Overwhelmed....

So, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I spent the morning (and into the afternoon) in my pj's and without a shower on the phone, internet, and fax machine trying to get everything in place. I have been coordinating all of the "normal" move stuff, and some abnormal things like getting the rest of our things from Florida. I'm realizing part of the problem is that I maybe expect too much of myself. It doesn't all have to be done today or by June 1st, for that matter. So, in an effort to think more positively, I need to remember what I'm grateful for in this move. WARNING: This next part will quite possibly bore those who read, but seeing as though this is my "journal". Tough!! Just stop reading.

I'm grateful for a home to move into, I'm grateful it's a home I actually LIKE, I'm grateful the kids get to stay in their school(they are too), I'm grateful it's such a good school, I'm grateful Jay's business is doing well enough for us to get into a house(it's a tough economy, many people are in the opposite boat), I'm grateful he's finally happy doing this work, I'm grateful for such nice builder/owners, I'm grateful for 2 DVR's, I'm grateful to not have to watch Disney movies or Dora on my livingroom TV, I'm grateful for a playroom, I'm grateful Jay can make his own schedule and go down to FL to get our things(thus saving us thousands of $$), I'm grateful to not be living nextdoor/under Jackie's nose, I'm grateful to get my things from FL since it's been so long since I've seen my Christmas things, I'm grateful to be able to cook with gas again, I'm grateful to not have to be in such cramped quarters anymore(I may need to write just how tough that's been some day just so I can remember years from now), I'm grateful for a new washer/dryer(I've never had new before), I'm grateful for a big bathtub, I'm grateful for privacy(haven't had much of that in YEARS...despite getting pregnant with Izzy), I'm grateful for big beautiful green trees, I'm grateful for the beautiful drive to Safeway and Costco, etc., I'm SOOOO grateful Portland is not too far away(I love Portland, plus u can't take the city out of the girl!), But MOSTLY, I'm grateful for my awesome family!!

Oh, and just so you don't think I've lost it or that I may have been drugged...I still made sure to inform Jay that he had BETTER plan on buying this house because there is NO WAY I'm doing this again in another year!!!!! (plus, have I mentioned, I really love my little home and little town)

Happy Mama's Day!!!

I actually took this from my facebook page, but wanted to remember it in my journal/blog when I get old. :-)
In honor of Mother's Day...

I liked seeing what my kid's actually thought of me. I did this a few months ago, and I still smile through it, and laugh out loud at some answers (he pays me to like him). I'll have to do it with the babies when they get older.


Ask your child(ren) to answer the questions and type their answers in.
Tag other moms with older kids who might have fun with this. :)

I did what Natalie did and asked the big kids separately. Interesting.
B=Blythe, almost 10
O=Oliver, almost 8
S=Sophia, 5

1. What is something mom always says to you?
B-I love you
O-Stop picking on the little kids
S-Suck it up!!

2. What makes mom happy?
B-When we're good
O-When we behave
S-Laughing

3. What makes mom sad?
B-When she argues with Dad
O-When I get sick and have to miss something fun
S-When she's crying

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
B-When she tickles me
O-When she tickles me on the neck
S-When she says funny words

5. What was your mom like as a child?
B-She got into stuff (Oliver overhears from the other room and says "YOU started fires, too?!!!)
O-She was like me and got into trouble
S-Like Oliver

6. How old is your mom?
B-75 (laughs, then says 33)
O-34
S-6 (at least she didn't say REALLY OLD!!! Like she always says about grandma)

7. How tall is your mom?
B-5 ft. something
O-8 ft.
S-BIG!! (thanks..)

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
B-Housewives of Orange County and the New York one
O-Desperate Housewives
S-Mom shows

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
B-Goes to malls without me
O-Watch the babies
S-Goes to stores

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
B-For being an 80's dancer (??)
O-She'd be a rockstar because she's good at Guitar Hero
S-For cleaning up

