Note to Self: Breathe

Just when I began to think things are slowing down, schedules are easing up a bit and time has been more plentiful, things start happening and everything gets thrown into a tizzy again. After making through the holidays and both kids birthdays I was ready for a little reprieve. But, no rest for the weary. Creighton started baseball and is practicing twice a week, Colby is playing basketball twice a week, piano lessons, work, school, hours on end on the phone taking care of my computer woes and now a house showing. The house has taken a back seat to some other things for awhile so it is not currently 'show ready'. Thus, I take this afternoon off, my mom takes care of the kids and this evening's driving responsibilities and Greg and I whip the house and garage into shape for a showing tomorrow.

Just like with all the rest, we are hoping and praying that this is it. These are our buyers. These people will become the new owners of a house and property we have labored over for 10, almost 11 years. Tomorrow 3:30pm....pray.

Outside

Finally, the kids can play outside without the fear of their fingers, nose and toes falling off. I could be out there taking some cute pics of them playing in the snow. But, today I am enjoying ONE hour of peace and quiet instead. Much needed :)

Too good to be true....

After having such an easy time getting everything set up on my new computer, it crashed. Hard. Spent way too much time on the phone today with the geek squad. All to find out that they will probably just give me a new one. Ugh. I knew it was way too good to be true. Nothing is that easy for me. Now, more waiting, exchanging, another set-up, blah, blah, blah.

BUT, on a brighter note, Colby had her first basketball game today. They had only had one practice so based on that, they did terrific. By the end of the game they were starting to 'get it'. Colby made a couple of baskets and played some good D. I think after a little more practice they will do just fine.

I am off to play a little Wii with Creighton and call it a night! A typical weekend :)

a new toy

I got home find my new laptop that was delivered this morning. A quick setup of my new router, an even quicker setup of my new computer and I was on my way to blogging in no time. It is perfect. I love it. And I can't wait to get the other computer cleaned up of all of my stuff and let the kids have full use of it. I knew it wouldn't be long before it was necessary to have two computers in the house. Now we do! Yeah!

Made it!

So, based on my research (which consisted of looking out the window:) I decided that I could make it to work. They had plowed the gravel road by 8:30am and now all I had to was get out of our drifty driveway. After walking to the garage through drifts above my knees I was beginning to think that this probably wasn't the best idea.

There was quite a large drift behind the garage door--like 3 to 4 ft high. We loaded up, I told the kids to hang on, and I FLOORED my car to bust through it. It worked! Now, getting down the driveway was a little trickier. I had to go really fast to bust through the drifts. At the end of the drive I had to turn either right or left otherwise I end up in the neighbors field. This was a little scary considering the snow plow had been by and there was a BIG pile at the exit of the drive. So, I got going as fast as I could busted through some drifts and when I got to the end of the drive I cranked the wheel and prayed that I somehow ended up on the road. I did! Whoo hoo!

For those of you who are Wii Mario Cart fans--yes my driving was a little Mario like today! Now getting home will be my next challenge.....

Should I Go or Should I Stay???

Sitting here trying to figure out if I attempt to get the kids to daycare and go to work. Or do I consider myself snowed in today and not try it? I am trying to get a hold of someone that may have been out this early, but so far no answers. That might have something to do with the fact that I am calling at 6:30am :)

I finally got a hold of Greg and he said if I can get out of the drive and down the gravel road that I will have no problem on the highway. He made it with the FourWD. Last time I attempted to get out of the drive when I shouldn't have, I got stuck and broke my leg trying to push my car out. Hmmm....don't think I will do THAT again! Maybe I'll just sit tight until the plows show up:)

Colby Marie

It takes a lot of concentration.....

creighton in b/w

sledding

A couple favorites

We ended up hitting the hills a little too late for any good pics. It was dreary and starting to get dark. But, a few were salvageable....

Spa Party

Colby loves all bath and body products. Including her recent addition of mud masks:

sunday, sunday

So today was reserved for cleaning, purging the toyroom. Well, we made it through one corner of the room. (I think I'll attempt the other corners AFTER the kids go to bed!) Lots of organizing and purging. Feels good. But we are stopping for now to get out for a little sledding. I hate being cold. I don't have the proper winter gear to be outside for any extended period. But, it is all worth it because I LOVE taking photos of the kids in the snow. It's pretty gray and yucky out there so we'll see if I can get any that are worthy.

More later, I'm sure!

What A Day~

Nothing too exciting, but what I thought would be a couple hours turned into a day long trip. I went to Best Buy to look at some laptops that I had been researching online. I wanted to see them, touch them, and just get a general feel for the ones I have been looking at. Ended up liking one, which wasn't the one I probably would have ordered had I not seen them. Of course, out of stock. So I went home and ordered it online. Not really a wasted trip, but I sure didn't want to spend quite that long in Davenport today.

