Introducing....the newest member of the family Jak...actually both boys are JAK...that is also Jared's initials too....he seems to be rather happy that we have a kitty don't ya think?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Back to School Sales and Barbeques
this was a fab weekend...we actually got out TWICE...which is a rare thing for us...Fri we went to a bbq hosted by a coworker of mine and Sat was a birthday party for one of Scott's coworkers children...then on Sunday I hit the mall and the back to school sales :) I was good and held back though, I'm saving up for the even bigger savings of shopping in Minnesota...our local mall is on the North Dakota side and we don't have anything on the East so it makes shopping for clothing not so great since Minnesota has no clothing tax...so I usually wait to go to St Cloud for any big ticket items...like back to school clothing. I think now that we are staying I am going to lobby for a mall on the East side of the river...like I have any say in anything but hey it wouldn't hurt to oil those wheels...if I "squeek" about it for the next several years that we're here then I figure they might actually break ground about the time we leave...I guess now I have to go out and find those parkas and winter boots that I was hoping to never see again...
PLUS....big news! We now have a new kitty!!! While at the mall yesterday we stopped at the pet store and found a cutie little black and white kitty...convincing dad was like pulling teeth but we did it and brought the little fella home! He's a sweety and lies on his back in our arms for a belly rub and he loves Chloe! I think they will get along just great once Chloe figures out that she has much sharper nails than Jak does and plays nice. Right now we have to moderate their play time together...Jared just ADORES him too and has pretty much claimed him as his own...but Cody and Jaiden love him too so I don't think Jak will ever be hurting for attention.
PLUS....big news! We now have a new kitty!!! While at the mall yesterday we stopped at the pet store and found a cutie little black and white kitty...convincing dad was like pulling teeth but we did it and brought the little fella home! He's a sweety and lies on his back in our arms for a belly rub and he loves Chloe! I think they will get along just great once Chloe figures out that she has much sharper nails than Jak does and plays nice. Right now we have to moderate their play time together...Jared just ADORES him too and has pretty much claimed him as his own...but Cody and Jaiden love him too so I don't think Jak will ever be hurting for attention.
Friday, July 25, 2008
13 years
Today is our 13th anniversary! Of course like all perfect marriages it hasn't always been great but Scott is my best friend and the person that I hope to spend the rest of my life with... wherever that may be.
The fact that we celebrate our 13th anniversary on a Friday is just rather strange after the day we had yesterday. Until death do we part takes on a whole new meaning...just kidding!
Here's to our next 30, 40, 50 years together!
The fact that we celebrate our 13th anniversary on a Friday is just rather strange after the day we had yesterday. Until death do we part takes on a whole new meaning...just kidding!
Here's to our next 30, 40, 50 years together!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
THANK GOD....for friends in low places
Places in the south that is :)
We just found out tonight that our housing market is tanking...going belly up...our house is not worth the spit that holds it together...we are officially under (whatever that means) Something to the effect of we owe more on this house than what we could ever dream of selling it for....
So Texas will have to wait for us for another eternity... or however long it takes for the market to improve enough for us to afford to move there.
I'm already planning vacation time for the entire month of February....
We just found out tonight that our housing market is tanking...going belly up...our house is not worth the spit that holds it together...we are officially under (whatever that means) Something to the effect of we owe more on this house than what we could ever dream of selling it for....
So Texas will have to wait for us for another eternity... or however long it takes for the market to improve enough for us to afford to move there.
I'm already planning vacation time for the entire month of February....
Thursday, July 17, 2008
In a nutshell
Hi there!
Our mini vacation to Texas went very well. The two days were very thereputic. We arrived home around four thirty am on Tues morning...back to the grindstone again on Wednesday.
A little sunburned (still) and its been 4 days already. I put sunscreen on the kids and forgot to put it on me. I hate to get sunburned, especially on my very sensitive back so its been pins and needles...and lots of aloe for the past few days. Jaiden is my #1 aloe applier. Her tiny little hands are very gentle as she tenderly spreads the aloe over my fried skin. Not that I'll ever try to get sunburned again but she has been a great big help to get through this.
