If's, And's, or But's

Our house sold in 8 days. That's right, eight days. We were SHOCKED. BUT the sell of the house is contingent (I've learned to dislike that word) on this AND that. We are in a really good position...the buyer's house is under contract and closing soon. However, the IF's are killing me. We have an amazing realtor who has successfully talked us down from several ledges. God has been so faithful through all of this. We are learning to never hold too tightly to our plans. A hard lesson to learn, but worth it. So here's where I'm at...IF we take a step back AND trust God, we're going to be just fine. No if's, and's, or but's. The journey continues and I'm excited to see where (and when) we'll arrive at the next stop on the road. VIVA LAS HOUSTON!

It's in the box...

Ladies and Gents, we've got a box packed.

The first box has been packed. It's starting to sink in that we're moving. We just don't know when or where. Loving me some "unknowns."

We had two realtors bring people by this afternoon. We frantically texted our realtor their information so she can call them and get some feedback. I can pretty much guarantee our 4 ft long (including tail) feral cat, Tony, will be mentioned. Brian put all three animals (WHY DO WE HAVE THREE PETS???) in kennels in our master closet. It's a big closet. He put a nice little note on the door, explaining the odd noises coming from inside. He also put "No Worries." Like "it's ok to look in there, even though it sounds like a crazy cat is going to attack you and eat your face off. NO WORRIES!" When Brian got home and went to let the animals out, Tony went APE! All three of them were slightly traumatized and have been clingy all evening. Brian had a little convo with Tony about selling the house and being a team player, etc. We'll see how much Tony's going to cooperate when the next group comes through. :)

Day 2...It's a MIRACLE!

Let me preface the miracle with a little story. The other night, I was laying in bed and I start hearing this loud clicking noise. I recognize it as the gas lighter on the stove. Wait, I'm in here but the stove is in use. Brian was trying to start the burner. I waited as long as I could, the clicking continued. I get out of bed and go into the kitchen, which smells like gas, of course. I fix the burner for him and he starts 20 questions on how to make this box of mac 'n cheese. I finally just take over and fix it...then I eat some at 10:45 at night.

Fast forward to tonight.

Ok, people...are you ready for this?? You may need to sit down. I had to pick up Ben and run to the store (Ben calls it Krogert) to get some things on my way home. I had asked Brian to get the ground beef out of the freezer so I could cook when I got home. I walk in the door and there he is, eating a plate of spaghetti. Ladies and Gents...BRIAN COOKED SOMETHING. And the best part is that he used all the little secrets from his mom (that she never told me, even when I asked) so it was DELISH! And now I know why his mom's spaghetti is sooooooo frappin' good.

Day 2 of House for Sale...NOTHING! We talked to the realtor about trying some different things and she was completely on board.

Day 1...Project Move

So we have a sign out in the front yard and we're on the MLS listing. No one called. And there's only four pictures on Realtor.com. We had TONS of good ones so I'm not sure what happened with that. Fingers crossed we get some lookers this week. :)

In other news, Ben went to stay with Aunt Eileen for the night. He had a blast and came home with lots of new toys and a super cute hat. One of his new toys is a remote control truck that moves even when he isn't playing with it. It's kinda creepy. Anywho...Happy Wednesday!

Movin' on up...to the East side!

Southeast Texas, that is. We're moving. Brian got a promotion to Instructional Specialist in an ISD in Houston. I am SO proud of him! He's rocking his Master's program and will finish in December. Not so excited about the moving part yet. I have NEVER sold a house before. My parents live in the same house we moved to when I was five or six. The most I've ever moved has been after we got married. This one is going to be hard though. We've found our niche here in College Station. We've made some amazing friends. I have the best job ever. This is the home that we brought Ben home to...that's the only room he's ever slept in. This home is where Brian and I truly became a family and I'm going to miss it terribly.

So I'm going to blog the living heck out of this experience. Get ready, 'cause you'll be riding the roller coaster with us!!

Top 10 List of Things that would make me happy this summer...

I saw this on another blog, so I thought I'd be a copy-cat. Here we go...

Top 10 Things that would make me happy this summer

1. HBO and Entourage.
2. Lazy days off.
3. Chocolate dipped bananas.
4. Perfectly mixed sweet/unsweet iced teas from McDonalds.
5. Grilling for dinner every night.
6. A fun week at the lake with my family.
7. Low electric bills.
8. A perfect birthday for Brian...he's going to be 30!
9. Weekly trips to Spoons Yogurt.
10. Less traveling for work.

What about you?

Whatev!

I made a comment on the Facebook status of a new bride. She said that she was cooking this elaborate dinner and just couldn't wait until her husband got home. My comment said to "keep standards low" so that his "expectations will be low." I had some fellow commenters that were right in tune with my viewpoint…one was in the drive thru and the other had just gotten a $5 pizza. The rest told me that I was stupid and pathetic and should be ashamed of my horrible wife skills. Not really, I'm paraphrasing. They encouraged her to "be proud of her skills" and that cooking was "more power to the woman." Another said to make sure she shared her recipes. My pithy sarcasm had offended once again and the "mama bears" came out to make sure I knew it.

