This past week we had an exciting development in our house hunting - the sellers accepted our offer! We should close before March 10th and will be all moved in before April starts (our lease ends March 31st). We are all very excited about this house, it has been a long time renting these past 4 years (well some time lived w/parents rent-free!) and it will be so nice to have a place that is OURS. Our boys will each get their own room and Tony will have an office away from all of the action, so he should be a working machine :)
Today is Tony's birthday. The boys and I got him a few gifts and we are going out to eat with family a couple days this week. He is taking a nap right now and hopefully it will be nice and energizing for him. We will see if he can find his gifts later to open them - Drew hid them from Daddy in the living room after we wrapped them!
School is going. . . that's about all for now. I am getting the hang of when everything is due for my online classes, nothing is hard for those but there is a lot of busywork due each week. Next Wednesday is my first test for my nursing class and I am leaving my family for 2 days to study. It might sound extreme but I really want to get a good grade on the first couple of tests to set myself up for a good outcome. I don't want to be one of the students who has to ace the final to pass the class. Too much stress for me.
Austin got information about middle school for next year. :( I can't believe my baby is old enough for this!! I remember middle school for me and all I can say is I hope his experience is better. He is signing up for band and we are pushing for him to play trumpet or sax (we have Tony's trumpet and Uncle Steve has a sax). But really, as long as he enjoys whatever he ends up playing is the most important thing.
I think I am going to start teaching Drew to read soon. My friend has used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons with much success for 2 kiddos and I looked through the book while at the store today and it actually does look easy, about 20 minutes a day. I feel like Drew is bored with his days and needs more difficult things to engage his mind. I do need to look at preschools for next year just for playing with other kids but I am dragging my feet on that. I would really love to homeschool him all the way through; I just need to convince my husband this is the right thing for Drew and our family. We will see. . .
If anyone has boxes they don't need or time to help pack, come on over!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
This Week (1/9)
This was my first week back for the spring semester. I am always overwhelmed by the first week, especially online classes, since I have to figure it out by myself! I have two online classes this semester, Family Communication and Art Appreciation. I'm taking it easy so I can really focus on and study for my nursing Med-Surg class. This is the do-or-die class for nursing majors, and I want to do well and get past it.
This weekend I am watching my friend's children (2 of the 3). Friday when I watch my nephews and niece, that all added up to 10 kids! It was a bit crazy for part of the time but it was fun. I definitely fell asleep when my head hit the pillow though. Today was a fun day of playing and hanging out.
This week we put an offer in on one of the houses we liked, and have countered and now need to reply to the latest counter. I'm not super happy with the seller but whatever happens, happens. Either we get this house or move on and find another one. I am trying to look at the bright side and at least we won't be the ones with two house payments if we don't end up agreeing on an offer!
I read the Indy Star on my iPhone usually daily and am getting excited about the SuperBowl. It makes me wish we still lived there so we could really be a part of the excitement! I'm encouraging Tony to go down at least one morning to watch Mike & Mike's show since he listens to it everyday. I would love to go down too, depending on whether or not I have class.
I am hoping to write a post each week just to keep up on anything new happening in our lives.
This weekend I am watching my friend's children (2 of the 3). Friday when I watch my nephews and niece, that all added up to 10 kids! It was a bit crazy for part of the time but it was fun. I definitely fell asleep when my head hit the pillow though. Today was a fun day of playing and hanging out.
This week we put an offer in on one of the houses we liked, and have countered and now need to reply to the latest counter. I'm not super happy with the seller but whatever happens, happens. Either we get this house or move on and find another one. I am trying to look at the bright side and at least we won't be the ones with two house payments if we don't end up agreeing on an offer!
I read the Indy Star on my iPhone usually daily and am getting excited about the SuperBowl. It makes me wish we still lived there so we could really be a part of the excitement! I'm encouraging Tony to go down at least one morning to watch Mike & Mike's show since he listens to it everyday. I would love to go down too, depending on whether or not I have class.
I am hoping to write a post each week just to keep up on anything new happening in our lives.
Monday, January 9, 2012
A New Year
Here we are again at the start of a new calendar year and a new semester of college (for me). Hopefully 2012 will bring many good things into our lives, we are certainly working toward them!
This year, we will find a church home and stop hopping into different churches off and on. I really enjoyed the church we attended this past Sunday, it almost felt like a smaller version of our church in Greenwood (which we loved!) Drew enjoyed himself in kid church and I think Austin wishes he had gone with the elementary kids instead of staying with us for the service. Praying for guidance as we decide where to make our home.
