Today

There's nothing quite like trying to get ready for a house showing with a toddler that is vomiting and having bad diapers. I'm not really sure what Jack had. He didn't have a fever and acted just fine. We heard him trying to vomit in bed early this morning and then he did it a couple more times before 11:00. He hasn't since then. Tonight, he seems to be just fine. I'm very glad that he is well, but talk about a stressful few hours. On top of my regular "get-ready-for-a-showing" routine, I did three loads of laundry and scrubbed regurgitated gold fish crackers out of the carpet. I will laugh if these are the people that buy our house.

February

It is already February which is good, because that means spring is closer. It is also bad because it means that I don't have all the things in order yet that I wanted to get organized in January. There's always a lot going on, but probably nothing to exciting to mention here, so I will leave you with a few pictures.

Mr. Jack

Jack keeps me more than entertained! He is doing so many cute things. He understands everything we say. His talking has just been taking off lately. Over the weekend, he heard some music playing and said, "bluegrass!" It was in fact, bluegrass music. Yesterday, I asked him if he wanted to help me make cookies. He ran to the kitchen and put pot holders on. He constantly wants to help with dishes, laundry, dusting, pounding nails in the basement, putting clothes away... Oh what fun!

Monday

I don't really have anything extraordinary to share today. I am tired of scooping snow. I'm glad there is sunshine today and warmer temperatures predicted for the next few days! I tried the McDonalds Lattes this weekend, and they were surprisingly good. A cute story from the weekend: Jack loves to go to Kidszone at church. When Craig picked him up yesterday and they handed him Jack's paper, Craig noticed that there were just 2 cornflakes glued to Jack's picture of the Noah's ark. Craig noticed that the other kids' pictures had lots of cornflakes glued to them. The high school helpers said that Jack preferred eating his cornflakes instead of gluing them to his ark and wondered if we feed him breakfast. Jack was very proud to hang his ark with two cornflakes on the refrigerator when we got home.

A Few From Christmas

I didn't do a great job taking pictures during Christmas get togethers. I was usually too busy making sure Jack wasn't somewhere he shouldn't be, or into something he shouldn't be into. My step-mom, shared a few. We were at my dad's house for four days. My brother, Marc, and his wife Nikki, drove up from Texas and were there too. We had a great time! We don't see them often enough. On Sunday after Christmas, we gathered with one of my dad's sisters and her kids at my cousin's home for dinner. I think a good time, was defintely had by all!


  Jack and Mommy playing with Play-Doh
 Craig, Jack, and I, my brother, Marc, and his wife, Nikki, and my dad, Russ, and step-mom, Ann
  My dad, one of his sisters (my aunt Marilyn,) and my step-mom, Ann.

 My brother and I with three of my cousins that we hadn't seen for a couple years. We grew up close to them and saw them often. We are all close in age and have have lots of memories of family get-togethers.

Ugh!

My scale doesn't lie, but I really wish it did! Not good! I'm very tired of this struggle/battle today. I'm trying not to let it consume my thoughts and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Whew!

I think Craig and I both feel like we are trying to get caught up from last week. He is feeling much better, but work has been really busy for him. I got the house ready for five showings and an open house last week (which included all the snow scooping since Craig can't for six weeks), had all my regular piano and flute lessons (some had to be moved to another day or place because of showings,) and I'm also trying to finish up some other temporary part-time work. We'll be glad to get back to some sort of a normal routine again, soon!

The Patient

Craig had minor surgery on Tuesday. He was still put under and cut on, so to me, that's more than minor. He came home that same day. He felt ok on the way home, but as the drugs wore off, he didn't feel so great. He was pretty nauseous. My step mom had been told to use oatmeal for nausea. We tried it and it did settle his stomach. Now he is just sore, but doing well. We are slowly trying to get things in order for 2009 - health, budget, organization, house sold, house bought, and several other loose ends from 2008. It's taking longer than I wanted it too. One day at a time!

Breathe In, Breathe Out

I had to keep reminding myself to breathe today. It was a little crazy. I had two piano lessons this morning, had to get ready for three house showings this afternoon and lessons during the showings. I found another place to give the lessons. Craig was able to sneak in between showings and turn lights back on for the next. Getting the house ready with a toddler is also a challenge. I am so ready for my bed tonight! We are thankful for the interest in our house! :)

A Full Heart

Yesterday I met three of my best friends, Val, Laura, and Rhonda, in Iowa City for lunch. We became friends during my first teaching job at BGM elementary school in Brooklyn, IA. We always get together during their Christmas break, exchange gifts and catch up. I always look forward to seeing them! Even though we're at different stages in life, we get along so well and it seems like we truly just pick up where we left off the last time we saw each other. We talked yesterday for about four hours, but I probably could have talked to them all night. I'm so comfortable with them and just feel so full when I leave them. I wish we lived closer.

