Happy Homeowners!!!

Yes, it is true, we are now homeowners for the first time!
Lay your eyes on our new digs!!!

It's crazy because it was exactly 3 months to the day of our first day looking. It took a little longer than expected and we saw a TON more houses than expected as well, but it all paid off. Last Saturday we put in our offer and got the word on Monday that they accepted.
We are soooo excited and can't wait to move in. We'll have to wait until June 16th to close, but it actually works out really good. Our apartment lease runs out the end of June so we'll have a solid two weeks to move in. (Stay tuned for moving party details!!! - ha :)

So here's the run-down:
4-bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch ~ 1500 sq ft., living room, sun room/dining room, full basement and an ENORMOUS garage. This thing is a monster - I think you could fit 6 cars in there if you wanted. It's not finished on the outside but we'll be doing that in the near future. Let's see, close to both of our works, a little out in the country, views of rolling mountains and farms, and a decent sized yard.....it really is going to be perfect!!

So you all won't have any excuses to not visit anymore!! Load up the cars and come to beautiful Ithaca!!! (of course that's after we move in :)

We Miss You Grandma

I'm sorry that I have seriously slacked off with my blogging - it just seems to have been the most crazy month yet!

The most important thing that has happened is that my loving Grandma passed away March 12th. She was 99 (remember her birthday :) and gratefully, she went very peacefully. Over the past several years her health had begun to deteriorate. She suffered from Dementia, which can be associated with Alzheimer's disease and was beginning to fade away. Yet, she still responded to love. She was always such a happy woman, I remember from all the nursing homes that she lived in over the past couple of years, people would always comment on her beautiful smile and how sweet she was. She never caused problems and only asked for a hug and a kiss.

She actually lived most of her life in New Jersey, so I have a ton of memories from visiting her and my Grandfather there. One thing that will always stick with me though is the love that her and my Grandfather shared. They actually eloped when they were young and spent their whole lives truly dedicated to one another (67 years!) I just always felt that was so neat – that they knew from the beginning that their love could last forever.

When she moved to State College to live with my parents, I was grateful because I was able to see her everyday. I had always lived several hours away from all of my grandparents so it was a new experience for me. I think that I really embraced the opportunity and felt that our bond grew even stronger. I remember how hard it was when Mike and I were deciding to move away. I just hated to break that rekindled bond, but I knew that she would want us to live our lives and to go on our own adventures. Still, every time we came home to visit, I never felt complete until I got to see Grandma and just hug and kiss her. I know that she sensed me.

I will miss her always. She was my last living grandparent, so its been a time of transition. But I feel her with me, as I feel all of my grandparents. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about them and know that they are all with me. My heart overflows with all of their love and the love that I have for them.

Thank you to everyone who has sent warm wishes and comforting words. If you would like to look at her obituary, please click this link: Verna May Stout