairs)

Welcome back to our online house tour.  Let's start out in Addison's room!

the view from her doorway

She has a nice little closet, and these boxes in the corner are fun.  (only the top one opens -the bottom one might if the window sill didn't jut out).  All of her stuffed animals are hiding in her top toy-box.  I LOVE this fun little room. 

Addison's bed, letters, and 'Princess of Quite a Lot" sign.

The other wall.  She has her coats, doll house, bookshelf, and tucker toy box.  I think her bow board will go on this wall too.

Brogan's room.  I love the colors for his room.  Maroon, dark blue, and green.  Love how soft, yet bold this room is!  

Love these letters too!  Going to put some over-sized pictures above them (eventually)

His crib is in the corner (helps keep the morning sun to a minimum).  His cute coat rack (made from a 2x2 and some nails (I know- I'm so creative :)  

The built ins in Brogan's room.  They need a bit of paint and love, but for now they work fine.

This will be our guest room.  Thinking we'll try to find a queen bed, and keep this for when family comes (Rick... we even have a place you can stay).  But for now this is Antonio's room.  (Oh- you haven't met Antonio yet?  We'll don't worry- I'll introduce him to the blog later tonight! {hopefully})

The guest room closet (it's HUGE)

I love this bathroom.  It's super small, and our kids will have to learn to share space, manage their bathroom time, and  learn to get along!  I've always dreamed that my kids would be lucky enough to have to share a teeny bathroom.  Makes them better people.  What a dream come true.  :)

So there you go Rick- There's our house!  I'll upload a picture of the front in the daylight.  It's cute too.  We love it.  Love the big space, love that we can grow in it, love that we don't have to pay rent ever again, love that we got it for a steal of a deal, (and love that we were actually able to get it!)

It's a nice feeling to love where you're at!  

Pictures of our New Place! (The Main Floor)

I have been promising pictures, but I've been unpacking like crazy, (trying to get things ready for the baby shower I hosted today).  This morning Stewart's brother Rick called and wanted some pictures.  I guess if it means that much to Rick to see pictures of our new house he should just come see it himself I will put them up.  :)

So here's the official (online) tour of our new house!  

As soon as you walk through the front door, you enter the craft room/office.
{It's Awesome}

(from the inside) you can see the front door, the space between where  the craft room is, and our inside front door (which you'll have to knock on if you come over.... cause the doorbell doesn't work)

Our two front rooms (this is the view from the front door)
(please notice in the lower living room, the door on the right side... that's the garage door.  I mention it a lot later, but  never post a picture of it)

You can see the kitchen, that door leads to our scary basement , the stairs wind back up (you can see the slant above the door), and at the bottom of the stairs is the front door.  

Our dining room (new windows), and there's a little bar where the stools are.  

The view from the dining room into the kitchen (which is pretty big!)  That door  leads into the laundry room.

My brand new stove!  (Came with the house) (and my teeny tiny dishwasher that's somehow not connected... ?)

My huge laundry room.  to the left is the half bath (next picture), and out the door is the back porch and yard. 

This "vanity" needs some TLC (hopefully this summer).  The toilet is to the right.

The view out our back door.  We have a nice sized porch (it's covered in boxes so I didn't include them).  We have a nice big, fenced yard, and a nice bully barn shed for our gardening stuff.  (We haven't exactly looked in there... hopefully there's not a body hiding in it.. that would freak me out.  I'm thinking of doing raised planting boxes along the fence for my garden, but that probably won't be this summer.  That's okay- I'll take a year to work on my tan and chill by the kiddie pool. 

The covered portion of our deck.  Perfect for our patio furniture (someday) 

back to the living room we go.  This is the view from the garage door.  This living room is HUGE!
(Oh ya- did ya notice?  We got new couches! They're a poly-blend leather, SO comfortable!) I love em!

Panning around the living room... there's the door to our bedroom.

These doors (are next to the garage door).  There's a little alley between our garage and kitchen that leads to where the new hot-tub is going  the back yard .

The view from the master bedroom.

Our master bedroom.

our double closet (that's quite roomy), and the bathroom door to the right.

Our huge master bathroom.  I think the old owners had great intentions, but never got around to putting a tub under the window, and great cabinets all around.  So this will be a project bathroom (eventually).

The shower and Cadillac toilet

and this is our "creepy basement". It's stinkin huge!  The perfect place to store all our food storage, and tucker tote stuff.  I call it "creepy" because there's an old freezer,  (which I was sure was hiding a body), lots of spiders, and the fluorescent light is flickering on and off like a mad scientists' lab.  I prefer to send Stewart down there to get stuff :)

So that's the main floor.

Stay tuned for the upstairs tour.  

