We are in the final stages ...I hope to God, fingers crossed!
Here is what has happened so far, and I am running into snags unsure of the next steps. I wish it weren't a holiday 
January 9 Went on the eligibility site for USDA loans Guaranteed and Direct, found eligible for both.
January 10 Called USDA field office asked if they had funding before going further, was told they do at the moment.
January 12 Filled out a 1 page pre qual that was sent to me from the field office, and mailed back.
January 17 Received a phone call to let us know based on the information submitted in the pre qual and the quick pull of credit, we were ready to fill out a full 10 page application.
February 1 Submitted the full application.
February 6 Received letter stating we were selected for further processing.
February 7 Place a call to the field office. Talk to the LO told it looks like we qualify for the max loan amount in our county, but all things not finished and it is not a guarantee to loan yet.
Child Support, A missing paystub, alternative lines of credit, $30 check for credit check submitted, homebuyers course taken
USDA sent letters to verify employment etc, full credit ordered, whatever else they do...
We start looking for houses!!!!!!
February 13 Apparently my credit had to many derogatory items that had not come up in the initial quick credit review for pre qualification. Even though I asked someone in the office if small thing could be paid, and they said yes, as long as it wasn't thousands of dollars...that was not true. I had less than $2000 spread over 7 charge offs, and this made me ineligible. My husbands single collection account showing is paid off.
However, we were able to remove my name from the loan and move forward with processing using just my spouse as the holder.
USDA LO informs us that we will most likely lose $20, 000 to $30, 000 of the max purchase price due to my income being removed, but it will still be used in figuring out how much our payment will be.
February 18 We see a house listed for $ 179, 900 that is just fine for our family, has everything we are looking for and submit an offer for $150,000, as our lowest max purchase price would be $149, 900 hopefully more 
February 19 The realtor calls us with a counter offer of $165, 000 and we inform her that we can not change or move on this until the office opens and we can get a better idea of where our max loan amount is.
February 20 The realtor informs us that another offer is coming in on the property. She can't tell us what the number is, but will update us if the seller accepts the other offer.
I am so frustrated that another person is looking at this house and I can't move on it without putting us at risk.
Did I make a mistake putting an offer on this house before having the mortgage ready to go?
Should i be thinking this realtor who is a dual agent is just fooling me, because she is aware of how much we love this home?
Will these panic attacks end soon? ekkkkkk Why is today a holiday
Thank you for listening...
Thank you so much Booner72!
I have found these forums to be so helpful. I am so excited every time I see a new post about one of these loans, with a happy ending!
A few hours ago the realtor called me. She asked for a pre approval letter with a number listed, like how much we qualify for. She said the seller would like to have that with the offer, but I don't have anything like that, should I? She also said that there is another offer coming in in the next day or two. She also told me that the seller would prefer a family to get in there, which makes me squeal with joy! She also put me in touch with a LO who could get me a pre approval...but he couldn't. I taught him a little about the direct loan. He thought all of the USDA loans had to some right from banks, and wondered how someone could possibly work directly with a field office..lol. It made me feel so smart I am so sleepy , but I just can't sleep! All I can do is sit here watching/creeping these boards to find out everything I can about this loan. I think I may have developed an ulcer, and I am supposed to have an ekg done tomorrow for new panic attacks and stress...yayyyyy home buying process!!!!