Slacking yet not!

Okay, I've been slacking, but not for lack of activity in my life! Work has been super crazy to the point where I'm going into work after the kids are in bed! Seth has begun the sprinkler business again because we didn't sell it during the winter so he is super busy, which in turn, makes me super busy with the kids. The kids are doing great. Caleb is still sooo active and will be starting Wee Ones at Grace in August-we're holding him back a year because his birthday is so late. Aubrey is crusing right along at 9 months. She is getting into everything! Lastly, and most importantly, we've been fixing up the house to get it listed and on the market to sell and build our house. We put it on the market last Tuesday and got a showing this past Wednesday AND SOLD IT on Friday! So my stress level has just jumped about 100%! We will be closing (as long as their financing goes through) end of May and we have 30 days after to get outta here. Wow..it will be so sad to go because this is our first house we bought 27 days before we got married! I'm hoping to get a crash training in building on a budget and ways to save money! If you know of any, let me know!

State Finals & Magic

Okay, so most of you were probably at the Rochester Boy's Basketball State Championship Game last Saturday, but I feel I MUST blog about it! The last time they won semi-state was like 1937! Seth and I have not taken the kids to a basketball game the entire year, yet we felt this was something that they may never see again in their lifetime. Soooo, off we all went to Indianapolis! I had so much fun shopping for Aubrey's outfit on Ebay-she had to be wearing the Zebra attire to represent! Poor Caleb, the shirt I got for him was like a dress, but he didn't care. The game, from what I could see of it from the nose bleed section, was the BEST game I'm ever seen! I had goose bumps and just felt sick part of the time because I was so nervous! They had that game won and I feel the officials did not help us in ANY manner. They played a GREAT game and I'm so proud of them!

Anyhow, this was a great time with the family-other than Caleb not really wanting to be there. It could possibly also be that he didn't know we were at a basketball game because we were up so high! :) I think the best part of his day was when we went to the bathroom and we were washing his hands. The sinks had the automatic water sensors..sooo cool. Caleb is into magic so I told him to say abra cadabra-(however you spell that) and the water would turn on and we put his hands under there after he said "Abra Cadabra" and I put his hands under the water and it turned on and he just giggled and laughed thinking he had actually performed magic! He kept doing saying, "Alla Kazam!" and I'd put his hands under there again and the water would turn on. Other than the magic in the bathroom, he was less than thrilled to be there.

Aubrey was great the whole day and didn't fuss a bit-we'll give her time though..she just loved being held!

Enjoy the pics!

Sunday Ritual

So everyone knows that Sundays are lazy days..well, for us anyhow. Lately we've been getting Ugalde's for breakfast pretty much every Sunday because I love love love their Denver omlets! Well, Caleb has also found a new love in their pancakes! It's pretty bad when he wakes up asking for his pancakes...and not just any pancakes...he says, "Daddy get me a pancake thiiiis big" as he open his arms as wide as his little hands will stretch apart! It was so cute. So when Seth got home I had to get the camera and take a picture of Caleb with his pancake...and he was so proud to show it off!

Times are Tough

Times are tough for so many people these days. Most of you know my job at the bank is handling the foreclosures and bankruptcies and those are at all time highs! Only my boss and I handle all of First Federal's 6 branches of loans. During normal times we would be busy, but it was manageable, but these times are tough.

It is a daily struggle to handle the massive amounts of phone calls and requests for getting payments lowered, loans modified, or figuring out what the person can do because they think they aren't going to be able to make the payment soon. To the outside world this would seem easy...change the rate and move the loan out to lower the payment. I wish it was this easy..we are bound by so many rules and what the investor requires, it is overwhelming..especially when they roll out new programs but don't really have the "meat" of the program figured out so when someone qualifies you're left in the dark on how to carry out the program.

My job is not black and white, it is so many shades of gray that each person could have their own color of gray. It is mentally exhausting because I feel so bad for some of these people who, out of no control of their own, have fallen upon this horrible economy. I'm so grateful for the job that I DO have and it again reminds me that my 2009 word "appreciate" is so valuable to remember. Appreciate what you have because tomorrow it could be taken away.

There is nothing more rewarding in my job than to help someone save their house from potential foreclosure. They are so grateful for the work that we do for them. I've had the chance to meet some of them and the relief on their face and the thanks they give are why I continue to be mentally exhausted...because there are people that need me to figure out a way for them to stay in their house. I appreciate the leverage that my bosses give me to handle my job and I can certainly appreciate the sensitivity I need to give these customers during these hard times.

