ALI GOT A JOB!!!!

The University of Iowa called this morning and made their offer, which Ali accepted (wise decision or he may have been mincemeat when he came home. I love him, but I don't love raising two kids on a grad student's salary). ;) So we'll be moving late Summer.

We're strongly considering buying a house right away, so you all can help me brainstorm what we need/want in a home of our own. So we have 2 kids now, and will have one more, probably while we are living there. They are still sleeping in our room. I'd like a big master bedroom and two bathrooms. The kids will probably share a bedroom until they are old enough to care; I'm hoping that's not for at least 5 years or so. And depending on the gender of the next child, one will get their own room, and one will have a roomie of the same gender when it's not working for us to have boys and girls sharing any more. So I'm thinking either 3 bedrooms and a den/office or 4 bedrooms: 1 master, 1 kids room, 1 guest room, and an office.

I want a fireplace and a covered porch. I want to have chickens. I do not want to be on a busy street or a steep hill (snow). I'd love hardwoods, but that's not a necessity.

Hmmm, what else?