A Much Needed Break

This morning I made a deal with the boys, if they helped me get something done then we would go swimming.  Progress was definitely made. 
We managed to get all of John Micheal's room packed up except for the bags at the top of his closet and a few clothes.  It is amazing how much stuff we got rid of and yet, how much it seems like is making the move with us.  I am sure the second round of throwing out will happen after the move.  The boys know if we do not have somewhere for something them we will have to get rid of it.  They seem okay with that.  Hopefully they really are.
We headed to Deborah and Tony's to swim with Kimy and Morgan Makenzie.  We had such a great time and we all needed to get out and do something different.  We love spending time with them so much and as always we all had a great time.  After we move we will have to swap where we meet to swim. 

We came home and got Danny's room cleaned and packed up.  It is amazing what we accomplished once we had gotten out and had a little fun.  Definitely what the doctor ordered. 

The boys are going to spend a few more nights in their own rooms and then we are going to move them both into Danny's and break down John Michael's bed, and try to get whatever we can in there so there is one place to go for boxes.  At least the ones from the bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Thanks again Kimy for a great afternoon!  We love you! 

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. 

Sheathing and Flooring

So today was amazing.

It started with Mass with my boys.  This is something that I seriously needed in the middle of the week.  So many goodbyes happening this week and so many endings.  I am hopeful for the new beginnings that are to come but the finality of so many things is a lot to handle at one time.

I was able to get a decent amount done at the house.  I was also able to get a good bit edited!  I have so much to get done that it is crazy, but it will all happen.  I love the fact that my job is so awesome!  Watch http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ for more on all that I have been working on. 

One of my childhood friends has been admitted into the hospital and will be induced in the morning.  I cannot wait to see her sweet baby girl.  I know that she will be amazing as her mom is remarkable.  It seems wild that we are all married with children.  It does not seem like it was that long ago we were making art and lemonade to sell at the stand in our front yard. 

We went by the house this afternoon and we had sheathing (sp?) on the downstairs and they were putting the sub floor in upstairs so hopefully the walls upstairs will go up tomorrow.  It was great to walk through the house and know exactly what rooms were where.  The boys thought that it was awesome that they were building their floors as we were walking through.  I have to agree it was pretty neat.  I am getting more and more excited as each day passes and more nails are hammered, more lumber is cut, and more progress is made.

So I am determined to make the rest of the week productive.  I have a bit of an issue with Friday but it is more of a time issue.  I am hoping that I can get it all worked out.  We will see.  I am just saying a little prayer as I need the client to understand what is going on. 

Gorgeous Saturday

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day, I do not know if I could have hand picked a better one....well, maybe adding 5 - 10 degrees, but seriously it was gorgeous.

We went to the Botanical Gardens and I had a photo shoot with a beautiful family. Stay tuned to the blog on http://www.monicaannephotography.com/ for more details about this shoot.

After the family portraits were complete I took John Michael around and did a few 6 year old pictures. He was not really feeling it though. I also got some of the boys together. I love it when they will pretend to get along even if for a few seconds for a picture.

After a morning of photography we came home and started to work on the van. We had to clean it inside and out. While there is still a lot of work to do, the seats and all that need to be cleaned, but today was a start. Just another thing that we want to get done, that can stay done before we move.

The more organized and in control we are the better. I am super excited about our progress and know that we can keep it up.

We went to Mass tonight, and then to the spaghetti dinner. Mass was great as always. John Michael seemed to forget how to act, but he got it together before Mass was over. The spaghetti dinner was great, all of the work that has been put into it definitely shown. The boys ate with us then headed to child care, where they got to play in one of the Game Trucks, watch movies, and play in the gym. They had so much fun, in fact John Michael cried when we left. I tried to win a couple of things in the silent auction, but lost them both by just a few dollars Danny was pretty sad that I did not win, but I tried. I will try a different approach next year and we will see what happens.

Well, I am off to bed. We spring forward tonight, which means more hours of daylight tomorrow, which I am SO excited about. I am not SO excited about losing an hour of sleep especially when tomorrow is so busy. It will be another great one though!

Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers tonight and every night.