We took a trip to "the house" that we found online and actually walked around the lot a bit. It sits on 3 acres so we didn't cover the entire perimeter (Jaiden was napping in the car) I got that "feeling" like we were "there" ...you know the feeling you get when you find a place that says welcome home. It is pretty small...just under 2000 sq feet...but we are thinking long term...like 50 years from now when the kids are all grown up. We don't need a huge house to maintain...and I am already visualizing a garage/shop with an apartment over it built out back for Cody when he goes off to college...It is still under construction so we are hoping that no one makes an offer before we are in the position to move on it. There are lots of other houses just like this one...but this one has 3 acres of trees which is a rare find in Texas.
We also went to Market Square downtown San Antonio. It was as vivid and festive as always. I could spend days just walking through those shops.
Sunday was Schlitterbahn day...and the day I got fried...its still the hottest coolest place in Texas and we had a great day soaking in the sun and toobing. Being back there brought back all kinds of happy memories that I am so glad I had the opportunity to share with the younger children that had never been to Texas. Even Jaiden agreed that Texas was "warm" :) The 'heat' didn't phase her a bit. That's my girl!
Our mini vacation to Texas went very well. The two days were very thereputic. We arrived home around four thirty am on Tues morning...back to the grindstone again on Wednesday.
A little sunburned (still) and its been 4 days already. I put sunscreen on the kids and forgot to put it on me. I hate to get sunburned, especially on my very sensitive back so its been pins and needles...and lots of aloe for the past few days. Jaiden is my #1 aloe applier. Her tiny little hands are very gentle as she tenderly spreads the aloe over my fried skin. Not that I'll ever try to get sunburned again but she has been a great big help to get through this.
We took a trip to "the house" that we found online and actually walked around the lot a bit. It sits on 3 acres so we didn't cover the entire perimeter (Jaiden was napping in the car) I got that "feeling" like we were "there" ...you know the feeling you get when you find a place that says welcome home. It is pretty small...just under 2000 sq feet...but we are thinking long term...like 50 years from now when the kids are all grown up. We don't need a huge house to maintain...and I am already visualizing a garage/shop with an apartment over it built out back for Cody when he goes off to college...It is still under construction so we are hoping that no one makes an offer before we are in the position to move on it. There are lots of other houses just like this one...but this one has 3 acres of trees which is a rare find in Texas.
We also went to Market Square downtown San Antonio. It was as vivid and festive as always. I could spend days just walking through those shops.
Sunday was Schlitterbahn day...and the day I got fried...its still the hottest coolest place in Texas and we had a great day soaking in the sun and toobing. Being back there brought back all kinds of happy memories that I am so glad I had the opportunity to share with the younger children that had never been to Texas. Even Jaiden agreed that Texas was "warm" :) The 'heat' didn't phase her a bit. That's my girl!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Coco cream puffs
While trying to avoid an auto accident this morning I was rear ended by an F350 pickup truck...
I'd just dropped Cody off at work and Jaiden and I were headed home...it was drizzling rain so when the turn light turned yellow I was indescicive about whether to go for it or wait it out...I chose to err on the side of caution and wait it out so I stopped and a moment later WHAM! I feel a bump...what the heck? I look in the rear view mirror to see a monster truck right on my bumper (quite literally) see him backing up and then turn around to do damage control...ask Jaiden if she is ok....she is ok....doesn't seem to realize anything out of the ordinary happened. We wait out the light and then turn into DQ across the street. The guy was very apologetic, asked if I was ok, gave me a copy of his insurance card and number. We decided not to get the police involved...my vehicle got two puncture wounds in the bumper from his front tow hooks...his truck caught the brunt of the damages from our tow bar...left quite a dent.
So in its defense, my Mountaineer held up like a champ. If we had been in our car I'd hate to have seen what that truck might have done to us...but then again
I think our guardian angel may have a new dent in his halo.
