tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70629198300510643282024-03-19T08:34:46.815-04:00Do the DanceAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-89473572575552100482010-02-10T15:15:00.004-05:002010-02-10T20:51:23.138-05:0039 weeks, 2 days and counting....I am so excited for this baby to come that I am thinking thoughts like, "I wonder if I just dumped a bucket of warm water on my legs if it would fool my uterus into thinking my water broke and would get things started already!" Okay, maybe not that extreme. Trying so hard not to think about something only results in one thing, thinking about it all the time. Last night I finally came to the peaceful revelation that this baby IS going to come sometime within the next 3 weeks. I mean, by then I would be two weeks overdue and that is the longest my OB is willing to let me go, so, there it is....an end in site.<br />Then I ask myself, what is my big rush for this pregnancy to be over? Most likely, this will be my last, so I should be savoring every last minute! I may never experience the kicking and rolling, the baby hiccups, and the overwhelming pregnancy emotions again. It really is a precious thing, and I do cherish it. Then again, I will be thrilled when my legs quit spontaneously jerking when I am trying to go to sleep, when I don't have to safeguard my belly from the charging heads of my toddlers as they try to hug me, when I can pick up my children safely without risking back or belly injury, when I can sit on the toilet without feeling like my cervix might explode from pressure, and when the constant dull, aching rib pain stops. I am also LONGING to hold this precious baby in my arms! And last but not least, I am really curious to know what the sex of this little life is!<br />Tomorrow is my weekly OB appointment, and I am excited to find out if I have made any progress in the last week with all the "fake" labor I have experienced. We shall see! I will keep you posted.<br />AngelaAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-7610190443170488512010-02-02T21:13:00.003-05:002010-02-02T21:31:49.165-05:00Plague of AnticipationIs waiting for labor to begin sort of like waiting to meet the perfect guy when you are single?<br /><br />I remember the single days. People always said, "you'll find your husband when just aren't looking!" I felt like I wanted to scream everytime someone said that to me. It sounded so cliche. I was convinced that meant I would NEVER find my soulmate because obviously I was ALWAYS looking! <br />It is funny because I did meet my husband when I really wasn't looking. I had started to date this other guy for just a few weeks, and he was simply sending me mixed messages. I was pretty consumed with overanalyzing that situation when I was introduced to Tom. I remember thinking, "why do I meet someone this nice when I already am interested in someone else?" Well, one date later and the other guy was history. I saw immediately what a gem I had found and was not about to let Tom go! <br />Anyway, the point is, I feel like when I am sitting around wondering WHEN labor is going to start means it probably never will! I am sure it will hit when I least expect it. Yesterday, I had so many strange pains accompanied by braxton hicks all day long that I felt pretty miserable and pretty convinced labor was going to start at any moment. The more I let myself think about it, the more I tried not to, the more emotional I felt. It was an endless exhausting process, and I was wishing it would just either start or not so I could get over it! Counting every single little contraction would drive me crazy, so I was attempting to ignore them. My mind was very aware of every little thing though and by the end of the day I passed out in exhaustion at 8 pm. <br />Today, I took a new approach. The distraction approach. It worked pretty well! I took a trip to Savannah with a girlfriend and went shopping. Found some really good deals too! Yes, I actually drove an hour away with my two small children and had fun just to distract myself. It probably was a crazy decision, considering the day I had yesterday! I just figured it was better than sitting around at home all day wondering WHEN this is all going to start. <br />I am not in a rush at this point for labor to begin. I am only 38 weeks and wouldn't mind being 40 weeks for the sake of the baby! It is just the point that it COULD start at anytime that leaves me in a constant state of anticipation and excitement. I mean, seriously, any little twinge and I think "oh! it's got to be my cervix dilating already!" That could drive a person bonkers! <br />So, the name of the game is distraction at this point before I get admitted to a loony bin. I'll take any great suggestions, but I don't think I will be traveling an hour away again "just in case!"<br />AngelaAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-24113186555523980302010-01-28T18:09:00.004-05:002010-02-01T14:06:34.916-05:00Wonderfully MadeI believe we have found the perfect doula for the birth of our baby! Thanks to all the wonderful recommendations that came flooding in, I contacted Rachel Kolumber to see if she is currently taking clients. We had our first meeting Sunday afternoon, and it went extremely well! I believe her involvement will be invaluable for my delivery process. Her additional support combined with the right nurse and my wonderful OB Dr. Hiller, I believe will make all the difference for me.<br /><br />I do not feel afraid anymore. I am in the process of reading <a href="http://http//www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156">Ina May's Guide to Childbirth</a> and have felt myself relax more and more the further I get into the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is currently pregnant! It has opened my eyes to a more confident and<br />fearless approach to labor. It is written in a loving and gentle way and is making me truly appreciate the wonders of the female body. We truly are created by a mastermind, a Holy God.<br /><br />Psalms 139:14 states "I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." I have read this verse a million times in my life, but the other night when I read it, it was as if I had just read it for the very first time! I believe it is to be my focal point in labor. This verse has become a very important verse for this pregnancy and child. I am praying it as a blessing over this baby's life. <br />AngelaAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-61567716607816907922010-01-26T14:48:00.003-05:002010-01-26T15:23:05.803-05:00In Pursuit of a Diva DoulaWhat do ya mean, a Doula???<br /><br />With this being my third baby, you would think I would be an old pro at delivering a baby! Well, I am- that is, if you are talking about delivering with a stellar epidural, a good amount of pitocin, and being strapped to a monitor on my back for the duration. I am also familiar with the stress the pitocin seemed to cause on the heartrate of my baby, the subsequential threat of a c-section, an internal fetal scalp monitor (ouch!) and ultimately a vaccuum extraction (ie. a really bruised and cone shaped baby scalp). I am reallly good at all of that!<br /><br />When I was preparing for delivery with my eldest child, my darling son Will, I was determined to go the au natural route. My husband and I attended lamaze together, refused to be induced until I was officially postterm and were very staunchly against the use of an epidural. All that went out the window as my due date came and went and in the end one intervention led to another in Will's birth. All my planning and dreams of how I wanted things to go went out the window in my attempts to have what we all truly desire, a healthy baby. I told myself not to look back with regrets and I still don't. I just wonder what would have happened if I had held out for a few more days. I did the best I could with the knowledge we had, and my wonderfully supportive doctor did as well, so we moved on.