It's a done deal!!!

We put our house on the market almost 2 weeks ago to get ready for our move this June. And after a few days we got our first offer. It was a bad one. As in totally insulting. Needless to say, it didn't work out. Then last night we got our second offer and it wasn't much better than the first. We counter offered and they then countered back with us. Then we did it one more time to them and they decided to take the offer.

So, our house is sold and we are actually making a profit. Shocking as that is. I am so happy that it is over and that I can finally sit on my bum and watch TV all afternoon. (Because that is what us moms do all day. And eat bon bons). But just knowing I CAN sit down and not feel like I should be cleaning something in case someone wants to show our house makes me happier than I thought possible. I had really had it with the constant cleaning and showing. I am way too pregnant to be cleaning this much. It should have put me into labor by now. But no such luck. Speaking of. I went to the Dr (midwife) today and she did check me. I have nothing to report. Looks like this baby will be late like all the rest of mine. BOO!!!!

Now when my parents come to help with the baby, I won't have to constantly be harping on them to clean up their things when someone wants to see the house. I am sure my mom is most happy about that. :)

I actually feel a little sad to have closure to our house. Yes, it is small and old. But it was ours. And it was our first. There will always be special feelings for this little brick home. Feelings of love and hate. Many days of hate. :) So, farewell to our first. You were a good home, on the days you didn't make me crazy!!!!

(Just a little side note. Our agent was AWESOME!!! His name is John Adair with Coldwell Banker. He helped us a ton and gave us great advice and feedback. If anyone is selling their house soon, we highly recommend using him. If you live in Pittsburgh too :)).

He turned 5!!!

Jackson turned 5 years old on January 28th. I seriously can't believe that I have a 5 year old. And I love it. I mean, sort of scary that I have TWO kids in Primary now. CTR 5 and Sunbeams. And I am loving it!

In the morning when Jackson woke up he asked for chocolate chip pancakes and so we made a yummy breakfast together. I really should share my pancake recipe. It is my mom's and it the BEST pancakes ever. I never had pancakes from a mix. In fact, Jason is the one the introduced me to pancakes like that. And let me assure you. . . .there is no comparison! So, we all chowed and had a fun filled day, INDOORS. There was no school and the snow was relentless. (To put it lightly).

We let Jackson pick a favorite place to eat that night and he choose Red Robin. Unfortunately the weather was dangerously FREEZING (shocking) and so we couldn't leave. The roads were terrible and it was snowing non stop for hours on end. We decided to order pizza and stay home to be safe.Jackson got a Wii. He had asked for one since we visited Grandma and Grandpa Kohler during the summer. Then Grandma and Grandpa Smythe had one this last Christmas and they ever had Mario Kart. . . Jackson's new obsession. So, that is what he wanted for his birthday.
I wrapped everything in a big bag and after Jackson unwrapped all of the different parts, he said, "Is everything for the Wii?" Ummmm, yeah. (He also REALLY wanted a Scooby Do coloring book that he saw at Costco for $4.97. I went to get it and it was gone. He goes from one extreme to the other I guess. A Wii or a coloring book. He couldn't decide entirely which was better.
But seeing how much he begs to play the Wii, I would say we got the better gift for him. Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Smythe for Mario Kart. He LOVES LOVES LOVES it.

So, my little Jackson is 5. Where have the last 5 years gone? Oh, I remember. To having more babies. :)I love you Jackson. There is no way another little boy could take your place in my heart. Everything about you makes you special and perfect. . . for me. I know you are growing up to be someone amazing. We are so proud of you for all the good decisions you make every day. Jackson has a gift with being a peace maker. I have never seen anything like it. He saves me so many days from losing my mind. And he is the world's GREATEST big brother. Anyone that knows Jackson know just what I am talking about. I don't know what I would do without him. We love you very much!!!! Happy Birthday!

Shift worker

Jason told me he overheard the boys playing last night and this is what they were saying.

Noah: "Ahhh, Father Bear,why can't I go to work with you?" (They love Little Bear).

Jackson: "You know. You can never come to work with me when I have to go to work in the middle of the night."

Sounds like they were playing house or something like that.

Jason thinks it is sad that they think their dad is a "shift worker" and works grave yards here and there. But I hate to break it to you Jason. . . you sort of were for awhile. I am glad those days are over.

Why do I want to live in California?

For the simple reason that the temperature never drops below ZERO!!!!

This is the second day that my pipes are frozen and my kitchen smells like B.O.!!! That's right, you read it. There is no running water. We made some pretty awesome Chili Verde Burritos a few nights ago and have been enjoying the leftovers for a couple of days. Had I known my kitchen would end up smelling like little Mexico, I would have just stuck to simple P.B's and J's.

Also. . . I haven't been able to do much for fear of my little children freezing some part of their body off. School was cancelled for dangerously low temps. And as I have been selling some things on Craig's List people are saying, "Well, good luck with your move. I hope you are heading off to somewhere warmer."

HA! That would not be Ann Arbor, MI.

Today we loaded up a storage unit of all the pure shwaaaaa that we have somehow accumulated and poor Jason is FREEZING. I bet when he is done he will only have 7 fingers. This freezing weather will surely take a few.

But you know what? It feels so good to have so much gone out of our house. Yes, I know it is awaiting me for unpacking time in Ann Arbor, but for now, I feel like I have been frugal and only purchased things I am using. So, I'm starving, my kitchen stinks and it is FRA-E-ZING!!!!!

Love it!

So, I just listed a few things on Craig's List and was going back to look at the add and this is the first thing listed in one section. I love it!

Free Children

Las Dos Amigas!

One of my great friends is now living in Washington DC for work with her family and they were able to come and visit us for New Year's . We had a super fun time with them and a much needed girls day. Thanks to our wonderful husbands that took 5 little kids to the Science Center and fed them lunch and dinner and put them to bed. It was fantastic.

Adrienne and I got to go shopping, get pedicures and just laugh all day. I wish we lived closer. I really did love having them here and getting to know her family better. Adrienne and I met because we both went to the same mission. We NEVER once saw each other while serving, but we did keep in contact through little notes and messages while we were in Argentina. We both had the same trainer (give us strength) and knew several of the same missionaries. We just never got to cross paths. :(

So, thanks for coming to visit us and make such a fun holiday for us!

ouch!

Today I had a dr. appt. Everything looks fine. As it should. I still have 8 weeks to go so nothing major was checked. But as I am leaving and still thinking about how I had to get weighed again (I always hate that part) and how I keep getting bigger and how the more I gain the more I have to loose and blah blah blah. . . I am getting out of the elevator and this older man says to me, "Twins or triplets?"

WHAT??

I quickly replied, "Nope, just one." Idiot.

So far all you big liars of friends that keep telling me, "Oh you look so good. . . it's only your little belly. . .blah blah blah. . . "

Someone begs to differ with you. And old grey haired man.