New Swanson

Ok, Ultrasounds dont scan well but... its a boy! You will all just have to visit me and see the pics up close- if you click on it you can see a bigger version

New House

We are in a new house and all moved in. It only has two bedrooms and soon to be four kids but... at least we can afford it. Right now we are living on unemployment so that is a bit of a drag. The job market is SO much worse than last time we had to do this- the longest Mike has ever been out of work is one month and we have already passed that and no prospects. It is pretty scary. We did get an old junker van with the last of our tax money so we are mobile Yeah.

Moving

OK, after the previous nightmare trying to buy a car... we fixed our fuel pump. Unfortunately that left us broke and car less. The engine block is cracked. OK so now we are stuck at home. Not so fast, we are late with the rent, again. Ever since Mike was laid off and got a new job (at a significant pay cut) we haven't been able to afford to pay on time. The landlord gave us two weeks to clear out. Out of the blue, someone in our congregation offered a home for rent. It is much cheaper. It is much smaller but.. who cares we have nowhere else to go. It has a big yard so we will be OK. So, we must move and fast. Our lives just keep getting crazier, and we still need a van- anyone out there in the vast space of the Internet want to give away a minivan? lol

Snow Day

After a week of everyone being sick, the snow lasted long enough for everyone to play. There were some very happy kids in this house

Buying A Car

Our fuel pump went out last week. It cost more than we have to fix. Our van has lots of miles but we cant just offload it cause we still owe on it. So we had the brilliant idea to trade it in. What a nightmare! We have bad credit so, after spending all day on the phone with dealers wanting them to run my credit I found two to work with. I got some outright nos but what suprised me was the number of dealers who wouldnt run my numbers untill I dragged my kids down there and picked out a car- really why waste everyones time? So then I pick the first deal. We agree, everything is done, Michael stops by after work to sign and pick up the van. Except, now they want 3500 more than we agreed to- are you kidding? I have invested hours on the phone, negotiating,working on my budget, seeking advice both financial and spiritual. This was supposed to be a done deal and now we are at square one. So, we go to dealer number two, we have to borrow money from a relative against our tax return for a down payment but... we make a deal. We sign, we bring in proof of income, we go to pick up the van and once again they want more money. Is this how all car dealers work? I used to think the used guys with the super high interest (like where we bought our van) were jerks but I have changed my tune. Those guys are honest. Yes, they charge you up to double the actual price of the van, but they tell you so. They basically say listen, your credit sucks, but I will sell you somthing anyway, you just have to pay a premium. I would definetly prefer that to the wheeling, dealing, and outright lies I experienced with the "legitimate" new dealers. I have decided that unless I am absolutely stranded I will be waiting untill I have good enough credit to get a loan directly from the credit union. I pray I never have to deal with that again. It was awful. As I type, Michael is trying to fix the van himself. Pray for him as he is not a mechanic and I worry about him out in the snow trying to work on the gas tank.

Week 14, Day One

Went to the doctor today and heard a nice strong heartbeat. Everything looks good.

Magic House