A great, productive hubby/wife weekend.

I am home from Colorado. It feels great to be home. The flights were o.k. The trip there was fine until we were descending into Denver and we could see the dust storm across the flatlands. It made me a little nervous, especially when the pilot reported that we would have a bumpy landing. The poor lady next to me was throwing up in her little puke bag. I was glad that I wasn't at that point. Poor thing. When the plane landed, safely thank GOD, Chuck texted me to see how I was. He was watching the wind pick up and knew I would be having a hard time. I replied that he better figure out where the nearest liquor store was! :) After I calmed down--it took quite a while--we cozied in after supper and watched a movie. Chuck was so cute, he said that I was his first visitor in his apartment since the kids and I left 6 weeks ago. He was making me food, bringing me coffee in the morning, worried that I was cold/hot. I felt like we were dating again, when he used to dote on me all the time. I hated leaving him.

It was a productive weekend, too. We saw our fair share of houses. Some were o.k., others were, "Oh my....I can't believe you brought me to see THIS!!!" Chuck can obviously see the house's 'future' potential. I look at it and see that we have to live in the existing condition UNTIL we are able to remodel. There are many that just won't do.....sorry Chuck. :)

While I was away, we had a very promising showing here at this house. Please say a prayer everyone!! AND we made an offer on a house in Colorado. It is the one I had mentioned before--the one by the high school....the fixer-upper. So, this week will be a big news week--hopefully. Our two choices were this house and one that was way up in the mountains. We wanted to buy the beautiful log home on top of a gorgeous mountain, surrounded by breathtaking beauty. The owners were the nicest people, too. They just made you want to buy from them. BUT, the house was pretty remote, and was on a gravel road that was very steep. The older kids would have to ride the bus for at least an hour each way to school. Sometimes in the spring, when the snow was melting, you literally slid down the hill--not to mention how you would get back up once you were down. Then, we hung out at the house by the school just to get a feel of the area. While we were there, the fields were full of families playing soccer, lacrosse, baseball, you name it. It just made you want to get out there and play, too. It was so US! Lots of young families, but also some high schoolers, too. Right next to the high school is a community center with an outdoor playground and skate park that the boys could use every day if they wanted. So, as you can tell, the decision was made. I can see us being happy there. So, we'll see if they accept our offer. (fingers crossed)
We tried the local fare, also. Some really great little restaurants (the yummiest crispy chicken salad I've ever had), rib joints (I think you need a Harley to feel at home here), and wine bars ("No reservation?? Sorry"--we went back there for lunch the next day) Everyone was extremely friendly and promised we would love it there.

This week promises to be a busy one. Chuck's Dad is having heart surgery :( sometime this week. We're not sure what day exactly, but it is a risky one, so send up prayers.
Allison's prom is on Friday and I'm making them dinner. We haven't come up with the menu yet--that's on my list today. We pick up her dress today, hopefully they took the hem up enough. I'm afraid she will always have the dilemma. :) She gets her nails done tomorrow! Oh, this is soooo fun!
Chuck's renting a convertible for them to drive; hopefully she doesn't have to wear her winter coat with her prom dress. ha!ha!
Tanner has his final band concert tomorrow night, so I'll have to tape that for Daddy.

I'm hoping to keep everyone up to date on the news this week, but may have to post about everything this weekend. Who am I kidding--I'll post as soon as I hear anything.

I'm outa here!!

For the weekend, that is. I'm flying to Colorado today to visit Chuck for the weekend. We have a list of houses to look at, a fly-fishing date on Saturday morning (if the weather cooperates), and some choice resteraunts to try out. I'm really looking forward to spending time with him. He's so excited, too, I think....I hope. :)
My only trepidation is the kids. They are scattered in every direction. They will be fine, I know, but there is always so much prep work. Allison is trying to plan out her prom dinner--which I'm cooking--and getting decorations for this weekend. I'm sad that I'm not here to help her. Ashley's shopping with a friend--her favorite thing to do, Tanner is staying at the neighbor's and is in charge of the dog--Yikes!--and Mitch is heading home with Lorrie to play with his bestest friend. Thank you all for helping out! I woke up this morning and was scanning through Tanner's school news and found out that he has a choir concert tonight...that I never heard anything about! I asked him about it, and he says, "Oh yeah." UGH! I keep telling him that I feel sorry for his future wife--she'll have no idea what's going on, he forgets EVERYTHING! :) So, I have to find a ride for him...and I'm very bummed that I'll be missing it. Mom's live for this stuff, right? Just one more added stress.
And if everyone knows how much of a nervous flier I am, you know how churny (is that a word?) my stomach is today. O.k. I don't want to talk about that subject any more.

