So, it's been a crazy couple months in our world. As you know we recently moved into a new home, it's beautiful, it's big enough for all of us and our family and friends to come visit. We decided to make that jump without selling our other home first, my brother moved in and was ready to settle in for a few months while our home inevitably sat on the market for months like every other house in our neighborhood.
Fast Forward to the week before our house was supposed to be listed (about 3 weeks after we moved into our new house), our realtor says he thinks he has a buyer for our house. We hand over the key for the lock box and sign all our papers in case the buyer falls through and our house goes on the market that Friday. The day we are supposed to list our house the day after the showing we didn't hear anything and by the time I got home I figured our realtor went and put a sign up in our yard and the buyer fell through.
We went to pick up a table that evening off craigslist and on the way there I receive an email with the offer on our house. A pretty decent offer considering the comps from our neighborhood. We counter back with what we wanted to get out of the house (this was on a Friday so we had to wait until Monday to hear back) Monday we hear back they accepted!!
Then starts the stressful whirlwind of inspection, hiring a contractor and fixing the annoying little problems that come with having original everything in a 22 year old house - everything is discontinued and we can't find parts anywhere. It drove us nuts and stressed us out that we came this far and now we can't fix a toilet tank lid and two faucet handle covers (which were like that when we moved in and we survived just fine)
In the end it was all complete, Matt and I high fived in the driveway of our first home, I got a little teary eyed on the drive back and thanked God for continuously opening doors for this to happen so quickly. It truly was a gift from him that this all worked out that we only had 1 month of double house payments and 1 month of cutting two lawns and cleaning two houses. It was enough time to realize we had bit off way more than we could chew in trying to list one and live in another BUT God knew it would be too much and he took care of it. He provided and all we had to do was believe and keep walking through those doors.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
She turned 3, we had a party, you won't find it on pinterest
So our baby girl just turned 3 years old, where has time gone why do I feel like my baby will soon be leaving me although I know she is far from it, milestones have a way of sneaking up on you and throwing you off balance.
We had a get together with family for pizza, ice cream and cupcakes on her actual birthday a Friday night after a long work week. Our girl is a ham when it's a small group of her people, people she sees all the time and loves and is comfortable with. Having a bunch of our friends over that she only sees once every month or so was not going to be her thing. We kept it close and comfortable.
We had papa johns pizza, coolers of beer for the adults who put up with her 3 year old antics and just fought through a long work week, we had lemonade for the kids, veggies, spinach artichoke dip (thanks to my amazing sister) and cupcakes and ice cream (cupcakes compliments of my very talented cousin)
We used leftover decorations from the last two birthday parties and I picked up a couple balloons on my way home, because I'm pretty certain every birthday needs balloons!
You won't find her birthday party on pinterest but it felt kind of good to just soak up her and her big day without worrying about all the small details this time. She had a blast and that's all that matters.
My girl is 3 and she is magnificent!!
We had a get together with family for pizza, ice cream and cupcakes on her actual birthday a Friday night after a long work week. Our girl is a ham when it's a small group of her people, people she sees all the time and loves and is comfortable with. Having a bunch of our friends over that she only sees once every month or so was not going to be her thing. We kept it close and comfortable.
We had papa johns pizza, coolers of beer for the adults who put up with her 3 year old antics and just fought through a long work week, we had lemonade for the kids, veggies, spinach artichoke dip (thanks to my amazing sister) and cupcakes and ice cream (cupcakes compliments of my very talented cousin)
You won't find her birthday party on pinterest but it felt kind of good to just soak up her and her big day without worrying about all the small details this time. She had a blast and that's all that matters.
My girl is 3 and she is magnificent!!
Monday, May 13, 2013
9 Months
Garrett,
My sweet 9 month old, you are something else. You are so smiley and snuggly and wiggly and fussy and cute and hungry and frusturated and lovely lovely little boy.
You will be a lot more happy once these 3 teeth come in, yes three teeth at one time is causing much fussiness in our house but they have cut the skin and just need to move their way down now. It will make it easier to eat all the yummy big kid food you seem to like so much. You eat pretty much anything I put in front of you: avacados, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, green beans, sweet potatoes, scrambeled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, mac and cheese, cheese quesadilla and your yummy puffs.
You are still not officially crawling although I'm pretty sure you are in fact moving somehow just very slowly because all of a sudden you've moved the 3 feet to the couch or the door and trying to pull yourself up. You can get yourself up on your knees and with help can stand for a long period of time. I think you don't like the idea of crawling you would rather work on your walking skills and get to work that way.