Please pray that I stay strong for those who need guidance from me..I feel the weight on my shoulders and seem to be very emotional lately (more than normal anyhow)..certainly signs of stress!

Aubrey tooth update

Aubrey has gotten her second tooth in..it was like 2 days after the first one! It's very sad to see my little girl growing up so fast knowing that I won't be having anymore children (knock on wood since neither of us are fixed..but that's another story)

Updates

Aubrey got her first tooth in on Valentine's Day! I was so excited! I've been checking every day because I could feel the bump and this morning it happened. It was very bittersweet..my baby isn't going to be a baby too much longer! While I can't wait for her to get older so we can shop and talk, I also dread her not being a baby anymore..being able to hold her in my arms and watch her sleep or have her just lay there and look at me laughing and smiling! She has also found her voice! Wow...she just talks and squeals so loud! Yeah, I know, just like her mom! She's going to be a talker.

Caleb is pretty much officially potty trained..with a few minor accidents here and there. Overall, it was worth waiting until he was ready! It went so much faster. Also, Caleb will be starting Wee Ones Pre-School in the summer at Grace. He'll turn 4 in July, but we are holding him back the first year because we want him to be ready. He's excited because he thinks he'll get to ride the school bus and he's been wanting to "go to school and ride the bus"-he says this because he sees the school bus go by the babysitter's house and he wants to be a "big boy" too.

I am appreciating each day with both Aubrey and Caleb because I know that time will go by so fast!

I'm so proud of you...

Every day I try to tell Caleb how proud I am of him. With alot of constant "No, Caleb put that down" or "Stop that please" or "Caleb do not put your hand in the toilet" I felt I needed to be more positive too. Usually at night when we are getting ready for bed I will give Caleb a hug and tell him something positive from the day and tell him how proud I am of him. He has picked this up and now when he comes to lay down with me on the couch before bed he hugs me and says, "I so proud of you Mommy, I so proud of you!" I think it's hilarious! I wonder if he thinks that's how you say you love someone? Whenever I say, "I love you Caleb" he says "yep" For now, I'm taking the "I so proud of you" as "I love you Mommy

What I've learned from having kids and the 2nd time around

Now that we are blessed (and busy) to have 2 kids, there are a couple of things that I've learned from having kids (in general) and about having Caleb first and now having Aubrey.

1) Get your kids on a schedule-they will be happier and frankly, so will you. Don't think it's ever too early either, because it's not!

2) It's okay to let your child cry themself to sleep..otherwise, you will be the one rocking them to sleep for the next couple of years!

3) I've learned it's okay to let your children sleep with you. I always said that I would never let my children sleep in the bed with me no matter what..well, that went down the drain about night 2 that Caleb could walk into our room..I was too tired to keep putting him back in his bed.

4) It's okay to not let 2 kids sleep with you...I'll let you know how this one works out...I doubt I can stand firm to my baby girl! Maybe I can Caleb to start sleeping in his bed all night..EVERY night! :)

5) No matter how mad I want to be, Caleb can make me laugh by looking at me!

6) I've never been mored scared of hurting, losing, or being responsible for a person in my life!

7) I've learned unconditional love from my kids.

8) I can carry alot more than I thought I could at one time!

9) Girls are alot more fun to dress--and ALOT more expensive!

10) I will miss them being a baby!

11) Caleb and Aubrey are opposites-other than the obvious boy/girl..Caleb had surgery when born and was 6lbs 5 oz, Aubrey was healthy and a bigger 8 lbs. 1 oz, Caleb is a picky eater, Aubrey would eat anything! Caleb doesn't have a problem going #2 and Aubrey has THE hardest time going #2, Caleb was a sweet baby and Aubrey had colic-not fun (side note-get probiotics-baby dophilus sp? it helped alot) Caleb never took good naps-hour long maybe, Aubrey takes great naps-2 hours long. Caleb has never had an ear infection and the first time Aubrey was sick last week she had a mild double ear infection!

12) Although opposites, Caleb and Aubrey do have similarities: They both smile-ALOT! They both would go to a stranger and not think twice about it! They both have the greatest laugh I've ever heard! They were both born in July-10 days apart. They both have the same mannerisms in pictures like putting their hand right hand up by their face when they sleep.

It's easy to see why we all love our kids so much! They challenge us and keep us on our toes! No more kids for me though..I have one for each hand!

I was doing good and then....

