Move'n & A Shake'n

Well, it's officially Fall.  We're keeping our decorations simple and disposable this year since we're moving and shaking here!  The kids had fun gathering leaves and picking out their little pumpkins for a centerpiece!

Jeff has been living in Texas for nearly 3 months now, while the kids and I have been here in Illinois.

So we came to the conclusion that while we could probably get what we owe on our house here, we would have to kick in a good ten grand to realtor and closing costs just to sell our house.  When we've already put $90,000 into this house that we'll never see again... it feels a bit like being kicked while you are down. 
If we used our savings to get out of the house... sure our good credit would remain in tact, but our savings would be gone and we'd have nothing to put down on a house in Texas. 

So we thought renting our Chicago home would be the best solution.  Only rents are lower then what we owe per month as well, so again, coming out of pocket, even a few hundred a month on a place that is continuously going down in value, just doesn't make any sense either.  Esspecially when lenders require a 6 month payment history in addition to rental agreements now before allowing you to purchase another home. 
Refinancing is not possible as we just did that 2 years ago.... only to have them raise our property taxes, again, making our refi obsolete... how they can do that when values are going down is beyond me!? 
But it is what it is... can't get ahead, right?!

Sooo, Plan A. and Plan B. are out... time for Plan C!

We qualify for as much as we can for a 2nd house, as if we plan on keeping both homes... buy something cheaper and downsize if need be since owning costs less than renting and you get the tax write off. 
Then once we close escrow on the home in Texas, we start the short sell process in Illinois. 

Yes, we will be dinged on our credit for a couple years, but who cares?  We will have a house we can afford for the coming years... and we don't plan on using our credit in the meantime anyhow.  If we can close on our house here in IL. before the end of the year, there's a good chance we wont even have to pay taxes on our write off/short sell.  We may not need to anyhow since we are relocating out of state for his work.  Either way... we're good with it. 

We can live a simpler, more affordable, and better lifestyle in the meantime while rebuilding our credit and financial nest egg!  Texas, fortunately for us... will offer us a less expensive way of life that ironically is better than the lifestyle we are living now.  Complete with better school systems, better weather, a bigger house possibly or equal (that costs less) and with more ammenities, financial stability, and we're closer to family and friends... maybe the drive home is only 8 hours less than IL. but hey, that's one less day of drive time if need be!  PLUS, praise God, Jeff has finally found a good job he loves!!!  He's been having a great time and his boss has gotten him playing in local golf tournaments, going to Rangers Games and even the NFL Cowboys vs. Da Bears game! 

Should Plan C. be a success, it would give Jeff and I both a lot of security in knowing that should something happen to he or myself, either one of us could support ourselves and our 3 children on our own.  God forbid.  But you just never know in life what is going to happen, best to be prepared and eliminate the anxiety of 'what if?'

As if we didn't have enough going on... Jeff got in a bad car accident last week that sort of hit the pause button on it all for us! 
So grateful that the CT Scan and Xrays revealed only a mild concussion... with a few scrapes and bruises he came out just fine!  (Thank God!)  The same can not be said for his car however. 

Upon realizing Jeff is indeed alright... my mind immediately began racing! 
Now what?! 
Is Plan C still a possibility?  Not if he finances a new car... what if the insurance fixes his?  How long will we need to pay for a rental (not covered by insurance).... etc.... WELL, the good Lord and all of Jeff's angels were sure watching out for him and our family, because not only did he come out alright... the insurance company deemed his car as a "total loss" and valued our car a good $6,000 over the payoff amount! 

So back to our lender with this nugget of information who notifies us that we should wait until after we purchase our home in TX. to purchase a new car... (which we're doing, Jeff found a rental for only $733/month) we will not only have $6000 more to put down on a new house, with the difference after insurance pays off his car... but we qualify for an additional $27,000 in financing on a home with his car off our credit reports!

What a blessing that turned out to be!  Again, another affirmation of our faith!  Life is so full of challenges and obstacles, but if you can keep your chin up and keep your eye on your goals... you will find the hidden gifts and opportunities that no doubt come with the challenges and obstacles in life!  Don't ever give up!

I tell you, it has been like a full time job with these lenders, realtors etc... I feel like I am on the computer and phone all day, everyday.... and all weekend, and at night... I am packing, cleaning, running errands and helping the kids with their homework, keeping them fed and dressed.  In addition I've been babysitting a couple hours each afternoon for a neighbor girl, which is helping cushion all the extra expenses that no doubt come with living apart.

I anticipated it would be stressful being a single mom, but I sorely underestimated how much so.  With Jeff's work schedule, I always felt like a single Mom anyhow, but never realized how much safer the kids felt at night knowing Dad was home.  And how nice it was to run out and get groceries, alone... or grab a bite with friends when Jeff was home.... those days are gone for now and it has been tough.  Coupled with the lack of sleep due to the kids lack of faith in their Mother's ability to protect them I guess... this has been the sleeping arrangement since Dad left, all 3 kiddos in my bed, Oy!

But should Plan C. work, I believe and Jeff believes, it will be the single best move we have ever made for our future and the security of our family.

I'm not sure yet what Plan D. is... guess we'll have to cross that bridge if we come to it, hoping we don't have to!

Packing has been a time consuming, reflective process... filled with emotion and fatigue! 

I have been getting rid of a lot as I go through things, but not with out a great deal of reflection first.  All of the memories, photos, keepsakes!  The kids and I have really enjoyed going through them.  Although, Jack is not too happy with the fact that AJ has a complete and beautiful baby book that is finished while his book and Maddies' remain empty.  I have all the stuff in a box, just not essembled.  Oooppss!  But, in my defense, it's a lot harder to find the spare time with multiple children... someday, it will all get done!

In the packing process I found my old dance shoes, from when I was training in New York and Jeff's old tap dance shoes from when he was a kid, which then led us to some impromptu dance lessons!  Jack says he doesn't want to learn how to dance, he wants to play soccer and do karate.

Maddie was a natural bunhead!

Watch below!

Last month we celebrated Maddie's 3rd Birhday!  Luckily, Daddy was able to fly home and celebrate with us!  She requested a chocolate Dora the Explorer cake and Mom made it happen!  It was a great day!

Click on the videos below to hear "Happy Birthday to Maddie"

Later in the month, we made another cake and celebrated Jeff's Birthday with out him as he wasn't able to come home for that one, but his boss and co-workers took him out and celebrated his day right! 

That's what's been going on in the Sugden household this past month or so.... hope all is well in your corner of the world! 

We would really like to thank all of our family and friends for their continued love, support, prayers and positive thoughts!  They've gone a very long way in keeping us going through the past few months! 

And a big ol' Texas THANK YOU to Don and Angie for taking Jeff in and really making this move a lot less painful! 

Thanks to Jeff for dedicating this song to me... I love it and it's been bringing me a lot of comfort! LOVE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTg1n95--KE&feature=related

HOME - Phillip Phillips  

 (lyrics below... to listen, click the link above)

Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home.