<br />With Natalie, I didn't even try to dream about anything different. I guess I gave up on my ideal. I figured if I thought about it too much and planned for a certain ideal, then things would certainly go the opposite of what I wanted. You know the old saying, "the bread always falls with the butter side down". As a nurse, I always noticed that the people with all the ideals ended up the ones that were disappointed.<br /> Due to some family logistics (ie. travel plans), I went ahead and scheduled an induction before Natalie was even due. Everything went smoothly, quickly and without too much of a hitch. She did have some heart rate decelerations from the strength of the contractions that concerned them and she ended up with a fetal scalp monitor which I really didn't want. I remember thinking, "why did I decide on this induction again?"<br />You might ask me how I made it to 37 weeks pregnant without thinking about this again? I have thought about it some, but just never established a true plan. I told my mom that I didn't want anyone to make travel plans until I was in labor. Besides that, I just figured I would try to go natural but have an epidural if necessary. Let's be honest. We all know how that plan would have ended up.<br />Last week, I decided I better have a better birth plan than that! If I want to have options, I need to decide what I really want in order to be ready to advocate for what I really want. <br />I just finished reading <a href="http://http//www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Birth-Discover-Experience/dp/0446538132">Your Best Birth</a> by Ricki Lake, and boy did it make me think! Seriously, it is such a good book and has opened my eyes to how much I have buried the dream I let go of in my first delivery. So, here I am, at the end of my pregnancy, wishing for a home tub birth! Okay, maybe not that extreme for me. I am an NICU nurse for goodness sake, and think I would be too scared to really try that even though I know it has been a wonderful experience for many people. Truthfully, I don't want to have my toddlers rushing into my bedroom an hour after I give birth asking me to get them some juice or milk! I kind of see the hospital as a vacation from parenting!! <br />But, I definately want to be surrounded by support for a completely natural birth. No discouragement allowed! All this meaning I would really love to find a doula to help me (and my husband) through the times I know I will inevitably be shouting "just give me an epidural!!!"<br />Tomorrow, I will be sharing my plans and hopes with my obstetrician, and from what I have heard I expect him to be fully supportive. I also am officially placing phone calls in search of a doula and praying that God leads me to the right person. <br />AngelaAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-85238940355754532242010-01-25T14:15:00.002-05:002010-01-25T14:24:58.001-05:00Some 37 week Belly Pics"Mommy, WHY is your belly THAT big?!!!" Will was quite concerned about the size of my growing belly. He understands there is a baby inside, but I don't think he had really noticed how large I truly am until today! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMsEkrhZtxRAvq5C5gbagmPSQGgFy6ehv2UPDA7HAFi2YZoE2fuFT15nx1XU9LtjchdHUKjA-PJA1m-cL1yZZG80-xORymfsshC-lpyDs05L85Hu4eABHq_Z6ch83BQFMdcisbfZ47Js/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430759402334981282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMsEkrhZtxRAvq5C5gbagmPSQGgFy6ehv2UPDA7HAFi2YZoE2fuFT15nx1XU9LtjchdHUKjA-PJA1m-cL1yZZG80-xORymfsshC-lpyDs05L85Hu4eABHq_Z6ch83BQFMdcisbfZ47Js/s400/025.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PdVoMPqxrOMNj2tTOJ7OCHxr7A0bSTpdy__H0-WcC2oRdWLzGyuzzgu6pG-QztXdD9gVY3hSLDZahPGygiOq3hMwjEXmGrHJ_I9WYTVDLIyYQbgam9ov9NiTVcgU5iR_R_5YIfVZQmM/s1600-h/023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430759401111914130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 370px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7PdVoMPqxrOMNj2tTOJ7OCHxr7A0bSTpdy__H0-WcC2oRdWLzGyuzzgu6pG-QztXdD9gVY3hSLDZahPGygiOq3hMwjEXmGrHJ_I9WYTVDLIyYQbgam9ov9NiTVcgU5iR_R_5YIfVZQmM/s400/023.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHOEPLwaWGinb2mIWlEEqKXumU-KZofWMUOLoq1r6FOhZXC8i5ixsN_KcUdEifw-S_SuhZ8hHDs9D6sJQ3UJ4pjH89ZDPbqEk45kpc6_cZhMxTTTZSHpmlJg-zoVTpYxDgrVaMZf6UV4/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430759394341374194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHOEPLwaWGinb2mIWlEEqKXumU-KZofWMUOLoq1r6FOhZXC8i5ixsN_KcUdEifw-S_SuhZ8hHDs9D6sJQ3UJ4pjH89ZDPbqEk45kpc6_cZhMxTTTZSHpmlJg-zoVTpYxDgrVaMZf6UV4/s400/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn5hn-cFkCM4hz4hw6Pl71IiLp64rMKO2KkSxiTlS2Asbqzz6xpucWCbQ26rMTHkld4_ZJXY6gzFVSBSxHVI2wFN8wvUH9OIP1BqauXfpW1vrEGMNcHvHMyK9FU8ZfimHlaMpFCed9lg/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430759390321812530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBn5hn-cFkCM4hz4hw6Pl71IiLp64rMKO2KkSxiTlS2Asbqzz6xpucWCbQ26rMTHkld4_ZJXY6gzFVSBSxHVI2wFN8wvUH9OIP1BqauXfpW1vrEGMNcHvHMyK9FU8ZfimHlaMpFCed9lg/s400/015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXTg16-bpvDGkgxCXUBeiPIVl4sUpclhDpAXbsh_Eer05SxiCLasC0y_qlcSYXMHJnTB2GsYHtj1iP6Ku3CZSQfSABMfbXJVwvhLx1CNZQujUBORUpNn0ZlR9T5jLgiBZZIfY2W9KtA4/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430759382966918050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 335px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXTg16-bpvDGkgxCXUBeiPIVl4sUpclhDpAXbsh_Eer05SxiCLasC0y_qlcSYXMHJnTB2GsYHtj1iP6Ku3CZSQfSABMfbXJVwvhLx1CNZQujUBORUpNn0ZlR9T5jLgiBZZIfY2W9KtA4/s400/013.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-10898838570461816332010-01-23T20:02:00.002-05:002010-01-23T20:23:33.516-05:00The Nursery NestAfter all of my obsessing and nesting, things are finally coming together. Here is a few pictures of what the nursery looks like. We borrowed this crib so that we wouldn't have to move Natalie out of her crib yet. What a relief. I did not want to be chasing a 22 month old around the house at bedtime when we bring home a newborn. We made that mistake with Will and have decided Natalie can stay in her crib until she is 3 if need be. <br />I found the perfect mirror to go above the red dresser and fell in love with it immediately. I never dreamed I'd find a neutral nursery that I liked as well as my girl/boy nurseries, but I really love this bedding by <a href="http://http//www.cocalo.com/item.asp?id=534&brand=6&g=1&coll=&cat=1">Cocalo Couture</a>. I have a few more wall hangings to frame and hang. Now, I am just obsessing over the perfect hamper/canvas bin to go with the decor of the room. Hopefully I will find something I like, but the realization came to me this week that it really isn't the end of the world if the baby arrives and we don't have a hamper yet! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCn3H_mM-caTsR38cDW3vGZairo6UhZti5437Sy_fPRw4eQCjoo40BhC5oCIHEo8B7zkAS-J9DclInG1pzJLK0XXk8PE7WNk7CFzIr2hYD1AR6vTCcMnYs1SLdaodKo4UrljsO8zrgw/s1600-h/January+2010+049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430106655867693378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVCCn3H_mM-caTsR38cDW3vGZairo6UhZti5437Sy_fPRw4eQCjoo40BhC5oCIHEo8B7zkAS-J9DclInG1pzJLK0XXk8PE7WNk7CFzIr2hYD1AR6vTCcMnYs1SLdaodKo4UrljsO8zrgw/s400/January+2010+049.