Heading Back to My Roots.

Hi Everyone! It has been less than a month since we've done an update! That's an improvement! :)

So much has gone on in that last month!  We found out a couple of days after I got back from Sydney that we would have to find a new place to live.  We had originally planned on living in the current house we are in for 2 years.  The couple we are renting from are in their early 60's and had plans on traveling the world for 2 years.  Well, things changed and they wanted to come back a year early.  So, we are getting the boot.  Right now in Perth rental properties are in such a high demand, which makes trying to get one more difficult.  Renting here in Perth is kinda like going through a job interview.  You have to go to a scheduled viewing of the house and meet the realtor who basically feels you out to see if you are worthy of renting the property. Since I am working a 9-5, Merrick has been the one going to all the viewings.  I have been sending him all over the place and every where I sent him ended up being a dud.

Merrick playing at my desk.

We started getting really frustrated and stressed because the clock was ticking and we needed to hurry and find a place.  It was getting to the point where we were going to just start putting in applications for places we saw whether we liked it or not.  After a lot of prayers, I went on the internet one day at work and found this house that gave me goosebumps.  I just saw the front and knew that it was going to be ours!  I immediately emailed it to Merrick and said I've found the place where we are going to live!  He responded so quick and said, "We've found it!"

The viewing was for that Saturday and I haven't been to one viewing so it was going to be a new experience for me to see what the process was.  So, that Saturday we got up and drove over to the house and there were already 3 other couples there ready to see it.  I was so nervous because Merrick was telling me how intense these are and how people usually just throw money down to try and get the place.  Well, we got there and started looking around and it felt like an old shabby chic Charleston home and I just knew I had to have this place.  People were trying to sell themselves to the Realtor by being all cute and fancy. When it was our turn to talk to the Realtor to get an application Merrick turned on his southern charms and got her to giggle, smile, and say y'all.  She of course fell in love with Merrick and I knew we were golden.  She kept asking us when we could move in and that we should hurry and put in our application.

Is there something in his teeth?

So, thanks to Merrick we got our new home!  We move in tomorrow and its unfurnished. So, mama has been shopping. Thank goodness for IKEA. We also have been getting stuff on a website called Gumtree, which is like craigslist (but less sketchy) and there is a section called "freebies" (Merrick found this).  Of course, on Merrick's free time he has been driving around collecting free things from around Perth.  We've gotten a free grill with propane tank, bookshelves, outdoor table and chairs, bedroom suite and a fridge!! I am very impressed with Merrick.  He has found a new addiction.  The only bad thing is that he is hesitant to buy anything because he thinks he can wait it out to see if he can get one for free on Gumtree.

But other than that, we have also been planning our next trips for this year and next.  We are first heading to Tokyo, Japan in August for about a week because Merrick has a conference there on a Saturday and they are getting him a round trip ticket so we decided to make a little vacay of it.  So, I will be heading to my birthplace!  I can't wait to go and check out where I was born, see my elementary school, and eat so much Japanese candy and ice cream!  Second trip on the agenda is COMING BACK TO GREENVILLE!  We are in the process of trying to find some tickets.  I cannot wait to be home with everyone and catching up and meeting all the new babies!  It will be so hard to only be home for 3 weeks, so everyone be prepared to be smothered.  Our last trip we are planning is to the Philippines.  There was a buy one get one free deal on Jetstar and we got round trip tickets for both of us to Manila for $400!  We aren't going until next February.  We decided to celebrate our 4 year anniversary there.  Hopefully, Minda and Lou will get their mind right and meet us out there!

But, we will give you another update soon with pictures of our new place and all of Merrick's free goodies! Miss you all and talk soon!  I'm asking Merrick to put in his 2 cents, but he is being bratty and doesn't want to say anything except, "Blehhh".

You guys need to see if any places in Greenville sell these beers.  They are my absolute favorites! Especially Wahoo! Go, find, and try!!! x