WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!

I just talked to my wonderful realtor and she said, "Ok, Kerri, now get excited! We have a ratified contract and you just bought a house!"

On December 4th, I left work early, leaving my period 6 class in the capable hands of Mr. Pintzuk, to drive (in a rental car) to Baltimore where I signed my name fifty-two times on an offer for a three bedroom/two bath home. The next four days were the rockiest, scariest, most nerve-racking days of my adult life. I am still recovering from the emotional strain of the past few days, so I won't go into much detail...BUT, today we bought a house!

Aaron and I started to learn more about buying a house two months ago. We have been struggling to stay sane in a studio (it is really a closet with a small hallway) apartment for the past two years. Collectively (Keba included), we decided that instead of rearranging again, it was time to make a move. We have always dreamed of owning a home: We constantly talk about the colors we like on walls, we joke about how cool it would be to beckon each other from another room, how much Aaron would cook if he had a decent kitchen, how we would save up for solar panels, how we could let our plants thrive...

These thoughts, plus pinching pennies for about a year, led to an email to the family. The family led me to a realtor (the greatest realtor in the world), a friendly and knowledgeable mortgage broker, tons of homes in Baltimore, and a whirlwind of life-lessons. We have now seen most homes listed for under $220,000 in Baltimore City...and we BOUGHT THE BEST ONE!

Talk about a learning experience...I sit in the teacher workroom now discussing escrow, ceiling fans, location, the market, and what it means to buy a house. Some of my colleagues are shocked at my new found adultness, but all of them have helped me through a nerve-racking few days! Also, my parents and I now talk about serious "stuff". I am so lucky to have a father full of Dennyism's and a mother with the most level-head in the world. Without their willingness to calm me, teach me, share with me, and support me I would never have been able to make it to this point-- a proud new home owner!

We signed the final Addendum to the Contract on Aaron's birthday! I am hoping that we will settle on my father's birthday...talk about too perfect!