House Hunting: WE GOT THE HOUSE!!

and then ends in such a sweet ending.

After 90 days of hustling, this is what we got.

Isn't she a beaut!

Mr. Wonderful and I decided we wanted a fixer upper to make our oWn. What was most important was the layout, space and foundation that brought warmth and charm. We are truly blessed to get exactly that!

There are a few things that we will be changing in this home and in fact, our contractor has been ripping A LOT out this past week! YAY! But before I get to the fun stuff, I would like to take you all down memory lane of what really happened while purchasing this home.

Are you ready? I's suggest you buckle up because this, my friend, is going to be a bumpy road!

TIME LINE TO HOME OWNERSHIP!

1. JANUARY 12 - Submitted our first offer with an FHA loan (offer wasn't accepted due to home not being up to FHA level of expectations)
2. JANUARY 13 - Submitted 2nd offer using a Homepath loan
3. JANUARY 20 - Offer accepted
4. JANUARY 27 - We're in contract. Loan process begins
5. FEBRUARY 20 - Didn't get approved with Homeloan and switch to a 203k Rehab Loan. We spoke with the sellers (Fannie Mae) transaction Coordinator and made a verbal agreement that we were doing so. The coordinator said to proceed with the new loan
6. MARCH 7 - Fannie Mae PULLED THE DAMN PLUG! Looks like there is no such thing as a "Verbal Agreement" in the Real Estate world. RULE OF THUMB: If there is any changes when purchasing a house... WRITE AN ADDENDUM!! No Qs asked! Just do it!
7. MARCH 8 - House was put back on Market and we resubmitted our offer.
8. MARCH 9 - Bidding War with two other offers! (UGH, so annoying)
9. MARCH 14 - WE WON and is back in the house! Wahoo!
10. MARCH 15 - {A 203k loan is a rehab loan meaning you must hire a contractor to fix the home in up and running condition} Got 3 bids from 3 different contractors to fix the house.
11. APRIL 15 - Got an appraisal done on the home. It came back 20k under our contract price! {OMG! You have got to be kidding me, right?!}
12. APRIL 16 - Negotiated with Fannie Mae to lower the contact price.
13. APRIL 20 - Fannie Mae met us half way and lowered it 10k and we had to come up with the other 10k to meet appraisal.
14. APRIL 28 - LOAN WAS FUNDED!!
15. APRIL 29 - WE GOT THE KEYS!!!!!!

And that's a wrap ladies and gents. Mr. Everything and I have a home! A home to finally call OUR HOME! Yeehaw.

Tomorrow's post: DEMO TIME.

We Have Our Very Own Angel...

Looking down on us...

I've been having a few complications with this month’s cycle where I've been experiencing unusual and excessive bleeding. My cramps were a little more painful but I thought it was just a normal reaction due to "getting older"? I asked a couple of friends and co-workers and was told not to worry. Some women can have their menstrual cycle for months on end. So, I decided to opt out of seeking medical advice. Until, my abdominal pains were unbearable.

Last week Thursday, I called the advice nurse. We scheduled an appointment for Monday and we were set to go.

The day before yesterday was the big day. I arrived at the OBYN clinic expecting the usual check up. But this time, it inquired a urine sample. I thought it was a little odd, but better to be sure, right? Moments later, the nurse came back with news of a positive pregnancy. Mr. Everything and I quickly grasped each other’s hands and smiled. We were shocked but pleasantly shocked.

The nurse then rolls in the ultra sound equipment and it was time to check for a heartbeat or any signs of the itty-bitty sack. Our doctor searched and searched and searched until she couldn't search any more. She was unable to locate a heartbeat or the sack but didn't want to assume with out a second opinion.

She called in another doctor and which sadly had the same answer. They told us that we were experiencing a miscarriage. We were instructed to take it easy and to get plenty of rest. But first, we must head over to the laboratory and get blood work to determine where exactly my hormones stand and how far along I am in my miscarriage.

We did so, and a few hours later, we received a call which informed is that my hormone level was at a 460, meaning the baby is slowly making its way out. She made an appointment for next week to take another blood test. She wants to oversee the progress of the miscarriage to ensure the pregnancy isn't anywhere else other than the uterus.

Yesterday was a long day. Mr. Lovely and I found out we were pregnant and miscarrying all in one day. Although we were not preparing for parenthood, we would have been more than ready to become a mommy and daddy at that very moment.

We know our God has a plan for us and it just so happens a baby isn't apart of that plan... at least for now. All in God's time, right? Right! For now, we are comforted to know that we have our very own angel shining down on us and most of all, we know our baby is in good hands.

And the House Hunt BEGINS!

As of November of last year, Mr. Wonderful and I began our very first adventure as husband and wife. We like to call it PROJECT: HOME!

Our quest in finding our first home has been some what of a ... emotional roller coaster? That may even be an understatement. Thus far, we have viewed over 45 homes. Yup, you read right! 45 homes! We've seen them all! From old fixer uppers to grand and over the top homes. We've seen newly built homes with open floor plans and we've seen older homes where each room offered it's own charm.

