keeping my head above water...

Inspection on our house done--everything is fine.
Had son's 1yr pictures taken.
Last minute running around for the big party.
Family came to town Friday night
Pick up balloons for party Saturday morning.
More family and friends arrived for big party a few hours later.
Family stayed till Sunday afternoon.
Kids crashed.
Parents wanted to crash but couldn't. Had to find a house to buy.
Spent two hours on Internet looking for a house.
Found 3 properties to look at. Made appointments to look Monday night.
Dear friend graciously offered to watch both kids Monday night. Bless you.
Total bonk on the three houses.
Found another house--made appointment for Tuesday.
WE LIKE THE HOUSE.
Brother-in-law and wife visit and we attend a baseball game Tuesday night. My team loses.
Another Dear friend watches the kids' while we attend the baseball game. Bless you.
Daughter went swimming in pool in backyard today.
Daughter didn't get burned, Mom did.
Went in for second showing of the house tonight. Still liked it.
Wrote offer.
Waiting.
Daughter has 3yr pictures tomorrow morning.
Daughter and Son have 3yr and 1yr doctor appointments on Friday morning.
Pack for the weekend--going out of state for a baby shower, and visiting with family.
Monday, appraiser visiting our house.
and on, and on, and on....

((starting to go below the surface of the water...))

Crazy busy....

Ok, so I am turning into a bad blogger. Recently, I just can't keep up with blogging. I think it might have something to do with selling a house, trying to find a house (so we aren't homeless in two months!), and preparing for my son's 1st birthday, and my daughter's 3rd birthday. Yup, I think that is it. We had our house on the market for 13 days, and we now have an accepted offer. The inspection is tomorrow morning at 9am. We aren't too worried about that, though. DH has been working crazy hours, which leaves me running all around trying to find a house, and running errands house selling/buying related. The fun never stops at our house. :-) That is the long and short of it...I will leave you with some recent (and not so recent) pictures of our life the last week and a half. Enjoy! LM's first spaghetti dinner...with a SMALL amount of sauce. I didn't feel like taking an hour cleaning him up...

Except for LM's hair, they look alike here...weird. Man, did he need a haircut!! Uff-da!

Wanna pinecone??

I am pretty sure Bubby tasted each and every one of the pieces of chalk in the box...yummy. Just for the record, Bug is blowing away the chalk dust, not licking the ground.

Our masterpiece!

Loving the new playhouse...

Nice action shot...

Last Thursday was Bug's first day of Preschool. She didn't miss me a bit, and she had so much fun. ((sniff sniff)) My baby is getting so old...time flies SO fast.

(After I dropped Bug off at preschool, I got a call from our realtor that we had an offer on our house, that we accepted) That same night, we took LM to get his first haircut. He didn't cry, just sat there and watched. This is the before picture--another good before picture is the "pinecone" picture at the beginning of this entry.

Deciding how much to cut off...

Cutting off the ponytail lock of hair for his baby book...

Not looking too happy here...

The AFTER picture

This past Saturday, we had a get together with LM's birthmom and her family. Here is Bug and LM's birthmom's cousins having a tea party

LM and his birthmom, "H", helping LM open some early birthday gifts

That is about all of the craziness for now....tonight we are going to look at two properties in a neighboring city. Can't wait!! This weekend is the big party for Bug and Bubby birthdays'. We are going to have quite the crew here--about 30 adults, plus kids. Aughta' be another crazy and fun day!!

He is here!

I am so proud to announce the arrival of my new nephew, Leo, born June 3, 2009, at 6:28pm (via C-section, after a very long day!), weighing 6lbs 12oz, and 20 inches long. We are so blessed to have him and his Mommy be healthy after the rough pregnancy. Daddy did well too (I can't believe my little brother is a Daddy!) Welcome to the world, Leo. We love you! Just out of the OR, hence the scrubs... Daddy and Leo

Everything has a story...