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdgQO35PdcFs6C0vv8LVR30G3oOPKqOvPiLeVc5m8Fqhcu-rwP_pI0pc29Drh3nG4KcmUvmOAqijxJtJBPgXvE08gX9buwoPNMjMmD6t3zjGpQzEEoRi0w40ZsPMMZhdCOLbYCUlBOKI/s1600-h/January+2010+053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430106649420915746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdgQO35PdcFs6C0vv8LVR30G3oOPKqOvPiLeVc5m8Fqhcu-rwP_pI0pc29Drh3nG4KcmUvmOAqijxJtJBPgXvE08gX9buwoPNMjMmD6t3zjGpQzEEoRi0w40ZsPMMZhdCOLbYCUlBOKI/s400/January+2010+053.JPG" border="0" /></a>The bed will eventually be Natalie's when we switch everything around. As I mentioned before, we will wait a little while longer for that hurdle!<br />Here's to a smooth transition when baby P arrives!<br /><div><div>Angela</div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-7776757747116677522010-01-19T20:23:00.003-05:002010-01-19T23:22:07.574-05:0036 and CountingHow does it feel to be 36 weeks pregnant?<br />It is so easy to forget this stage of pregnancy. I remembered so well the morning sickness of the first trimester, the energy and excitement of the second trimester and the frantic planning and nesting of the third trimester. But my memories of the last 4 weeks of pregnancy have become a blur of memories. All I really remembered until now is anxiously waiting for that baby to arrive and how time seemed to slow way down. Now that I have arrived at 36 weeks, I remember "why" I was so anxious for Will and Natalie to deliver.<br />1. my gigantic granny panty underwear that were swimming on me only 4 weeks ago no longer cover my rear end. I have a perpetual wedgie. How big does that mean my tush is getting?<br /><br />2. If I try to bend over to pick up anything I feel strangled and unable to breathe while simultaneously getting sharp jabs from the inside reminding me that I am probably squashing the daylights out of my darling baby as well. Neither of us seem to fond of the process!<br /><br />3. Suddenly, every situation seems worthy of tears. I mean, ALL coping abilities have taken a hiatus while the horomones have ravaged my body.<br /><br />4. It feels as though my house will never be clean again. (see number 2) And cleaning a bathtub sounds like a rare form of torture.<br /><br />5. All I think about is having the baby so that my mom can come help me. Seriously, there are times when only a mother can help!<br /><br />6. Choosing an outfit for the day is a 30 minute process, because it is extremely difficult to find anything that will cover my belly and a pair of pants that will stay up and not expose the granny panty situation described in number 1.<br /><br />7. My nesting urge has taken over my brain and mega important things such as finding a coordinating hamper for the babies room are all I want to talk or think about. I am confident that my friends find these conversations as thrilling as I do.<br /><br />8. My goals of not reaching 198 pounds for the third time in a row are slipping out of my grasp as I see my body headed for that delivery weight set point once again! Seriously, what is with that number? It doesn't matter what my prepregnancy weight was. It is where I always end up.<br /><br />9. I am pretty sure my husband thinks the phrase, "hold on a minute, I am having a contraction" is just an excuse for getting out of something I don't want to do.<br /><br />10. My ribs hurt.<br /><br />I am trying to cherish this pregnancy as it will most likely be my last. When I think of it in those terms, I am sad. I don't want to rush into this delivery, and I would really like all my delivery goals to be accomplished in this final delivery. I will share more about that subject tomorrow! But in the meantime, I feel as big as a barn door and am getting very excited to meet this little life inside of me! Especially to find out exactly if it is a "he" or a "she".<br />Here's to the last 4 weeks!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-52588871988317640262010-01-16T15:49:00.002-05:002010-01-16T15:55:47.197-05:00I Am Back from my VERY LONG LOA.How can it be that I have let so much time go by without even giving a second thought to my blog? I have to admit, I have given it many a thought. The problem is, I felt so uninspired. The longer I went without writing, the harder it seemed to get back on the horse. My lack of inspiration and sense of humor I believe was caused by two things. First, the diagnosis of my brother-in-law with brain cancer and secondly, the morning sickness that accompanied the fantastic news that we are expecting #3. And, now, here I stand at the end of my pregnancy ready to embark on another new phase of life, and I haven't blogged a thing about how I am feeling about any of this. <br />You may ask me what my new years resolution was this year? I only had one because it was nagging at me so bad. I promised my husband I would start blogging again. Let's see if I can really follow through, but I hope so, because to be honest, I have missed y'all in my cyberspace world. Yes, I just gave in a wrote "y'all" because I hear it so much down here that it's the only word that seems to sum up how I feel right now!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-2407167468329003252009-07-23T07:37:00.002-04:002009-07-23T07:43:47.466-04:00Dinner RevelationLast night at dinner, Tom was trying to convince Will to eat his food. Tom would dangle one piece of chicken over Natalie and say, "Here little Birdie! Here little Birdie!" and she would bite. Then he would dangle a piece of food over Will and say, "here little Froggie! Here little Froggie!" Will would grin and take a nibble. The whole meal went on this way. Then Will suggested he feed Tom.<br />"What kind of animal am I, Will?" asked Tom as Will dangled a piece of food over his head.<br />"You are a dolphin, daddy!"<br />"Oh, okay! So Natalie is a birdie, you are a froggie, and I am a dolphin! What is mommy?"<br />"Mommy is a WHALE!"<br />Out of the mouths of babes....Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-33268402910600927262009-07-20T15:01:00.004-04:002009-07-20T16:35:52.058-04:00Kitchen RemodelingAs many of you may have noticed, I have been slightly MIA lately. We moved into our house, and then a lot of things happened all at once. We started remodeling the house and in the middle of tearing down wallpaper in our dining room we received a call from my parents informing me of my brother-in-law's brain tumor. <br />David remains so amazingly positive, and I read his blog to be UPLIFTED which I think is incredible. <a href="http://www.jumpdavidjump.typepad.com/">www.jumpdavidjump.typepad.com</a> summarizes his condition better than I ever could. He starts his treatment very soon if he has not already. Please keep him and my sister Amy in your prayers! Thank you.<br />So, the day before I left to go be with my sister and brother-in-law in Minnesota I found out some interesting news. Yes, baby number 3 is on the way and I am due February 16th. Thankfully, this wretched morning sickness did not kick in until I returned from Minnesota. I am just starting my 11th week. I have been so sick but am hoping it will start to get better soon, so that I can be a better mother again. Will's new favorite question is, "and you're gonna throw up?"<br />Now, in the midst of all this "throwing up" we have been remodeling our kitchen. I thought I would post some "before" and "during" pics. I will post "after" pics when it is completed.<br />Here is the kitchen before. We just finished tearing down the wallpaper, replacing all the appliances, replacing countertops and replacing the hardware. Yes, I helped.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68fD4C2U2-TJyYkwoxsHWoY6aQJOf_Zsag-wJ3GKZcizj_9UBKOdqZsVYfQfjdx-2j7UKsAzDaNcul2Qt8u4GfffaWm3KSG7nQ5xWDa26TJe-aWo9e2kARkJ-4OraRRkvutNfFNgIHX4/s1600-h/easter+and+more+078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360624544663860754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68fD4C2U2-TJyYkwoxsHWoY6aQJOf_Zsag-wJ3GKZcizj_9UBKOdqZsVYfQfjdx-2j7UKsAzDaNcul2Qt8u4GfffaWm3KSG7nQ5xWDa26TJe-aWo9e2kARkJ-4OraRRkvutNfFNgIHX4/s400/easter+and+more+078.