a leap of faith

So, it looks like we found a place that we like a lot over in Henderson. It's an apartment, but it's got more square footage (well, just a tad more anyway) than our current home. It comes with a two car garage, and a little extra storage space, AND it costs several hundred less than what our mortgage has been. The living and dining room space is a little bit smaller than I'm really happy with, but the kids rooms will be bigger. We're going to let Ashley have her own room, and Haley's thrilled with the prospect of sharing a room with her brothers, at least for a little while. One of the kids rooms there is a fair bit larger than either of the two rooms we have here; so the three "boys" will be sharing that room. We'll be signing (upon approval of our application) a sixteen month lease, so I think that should give us time to figure out what we want to do long term. Ashley is of course delighted to be getting her own bedroom. Hopefully that will help make up a little for moving away from her best friends. I've told her that she can keep in touch with her best buds, and there's always sleepovers and movie nights and whatnot that they can enjoy together. It's not like we're moving to another state, just the other side of town.
I think the saddest part is going to be leaving our ward. It really is such a wonderful group of people, and I will miss everyone so much. I think we'll make our way to this end of town every couple of months on Sunday just to visit.
So, if all goes as planned and they accept our application, we get to start moving in around July 30th. The girls will still have about a week of school to finish up, so we'll OFFICIALLY move in abut August 6th.

I'm just always a little amazed at Jon and myself. Seems like we don't give things a whole lot of thought before we jump in and do it. Leap of faith or stupidity? I guess we've been kind of working up to this for a while, but it just seems to be a sudden move. I am excited. Change IS scary, but it's also a little exciting. If nothing else at least I'll get my house cleaned!

Anybody wanna' come and help me pack?

APPARENTLY

Justin is such a stinker! It's 11:30 at night, and he's still not asleep. Apparently I have a little night owl.
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We're looking for an apartment to rent apparently. I thought we were going to try and sell this place and find something a little bit bigger to either rent or try to purchase (like, as in, a house); but that plan has apparently been revised. Jon wants to try to save a little extra $$ and thinks that will be easier by dwelling in an apartment. I was hoping to try and stay within both our ward boundaries as well as the school boundaries, but there aren't very many apartments for rent in this general area (like, as in, none). We toured a couple places Saturday, there's one apartment not too far away that we like. It's downfalls are that there is absolutely no storage space, no garage, Haley will have to attend a different school and a we'll have to attend a different ward. It IS about 50 square feet bigger than our house, and it's pretty cute, has a pool, fitness center, and tanning beds-not that I use a tanning bed. I'd burn in about five seconds flat.

I just really, really hate the thought of uprooting the kids from both their church ward, and their school. Ashley starts a new school next year anyway, since she's starting middle school-but Haley still has three more years in elementary. At least we could still arrange play dates with her current friends though, because like I said it's not too far away.

We're going to go tomorrow and look quite a bit further away. I guess I figure, if we're going to change everything anyway, might as well make sure we're picking the best place layout and space wise. Henderson is a nice community, and Jon's brother lives there, so we'd be a bit closer to family if we move over there. The schools are pretty good there too. Whatever we decide, we'd like to be moved in before the new school year starts, which gives us just about two months.
Wish us luck. Apparently I'm going to need it!

play it again sam!

