Crazy Summer

So, this summer has been pretty relaxing so far. Each day I teach summer school until 11:40 and then head home for lunch and a nap. My weekends have been spent at the pool too. This week things changed drastically. Murad's uncle passed away and Abby arrived here in Dallas. So, this week, we had to get Murad's plane ticket booked and figure out plans for Abby while he is gone. She goes to camp each day, but Murad usually takes her there. Luckily, my good friend Elaina agreed to watch her in the mornings and take her to school. Abby has played with Elaina's daughter Sage, so it was a natural choice. I know that Abby feels comfortable and safe at Elaina's and Murad and I feel the same way.
Having Abby here has been wonderful. She's so funny and smart! She cracks me up daily. This year has been a complete 360 from last summer. She's made friends so easily and adapted well to our rules. We've had trouble with her forgetting her stuff everyday, but I think with some structure, she'll nip that habit. This weekend we are by ourselves since Murad won't be back from NJ until Sunday morning. Tomorrow I think we'll go the library and check out some books, buy Murad a father's day present, and make father's day cards for him. We are also going to my friend Crystal's wedding Saturday night, so that should be fun to get all dressed up. This week she's watched "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" (her favorite) and "Watership Down." I think tonight we may do something girly and watch "Teen Witch." Oh how I loved that movie when I was a kid! Today she made up her first rhyme. I go Abby you have mud on your shirt. She goes, "I was making mud pies in the sun and having lots of fun, yo!" Hilarious! She may not be mine biologically, but she inherited my love of rapping!
Summer school hasn't been too bad. For the most part my kids are pretty good, but they are really really low. It still is overwhelming and the summer school does lack.....structure! Ugh! Okay, I'm not going to go off on a tagent! I just have to remember Punta Cana 2010 (and NY and possibly a trip to KC and Denver)! I'm so thankful I have this opportunity to help pay for our honeymoon. We had to take out a lot of our "honey" money to repair my car, so this allows us to still have our dream honeymoon.
I think Murad and I have finally reached a consensus on the home-buying deal where we both feel comfortable. We had discussed buying a home wherever Murad gets in for grad school or if he ends up going for an MSW instead we'd buy one immediately after he finishes that (it's only a one year program). However, I was worried how we would save up enough money for a down payment and while we could afford not to put down a down payment, I would feel more comfortable getting the lowest possible mortgage.
So, what we decided to do is save longer while he is in grad school. We're used to living off of 1.5 salaries, so we'll have to manuever some more to save. We're going to see if we can get a 15 year loan or at least make biweekly payments if we get a 30 year loan. I know it will be hard, but it will be so worth it because ideally we could pay off the house before 15 years and not be trapped in a home if the neighborhood changes. Murad actually came up with the plan, but it wasn't until my mom commented on what a good idea that was that I came on board. Until then we'll probably just rent a house or duplex, which I am more than fine with doing if it will give us financial freedom in the future. So it may mean renting for the next 3 years, but it will help us reach our dreams.
Okay, I'm off to watch TV with Abby!