Well, what a week!! Tuesday and Wednesday I spent most of the days getting the house ready to go on the market. The realtor came over and took pictures on Wednesday night. The house officially went on the market on Friday. I left with the kids and headed "home" to attend my Grandma's estate sale. I needed to do a final run-through of all the stuff before strangers came to buy. It was a bit more emotional than I thought it would be...just seeing strangers buying things. I found myself telling people "take good care of that table now...", or "oh, that was the music box she liked best", or "that sat on her hutch for the longest time...". Everything has a story. I found myself reminiscing more and more as the days wore on. It was sort of a sad day. So final. If I had room I would have taken more, but am sure that my DH would have not been happy with me bringing a antique table and rocking chair home, when we are trying to pack up the stuff we already have...

A picture of the above mentioned rocking chair--this was Bug's Great-Great Grandmother's rocking chair (my Mom kept the "prized" rocking chair). I would have loved to take it, but already had so much. I made sure to take a picture of it before it went to it's new home. The front yard at Grandma's house during the estate sale... Bug and Aunt MJ (aka "Don't-mess-with-me-that-is-the-price-and-don't-ask-again" cashier) Bug goofin' around with a magnifying glass she found on one of the "for sale" tables...she thought it was neat to "shop" at Grandma Polly's house...

On Saturday, while still at the estate sale, DH called to say there was a showing of our house already. Awesome! Since then we have had 6 showings, and it has only been on the market since Friday. Two showings have been repeats, so there must be some interest in the house. We are hoping...

While visiting my parents, Bug had a lot of playtime with her cousins, so that was nice. LM stayed with me, and had so many comments from people attending the estate sale, about how good he was. He was such a good boy--sat in his high chair and ate so nicely, didn't fling food everywhere, and didn't even melt down when it was nap time.

Bug and KM playing in the leaves on Grandma's deck KM, Bug, and HoHo at KM's house Two cute kiddos... Here is my sister...and soon to be Baby Rowan Kristene. I make her let me take a belly shot every time I see her. She looks pretty darn good. She has only gained 15lbs so far, and she is due the end of July.

I was humbled by the treasures my Mom sent me home with. Here are their stories:

This ring is to be Bug's when she gets older. It was my Grandma's wedding ring. It has diamonds from both of her husbands. It went straight to the safety deposit box Monday morning. Bug keeps wondering...."Momma, what happen my ring...?" I also got a wedding ring that was Bug's Great-Great Grandma's (I forgot to take a picture), and that too has a new home in the safe deposit box.

This was the nativity set that sat in my Grandparents house. As kids, my Mom and her brothers, used to, as my Uncle John said..."We used to slide Jesus down the roof of the stable..." Must be why poor Jesus looks like this:

They said for as long as they can remember, the nativity sat on the top shelf of the secretary desk, that now sits in my house. You can be sure that the nativity will be in it's rightful place this Christmas.

This is my Great Grandmother's wedding day, the dress then (above)...and the wedding dress today. They were married in 1904. This dress has 9 pieces to it, 10 if you count the veil.There are three separate skirts. We are missing one of the gloves though. I asked my mom after looking at the dress how little Gr-Grandma was. I swear that Bug couldn't wear the glove, it is that tiny. My Mom said she barely broke 100lbs, and was about 4'9. Holy cow. I have already ordered a acid free box from the dry cleaners. I checked on the Smithsonian website on how to store articles like this, and I will be wrapping each peace in a cotton sheet and storing it in the box--as soon as the box comes.

Lace detail on the dress....My Mom thinks the dress was handmade.

This is the "Little red dress" that Grandma Polly wore "every day for a year in second grade, except for the weekends...On the weekends, it got washed (in her own words)." It was the depression, and they barely had a bucket to...well you know, go to the bathroom in. I am going to try the dress on Bug, just haven't gotten a chance yet...

This picture hung on the wall in my Great-Grandmother's (then my Grandma's) house. As a kid, when I would spend the night at Grandma's house, I would look to the wall and see this picture hanging there, as she would read me a book and we would say our prayers. My Grandma always said how she loved this picture.