You now roll all over your bed at night and I walk in to find you pulling down your bumper and peaking at me with that big smile of yours. Or my favorite if you are still sleeping in the morning when I come in to get you ready for the day and you on your tummy with your little diaper butt in the air. You are officially in 12 month clothes and I'm loving the little cargo shorts and t-shirts for summer.
You actually really love playing on the kitchen floor while I clean up from meals, you like to chew on a spatula or scoot around on the floor because it's easy to slide around.
You have curls, beautiful sweet blonde curls that come out when it's humid and they are so lovely. You smile and everyone in the room watches you because it's the most joyful expression I have ever witnessed. I love that smile especially when it's aimed my way or your sisters way because seeing you two interact makes my mamma heart soar!!
You are in 12 month clothes, size 4 diapers and kids hats!
You sweet boy are so special and have taught me so much by being my son. I only hope you can continue to learn and discover and feel safe and loved every day.
Love you sweet boy, feel free to stop growing whenever you feel like it. I will miss your baby goodness when it's gone and want to hold on and soak it up as long as I can.
Love you sooooooooooooooooooooo much,
Mommy
My sweet 9 month old, you are something else. You are so smiley and snuggly and wiggly and fussy and cute and hungry and frusturated and lovely lovely little boy.
You will be a lot more happy once these 3 teeth come in, yes three teeth at one time is causing much fussiness in our house but they have cut the skin and just need to move their way down now. It will make it easier to eat all the yummy big kid food you seem to like so much. You eat pretty much anything I put in front of you: avacados, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, green beans, sweet potatoes, scrambeled eggs, mashed potatoes, yogurt, mac and cheese, cheese quesadilla and your yummy puffs.
You are still not officially crawling although I'm pretty sure you are in fact moving somehow just very slowly because all of a sudden you've moved the 3 feet to the couch or the door and trying to pull yourself up. You can get yourself up on your knees and with help can stand for a long period of time. I think you don't like the idea of crawling you would rather work on your walking skills and get to work that way.
You now roll all over your bed at night and I walk in to find you pulling down your bumper and peaking at me with that big smile of yours. Or my favorite if you are still sleeping in the morning when I come in to get you ready for the day and you on your tummy with your little diaper butt in the air. You are officially in 12 month clothes and I'm loving the little cargo shorts and t-shirts for summer.
You actually really love playing on the kitchen floor while I clean up from meals, you like to chew on a spatula or scoot around on the floor because it's easy to slide around.
You have curls, beautiful sweet blonde curls that come out when it's humid and they are so lovely. You smile and everyone in the room watches you because it's the most joyful expression I have ever witnessed. I love that smile especially when it's aimed my way or your sisters way because seeing you two interact makes my mamma heart soar!!
You are in 12 month clothes, size 4 diapers and kids hats!
21 lbs 6 oz
28 in.
You sweet boy are so special and have taught me so much by being my son. I only hope you can continue to learn and discover and feel safe and loved every day.
Love you sweet boy, feel free to stop growing whenever you feel like it. I will miss your baby goodness when it's gone and want to hold on and soak it up as long as I can.
Love you sooooooooooooooooooooo much,
Mommy
Friday, May 3, 2013
3 Years
Lydia Rose,
Today you are 3 years old. I cannot believe that you sweet girl who made me a mommy are now a Big Sister and a 3 year old. I still remember the exciting and exhausting day that I spent trying to get you into this world. I remember the struggle after and the heartache as I healed a part from you and left you in the care of your grandma's and aunt Laura. The pain is a little fuzzy but the emotion is still clear as day. I don't think as a mom you ever forget the feeling of those first moments and days with your baby. I was just so in awe of you and still am to this day.
My sweet girl you are so smart, so beautiful, so funny and so loving. (mix in some stubborn and feisty in there while we are at it) You speak so well and amaze me everyday by the conversations we have. You can count, you know your colors, you know a lot of your letters, you can put your shoes on the right feet, you read us books and you are learning more and more everyday. You love to sing songs, especially the Veggie Tales theme song, John Jacob Jingleheimershcmidt, Wheels on the Bus, and some Lady A "Downtown". You love icees, anything sweet, apples, pizza, spaghetti, and nuggets; you are still my picky eater. You love going to Mexico City Grill and having our Friday dinners with our family. You can navigate a kindle and an iphone like nobody's business.
You are becoming the good big sister I knew you would be, you check on Garrett if he is fussy or crying to help him sit back up or give him more puffs, you are one of his biggest cheerleaders putting something just out of reach and encouraging him to crawl for it. You don't like it when we leave him behind because you want it to be all 4 of us.
