Tis' the Season for Stress

We've been so busy that I haven't had time to write any updates, so here we go.

After much back and forth, we finally worked out a deal on the house we've been under contract on. Friday, the seller agreed to a much lower price due to the repairs we will need to have done. We are really excited about how much of a deal we got on this house. We know we are taking a risk wtih the repairs needed, but when does buying a house ever come without risks? We found out that we have several repair choices that really won't bee as expensive as we thought. It's such a relief to be moving forward with the closing (and a little scary)! We are shooting for the 30th as a close date, and if everything with the loan goes okay, we will be able to.

My Dad has officially moved to Charlotte for his new position with his company. He is staying in a hotel until the 24th and then he will be staying with us until we move out. He and Stacy will be taking over our lease until it expires in July. It is such a blessing and great timing that they are moving here when they are. We are saving a few thousand dollars by not having to break our lease. I am so thankful they agreed to do that for us. Stacy finishes her job in mid-January and will be here then. I'm hoping we can be moved into our house by then so she can bring the furniture they need down at that time.

Ayden is growing steadily and gaining more and more energy. Aaron still can't feel her and I still haven't seen my stomach moving, but I can definitely feel her inside! Aaron took on a little project of editing her ultrasoud video by putting it to music, adding captions, and even creating a Menu page like a movie DVD. It was so cute how proud he was of his creation. He make a menu option with a note to Ayden that she can see when she's older. It turned out pretty well and we are going to make copies for the grandparents.

Aaron and I got to have a "date night" together last Saturday night. We went to a nice restaurant (where we had a gift certificate), and then we went to the Billy Graham Library grounds where they had lights, live nativity, carolers, and carriage rides. It was cold, but also really nice to spend time together and see some holiday decorations. Afterward, we saw Sherlock Holmes II at the theater. It's a good movie. I recommend it. The whole night helped us both get away from all of the chaos for a while. 

 It hasn't really felt like Christmas this season with everything we've been distracted with. Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I've been a litte bummed that I can't celebrate it the way I'd like to this year. We can travel to see family and we can't give gifts like we usually would. But, I am trying to stay positive so that I don't add anything else to stress me out. Between the house, work, shopping for what little gifts we can, preparting for the baby, planning my trip to Utah in January, being asked to think about baby showers, slowly staring to pack, worrying about finding daycare... shall I go on? I am looking forward to the new year with new goals, challenges, and joys.