I'd just dropped Cody off at work and Jaiden and I were headed home...it was drizzling rain so when the turn light turned yellow I was indescicive about whether to go for it or wait it out...I chose to err on the side of caution and wait it out so I stopped and a moment later WHAM! I feel a bump...what the heck? I look in the rear view mirror to see a monster truck right on my bumper (quite literally) see him backing up and then turn around to do damage control...ask Jaiden if she is ok....she is ok....doesn't seem to realize anything out of the ordinary happened. We wait out the light and then turn into DQ across the street. The guy was very apologetic, asked if I was ok, gave me a copy of his insurance card and number. We decided not to get the police involved...my vehicle got two puncture wounds in the bumper from his front tow hooks...his truck caught the brunt of the damages from our tow bar...left quite a dent.
So in its defense, my Mountaineer held up like a champ. If we had been in our car I'd hate to have seen what that truck might have done to us...but then again
I think our guardian angel may have a new dent in his halo.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tagged! :)
Hi Ya'll! I've been tagged by my good pal Heather to describe how I feel RIGHT NOW in 5 words...so here goes
1. Touched...that someone cared enough to tag me :) Thanks Heather!
2. Vibrant...Today has been a most wonderful day because its my birthday and I'm blessed so much to be sharing it with my family on a very wonderful day that God has gifted to us. It is sunny and HOT and I couldn't feel more alive.
3. Hungry....we are going to the TEXAS ROADHOUSE for dinner...I'm going to have a steak and a baked sweet potatoe :)
4. Special...although I am not as young as I used to be, and my clothes are a bit on the frumpy side and I shop for a size I never dreamed I would fill, my family makes me feel like I still have "it" and that is better than looking like a super model.
5. Loved...my friends, family are such a blessing to me and I thank God for each and every person that has been brought into my life.
6. Blessed beyond measure! Thanks to you all for making my life a better place to be!
Now to choose 5 people to tag...this will be tough
Here are the rules... you need to describe your life in 6 words, then link back to me, then tag another 5 people. Leave them a comment to let them know that they are tagged. It's fun. So I tag:
1. Nicole. My travel buddie from the North :) She is such a sweet person and the Starts are such a wonderful family. They are really cool because they are into some of my favorite things; adoption, photography, horses... we have a lot in common...we even live in the same house, just in a different state
2. Dusty. My travel buddie from the South :) We grew up not a snot trot away from each other but did not meet until we started our adoption journey. They now live in on the beach...LUCKY! and still take the time to keep in touch :) I think I would have to blog from the beach because I don't think I'd ever want to come indoors
3. Steffie B. She is such a caring person and always takes the time to visit. Her blog is such an inspiration and her family is just simply adorable.
4. Leo. She loves to read and talks about the most interesting things on her blog. I just love her book reviews and how she looks at the real things in life.
5. Susan. We met through our adoption agency forum so she is officially my longest known blog buddy. She is lots of fun and watching Kylie grow has always put a smile on my face. Her family loves to travel and its so much fun to see where they are headed to next!
PS If you are not on this "list" don't feel your are not tagged as well. Please consider yourself tagged because you are special to me and I am blessed by your visit to my blog. Thank You and have a most wonderful day!
1. Touched...that someone cared enough to tag me :) Thanks Heather!
2. Vibrant...Today has been a most wonderful day because its my birthday and I'm blessed so much to be sharing it with my family on a very wonderful day that God has gifted to us. It is sunny and HOT and I couldn't feel more alive.
3. Hungry....we are going to the TEXAS ROADHOUSE for dinner...I'm going to have a steak and a baked sweet potatoe :)
4. Special...although I am not as young as I used to be, and my clothes are a bit on the frumpy side and I shop for a size I never dreamed I would fill, my family makes me feel like I still have "it" and that is better than looking like a super model.
5. Loved...my friends, family are such a blessing to me and I thank God for each and every person that has been brought into my life.
