Girls Weekend at the Beach

This weekend, my two girlfriends, Katie and Tanya, and I went to the Oregon Coast for a get away from being mom's and wives. It was a much deserved break and something we plan on doing on a bi-yearly basis.
We started our adventure on Friday afternoon with dinner at the Macaroni Grill. I was so excited about this cause one of my favorite dinners is there. It was a bit of a let down though. The food was way over salted. I felt so thirsty after consuming all that sodium. After dinner it was off to the beach. It takes about 2 hours to get to Lincoln City, but we had to make a few stops on the way. You can never pass on ice cream and I guess you can never pass on Deseret Book. Who knew?
We arrived too late to take advantage of the pool and hot tub, so it was girl talk and off to bed for us.
The next morning we started off the day with a way relaxing hot tub dip, followed by some synchronized swimming lessons given by me to the gals. I didn't realize that a backward somersault in the water was so difficult, and I learned to appreciate the gifts I've been given in the water.
After that it was off to the Outlets. I was really hoping for some great deals at the Children's Place outlet, but it was closed for remodelling so I had to live with the disappointment.
We were so blessed with the weather this weekend. It was so beautiful and clear. Plus not to hot or cold. Just perfect. Of course we had to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory and pose with the cows.


We stopped off at the beach during low tide and found star fish and crabs and sea anemones.
Then it was off the Katie's beach house in Rockaway to stay the night. But as we got settled in, the electricity went out in the entire town. That would not do. This was a girls weekend which means hot showers or baths and blow drying our hair. I was not about to go shopping with frizzy hair. So we packed up and headed north to Seaside to stay the night in a hotel. The plus side to this was another dip in the pool and more swimming lessons for the gals. We also tried our hands at being the next Micheal Phelps. We worked on our take off from the wall, but I was too over exuberant and hit my head at the bottom of the pool. I guess there is no Olympic future for me. Another day of shopping in Seaside and Cannon beach, it was time to have some more great food and head home. Of course on the drive home, we had to stop for more ice cream, and shopping in Tansbourne, but we made it home safe and sound and can't wait till the next trip.
One funny thing. As soon as I turned off the car when I arrived at Katie's house, I helped her unload her stuff, then went to leave when my car wouldn't start. It wouldn't do anything, not even let me pop the trunk. We were so lucky that happened after we got home. As Katie would say, we are so blessed and highly favored.

It's Mitt!

Andrew was at the Boston airport yesterday, getting ready to board his flight to come home. While he was waiting, he went to one of the airport stores to get a magazine. There, in the same store, was Mitt Romney. So Andrew taps him on the shoulder and introduces himself. They talked for about 5 minutes. Can you believe that? I wanted to know what they talked about, and Andrew said it was pretty much about politics. Mitt did inquire about Andrew and asked if he was LDS. Anyways, pretty crazy. I am a little jealous.

What Am I Thinking?

So in the midst of moving this week, my kids asked if they could have some friends sleepover at the new house. That asked if Friday would be okay and I thought why not. So tonight my house has been invaded by kids. There are boys everywhere. My most recent count is 11 boys, 2 girls, the baby and Andrew and me. It is very loud here, but they are behaving okay. They will leave tomorrow morning at 10 am and I think I will gladly say goodbye and lock the door behind them. I know, I was crazy to tell them yes.

Getting Settled

So we did it. We own our very own house. And I love it. I love being able to be creative and decorate. I love that I can paint any wall I want and I don't have to ask permission. I love that we earned every square foot of this beautiful home.
It has been physically exhausting moving and getting unpacked. Most people would still be living in boxes, but I would go crazy doing that, so we are completely unpacked. Not a box in sight, except my box of shoes that are waiting for me to buy a shoe organizer.
We have had so much help getting set up. My mom has been here everyday and she is an amazing worker. She never stops and can unpack a box like you wouldn't believe. My girlfriends, Katie, Kathy and Tanya have been over helping me hang curtains and pictures. Kathy even gave me a house warming gift by sewing me new valances in the dining room and living room windows. Katie and I did a major "man" project by getting lighting above and below my kitchen cabinets. It was a little tricky figuring out what to do, but we armed ourselves with power tools and it looks amazing.
I wake up in the mornings excited to open all the blinds and make my bed so that it looks just right. My kids are acting the same way. I've never seen their rooms so clean. We still have a lot of things to buy to fill this house. Especially in the upstairs. A lot of bare walls, but I will fill them in time. The kids TV room has no furniture, but a TV. That is gonna drive me nuts waiting to buy a couch and computer desk to go in it, but I need to work on my patience. I'm not very good at it.
Andrew says he feels like he is visiting someones house, he still feels like it is unreal. I on the other hand feel very at home. I think it is because I am putting my stamp on the house. I feel like the house really reflex me, so I feel quite at home.
Here are some pictures of the downstairs.