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's an upclose of the granite we chose. Chris Yaughn (Yaughn Countertops) did a great job with the counters. I could not be happier! You can see where we still need to tile the backsplash.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty6VzIVK0zHpB0Dhv5ouSyvXNJa7W-cCnPCCc3ddtunPqeHuDIfrNHxtWnOO5gWJd42YfFR0PMNd2j7Zz3WQxzwdo0IkaN_n-mb-gnUUSPftdRCD_G7tK-7geqtmmztuKRUJinH6w5Gw/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+023.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360624541513270850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty6VzIVK0zHpB0Dhv5ouSyvXNJa7W-cCnPCCc3ddtunPqeHuDIfrNHxtWnOO5gWJd42YfFR0PMNd2j7Zz3WQxzwdo0IkaN_n-mb-gnUUSPftdRCD_G7tK-7geqtmmztuKRUJinH6w5Gw/s400/kitchen+remodel+023.JPG" border="0" /></a> My new sink and faucet make me so happy. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmycjh6hMIYEcvo6Jvu2QPUyaPyjKVmZMhQxvsXw4uTFKLeNvL4-HajSM23MA2dF_osDVFAJyqJI_sMQwWjQRY6lq2QVK8P7P9lkL1oCk2Q6AfsmhrzX1ZI3JASFN9zJmy6H_vBREHus/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360624537650735522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmycjh6hMIYEcvo6Jvu2QPUyaPyjKVmZMhQxvsXw4uTFKLeNvL4-HajSM23MA2dF_osDVFAJyqJI_sMQwWjQRY6lq2QVK8P7P9lkL1oCk2Q6AfsmhrzX1ZI3JASFN9zJmy6H_vBREHus/s400/kitchen+remodel+024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It has been hard to steam down the wallpaper without bringing a little drywall with it. Oops.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvTZsrwe02ozGt5RDoic74dj1A0R85auiDAgBOBgnoH029frS5969UF6KkRqsz_ics9uyBQVdQiCZOuWZAA3t8KPJ1c82ZaEIdPYL2RA7N0XKIDOLOWva3wVRREkOzsTt29A-vO9WvD4/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360621590944166146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvTZsrwe02ozGt5RDoic74dj1A0R85auiDAgBOBgnoH029frS5969UF6KkRqsz_ics9uyBQVdQiCZOuWZAA3t8KPJ1c82ZaEIdPYL2RA7N0XKIDOLOWva3wVRREkOzsTt29A-vO9WvD4/s400/kitchen+remodel+048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It is coming together though and even though my walls look atrocious at the moment the kitchen is so much prettier already.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegkbH8uWI2fsBMYesds4VhRTLDhedMBCQ9EReabhNqg9AMkZRLQFyrAByvwsfGTBmItj678W3SX-TzL37_4B6QfblmssoEuFvfANYGThp3-NJBPfL4NHTN6uzX27NBzziqzcujZ7j-I/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360621585335914946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegkbH8uWI2fsBMYesds4VhRTLDhedMBCQ9EReabhNqg9AMkZRLQFyrAByvwsfGTBmItj678W3SX-TzL37_4B6QfblmssoEuFvfANYGThp3-NJBPfL4NHTN6uzX27NBzziqzcujZ7j-I/s400/kitchen+remodel+046.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is my new stovetop range. We had to modify the cabinets to put this in. We have purchased a wine chiller to put in the hole where the old oven was.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHDIaJFbfUblnFUq7QCDGLolsbI18XImLCZ9jr8t6UEz6vsa7_uZUPHbF8KjQ8J7nj7L8NwCXOpb-VJ90xuWzWyWdHtIc_xLZDnEqlZHt4Ib2gOis9VRrwzuhAFhE9MAAcoaHufaOlpo/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360621577768072274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHDIaJFbfUblnFUq7QCDGLolsbI18XImLCZ9jr8t6UEz6vsa7_uZUPHbF8KjQ8J7nj7L8NwCXOpb-VJ90xuWzWyWdHtIc_xLZDnEqlZHt4Ib2gOis9VRrwzuhAFhE9MAAcoaHufaOlpo/s400/kitchen+remodel+032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Now I just can't wait for the painting to begin! <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3w7aa3iNHqp9Yk9ECHr8URcY3spXJAm8fTIWwJR4qILd6uY85MZ7Uxw2UV36KZVVjS8rSoPBjkuR43msCIqzGbCVV2lZ1Tf_AOQOLNMWGvmtbMTvmEmdvf_lLt4CcwRsEJeULB7wFKU/s1600-h/kitchen+remodel+022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360621574327123618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3w7aa3iNHqp9Yk9ECHr8URcY3spXJAm8fTIWwJR4qILd6uY85MZ7Uxw2UV36KZVVjS8rSoPBjkuR43msCIqzGbCVV2lZ1Tf_AOQOLNMWGvmtbMTvmEmdvf_lLt4CcwRsEJeULB7wFKU/s400/kitchen+remodel+022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-14804061143166079092009-07-19T15:10:00.002-04:002009-07-19T15:24:14.787-04:00Too Smart<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKZdnsOwxmuGRXAbIIGewni_2YpIESTFng950LKbKMNf_OW38HNN0SUplkCtcSgIVbEOKn-YSyNrIl6KKrprXOg5H7FvTMg8lXS9FuOED27_qmzudm2oI8kryiUI3sh2FqVVZdvU-LtQ/s1600-h/minnesota+and+Will%27s+3rd+birthday+124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360254152644004402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKZdnsOwxmuGRXAbIIGewni_2YpIESTFng950LKbKMNf_OW38HNN0SUplkCtcSgIVbEOKn-YSyNrIl6KKrprXOg5H7FvTMg8lXS9FuOED27_qmzudm2oI8kryiUI3sh2FqVVZdvU-LtQ/s400/minnesota+and+Will%27s+3rd+birthday+124.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>My little man Will turned THREE a few weeks ago. He literally found independence overnight. It is like he woke up on this third birthday and said, "from now on I will do EVERYTHING by myself. I am a big boy now!" My husband and I have had to rapidly adjust to this new found independence and help foster it. At first we resisted a little.</div><br /><div>"Um, Will what are you doing with a chair pushed up to the refrigerator? The milk jug is too heavy for you!" </div><br /><div>"You can't get ice by yourself! "</div><br /><div>"Get down from that counter, you are going to fall."</div><br /><div>But, I am happy to say we have figured out that it is best to just let him try and guide him along the way. Things also stay a lot more peaceful that way as he will fight us all the way if we try to hold him back. </div><br /><div>Today, Will was resisting taking a nap. We had been back and forth about it and after 30 minutes of lying awake in his room, he came out and announced he needed to get a cup of water. I let him climb on the counter to get his own cup. I let him get his own ice. I helped lift him up so he could fill his cup with the filtered refrigerator water. Then, I gently tried to ease the lid onto his sippy cup so it wouldn't slop. Big mistake!</div><br /><div>"Mommy!!!!! I want to do that by myself!!! I can put my own lid on!" </div><br /><div>"I am sorry Will, I was just trying to help. Is there ANYTHING that you think you CAN'T do?" I asked, slightly exasperated.</div><br /><div>He grinned a sheepish grin. "Yes, " he nodded. "I don't think I can TAKE MY NAP!"</div><br /><div>Touche!</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-82101914270166380762009-06-17T17:36:00.003-04:002009-06-17T17:49:00.182-04:00Standing FirmI am sitting in the ICU waiting room at Mayo Clinic next to my little sister Amy who has been enduring the greatest trial life could offer. Her response to the information she has been handed continues to amaze me. Her faith transcends explanation. Holy is the Lord God Almighty. <br />David had his functional MRI done yesterday. The consult yesterday was in a nutshell this: it is an inoperable tumor because removal would cause him to lose all ability to speak or to understand speech and language. All of David's God-given talents lie in his communication and this has struck at the core of who he is. From the human perspective, it is not a good diagnosis to receive. He had a biopsy done this morning to find out if it is actually malignant and if it will respond to chemotherapy. <br />Amy has stood in the face of this and smiled. When the doctor was telling us that he was sorry he could not remove the tumor, she was staring into his eyes smiling. Seriously, SMILING??? He looked at her and said, "I don't want you to leave here with ANY misconceptions that what I am telling you is a good thing!" I think he was slightly frustrated by the fact she did not seem to hear anything he was telling us. The truth is, she was staring at him with her face as set as a flint. She believes without a shadow of a doubt that God can HEAL David if He decides to have mercy. She believes she has been called to stand firm and stand in the face of all poor prognoses and believe that God is greater than we can imagine. Medicine is good and useful, but God is above it all. We pray to God for His mercy, His compassion, and a LONG LIFE FOR DAVID. Praise you Jesus!! Please join us in praying for his recovery. And we will keep smiling for him.