Where have you been?

Where have I been lately?

Pinterest. Obsessed.

I've only been on it for two weeks, but I have a serious problem.
In my defense, though... I'm not just surfing the internet - I'm making too!

I have found so many great project ideas... and I've followed through!

I've made these cute penguin invites, inspired by images I found:

And under those invites, you can see some fabric that I made my own wall-paper glue from this pin and then modge-podged it onto a desk (in my newly functional craft room) that my awesome husband built.

I've made this dry-erase picture, and it's hanging on the back of our front door.

I made these yummy cake batter truffles for book club yesterday.

We laughed really hard over this pin.

My kids made this tree and this birthday card.

I'm about half-way through making this bible cover...

Made hairbows this fun new way.

Made this for breakfast one morning. And made these for Lauren and her newly expanded family. (& I made a few for our freezer too.)

Attempting to make this quilt for Lily for Christmas.

And Friday I'm posting a tutorial to make my own version of these Shrinky Dink name tags.

And I made these super-awesome envelopes for my wallet.

No idea what I'm talking about? Well, that's where I've been lately, anyway.

the big THREE OH

Just last Friday I turned THIRTY.

Yup. The big THREE-OH.

I have been thinking and trying very hard to come up with a poignant/witty/thought-provoking/funny something to say about turning 30 for over a week now. I put off writing a post because I was sure I would come up with something to say about this milestone birthday.

You know what I came up with?

Nadda.

I was really stressed out about turning 30. I've cried several times over it. But, when I tried to think of a good reason for all the hub-bub I couldn't think of a thing!

And I suppose that's basically because it's just another birthday. Sure, it's the beginning of the end a new decade, and my youth is officially over... but really, it's just another year. And that's what I have to remind myself.

I'm 30 now. That makes me officially old. wise. still. just. me.

Everything You Never Wanted to Know...

...About Cloth Diapers

I have been using cloth diapers for only a few months.
I'd like to point out that this does not make me, in any way, a cloth diapering expert.

I tend to become obsessed with things when I get an idea in my head and I tend to research them like crazy – like when I decided I was going to get a cat in college and I checked out 20 books from the library, learned everything I could about keeping a cat, and then never actually got a cat.

We tried cloth diapers for a day (literally) when Lily was about 18 months old. I did very little research and my heart wasn’t really into it – I was overwhelmed by all the options! Just try Googling it, and you will see that there is a whole “cloth diapering” lingo out there that is a hurdle in itself!

But several months ago I got a new resolve, and decided I was sick and tired of paying for pull-ups for Lily (who is very much potty trained, but based on her parents will probably be wetting the bed till she goes to college). So I started looking for options for bed-wetting solutions in cloth. That led to realizing I should be using reusable swim diapers, ‘cuz that’s pretty much a no-brainer… it’s not like the disposable kind actually hold anything. And then, that little inkling to try to go to full-fledged cloth diapers turned into a reality.

After lots of research, and a little trial and error, we started using Softbums brand of cloth diapers – and never looked back. (And if you’re really interested, they have a GREAT PDF book on their website all about using cloth diapers and getting started.) For Lily we settled on using a pull-up style diaper with a pocket to stuff with an absorbent liner. But, the Softbums are so adjustable in size that Lily can wear Violet’s diapers if I’m slacking on the laundry.

Cloth Diaper Myth: They are hard to change/ fold/ pin

Truth: My Softbums are super easy to use and change! They are Velcro tabs, and look just like a big fluffy disposable. When I leave Vi with family/friends I usually still give them the option of the disposable diaper, but the cloth ones are just as simple as a regular disposable. They have an easy little snap in liner that I switch in and out after I change her.

Cloth Diaper Myth: You have to wash them out in the toilet.

Truth: That's just gross. I just keep a cute little wet-bag in the diaper bag to put the dirty diapers in while we are out and about. When I get home I dump that wet-bag into my larger hanging wet-bag on a door knob. When they are time to wash I just dump the dirty liners in and the covers if they get dirty or after about three uses.

And when she poops? We just walk over to the toilet, shake the poopy into it, and flush. Yep, that’s all. No big deal. Dirty dipe goes into the wet-bag.

Cloth Diaper Myth: You have so much extra laundry to do!