I was doing good on my daily posts and then the kids got sick and my work has just been crazy! I'm wondering how everyone else gets all the things that need to be done a on daily basis?! Aubrey has a double ear infection. I'm just so glad I decided to take her to the doctor on Saturday-even though it wasn't Feldman or Reyburn. She was doing better on Sunday and hopefully tonight she'll be doing alot better. Caleb also has the runniest nose ever--every minute he'd be bringing me a kleenex to wipe his nose. It's no wonder between the two of them that this morning I woke up with a sore scratchy throat and my nose stuffed! Ahhh..gotta love getting what the kids have.

This weekend is our annual superbowl party so be on the lookout for pics and a new post about this fun night!

My bargain find!

I have been looking for a dresser for Aubrey's room for a long time. I've ran out of closet space before she was born and was in desperate need of more space. Anyone that knows me could tell you that I'm a little obsessed with buying clothes for Aubrey. I mean, the girl will be 6 months next week and she already has clothes for 18-24 months and some things that are 2t! Now, having said that, most of the things that I've gotten for her are bought from friends who take GREAT care of their clothes! I'm very lucky because I still get the nice clothes that I like and I don't have to pay the expensive price. Okay, back to the bargain find. So, I've been looking online for a dresser and I think the prices are just ridiculous for these dressers! One day I was on K-Mart, yes I said K-Mart, looking at their dressers. To go back a second...I found a rocker with a foot ottoman with a pink slipcover for 88.00 on clearance for Aubrey's room from K-Mart. Now you can see why I was looking at K-Mart for Aubrey's room. So I found this armoire that was white and had 3 drawers and 2 doors with a hanging bar for clothes and a shelf. It was on clearance for $76.00! I couldn't believe it..it was gorgeous! Oh, but not available online and in limited quanties! I search a radius of 90 miles and called every store on the list to see if they had this armoire. None of them had it..I was bummed. I looked at the list again and saw I had not called the Peru K-Mart. I thought if Mishawaka and Elkhart don't have it in stock, then there was no way Peru would have it in stock....but, I thought I'd call and at least try and know I did all I could to find it. Come to find out, they don't have one...they have TWO! I rounded up the kids and off to Peru we went!



I get the beauty home and start the task of putting it together. About an hour into it Seth had to come help because some parts required 2 people. After 3 hours of putting this thing together, about 12:30 in the morning, we were done! I've included some pictures of the finished product and of Aubrey's closet to show how full it is. If you know anyone that will be having a girl in the spring or summer, let me know. They will be able to get a ton of great name brand clothes for alot cheaper than buying them new!

New post, new song

Hopefully you've noticed a theme..everytime I have a new post, I put a song on there that correlates to my subject. For example, the post below is about how dirty my house is and the song is Dirty by Christina Aguilera. I think it's quite amusing. Hopefully you've caught onto my little extra "bonus" to my blog. Enjoy!

Who has the time?

Wow..if you could see my house right now...okay, forget right now..ever since I've had kids...my house has looked like a tornado! I don't know how everyone does it?! I even used to have a cleaning lady and I'd have to pick up before the cleaning lady came to clean!! I figured once I had kids that I needed to do it myself since that was extra money that we could save...please tell me...WHAT WAS I THINKING?!

Maybe if I got off work at 3 or 4 I could do it, but when I get off work at 5, go get the kids and get home it's 5:30. Now I have to feed a 6 month old one thing, feed a 3 1/2 year old another thing, and THEN Seth and I might get to eat around 7:30-8...IF I have planned something to eat! After we scarf down our meal, now it's time for playing and baths and oh wait, feeding Aubrey again. Then she goes to bed around 8:30 and now we fight with Caleb to go to bed until about 10! I still have my work clothes on at 10 pm, haven't picked up ONE thing in the house..unless it's to move it so I could put something else there. I need some helpful hints ladies! And please don't say "pick up as you go"....I do that but I feel like all I do is maintain the mess...it's like it magically comes back the next day when I get home...but wait...I cleaned it up before I went to bed at midnight and we worked all day...how did it come back?!

So, I have a couple of options here:

1) Hire a cleaning lady-for the 4th time
2) Hire an in house cleaning lady-not likely in my lifetime
3) Talk with Seth about picking up more-he's an only child-not likely in my lifetime again- thanks Nicki for spoiling him
4) Get my kids to pitch in-they're old enough right?!
5) Stay up until 3 AM to clean-I can work on 3 hours of sleep!
6) Live with it and quit sweating the small stuff...

I guess I'll pick #3 and then move to #4 until the child labor enforcement gets called, then I'll do #1 and hire a cleaning lady again and then decide I don't want to spend the money and I can do it, and then eventually move to #6 and forget it because #2 and #5 are NOT happening!

It's my mess and I don't love it, but it's not worth losing sleep or spending time with the kids or my husband over!

