Lately Round Here

Every time I sit down after the kids are in bed, I have found it so hard to make time to blog.

I'd much rather watch some Sex and the City reruns, or surf pinterest ... or just veg out and not think.

My brain knows that we have a very busy couple weeks ahead, and lately I just feel drained.. and run down.. and nothing happened yet!

Anyways.. I'm making a conscious effort to document life around here so we can look back and not wonder, but know how we did it during these days. 

A few weeks ago Samantha had her zoo field trip which I was happy to be able to go on.

It was the last field trip of the year. 

There are boxes filling half of our dining room. Some are up to the ceiling. 

The walls, shelves, closets and most cabinets are bare..

And there are still so many things to pack.

I've been lighting a lot of candles, drinking coffee and surrounding myself with pretty flowers.

Im anxious to make the house were temporarily renting in NC a home. 

Last weekend I snuck away to Cleveland to see my girls.

We laughed so hard I cried a few times, and almost peed my pants. 

Yeah, those kind of girls ...where you can pick up where you left off... talk about anything with, and never have enough time together. It was just what the doctor ordered.
I love you girls!!!!

Back home too soon, and onto the next order of business. 

 Before we move, Im hosting a 6th Monster High birthday party for Samantha. 

There will hopefully be not a cloud in the sky that day, otherwise we'll be eating pizza and cupcakes around moving boxes on the hardwood floors.. ha!

Thankfully.. with all the daily errands and packing... This guy .. as crazy as he looks is an angel when we shop. And even though this is how we started our Monday this week.. bright and early at 730am.. 

He allows me to even make it to home goods and anthro for my favorite candles..
He stands in line like a little gentleman, and loves watching people and picking out things with me. 

I think this must be me "nesting"? for our southern home?

Samantha had her end of the year Kindergarten program this week.

She and her classmates sang us a few songs, and then they presented a slide show of memories which had me holding back tears. I cant believe first grade is upon us.. wow..

Soooo... Im getting ready for her birthday party this weekend.

I love putting together the little swag bags for the kids

I made homemade lip gloss this week

And I tested out a new cake recipe and technique.

It turned out pretty good... and the colors even stayed this awesome after baking!

I needed to test it out (and eat it) before I serve people, right?

So back to feeling tired... so so tired and I dont know why.

Im taking my Vitamins! I am running... hmmm...

I think my brain is SO incredibly overwhelmed and moving at light speed trying to gather everything for the close of the school year in 3 days, gifts for the teachers and bus drivers, Sam's party and all that comes with it.. including my attempt at a DIY Pinata...& Oh yea.. MOVING! 

I went for a run today and it felt good, but I really had to push myself. It was a hard run.. and it was my usual route.. nothing more challenging about it..

Hopefully when we finally get settled in Carolina I will get my old self and old energy back.

The next few weeks may be hard on everyone, but Im trying to think of the end result. This is what we have been praying for and wishing for, and talking about for years, and dreaming and pleading "please let something happen!" well I can only speak for myself.. ha. 

Anyways.. The kids dont seem to phased by any of  the packing or anything. 

Samantha hasnt really asked a lot of questions. She knows what the plan is, and I think she's pretty excited. She remembers visiting the "beach" and is looking forward to going back and meeting new friends. 

Andrew knows we are moving.. I think. He and I always talk about how we are going to visit Ohio first and our kitty.. and then drive for a long time to move to the beach. He sees boxes everywhere and Im starting to tell him "in a few weeks we're gonna live in a new house!" 

Nothing will prepare them until we are actually in the moment of things. 

And I have no doubt it will be an adjustment for everyone.

Hopefully knowing that we are 1 mile from the ocean will make the transition a little more smooth.

We shall see ...

For Sale and SOLD !!!

Soooo. March was the last time I blogged.

But for good reason. 

We had a ton going on (behind the scenes)

It was stressful, scary, emotionally draining, nerve wracking, prayer-filled, exciting, and many more emotions that I cant think of but there were many more.

Since just after we came to Buffalo nearly 5.5 years ago.. we quickly scheduled a vacation to NC during our second year here. We missed it. We took Sam down in 2010. She loved the beach and we realized we missed it too. 

After Andrew arrived on the scene in 2012... we went back again for a visit in 2013. 

We actually stayed in our old condo complex.. so it was like living there again for a few days.

This time .. coming home ... I remember was hard. Something didnt feel right about leaving and I remember telling Mathew.. I dont think I want to visit again.. Its too hard.. I want to go back.

So we went through two miserable and frigid, neverending winters here... and we tried to ask for a transfer and prayed and prayed something would happen.

There was no hope in sight.. but again.. Its not MY plan... It was GOD's. As soon as I let go and prayed about what we wanted... and REALLY learned how to pray deeply and the right way... things began to happen. It was amazing.

Long story short.. we put our house up for sale May 11th.

It sold after 1 day of showings.

I sought out advice from a friend of mine on staging the house.. 

She pointed me in the right direction and gave me some amazing ideas.

Thank you Lis! 

I really got into it... Made this little arrangement with twine and yarn balls.. 

And a few trips to Homegoods much to my husband's dismay (at the time)... NOT NOW! hahaha

The house was looking amazing.

And thankfully with 2 little ones.. we only had to keep it clean for 1-2 days! 

We had 12 people total after 2 days of viewings .. and we had 4 offers to review that Monday after the weekend was over. My jaw literally dropped as we were reviewing offers and letters from interested buyers.