Truth: Every other day I wash the dirty diapers. That means I do about 3-4 extra loads of laundry a week. For me, that’s no big deal. I do so much laundry that my wash runs every day anyway. I didn’t even notice it. (I could go longer if I had more diapers, but I have seven covers and about 18 liners and that keeps me comfortable with our laundry situation.)

I just dump the whole load (including the wet-bags) into the washer and wash it once on cold, with and extra rinse. Then a second wash on hot, with soap (you do have to use a free-and-clear type detergent with cloth) and an extra rinse. Then dry. I hang dry the covers, but I sometimes dry them in the machine if I’m in a hurry. Easy as pie. (I really love the Softbums too, because I don’t have to stuff liners into pocket diapers.)

So, why are we using cloth diapers? Well, I have a list as long as my arm – you know, save the environment from all the waste and landfills, and all – and there’s that money thing. (We discovered that at 3 years old, we had spent about $1500 on Lily’s diapers alone – not including swim diapers and the future years she’ll be in a pull-up every night. Or factoring the year+ we put Vi in disposables. My investment into Softbums cost me about $300 - including wet-bags - and they are one-size-fits all and will last through multiple kids.) I’m only wishing I had done this a LOT sooner.

The thing that really got me, and has always bothered me the most about disposable diapers are the chemicals and junk in the diapers that are sitting on my babies’ skin. Have you ever seen that junk that comes out of the inside of a disposable diaper if it gets too wet?

I don’t pretend to have any facts or knowledge on this… Google it and you’ll find a million reports of conflicting information. I just know my gut doesn’t feel good about the chemicals they use to make diapers super-extra-absorbent. And I don’t like that there’s very little research on the effect of those chemicals in diapers. My gut thinks there’s a reason that so many of my friends/peers are having so many problems conceiving. And I think it might not be a coincidence that many of those experiencing the infertility problems were born in the late 70’s to early 80’s - some of the first full-time disposable diaper-wearing generations.

But, I do feel good about organic bamboo against my babies’ skin. And that makes a few extra loads of laundry an easy choice. Saving money is an added bonus.

Busy Days & Wishes

Justin has been in China for work for the past seven days.


We have been keeping very busy in order to distract ourselves from the loss of his presence. We spent the weekend with my parents and had a great time at the Children’s Museum. MissViolet has sprouted a toddler’s personality in the past month and suddenly adores playing dress up. (Pics to come.)

Yesterday we went to Great Wolf Lodge with Moo-moo (J’s mom), Aunt Lori, Wesley, Tucker for the night. (It was super-fun. I highly recommend it. And go on a weekday if you can, ‘cuz the pool wasn’t busy or crowded at all.) We shared the fun with Poppy, Great-Aunt Jamie, Cousins Brandy, James, Mia, and Brenna today.

At the end of our wild two-day adventure, GA Jamie bought all the kids a “build-a-bear” type of souvenir. As they filled & stuffed their new toys they got to put a star into the bear and make a wish.

As MissLily was filling hers, I asked, “What did you wish for?”

Her reply, “I wish for my Daddy to come home.”

Choke back a sob... “Me. Too.”

Cozy Coupe

One of Vi's favorite birthday presents was her new Cozy Coupe. You know, the car that's been around forever that little kids drive with their feet.

The gift (from Poppy & Moo Moo) didn't come assembled, so crazy Mommy decided that the day after the birthday party she was going to put it together ALL.BY.MYSELF. (I spend too much time around a three year old.)

I found, and then googled how to work, J's cordless drill. I managed to strip several screws.

I put the wheels on backwards, google it. had to take them pry them off. Googled it. And put them back on again. Watched the how-to video about seven times.

Most of this time Vi was sleeping. But Lily got to witness the whole thing. Once I started I felt like I couldn't give up. I became worried that if I couldn't put this darn toy together then she'd get this complex that girls couldn't do things boys could. And I just kept telling her, "You can do anything you put your mind to. Just try, try again."

Phooey.

I spent twenty minutes trying to ram the top blue piece into the white piece with every ounce of my body weight just like the video. Googled it. Tried again. Sat on it. Yelled at it. Tried again.

Finally, after THREE HOURS of hammering, screwing and trying again and again. And lots of googling. I managed to put that stinking car together!