But--I am excited to go! I'm actually excited to GET THERE. The leaving part is difficult. I'll be sure to take pictures (hopefully of some houses) and post the good ones here. I may even need to take a vote. :)
Have to get off this computer! I'm known for my procrastination--especially when I'm on a time crunch. Have a great weekend everyone. LOVE YOU!

Baby heaven

I had my baby fill this weekend--can you believe I said that? I can NEVER get my 'fill' of babies. They are just soooo delicious, I just can't get enough. Sometimes when I hold a sweet-smelling babe I actually get tears in my eyes. I can't explain it. Allison has been known to say, more than once, "Gosh, when I have a baby, I'll never get to hold it when Mom's around." How did she know? :) I've told my kids that they better plan on living near me when they have Grandkids. Otherwise, we will have homes all over the country to be near them.

If there's a baby around, this is where you'll find them...usually.

Can you say "Cabbage Patch doll?" This is Rheya, our nieghbor's niece.

Little Noah, our nieghbor's foster baby.

The latest, greatest invention ever to hit the grocery store...(in this small town, anyway)

I went to Cub Foods the other day, and found this GREAT thing they are finally promoting..............

THE REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG!!!!

This is really exciting for me as I think our town is so far behind in the eco-friendly lifestyle. They were selling these for $1.00 each...which I thought was a bargain since I was eyeing some on-line for $35.00 for 5. I've been taking them everywhere and feel so good about it. They can hold quite a bit, too. They're pretty deep. This morning I lugged all my bags with me to Walmart, and as I was leaving--my bags brimming--a woman at the door handed me a free, recycled, reusable bag from Walmart. I think something's FINALLY catching on here! :)

Update on the house situation...

We may have found our house. No, it is not the house I previously posted about, but a different one. The owners accepted our offer, and I'll be traveling there next weekend to see it. I will admit to you, I'm struggling a bit with this one. Haven't been able to sleep much in the last two nights. This house is under our budget, which is great, but it is definitely a fixer-upper/add-on-er. A few things need to be done right away...like put in an egress (sp?) window in one of the lower level bedrooms, fix the deck, PAINT THE EXTERIOR!!!!, and shingles. But, overall, I think it's what we need to buy right now. It has great potential--very easy to add onto, and it's right across the street from the high school the kids will be attending. Mitch, Alli and Ashley can all walk to school. Ashley is not happy that it's right across the street. She says that she doesn't want to look out her window and see the school---constant reminder, I guess. :) But, the football field/lacrosse field are right across the street, and the boys love that idea. So...what am I struggling with, you ask?? It's the size, I'll admit. I can't imagine us all living in this little house. I know, I know...I've been very spoiled these last few years. But, reality time is setting in, I guess. This will be very good for me...I just need to suck it up!! It is just taking me a few days to really let it sink in to my brain. My mind wanders to the future addition, and what I want it to look like. We are so lucky that Chuck is so handy and will be able to do all of the work himself. I'm anxious to get to the landscaping and planting.
One of the things I'm really excited about (or should I say two) are the fireplaces. They have one upstairs and downstairs. Those snowy, windy winter nights will be cozy by the fireplace. I'm trying really hard to let go of all the "wants" in my life and to focus more on the "needs." (Thank you, Kaylyn!) This is such a learning experience, and a good one at that, for all of us. Chuck and I are commited to living simpler lives from here on in, taking time to enjoy the outdoors and get our butts moving. He's already talking about purchasing mountain bikes for all of us. Look out, Shawn, here we come!! So, lots of changes going on here.

Do you think my reoccurring, very annoying eyelid muscle twitch has anything to do with all of this 'change'?

Gus...in his glory.

Allison and Phil spent their Saturday afternoon building a new cage for the hampster Gus. There were quite a few giggles, but a little irritation in the air, too. It was fun to hear them work together and figure it out--from finding the tools, figuring out how to use the tools, brainstorming ideas, to finally showing off their finishing product. I was just glad there were no injuries. Did I mention how accident-prone they BOTH are? :) I think Gus was happy, too. Have you ever seen a hampster do a flip? That's what he kept doing once he was in his new home. Funny stuff!