Did you see me today? I was that wild woman outside WallyWorld almost getting into it with a crabby old lady who was waiting to park in my spot. I don't think I've ever been so close to losing it in my life. At least not with a total stranger. My kids, I lose it all the time with them, but rarely, if ever with complete strangers.
So, I'm trying to load all my kids in the car, I look back and see this woman waiting there, she kind of makes that "come on and hurry up!" motion with her hand. She's got a handicap placard on her vehicle. I quickly note to myself, that no I didn't park in the handicap area. So anyway, I give the shopping cart a little shove up to the front of my car after getting Jason into his car seat, and I'm about to walk around and get Justin buckled in when I hear her yelling at me. OK, I'm already irritated. The boys are way past their nap time, and so am I. They've been whining and annoying the cr%p out of me for a bit now. First day of track break for the girls, so their in tow as well. This was our third store for the day. I should have called it good after Kmart and Target. Anywho, I walk closer to her to see what she's yelling about. She tells me not to park my cart there, because then she won't be able to get out of her car. I can't remember what I said to her, but I know it wasn't said very nicely. I mentioned that I was still trying to get my kids in the car for starters. She said they were in the car. Um, excuse me, you've been watching me for several minutes now, did you NOT see the TWO toddlers????? Only one of them is buckled in. I informed her of this, after which she did apologize, but not really to my satisfaction. I was boiling mad. Let me just say here, that I usually do take my carts back to the return area, not always but it depends on the situation. It's Las Vegas. It's summertime. Do you know how hot it is inside a car in the summertime? I had turned on the AC, to try to get things cooling down. So, tell me this. What do you do? Leave your kids in an un-air conditioned car for several moments while you take the shopping cart back to the return area, about fifty feet or more away. Or do you leave the keys in the ignition in THIS day and age (in order to keep the AC going) while you walk the cart back and then just wait for some carjacker to take off with your car and kids????? Do you wanna' know what I did? I shoved the cart up into the rocks, well out of her way and got in my car, after yelling to her that that was the best I could do for her right now.
I really despise conflict. I hate the fact that I acted so poorly. In hindsight, I realize I could have had Ashley take the cart back. Sometimes I just wish you could have a do-over.

Just Random

Haven't posted much lately. Things are about to go from busy around here to crazy busy.
We talked to a realtor last night about putting our house up for a short sale. He's coming by on Saturday to take some pics and it'll probably be posted by next week. So now, I find myself surrounded by empty packing boxes and TONS of junk to decide what to do with. They say you should eliminate a third of what you own when trying to sell. Judging by the amount of crap I've accumulated in this little 1200 square feet of space, I'm not sure I'm going to see daylight for a few weeks.
sigh.
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I don't like people very much these days.
I used to love people--a long, long time ago. Before I got a job. Maybe it's just retail. I think it brings out the worst in people. It's just that nobody seems happy anymore. Maybe it's because of the economy. I get that. But hey people, nobody's twisting your arm to go on vacation, or to spend your hard earned cash on souvenirs. So, if you don't want to spend your money, stay out of the stores!
It makes it very hard to love your neighbor when they're always crabby!

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Ashley tried to wear makeup out of the house the other day. She's been experimenting with my eyeliner and mascara. Let me tell ya', if Jon doesn't get a shotgun, I will. This girl is going to be drop dead gorgeous when she hits the dating pool. So anyway, she tried to sneak past me with the eyeliner and mascara on--she's in 5th grade! I don't think so missy!!!! I had to wait til seventh grade for eyeshadow and mascara. Judging from how mature she looked in it, I think I'll make her wait til she's a senior--in college.

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I need to find a haircut that a little tomboy will be happy to sport, but that doesn't look too boyish. I've got to be sly about this. Haley just wants a boy haircut, but I'm really tired of her looking like a boy. Any ideas?

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Speaking of haircuts, I think I want mine shorter. I'm still not happy with how this cut looks on me. Give me some ideas.
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My boys turn three next month! Crazy! I don't know where these past three years have gone.
Trying to figure out what to get them for their birthday presents. I don't want to bring too many new toys into the house, since we're trying to declutter.

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Well, that's it. I was trying to think of a witty note to end on, but I got nothin'!

Out of things

I have been way out of the loop d loop lately. Been a bit under the weather, on the silver lining side of things, I've lost 8 pounds in 12 days. Go Mikki! Maybe I can market the amazing formula. Upper respiratory infection + sinus infection + stomach bug= amazing weight loss!!!
Now if I could just keep those 8 pounds off. I fear they'll creep back on over the next day or two.

My family went to California Memorial Day weekend. Alas, I did NOT call in sick to work. So I only was able to enjoy the peace and quiet during my sleep. I did have a mini chick flick movie marathon. I have to say I LOVE the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth nailed their roles as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. I loved it so much more than the movie version with Keira Knightley. Of course, it's like six hours long. I was up til 3 in the morning enjoying it.

Anyhow, that's my life in a nutshell over the past few weeks. Hope to be dropping in and visiting all of you soon. I've lost so much computer time lately. My little guys have discovered they can view all their favorite shows on the computer. So now, there is generally Disney channel on in their room, Nick Jr. on in the living room, and they're also watching something on the computer all at the same time. sigh. What's a mom to do?