Don't Miss the Awesome

Do you ever feel like God is trying to get in touch with you? You know those times when life just seems to be going 10 miles a minute and all of a sudden you'll hear or see something that really makes you stop and think "I was totally supposed to get something from that". Sometimes I'm not sure if the universe is sending me red flags or green lights and I struggle with understanding the difference between the two sometimes.

I read this blog called "Motherhood Uncensored". The writer does an amazing job of capturing the "real" motherhood and what it's really like to be a mom. Not the mom we want the neighbors or our in-laws to see but the one who we are when we don't think anybody is paying attention. The mom you are when it's 9 pm and you are on your 10th round of trying to get the kids into their beds, or when you've got to be somewhere in 10 minutes and your toddler is insisting on climbing into his own car seat after he's made sure there are no pacifiers hidden anywhere in the car. I like to think that other mothers occasionally lose their noodle as well and it's not just me. Because, trust me on this, I lose my noodle very easily. This is why we are most likely done having kids.

Lately, I've been experiencing a lot more stress than usual. Most days I do my best to not take it out on my kids. But some days my best is just not good enough and I've been feeling pretty rotten about that.

So, the writer posted this and it really made me think that I was supposed to read that. I think God, or the universe or what-have-you put that in my path to remind me to slow down and chill out. I don't want to miss the awesome.

Pictures

Eva loves having her picture taken!
Eva's first 2 teeth!
Eva and her namesake, Great Grandma Eva!
This is Declan's very angry face. Grrrr!
My fearless climber at Chutes & Ladders.

The New Joint

Has it really been nearly a month since I last blogged? Lately life just seems to be speeding by and I haven't had much time to make a record of all the changes that have been happening. Between house hunting and Thomas's new job it's been a very busy month. So much is happening I really need to take the time to record all of it. I just saw a website (and of course have already forgotten) where they will take your online blog and turn it into a book. How cool is that? I would love to share this with my kids someday, especially since I don't do baby books. I will have to figure out what the name of the site is!

So, we've bought ourselves a house. Of course, that isn't news at all. We have been going back and forth with the seller since mid-May and trying to come to an agreement which has been the biggest PITA ever. FINALLY, we came to a place that made everyone somewhat happy. Or, so we thought. This last week has been another nightmare of the seller trying to break the contracted agreement. We called him on his bluff, threatened to walk and now he's doing what he originally promised which is have the entire electrical system brought up to code. I meet with the electrician on Friday to go over the bid. If everything goes as scheduled we should close on July 5th. Of course, it will be a couple weeks before we can actually move in as we've got more work to do. All of the trim, doors and windows need to be repainted and we may have the walls and ceilings retextured as the current owner did an absolutely awful job of it. And of course the yard has been neglected for at least a year. We really are crazy for taking on this kind of home in this market. Thomas can't wait to have a weekend project (or two, or three or four or....) And yes, we fully intend to move the washer/dryer out of the living room. Someday...when we strike it rich.

I am looking forward to making it ours and getting unpacked. Right now, life just feels a bit like we are in limbo. But all in all, I am enjoying being back in MN. With the exception of the weather. Will it ever stop raining?

Anyhow, here are some pics. I welcome any and all decorating advice!

Eva turned 10 months this Sunday. I can't believe how fast she is growing. I just want to freeze time and keep her this age forever! However I wouldn't mind at all if she would start sleeping through the night and going to bed at a decent hour. That would be nice.

She is at that age now where everyday she shows us something new. She loves to clap on cue for us. we say "Clap! Clap! Clap!" and she turns on her biggest grin and claps her hands. I need to get the Flip out and start recording it! She's also starting to walk! Declan walked at 9 1/2 months so I guess #2 will be an early walker too. I don't know if I'm ready for that. Can't she stay a baby a little while longer?

Declan is the typical 3 year old boy. Too much energy and sass for his own good. We are really struggling with the toilet training, but I have confidence we'll get there eventually. I mean, it's not like he's going to go to high school with diapers on right? We've been spending almost every afternoon in the pool and he is getting very confident in the water. Grandpa brought home a pair of ice skates for him and he gets to wear them in the house when Eva goes down for a nap. He's also been making lots of new friends here in MN, but still talks about his friend Gabriel from the old hood. I know he misses him so much!

So, off to bed. I've got my fingers crossed that Eva has the same plans.