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-89241789901051740412009-06-10T20:36:00.002-04:002009-06-10T20:51:13.649-04:00Faint at HeartHave you ever wished that reality was just really a bad dream?<br />I have been needing to write this post but am struggling with what to say. Here goes! I received a phone call on Sunday from my parents that went something like this, "Honey, we just wanted to tell you that David (my brother in-law) hit his head last night, passed out this morning at his conference in San Francisco and had a seizure. He is in the hospital at Stanford and they believe he has bleeding on his brain. Please pray for him." My thoughts were, okay, he'll be fine. But a seizure is never a good thing. Really, bleeding on his brain? I hope it's not a brain tumor. <br />The next morning my dad called, "Honey, I hate to tell you this but the MRI showed that David actually has a brain tumor." Not possible! He's 27!!!! Punched in the gut. My poor sister! What now????<br />Well, to summarize, NOW has included a flight from San Francisco to Minnesota where he'll be treated at Mayo Clinic. He meets with the neurosurgeon at 6:45 a.m. tomorrow morning and they will hopefully establish a treatment plan. I am planning to go be with my sister at some point...just waiting for direction on when is best. <br />The bottom line. Their faith in God has stayed so incredibly strong throughout all this that I am truly amazed by God's mercy and grace. I have felt so sad and worried and sick to my stomach, even though I truly do have peace that God is in control. I need prayer that I can rest in God and stay positive and strong for my sister. My sister's blog was so encouraging today. Check it out. <a href="http://www.blog.amywenzel.com/">www.blog.amywenzel.com</a>.<br />Thanks for listening.<br />AAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-47066590179413688212009-05-28T23:17:00.002-04:002009-05-28T23:26:23.110-04:00One Last NightTonight is the last night I will sleep in this house where I have spent the last 3 years with my babies. My first little duckling came to this house with us when he was 2 weeks old. My second little duckling came here from the hospital. It is the closing of another chapter. I know we are on to "bigger and better" but I cannot help but feel nostalgic about the memories that I hold so dear to my heart. This little rental house has been so good to us and it really did feel like home. I hope that the transition of making the new house our "home" will come easily. My children seem to not be having ANY difficulties with the new house. <br />"I don't want to leave the new house to go back to the old house mommy!"<br />"But Will, we need to go back there to sleep one more night..."<br />"But I can't mommy. I need to be at my NEW house!" <br />"Will, we have to go back to the old house to say goodbye and to collect our things. You don't want to leave all our belongings at the old house do you?"<br />"Okay, mommy. And then we will have the Monster Truck tomorrow that will take my bed to the new house? And I can take everything on the MONSTER truck?"<br />"yes, Will. We will have a monster truck tomorrow to take our things to our new house."<br />Moving truck, Monster truck....what's the difference?Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-15502092813525884102009-05-27T23:33:00.003-04:002009-05-27T23:52:59.466-04:00Gradually MovingI have been sucked into the moving vaccuum. I wonder when if I will come out unscathed. I am not sure where we live right now and neither does my 2 year old. We are somewhere in the middle. Packing the current house, closing on the new house, painting rooms, and moving pieces of our current life into our new life has been all consuming.. I am really tired tonight after painting all day and all evening. What a fantastic workout! I think I may have burned off a few pounds of fat just today, which would be really exciting! Maybe I will burn a few more pounds off tomorrow. I swear, if I worked this physically hard everyday I would be as thin as Gwyneth Paltrow in no time!<br />The thought occurred to me today how "virtual" our life is in this day and age. Our lives just do not require the physical labor that our bodies were intended for, thus the majority of us are overweight or out of shape. Instead of getting a workout by milking Bessie, washing the laundry on a scrubbing board, kneading bread, planting a field, etc...we have to create exercises to "work us out" or hire a trainer to get us in shape. Then, because our husbands are so bored with lack of adventure, danger, threat, or conquest we sit down and watch shows such as"24" on television to simulate action packed adventure. It is kind of funny when you think about it. I do like my virtual reality that poses no real danger to me or my family. And I am not exactly ready to give up my washer or dryer just with the hopes of getting in shape. Although it could be a very successful diet plan for people! Maybe I could write a book. I guess I will just have to keep going to the gym a little longer.....AFTER the move.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-37311454121555063512009-05-14T14:06:00.002-04:002009-05-14T14:12:58.206-04:00Sorry!Will's favorite television show on is "Go, Diego, Go!" If you are not familiar with Diego then I must explain that there is a pair of very mischievious monkeys on the show named The BoBo Brothers. They are always causing trouble and their infamous line is, "Sorry!! We didn't mean to do it!" They sort of sing song the "so-rry" part. <br />Recently, Will's apologies to anyone in our family have started to imitate these characters. His apologies now sound like this,<br />"So-rry!!!! I didn't mean to DANCE!!"<br />It's pretty hard not to laugh. I mean, I know dancing was something I wasn't allowed to do growing up but we've sort of moved past that as a family. Will has no idea that he has the last part of the saying wrong, and I don't really want to fill him in on our little secret. It just gives me a chuckle everytime he thinks he's being a little bit sassy.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-45998256613506557512009-05-13T16:22:00.003-04:002009-05-13T20:24:08.099-04:00Hodge Podge ProcrastinationI am so excited to move but in an effort to put off packing, I have been piling many different unnecessary projects on myself and enjoying them all thoroughly. Most project ideas stem from my excitement about redecorating things at the new house.<br />Today, though, I felt a little overwhelmed about finishing things I have started, so I stopped in the afternoon and gave into a craving. Nothing like chocolate brownies in the afternoon to reenergize you when you are overworking yourself. Not a better food to throw you off your diet either. Ghiradelli brownies are, I believe, the best brownie mix in the world. I ate half a row and could throw-up now, but my chocolate craving is satisfyingly under control for the moment. I probably will end up indulging myself again until I am sick with my husband tonight while watching American Idol results show! Go Adam!