Finally In Our OWN Home!

Last Friday we made the big move across town, into our very first house!  Tim Bullers brought his crew of boys that work for him, his HUGE snowmobile trailer, and just two loads, and three hours later, we had just about everything moved out of our 800 sq foot trailer, into our huge new living room!  I seriously don't know what we would've done with all the help he brought (and on such short notice!)  We got the keys Thursday evening and talked with Tim that night at a basketball game.  Bright and early on Friday they all showed up, ready to work.  I'm still so impressed with those boys, and Tim!

So once we got all the boxes in the house, we ran into our first home-owners delights.  Our upstairs toilet leaked (into my kitchen cabinets).  Daddy to the rescue!  The boys headed out to Twin to buy a new toilet to install upstairs.  They came home with (and I quote) "The Cadillac of Toilets".  It was way too nice to put upstairs bathroom, so it went into our master (with the intent to put our old one upstairs).  My parent's didn't like the thought of putting a crappy toilet back into the house, so for their housewarming present they got us another "Cadillac" for upstairs.  (I truly have the best parents! They've been here around the clock for the past 3 days helping out!)

I've been living in the old house surrounded by boxes for about 2 1/2 weeks now.  So first things first, I've been unpacking as fast as I can!  My AMAZING Mother, deserves pretty much ALL the credit for my swift unpacking.  When I don't know where things go (in the kitchen), she pretty much unpacked it all for me!  She helped clean the new house, and ALL of the old house! She even took a day off work to help me unpack and re-arrange the kids' rooms and clean!  I can get so far, but then I go into "basket-case" mode, and that's when she really steps in.  She's so awesome.  I seriously would still be so unorganized, and have many, many more boxes without her help!

Stewart has truly been a saint through this whole move.  When we had to postpone closing over and over, he was upset, but was still there for me.  Now that we've moved, he's been trying to fix water issues, heat issues, and every other issue that a new home-owner has, ON TOP of work and school.  Today he came home and helped me hang a whole bunch of stuff throughout the house.  Seriously- how'd I get so lucky to get such a great man!?!?

I will post pictures soon, but here's a few things that I'm SUPER extra excited about in this new house.

• Our new couches we got as soon as we moved in
• Our awesome new carpet (it was already in, but it's awesome)
• Our HUGE living room space (seriously- the best space EVER!)
• Cable!  We couldn't get a signal for our old internet (or the other company) because we have too many huge trees around our house, so we had to get Cable One.  It's comparatively cheaper to get the internet/phone/Cable bundle rather than the expensive cable alone.  So now we have a whole bunch of channels of real TV! (not that I missed it too much, but I know Stew missed ESPN)
• My awesome scrapbook room that is it's own designated space!! (I'm so excited!)

So if you're ever in town- don't be afraid to pop on by and see our new space!  As soon as I get a few more things up- I'll post some pictures!  We're IN!

Closing!

We signed the closing papers on our house yesterday! The kids went to a friend's to play (THANKS JAIME!) and we spent about an hour and a half signing away our life!  We were actually supposed to close on Monday. We had an appointment and even went to the office, only to be told the seller wanted to go through their own lender (IN BOISE).  So Tuesday we did a "courtesy closing" here in Gooding through Insured titles.  I do have to say it was a little unorganized, and super rushed.  (I think I was expecting a little more first time home-buyer "padding") but either way I was SO happy to finally just get this over with!  Now we're just waiting for the seller to sign, and the lender to put the funds through.  THEN we'll be out of the woods, and have keys in hand!  (only then will I be completely at ease- back to sleeping at night)  :)

Snapshots from January

I got myself  Stewart got me a new phone this January, since my contract was up.  What do they say, "go big or go home"?  That's right, went big!  Got Verizon's new HTC Thunderbolt.  Can't say that I don't mind having the biggest, coolest, smartest phone in the house (finally).  I love that as soon as I take a picture I can upload it to facebook, straight from my phone!!! (still blowing my mind) While Facebook has been updated with our latest and greatest, I have neglected this here beloved blog (which I will someday print, and claim as my journal).  So just a minute ago recently I discovered that I can upload from my phone to picasa web albums, then upload to the blog.  Hallelujah!  This blog shall suffer no more! :)  Here's a recap on January in snap-shots from my phone.

too...sleepy...to... drink!

The first snow of the winter!!! 

Addison LOVES the snow!  She got
into a snowball fight with Dad!

Chatting with Loni, Ada & Tyce!

TWO birthday balloons! 

What a girl!

Look at that hair!

Love this scrunchy smile!

Look who's climbing on EVERYTHING!
I hate this tub ledge -he can get up just fine,
but he goes down with a clatter!