You are doing so well in your dance class and cannot wait to dance in your recital at the big school on the big stage.You are so brave and continue to conquere your nerves and fears. I love the way you look to me after you are done to see if I am proud and sweet girl I will always be proud of you!
This past year you moved out of the only home you have ever known and moved into your new house and have done so well. We keep your sleeping bag close by in our room in case you come in in the middle of the night. You are always putting two and two together and never forget a thing. You have such a memory and we can't ever hope that you will forget anything...so we better not let anything slip.
Lydia Rose I love your spirit, I love your everyday antics and the hugs you give me on a daily basis. I love that you help me put on my makeup in the morning, I love that you whisper "I love you mom" when you see me walk by your bedroom and you aren't asleep yet, I love when you can't sleep so you sing your songs, I love that you love having me paint your nails while wearing your ball cap.
I could keep going and going because I don't want to forget a thing but I'll wrap it up...
You my sweet girl are everything I never knew I wanted or needed in my life. You are an answer to a prayer that I never knew I prayed, you are a gift and a treasure, I hope you feel loved everyday of your life.
Love you more and more with every passing day,
Your mommy
Today you are 3 years old. I cannot believe that you sweet girl who made me a mommy are now a Big Sister and a 3 year old. I still remember the exciting and exhausting day that I spent trying to get you into this world. I remember the struggle after and the heartache as I healed a part from you and left you in the care of your grandma's and aunt Laura. The pain is a little fuzzy but the emotion is still clear as day. I don't think as a mom you ever forget the feeling of those first moments and days with your baby. I was just so in awe of you and still am to this day.
 |
| squishy newborn in the hospital |
My sweet girl you are so smart, so beautiful, so funny and so loving. (mix in some stubborn and feisty in there while we are at it) You speak so well and amaze me everyday by the conversations we have. You can count, you know your colors, you know a lot of your letters, you can put your shoes on the right feet, you read us books and you are learning more and more everyday. You love to sing songs, especially the Veggie Tales theme song, John Jacob Jingleheimershcmidt, Wheels on the Bus, and some Lady A "Downtown". You love icees, anything sweet, apples, pizza, spaghetti, and nuggets; you are still my picky eater. You love going to Mexico City Grill and having our Friday dinners with our family. You can navigate a kindle and an iphone like nobody's business.
 |
| 6 months old |
You are becoming the good big sister I knew you would be, you check on Garrett if he is fussy or crying to help him sit back up or give him more puffs, you are one of his biggest cheerleaders putting something just out of reach and encouraging him to crawl for it. You don't like it when we leave him behind because you want it to be all 4 of us.
You are doing so well in your dance class and cannot wait to dance in your recital at the big school on the big stage.You are so brave and continue to conquere your nerves and fears. I love the way you look to me after you are done to see if I am proud and sweet girl I will always be proud of you!
 |
| 1 year old |
This past year you moved out of the only home you have ever known and moved into your new house and have done so well. We keep your sleeping bag close by in our room in case you come in in the middle of the night. You are always putting two and two together and never forget a thing. You have such a memory and we can't ever hope that you will forget anything...so we better not let anything slip.
 |
| 2nd Bday Party |
Lydia Rose I love your spirit, I love your everyday antics and the hugs you give me on a daily basis. I love that you help me put on my makeup in the morning, I love that you whisper "I love you mom" when you see me walk by your bedroom and you aren't asleep yet, I love when you can't sleep so you sing your songs, I love that you love having me paint your nails while wearing your ball cap.
I could keep going and going because I don't want to forget a thing but I'll wrap it up...
 |
| 2 1/2 years old |
Love you more and more with every passing day,
Your mommy
Monday, April 29, 2013
Foster Family Once Again
So back in the young days of our marriage we adopted a puppy. We then wanted to adopt another puppy but weren't sure we were ready for that so we opened our home to foster through the organization we rescued our puppy Layla from. We had 3 fosters through this organization and then ultimately decided on adopting a 3rd permament member when we met our Bentley.
After Bentley passed and we moved into our new home (post to come soon about our new home, it's been a whirlwind of God opening doors for us the past 2 months) we decided we could probably foster again because we have more room and we don't want a 3rd permament doggy friend but we knew we wanted to help again.
So in comes facebook and Aly if you know her from the blogsphere she loves her labs that she rescued through Love of Labs Indiana. I became friends with them on facebook and they had a request for foster homes for 3 dogs that were coming from a puppy mill in Illinois. 2 males, one was 5 years old and one was 2 years old and a female who was 7. We emailed offering to be a foster home for one of these babies and sure enough the next day I got an email asking us if we were in.