When it comes down to it, Mr. Wonderful and I finally decided on what type of home fits our personalities best. We've completely fallen in love with the style and grace of older homes. Homes filled with stories and homes with with charm. Homes that have brick fireplaces and homes that offers a "separate" room for dining. A home where guests are greeted by a grand foyer and followed by a chefs kitchen. lol, yup, that is what we decided on. Sounds like a dream... doesn't it?

Well, I am happy to say, that we have found just that. Or at least close enough to it. lol. Cross your fingers that we score! {pics coming soon}

Until then, I have decided to play "make-believe" in this home.

And here "I am" greeting my guests. lol.

{{lol... this is my ultimate dream home. One day... one day}}

RECAP: Grand Exit!

This was the perfect way to end the night! We had everyone line up in two parallel lines. We ran through and everyone was clapping and cheering for us.

At the end of the stairs, our SOMETHING BLUE awaited our arrival. My aunt and uncle were kind enough to serve us as the "getaway driver" in their 1979 SS Camero! It was a HIT!!

.... and there you have it ladies and gents. Mr. and Mrs. N!

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I never thought in a million years, I'd be sharing my plans and our actual wedding day with the world. But here I am, blogging since 2008. Blogging about our fun and excitement. Blogging about our trials and tribulations and finally blogging about our big day!

I've been asked... what happens after you blog about your wedding? Hmmm, good question. I never really sat down to take the time to think about "blog life" after the wedding

.... so I thought... and I thought.... and I thought.

And guess what, looks like I'm here to stay. There has been so much going on with our lives and what better way to express but here! With our thoughts and pictures along the way.

So from here on out... this blog will be utilized to chronicle our lives as we know it.

Next project: OUR FIRST HOME!

Stick around... I'd love to stay and chat with all of you ;)

DIY Unity Candles!

Although I created this myself....

All credit goes to Kristin from i do originals for giving me a ton of inspiration. Without her creative ways, who knows what kind of candle situation I would be in! Thanks girl! ;)

This was probably one of my favorite DIY projects. Not only was it easy breezy but the sentimental value behind these 3 candles. WOW! Unity! Where two becomes one. YIKES! :p

Ramon and I had a discussion about us "two" will "become one"! Ya know, like, how will we communicate as husband and wife. Who will we handle the funds. We even went over the topic of {a few years from now} who will get the kids ready. HA!

Here's our GAME PLAN: Ramon will get ready first. While he's getting ready, I'll get the kid{s} ready. After they're ready, Ramon will relieve me and I'll start getting ready. lol. Ramon even said they'll have movie time since it takes me FOREVER to get ready. {hey, what can I say? I like taking my time}

Anywho, back to the candles. lol

Don't cha just love em?

My Apologies

for being a MIA lately. I have lost two aunts this past month due to breast cancer. My last was this past Saturday. So for the next couple of days, my time will be tied to mourn the loss of my loved ones.

I have tons to share with you and hope to do so with in the next couple of days.

Live every day as if it were your last!

Have a GORGEOUS day!

2010... here I come!!

WOW, thinking back on 2009 brings a tear to my eye. It was such an emotional ride for me filled with joy, excitement, adrenaline and love. I'm not even kidding. I am telling you my God honest truth. I have nothing to complain about =) 2009 was so easy for me only because I knew what 2010 would bring me. So with that in mind, I decided to just sit back, relax and enjoy every moment of my last year of being single.

So with that, I'd like to say GOODBYE 2009, it's been great knowin' ya!

Okay, so enough with the mushy stuff..... let's say hello to 2010!!

So the clock is-a-tickin....

and in about 13 hours ... it will be 2010! The year my life will change forever. Can't wait!

BRING IT ON 2010! Show me what ya got!

I'M BACK!!!!

Wow! It's been a looong time! And how I have missed my all my blogging friends and all your fabulous reads!

First, I'd like to apologize for dropping off the face of the earth! My deepest apologies to all you lovely readers. So with that, I owe you all an explanation.

To make a long story short, when I got engaged, I was super excited and wanted to document every aspect of my engagement as possible. So I did, through blogging. With all this excitement, I also wanted to share it with my closest family and friends. So I did, and emailed them this link address.

However, I never thought they'd be as interested as they were and I never thought they'd tune in on every single post. It was GREAT but there was a downside to this. If they continued to follow by blogs then what would there be to excite them the day of? By the time my big day comes, they would've already known every single detail. That was not good!

So my Maid of Honor advised me to take a break, so I did. And with 9 months of pain and agony with sticking to my promise, I have decided enough time has past and now I'm back FULL THROTTLE!!!

I have so much to tell you guys! Sooo much! Many DIY projects, dress shopping, shoes, accessories, entertainment to share!

Stay tuned....

I promise I'll come back.... sooner than you think ;)

But I will leave you with a sneak peak of my next post! Let's just say the streets of SAN FRANCISCO were filled with Fabulous brides. Definitely, an event to remember!

xoxoxo,

Jaryce