We hope to buy a house in the first few months of the year. We have it narrowed down to two and think we know which we will put an offer on, so that should be an exciting start to the year! I am very excited for this to be our last move for a very very very loooong time!
I am planning on reading one book to help my personal growth each month, other than my nursing textbooks! One book may not seem like much but these darn nursing classes involve a lot of reading and studying. I guess our instructors don't want us to kill our patients :) My book for January is Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. I read this a few years ago and it is a good, positive read to begin the new year. It is also an easy read so it fits well into my "free" time.
My goal time to be going to sleep is 11pm on days I don't have an exam/ assignment due the next day. I tend to stay up way too late and I am definitely getting too old for that. I feel like I have no energy the next day. Going to bed earlier should help me not feel like a zombie in the mornings.
Exercising more seems to be a goal I set each year. I'll set it again as a goal to exercise 3x a week. I'd prefer running at least one time a week but for now I may have to walk and work up to running... We have Just Dance 2 and 3 for the Wii and even when I'm just dancing with Drew it is a good and fun workout. I would like to do this also at least 2 times a week, just for fun (with the added benefit).
I have a few other goals for this year but this is enough for now. I would also like to learn to cook better food, but this may have to wait until after I am finished with school. I really need to prioritize while I am still taking courses, and am very blessed to have a husband who is an excellent cook!
I'll definitely update on the house journey when we get an accepted offer/close/move in :)
This year, we will find a church home and stop hopping into different churches off and on. I really enjoyed the church we attended this past Sunday, it almost felt like a smaller version of our church in Greenwood (which we loved!) Drew enjoyed himself in kid church and I think Austin wishes he had gone with the elementary kids instead of staying with us for the service. Praying for guidance as we decide where to make our home.
We hope to buy a house in the first few months of the year. We have it narrowed down to two and think we know which we will put an offer on, so that should be an exciting start to the year! I am very excited for this to be our last move for a very very very loooong time!
I am planning on reading one book to help my personal growth each month, other than my nursing textbooks! One book may not seem like much but these darn nursing classes involve a lot of reading and studying. I guess our instructors don't want us to kill our patients :) My book for January is Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. I read this a few years ago and it is a good, positive read to begin the new year. It is also an easy read so it fits well into my "free" time.
My goal time to be going to sleep is 11pm on days I don't have an exam/ assignment due the next day. I tend to stay up way too late and I am definitely getting too old for that. I feel like I have no energy the next day. Going to bed earlier should help me not feel like a zombie in the mornings.
Exercising more seems to be a goal I set each year. I'll set it again as a goal to exercise 3x a week. I'd prefer running at least one time a week but for now I may have to walk and work up to running... We have Just Dance 2 and 3 for the Wii and even when I'm just dancing with Drew it is a good and fun workout. I would like to do this also at least 2 times a week, just for fun (with the added benefit).
I have a few other goals for this year but this is enough for now. I would also like to learn to cook better food, but this may have to wait until after I am finished with school. I really need to prioritize while I am still taking courses, and am very blessed to have a husband who is an excellent cook!
I'll definitely update on the house journey when we get an accepted offer/close/move in :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Randomness
This semester is winding down and I'm thinking toward 2012 and my goals for next year.
I feel like I am going to be in school forever and the stress will never end.
This year:
Drew broke his arm while we were in Alabama for my cousin's wedding
My sister had her second son in October
I know other great things have happened but right now my brain is mush. One more final to go...
I feel like I am going to be in school forever and the stress will never end.
This year:
Drew broke his arm while we were in Alabama for my cousin's wedding
My sister had her second son in October
I know other great things have happened but right now my brain is mush. One more final to go...
Sunday, July 31, 2011
My Summer Workshare
This summer I have been doing a workshare CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) at a local farm. At this farm, by doing jobs such as planting, mulching, harvesting, washing lettuce, etc. a certain number of hours per week gets us a full share of vegetables, berries and herbs each week from June to October.
I have been wanting to join a CSA for a few years, but we haven't been able to put out the cash ($500ish) in years past. At the IPFW health fair this past spring I saw the booth for a local CSA and thought I would talk to the folks there. I was very excited when they told me about the work share program -who doesn't love (sort of) free stuff??
The work has been fun, rewarding, hard, and sweaty. I have learned a lot - really the tip of the iceberg - about what different plants need in the soil, how to harvest different vegetables and which bugs to squish versus which ones to put back on a plant. I've also met a lot of people form all walks of life who love fresh vegetables.