And last but not least, the prized "stool". This stool was fought over so much when I was growing up, it was ridiculous. As kids, the four of us would fight over who would get to sit on this at any holiday meal, that was always held at Grandma's house. I don't know yet the story behind this stool, but I have always loved it. The hat on top of the stool, was worn by my Grandma when married for the second time (after being widowed very young) in 1963. I think I am going to take some of the real old things and have Bug's picture taken with them. Maybe the hat and a couple of the less damaged pieces of the wedding dress (just to be sat in the background, not worn!). Haven't figured out how I will do that just yet, but it would be neat to have the picture for her children and grandchildren.

Just remember, everyone and everything has a story...preserve those things for future generations. They are priceless.

Remembering...

This is the kids' early birthday gift....I had been watching the ads and over this weekend, it went on sale, so off I went to get it. We had intended to store it somewhere with a blanket over it till their birthday, but after purchasing it, the box didn't fit in the van. We (me and the salesman) ended up taking all the pieces out of the box to get it to fit. Because of that, we didn't have a choice--once the kids were in bed, we had to put it together. We were putting it together last night at 11pm, in the garage. We put it in the backyard when we were done, and this morning, we told Bug, that we had a surprise for her, made her close her eyes, and led her to the backyard. DH videotaped it...it was so cute. She was so excited...seeing your kids' excitement is better than getting any gift!

We spent the entire weekend working on the house, inside and out to get it ready to be put on the market. We are so glad that 95% of it is done...the rest should be done by Wednesday night when the realtor comes over to take pictures.

On Sunday after church, we took the kids to the park (right next to church). A little friend of Bug's , "K" and his Dad came too. There was a funny conversation I overheard from our two kiddos who were, at the time, on a teeter-totter:

K: Are we done with the ride yet?

Bug: NO

K: Ok....

(enjoying the ride, then about 30 seconds later...) K: Are we done yet?

Bug: NO...I want to ride more!

K: Ok....

Bug: (5 seconds later...) Ok, now we are done. (off they run)

Amazing...she already has him wrapped around his finger. Later, when it was time to go, Bug ran up to him to say goodbye.

(hugging each other)

K: Can I kiss you?

Bug: Ok.... (kiss) Egggghhhhh, YUCK!!! (wiping the kiss off..)

That's my girl....and it better stay like that for at least 15 years!! It was just too cute, though. After the park, it was home to do some more work on the house.

Today, we got up and headed downtown for the Memorial Day parade. It was nice, but Bug decided to cry through pretty much the entire thing, because..."I don't like the drums, Mama!!" She hated the loudness of the marching bands...which is no surprise, she hates loud noises.

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Bug enjoying her new playhouse

At the parade... A fly by... Bubby and Daddy When she was happy....before the parade started! Waiting for the parade to start

I can't help but remember those who gave their lives, so that we may live the life of freedom that we all do. They are all heroes in my eyes. To those we love, who have passed to a better place...We love you and will never forget you. My dear Grandma (2008), and her first husband, Leo (1962), picture taken on their wedding day in 1944. My dear Grandma (2008), and her second husband, my Grandpa George (1980). This picture was taken in April of 1980.

My husband's dear Grandfather--"Grandpap" (2006). This picture was taken in 2003.

We will never forget you....we love you all very much. Rest in Peace.

Going to the "house store"....

I last left off when we were going to take Bug to the hospital lab for a blood test. Well, on Friday May 8th, I took her up the street to the hospital for a blood draw. I wasn't so sure how that would go, but alas, my brave little girl did so well. She started to cry when they put the tourniquet on. When they actually took the blood, she had pretty much stopped crying by then. She was just so excited that she was going to get a Snoopy band-aid, and a Tinkerbell sticker. Good results too: Mono is negative, but her blood count was super low. Normal is between 8,000 and 10,000, and hers was 5,000. The doctor said also, that 71% of her cells were viral cells. Layman's terms: she has a nasty virus. As of today, her glands are STILL badly swollen. Not sure what is still going on with those...

