Sea World in October

(this was the closed we got to a "pumpkin patch" this year, so it's our fall picture, even if the kids are dressed for June...haha it's HOT here!)

One Saturday in October we had opportunity to spend the day with Larissa and Cody at Sea World. Larissa and I go back to college days, and I love spending time with her! When Jimmy was little she babysat him a lot and he would loving refer to her as Ms Ralissa... too cute! Anyways, we loved our time with them!!! And can I just say it is so much easier to be at Sea World with 4 kids in tow when there are 4 adults. It was real neat to see the place decorated for Halloween, to see the shows, and of course do all the rides.the kids on something "exciting!"

Jimmy, Cody, Timmy, & Larissa on the Log Ride

The whole crew (minus me) waiting for Azul to start...

Thanks Larissa & Cody!

So much to say! Part 1- with many parts to follow...

Dear blogging world, it's been awhile... too long! I enjoy blogging, it's the closest thing I have to a journal, but when push comes to shove it gets bumped to the bottom of the totem pole. So, here I am wanting to catch up but feeling overwhelmed knowing I've gotten nearly 4 months behind. I'm not going to make non-realistic goals on posting everyday or anything, but I hope that with a few posts here and there I can catch up and get back to maintaining. Wish me luck!!!

So, September 27th Dave began his new job... good news is He LOVES it! It's his dream job! bad news is it is 2 hours away, which means he lives in a hotel Mon-Fri, and we get him on the weekends. Which also means I have become a "single" mom of 4 kids. NOT EASY!!! I have a new respect for single moms of the world, I don't know how you do it! We are rapidly approaching 4 months (see a time connection to lack of posts, its no coincidence) of life like this, and it isn't getting any easier. We spent the first 2 weeks of October working like mad to get the house ready to list. We did new carpet, new paint, packing/boxing up to de-clutter, had a garage sale to de-junk, lots of deep cleaning, yard work, you name- we did it! And then it was finally ready, and let me just say... WOW! my house looks nice!!! I think so anyways. I do miss a few things though, 1. family pictures, I am a picture person and having to remove all "personal" things for listing was not exciting and 2. the baby gates!!! AHhhh! to this one, Elly is an accomplished crawler and moves fast! She can make it up the stairs okay, but it really scares me and I only let her do it if someone is right behind her. She is far from ready to get down them, and it doesn't help my fear that there is tile at the bottom of the stairs- no padding for crashes. So now anytime we move up or down I "reposition" a love seat to act as a gate. Much more complicated than locking and unlocking a baby gate would be...sigh...but it works. So the house has been listed for like I said 4 months, and has only had 3 showings, which is rather disappointing...in fact down right depressing. We've been assured that the market has been in a slump, and with it being the holidays there hasn't been much movement anywhere... maybe so, actually probably so, seeing as all 3 showings have been in the past few weeks, not months... but let me just say it doesn't make it any easier. Day in and out, keeping up with this! I've never been a "neat freak" not that my house was a disaster, but it has always had the "lived in" feel... and this change to cleaning every day is not my idea of fun, in fact I would say it is rather exhausting! The good news, all 3 viewings have had positive feedback. #1 loved it, only to find out they didn't qualify for it, #2 liked it, but weren't "serious" buyers, just looking, and #3 liked it, but decided to go with something larger. So one of these days someone will come along and it will be the perfect fit for them... at least that is what I keep telling myself. We are told that they are expecting a lot of movement in the market February and March...so here is hoping! I think with that I will call it a post- this was a good synopsis on the whole house situation. No pictures this post, but here is a link to our listing if you want to see my house all clean and pretty... http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/10107-Cedarcliff_San-Antonio_TX_78245_M78618-23564

Happy Birthday Elly!

I'm a bit behind and have missed a few posts, but I'll catch up on those later. Today it's all about Elly! My little Elliana has come so far in the last year! She is doing better than any of us could have even imagined! We love you Elly and thank GOD you are here with us!!!

howdy partner

found this cute woody shirt today for only $3 & we completed the look with a hat from the dollar store... i love it!!! timmy said "i look handsome....i'm woody!"

Jimmy & Addy

These two have such fun personalities and ways about them, and they are SO DIFFERENT! This week at school they are celebrating higher education. So for today, Wednesday they were supposed to dress up as what they wanted to be when they grow up... Here is our conversations from yesterday afternoon...

Mom, "Addy, tomorrow you can dress up at school. What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Addy, "A Princess!"
Mom, " It's fun to play dress up and be a pretend princess, but what about for real? what do you want to be? You could be a doctor, or a vet, or a teacher, or a police woman..."
Addy, " I'm GOING to be a Princess when I grow up!!!"
Mom, "No, not really...that is just for play. How about... (another list of professions...)"
Addy, "FINE!!! I'll be a ballerina when I grow up!"
Mom, "Well that is something you could do, and that sounds great, BUT I don't think your ballet clothes are appropriate for school. What would be your second choice?"
Addy (now in a whiny/cry voice), " I just don't know! I only want to be a princess and a ballerina..."
She leaves the room crying... great... one failed attempt...

Now to try Jimmy...
Mom, "Jimmy, tomorrow you can dress up at school, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Jimmy, no actual words, but a deep look of concern on his face...so I continue
Mom, "You could be a doctor, or a police man, or a fire fighter, or a scientist... "
Jimmy, "I really just don't want to be any of those things."
Mom, "Ok, what do you want to be, and maybe we can make it happen."
Jimmy, no verbal response, but a stressed out look on the verge of tears.
Mom, "What about if you were your NASA t-shirt. You really like going there, and people who work at NASA are really good at math just like you."
Jimmy (tears have begun), "Can't I just be me??? I don't want to be all those other things, I really just want to be me when I grow up."
Mom (giving hugs), "Yes, of course you can be you!"
Another conversation ended in tears... great... two failed attempts.

What gets me, is though both conversations ended in tears... they were such different kinds of tears. Addy was the little miss attitude this is how it's gonna be tantrum tears. Jimmy was the soft hearted, deep, for real serious tears. It amazes me that children with the same surroundings and upbringing can be so different. Just goes to show we are all our own, very much individuals in all we do!

tired?

I love the way that babies can fall asleep anywhere when they are truly tired! This weekend we had Elly jumping nearby while we were doing some cleaning, packing, packing, etc... and she zonked! So cute!

Best Buds

These two love to play together all day!!! Timmy is so excited when Elly wakes up each morning. He greets her with hugs, and kisses, and made up silly songs. She smiles and giggles right back at him. This past week Timmy got strep (HOW??? He doesn't go anywhere!) and the doctor told him to stay away from Elly for 2 days while the medicine kicked in...He was devestated!!! He wanted so badly to be near her, it was cute and sad all in one. I love that these two have such a special bond! I wonder how long that will last ;o)