Kiddie Day Care

Today was a very entertaining day. This morning I had to reschedule a doctor appointment for Ellie for a physical and when I went to do it, I found out she doesn't even need an appointment! I just have to drop off the paperwork and pick it up a couple of days later. So I took care of that, and then Ellie, Parker and I went off to my house. Lucky me, Sunshyne and Hannah were there waiting for me. So Sunshyne and I started unpacking, again, and start making some decent headway, when Sarah comes over! That's when the real magic happened. Those two are amazing at unpacking! My house only has the random stuff to put away, and they are so organized... I don't know what I would have done without them! A little while later, Sarah has to leave to pick up Warren, and Sunshyne and Hannah have to leave to pick up Adria. So now its just Ellie and Parker playing nicely in the TWO playrooms. Another friend comes over to drop her two kids, Kaiser and Polly Rose, off for me to watch while she's working. Sarah makes it back with Warren. So now the total kid count is five, under five. They had a blast together. They were in and out playing in the backyard, having a great time playing with all the toys, watching movies and "reading." It was kinda crazy to see all these kids in my house, when had this been back in November, when I still lived in the apartment, it would have, without question, felt overwhelming! I LOVE MY NEW PLACE! Sarah and I did eventually decide to stay at Sarah's house for the nice simply because of the move-in conditions. Plus, I think the boys were getting tired of playing with all the girly toys! So, dinner was pizza, and the kids expended a ton of energy playing together. It was a very entertaining day. It's happening all over again tomorrow!

Moving In

And I'm doing it slowly!

I signed for our rental house today, and I love it! Its already getting the "homey" feel. There were some curtains up already that will DEFINITELY be coming down, but all in due time. My friend Sunshyne actually came over the the house to help me get some boxes unloaded. We arranged the furniture to our liking, at least for now. We set up the tables (none of which had legs). We started on the built in book shelves. Pictures will be posted after the boxes are gone. I'm giving myself the week to get everything situated, but if it takes a bit longer, so be it. My cut off is to be moved in and box free by the time Tom comes home, and that, I know, is completely doable. And before I forget, the moving company I used was awesome! Quick, efficient and very friendly. www.monstermoversofsa.com if you're interested. :)

Earlier in the week, I realized my tire was flat. Luckily, my father believes that EVERYONE should know how to change their tire. I agree. So, I got the kids some lunches made, brought out their table (looks just like a picnic table) and while they proceeded to enjoy their picnic, I changed my tire. Ellie loved coming over and watching me. Once I got the bolts most of the way off, I'd let her unscrew them the rest of the way. Of course she wanted to put the spare tire on, and threw a bit of a fit when I told her it was just too heavy for her, but eventually realized that Mommy was right. (I let her try to pick it up.) It was nice having her help me with something like that. And while she wasn't helping me, she was either playing with Parker, or eating her lunch in the sunshine. It was a much more pleasant experience than I had anticipated. I actually got the flat taken care of today. I tend to have the luck that says I will have to replace the tire, but it only needed a repair thankfully.

As I'm sitting here, thinking about everything that has to happen to get moved in, I'm also thinking about how much I'm going to miss being around Sarah and the boys. Yes, at times it felt a little chaotic, but what else is to be expected with three young kids running around? Its comforting here with them. I love having someone I can talk to around, as well as someone I don't feel like I have to fill the silence with either. I KNOW Ellie absolutely loves having playmates 24/7. That's going to be a big adjustment, for the both of us. It is quite convenient that I don't have to be her sole source of friendly entertainment. We'll get back in the swing of things, and luckily Sarah and the boys are only about a mile away, IF THAT! We could have a nice morning or afternoon walk over there for a playdate if either of us wanted it.

On a crafting note, I've been working on a knitting project that I've already frogged twice because I lost my stitch count and didn't realize until way late, of course. So, it will get done, if for no other reason than to say, dang it, It's Done! I'm hoping to start participating in a crafting blog that a friend turned me on to. I just need to settle a bit and once my house is moved into, and my internet set up, I will be able to get things moving.

Until then, sleep well, and love the present!

We're moving... :)

We found a new place to live! Its considerably bigger than our apartment and the biggest thing is its got a GREAT backyard for Ellie and the pups to play in! We'll probably get a little playset/house so she'll have some outside activities. We move in on Monday, and I'm really excited. Ellie... not so much. She keeps telling me that she wants us to go back to our apartment. Even though she went with me to see the house, and she loved it at the time, she wants to go back to "home." I understand. I also know that I need to prepare myself for some serious adjustment issues for the move, as well as Tom's return home.

On a side note, I had a very tired little munchkin tonight. She didn't take a nap tonight so we were already planning an early bedtime. I was letting her read her stories to herself, as is part of our routine, while I folded up the laundry. Once I was done, we started our "cuddle time," which consists of, well, cuddling, while I read her a story or two. Well, I hadn't made it through the first story before she was sound asleep, snoring every so slightly. She looked so sweet and innocent. I definitely had an "I miss this" moment.