We loaded our tucker totes, and all the other
stuff in our bully barn shed, into this horse
trailer.  Of course, it snowed and rained for days
upon days.  The second we covered it with tarps it
stopped raining for good.  (GO FIGURE?!?!)
Stew's such a good man- he's re-securing the ties
(church clothes and all)

(As you may have guessed from her famous "Fast-line" picture, we've ventured into "potty-training land"!  I'm being totally laissez faire about it though.  Addison has her "fantastically enthusiastic" days, and her "not another p word" days [pee, poo, potty, pull-up].  She did have one day she only wet her diaper once, but since then- no cookie.  Oh well- one day my ship will sail and she'll decide to ditch the diapers for good.  Until then, we'll keep living day to day, wrestling match to wrestling match)  :)

Warning signs...

...that you might be raising a Dr Jekyll/ Mr. Hyde...

Look who's TWO?!?!

Addison turned TWO YEARS OLD on Suday!  I can't believe how fast these two years have gone.  My little adorable baby girl has turned into a mischievous, helpful, sweet, gorgeous little toddler!  Here's some pictures of Addison, back when she was an "only child".  She's so adorable.  I'm so glad that I have her to keep me on my toes, and remind me what's really important in life. 

Addison insists these pictures are of Brogan :)

Still loves bath time!

She misses her Uncle Jon!

My big Nursery girl!

I sure love you Addison!  Life would be terribly dull without you to spice it up!

When it rains...

... it pours.  Seriously, anything else going to bring me down today?  It's only 8:30.  We were supposed to close on our house two and a half weeks ago.  Hopefully today's the day.  If it's not, I'm going to cry (again).  My only sanity saver lately has been Jazzercise.  Seriously- I love it.  Love that I get a full hour of butt-bustin, hip shakin, movin and groovin, HARDCORE workout.  Love that I can go push my body to the limit, and get results.  Last week I hurt my shoulder, and I haven't had the same enthusiasm for my workout.  In fact I've been dreading it!  Over time I've worked my way up the weights and have been lifting 10 lbs for quite awhile now (a true sign of progress).  Today, I felt like a little weenie in class when I couldn't lift my arm above my head (I didn't even attempt to use weights)  (and oh, you bet I stood in the back).  So- I ask again- anything else today?  (and just for the record, diet?  what diet?)  (Stewart has been one dedicated dude though!  He's looking goo-ud!)

House news...

...there's no news.  So far these Binghams are just "hanging in there" as everyone has counseled us to do.  I've been "hanging in there" for about two weeks now, up to my neck in boxes packed up with our life.  We were supposed to close two weeks ago, but Rural Development decided that Stewart only makes half of what his paycheck says (REALLY?!?).  So we've got a different lender, and we're still jumping through hoops to try and get this house to belong to us.  It's really been very difficult for me to sit around in this house (which seems to be getting smaller), and wonder if tomorrow is the day we'll close, (if I'll need to have all the laundry cleaned by tomorrow)!  I've been told about 4 different times that we'll close on a certain day.  (uh-huh).  So now I'm just being optimistic that we'll close before the 31st (since we have to clean and be out of our trailer, as to avoid being prorated) (who wants to pay to stay a few extra days??? NOT ME!)  So fellow family and friends- just stay tuned- I will NOT forget to update you as SOON as I know something solid :)

The Big News....

This Bingham family has some BIG news!  You've probably already heard it (because I'm just so excited I can't contain myself), but now that Stewart actually believes it, I can't keep it from my blogger followers any longer! No- sorry, I'm NOT pregnant (even though every little thing that happens to me, that's the first thing people ask!)  We're buying a HOUSE!  We've been in the works since the begining of December, and we hope to close soon on our very first home.  It's a nice house, with great square footage (2100 sq feet, +an  unfinished storage basement, and garage).  The only thing that's not our favorite, it's in town.  But we figure we'll live with that for the great price we're getting it at!  I figure I'll be able to take advantage of living in town by riding my bike everywhere, hanging out with friends, and going to the library (just a few of the things that make me a little excited to live in town).  We are so excited about this awesome opportunity, and couldn't be happier!  I will post a bit about our current rental house later.  I have a video (a little "home tour" if you will).  Hopefully I can get that posted soon, and do a little post about this place.  So that's our biggest news.  (Also the reason I've been a total blogging slacker -I've been packing like a fool!).

2012 Resolutions

It's a new year- and that means resolutions!  I'm going to try my hardest not to be a band-wagon resolutioner this year.  So I've written down my goals (it doesn't become a goal until you've written it down), and even wrote down what I need to do to accomplish these goals.  So these puppies are not just being posted on the blog, but also on the fridge, the bulletin board, and every other place I will be reminded to stick with it!