On Monday night, the boys and I attended their hockey awards night. They both recieved medals. Tanner recieved a medal for outstanding academics (WOO HOO!!) along with a puck and certificate. Mitch was a little upset that he didn't get one for academics, but he's not quite old enough for that medal yet.

In line for his medal.

I'm soooo behind...

In the posting department, that is! I still haven't had a chance to post Easter pics yet. I just never seem to have time on the computer lately. Here are a few updates on what we've been up to:

We had Chuckie home for the weekend--and had so much fun. On Thursday the kids and I decorated the house with baloons and streamers, and signs to welcome him home. He wasn't getting home until 1:00 a.m. that night and the kids wanted to surprise him. Here is the sign that Mitch made for Chuck. We thought it was so precious!

We thought the "We loved you" part was the cutest thing.

On Friday, Chuck and I went out for coffee in the morning, and spent the rest of the day running errands together. Something we haven't done 'together' in years. After the kids got home, we went out to our favorite resteraunt, ran to the grocery store (we haven't been in the grocery store together in years, either.) It was actually a blast...running down the isles with our carts...the girls getting into it, too. We loaded up on junk food--yes, Dad couldn't say 'no' to any on them--grabbed some movies, and headed home to watch them all. We were up so late, but nobody wanted the day to end.

On Saturday we went to Chuck's hometown for a memorial for his aunt. There was a lot of family there that he hasn't seen in years, so that was nice to catch up with them. One of Allison's and my favorite things to do is to sit and listen to Chuck's Dad talk about stories of when he was younger. His Dad is reaching the ripe age of 81 this year, and we've heard a lot of these stories before, but we never get enough of them. Some of our favorites are the stories of his teenage years...of his friends named 'Buckeyed' Sampson (?), 'Cornfed' Hanson (don't ask), and the infamous 'One Dollar Necktie' Schmidt (it seems he bought a necktie for a dollar when they were selling for $.50, and the name stuck). Alli and I get tears from laughing so hard. A new one we heard this weekend was about the time he almost burned down the barn and he got so scared that he ran away and hid in the woodchip pile. While he was hiding, he fell asleep and everyone was looking for him everywhere. When they found him, everyone was so happy that they forgot to give him woopin' (his words) for almost burning the barn down. :)

Saturday night was spent with the neighbors eating taco in a bag. We've really missed being together, and the kids really miss the Family Fun days. Now that spring is here, we have to get in a few before we move.

On Sunday we celebrated Mitchell's birthday with his friends at the YMCA. He had a blast playing basketball and swimming.

We came home afterward to get Chuck packed up to head to the airport. It was really hard letting him go this time. We kept saying, to ourselves, "It's only 11 more days until we see each other again."

I think this has been the hardest on Tanner. He misses him so much, and I think he would pack up everything and move tomorrow if he could. Last night he asked me if I could help him think of ways to make money. After a little prying, he said it was so that he can help pay for a house. He's such a sweet boy. I've seen a little slip in his school work, too, so I'm conversing with his teachers about that. He says, every night, "Mom, I keep thinking about all the kids that don't have their Dads 'cause they're fighting in the war, and I think 'This isn't so bad.'" He has a lot he's dealing with right now. :(

Everyone say a little prayer for us. Chuck found a house that would be perfect. We're waiting to hear back from the owners. If everything goes well, I'll be traveling there in the next couple weeks, and then I'll be able to post pictures. :) I'm not getting my hopes up....I'm not getting my hopes up....

Last night Allison, Phil (Alli's boyfriend) and I went to order his tux and pick out shoes for Alli. They had altered her dress already, so she tried it on. When she came out of the dressing room, Phil says, "You look amazing." He couldn't stop staring at her. It was so sweet, and I think I got a little tear in my eye. :) BUT...part of me wanted to say, "Stop looking at my baby that way!" Those two are going to look amazing together. Can't wait to take pictures of them to show you! Prom is May 2nd, so be ready for pictures on May 3rd!

This morning Sawyer and I started a new dancing/excercising dvd. I feel a little soreness in my abdomen (exactly what I wanted) already, and can't wait to do it again tomorrow! He just sat there and giggled at me. I felt a little self conscious.....