We did contact the builder to see if we could get a ball park esitmate of when ground would be broken. That was when we got the bad news. It seems the county wants to have all the floor plans re-submitted for approval. Something changed in building code requirements, and the builder has to go back to square one before they could proceed with any more building. The county is also apparently taking their time with the approvals. As of yesterday we are number 31 on the "to be approved" list, and the county is only approving 2 per week.
I'm, however, trying to look on the bright side of all this. While I REALLY liked the idea of our being in our house around Christmas time, this delay gives us more time to bring our credit card and car loan debt down further, and get more $$ stashed away into savings. What should also really help this goal is an upcoming promotion Hubby will be getting. He should have gotten it this month, but the current rumor mill has it coming through anywhere between next month and February. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for next month. The extra (almost) $600 a month will really come in handy!
I've also been pursuing something for myself. There is an opening for a reading tutor at #3's school. It would be very-very part time, but it would also be between $600 and $800 per month. I don't know what my chances are of getting this as I know there are so many other people applying for it, but it would sure be nice to get it.