Here is my pretty kitchen. See the lighting around the cabinetry? I did that!

The kitchen and butlers pantry

A view from the front door. The living and dining room.

The family room (forgive the x-box party).

More living and dining room.

The living room

A view from the kitchen to the front of the house.

Dining room

And more dining room. See the valance that Kathy made?

Weary

Well we did it. We were handed the keys to our new house around 5:00 last night. Our main goal was to get all the beds in the house so we could spend the night. Not only did we do that, but we got all the kids dressers in, the kitchen table and of course, the new tv.
Everybody went to bed great, the baby laid right down with out a fuss. Everyone except me. I have laid here all night trying to fall asleep. I think I am too sore and exhausted, and I am in new surroundings,which I am continually decorating in my mind.
I should medicate myself, which I would, but all the medication is at the other house. So instead of medication, I am on my laptop, stealing internet service from the neighbors, and trying to become drowsy enough to fall asleep. I've pretty much given up hope, as it is 4:00 in the morning, and sleep has alluded me so far.
By the way, the house is so amazing. Just the few pieces of furniture in it make it look so much better then in already is. I would walk in with a new load of things, as stare in awe that this really is my home. It took us a long time to make this dream come true, and now I can't wait to finish all the things in my head. Curtains and slipcovering couches, new furniture, and a beautiful backyard, which will be a daunting task, but it needs to get done cause it will be a mud pit soon and there is no way I'm letting anyone go back there so they can traipse mud through the house.
Anyways, I'm so excited to finish and through a party so all of my friends and family can come and see our dream come true. I will try to be quick. The kids are determined to have a slumber party this Friday for all their neighborhood friends. I hope that can happen.

Hannah Montanan Fan

This week we discovered that Gavin has learned a new song. Ellie was running around the house singing Hannah Montana's Best of Both Worlds, when all of the sudden, we noticed Gavin signing along. Who knew he was a Hannah Montana fan. We never really watch the show. But it is too cute to hear him sing it, I just love it.

Today's The Day

Obviously an old picture, but it's one that we are all in it.

I woke up this morning, so stiff and sore. After moving around furniture to clean under and behind it so I won't be humiliated when people come to help us move, and cleaning out the garage, which let me tell you, was a huge undertaking, I'm exhausted, and we still haven't moved yet.
This afternoon we will be handed the keys to our house!!! I'm not sure what time this will happen, I hope to get a firmer time when the office opens this morning. But until then, there is still a lot of work to do. I still have some furniture to paint and the kids room to tackle. I hope a long shower this morning will get my body to loosen and be more mobile. This is when I'm very aware of how out of shape and overweight I am. Time to rectify that.
Andrew is determined that we will spend the night in the new house, so the first things that need to be loaded are our beds. We can handle that on our own without the help of big strapping men, but they will show up tomorrow around 5:30 to help us load all the big stuff.
We have moved 13 times in our marriage, so we have this down and know what we are doing, but I sure look forward to setting down our roots, and hopefully never moving again.

Carpal Tunnel

Today we went and signed all the paperwork to close on the house. Tons of paperwork. It is amazing all the documents you have to sign, and they pretty much say the same thing, over and over again. The hand sure gets sore.
Now that we are all signed, the paperwork will be processed and we get the keys on Monday, late afternoon. So exciting.
To get ready, I've already packed up the kitchen, and I am madly painting. I've always disliked the color of my bedroom set. It was given to us years ago and we are very grateful, but I've never taken the time to paint it. This week, I've sanded it all down and now have painted it a dark brown. It is Thomasville furniture that will last forever, so I better like the color.
My aunt and uncle made my cousin a great corner bookcase, but she has no room for it, so I got to take it off her hands. Today I sanded it and painted it navy blue to put into Isaac's room. It turned out so cute. I left the molding pieces unpainted so there is a great contrast. I love it.
Next up on the painting list is the computer armoire that I got for free off of Craigslist. It is pretty cute, but the wrong color for our house. I'm gonna be sick of painting when I get finished.

