TURNING BLUE CEREMONY

Today was Joe's turning blue ceremony and tomorrow is graduation.  We are so very proud of him!

THE WEDDING CEREMONY IS ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!

Today we made good use of a long drive to see Joey.....on the way, we made 200 birdseed bags for the wedding to throw at the bride and groom!  You should see the car.....YIKES!

BRIDAL SHOWER #2

5 WEEKS UNTIL THE CEREMONY!

Approximately 170 invitations mailed with a little over 200 for the headcount at the reception so far.  We still have many RSVPs floating out there without  responses back.  I guess we will be on the phone with these families!  We want to make sure we have an accurate headcount for the caterer!

MORE HOUSE INFORMATION!

Caitlin had the first official paper signing with the mortgage company today....two hours later, she came home with a stack of signed copies. I asked what the chances were that they wouldn't get the loan and the loan officer told us to stop worrying....They have GREAT credit, and more money in the bank than a conventional loan downpayment would require.....plus they both have good paying jobs! Speaking of jobs, since Caitlin is a nurse and Joe is in the military, they qualify for a hero discount which means their interest rate is fixed at 30 years at 4.25% WOW!.....And....since the home is in the country vs. city, they may be eligible for a rural development loan which equals NO MONEY DOWN !!! The only downside to this is the loan takes longer to process which means a closing date after the wedding ceremony vs. before....OMG. I can see my basement full of wedding gifts until they move in....but worth it. The kids also get the first time home buyer perks! If for some reason the closing happens after Joey deploys, Caitlin will have to get a power of attorney to sign his name on the loan papers. Next big step....shopping around for insurance rates!

HOUSE PROJECT

Since the house is owned by HUD, it has sat empty for over a year.  In earlier pictures you could see the dirt on the cupboards.  The realtor let us in to clean up and fix small things before the appraiser goes in.  Here's Caitlin pictured in the cleaner version of the kitchen.  The cupboards are BEAUTIFUL! 

Caitlin has kept in touch with Joey through phone calls and pictures of the house.  He will be home in two weeks.  Caitlin can't wait to share the house with him in person!  Tomorrow is her first meeting with the mortgage company....even though the kids were preapproved for the loan, they still need to go through the formal loan process.  She has the first mortgage paperwork meeting tomorrow.  Pray all goes well with this process. 

CHURCH FLOWERS AND 1ST DRESS FITTING

 6 weeks until the BIG ceremony.....Dress fitting number one!

 The church has beautiful flower arrangements that we get to use for FREE!!!!!  This swag will go above the arch!

 This table and arrangement will be for the unity candle!

There are 3 of these huge arrangements that will be used!

THE WEDDING CEREMONY IS JUST OVER 6 WEEKS AWAY!

Yesterday and today, we worked on planning of the table numbers, table menus, donation cards (in place of favors), ceremony programs, updating the bridal registry, food for the bridal shower coming up, food for rehearsal dinner and food for the church family open house the day after the wedding..... and collecting pictures of Caitlin and Joey from birth until present for the slide show! (Whew...I am tired!) On Wednesday, Caitlin goes for her bridal dress fitting!  Things are moving along!  :-)......and she has talked to Joey on the phone for longer periods of time these last few days, now that he is done with boot camp.  He comes home in 3 weeks!

NEW HOME!!!!

 

Caitlin and Joe were preapproved for a loan and Caitlin found this home.  The house was on a short sale for 170,000. 00, last year (meaning the bank was willing to take this lesser price even though the original loan amount exceeded well over 200,000.00).  When it didn't sell as a short sale, the bank repossessed it and the kids bid 94,900.00.....AND GOT IT!  It has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, living room, family room, kitchen, dinning room, office, first floor laundry, 2 stall attached garage and a basement.  Their offer was accepted a few days ago!  Now all the paperwork begins.  We are hoping they can take possession before the wedding in August!

THIS KITCHEN IS BEAUTIFUL!  It is my favorite part of the home!

Dinning Room.  Caitlin wants to repaint.  She isn't crazy about the blue.

 The 2.5 bathrooms!

Familyroom

Formal livingroom (sitting room)

Basement and Garage!

Master bedroom, with master bath (jacuzzi tub, separate shower) and a walk-in closet.  There are 3 more large bedrooms on the second floor (hot pink, army green and bright blue....I see some more painting in my future!).

WOWOWOWOWOW!  They sure are lucky to be starting out like this and sooooo young to boot!  Something to be very proud of!

NURSING LICENSE! (RN BSN)

NURSE SUPERVISOR!

FIRST DAY ON HER NEW JOB!

ONE OF MANY GIFTS!

NEVAEH, COURTNEY AND CAITLIN

THE BRIDE AND FLOWERGIRL!

BRIDAL SHOWER #1

MORE GREAT NEWS!!!

CAITLIN STARTS HER FIRST FULL TIME NURSING JOB ON MONDAY! WE ARE SOOOOO PROUD OF HER!

INTRODUCING AVERY RAE!

GREAT NEWS TO SHARE!

Today is a GREAT DAY Caitlin passed her nursing exam and is a licensed RN BSN !!! And.....Her best friend Audra is having her baby. Life is WONDERFUL!...If she could only share this news with Joey right now.....Sharing the news with him in a letter is the next best thing!

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE :-(