So I went to pick up our foster 2 Sundays ago at a gas station off the interstate not far from our house. These sweet dogs were so smelly and so scared. We took in the 5 year old male pure bred yellow lab. You could tell he had not ever been in a house because our house scared him, he would barely walk on a leash he kept freezing up, he wasn't sure about the grass and he had an obvious ear infection going on.
He has now been with us for 2 weeks and he is making strides! He comes into our home every night for a few hours to learn what it's like to be in a family home environment (we have to help him with the stairs which is why we only do this one time a day) and he stays in his crate in our walk out basement during the day because he will walk in and out that way. He walks ok on a leash but still freezes up at times. However he walks right beside us out to the pen every day to go outside. He loves our daughter and wags his tail when he hears her voice, he lets her hug him and yesterday she piled a jean jacket, a cell phone and a baby toy on his back and he did nothing, she used him as a tunnel and he stood there basking in the attention.
We are waiting to find out the treatment plan for his ear infection next week and then he will most likely be listed for adoption after that. I know he will make someone a fantastic family member if they give him the chance to warm up. He is so sweet and happy when he is with us and so calm and loving with the kids.
I hope by us welcoming these broken animals into our home and watching them recover and learn to trust humans and be a happy member of the family we are starting to plant that seed in our kids hearts to help others to love the broken and scared. A lot that we learn from our pets and our animals can be carried out into how we treat others. These innocent dogs didn't asked to be kept in a pen and bread litter after litter of puppies and have their health ignored but they were stuck and we can only love them and hope they learn to trust again.
By the way his name is Lloyd, isn't that a fantastic name :) Lydia calles him Woyd!
After Bentley passed and we moved into our new home (post to come soon about our new home, it's been a whirlwind of God opening doors for us the past 2 months) we decided we could probably foster again because we have more room and we don't want a 3rd permament doggy friend but we knew we wanted to help again.
So in comes facebook and Aly if you know her from the blogsphere she loves her labs that she rescued through Love of Labs Indiana. I became friends with them on facebook and they had a request for foster homes for 3 dogs that were coming from a puppy mill in Illinois. 2 males, one was 5 years old and one was 2 years old and a female who was 7. We emailed offering to be a foster home for one of these babies and sure enough the next day I got an email asking us if we were in.
So I went to pick up our foster 2 Sundays ago at a gas station off the interstate not far from our house. These sweet dogs were so smelly and so scared. We took in the 5 year old male pure bred yellow lab. You could tell he had not ever been in a house because our house scared him, he would barely walk on a leash he kept freezing up, he wasn't sure about the grass and he had an obvious ear infection going on.
He has now been with us for 2 weeks and he is making strides! He comes into our home every night for a few hours to learn what it's like to be in a family home environment (we have to help him with the stairs which is why we only do this one time a day) and he stays in his crate in our walk out basement during the day because he will walk in and out that way. He walks ok on a leash but still freezes up at times. However he walks right beside us out to the pen every day to go outside. He loves our daughter and wags his tail when he hears her voice, he lets her hug him and yesterday she piled a jean jacket, a cell phone and a baby toy on his back and he did nothing, she used him as a tunnel and he stood there basking in the attention.
We are waiting to find out the treatment plan for his ear infection next week and then he will most likely be listed for adoption after that. I know he will make someone a fantastic family member if they give him the chance to warm up. He is so sweet and happy when he is with us and so calm and loving with the kids.
I hope by us welcoming these broken animals into our home and watching them recover and learn to trust humans and be a happy member of the family we are starting to plant that seed in our kids hearts to help others to love the broken and scared. A lot that we learn from our pets and our animals can be carried out into how we treat others. These innocent dogs didn't asked to be kept in a pen and bread litter after litter of puppies and have their health ignored but they were stuck and we can only love them and hope they learn to trust again.
By the way his name is Lloyd, isn't that a fantastic name :) Lydia calles him Woyd!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Easter Came, it Went and We Celebrated
Remember that time that Jesus rose after 3 days as he promised and rocked all our faces off for all eternity?? Well we did celebrate that this year we just were super busy moving into our new house the week before that I am finally putting everything back together. Including unloading my camera and processing our little guys first Easter.
It was a great day, so fantastic and spent at Church and breakfast with my family then in Brownsburg with Matt's family. We are so lucky that most of our family is so close to us, only a quick drive away.