I really do love being a mother. :)

Back in TX

I made in back to Texas safe and sound. My Dad was nice enough to take me up the airport at some ridiculously early hour and then Ellie and I were left with a choice to make. Southwest, as is typical of them, overbooked their flight to San Antonio. They were offering to guarantee a flight on the next outgoing flight, give a voucher the original ticket, AND add an additional $300 to that voucher. I REALLY wanted to take the deal. It was pretty amazing right?! But, given that the next outgoing flight wasn't for another 5 hours, I just couldn't pull myself to make Ellie wait in an airport for that long. So, cest le vie.

Our flight was a tad bit late, but that's okay. It gave Sarah, whom I super grateful to for more than just picking us up, a chance to pick up her son from pre-K and then back to us. After that I had the opportunity to check out the place that I'm hoping we're able to rent. I got the paperwork ready to fill out and now I just have to go up the folks running the house, and hopefully negotiate a lower price. I'm really excited about the prospect of this house. Sarah actually showed me a house, about two blocks away from the prospective house that's running for over $100 less! I'm totally going to use that as leverage for negotiating the price.

I also just started working out again, and am quite proud at how long I was able to run today. It felt really good to be back in the gym. What else? Oh, I'm working on my knitting still. I'm working on an "open star" pattern, that's eventually going to be a dishcloth. Silly, I know, but its a start!

Luvin my Munchkin

Her little hands still pull my heartstrings :)

Some days are so nice with Ellie. While we've been in Maryland, we've had lots (and LOTS) of time for just me and her. I'm giving her more big girl chores, and in return, she's acting like a big girl. That's not to say we don't have our sweet cuddle moments. She still loves to hang all over me. Pop Pop has dubbed her Reynolds, as in Reynold's Wrap, because she clings to whoever has her. And we've had lots of playdates with Addyson and Kayleigh, her cousins. It's been nice being with family, since this isn't something we can enjoy very often. Having dinner together. Shopping together. Or simply just hanging out. I've managed to get one or two (or tons) of pictures of our trip here. I'm grateful to have family that could afford to bring Ellie and I up here for the holiday season, Ellie's and my niece's relationship hasn't faltered, and that my own relationship with my family hasn't wavered. Back in San Antonio, I know that my pups are being taken care of, and we've got a temporary home for us to return to, thanks to two amazing friends!

Ellie and Addyson decorating the Christmas tree and Ellie making her first snow angel.

Using chopsticks at Sakura's and using my knitting needles for drum sticks.

Mission : Knitting : Accomplished

I'm proud to say that I have officially learned the basics of knitting. I even went so far as to make myself something! I posted a video that is the sole reason for my "knowledge." I've had numerous knitting books, and have watched a couple of videos, but I could never seem to really "get it." I have no clue why this video made so much sense to me, but it did. I will say its definitely slower than crocheting, but I do really like the effect. So know, I have yet another craft to add to my repertoire. I'm not the kind to shy away from a challenge, and knitting has been one helluva challenge for me for years now. I'm glad I didn't give up on it.

I made myself a cell phone holder :)

Mission: Knitting

Momma's "Christmas" Present

I feel quite accomplished today. I have been "working" on my mother's Christmas present for the past year. Well, to be completely honest, I wasn't working on it, at least it was a sporadic project. It was a new stitch I had learned for crochet, and it actually went quite quickly once I started really pushing myself. I always work best under time constraints, and unfortunately I didn't make my timeline (Christmas). Once I realized that it wouldn't be finished, I decided to take a break from it. Give my hands a break. Now, its done. I thought I would share my finished work here, since, like I said, I really do feel accomplished. The size covers a queen size bed.

A Time for Resolutions

Over the past couple of days I've been watching my nieces, who are 4 1/2 and 1. There were definitely moments of, aww, look how sweet they all are together, and others where I was about to pull my hair out. I was able to finish a surprise scrap page for my brother-in-law, and am attempting to finish my mother's Christmas present. Christmas just snuck up a little too fast for me, and the project was just a little to large given the amount of time.

I've been sitting around trying to figure out what resolutions I am going to have this year. My biggest resolution was to change my outlook, and that was last year's task. I'm in an ever-evolving process towards the completion of that goal. What do I do now? I'm comfortable with my weight, so I don't feel I need to say I need to lose any. I'm happy with my nutrition choices. I quit smoking. I'm honest. I'm, in a nutshell, quite content with my life. I have my religious convictions and my faith in God is still strong and ever present. I have yet to find a church I enjoy going to, so maybe that could be my resolution. To find a church. I do know I want to read more. I want to expand my literary genres. I enjoy reading. I really do. I also enjoy crafting. There lies my battle. Which do I do? Maybe another resolution will be to create a better routine for myself... I'll figure it out soon enough.

2011 will just be another chapter in the most entertaining book I'll ever come across.