It was totally worth it.

We won't mention that two days ago one of the pieces fell off that J had to put it back together again.

2010 reads

Once again it’s time for my annual (ha.) moment of narcissism and bragging. No really I just like to post this so that I can go back year after year and see what I’ve read. And because I like to see them all written in a big list… makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.


So here are the books I read in 2010:
(My favorites are in red, although this year I didn't finish books I didn't like, so I think they're all pretty good... the one exception is that Ellen book - it was a huge disappointment.)

1. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

2. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

3. 11 on top by Janet Evanovich

4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

5. Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter by Nancy Atherton

6. If You Could See Me Now (A Silver Lining) by Cecelia Ahern

7. The Funny Thing Is by Ellen DeGeneres

8. Georges Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl

9. French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano (reread)

10. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

11. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

12. 123 Magic for Christian Parents by Thomas W. Phelan PhD and Chris Webb MS MA

13. Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

14. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

15. The Duggars: 20 and Counting by Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar

16. The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

17. Naturally Thin by Bethenny Frankel and Eve Adamson

18. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

19. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

20. Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison

21. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

22. The Best Worst Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

23. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

And I also included a few of the ones that I started but didn’t finish because… well they took up a lot of my reading life and I just wanted to. I felt like I spent a lot of 2010 reading child-rearing books and crafting books that, lets be honest, I’m not reading from cover to cover:

1. American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld (this one I’ve been working on since February, I swear I’m going to finish it)

2. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (this one I’ve been working on for three years)

3. The Srong-Willed Child by James C. Dobson

4. The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian

5. Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years by Jim Fay and Charles Fay

6. The Gentle Art of Quiltmaking by Jane Brocket

7. The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket

So what should I read in 2011?

I'm sorry.

In the four (yes 4!), almost five (5!!) years since I first started blogging, I have never ever let us go this long without posting.

I'm sorry. To the twelve people out there who read this, I'm very sorry. To my family, for which this is the closest thing they will ever have to a scrapbook, I'm sorry too.

I won't I'll try really hard not to do it again.

I'll leave you with a picture (from September) - Lily's FIRST school picture ever! And I hope it will suffice for now...

In the meantime, I'm frantically trying to organize and edit pictures for posting.

Oh, and by the way, I'm also planning a birthday party for this weekend, and going on a cruise next week... so go easy on me. Let's not expect miracles here now, ok?

Up and Running Again

We're back up and running again with a working home computer and internet... we don't have everything all settled yet, but at least I can get on the internet again!

Today we went to our 37 week doctor's appointment. J has the next few days off for Christmas, so we went out to breakfast and all went to the appointment together.

No new progress at this point. Baby is still in there kicking away.

I've been having a lot of cramping and back aches, but since I haven't progressed any since last week the doctor doesn't think we'll be having a baby any time soon. And I agree. I think she's pretty set on staying in there for awhile yet, and just making me uncomfortable.

We're planning an easy Christmas with family and staying close to home, which I'm really looking forward to.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas too!

36 Weeks

On Monday I had my 36 week appointment with the OB... baby is doing great. She's moving around a lot, and I’m really feeling like I’m starting to run out of room. At the doctor, I was measuring right on track, and I’m once again 3 centimeters dilated. Although, I’m not getting my hopes up this time, because I was that far along at this point with Bug, and she didn’t come out until she was induced on her due date.

One thing that’s different is that I’m 25% effaced… so I guess there is a little spark of hope that we won’t have to go another full four weeks. I just don’t know where she’s going to go if it takes that long. I already feel like we don’t have any more room in there, and she’s trying to suffocate me!

Last weekend, some of my dear friends threw a surprise “Baby Sprinkle” for us! It was so sweet and nice to have some time with girlfriends. We did pampering things like a paraffin wax on our hands, and everyone pitched in to help us purchase a double stroller. We are SO LUCKY to have such great friends in our lives. (No pics, cuz it was a surprise and I didn’t know I needed to bring my camera!)

And now, here it is, the middle of the night, and I can’t sleep… maybe I’m nesting? There just seems to be so much to do, and so little time - and then you throw in Christmas and New Years and she’s going to be here before you know it!