For The New Year...

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Christmas At Home

We had our Christmas at home on Christmas Eve. We were going to leave for my dad and step-mom's house on Friday, after Christmas. Thursday was the only day the weather looked like it would be decent. We had our Christmas, and then when Jack was in bed I packed and cleaned just in case the realtor would call for a showing while we were gone. It was a little stressful. :)

More Fun In The Snow

Jack has already outgrown the snow boots I bought him this last fall. This was a Saturday before Christmas, when it was snowing heavily. He wanted to go outside so badly. I really did not want to go to Wal-Mart because I knew there would be a crowd. I tried a consignment store and Farm and Fleet and did not find boots. I did end up at Wal-Mart. I knew it was bad when the door greeter told me they were out of carts. I hurried to the back and picked up the last pair of boots in his size and back to the Express Lane where I waited for about 20 minutes. By the time I got home it was getting dark. We played for a while anyway. He loves snow!

Last Day of 2008

I can't believe we are a few hours from 2009! We had a great Christmas. I know we are all tired. I will share more pictures and details tonight after Jack goes to bed. I have been working the last couple hours on editing all of our Christmas pictures (Jack and Craig always have red eye.) While editing pictures I have discovered: 1) how much Jack doesn't look like our baby anymore and 2) how much I can't wait to get the treadmill that a friend is giving us :) I don't really make New Year's resolutions but do enjoy the feeling of a fresh start! I'm looking forward to 2009 and what it holds for our family. Happy New Year!

Caution: Hyper When Tired!!!

Jack The Carpenter

Tonight, while I was getting supper, Craig took Jack to the basement for the first time. Craig has been trying to build a work bench. Jack wanted to assist. Our house was built in the 1800's and the basement is basically a cold, damp, cellar. I don't really like to go down unless the tornado sirens are sounding. I could hear Jack laughing and I could hear lots of pounding. I went down to see what was happening. Jack was having so much fun! He was pounding and pounding. Every time I asked him to smile, he smiled with his mouth but then squinted or closed his eyes. Craig knows that if he goes to the basement at all from now on while Jack is awake, he won't be able to go alone!

Busy People

I've heard that busy people get more done. I think it might be true. I don't have any lessons this afternoon, which gives me the rest of the day to get a lot accomplished. I'm having trouble getting started. See, I'm not as busy today and I'm not getting a lot done. Jack is napping which is why I should be working at lightning speed. I'm hoping to get out and run some errands when Craig gets home as we are supposed to get 4-8 inches of snow tomorrow. I like being snowed in!

Jack is just so fun! He is learning new words everyday and often surprises us with something he will say. He loves to go to church and Kidzone. He is often busy playing with cars, balls, legos, and Play-Dough. He loves Barney, Franklin, Elmo and Curious George. He is very sensitive. Usually when sitting in time-out he cries and cries. We can tell he is very sorry. We always talk about it when he can get up. I always say, "You have to obey Mommy and Daddy," to which he will reply, "Yeah!" He then gives us hugs and kisses. He's so sweet. I think he is going to be neat and tidy as he always wants to put things away and help Mommy and Daddy with household chores. I'm still trying to decide what to get him for Christmas. I think I better decide soon!

Our Helper

Jack was glued to Craig all day today. He helped Craig take out trash, put a lamp together and clean bugs out of the light fixtures (which is what he is doing here.) He was so proud of himself. He insisted on wearing his pajamas all day today. Each time I changed his diaper, I would say, "Let's put your clothes on." Each time he said, "No, no!" He knows what he likes :)

Our Tree

For Sale!

Great Room/Living Room and Dining Room

View from the dining room to the living room

Four Seasons Room/Toy Room

Bathroom

Main Floor Bedroom/Den/Office

Open Staircase

View going up the stairs



Jack's Room



Our Room


Our house is for sale as of Tuesday, this week. I am excited to be able to move to a house with more space, definitely more storage, room for more children, a yard where Jack can play, a little less rowdy neighborhood, parking for our guests, room to have company for meals and overnight stays and the list could go on. I will be a little sad to leave our house too, if it should sell. This is the first house we bought after we were married. This is the house where we brought home our first baby. We have spent a lot of time, trying to improve it and make it our home. Craig says he won't miss it at all. :) (I just realized I don't have a picture of the kitchen, but I just made lunch and need to clean up the mess before I take a picture)