Here are mine!  

(Now what are yours?)

• Lose 50 Pounds
• Need to: Count Calories (have to eat about 1500 calories a day)
• Workout- Twice a day (or at least one high intensity workout in a day)
• Kick Processed foods!
• Be a Better Wife
• Make Meal Plans (And MAKE them!)
• Keep up with my weekly cleaning schedule (including laundry!)
• Adopt the "touch it once" rule.  Pick it up- put it away.  Spill it-wipe it.  Clean up as messes are made.
• Be a Better Mom
• Start waking up at the same time every morning (a decent time).
• Get the kids on a more structured schedule
• Designate time for learning and playing everyday
• Give my sincere and undivided attention when I play with them!
• Turn off the TV!!!!  Limit "Tube-Time" Everyday
• Go to Reading time at the Public Library
• Eat Meals at the table together
• Remember Family/Friends Birthdays and do something nice for them
• Do at the beginning of the month so you won't forget!!!
• Do More to invite the spirit
• Stop swearing (ya- I'm almost a sailor)
• Do my Personal Prayer and Scripture Study
• Do FAMILY prayer and scripture study
• Have weekly Family Home Evening
• Do my visiting teaching every month (with a willing and loving attitude)
• Be more grateful, and more positive.  Always have an attitude of Gratitude.  
• Love everyone, and judge others less.  "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too". 

This may seems like a big list, but there are 365 days in a year.  I have 5 major goals for the year.  If I can cross off any of the smaller goals in this year, I will have had success (fact).  So here's to hoping that 2012 will be another great year filled with many happy memories, and lots of love and laughter! 

Happy New Year!

2011- A Wonderful Year

Happy New Year Everyone!  We rang in the New Year in Dietrich Idaho this year, with a great round of Napoleon (Wally Actually WON! -Guess this'll be a good year for him), and Stewart and I shared an awesome kiss as we watched the ball drop in Times square.  The kidlets snoozed away the New Year in their beds, and didn't notice any change in life (imagine that).  This time of year always makes me reflect on the year and wonder "what the heck did I accomplish this year?!"  It seems that my days meshed into each other, and time marched on whether I was organized and ready, or not.  All of my resolutions from last new years (awesome resolutions... things I REEEALLY needed to work on) are pretty much the ones I have for this year, meaning I didn't lose my baby weight, I didn't plan meals and cook regularly, I didn't clean like a dedicated house-wife, and I didn't have FHE every Monday night!  I found myself asking, "just what DID I do?"  Some accomplishments that I am very grateful for (and some pleasantly surprised by) that happened in 2011

• I gave birth to the sweetest little boy I could ever know.
• I had the opportunity to stay home and raise my two babies.  I was able to witness all of their "firsts" and was able to play and giggle, and sing and dance the days away, not a sitter.
• I fell in love all over again with my sweet husband Stewart. We spent more time this year working on heart-felt (and inexpensive) dates that we could surprise each other with.  What fun!
• I went to the circus for the first time!
• I met new friends, was able to get together for birthday lunches and girls nights, and shopping days!
• I coached an amazing set of young women, and got to be a part of wonderful growing experiences as a coach and as a person.
• I got to know my Mom SO much better, and was able to better appreciate her more fully.  I was able to seek advice, vent about silly things, and laugh so hard at silly things.
• I got to watch my younger siblings turn into wonderful young adults.  I got to send my little brother on a mission, and see my younger sister turn into a more confident, more beautiful daughter of God.  I got to see them both love my children, and treat them with such love and patience.  
• I had the opportunity to tighten a budget and pay off debts.  I had the opportunity to scrimp and save for a down-payment for a house, and have even seen that savings pay off!
• I was able to get to know my other mother Nancy, and my sis-in-law Lindy SO much better.  I have loved the time spent with them, and have felt like a daughter and sister to both of them.  
• I have had the opportunity to work with nursery children, and feel of their unconditional love.
• I have had the opportunity to strengthen my testimony of Jesus Christ, and learn so much through my small obstacles.
• I was lucky enough to have a strong body and mind, and not have any serious injury or illnesses.  
• I was pretty good about keeping up with the blog (aka my blournal).  I know for a fact, someday my kids will enjoy reading about all these good times!

2011 was a very good year for me.  I have never felt so blessed.  I truly have a Wonderful Life.  Sometimes I'm not grateful enough, and I don't love it enough.  Sometimes I get so caught up in what I think life should be like, I don't stop and take it all in.  In 2012, I am going to try harder to stop and take time to enjoy my babies, and let them be little.  I am so thankful for my family, my friends, and those of you who take part in my life!  I hope you all take the time to count your blessings, and make some new goals for the new year.  

Happy New Year Everyone!