Things to do before baby comes:

• Pack the bags
• Install the car seat (at least we know where it is, and it’s all cleaned up again)
• Hang things in the nursery (including a super-cute wall decal I just ordered)
• Order our new double stroller!
• Organize all the baby toiletries and find them homes again (right now they are in big plastic bags)
• Make baby blankets
• Make baby pacifier attacher
• Make a new sling
• Buy pacifiers
• Paint the kitchen/living/dining rooms
• Set up the home computer
• Wrap all the Christmas presents

I’m sure there’s a lot more, but that’s just the top of my head.

We might not have internet for a week or so, while J tries to get it set up in our office (there’s currently no phone line or cable in that room, and it’s on a slab) – so just a warning if you don’t hear from us for awhile!

*******

PS! I set up a guessing game for when BabyAwesome might arrive on the right of the page... so make your predictions!

The Christmas Card Update

We’re having so many “firsts” and changes around here lately that I think I’ll just give you the down and dirty quick update.

• Bug had her first dentist appointment – which went great – and she got a free ice cream cone out of the deal. We redeemed the free ice cream from Chic-fil-a immediately afterwards, and she finished off her nuggets by dipping them IN the ice cream. Gag. Delicious.
• Potty training is on hold for now. We gave it a good solid one/two week effort. The first few days we had a few successes, but it just didn’t quite click. She’s wearing pull-ups now, and we still sit on the potty every day, but she just hasn’t quite connected the urge to go with getting to the potty – or else she just doesn’t want to. She does stay dry for a lot longer these days, though. So no pressure, we’ll try again in a few weeks.
• We’ve decided that we’re taking a break from dance class until next year. About a month ago, they changed the songs/order of what they do in class, which set little MissBug off. She pouted at every new song, and decided to sit or stand in the corner when they would come on. At our class last week, she just decided to pout through the ENTIRE class - while very pregnant Mommy danced around trying to get her to participate. I’m sure it was a sight. Anyway – we want this to be fun, and if she doesn’t want to do it, that’s OK. So, we decided not to sign up for the December lessons, and we’ll try again next fall when she’s not TWO anymore.
• This week MissBug starts “school!” We’re enrolling her in a Parent’s Day Out program at a local church – it’s four hours, one day a week, and Mommy Bug is really looking forward to it. We decided to start her this month instead of next, so that hopefully there’s no association with the birth of BabyAwesome – in case she handles it the way she did with dance class.
• I’m going to be a full time stay at home mom! My last day at work is December 16th, and then I’m retiring from the architectural work-force for awhile. I’m really looking forward to being home with our two little girls, but I’m really scared and nervous about it too.
• My handy-man husband has been super busy with finally getting our house settled… and it’s almost there. We have nearly-every room painted, curtains and blinds hung, and we just got new furniture for the living room. There’s just one room (the junk room office) that’s still full of boxes, and the living room/kitchen to paint. Now that our Christmas decorations are up, it’s starting to really feel like home!
• Speaking of J – he’s been at his new job for a full YEAR now. He still really likes it and it is unbelievable how time flies. We're so lucky that he's finally in a place where he's doing something he enjoys. 

That’s the big news at our house these days… I feel like I just wrote a Christmas card update. So, Merry (early) Christmas!

Potty Training Bootcamp

Other than going in the potty once, way back in June, Bug’s potty training has been pretty much non-existent.

We’ve had a little potty in the house, and I try to encourage it when I think of it, but we haven’t had any really consistent work with it. I blame the move, and my own lack of motivation from being tired and pregnant.

I recently realized, however, that if I don’t get her potty trained soon, then I’m going to have two in diapers, which I’d really like to avoid… And with only 9 weeks left to the arrival of Baby Awesome, and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all in there, that doesn’t leave much time for potty training.

So a few weeks ago, I began reading all the potty training materials I could get my hands on. I’ve decided to meld together a few different “techniques” and pretty much go no-holds-barred for the next three to four days and see what happens.

And I have absolutely NO IDEA what I’m doing.

With everything I've read they all start with, “Is your child ready?” This question irks me. Physically and mentally she is definitely ready. But, the “is she ready?” questions never address items like, “Does your child adamantly refuse to do anything that you suggest, no matter what it is, just because you suggest it?” I’m sure if it did, the answer would be, “then she’s not ready.”