I quickly reminded my husband that the Homegoods adventures were for a good cause at this point.

So here we are entering June, 

and things have moved very quickly and smoothly so far (fingers crossed)

Its surreal seeing a sold sign on our front lawn.

The dining room is quickly filling up with boxes.. and I'd say about 1/3 of the house is packed.. minus big furniture and some toys.

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I am really trying to be organized and label each box with contents & labels.

But as I posted this picture below on instagram yesterday... I said... I know at the end it will be a big cluster of every last plate, towel, pen, toy and other stuff thrown into boxes as we clear out 

We are super excited and I will write more later as for how the kids are handling the news, where we are going to live and the big move date .. Were about 5-6 weeks away from it... 

Its Official {Some News}

Well Its Official.. I am no longer trying to juggle working and a family life.

I am an official Stay at Home Mom, and I couldnt be happier!

I had often thought before I had Andrew, "Gosh, how am I going to do this with two!"

For the last 2.5 years I've kept my job as a recruiter with a fabulous company.

I started back with them waaaaay back when Mathew was in Iraq.

They let me work from home and recruit from NC, flew me to FL for training.. and after Samantha came I went right back to Full Time... ( I was home, in NC, and she was SUCH an amazing baby..that I could manage BOTH successfully, without childcare/nanny)

Then when we moved in Nov 2009... I went part time, just because I had no full time help, and I wasnt crazy about the idea of daycare. Not to say ANYTHING bad about it at ALL.. but it just was a decision we made for our family that worked for us.

August 2010 - we found an amazing Nanny for Samantha. Someone we knew through someone, so it was a personal connection. She was in school for childhood psychology.. PERFECT! So she could babysit/diagnose any problems, ha! Just kidding.

Samantha grew to LOVE her and so did we! It worked out perfectly .. again..

Now adding Mister Andrew would be a change for sure. I wasnt sure how I was going to handle it at all.. I was prepared to go back to work, possibly part time, until I could figure out a solution. Our beloved Nanny is getting ready to enter the real-world workforce and is oddly enough, moving to North Carolina! (Im a little jealous!.. Okay a LOT)

So, I mustered up the courage to have one of those very uncomfortable conversations with my boss, since on Monday 4/24, I was technically due back at work full time.

Since poor Andrew has had a lot of issues and challenges since birth, it really IS harder for me to take care of him, even if there was no 2 year old running around..

My boss was completely understanding and wonderful.

He's a family man, and understands. I've known him for almost 7 years now, and I will truly miss not only working for a great man, but a great office, great co-workers, and great company.

But my family comes first, and that's what is most important.

I am very thankful to God that I have the opportunity to stay at home with my kids.

These years are already flying by WAY TOO FAST for me to miss them.

Its the easiest decision I've ever made, and one I know I will never regret for one second.
These two precious babies are my life, and Im so glad I get to spend this time with them.

Someone wrote on my facebook page, "You'll be working alright.. just not leaving the house to do it"

Yes that is so true. And when I'm ready for the workforce again, I hope and pray I can find a place as wonderful as the one I just left. Maybe even get my old job back! Hey, you never know!

I took all these pictures yesterday 4.20.12

We went for a 1.5 mile walk in the morning, it was sunny and close to 75 degrees.

I felt since I had just spoke with my boss the day before that yesterday was my first real day at home as a SAHM.

Everyday wont be easy, but it is going to be right where I want to be.

Home.

Momma's Got a Brand New Ride & Recipe {BEST Oatmeal Cookies!}

Shortly after Andrew was born, we started going places as a family of four. No where exciting mind you, since the little guy is/was pretty unpredictable. But we started to see how small my car was after we packed in two carseats, strollers, diaper bags, grocery bags, ... you get where Im going. So we started car shopping.

We considered another Toyota.. but the Highlander wasnt much bigger.

And we want to travel soon to Ohio to see Mathew's family, and our friends, etc.

So last week Momma got a new car..

An Acadia. Looks like the one pictured below, but in White.

I really like it. I've only driven it a handful of times, but as far as space goes..ITS HUGE compared to my old Rav4. It's a really good size, 3 rows of seats, and big enough that I can crawl back into the 2nd or 3rd row if I needed to (for long car trips)

This post is a little all over the place, but last week I found an AMAZING Chewy Gooey Oatmeal Cookie Recipe from Allrecipes.com

I paired it with my new favorite Buttercream Frosting Recipe from Williams Sonoma.

Its called the "quick buttercream recipe" and its really really good..

Recipe: http://http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chewy-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-cookies/

The only thing I changed was I used about 1/2 the amount of chocolate chips, and I used mini chips.

And I used Chopped Hazelnuts, because I didnt have any Walnuts

The batter was equally as good as the cookies.
I scooped them out fairly large, and they really spread out when they bake.
This recipe's a keeper!

The Newest Member of our Family...

Here are a few hints...
and no I am not pregnant! ha!







and here she is.. our coonhound.. Laney..




I have to admit, I was not crazy about the idea of a dog, but she is very sweet and good natured. Most of all, she is so great with Samantha, which is the most important thing.



She actually got here last Sunday 8/22/10. But we wanted to keep it a secret from Pa-Paw and Baka before they visited us this weekend. Overall, she is a pretty low key... quiet, lazy dog.. which I also like! ..

Will post more pics and updates soon!