What I like best about the farm is that it is organic. I know the vegetables are safe for my family to eat, and quite frankly they taste better than what is available in the stores. I also love helping triple-wash the lettuce and knowing it is thoroughly checked over and I don't need to wash it again. I always wash lettuce from the store even if it says it is safe not to!
I would definitely suggest joining a CSA to anyone who is interested in fresh, delicious and flavorful food. A workshare is a great option for those of us who have time but might be lacking a bit in the money area. I consider the CSA workshare to be a terrific way to feed my family nutritious food all summer (and part of autumn!) long.
I have been wanting to join a CSA for a few years, but we haven't been able to put out the cash ($500ish) in years past. At the IPFW health fair this past spring I saw the booth for a local CSA and thought I would talk to the folks there. I was very excited when they told me about the work share program -who doesn't love (sort of) free stuff??
The work has been fun, rewarding, hard, and sweaty. I have learned a lot - really the tip of the iceberg - about what different plants need in the soil, how to harvest different vegetables and which bugs to squish versus which ones to put back on a plant. I've also met a lot of people form all walks of life who love fresh vegetables.
What I like best about the farm is that it is organic. I know the vegetables are safe for my family to eat, and quite frankly they taste better than what is available in the stores. I also love helping triple-wash the lettuce and knowing it is thoroughly checked over and I don't need to wash it again. I always wash lettuce from the store even if it says it is safe not to!
I would definitely suggest joining a CSA to anyone who is interested in fresh, delicious and flavorful food. A workshare is a great option for those of us who have time but might be lacking a bit in the money area. I consider the CSA workshare to be a terrific way to feed my family nutritious food all summer (and part of autumn!) long.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
We moved!
That's right folks - we moved with 1 1/2 weeks notice! One night as we were driving home I wanted Tony to go through a certain neighborhood (because I have this thing about looking at houses). He didn't want to and went a different way and we saw a house for rent that we had actually looked at a year ago.
He called the guy renting the house, worked out a great deal for us and signed the lease. We moved a week and a half after the lease was signed! Needless to say, the sorting through and purging I was planning on doing when we moved did not happen. I have giveaway boxes by my side as I am unpacking and am filling them up, slowly but surely.
Although it isn't a perfect house and not one we would buy, there are many things I love about this house:
~ We have a garage!! At this time it is still full of boxes, but soon we will be able to park in it!
~ Backyard - BIG backyard! The boys and I already played outside and had a blast! There is also a great patio with a firepit and a spot for a garden. Austin wants to grow corn and Drew wants to grow carrots.
~ We have a new fridge and a garage fridge. The fridge that was here is not very big and the bottom shelf is
cracked, so we bought a fridge since we will need one wherever we buy next.
~ Trees! Squirrels! Birds! It is great to look out the back window and see squirrels running around.
~ The den is big enough for me to have my craft table set up. This is a first in my adult life and I am looking forward to relaxing as I create. Being able to stop and not put everything away for dinner will be very refreshing.
~ We are allowed to paint (and we did). After living in no-paint apartments for the past three years it is really nice not to have all white walls.
~ Austin has two closets, one full of shelves. All of his Legos are set up in scenes on the shelves. It looks great, and he has played with them more since they are more accessible.
~ Drew is so happy he has blue walls! His xylophone and drum pad are also set up all the time so he can make music whenever he wants.
~ Finally, I don't feel guilty about the boys playing like boys and chasing each other around the house and yelling and (fun) screaming. It is so nice not to tell them to be quieter because "our neighbors are on the other side of the wall".
We will most likely live in this house until I am finished with school (May 2013). Then we will decide where to live, here or Indy or wherever I find a job and we agree on. It should be a nice place to call home for the next couple of years.
He called the guy renting the house, worked out a great deal for us and signed the lease. We moved a week and a half after the lease was signed! Needless to say, the sorting through and purging I was planning on doing when we moved did not happen. I have giveaway boxes by my side as I am unpacking and am filling them up, slowly but surely.
Although it isn't a perfect house and not one we would buy, there are many things I love about this house:
~ We have a garage!! At this time it is still full of boxes, but soon we will be able to park in it!
~ Backyard - BIG backyard! The boys and I already played outside and had a blast! There is also a great patio with a firepit and a spot for a garden. Austin wants to grow corn and Drew wants to grow carrots.
~ We have a new fridge and a garage fridge. The fridge that was here is not very big and the bottom shelf is
cracked, so we bought a fridge since we will need one wherever we buy next.
~ Trees! Squirrels! Birds! It is great to look out the back window and see squirrels running around.
~ The den is big enough for me to have my craft table set up. This is a first in my adult life and I am looking forward to relaxing as I create. Being able to stop and not put everything away for dinner will be very refreshing.