But here's the thing…I don't care. I take the best care of my little family that I can. I have come a long, looooooong way from the 21 y/o newly wed, still in college, wife that I once was. I'll never be perfect, sorry Bryan ! But easy recipes, the occasional take-out, and a bi-monthly maid sure do push me closer to "great."

Crass but insightful...

I am an adoptions worker for the state of Texas. I love it. I was wired for this job. Each time I tell a family that they have been selected for a specific child, I feel the exact same excitement as the other dozens of times. I had a thought on the way home yesterday...I'm like a pregnancy test without the pee. I get to provide the same feelings and excitement to a family, just like a those two little lines. I can't really put to words how it feels to have that sort of responsibility for another family. I'm just glad I get to do what I do.

It's the small stuff...

I have never been much of a "Susie home-maker." When we first got married, Brian could not believe what a slob I was. HA! I've come a long way in seven and a half years. Granted we have a cleaning lady, but with Brian in school, it sure makes our free time a lot more "free." Anywho...cooking falls into the "home-maker" skills that I lacked. I'm not a bad cook...pretty good, according to Brian. :) I just hated cooking. I work full time in a stressful job, as does Brian. It's hard to get off work at 5 p.m., go pick up Ben from daycare, and then come home and spend 45 minutes to an hour cooking. So I'd get take out...fast food, restaurant take out, Chinese delivery, pizza. We developed quite the bad habit of eating out way too much.

A couple of weeks ago, I looked through the check book register and counted up how much we spent eating out for May. I WAS SHOCKED! And very motivated. I've cooked every night for the last week and a half. I'm so proud of myself. I've tried new things and found a lot of fun recipes online. I've also stuck in some classics...spaghetti, enchiladas. What makes it all worth it? The money saved is nice...it's also healthier. But what makes me sooo happy?? When Ben tells me every night, this is the best dinner I ever had. HA! And Brian's been pretty happy as well.

Feeling more and more like an adult every year! :)

According to Ben

Ben-isms...He loves singing the songs he learns at preschool. Here are some of his "interpretations" of the songs.

Melly, Melly, Melly, Melly, Life is but a dream.

Months song: February, March, Juuuuuuunnnnniiiiieeee. Me: What about May? Ben: Who is she?

The "Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee" is never-ending...I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so proud of me? I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so proud of me? I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee, won't my momma be so...Not kidding.

What time is it? What time is it? Is it outside time? Oh no, no, no. Oh, no, no, no. (Shakes his finger) It's not outside time. What time is it? What time is it? It's time for circle time. Oh, yes, yes, yes. Oh, yes, yes, yes. It's time for circle time.

He's super cute, until he starts substituting words with "poop." Example: I'm a little acorn man, sitting on the cold, cold ground. Ben's version: I'm a little poo-poo man, pooping on the poo-poo ground. Etc.

Ok, he's still cute.

Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend, movies, naps, a pedi. Wonderful!! But I TOTALLY missed my guys. Seriously, I couldn't sleep b/c Brian wasn't there. I didn't want to put on Facebook that I was home by myself, just in case a serial killer saw that and broke into my house. You may call that a little bit CRAZY...I'd call that healthy paranoia and too many crime shows.

I must tell you about the pedicure. I knew I wanted something a little extra with the pedicure but I wasn't sure what they offered. After he attempted to explain to me what I could get, I went and picked out my color (Hooker Red) and sat down. They were really excited about the new chairs they had just gotten in. The manager even showed me how easy it was to clean them (shockingly easy to clean, really). So the lady pulls this cart out with salts, masks, waxes, etc. I just nodded a couple of times and went with it, a little nervous about how much $$ I had just agreed to part with. The massage chairs were...different. They had butt massagers. Wasn't sure what people would enjoy that...I sure didn't. I made sure the settings were just on my back but because I'm so short, the "upper back" was really my head. Finally I just gave up on that one and moved my head forward when the upper back part would come. Anywho...so, the lady puts on two different rounds of sea salts on my legs and feet. HEAVEN!! Then, she put this mask stuff on my legs and wrapped them in hot towels. HEAVEN X's TWO!! After I had sat waiting for the paint to dry, I decided to put on my shoes. Now this had been a spontaneous pedicure so I was not wearing flip flops. I can't wear those paper flip flops out of the store b/c I have almost fallen and killed myself on multiple occasions. So I put on my flats and gingerly walked to my car. When I checked the damage, I had successfully smudged the top part of every nail. Eh, it was worth it. And all for $30!! Thanks, Rose...if that's your real name. :)

"Me Time" Update...

1. Taco Bell
2. 3 hour nap
3. Ice cream and Cookies
4. CHICK FLICK - Valentine's Day, others coming up, I'm sure.

Me Time!!!!!

I will be enjoying some verrrrrry needed "alone time" this weekend. I will have the kitchen cleaned before the boys leave in order to maximize my time. There will be naps, taco bell, and chick flicks. I'll let you know how things go!!!!!

Priceless, madness...

Urgent Care co-pay: $30.00
Antibiotics: $14.09
Bouncy ball we just HAD to have: $1.99
100 sugary popsicles: $2.99

Ben catching strep throat the one week that I have every single day planned...MADDENING!