I’m not willing to accept this, because I’m pretty sure she’s going to refuse to do anything I suggest for pretty much the rest of her life because she is my daughter, and even to this day I tend to be like that with my own mother. (Sorry mom, it’s just a reaction, I can’t control it.)

So here’s my plan for Potty Training Bootcamp:

• We’re going to make a big deal of how it’s her “Big Potty Day!” (we’ve been building this up for the last few days and counting down)
• We’ve been reading potty books before bed for the last few nights
• Her little friend, Maura, who is four, is going to spend the morning with us tomorrow – and hopefully show MissBug how to use the “big potty”
• We’re going to “throw away” all the diapers
• We have new princess panties
• We’re going to spend the next three days in the princess panties and a t-shirt, and stay home
• She picked out her own Dora potty seat, which will be unveiled tomorrow (she’s forgotten about it)
• We have M&Ms for rewards for going in the potty
• We have lots of chocolate milk (not something she gets daily, and her favorite), Capri Suns (extra treat), and salty snacks – to encourage the drinking
• We have a potty chart and stickers
• We get to call Daddy if she goes in the potty

I’m going to give this a big GIANT effort over the next four days, and if by Monday she’s not making any progress, then she’s going to have to wait until Kindergarten and we’ll just change the diapers.

I’d love all the help, wise words, etc. I can get!

I found the grapes...

I found the grapes under my kitchen sink the other day.

I'm loosing my mind. The baby is killing all my brain cells.

Well actually, if I'm being honest, I found the grapes under the sink at least a month ago. Because I'm loosing my mind I didn't remember to post it until today.

Yes, I am Afraid of Needles

Yesterday was my regular Dr.’s appointment for Baby Awesome, and everything went well. She’s almost 28 weeks, so it was time for the dreaded glucose test and my Rhogam shot. I hate both of these things. The glucose test tastes disgusting, and the Rhogam shot is surprisingly painful. (Although, I will say that the shot I got after Bug was born didn’t even faze me since I’d just given birth.)

Anyway, I got to thinking about this appointment about two years ago when I was pregnant with Bug, and this little story makes me chuckle… so I thought I’d repost.

Originally posted Friday, June 15, 2007

…It was a long appointment and I was feeling a little shaky by the time they got around to my [Rhogam] shot, after having nothing to eat all morning except this yucky orange drink they give you for the glucose test and then having four vials of blood removed.

The nurse came in to give me my shot and began explaining that I was going to have to get it in my cheek.

My CHEEK?! (Remember I was a little light-headed by this point.)

I thought she was implying that she was going to stick the giant needle in the side of my face.

As I restrained myself from running out of the room, thoughts of “I did NOT sign up for this!” ran through my head. No one ever mentioned needles in my FACE.

The look of fear on my face must have been pretty funny, because the nurse started laughing really hard at me as she explained that she meant another cheek that wasn’t on my face.

OH… Ok, that one I think I can handle.

Money Pit

A little about our new house.

Whew.

Well, to tell you the truth we’ve been feeling a little like we got magically transferred into the movie “The Money Pit.” Until just a few days ago, it’s been pretty much non-stop house/appliances falling apart since the day (before) we moved in.

It started with the huge 50 gallon tank of water that the seller dumped all over the (carpeted) living room floor while we were at closing – where we had to tear up the carpet, replace the pad and the house still smells like mildew.

And then there was the water softener – which was there, but didn’t work – and the receptacle – that they were supposed to install, and did, but not to functioning.

Oh, and did I mention that after J replaced the water softener and added a new whole house water filter (we’re on a well) the kitchen sink faucet no longer worked? So we had to buy and replace that too.

And while we were at it, the air conditioning stopped working – which we got fixed after a week or two. And then there were some uncapped loose wires hanging out on the back porch, and when J went to cap them the air conditioning stopped working again.

Oh and the dishwasher doesn’t work either – well, technically it runs, but when it makes the dishes dirtier than when they went in, I don’t count that as working. So we bought a new one of those this weekend too. Hopefully J will get that installed ASAP, because hand washing dishes is really getting old.

We’ve got lots more fun things and projects that have come up – some that we knew about going in – others that were surprises. I thank goodness that J is so handy, because otherwise we would have been in some serious trouble on this house. I felt pretty bad for him, though. One day he just looked at me and said, “I’m so tired of being wet.”