6. Blessed beyond measure! Thanks to you all for making my life a better place to be!
Now to choose 5 people to tag...this will be tough
Here are the rules... you need to describe your life in 6 words, then link back to me, then tag another 5 people. Leave them a comment to let them know that they are tagged. It's fun. So I tag:
1. Nicole. My travel buddie from the North :) She is such a sweet person and the Starts are such a wonderful family. They are really cool because they are into some of my favorite things; adoption, photography, horses... we have a lot in common...we even live in the same house, just in a different state
2. Dusty. My travel buddie from the South :) We grew up not a snot trot away from each other but did not meet until we started our adoption journey. They now live in on the beach...LUCKY! and still take the time to keep in touch :) I think I would have to blog from the beach because I don't think I'd ever want to come indoors
3. Steffie B. She is such a caring person and always takes the time to visit. Her blog is such an inspiration and her family is just simply adorable.
4. Leo. She loves to read and talks about the most interesting things on her blog. I just love her book reviews and how she looks at the real things in life.
5. Susan. We met through our adoption agency forum so she is officially my longest known blog buddy. She is lots of fun and watching Kylie grow has always put a smile on my face. Her family loves to travel and its so much fun to see where they are headed to next!
PS If you are not on this "list" don't feel your are not tagged as well. Please consider yourself tagged because you are special to me and I am blessed by your visit to my blog. Thank You and have a most wonderful day!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Pinwheels
The "wheels"are in motion...Scott put in his retirement eligibility paperwork yesterday. He will be retiring from the Air Force July 2009. We talked to a realtor on Monday and will talk to another one tonight...6% takes an enormous bite out of our house's equity which is pretty slim anyway since we have only been here for one year...so we are looking for alternative options to sell. We haven't shown our house yet...still trying to declutter and get it show ready. Guess we've been dragging our feet a bit on that....its just a wee bit scary knowing this is the final move.
No word on jobs yet but most of them closed on Monday so hopefully in the next few weeks I'll hear something wonderful...in the meantime I've gone and lost my mind and agreed to take the kids to San Antonio for the WEEKEND...yep that is right a two day visit...20 hour drive each way...why did I go and do such a thing? I'm not sure...two weeks ago I thought it would be a piece of cake...now reality is setting in. True we need a vacation and all...Cody has been a great help taking care of the kiddos during the day...but 40 hours in a car??? What was I thinking....
I am praying hard that a job will open up and we can 1. either STAY there or 2. reschedule the trip and plan a permanent move later on in the summer.
Oh, I'll be looking at our "dream" home while we are there too....its the first and only home that Scott and I have ever agreed that we both like...it is currently under construction and due to be completed end of the month....3 acres and LOTS of trees.... Not sure at this point if that is going to happen for us since we need to work on the job transfer and the sale of home first....I have a tendency to put my cart before my horse...I'm trying to work on that...I need lots of help, my mind stays in the clouds most of the time :)
It got up to the high 90s here yesterday!!! But by late evening a north wind had kicked in and now it is in the 50s again. My poor plants took a beating and I had to revive them with an extra drink of water but they seem to be doing ok.
No word on jobs yet but most of them closed on Monday so hopefully in the next few weeks I'll hear something wonderful...in the meantime I've gone and lost my mind and agreed to take the kids to San Antonio for the WEEKEND...yep that is right a two day visit...20 hour drive each way...why did I go and do such a thing? I'm not sure...two weeks ago I thought it would be a piece of cake...now reality is setting in. True we need a vacation and all...Cody has been a great help taking care of the kiddos during the day...but 40 hours in a car??? What was I thinking....
I am praying hard that a job will open up and we can 1. either STAY there or 2. reschedule the trip and plan a permanent move later on in the summer.
Oh, I'll be looking at our "dream" home while we are there too....its the first and only home that Scott and I have ever agreed that we both like...it is currently under construction and due to be completed end of the month....3 acres and LOTS of trees.... Not sure at this point if that is going to happen for us since we need to work on the job transfer and the sale of home first....I have a tendency to put my cart before my horse...I'm trying to work on that...I need lots of help, my mind stays in the clouds most of the time :)
It got up to the high 90s here yesterday!!! But by late evening a north wind had kicked in and now it is in the 50s again. My poor plants took a beating and I had to revive them with an extra drink of water but they seem to be doing ok.
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