Labor Day

Yep, that is a pretty accurate term for what all we accomplished today.
First, I got the letters to DR Horton written.  I will be getting some envelopes and I hope to get them in the mail tomorrow.  Some people feel better after screaming for me I get a huge release when I put it all on paper.  I doubt that it will mean anything actually gts accomplished but at least it is out there and people know how I feel.  Maybe it will make a difference down the road. 
Then we started to work on mom's boxes again today.  Well, we got them all out of the garage.  We have about 10 to still go through, but they are in the right rooms and so we know we are closer to being done.  This also means that maybe now we can focus on getting the rest of the stuff out of our old house and out of storage.  Paying for all of the added storage is something that we definitely cannot keep doing. 
The rain today made it hard to stay motivated but somehow or another we got it all completed.  I am hoping that means the rest of the week will be just as productive.

We Have Power

So this morning was slow going.  I was not 100% for anything.  By the afternoon I was feeling some better, but still not how I needed to feel.
Brandon actually got off decently early today which was good for our todo list.  We headed out when he got home and got started checking things off.
We headed to the new house where there was not much going on, but the power was on!  This seriously tickled the boys.  I think it will take me a year to figure out which switch works which light, fan, or various other device.  I cannot wait to start learning though.  The gutter men were also there working it is super hot so I can imagine that they are seriously not enjoying being on the roof.  I seriously appreciate them though!

We got a lot of boxes today.  Thank you to the ABC stores and to the Piggly Wiggly in Clay!  We seriously need them so we definitely appreciate them. 

When we got home we got to work.  Packing boxes, cleaning, tossing, and whatever else we could do.  Overall it was a great day, it was definitely a very productive one!

Just Hanging Around

So we woke up this morning, later than we meant to but that is because there was something happening outside that has not been around in a while, it was raining.  I was seriously shocked.  At one point it thundered so loud I jumped, which is a rare occurance.  I love a good storm, but I had so much to do and it was hard to do anything.  It was just a good day to be serioiusly lazy. 
I was getting ready to make dinner and I needed a box of mac and cheese out of the pantry.  We are trying to use everything that we can and the boys love mac and cheese.  I could not reach the box so I asked John Michael to get on the stool and try....this is what he did.  It was pretty dang funny!  Of course I grabbed a quick picture and then had to help him down. He can monkey his way up, but down was a little scarier.  After all was said and done and he wanted to do it again, and again, and yes again!

After dinner we all pretty much went to bed, we were all exhausted.  I guess the rain had a huge effect on us.

Front Yard

Good evening everyone.  I have to say I am seriously pooped.  I got a lot done around the house, even though everything is still seriously piling up and the list has yet to start shrinking there was a lot of progress made tonight and in fact I am still making it.
I was able to get most of the Christmas gifts that I have already bought packed up, I will be able to finish them up tomorrow.  I have also been able to make a list of what is for who, which will be a huge help come December.  The has almost cleaned out the downstairs bathroom.  Again, that should be completely finished tomorrow.  Baby steps make for one happy momma!
I have a lot more on eBay.  I was also able to get most things that have sold boxed up and ready to ship out.  I love selling on eBay but it is a lot of work and I always forget that especially when I have taken a break.  I am glad to be back at it.  I figure I will have even more once we move, just because I am sure we will not need or want everything that we take with us, but that will be determined upon arrival.
I was also able to get most of the hall closet packed up.  I had a lot of it done, but still a lot left to do.  Also the dining room is almost 100% done.  Like I said progress makes me happy.  I am hoping to be able to report even more done tomorrow. 
When Brandon got off we headed to the new house.  We pulled up and it looked like a house.  The front yard had been sodded and the plants and the tree were in.  We also have a mailbox.  Never have I been so happy to see a mailbox.  I cannot wait to forward my mail to our new house!  There is still a lot of yard work to be done, but I know that it will happen soon.  There is also still a lot of paint to be done, the doors and shutters mainly, at least on the outside.  We headed into the house and the knobs and door stops were going it, the closet doors, and the carpet.  It seriously looks like a house and one that is soon to have some very happy homeowners. 