~ We are allowed to paint (and we did). After living in no-paint apartments for the past three years it is really nice not to have all white walls.
~ Austin has two closets, one full of shelves. All of his Legos are set up in scenes on the shelves. It looks great, and he has played with them more since they are more accessible.
~ Drew is so happy he has blue walls! His xylophone and drum pad are also set up all the time so he can make music whenever he wants.
~ Finally, I don't feel guilty about the boys playing like boys and chasing each other around the house and yelling and (fun) screaming. It is so nice not to tell them to be quieter because "our neighbors are on the other side of the wall".
We will most likely live in this house until I am finished with school (May 2013). Then we will decide where to live, here or Indy or wherever I find a job and we agree on. It should be a nice place to call home for the next couple of years.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
2011 Resolutions
Happy New Year!
As I start 2011, I can not believe I am turning 30 this year (next month!). Even when I was 20, 30 seemed ancient and here I am, knocking on the door. Now although my 10 year old thinks I am super old, 30 doesn't seem that bad to me. 40 is a different story . . .
I have resolutions for this year and in some ways I feel I have had the same ones for years and years. I suppose at some point I will fulfill at least one of them! Here they are:
1. Get healthier! I want to eat better and exercise more. I need to not care who will walk into the room when I am exercising and just do it. I know how/what I should eat but I talk myself into "treating" myself because I am so stressed, etc and that needs to stop. As a nurse (student and professional) I should be able to set a good example for my patients.
2. Continue purging our stuff that we don't use or need. We got rid of stuff this past year and it felt good! More is needed, partly because we don't have much storage and partly because we just plain old have too much crap.
3. Be more in the moment with my boys. I can't get this time back. It is easy to let stress or fatigue get to me and let them watch tv or play video games (yes even Drew - nickjr.com!) but really, they are young for such a small amount of time and then they are gone. I see this even with Austin - at 10, he doesn't want to do all the small things with me, such as building block castles or drive cars around on the carpet. It was a bittersweet moment today when he told me he wanted to box up his Bionicles and give them away (my feet are happy, but my little boy is growing up!). Anyway, I know I was involved with Austin and want to be the same way with Drew. How did I have so much more energy back then - am I really that old???? I'm not 40 :)
4. FIND A HOME CHURCH AND GO TO IT. This one is getting ridiculous.
5. Have fewer moments where I feel inadequate about nursing and feel like I want to quit school. Feeling like I am bad at things is not my favorite way to be.
6. Reupholster the ottoman and rocking chair. I have the fabric, just need to get it - as in me - together (and figure out how to use my sewing machine).
Well that about sums it up for this next year. We shall see what the year actually brings.
As I start 2011, I can not believe I am turning 30 this year (next month!). Even when I was 20, 30 seemed ancient and here I am, knocking on the door. Now although my 10 year old thinks I am super old, 30 doesn't seem that bad to me. 40 is a different story . . .
I have resolutions for this year and in some ways I feel I have had the same ones for years and years. I suppose at some point I will fulfill at least one of them! Here they are:
1. Get healthier! I want to eat better and exercise more. I need to not care who will walk into the room when I am exercising and just do it. I know how/what I should eat but I talk myself into "treating" myself because I am so stressed, etc and that needs to stop. As a nurse (student and professional) I should be able to set a good example for my patients.
2. Continue purging our stuff that we don't use or need. We got rid of stuff this past year and it felt good! More is needed, partly because we don't have much storage and partly because we just plain old have too much crap.
3. Be more in the moment with my boys. I can't get this time back. It is easy to let stress or fatigue get to me and let them watch tv or play video games (yes even Drew - nickjr.com!) but really, they are young for such a small amount of time and then they are gone. I see this even with Austin - at 10, he doesn't want to do all the small things with me, such as building block castles or drive cars around on the carpet. It was a bittersweet moment today when he told me he wanted to box up his Bionicles and give them away (my feet are happy, but my little boy is growing up!). Anyway, I know I was involved with Austin and want to be the same way with Drew. How did I have so much more energy back then - am I really that old???? I'm not 40 :)
4. FIND A HOME CHURCH AND GO TO IT. This one is getting ridiculous.
5. Have fewer moments where I feel inadequate about nursing and feel like I want to quit school. Feeling like I am bad at things is not my favorite way to be.
6. Reupholster the ottoman and rocking chair. I have the fabric, just need to get it - as in me - together (and figure out how to use my sewing machine).
Well that about sums it up for this next year. We shall see what the year actually brings.
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