Lydia loves Duke's house (that is one of Matt's Aunt and Uncle's dogs) she does not know it as anyone elses home but Duke's.
Our little guy enjoyed his first bite of real greenbeans, not the mushy babyfood kind and LOVED them. He was fantastic in church and I swear the kid gets something from it already he's such an angel there. My sister-in-law says she thinks he might be a priest one day. Which I would be ok with, I would mourn grandkids but love him no matter what.
Lydia had a small Easter Egg hunt and I can't wait until there is some "friendly" competition between Garrett and Lydia over the eggs.
It was a great day, so fantastic and spent at Church and breakfast with my family then in Brownsburg with Matt's family. We are so lucky that most of our family is so close to us, only a quick drive away.
Lydia loves Duke's house (that is one of Matt's Aunt and Uncle's dogs) she does not know it as anyone elses home but Duke's.
Our little guy enjoyed his first bite of real greenbeans, not the mushy babyfood kind and LOVED them. He was fantastic in church and I swear the kid gets something from it already he's such an angel there. My sister-in-law says she thinks he might be a priest one day. Which I would be ok with, I would mourn grandkids but love him no matter what.
Lydia had a small Easter Egg hunt and I can't wait until there is some "friendly" competition between Garrett and Lydia over the eggs.
I hope you all had such a blessed Easter as we did.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
8 Months
Garrett,
You are a BIG 8 months old now, sometimes I have to pinch myself that you are my son, that God blessed us with you. You have the most fantastic smile, you smile with your whole face and make everyone around you smile the minute you flash us those dimples and the eyebrow raise?? Where did you learn that and how have you already managed to turn ladies of all ages into mush when you give us that look.
You now have 3 1/2 teeth, I say that because right now you kind of have this cute hillbilly look going on because when you smile you only see one full tooth on the top, the other has broken through it's just not moved all the way down yet, don't worry you can pull it off!
Having teeth has lead to new and fun food choices... you recently had a pancake, mac and cheese, bananas, green beans, tortillas at our favorite Friday night Mexican Place and potatoes. You love love love real food and your baby food, it's getting hard to make you focus for your bottle unless it's night time and you are ready for bed then you let me rock you and give you your last bottle of the day. I love that time we get together.
You can now imitate us when we clap and you get so excited trying to clap your little hands together, you are pretty good at it! You now wave (it's kind of a sideways backwards mix of a wave) but it's stinkin adorable.
You love it when I stand you up on the back of the couch, the ottamans or the pews at church but you have yet to actually move to get anywhere and do it yourself. I'm trying not to compare you so I'm going to enjoy you not being mobile and I'm going to trust that when you are good and ready you will start moving. You do practically leap out of arms when there is something you want so your will to move is in there somewhere.
Little guy you make me so happy, I wish I could spend more days and hours with you but know how much I love you and how much I think of you and your sister when I am working.
You my little one are sweet and precious and happy and the most fantastic little boy I have ever met. I love you to the moon and back again.
Love,
Mommy
You are a BIG 8 months old now, sometimes I have to pinch myself that you are my son, that God blessed us with you. You have the most fantastic smile, you smile with your whole face and make everyone around you smile the minute you flash us those dimples and the eyebrow raise?? Where did you learn that and how have you already managed to turn ladies of all ages into mush when you give us that look.
You now have 3 1/2 teeth, I say that because right now you kind of have this cute hillbilly look going on because when you smile you only see one full tooth on the top, the other has broken through it's just not moved all the way down yet, don't worry you can pull it off!
Having teeth has lead to new and fun food choices... you recently had a pancake, mac and cheese, bananas, green beans, tortillas at our favorite Friday night Mexican Place and potatoes. You love love love real food and your baby food, it's getting hard to make you focus for your bottle unless it's night time and you are ready for bed then you let me rock you and give you your last bottle of the day. I love that time we get together.
You can now imitate us when we clap and you get so excited trying to clap your little hands together, you are pretty good at it! You now wave (it's kind of a sideways backwards mix of a wave) but it's stinkin adorable.
You love it when I stand you up on the back of the couch, the ottamans or the pews at church but you have yet to actually move to get anywhere and do it yourself. I'm trying not to compare you so I'm going to enjoy you not being mobile and I'm going to trust that when you are good and ready you will start moving. You do practically leap out of arms when there is something you want so your will to move is in there somewhere.
Little guy you make me so happy, I wish I could spend more days and hours with you but know how much I love you and how much I think of you and your sister when I am working.
You my little one are sweet and precious and happy and the most fantastic little boy I have ever met. I love you to the moon and back again.
Love,
Mommy
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