I have so many things that I am looking forward to we just have to get through the move.  I wish that the time would hurry up and get here. 

Progress Happening

So today I was a little sad because I had to miss Mass with my boys. I had a photo shoot and even though I set my own schedule sometimes it just clashes instead of meshing.
It was definitely a beautiful day for a photo shoot. The temperature was great, the sun was shining bright, and well it was just a great day. The session was at the Aldridge Gardens, which is a location that I love in my opinion it is so much nicer than the Botanical Gardens. For more on this session watch the blog on http://www.monicaannephotography.com/.
I am working on getting another Living Social ad complete. We will see what happens. I am excited about it since this one expires in about a month.
Today is Brandon's last day to be 30. I hope that he enjoyed it. Tomorrow is his late night so hopefully we can go out for dinner or something Friday. We will see what happens.
Today I got the hall closet (at least one) cleaned out. I was super shocked by what I was able to get through in there, there is actually room in it now. I also got a few more things on eBay. I am excited that some of the things are starting sell. While I know that I will not get rich on eBay a little extra would definitely be nice especially with us trying to get so much done.
The boys had a great day at school. Which is always a great day for momma! I love it when they come in smiling!
Today is our Nephew Hunter's 7th Birthday! I am not sure when all these baby boys turned into big boys but it has happened! Happy Birthday Hunter Luke! We love you!! xoxoxo
Well, I am off to bed, super excited that it is before midnight!

One Room at a Time

So yesterday it was the living room and today it was the dining room and I started in one of the hall closets. I am so glad that I can tell I am making progress. With bags to be donated and a small stack to sell, hopefully it will all get taken care of.
I started actually putting stuff on eBay today. Hopefully if I can do a little each day I will not get overwhelmed by it, which tends to happen. Hopefully by taking the pictures as I find the things, and then adding them each day I will be able to keep up and not feel like I am being pulled too much. Today got 4 things listed and I am super excited because one of them is already selling. Hopefully they all do! It would definitely be an added blessing.
The boys had great days at school, and I am proud to announce that we got another green face! YAY! Hopefully this will be the new normal.
We had family movie night tonight. The boys' got Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer from Santa on Blu Ray so tonight we watched it. It was really cute they laughed through it all which is my favorite sound in the world.
Well, I am off to bed. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers!

SOLD!!!

So today I started the process of going through everything. I figure if I make one pass now then when we go to packing it will be that much easier. Plus I think I will feel that much better about it. While the boys were at school I completely tackled the living room. Every shelf, drawer, etc has been gone through. A few things for donations and few things for eBay and then everything else just cleaned.

After school John Michael had two gifts to open. He was so excited. He loved them both too. Now if we can get thank you cards out this week that would be great, we shall see it is a goal of mine.

When Brandon got off we headed to Springville. I was so excited there was a SOLD sign in front of our lot. YAY! It just sort of made me feel good to see it. I was so happy, and to see the boys so thrilled it just made my day! They cannot wait to start seeing the house go up. A few weeks and we should start to see something! Brandon's mom and Aunt Paula met us up there to see the lot and to walk through the house that is like the one we are building. They seemed to love it. When we went from our lot to the house the boys asked to walk! Without hesitation we let them. There is something awesome about watching the boys run down the street and knowing that they are safe and just spreading their wings some, which children have to be able to do and now finally my boys will be able to.

We headed from the new neighborhood to the ballpark. Both boys had practice. They did very well, and had a blast which I love. Danny is doing really well and he is so glad that baseball season is finally here.

Now we are home and headed to sleep, soon, I hope! Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers! Good night!

