Not Forgotten

Dont worry, I promise I haven't forgotten about this little space in the great blog-o-sphere. It's just that we've been going through a very trying time and I really haven't felt much like posting.

I promise some day (soon) to share the details of all we've been through in the last two weeks. I just can't bring myself to type it out quite yet.

In any event, I'm so amazed that through it all we've found the strength and faith to brush aside those "why me's?" and other thoughts of feeling sorry for ourselves and really appreciate that we have each other no matter what happens.

No more than ever, we recognize just how many families there are out there who are struggling and in need of prayer and kind thoughts.

Here's just a small list of those I've been thinking of/praying for this week: Amanda, Harper, Brayden, Eden's Family, Little Russ, and Ashley.

It's so important to remember that even in times when we're feeling all alone...scared...forgotten...there's always someone we can turn to.

Blessings to all of you!

More Papers?!

Since we started this adventure into first-time-home-ownership, we've signed more papers than I care to count. Just when I thought we were in the clear - at least for a little while - hubby brought home a stack of paperwork last night.

By my rough calculation, we've signed more than 200 sheets of paper in just these "initial stages" of the process. That's got to be at least a whole tree, right?

I sure hope these mortgage people, banks, and realtors are using recycled paper.

We're still shooting for a closing date of January 16, at which time I'm sure we'll sign another 127 papers before we can actually lay claim to the house.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining....I'm simply whining!

Have a great Wednesday!

Not Me!

It's time for Not Me! Monday again, so hop on over to MckMama's blog and check out the fun.

...I did not shop this weekend for the most deliciously pink long sleeve t-shirt I could find. I am not wearing said t-shirt underneath my snazzy black polo work shirt. I do not expect to receive numerous compliments on my amazingly pink attire.

I did not drink soda at a family gathering over the weekend and smile a little when family members wondered out loud if I was pregnant.

Saturday did not find us working feverishly to coax our sick car into working again. By "us" I certainly don't mean Mark worked while I relaxed in my parent's warm house with a cup of cappuccino. Nope, that is definitely not what I mean.

A crazy ice storm did not hit our area Saturday night, coating our little neck of the woods in slippy, sliddey dangerous stuff. I did not beg hubby to make an unnecessary trip to my parent's house to pick up a book my mom finished reading that I've been dying to start. Lovely hubby did not curse (under his breath) while navigating the trecherous roads.

I did not spend much of the day yesterday teaching myself a variety of crochet stitches. I did not break down in tears when I just couldn't figure one out...because that would mean I care about "little old lady things" like crocheting.

I certainly did not wake up this morning at 6:30 a.m., go to the bathroom and fumble with my alarm clock to re-set it for 7:15 a.m. I did not speedily shower, dress, dry my hair and put on make-up to make sure I'd have enough time to do a bit of blogging.

I am not super pumped to watch a new episode of Jon & Kate Plus Eight tonight and I'm not counting down to the season premiere of American Idol.

We do not have less than two weeks before we move into our house!

What have you not done this week? C'mon you know you wanna join the fun!
P.S. I actually posted this weekend...twice! If you missed those amazing posts, be sure to scroll down!

Leftover Names? Recycle them!

I had a thought yesterday that I can't seem to get out of my head. The thought fits the theme of pretty much all my thoughts lately...the world of motherhood and babies.

I think I've mentioned that Mark and I have both a boy's name and a girl's name picked out for our future first children. We love both names and can't imagine not having children to fit them. These names are perfect and we already use them when dreaming of the things we'll do with our family.

But...what if? What if we end up having all boys? Or all girls? Our names would go unused! I couldn't bear it.

Just when it seems all hope is lost...never fear, the Internet is here.

Check this out. Looks like just about anything can be recycled these days!

RiNgInG iN tHe NeW yEaR 'o9

Well, I'm finally recovered from New Year's Eve. Ha. Just kidding. I' ve just been pretty lazy on the blogging front.

We did have a fun New Year's Eve, though and we realized we're waaaaaaaay too old to be staying up so late!

I ended up only having to work until 3 p.m. on New Year's Eve so we met up with a few of my aunts/uncles at a local bar for some drinks and dice games. I had seriously like 4 drinks, then we went out to eat and then headed to Mark's brother's house.

I swear I only had four drinks and get this...I felt sick the next day. I had a headache and didn't feel right....after four drinks! See, I'm just getting waaaaaay too old! Ha ha.

New Year's Day we ended up doing a bit of shopping because Mark needed new work shoes, so we just had to hit up HuHot again. I think we're becoming addicted to that place! It's soooooooooo good.

It was a pretty relaxing day, which made it really hard for both of us to go to work yesterday. Ugh. Thankfully the day went by quickly. Last night I headed over to my parent's house to do laundry for one of the last times because...pretty soon we're moving to our own house with our own washer and dryer! Yay!

We (meaning me and my brother-from-another-mother Ryan) dyed my brother's hair black last night. I'm not sure how Ben got into this kick that he needed a "$6 makeover" but he did, and wanted his hair black for 2009. It ended up looking really nice, but then again he's one of those guys who looks good no matter what he does.

Our car had a little trouble last night...meaning it refused to start, so it stayed stranded at my parent's house last night. So we got up super early this morning to go over there and dump some Heet in the gas tank. Thankfully it started up after that.


We just made our weekend Wal-Mart run and now Mark is playing Madden Wii (for the 9,000th time since we got it last year) and I'm going to do some more packing. We have a birthday party later for my great-uncle, but other than that we're going to have a pretty relaxing weekend, thank goodness.

After a busy week, I really need a little time to breathe. And pack. And pick out paint colors for our new house. And sign more papers for the loan for our new house. And start cleaning the apartment for moving-out. And...well actually my weekend might not be so relaxing after all.

The good news? My little niece taught me how to crochet...so I'm starting an afghan! Believe it or not, I find knitting and crocheting soooooooooooo enjoyable and relaxing. So, I'm looking forward to my project...after all that other stuff is done.

I'll leave you with a few fun pictures to tide you over, you know, just in case I don't get around to blogging for the rest of the weekend....

My parent's dog, Otis, trying to get into the holiday spirit.

Jade, my adorable godson, at Christmas.

Ben's new hair.