Sweet Kids

I came home from a church meeting last night, to Jackson and Ellie handing me a card they made. It was so cute. Here's what it says,

Mom this is a card that me and Ellie made because for the hard work you have done. I know you spent like $1,549 for Disneyland, but I also know that you spent $300,000 for the house. I just want you to know that I love you. Love, Jackson
Mom, I really love you because you bin so kind to us We love you Love, Belly

SO CUTE. Where do they come up with those numbers? I love my kids. They are so thoughtful and sweet.

Early Move In?

Today we had our final walk through in our house and signed off on it. It is all done and there are no repairs to be made. So we asked if they could bump up our move in date to the 15th. They said as long as the final walk through was done and the loan in place, then most likely it is a yes. Darlene, our realtor, said she needed to get the okay from one more person to give it a go, but most likely it is a yes. Yikes! That means we will probably move in 6 days. I have so much to do. I haven't even started packing, and we really need to dig out the garage. That will be a daunting task. But we get the key on Monday and wont move the furniture till Saturday, so I can slowly move things over all week. This makes me less stressed. I can do this. No biggie. So I hope Darlene calls and gives us the go ahead. How exciting.

Surprise

2 days ago, I bought Isaac a new pair of jean shorts for school. Yesterday he wore them. Through the coarse of the day he discovered that there was something in his pocket. So he reaches in and pulls out... a 20 DOLLAR BILL!!!
The jeans had all their tags on them and looked new, but obviously someone had worn them. But who cares, 20 dollars.
He was a happy boy. Although, since I bought them, should the 20 be mine. Or rather that, Andrew's since he paid for them. Oh well, Isaac has some more money for his bank.

My True Love (Beware: extra gooey)

I have stolen this picture of my husband off of Facebook, thanks to an old friend. This picture makes me think of the first time I saw my cute hubby. He looked very much like he does in this picture (he's the one in the middle), with those skinny legs and goofy hat. I saw him at a ward field day. He had come to town to visit with his dad. I took one look at him and I was smitten. He always looked like he was having a great time. I'm sure he didn't notice me. I am 2 years younger than him, and I was only 9, but I sure noticed him. It took me 5 years to get him to even look at me, and another year after that for him to like me back. And now I get to call him my guy. I love you honey. You still look as good to me as you did then. Even better.
By the way, it is his 35th birthday on Saturday. Happy birthday, Baby.

So Quiet

Today was the first day of school for my kids. Can I tell you how quiet it was today? I didn't realize how much I missed silence. Nobody to ask me questions, nobody making messes right after I picked up. I loved it. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but I also love a break. And remember, I still have Gavin around, but he gives me a good 3 hour nap in the middle of the day. 3 hours with no children running around at all. I is great.
The kids loved school. Isaac started his first day of middle school. How crazy is it that he's so old? I feel like he was just born. Time flies! Ellie started her first day of first grade, which is all day. She did fine and loved her new teacher. She was a little scared to go this morning, afraid she wouldn't be able to find her classroom. Jackson promised her he would escort her to her class which is just 2 doors down from his. Jon and Jack have the same teachers they had last year, with the same students. Nothing to be scared about for them. They came home happy to see friends they missed all summer, and glad no homework came home today.

Happy Birthday Leigh

This post is a few days late, cause I've been trying to capture Gavin on video singing to Leigh. But as soon as he sees the camera, he shuts right up. So instead, I am giving an ode to Leigh.

5 things I love about Leigh:

1. Leigh is the best Aunt in the world. She loves our kids like they were her own. Okay, that is reaching. Like they were almost her own.

2. Leigh loves family. She always wants to be around for any gathering.

3. Leigh is fun. She is always ready to get down and play with the kids. Especially Mario Party.

4. I love getting her home from work everyday. Almost like clockwork, my phone rings and its Leigh just wanting to chat, and as soon as she gets home, she gets off. Funny.

4. Leigh loves musicals and introduces me to new ones all the time. I love to ride in the car and sing all our favorite musicals from start to finish. This last trip was, Secret Garden, Dream Girls, and Wicked.

5. Leigh is the best sister and best friend. It is amazing that there is a 5 1/2 year difference between the two of us, but I consider her my best friend. I love you Leigh.

And there you have it. Happy Birthday Leigh. I hope you had a great one.