Crazy? I know crazy!

So, obviously the thankful thing didn't work out on a regular basis online, but I did work it out in my head anyway. I took time each day to reflect on the little "thanks" in life, but didn't find the time I had hoped to find during the day to post about them. At night when the kids were in bed would have been the perfect time, but I was too consumed in the peace and quiet; oh, and watching my DVR'd TV shows that I am also so thankful for :) There's nothing like ending a long day with The Biggest Loser, Parenthood, Property Virgins, House or Castle. It is definitely a relief after cartoons echoing through the house the majority of the day.

Well, the remainder of November found me selling off things in the basement that I did not want to have to go through once the move was over; as well as preparing for showings, making long trips to Kansas to view homes and waiting to get closed on the house we finally chose to buy. I spent long hours drooling over the photos online as I anticipated every little thing I was going to do to change it! Yes, I love me a good home makeover, Kelly style, of course. The house is fairly new, but the colors and decor were all wrong. Great bones, and super fantastic layout with a ton of space, so I was excited to get my little hands on it! Shawn spent long hours at work, as well as trying to find time in the day to rush over to the new house for inspections, etc. But, finally December came and the real fun began.

We closed on our new house on December 15th and began moving in December 16th. We were also super excited for our dog, Haylee, who finally had a fenced backyard to run free in, rather than being confined on a tie-out. The first thing that damn dog did was jump over the fence. I guess the one acre backyard wasn't enough room to roam; she needed the other two acres as well. Stupid dog. I am certain we will be meeting our neighbors soon...hope they have a sense of humor!

The movers were here all day Friday moving us in in the freezing cold, bless their hearts. They were a fabulous group of men and will certainly be requesting their services for our next move. I frantically unpacked as they brought boxes in, I put the kitchen table together and worked around them as much as I could. Shawn told me I better slow down, or they were going to hire me :) The movers were joking about which one of them they were going to use me as a replacement for! We had a great time. I made them hot coffee to keep them thawed and after the unloading was done, we had pizza together before parting ways. It was a great experience.

Well, we have been in the house 5 weeks now. Most of the boxes have been unpacked (I did this quickly so I could start painting!) and the house is feeling more and more like a home each day. Still lots of work to do to make it our own, but we love it. We all do. The kids all have their own rooms (which are all master bedroom sized, it's crazy) and for the first time ever, I have a master suite with a jacuzzi! Not sure I will ever use it, but having there at my disposal is fantastic!

Day 11

Though it is Veterans Day, I have already thanked those who have fought/are fighting for our country so today I am thankful for technology. I am so glad that I have a phone to speak to my husband and other loved ones with, as well as picture/video sharing and internet capabilities. I wouldn't have survived the last 15 weeks without all of this.

Day 10

Thankful Challenge, Day 10: Today I am thankful for a healthy body; a full head of hair (unlike cancer patients, Lord be with them), eyes that see, a mouth that speaks, ears that hear (unless you ask my husband :), arms that hug, hands that hold, legs that run, and a body that supports. Last year on November 1st, I got the flu so bad that I couldn't drag myself out of bed for anything more than throwing up. Shawn stayed home from work for three days to take care of the kids and wait on me, hand and foot. I remember thinking of a speaker we had at my mom2mom group who is a cancer survivor and spoke about the constant vomiting, loss of hair, complete exhaustion all day every day for months on end. Even as I was feeling my worst, I thought of her, her story, and so many other survivors who have experienced the horror of cancer, just like she had. I thanked God...thanked God that my flu would pass in a short matter of time, and that the end was just around the corner (unlike that of a cancer patient who has no idea how long their pain and suffering will last, nor if they will even live to see it end). Thank God, again, for my healthy body.

Days 8/9

Day 8: Today, I am thankful for the gifts God has blessed me with; creativity, mechanical abilities, carpentry skills, vocal talents, story/poetry composition abilities, etc. They have helped build confidence and allowed me to run my own design business. For these, i am extremely grateful.

Day 9: Today I am grateful for the lifestyle I have been blessed with; a beautiful house, new vehicles, travel and the money to pay for all of them :]

Pictures (Just some recent takes)

 

 

 

 

Thankful: Days 1 through 7

As the holidays approach, many friends do the "Thankful Challenge" and I have decided to participate this year. Not to be a follower, but because in these hectic days, it is sometimes hard to recall what little things God does bring to our lives. We need to be thankful each and every day for what we have; what He has given us.

Day 1: I am thankful for the broken road that lead me straight to you...

Day 2: I am thankful for a strong, hardworking, tender hearted husband, and a solid, faith bound marriage.

Day 3: I am thankful for three healthy, intelligent, humorous children.

Day 4: I am thankful for supportive, fun, love filled friendships (and coffee to grow them over). :)

Day 5: I am thankful for my father, who supplies true, unconditional love and understanding. A man of incredible strength, wit and intelligence.

Day 6: I am thankful for the beauty that God surrounds me in...

Day 7: I am thankful for my freedom, and the men and women who fought/fight so hard to bless us with it.

Final Countdown...

The last month has been eventful! Brookie B celebrated her 3rd birthday! So hard to believe that she is 3 already. Time flies when you're having fun! Shawn rode the train home for her birthday. When he picked up up, she hugged him so tight and said, "Daddy, I miss you, I'm gonna cry." She made that grown man cry, himself. He loves that little girl more than any man has ever loved his daughter. The bond they share is sweet. We took her to the festivities at the orchard, bought our pumpkins and some yummy apple cider, cider donuts and pumpkin butter then had dinner at TGI-Fridays. We also went car shopping. As soon as our new home loan is completed we are trading the Suburban. I have a couple of other vehicles in mind, but a test drive will help in deciding. I'll focus more on a vehicle after some of this other stuff is done.

Man, I will certainly be glad when life can calm down a bit. We are showing our house at least once a week. That means spic and span is a daily must. I feel like a guest in my home. I can't even leave my socks next to my recliner! Well, really I could but refuse to. Anyone who knows me knows that my house is always tidy but I have developed a cleaning schedule to be sure everything is top notch, day in and day out. I plan to use this system in our new house as well. It has definitely made life easier, not to mention more enjoyable. I love coming home to a spotless house and love giving back to Shawn in that way, honoring him for his hard work for our family.

As far as buying, we did not purchase our so called "dream home" that we had originally chosen. We decided to buy closer to Shawn's work so he didn't have so far to drive. In the Tongie house he would drive 45 minutes one way. So, we chose to look closer to Topeka. After 6 weeks of hard at it house hunting, we finally found "the one!" Today, we are officially the owners of two mortgages!

The house is an hour from family and friends but we will make the drive together rather than apart. Plus, we will be on 3 acres so the kids will have room to roam (and lots of it). The backyard is a fenced in acre so I can kick them out the door with no worries; along with the dog. :)