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2d_SRwpKMYA52X9yHGPw1iPTUEEipb_WYdinr-JOB2pMwARyzIL9hf-FUJqKNUEblXxi4Z-WfxKBZXydbmL_nhW9Ma5DW-mtgGH-ceDP1ruTfyJXo0nyZtDWW_DFDV5QUIxle2iE-ms/s1600-h/moving+preparations+117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418560518085394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2d_SRwpKMYA52X9yHGPw1iPTUEEipb_WYdinr-JOB2pMwARyzIL9hf-FUJqKNUEblXxi4Z-WfxKBZXydbmL_nhW9Ma5DW-mtgGH-ceDP1ruTfyJXo0nyZtDWW_DFDV5QUIxle2iE-ms/s400/moving+preparations+117.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here is a sampling of what has been keeping me so busy lately that I haven't even had time for my most favorite thing....blogging!<br />Despite the dread I feel toward packing, we did end up organizing and packing part of the garage last weekend. Natalie took advantage of the situation. She likes to entertain herself when we are outside working. I am not even sure what happened to her clothing. We don't usually make a practice of running around outside in a diaper at our house, but she sure did look cute. Maybe we should do this more often!<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKmVYyg4ccBy7ptmP3FeQjMR6PBdzdXG05vdq_kAjEBTXDLe0CZBqKWKxyNiXlurKnWYvWq0N2vOaXRrkEPP4Wr8A4cCMaRcLVZJ7H3AEp_QT8WlsVoQCRc4dESQJj_ldH9fPcrunsAU/s1600-h/moving+preparations+102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418556048446018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpKmVYyg4ccBy7ptmP3FeQjMR6PBdzdXG05vdq_kAjEBTXDLe0CZBqKWKxyNiXlurKnWYvWq0N2vOaXRrkEPP4Wr8A4cCMaRcLVZJ7H3AEp_QT8WlsVoQCRc4dESQJj_ldH9fPcrunsAU/s400/moving+preparations+102.JPG" border="0" /></a> Natalie found and reached the kleenex box off her stand when she was supposed to be taking a nap. Boy, was that a mess to clean-up! Shredded tissues in every crevice of her crib and surrounding floor! I guess her runny nose was REALLY BOTHERING HER.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyEdWOYIOtmTAwlI_7LaRsIAhDWFYzvV4BmD3RMkFbx-7hkBaFEimiYsrMTPHWtpyjEycZURISeaAyBifvj9PYNX4JJpp7q39Hbeqmc7zdmzAOeyKeY_hZ3c5w7Vgwm6zdyBKrsf-wzM/s1600-h/moving+preparations+001.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418551659741458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyEdWOYIOtmTAwlI_7LaRsIAhDWFYzvV4BmD3RMkFbx-7hkBaFEimiYsrMTPHWtpyjEycZURISeaAyBifvj9PYNX4JJpp7q39Hbeqmc7zdmzAOeyKeY_hZ3c5w7Vgwm6zdyBKrsf-wzM/s400/moving+preparations+001.JPG" border="0" /></a> I just HAD to make a new wall hanging for Will's room. This was my first time with hand embroidery. Now I wish I had scripted his name! Oh, well. I think I am going to make and airplane and train to hang with this (ecause I need more projects). I am also going to buy ribbon to attach to the back and hang the picture from to add a little zing!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1V_ThOKOZwfuKljkICfTIcR0fiHnf-GdPrBGURrH6UemGyMgv0W7Fj6pL_NB-OH6sgU_YraB3WFm5jdOCH70s5l4_0K7tZq8FfA-BAC0e8PXm9OnBc5Htu0S8t44GwlCXOpRXBgUMKU/s1600-h/moving+preparations+116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418546914938322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1V_ThOKOZwfuKljkICfTIcR0fiHnf-GdPrBGURrH6UemGyMgv0W7Fj6pL_NB-OH6sgU_YraB3WFm5jdOCH70s5l4_0K7tZq8FfA-BAC0e8PXm9OnBc5Htu0S8t44GwlCXOpRXBgUMKU/s400/moving+preparations+116.JPG" border="0" /></a> I am repainting bookshelves that were in our living room. They were white. They have been primed and are going to be painted bright blue tomorrow to go into Will's room at the new house. He has so many books they are bursting out of every drawer in his room, and he loves them all. He is so excited to have a bookcase to put them on! I am excited because our new living room has built in bookcases!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_rVuRudXSDwhqIzZNfq8u00aZEVvfm_3LAJvGXLA-_XZ5JwZCFGdYkBBKERuHjOcsoCFUJv70V5591YYyieSMZ1I1Eva2c-f2bodnZQeOiDXw-Q41qSR-Ae7iOr0IsiNDvtU-pnDO2w/s1600-h/moving+preparations+119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335418541881721154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk_rVuRudXSDwhqIzZNfq8u00aZEVvfm_3LAJvGXLA-_XZ5JwZCFGdYkBBKERuHjOcsoCFUJv70V5591YYyieSMZ1I1Eva2c-f2bodnZQeOiDXw-Q41qSR-Ae7iOr0IsiNDvtU-pnDO2w/s400/moving+preparations+119.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also spent all day yesterday making a present for my nephew which I will have to reveal pictures of later lest my sister read this blog and see what I made. Tomorrow, I have a packing date with my friend Laura who is super organized. Maybe that will jumpstart my motivation! I think I am dreading it because I know I need to get rid of some stuff and I hate making those types of decisions. I would rather hold on to every unnecessary item in the world. I am the ultimate hoarder and procrastinator. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes!<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-47532385528926882702009-05-06T00:52:00.004-04:002009-05-06T01:15:47.274-04:00A New Place to Call Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosDq8nVW-CZVC_r11IBk5NpqreN9jPmY-912GO6fOaQRuukC_oSFNGjuI1G7QbRp9o5cU3k0cX584_vpXFuzr0BV4SD5A177p2Toba5RHkKj79gVdeTp3vPUsfxLIt8ktWmduiI5MAw0/s1600-h/easter+and+more+071.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332573006826820210" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosDq8nVW-CZVC_r11IBk5NpqreN9jPmY-912GO6fOaQRuukC_oSFNGjuI1G7QbRp9o5cU3k0cX584_vpXFuzr0BV4SD5A177p2Toba5RHkKj79gVdeTp3vPUsfxLIt8ktWmduiI5MAw0/s400/easter+and+more+071.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />You all have been asking, so here is a glimpse. The home we are purchasing and closing on in 3 weeks. Isn't it pretty?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr1AwxHG2dMiWYUgIbMM0DWEI1QUiq60FcXg6iEXOChjA-xhnruQfaw3u9vxGHp0mZmdc33fbXDheSQB3mLhKldm1lioLGajCNsHRbywXkUdiKR76kLULIsOJtvLUkhBthZQgkvLqkz4/s1600-h/easter+and+more+089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332571931154479506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr1AwxHG2dMiWYUgIbMM0DWEI1QUiq60FcXg6iEXOChjA-xhnruQfaw3u9vxGHp0mZmdc33fbXDheSQB3mLhKldm1lioLGajCNsHRbywXkUdiKR76kLULIsOJtvLUkhBthZQgkvLqkz4/s400/easter+and+more+089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-Mbv_nLMbuRtIQhxgZ7v3VJS8fI8xrg5P7AA5Ju3pEtWhK45HvKAuQhFNexVtlrDTpj_LYF0EqPlc6loF559B4IE_yimYcO0WZpyWdgmnqnsqavLrNPdaFj07FhbL-FpOJH_3mtX7oQ/s1600-h/easter+and+more+073.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332571926993626562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-Mbv_nLMbuRtIQhxgZ7v3VJS8fI8xrg5P7AA5Ju3pEtWhK45HvKAuQhFNexVtlrDTpj_LYF0EqPlc6loF559B4IE_yimYcO0WZpyWdgmnqnsqavLrNPdaFj07FhbL-FpOJH_3mtX7oQ/s400/easter+and+more+073.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I can't wait to have a big back yard with a fence....<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUj4AVJUcXWDQgKHCCjHMaBV0qGrhO0YamY4mz-kOFECZlqIQZP3oleNbZQ_Muv7wCQSmPtgGm71ArIEBHRzowW5fIFSw_lhM-pFVbaD9_MKP2lLtS_naDG-cEJTcWry6cUnuaWP3Xso/s1600-h/easter+and+more+084.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332571925720135426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUj4AVJUcXWDQgKHCCjHMaBV0qGrhO0YamY4mz-kOFECZlqIQZP3oleNbZQ_Muv7wCQSmPtgGm71ArIEBHRzowW5fIFSw_lhM-pFVbaD9_MKP2lLtS_naDG-cEJTcWry6cUnuaWP3Xso/s400/easter+and+more+084.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />and one of my favorite rooms of this house is this little sunroom. I am sure I'll be reading lots of books out here in my abundant spare time.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiQMplAtMS5ulXUIQsAk60GtbofGap-JNSLyksFcVCJeo9LfwLEt3ESCcKCtB5uNgybcS3WaM4gFSmOo0hXbIv02BvwqN2WZo2Pa1bZ69LYkkmGOh_VOGe5jQD4tGIYowo18LPkCX3cI/s1600-h/easter+and+more+075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332571916202119362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiQMplAtMS5ulXUIQsAk60GtbofGap-JNSLyksFcVCJeo9LfwLEt3ESCcKCtB5uNgybcS3WaM4gFSmOo0hXbIv02BvwqN2WZo2Pa1bZ69LYkkmGOh_VOGe5jQD4tGIYowo18LPkCX3cI/s400/easter+and+more+075.JPG" border="0" /></a> It has 4 bedrooms so we will officially have a guest room again. Hallelujah! I can't wait!