Checking My List Off

This morning again I did not wake up as early as I wanted to but again we were great on time so I am definitely not complaining.
While the boys were at school I busted rear end downstairs. Getting the den cleaned out was a task, but I did it. I did have to hide a few books from view until I can get a bigger book shelf. There are already 2 down there, 3 if you include the one in the office, but they are full. We love to read, what can I say? The office is clean, the den is clean and the donation centers have been here once a week for the past few weeks and I need them again. Since it is supposed to rain tomorrow I will probably hold off till next week.
After I was done I needed a mid day shower. I had to get ready to get the boys and then head straight to a photo shoot. I sure did not need to look as lovely as I did when I was done downstairs.
The boys had a great day at school. They are getting ready for their veteran's day program so they are busy practicing. John Michael was also glad that he learned how to say 100 in Spanish.
I had a photo shoot at 3:30 at the Botanical Gardens. It was a great shoot and I had a great time. Four beautiful children. For more though you will have to watch out for it on www.monicaannephotography.com It will be coming soon.
For dinner tonight we had beef strogenoff that I cooked in the crock pot. It was pretty good and I am not a huge fan of strogenoff. The boys loved it and that is what matters the most. Tomorrow night is leftover night, we have a lot of excess in the fridge!
Well, I am off to bed. I have done some editing, have one more thing I am working on for tonight. Homework is done and the boys are in bed. It is 10 now and I will be in bed by 10:30. One way or the other. Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers!

May Comes to An End!

So I honestly cannot believe that May is over. Wow almost half the year is behind us. It has been an amazing five months though!

I should have taken a picture of my van since it was able to return home today. So while I have not gone far or much so far no noises, which makes me one happy person! We picked it up after Brandon got off work and then I went on a wedding consultation and then home, but like I said no noises! All they had to do was replace the rear brakes. The sad fact is that I have not had them that long and like I told Benchmark the noise started when they replaced them. Guess what the actual mechanic said that it was...the bushings (I think) in the rear brakes. So Benchmark you truly are full of a bunch of arrogant asses and just wait until the letter comes to your big guy and to Dodge's big guy. I will NEVER trust them for anything again, words of wisdom!

Anyway, so the boys were totally bored with each other today is all I can think of. They were fighting with everything from their hands to balloons. At least the balloons were less likely to cause harm. I am hoping tomorrow is better. I have already told then we are working in the house until Nana comes to get them. They are pretty excited about spending the night with her though.

I started cleaning out again today. I worked on the pantry some. It is always nice to know what is really up there. I plan on completely finishing the kitchen tomorrow. Watch out Amy I will have a box for you ;) If I can get that done tomorrow and the laundry I will be ready for the lake this weekend. Stay tuned for an update tomorrow.

Well, peace out everyone, I am off to bed! I hope that you all have had a great day and are looking forward to tomorrow. I will be saying a prayer for all of you tonight! Good Night and Sweet Dreams!

Is March Really Over?

Well I woke up this morning (almost on time) but with the crazy awareness that March is over. I am seriously not certain where it ran off too, but it was here and gone in an instant. It has been a month of many blessings and I cannot wait to see what April and the rest of the year holds!

John Michael got in the car so excited that they were about to start on letter Z...as in Zoo, Zig Zag, Zipper, and Zebra! When I asked him why he said "because it means it is almost time for me to go to Danny's school." This made my day. I have been worried about this transition for him and to know that he is this excited makes me feel really great!

Danny got in this afternoon in a mood and I knew something was up. He evidently got in trouble at lunch for talking too much. Needless to say I was not happy, but I was also very aware of how tired he is. I told him we would come home, do homework, take a shower, and go to bed. That is exactly what happened. He wanted to watch a movie that John Michael is not too fond of, so he laid down in his room and was out before 7:30!

John Michael and I watched Alice in Wonderland, the original Disney cartoon. I still have not seen the new one :( I love the cartoon though and it was great watching it with him, I just wish Danny could have been convinced to come and watch it too.

Well, the boys are in bed and I am about to head there myself. Tomorrow is going to be a busy one. Brandon is off, which is a plus since I am going to shoot a wedding with my friend Terri. I am super pumped. Watch for updates on the other blog!

I am also working on another photography project and could use some military contacts, as well as contacts at Children's hospital. Prayers would be greatly appreciated for this idea that I have that truly makes my heart happy.

I have also started recleaning everything out. I am just tired of it and I always do it so carefully and with a lot of one days and what ifs in mind. Needless to say this time if those two are needed it is obviously not!

Before I head to bed as always I will be saying a prayer for all friends and family. I wish you all an amazing April and I hope that March was full of many blessings!