Monday, December 31, 2012

For Sale

One day after school I was sitting at The Creek with my teacher friends for Melissa's baby shower.  I received a text message from Brad with a picture of this house.  Then seconds later he said he had called my Aunt Kathy and scheduled a walk-through for the next day.  Now mind you, we are NOT looking for a house.  Well I should say, I wasn't looking.  I had my doubts right away, but I thought it was fair enough to at least look.  So the next day we go out and look at this house.  As soon as we walked in, the smell of the house just hits you.  :(  The carpets were nasty!!!  The walls were stained yellow.  Some walls had holes.  It definitely was a turn off.  Although walking through it made me think of our first house and all the work we had to put into it.  Now, we have this house that is basically brand new and needs nothing done.  Brad just finished the basement and put up a fence.  I went home thinking....ummm NO! 

For some unknown reason, I couldn't get this house out of my head.  I wrote a list of positives vs. negatives to think through it a little more in depth.  My positives beat the negatives by a long shot. I drove by this house most days after work.  Every single time I drove by someone was looking at it.  I felt protective over it...like it was my house  or something.  It was very strange!   I agreed to go see it again with possibly making an offer in my head.  Brad and I had discussed an asking price just in case.  After talking with a gentlemen that worked with my Aunt, he informed us that 7 people had already made offers on this house.  WHAT?!?!  Since it was a foreclosure, they didn't exactly have a deadline.  The more and more I checked it out, the more and more I knew the potential it had.  Everytime I walked outside it was sooo peaceful and perfect for us!  About a week later, we were at Patti's house and Brad got a phone call.  It was OURS!  I couldn't believe it!  I was so excited and nervous!  We had to sell our house and FAST!




Preschool Pictures



Ellie wanted me to curl her hair for her Preschool Picture Day.  The only thing about curling Ellie's hair is... IT DOESN'T STAY CURLED.  Oh well...this is what she really wanted so I did it for her.  What to my surprising eyes, Nancy sends me a picture of Ellie right before she leaves her house...Nancy had recurled her hair for pictures.  We love you, Nancy!  We couldn't have dreamed of a better sitter for our children!  I thank God that my children were lucky enough to have someone to care for them each and every day.  Thank You!


Happy 6th Birthday Hadley!

I remember the day you were born and being so excited to have my first niece.  I was in parent-teacher conferences and told every parent the fabulous news.  Now, we are here at the Christian Church celebrating your 6th Birthday.  How does the time go so quickly?!?!  We love you so much, Hadley!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Opening Presents



Loving on Addie

Originally Heather had planned on an outside movie at Patti and Bill's on the Blow-Up Screen; however, the weather wasn't cooperating so instead we headed to the church.  Everyone brought their pillows and blankets to cuddle up for the movie...The Lorax.

Brock

Ryker didn't watch too much of the movie to say the least.

Jack

Ayken continued grabbing ice from the cooler.

Of course my love watched pretty much the entire movie.

Brooke

Afterwards...Patti helped entertain the kids while others helped clean up the church.  We all had a great time celebrating Hadley's birthday! 

Happy 3rd Birthday Kami Lu!

Happy Birthday Little Dragon. We Love You!

Heather did a fabulous job making Kami's cake!


The kids played pin the fire on the dragon.

They were a little nervous to start so Heather went first.

LOL!!!
Great Job Little Dragon!



The Dragon had to guard her nest so others didn't steal her eggs.  Each child got to decorate a bag and put their eggs (filled with goodies) inside their bag.


Oh Hadley! Good Try!


but she was not happy that her eggs were being stolen. :(

Diggin' for Dragon Fossils

Uncle Billy helping Ryker

Kami Lu opening her gifts.

Look at that swing!

This might have been the first time at a birthday party that Ellie actually particpated in hitting a pinata.  Yahoo!


Sunday, December 30, 2012

Happy 4th Birthday Ellie!


Happy Birthday to our amazingly sweet daughter! We love you so very much! Ellie decided that she wanted to have a big bounce house at her birthday party with all her friends and family.  This year her birthday actually landed on a Saturday so it was nice to have one BIG celebration where everyone could be together. 

Thank you God for the life you have given to me!  I'm one lucky lady!


I feel honored to be her Mommy!


The Bounce House

The PERFECT Daddy! 
This dad loses sleep to go get his children EARLY from daycare to play with them.  He doesn't sit and play video games or watch football all day long...he PLAYS with his children.  He makes them feel special and would do anything and everything for them. Thanks God for giving my children a fabulous Daddy and Thanks God for giving me a terrific husband. I love him so very much! 

Love You Sis!


Ellie makes sure Ryker gets down the slide safely.

GO!

Aunt Lynn did an amazing job making Ellie a special birthday cake.  Thanks so much Aunt Lynn! We Love You!

Another Doggy birthday theme...What can I say??? The girl LOVES dogs!


Ellie's all time favorite dessert....Oreos. 

Family and friends helped celebrate Ellie's birthday with dinner, a bounce house, cake and presents.


Thank you so much for my thoughtful and generous presents!


Ellie was definitely shy when it came time to open presents and sing "Happy Birthday."


As Ellie SLOWLY unwrapped her presents...her friends sat very patiently.

Shy Face :)





They couldn't stand it anymore!  They were going in to see those presents UP CLOSE! Hehe!

Korinne and Ellie

Thanks Aunt Kathy and Uncle Bill for my beautiful chair.

BFFs


Happy Birthday to YOU!

Make a Wish

Oh Boy!!!

Thanks to everyone for making Ellie's 4th Birthday so incredibly special for her!  We appreciate your kindness!  She's a very lucky girl to have you in her life!