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-40861504591924830832009-05-05T14:05:00.002-04:002009-05-05T14:13:12.612-04:00My strawberry woesI realized something about myself this week. I seem to be really great at coming up with brilliant ideas but really bad at following things all the way through to the end. I sort of get ahead of myself. I have about 6 projects waiting for me to complete them. That's exhausting me just to type.<br />My biggest disaster of yet was my strawberry jam. Lets just say it didn't turn out as pretty as the picture. My first batch of 3 jars turned out perfectly. I made them with the regular sure-jell the day I picked my berries. The other 8 jars I made with "reduced sugar" sure-jell. I am sure it would have turned out fine if I had READ THE DIRECTIONS before I got started. I mixed the sugar into the berries instead of cooking it on the stove with the sure-jell. And, sure enough, my jam did not set. I kept waiting an extra day to give it more time to set. And then I sort of forgot I had 8 jars sitting on my dining room table. And then, I remembered and thought I should dump it all into a pan and try to cook it to help it set. How many days had it been since I made the jam? Maybe 5. I opened up a jar and phew!! Rancid! So, now I have 8 jars of fermented strawberry jam sitting on my dining room table that I don't have the heart to pour down the drain. Would someone please come help me? <br />I think I am going to go pick strawberries again tomorrow.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-3598336010348430032009-05-04T15:54:00.003-04:002009-05-04T16:12:39.066-04:00A Little Distracted?Have you ever felt THIS ADD?<br /><br />My thoughts:<br />Oooh, I know! I will sit down and blog about what a disaster of a housewife I am.<br />I settle down in the chair and turn on the computer. Hmmm, coffee sounds really good right about now. I put the computer down and head for the kitchen. I see Will's pillowcases on my kitchen table. Drat, I forgot all about putting them in his room. I pick up his pillowcases and head to his room trying to not wake him up when I open the door. I wonder if the strawberry muffins I just slaved over are done baking yet? They smell really scrumptious! I walk back to the kitchen and check on the muffins. Just a few more minutes. Now, to the coffee maker. I glance in my kitchen sink. Oh, shoot, that sweatshirt needs to be washed! I keep forgetting! I grab the sweatshirt I dyed this morning that has been soaking for hours out my kitchen sink and carry it dripping wet to the laundry room. I move the childrens clothes from the washer to the dryer and then start the sweatshirt in the wash. Okay! Finally I can go finish my blog! Settling back down on my chair I think, "Now, how about that coffee?" Oh, that's right. I FORGOT TO MAKE IT!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-52499827484411883122009-05-02T20:16:00.007-04:002009-05-03T07:32:56.616-04:00The Glories of Small Town LivingI never thought I'd admit it, but today was one of those days where I truly appreciated living in a small town. This morning we decided to try out the local farmers market that started here last summer. One of my new resolutions is to try to support local organic farmers. It just doesn't get any better than that! Anyway, within about 3 minutes of being there we saw about 5 of my peeps all separately doing their thing, and we saw a few of my husband's friends as well. It was pretty funny, but I really liked it. It made me feel a part of things. That often happens to me here whether it be at the gym, the supermarket, the post-office. It is really nice to have people to say hello to along the way of running my errands.<br />I always thought when I lived in L.A. that I really enjoyed the anonymity of it. Occasionally I would run into someone I knew, but so rarely. There were always people around you, but everyone was minding their own business and just doing their own thing. I was used to the feeling of privacy that provided. A celebrity could walk by and half the time I wouldn't realize it. For real. One time Paula Abdul almost knocked me over coming out of a bathroom when I was 9 months pregnant. She grabbed my arm and apologized. I still didn't realize it was her until I got back to the table and was informed by my husband that it was her.<br />Here it takes about 12 hours for a rumor to spread and everyone knows everyone else's business. I have to admit I am a little afraid of that, but, so far, it hasn't bitten me yet! KNOCK ON WOOD. The flip-side of that is that when you are truly in need, people are aware and jump in to help. So, here's to small town living. I am growing to love it which is actually shocking to me!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-56580483180150241482009-04-30T20:13:00.002-04:002009-04-30T20:27:34.633-04:00Running Away"Will, get back up to the table right now!"<br />"Mommy, I say you can't yell at me or I'm gonna run away!" Did my TWO year old just threaten to run away????<br />"Did you just say you are going to run away?"<br />"Yes, I am gonna run away!"<br />"Where are you going to go?"<br />"I am going to go to the living room so I can hide!"<br /><br />Okay, phew. At least he isn't packing a bag yet. I remember the time my sister Lisa decided to run away. She was probably 3 or 4. She packed her suitcase, stormed out the front door, and made it to the neighbors yard before she decided to head back home. Short trip. My mom was waiting for her at the door and when she checked to see what Lisa had packed in that little suitcase of hers she found only several pairs of one item....Underwear. Apparently, my sister knew what was most important in life. Clean underwear. <br /><br />So, Will isn't quite to the point of leaving the house in his frustration at me, but this morning I had a glimpse of what is inevitable. His strong little will is most assuredly going to result in him packing a suitcase one day and leaving me a nasty note to let me know how he feels. I did this to my mom at age 9 and fully intended to leave the house in the dark on my bike until my 2 year old brother stopped me. He called my name right as I headed down the driveway and my mom realized what was going on. Thank God for His intervention. I shudder to think what might have happened. <br />Today was one of "those" types of mornings. I felt irritable and PMSey and Will was definately pushing my buttons. I hope to never really nag at my children so much that they really do want to run away from me, even if it is just to the other room. It was a little wake-up call and I had to do an attitude adjustment. Needless to say, the rest of the day went great and I had a good laugh over the incident.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-86632256485155322472009-04-29T14:03:00.005-04:002009-04-29T16:39:59.047-04:00Too Much To Do!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9L_jqtfMcrqlq5wKTrvfOKvmy63vxONvoIIN4pTh7W4lmMm4omg-1MUHcFKa9ZfRuDRWGoJNapGPcSIH4zLX9R52vd8a_3WKfCkI999xkgWtvW1IR2NEQmXaUhuBbBxh81cEhemYgSI/s1600-h/strawberries+009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330214844123795682" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9L_jqtfMcrqlq5wKTrvfOKvmy63vxONvoIIN4pTh7W4lmMm4omg-1MUHcFKa9ZfRuDRWGoJNapGPcSIH4zLX9R52vd8a_3WKfCkI999xkgWtvW1IR2NEQmXaUhuBbBxh81cEhemYgSI/s400/strawberries+009.