Zoo trip!

Everyone was out of school on Monday, so we went to the zoo! It's two miles of walking and absolutely gorgeous. It's very natural looking and the kids had a ball!

Outside is complete

So, we haven't finished the inside yet. But, we do have new tile in the bathrooms and almost have the walls all painted. The wallpaper guy is coming tomorrow to strip the vines of grapes off my kitchen. Then on Friday it will be chocolate pasley's! (I know it sounds funky, but I love it!). The yard guys came yesterday and put out fresh mulch and trimmed up the landscaping. It's a great lot. The previous owners obviously put in a lot of work with their yard. As soon as we can get ourselves more organized I'll show inside picts.

Moving day number 1 (the beginning of many obviously!)

I am exhausted--where did we get all this stuff?! Right now we are split between two houses. The movers come tomorrow for the furniture, and it'll be me solo, because Franklin got tickets to the ACC. I couldn't tell him not to go, he is sooo excited and apparently a big deal. Although, I still don't get basketball out here--still a football girl, personally. We're going to check out an afterschool care facility today. Plan on taking Ashlynn for the final say, since she's the one that has to be there. Neighbors in the new place seem really nice. There's a policeman down the street, which I think is good, and a lot of people I work with. Plus, a ton of kids.

Moving and snow!

We were supposed to close today, but issues with the current owners. Now, we should have the key by 3pm. We will see.

Had two snow days this week and then a delayed start. Thought I'd share the picts. :)

Moving News

So, after much drama from the current owners (he wouldn't sign until the bank signed, and the bank wouldn't sign until he signed. Then the inspection turned up minor things that they didn't feel they should fix--but are now!), we are getting close to the day. We get the keys on Thursday. I'm trying to get utilities in order, get Ashlynn registered in the new school, pulled out of the other, and registered in afterschool care. We're taking a half day on Friday, so we can begin the process of painting a lavender master bedroom and bath--even the ceiling! Then, we're ripping carpet out of the upstairs bathroom and replacing with tile. Yuck! I guess there are some advantages to being in the home improvement industry for so long (Steph-you and Matt want to come help? :) ). We're hoping to have all that "fun" stuff done by the following Wed, so we can be settled by the following weekend.

New home

Wow-how quickly things change in our lives! So, to update all, we have found a house. It's in Mooresville and in a great school district. (Which was our number one concern--better school). So, for the next couple of weeks it's packing and cleaning, and then cleaning and painting at the new one. It's a smaller neighborhood and there is a play park right accross the street, so it'll be a perfect place for birthday parties or just play time. We'll be gaining an extra bedroom and a playroom, which means I won't have toys all over my living room anymore (in theory). We'll also be closer to Caleb's daycare and my work, so it's a great opportunity all they way around!

Superbowl was my house this year--wasn't too big of a crowd, but it was fun. No one was too excited about either team (since the Panthers bowed out), but it was good just the same.

I have my last class for Business Ethics (oxymoron, right?) on Thursday. Another oral presentation-yuck. And then it's on to the wonderful world of marketing. I definently regret not doing this the first time around. Better late than never I guess.

Ashlynn is trucking along at school. It's been a difficult year--her teacher is less than impressive. We've had three conferences and planning one with the principal. We just received a letter from the state. Her school has failed to meet the NCLB stats for the past two years. So, we've begun the grueling process of looking for a new house. We are still renting from his parents right now, and with how bad the market is right now, I'm hoping for a good deal.

Time flies...

Yet another weekend is upon us and we're not taking a second to relax. After getting up this morning at 5:30 (to make the 45 minute drive to school and sit through a 3 hour class, I drove back exhausted. Even more exhausted when I thought of all the cleaning I had in store for me. So, after feeling sorry for myself, I walked in the door, scooped up the 2 year old and we layed down for a two hour nap. Then, Franklin and I took the kids outside to play. Usually it's Franki takes the kids and I surrender to house work. But, today watching them I realized that house work would always be available and the kiddos wouldn't. So, it's 8 PM, and I'm typing this as I watch Caleb play in the bath. After he goes to bed, Ashlynn and I are going to have a "slumber party" and do our nails. Gotta make time for the important stuff now, or it'll pass me by.

Hope everyone is laying low and enjoying the small moments this weekend!

What a week...

Wow....please pardon my tone, but geez! Caleb has decided that he doesn't want to sleep all night. Which would be fine, but when he wakes up he screams until one of us lays down on his floor. Now, for the past four days, he has decided he wants to sleep on the floor too. What is that about?! So, no sleep and the little we've gotten has been done in shifts. Anyone has any ideas, please share, b/c I'm tired!

Mom just left the other day and ended up stuck in Dallas overnight, but she's now home and fine. We've been trying to talk her into moving out here to North Carolina, but she's not committing to us yet. :)

Surviving Christmas

So, Franklin and I went and saw Four Christmases at the movies last night. Hysterical, but more importantly, made me realize that we had survived Christmas 2008 unscathed! Which is impressive considering we do four different family Christmas's in two days. I didn't get to go back to Texas this year, but mom was here and it's been nice having an extra set of hands around! I actually had a break from classes and start back next week, so I'm trying to pump myself back up for that semester too. Otherwise, we working on Ashlynn learning to read and Caleb getting out of diapers--all in all, my household is insane!!!!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!