What the BEEP was I thinking?

Christmas is the most joyous time of year, unless you are moving. Then it just plain sucks. No, I take that back it sorta sucks.

Last year my husband and I bought the most amazing home, and we bought it rather quickly. We did get a deal on it and we have been happy here. This home is over eighty years old. After being here for a few months we knew that this was the Money Pit. It is not insulated, AT ALL, and in winter on average our utility bill ranges from $600 to $800. That is another mortgage payment. Or some new shoes for me. It became clear rather quickly that this had been a mistake. Thankfully my brilliant husband had the foresight to put a clause in our contract that stated we could basically give the house back within one year if we decide to. He did this because...a. We bought the house so fast, we didn't want to make a mistake (which we did) and 2. The house is so very old, nobody could have foreseen all the problems. The roof leaks, the entire house needs new windows, the walls need to be insulated. The list goes on and on. A stipulation of this clause stated that if we so choose to not continue with the purchase of the home, we forfeited 10% of our down payment. It is well worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I love this house, it has been a wonderful home to my family, but it's upkeep has about killed us. Also, we won't be the ones responsible for having to sell this house. It won't sell now, that is for sure.

So, as trying as all of this is, it is a blessing that we are able to walk away.

Toddlers

Toddlers are hard. That is an understatment. They are brutal, from about the 12 month stage to about the 30 month stage. Luckily, I am out of that stage with my children. But for the next two weeks I will be chasing around Logan Hayes, aka "Logey Bear". I have only had him for two days, and I already adore this child. He is around 18 months old (prime terror), but so cute you could spread him on toast and eat him up. He is a good baby, he rarely cries and is very loving. He bonded with me immediately and decided that I was the one he could trust. The kids love him. Sarah has begged me the last two mornings to let her stay home from school to play with him, and Ethan asked me if we could keep him.

As I said though, toddlers are hard. As mothers, we get out of practice. Ethan is 3 1/2 now, and only two years ago, he was the same age as Logan. I am not saying that 3 year olds are a walk in the park, but they are almost self sufficient when compared to a baby. I can trust Ethan to feed himself, walk up the stairs by himself, play by himself and to just be by himself. You cannot do this with a toddler. In the blink of an eye, you can find them on top of a table, climbing the stairs, or trying to stick something in the DVD player. They require constant supervision, and I am serious about that. You CAN'T take your eyes off of them, ever! That is why, as parents, naptime is Eutopic!

Giving Thanks

As Thanksgiving approaches, I felt it fitting to follow suit and write an entry about the things I am most thankful for. This is an extremely special time of year, and it gives me personally, time for reflection on the months past. Below are the people and things for which I am most thankful for.

1. My Lord. He has given me numerous things in years past to be thankful to him for. (Which I will reveal shortly) Mostly, I am thankful that he is always there for me and he keeps me grounded. I owe everything I am, as well as everything I have to him.

2. My family. These people are the reason that I thank God daily. Keith is a wonderful, loving husband, and eternally devoted father. Together we created two blessings from God - Sarah and Ethan. They fill my life with such unrelenting joy, that sometimes I wander if I am worthy of it. Since I was a child I have known that I wanted to be a wife and mother. I know it does sound cliche', but it is the truth. I will never know loneliness, hopefully. I am constantly surrounded by love. I also have a wonderful relationship with my mother. It has been strained in the past, but is solid now. She is always there for me, as is my stepfather. My family means the world to me, and I hope to instill all of those values in my children.


3. My health. I have learned that health is something that we all take for granted. My seven year old daughter has learned that lesson this year. She had open heart surgery in October. It was a success, to which I thank God every day. I know that he sent angels to be with Sarah. They were all around us during our stay at Vanderbilt. But she has made a swift recovery and will actually go back to school after Thanksgiving. Sarah Jane has given us all much to be thankful for.


4. My friends. Though they are few and far between, I have managed to keep in touch with most of my friends from school. We talk at least once a week, and now we are all in the same stages of our lives. Motherhood. I have also managed to make some new friends in the Junior League. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet new people as well as do good in the community.


5. My life. Though it is difficult right now, caught up in the economic woes of the world today, I would not trade my place in time for anything in the world. I am extremely rich in what counts!


Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Milestones

Okay-I always said I was not going to be one of those mothers. You know the kind that talks non-stop about her children, and very little else. But, I do have to report some big news at my house. My baby is finally potty trained. All it took was a package of Thomas the Train underpants and a lot of patience. My views on potty training - they will not do it until they are ready. That was exactly what happened with Ethan. So, yea me, I am done buying diapers, FOREVER!!!!

Baby, it's cold outside!

Can it be any colder outside? Wait a minute, it can. The news said that it was going to be a low tonight of 22 deg. I believe it.
It is Tuesday night and I am sitting here in front of the fire watching Biggest Loser. The kids are blissfully in bed and I have the TV all to myself. My weekend was pretty uneventful. Keith and I did get to go out Friday night, all alone. This is a rare delight. I love my children, but I like to get away every now and then as well. We went to the hospital to see Deborah and the bambino, and then to O'Charleys for dinner. Saturday we got up and went to Sam's Club. I really hate that place, but it does save money and they have the best steaks around, period! We looked at the toys and the Christmas decorations. I think Ethan went to sleep thinking that Sunday would be Christmas morning. He got up and asked me where his presents were. That was hard to explain. Sunday was quiet, in fact, I didn't even get dressed until around 2 pm. We will go back to Church this Sunday. I have been trying to keep Sarah away from crowds while she is still recovering.
Today, Sarah and I went to Deb's house to help with the baby. Both Kevin and Deborah are so nervous and unsure about their capabilities as parents. I assured them that is very normal for new parents, but they are doing fine. I helped Deb give the baby a bath, and she didn't even need me. I was however the best support giver a friend could have. Grace is a beautiful baby and I am so glad for Deb and Kevin. They deserve it.
I will close for now. There is some hot chocolate in the pantry with my name on it.

I'm exhausted!!

It has been the longest day ever! I was up this morning at 6 am. Ethan had two doctors appointments this morning and then I dropped him off at school around 11:30. Sarah's home-bound teacher came after that and then two hours later I got to sit down for the first time all day.
I have big news though...... My best friend, Deborah gave birth to her first baby yesterday evening. Grace Rose Summers was born at 6:16, weighing in at 7 lbs. 15 oz. Mother and baby are doing great. Sarah and I went to the hospital for a visit this afternoon. She is so sweet, all pink and soft. Little does Deborah know that in less than a years time she will turn into trouble on wheels. They all do. Yet we keep going back for seconds and thirds. Oh well, Welcome Gracie Rose!

My First Post!

Hey Everyone - This is my first official experience as a blogger! Who knew I had it in me? It is Wednesday around lunch time and I am watching Cinderella 3 with Sarah. She is recovering from her surgery at Vanderbilt and will probably go back to school in a couple of weeks. Keith is in Kentucky for the next two days so it will be just me and the kids tonight. I will probably be completely burnt out on Disney movies, as if I am not already. It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us. Ethan's school is having a Thanksgiving feast next Friday and the fab four will be in attendance. I think I will make a pecan pie for the occasion. Bless his heart, he had to miss the Halloween party at his school as well as a field trip because of Sarah's surgery. He doesn't really know it though. I think that I am going to close this post now. I need to fix lunch. This is really cool! See you soon. Emily