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgIk26_vRjdpj8h64VAtM96s_kI_uDoTfGpxEv9BChYouVnBF9TnwT4rwMs0VRKWlYcnuLQn5pY5DHzrdBAs_abcNhUbS3zDvqkUBJdrNaCqEldkN2UIuK6aIcq3pHwlxfngFWOSUEd0/s1600-h/strawberries+004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330214837488517378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 301px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgIk26_vRjdpj8h64VAtM96s_kI_uDoTfGpxEv9BChYouVnBF9TnwT4rwMs0VRKWlYcnuLQn5pY5DHzrdBAs_abcNhUbS3zDvqkUBJdrNaCqEldkN2UIuK6aIcq3pHwlxfngFWOSUEd0/s400/strawberries+004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyoqwiDa0g9DZAtj3bRkdywWdJdfR1Mz4l6Bg7-yMnY0S1GpgzaoXXUG7bOUEueRrHVYDtSC3AUB3NUl8Ct1OyrDgscqEuBrFV1JI_SRmDdPRYzPNrarMMi2CxXrhLSTlPWaLn7n63Nk/s1600-h/easter+and+more+304.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330181039284235698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyoqwiDa0g9DZAtj3bRkdywWdJdfR1Mz4l6Bg7-yMnY0S1GpgzaoXXUG7bOUEueRrHVYDtSC3AUB3NUl8Ct1OyrDgscqEuBrFV1JI_SRmDdPRYzPNrarMMi2CxXrhLSTlPWaLn7n63Nk/s400/easter+and+more+304.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoc2BkszpgCbWngMlopxKmRUWypQ4-cyUT01Ht6Ozu58ASeAtSP7CH2ANGWct-Vcdwxr84AbBywIePzT9bS2F8iHA2fazfF6NiqdOZiDE_FmC2J0SPUZaiP2qRZeuLSvLfewsuyF9x_s/s1600-h/easter+and+more+306.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330181036294932626" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoc2BkszpgCbWngMlopxKmRUWypQ4-cyUT01Ht6Ozu58ASeAtSP7CH2ANGWct-Vcdwxr84AbBywIePzT9bS2F8iHA2fazfF6NiqdOZiDE_FmC2J0SPUZaiP2qRZeuLSvLfewsuyF9x_s/s400/easter+and+more+306.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>My sister asked me last night if I am manic right now or something. It is a legitimate question. Here are all the things I have done and I am trying to tackle simultaneously.<br /><br /></div><div>1. We picked 3 large buckets of strawberries yesterday because just 1 or 2 wouldn't have been enough to keep me busy for a week. After we picked the first two I just COULD NOT RESIST picking more of those ripe, large, juicy berries and Will was having so much fun, I paid an extra $6 just to pick another huge bucket. I am cursing at myself now as I have cleaned 2 of the buckets, made 11 16oz. jars of jam, froze a few bags, made smoothies with some, made strawberry shortcake last night and have a bowl full of strawberry puree in the fridge. I still have a LARGE bucket full worth of strawberries sitting on my counter. For Heavens Sake! No wonder my friends asked me yesterday what on earth I was going to do with all those berries.<br /><br /></div><div>2. I have an etsy shop ready to open with several handmade items. Just need to sit down and open the shop. First, I need to come up with a name. I am a little stumped on that one. Bratalie Natalie?<br /><br /></div><div>3. I have a new idea for another etsy shop that I think will be hotter than hairbows. More to come on that idea. I have not completed all of my handiwork, but the shop will be up soon and I'll be sure to let you all know! I devoted all of Monday to creating this new idea and need to devote a few more afternoons to it.<br /></div><div>4. I am trying to mentally redecorate an entire house. Have you ever tried to redecorate an entire home all at once? It is ridiculously unnecessary. I just cannot shut my brain off. I realize we need to take it one room at a time, but I have spent hours perusing magazines for ideas for our new home so I can pick my paint colors. I am addicted. We move in on the 26th of May. </div><br /><div></div><div>5. I am in the middle of creating a wall hanging for Will's room. It is so cute. I will post a picture as soon as it's done.<br /><br /></div><div>6. I found and bought two amazing, matching midcentury modern upholstered armchairs for my new living room. I need to have them reupholstered.<br /></div><div>7. I ordered fabric to reupholster my dining room chairs. Online it looked like perfect fabric for my dining room chairs. When it arrived I realized the print is too big for my dining room chairs and the fabric is more perfect for my new living room chairs. What do you think? I think it will look "anthropologie"ish.<br /></div><div>This just skims the surface of what has been going on in my life the last two weeks. I am so scattered with all the creative planning that I am exhausting myself. All of this is a reason I have not been writing. I haven't been able to slow my brain long enough to think about my writing. </div><br /><div> </div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-79820941392914813262009-04-21T22:26:00.003-04:002009-04-21T22:41:10.176-04:00Testing Mommy"Will, Ooooh, please don't bash your car into the wall!"<br />"Natalie, don't push out the screen...you might hurt yourself and the screen..."<br />"No, don't write on the wall with mommy's eye liner!"<br />"Where did you find that bubble marker? You can't color the floor with that!"<br />"What do you mean you were swinging from the curtains? Is that is how you pulled the entire rod, screws and all out of the wall and chunks of plaster with it?"<br /><br />Ever since we decided to turn in our notice to move out of our rental home it is like our children are on a mission to do irreconcilable damage to it. I am so scared we won't survive the next 30 days without losing ALL of our security deposit. It is kind of funny. It is like they KNOW that we are trying to be extra careful. They have definately become cohorts in crime lately. Their favorite new hiding place is in our empty fireplace. I am a little concerned about this as our new house will actually have a woodburning fireplace. Our current home doesn't even have the logs and it is not connected to a gas line so it never concerned me to much if they played around it. We will have some explainin to do when we move!<br />Today, Will sat in the fireplace eating his reward for taking his nap and following his sleep rules. I looked over to see him slipping Natalie his m&m's. She was in chocolate heaven. She kept reaching for more. "Will, don't feed Natalie your m&m's. She is too little!"<br />"Oh, okay mommy" Then he would pretend to drop one within her reach and she would snag it as quickly as she could. I gave up. My 3 year old outwitted me.Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062919830051064328.post-63335632086713400832009-04-20T09:14:00.003-04:002009-04-20T16:45:22.289-04:00A New House?The last week has been a blur. The biggest decisions are facing us and my stomach is a knot of gurgling anxiety this morning. To be brief, we decided a week ago that all fingers were pointing toward purchasing our first house. In a flurry we met with the mortgage broker, searched the town over with our new realtor and on Friday decided on a house we both loved. Negotiations took place over the weekend and today is the day to sign the papers. We had our moments of cheering and hugging and planning. Then the anxiety hit my husband and I don't know what to do. Is it a sign from God or the normal reaction to being the sole provider in a household and fearing the "what ifs"? <br />What if:<br />-his job transfers him in 6 months and we have to resell too soon?<br />-we can't resell and we're stuck with a mortgage and rent somewhere else?<br />-the housing market continues to decline and we lose a ton of money?<br />-we're paying more than we should for the neighborhood it's in?<br />-we don't buy and continue to rent only to be here for 3 more years and lose out on a huge opportunity?<br />For some reason, I have had peace and have not felt this anxiety. I am aware these questions loom, but I don't fear them. I don't know if it is because of my personality that LOVES to dive headfirst into things without thinking things through, or if it is God given peace. I hope it is the latter!<br />Update: We signed the papers this morning so as long as the inspection goes through, the house is ours!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04928364126295791777noreply@blogger.com3