So, we're buying a house...

Eric and I have taken the plunge.  After 3-4 years of kicking butt to get out of debt (including car payments!), living on a tight budget, and saving like crazy, we did the math and it's time for us to take the next big step!

We have loved apartment life, especially when we were so busy.  It was nice to lock the door and leave for 10 days without even thinking.  It was nice not to mow the lawn, trim the bushes, or worry about maintenance.  All we had to do was clean.  I am seriously going to miss this "easy" living.

But, after patiently saving and waiting, we're excited to have some growing room. Our current situation is starting to feel like we're living in an IKEA ad. (though I know Rosemary in New York would probably kill for our sized apartment)

Don't get me wrong, we could very easily stay here.  It's comfortable and very do-able, we're just excited that we can spread out a little bit.

It's not just the space we're excited about.  We're excited for:

• non-fluorescent overhead lights
• heck, natural light!
• windows that open more than 6 inches
• a cross breeze in our house
• not having 6 air handlers outside our bedroom
• not having 2, 50 lb dogs living above us
• line drying clothes and diapers OUTSIDE
• composting
• gardening
• a real garage (aka getting the bikes out of the baby's room!)
• the opportunity for a deep freezer to buy bulk grass fed meat
• a full sized refrigerator
• a pantry
• a fire place
• a yard
• a drive way for Evie to ride her little toys on instead of a hall way
• a living room big enough to have more than 2 additional adults and 1 additional toddler over at a time! 
• hosting playgroup
• hosting couple's bible study
• a place to spray paint and paint so we can finally do some DIY projects
• Walkable to: Dunkin Donuts, Pizza, Kohls, Trader Joes, Moe's, Starbucks, a Catholic Church, and TACO MAC!!!

I think living in an apartment after living in my parent's posh house between college and marriage has given me more appreciation for the little things that I used to take for granted.

Obviously there are set backs to having a house like home maintenance, lawn mowing, HOA dues, and  more expensive problems that could go wrong.  But, we are now at a place in our lives and lifestyle that we are really ready to give up apartment life for a house.  Financially we're in a place that it actually makes sense.  It feels good.

So the nitty gritty?  We are under contract and aren't scheduled to close until mid-November.  Most of the paper work and negotiating is done.  The long closing was agreed upon since the sellers don't have a new place lined up, and I am busy with work and Eric with a new job until then anyway.  No rush.

I keep having to pinch myself that this is real!