Trust me, we’re still REALLY happy we bought this house. Every day when I look out my windows it seems like I’m living in a park. I can’t see a single neighbor’s house from any window – which is a pretty big change, considering at our last house I could look INTO my neighbors bathroom.

At first when we moved in, I felt like we were camping. The street is pitch black at night, so you can really see the stars – it was so dark it took some getting used to. And when it rains, the sound of the rain on the tree canopy sounds like you’re in a tent. We also have tons of birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and toads. The toads are my favorite. And there’s a bird house with a Wren living in it that we can see from the kitchen table. Bug and I call it our “Wren-Friend.”

The increase in actual bugs is taking some getting used to… but considering my aversion, I think I’m handling it quite well.

And all in all, the catastrophic hiccups seem to be waning. We’re settling in and trying to get those darn boxes unpacked. We finished painting Bug’s bathroom last night – one down, about 10 to go!

Did I mention I’m NEVER moving again?

Campbell Avenue

Last Tuesday we closed on our now former house, and we spent the weekend finishing the packing and loading up all our belongings. We rented two PODS and filled them to the brim, and what didn’t fit in the PODS is now parked in my parent’s garage, or J’s parent’s horse trailer.

Today J is meeting with the buyers to give them our keys.

Yesterday, as we left the house for the last time it was heart-breakingly sad. It was empty, but it was still full of memories. I cried and cried over a silly house.

So many memories. Holidays, Christmases, gatherings. We spent our first night of marriage in that house. We brought home our baby girl to that house.

We slaved over that house. But it was a work of love, and I keep reminding myself that we rescued that house and made it a home. When we bought it, only squirrels were willing to live in it. There was no working plumbing, the gutters and soffits were falling off, the roof was caving in, and it was so disgusting that words can’t describe to you the mess.

I love the history of this home. I used to like to think about the family that built it in 1929, and what they would think of the state we found it in four years ago. I like to imagine and try to count how many families may have lived in it during its 80-year history. I like to think about how many new babies may have come home to that house.

Now, only four years later, it’s a beautiful little home once again that a new family is going to continue to make memories in.

Our work here is done.

Here's the News

It's been awhile, I know. We've been busy! Here's a quick re-cap of the past few weeks:

While we had an accepted offer on the house, we still had the inspection and the appraisal to go through... so that's kept us busy for the past two weeks. The inspection went OK, but there were a few items that were just ridiculous. We got dinged on our electrical, because the inspector didn't know what he was doing - or maybe because he was too lazy to do it - but either way, we have had to have an electrician come and verify that everything was fine - which of course it was - but it still cost us $150 bucks. That, among other things, has kept us busy with setting up estimates, having handymen in and out of the house, and other things.

In the meantime, we were supposed to close on the house tomorrow - but we asked for an extension - and now we're closing on the house on May 12th. Yippee!!! This has just been a whirlwind.

I haven't even BEGUN to pack. And we've got to be out by May 19th - so if you want to come over and help pack... (oh, and PS - anyone know where I can get a million boxes?)

***deep breath. don't panic. deep breath***

"So, where are you going to live?"

We'll, if you asked me that a week ago, I would have said, "We have no idea."

But as of Friday, we put an offer on a house at 9am and by noon we had an accepted offer!!! So, we are trying to do a quick close on that new house to get us in it ASAP - and the in between time we're going to live with my parents for a few weeks.

The new house is EXACTLY what we've always wanted - except for the minor detail that it's a teeny bit ugly.

It's a 1971 tri-level, except it doesn't exactly feel like a tri-level, in Franklin Township (SE Indy). It's on 1.2 acres next to a pond, but it's in a one-street neighborhood, so it's the perfect combination of country and suburbs for us. There is an attached garage, but there is also a two-car detached garage for Justin's "man cave."

I am never ever moving again.

So in the meantime, we've been doing the daily life things - work, family, friends, more work - and enjoying this nice summery weather. Lily and I went to the Zoo with my Dad, and we've had some fun playdates at the park.

I have tons of pictures to post, but I'd rather be honest with you and tell you, it's probably not going to happen any time soon. I've lost the cord to connect to my computer, and I don't have the time/energy to upload, sort, photoshop and the whole she-bang right now anyway.

