It’s been awhile….

4 01 2009

The holidays have past and it’s about time for some updates.

First of all, we are settling in to our basement digs at the Burke B&B (basement & breakfast), although we are not using the basement for anything more than a storage/sleeping facility. We have spent tons of time visiting friends and loved ones and the Dean Smith Center and more loved ones and the Dean Smith Center again. (The Dean Smith Center is the hallowed ground where my beloved University of North Carolina Tarheels play…and win….a lot…for those of you who didn’t know).

Once we returned there was no rest for the weary. We had people to see and places to eat (I’ve gained back all the weight previously lost). We’ve been from Charlotte to Winchester, VA, from the NC mountains to the NC beaches, visiting and catching up with everyone. It’s been a lot of fun and strangely relaxing in a way, knowing that there isn’t a lot of pressure to see everyone and cram it into 10 days before jumping on a plane bound for HI.

We are happy to be home, yet overwhelmed with all the change. I don’t know if you are supposed to move a 1/4 of the way around the world, buy a house and start a business all within one calendar year, but that’s what we are doing. On that note, any prayer offered up to the Lord on our behalf would be GREATLY appreciated at this time. We do depend heavily on His grace and mercy and give Him all the glory for what He has done for us thus far. We are super stoked to see what the future holds and what He will do next!!

As previously mentioned, I am starting (have already started a business). Hayes Homebuilders, LLC is a reality and was signed into existence by the NC Secretary of State on January 1st, 2009! Yikes!! Now, I have joined the ranks of terrified new business owners. And, of course, I’m going to start my business in the worst economic climate in the last 70 years, but looking on the bright side of things…. the sky’s the limit from here on out. I’ve decided to focus in on residential remodels SOOOooo, if anyone out there (this primarily applies to those of you on the east coast) has or knows of any remodeling projects that need my expert attention, then let me know!

As far as a house goes, we are looking at a couple of places in Burlington. We figured that we would start out here, since we know the area, with an eye to move eastward to the Hillsborough/Carrboro/Chapel Hill area in the future. Qualifying for a mortgage, however, has proved difficult. We qualify in every category except ummm…. income! Until recently, Holden was picking up some part-time substitute teacher shifts at Front Street UMC preschool, which is the church she grew up in, as well as some holiday shifts at a little specialty wine and gourmet gift shop called For

All Occassions. I on the other hand have been gainfully un/self employed and anything I would do as HHBuilders would not count as income for another 2 years.

After a long, drawn out, and frustrating attempt at getting a job with Alamance-Burlington School System, Holden did land a job with Pier One as an Asst. Manager! She starts Monday. So now we can move forward with our plans to buy. Hopefully, I can pick up a few jobs and get the ball rolling on the business. We will see what God has in store for us!

We hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season and here’s to an exciting and prosperous 2009!! God Bless!

: Mabel’s first SNOW!!

: Our first REALLY cold day….(other than the weeping burrito incident)

: Laurel “Bonecrusher” Kiker once again poised for victory, poses for the camera just before administering her deadly “rear naked choke leg clamp”.