Sad day..

Normally I like to keep things positive but I've got to touch on something that has touched me..

Last night and today is a sad day for me. A girl I graduated with, Robin, her son has passed away one year ago today. He was only 3 months old! I had gone to Griffin's viewing at the church a year ago and was just amazed at their composure as I'm sure I would have been a complete mental case. That's when I saw Griffin for the first time in pictures. That was it..I was just mesmerized with this little boy. His little ears stuck out and his bright blue eyes just made you melt and that smile..who could forget that crooked smile. I just melted. I've kept that picture on my desk for the past year..I don't know if I'll ever put it in my drawer. I think he helps remind me to appreciate everything I have because it can be taken away so quickly! Maybe that's why my one word for 2009 is appreciate.

Our class and a few select people from our class gave money to buy them a memorial bench with his name engraved on it. I delivered it to Robin last night at her house. I got to see Griffin's room and hear more about this beautiful child that I just adored but never got to see or hold. I can't imagine the pain that they must feel. Now, I appreciate my children every day-although they test me-I've learned that my time on Earth with them is short and I need to take advantage of each and every moment possible.

Thanks Griff for reminding me to appreciate the little things in life!

It has to be love...

Aubrey loves Caleb..you can just tell. She has always just watched him playing and running around with a big smile on her face...eyes constantly following him. Caleb, however, is usually running around doing his own thing... pretty much oblivious to his sister. Lately, though, he's been saying Hi to Aubrey (including that his name is Caleb) and has been giving her a kiss goodnight. I was making a bottle for Aubrey yesterday and she was tired and hungry and started getting a little cranky. Next thing I hear is Aubrey laughing...Caleb was walking around Aubrey talking to her and just smiling and laughing. He was telling her it was going to be okay. It was the sweetest thing I had ever seen. At that moment I couldn't envision them ever getting in a fight because they were being so sweet. Then I remeber the horrific fights that my brother and I used to have....I'm going to hope for the best for them..and keep all small throwing objects away from both of them. (My brother threw a potato and a miniature Smurf at me and broke windows when we were younger)

Caleb vs. The Potty

I think he is finally moving onto a new stage in life..being a big boy. Seth never thought the day would come swearing if we didn't make him wear "big boy" pants-wet, poopy, or not, then he'd be going to school still wearing diapers. All of my friends assured me that he would do it in his own time. We had tried everything in the past...money, stickers, movies, toys, etc. It wasn't until the light bulb hit me one day when I realized the most prized possession is the key to getting him to go.

Nana (Seth's mom) had gotten Caleb a Little Einstein's Rocket ornament for Christmas that played the Little Einstein song. He loved it and took it everywhere. I remember it was Sunday when I told Caleb that he wouldn't be able to have his rocket back until he went potty in the potty. You should have seen his face...pure terror. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before, but it worked like a charm! It wasn't 2 hours later that I asked Caleb if he had to go potty and we went in there and he went!!!!

Caleb has been going pee in the potty for the past couple of days. He's had a couple of times where he's gone in his diaper, but overall, he has done excellent! He's not really into going poo poo in the potty though. He won't say that he doesn't want to, but I'm learning that there is a certain time of the day that I'm going to have to have him stay on there a little longer. He's not fully potty trained, but we are well on our way....which is great because he's going to be starting pre-school in the summer.

All in all, I'm so proud of him and I'm glad that we didn't push him..it seems so much easier this way. And I'll never be so glad to not have 2 in diapers! So for those of you that think you'll never potty train your kids, just remember they will do it when they're ready, but in case they need a little nudge...hold the favorite toy hostage :)

One Word for 2009

My word for 2009 is: appreciate

APPRECIATE

verb, -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.

1.to be grateful or thankful for: They appreciated his thoughtfulness. –verb (used with object)
2.to value or regard highly; place a high estimate on: to appreciate good wine.
3.to be fully conscious of; be aware of; detect: to appreciate the dangers of a situation.
4.to raise in value.–verb (used without object)
5.to increase in value: Property values appreciated yearly.

I hope you appreciate everything you have and aren't not consumed by the things you don't!

A New Day....

Well, the time has come to start my blog. Some of my friends have done it and I think it's very interesting. I think it will help keep some friends and family up to speed on what's going on in our hectic lives.

I think blogging will be very theraputic..a form of "therapy" if you will. I will try to post at least something every couple of days. We get so busy and wrapped up in the daily grind that I'm going to try and sit down and reflect on what's happened that day and write about it.

Hope you all enjoy..and maybe have a good laugh or cry once in awhile with me. :)