Sunday brought Mother's Day. Every Mother's Day, we are greeters at church. DH got me a corsage, and of course made me a nice card. I thought for sure LM would tear the heck out of the corsage, but I only lost one petal on my rose, so not so bad. I always look forward to his handmade cards. Sunday night we had a yummy dinner at TGI Friday's.

Later in the week, we decided that we are going to buy a bigger house. Yes, just like that. Not "shall we go out for dinner tonight?", or "I think I need to buy a new pair of shoes..", but "I think we are going to buy a bigger house". We had actually been throwing around the idea, but nothing ever came of it. Well, we decided it made money sense, as the mortgage rates will probably be sky high next summer (when we originally had planned to move), so we might as well go for it, right?? We have met with two realtors, and have chosen one to work with. We have some things to do to the house (very minor), but our hope is to have it listed by the end of the month. So, on Saturday we decided to go "house shopping" and drive past some we had found that we liked. As we were getting ready to go, Bug asked where we were going, and I told her "house shopping". I proceeded to run around the house getting things ready, and I hear Bug yell..."Cmon Daddy, we are going to the house store!!!!" Too cute.

Next on the agenda was going to the pottery store to paint a plate for our Mom's for Mother's Day. We had an idea to hand print both of the kids on a heart shaped plate, then DH would take them home. It worked out ok...I was there for about four hours though--after DH left with the kids. I was exhausted by the end. Since I was there, I also painted a cake plate for LM for his first birthday. The plates turned out pretty good I thought.

LM didn't want to let go of the paint brush when his kind young lady helped us. She gave me a real cute idea for his cake plate too! Thanks kind lady!

Here is a cute picture of my curious LM....He realized that when he gets into the cereal cabinet, that tasty things are in there. He would eat some Lucky Charms, and then clap his hands.On Friday, we had some new friends over. They are a couple from our church who has also adopted transracially, a little girl. We had a great time chatting and letting the kids play. Holding their daughter, really made me want to adopt again. She was so precious. Saturday night, we headed to some friends' of ours, "Uncle" Dave and "Aunt" Jen. We had a yummy dinner, then just chatted and got caught up. It had been so long since we had seen them....I am pretty sure the longest span of time ever. I think it had been since February...we promised not to do that again!! We were there till about 11:30pm...and the kids didn't actually get into bed till after midnight. Bad parents... Cuddlin' with "Uncle" Dave"Aunt" Jen and Bug

Sunday brought me and the kiddos piling in the car and heading to DH's parent's house. We got to spend some time with the family, and my Mom actually came up for the day on Monday, so the kids got to see both of their Grandma's at the same time. We had a good time seeing everyone, and doing some relaxing. At home, DH was going to get some painting done in the house, and we thought it would just be much easier with no kids (and wife!). Not much ended up getting done in the house, as DH had to work alot more than expected. O-well...guess we will be getting it done this weekend. LM at the park...I kept saying his name to get him to look at the camera, but he refused. He was smilin' like crazy, but didn't want to look at me. Little stinker! My little Bug Aunt Kim and LM Swinging with Aunt Kim Snuggling with Aunt Tracy Bug being a goofball... My Mom, LM, DH's Mom and Bug, with the Mother's Day gifts. The plates read: "Grandma (Grammy) holds our hands for a short time, but our hearts forever". Both our Mom's loved them. Bug and her cousins at the park... My cute nephew....and I WILL be saving this picture for his first girlfriend!!

This morning, I took the kids and met with two other adoptive moms for a play date. We finally got to have our first Transracial Playgroup meeting. Yay! We had a great time, and was blessed with an awesome, hot day! It was so exciting to meet other Moms who have been down our road, to develop the support system, and of course to make new friendships too! We are planning on going to the zoo for our next outing. Tonight, I am off to a "preview" garage sale. This garage sale is a woman who has, literally, sales racks full of barely used or new kids clothes from Gymboree. Ummm, yeah, I will be taking some cash with me.

Have a good week!