I'll be glad when all this is over. I'm REALLY excited about decorating our new home, and all the space I'll have for gardening. And having a new place makes leaving our current home a whole lot easier. It's just amazing how all this is working out.

It doesn't really change how I really feel, though.

I am never ever ever moving again. I hope.

All Tuckered Out

Lack of blog posts can only mean one thing... it's that wonderful time of year where we all get colds/flu and pass it around until spring comes.

Yes, that's what we've been up to.

First is was Justin, or maybe it was Bug? And then one of them passed it to the other, and then they passed it back, and then they graciously gave it to me, and well - you know the drill.

Bug has had yet another double ear infection, which of course, moved into her eyes. Now her eyes are good, but she's got a terrible cough and a lovely runny nose.

So while these aren't super scary illnesses, they are super annoying, and pretty much make me want to do nothing but curl up under a blanket - and they certainly do not make me want to blog.

But I think we're on our way up. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. So no more excuses! Get some blog posts on there lady!

One of My Prouder Moments

I don’t really remember how old I was. I was less than 12, but older than 8 – old enough to know better.

For some reason I was playing in the snow in our backyard and no one else was with me. I was probably just the last one to come in. Which is surprising, because I have always been a whiner, and the first one to say “I’m cold,” five minutes after we worked so hard to get all geared-up in our winter duds, and ready to be done sledding after the first time down.

I went to our back-door and it was locked, so I banged on the storm door and waited for my mom to come let me in.

I remember feeling like she took a really long time, and staring at that storm door for awhile. I pressed my nose against the glass looking for my mom, and then kind of trance-like started staring at the door.

It all happened in my memory in slow-motion. After staring at the storm door for what seemed like forever, without really thinking about it, I just kept leaning in, and finally just stuck my tongue out – again, thinking was not really happening here, except for a moment of wondering what the door would taste like.

So I stuck my tongue on the door. The metal door.

And it stuck.

And I panicked.

Because, it was really and truly stuck. I had visions on the top layer of my tongue being ripped off and never being able to taste again. I was certain that we were going to have to call 911 and they would have to remove the door, and take the door and I away in an emergency vehicle for immediate surgical removal.

And I can only imagine what my poor mother though when she came to the back door, only to find her 8 or 12 year old adhered to the storm door by her tongue. Bottom stuck out behind her, and arms flailing about like that was going to help the situation.

I vaguely remember her face, and it looking very surprised and concerned. Possibly about my mental health.

I also remember being very impressed when she quickly ran to the kitchen for warm water, ran around the house and poured the warm water down the door, which instantly un-stuck my poor tongue – without loosing any taste buds.

Thanks mom.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Internets!

I don't have any big resolutions this year... nothing world-stopping or even mildly interesting. My resolutions include losing weight and cleaning my house. Hmm.... seems like that's what they were last year.

I'm pretty happy with how 2008 went. I accomplished quite a few of my 2008 resolutions: I read more, went to church more, and lost some weight. I made some new friends and reconnected with some old friends. J got a new job, and Bug learned how to walk. We managed to take a few family vacations, and the basement is almost finished! There were a few ups and downs, but all in all, it was a pretty awesome year. I can't wait to see what 2009 brings us!

What are your New Year Resolutions? And how was 2008 for you?

My 2008 Book List

Books I read in 2008 (in order read)

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant*
Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun
Death by Chick Lit by Lynn Harris
French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guilano* (a diet book, but so much more!)
The Last Days of Dogtown by Anita Diamant
The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich
The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
The Austere Academy (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen*
Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella
The Ersatz Elevator (A Series of Unfortunate Events) by Lemony Snicket & Brett Helquist
First to Die (Women's Murder Club) by James Patterson
Twilight by Stephenie Myer
New Moon by Stephenie Myer
Eclipse by Stephenie Myer
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Myer* (I’m giving this a star, but only if you read ALL FOUR)
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

All the books I read were good, and I would especially recommend titles with stars by them. Although, I enjoyed all the books I finished… I started quite a few more, but if I didn’t finish it, it obviously didn’t make the list.

I’m in a reading slump and need inspiration… please leave me a comment and let me know what books to read in 2009!