Got home and fed the kiddos supper and now have some banana bread baking in the oven! Oh it smells soooo good. Not necessarily part of my new healthy eating habit that I am attempting to establish, but all things in moderation, right?! My mom has the BEST recipe for banana bread and I can't wait for a piece!

Laundry is going tonight and tomorrow has been reserved for cleaning out the toyroom. Hopefully, I can PURGE, PURGE, PURGE!!!

Pretty exciting stuff, I know.

Changes

For me, the start of a new year always feels like a great time for change. For implementing things that have been thought about, but not yet acted upon. I am trying to implement a few self changes with some true action, not just thoughts or words or good intentions.

I am not a goal-setter. I don't think a lot about long-term or the future. Kind of a day-by-day girl. Who says we are guaranteed anything more than that anyway? I thank the Lord for THIS day and I will thank Him for tomorrow if He sees fit that I am here tomorrow. But, this year I have set a few personal goals. Short-term. Small changes. New guidelines for living.

First and foremost, becoming a healthier me. I will not ever go on a "diet" or exercise 'program' again. I have failed at both in the past. BUT, I am committing myself to a lifestyle change that includes much healthier eating habits and a greater committment to fitness. Lifestyle changes that can become a part of the routine, a part of who I am, a part of our family, a welcome part of any day.

Two, being steadfast with constant clarification between 'need' and 'want'. Justifying. Examining. Do I need this or want it???? Do away with many wants. Clear my head of these wants. Be happy where we are at and with what we have. Continue to see how blessed we are. I have a long way to go here.

Three, further inhibiting the collection of stuff. I am growing to dislike 'stuff'. My eyes have been opened to how detrimental 'stuff' can be.

Four, reaching out. Farther. Beyond all borders. Selflessly. Sacrificially. Being on the lookout for ways to give, ways to help. Not being afraid of 'uncomfortable'. Letting God use me in ways that I never have allowed before. Eyes wide open.

These are just a few of the things that I have thought about at this beginning of a new year. It's a lot. I have a long ways to go in many areas. It will be painful at times. But for now, I am making a committment. Hold me accountable...

Suggestions wanted......

I need a new laptop. The options are a little overwhelming. Is there any one model/brand in particular out there that you are in LOVE with? Or not in love with? What are the features that you can't live without? It's time to pass my computer off on the kids and get one for myself-- with no kids allowed :)

Any help in narrowing it down would be appreciated!

Creighton Lost A Tooth!

As we were getting ready for bed the other night Creighton yelled for me--he had lost his first tooth. Then he proceeded to drop it and I spent the next hour with a flashlight on my hands and knees looking for it. The lost was found and the tooth fairy made her first appearance for Creighton!

Happy Birthday Colby!

It was New Year's Day 1999. I was not quite 34 weeks pregnant with our first child. Greg was working until 11pm. I shopped all day with my mom stocking up for the BIG snow storm that was approaching. We were prepared to be snowed in with plenty of food, water and movies. I waited up for Greg to get home so we could watch a movie. Just as we sat down and started it I felt this little pop and a gush. I thought, 'oh crap, I just peed my pants!'. You know, one of those glorious very pregnant moments. I realized that my water had just broke. Snowed in or not, this baby was coming...way too early. The 18 inches of predicted snow was here and coming down full force. About 1am we took off for Iowa City. The roads were terrible and it took us about 1 1/2 hours to get 17 miles. I won't go into all of the scary details of the next 12 hours, but when it was all said and done we were presented with a tiny baby girl who was quickly whisked off to NICU. One week later we were both home. And now, ten years later she is a beautiful young lady who is growing up way too quickly for this mom and dad....

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A 10 Year Old in the House....

January 2nd we celebrated 10 years since the birth of our first child, our daughter. What a celebration it was! It looks like Christmas with the tree in the back, but it really was her birthday . Lots of clothes for this one. It took me a whole day of shopping to buy them and today was a whole day of exchanging and more shopping so she could spend her birthday cash.

She opted for lunch and a movie with some friends for her party. We ate at Texas Roadhouse and then went to the movie 'Marley and Me'.

She got the standard Texas Roadhouse birthday wish--a seat on the 'horse' and a great big 'yeee haaawww'!!!

Just pretty, that's all.....

Welcome, 2009

So as we welcome 2009 I was planning to reflect a little on the past year. However, there is a little girl in this house who will be hitting the double digits tomorrow. Therefore, I must hit the mall today (by myself :) for a couple suprises for our eldest daughter, who though is turning 10, thinks she is 16. My mind is wandering back to the day she was born. What a story, what a gift, what a blessing. More later, I'm off to make this 10 year old girls 'short term' dreams come true :)