11. What is your mom really good at?
B-Changing dirty diapers. (thanks. I ought to be after TEN frickin years!!)
O-Guitar Hero
S-Going to the grocery store

12. What is your mom not very good at?
B-She's not good at helping me with math homework
O-She yells alot
S-But you're good at everything. (I totally didn't coach her on that one, either)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
B-Takes care of kids and she's good at it.
O-Watch kids
S-Makes peanut butter and honey sandwiches

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
B-Sushi, fish and eggs
O-Sushi
S-Salad (far from my favorite, but I'm always eating it cuz I'm always on a diet)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
B-That she's very nice
O-She makes good deals (what we refer to as compromises)
S-Cuz she's cute! (she's sooo getting an extra helping of dessert tonight!)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
B-Daisy Duck
O-Sid the sloth on Ice Age (thanks)
S-Dora because Dad would be Swiper

17. What do you and your mom do together?
B-She lets me help her cook
O-We watch Discovery Channel shows
S-Snuggle

18. How are you and your mom the same?
B-We both slam doors.
O-Our skin color and we like the same shows
S-Our hair is the same. (Maybe she needs glasses, too. Hers blonde and straight, mine dark and curly)

19. How are you and your mom different?
B-I'm smart like Dad. (suck up)
O-Our hair is different
S-We have different purses. (LOL)

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
B-She tells me.
O-When I'm bad she punishes me so I can grow up and be good.
S-She makes me Top Ramen...pronounced Topo Raaamen

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
B-His cooking
O-He has a good personality and he loves her.
S-He pays her. (LMAO)

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
B-To get a manicure and pedicure
O-PF Changs
S-Restaurants

Some pix of the new digs!!

This house is a reverse floorplan(master,kitchen,dining,great room upstairs..and laundry,kid's rooms,etc. downstairs), which I haven't ever liked before and was surprised to like this one!! The builders did a beautiful job with some nice woodwork, upgrades, etc. and it has a nice view of the bay in a nice quiet town. (at least until the Adams family moves in)




Great room




View from great room into the dining room (wierd lighting, they're not actually mint green walls)



In theory, I'll spend a quiet peaceful hour in this tub surrounded by candlelight and no sounds of fighting children..In actuality, it will be filled with cars, boats, planes and various tub toys. (I did TRY to lay down the law by telling them they weren't allowed in my bathtub. They have their own downstairs)


The deck off the master bdrm. I have visions of having a chiminea(sp?) and a couple lounge chairs out here...of course, I probably can't enjoy this peaceful spot until around 10 at night.

Blessing in disguise

Sooo...ignore the previous post when I said we found a house. I got a VM last weekend saying the owners decided to put the house back on the market and not rent it out again AT THE LAST MINUTE!!! We think maybe they got gun shy about 5 kids running around a house they wanted to sell in a couple years. (Don't they think we enforce rules? Whatever)

We were panicked. There's not much to rent out here on the coast that isn't a dump. Not to be a snob, but we take good care of our homes and eeeww. SO--cut to yesterday-- my mom has a listing that is a spec home and has been on the market for over a year and 1/2. I asked if she thought they may be interested in renting it out. She didn't think so, but has a good working relationship with them and agreed to call the owners(they're builders). They were very interested!! Turns out they are the NICEST guys!! Very accommodating, willing to clear away some blackberry bushes for the kids, allow my input (if I want) on some window coverings, give us a good price on any furniture we may want to keep, etc... AND I LOOOOVE the house!! They did a beautiful job with the house, and we're considering purchasing the house (and maybe the lot next door) after our lease.

We can't wait to move!! This was the BEST blessing in disguise ever!!! I really feel blessed and that this will be a great opportunity for both parties.

I'll post pix soon!!

Things I Like

Things I like about potty training:
Being able to have the training potty outside so I don't have to bring dirty boys who dig in dirt in the house.

Things I don't like about potty training:
Everything else!!

What every man wants...

A toilet, a flatscreen, a snack and something to drink.
All at the same time.