Brian's parents were even going to watch Ben from Friday to Sunday so we could get a much-needed break. Scratch that. And if Brian and I catch it, we can kiss Memorial Day with the Post family goodbye. I've got a big meeting tomorrow in Austin, home visits on Thursday evening. I've been looking forward to all the sleep I was going to get while Ben was being spoiled by Mimi and Papa.

On the flip side, I'm so glad that this is only a minor bump in the road...things could be so much worse. God is faithful!

Memories

While in the car today, I heard Vitamin C's "Graduation" song, which brought on a major case of "remember when..." I thought I'd share a few of my junior & high school memories that stood out for me.

Having the counselor announce that I got a $48,000 scholarship to UMHB at the graduation award ceremony...that was my financial aid package. I'm pretty sure I'm paying back most of that on my own.

Juniorette initiation. Brent made Jenett bark everytime Mrs. Robert's said a certain word. Mrs. Robert's was pissed. It was awkward and great, all at the same time.

All of the AWESOME names we had for our cars/trucks. Mine had "GAY" in large silver letters on the tailgate...it was from Gay Chevy Dealership in Houston. I think there was a Hank...what was Andy's truck's name? Ash had a great name too I think.

Working for my dad the summer after I graduated. And by working, I mean scrap-booking and refinishing desks with Melissa Trahan. We were STRIPPERS...paint strippers that is.

Mission Tour Seattle...I had just finished 7th grade. I got the MVP camper with Robert L. HA! I got a Seattle t-shirt. So blessed to have been a part of that youth group for all those years.

House-sitting for the Newsom's while I was home for the summer from college. Kim Gragg (Taylor now) spent the night with me and we spent hours cutting up magazines. We had big decoupaging plans. :) I also managed to kills some ferns that were supposed to be used in a wedding when the Newsom's got back.

We all grew up together...we were learning who we were together. Our lives were intertwined. I can't think of a childhood/teenage memory without one of them being in it. How lucky was I?

I'll throw in some college ones, just for kicks...

Walking around the "Quad" at UMHB at all hours of the night with Katie. And chocolate cake.

Erica and I ruining the ending of Titanic for Brandi. Brandi could cry at a movie more than any other person I've ever met.

Jeff setting up the first date I had with my future husband.

Going to a bar in Austin to hear a band I'd never heard of...my friend I went with said I was overdressed. I guess standing for three hours, inhaling 2nd hand weed smoke has a dress code.

School breaks, spending almost every evening at the Martin's house in DeRidder.

So Kim, Ashley, Melissa, Andy, Brent, Katie, Chris, Mrs. Melanie, Brandi, Erica, and so many more...I was thinking of y'all today!

Used to...

I used to hate eating in the car. I'd wait until I got home to eat fast food or take out. I wanted to sit and enjoy it...sometimes even use a plate. :) Now, I'm more than happy to scarf a couple of tacos en route, for two reasons. One, I don't have to share with a persistent three y/o who only wants what I'm eating. And two, I actually get to eat hot food. I try to make sure the lettuce and cheese are off the front of my shirt before I walk inside, lest the questions begin.

Bad at saying no...

I have friends who sell things, like AVON, Amway, Homemade Gourmet, etc. I do not sell things. I don't like to and I don't think I'd be any good at it. Me: Would you like to buy this from me? Customer: Heck to the no. Me: **should I cry or call them mean?** However, I do buy things from my friends. About two or three months ago, I discovered Scentsy. It's this flameless candle thing and I love it. I didn't know anyone to buy from, so when a perfect stranger gave me a flier about a "party" she was having, I actually went. I knew no one. I wasn't there to make any friends. I just wanted to smell the 100+ wax things, make my order, and go home. I paid dearly for those products...it was an awkward social situation. My legs actually shook...can't believe I admitted that. I didn't know anyone and no one made a huge effort to engage me in conversation. So I traveled around the room alone, sniffing the little plastic containers of wax and writing down the ones I liked. I finished up, wrote my check, and made a bee-line for the exit. But not before the hostess asked me if I wanted to host a house or basket party. WHY WOULD I WANT TO DO THAT? I don't know you and I just endured an awkward situation without any help from her. But what do I say?? SURE, I'D LOVE TO. So now I have committed to a perfect stranger to carry around a bag of Scentsy stuff to my work. She delivered it to me and seriously spent less than 5 minutes in my home. And still, I lugged that bag around and even showed it to some people at work. I don't think I even get a free gift or anything. All because I couldn't say no. Hey, take my money, make me uncomfortable, and heck yes I'll go out of my way to help you out. So there you have a window into Amy. Oh, and if you are interested in buying anything let me know. :)

Annnndddd...we're back.

I have TONS of excuses as to why I haven't blogged in over six months...TONS! I won't bore you with them all, but some are really good. Life is moving right along for us. We are beyond blessed with everything that has been going on. My job is a lot more manageable now and I'm not traveling like I was. Brian's got two semesters of his Masters' program down. He's taking a full load this summer (12 hours, YIKES!!). He'll graduate in December and hopefully we'll start looking for an assistant principal job for the fall of 2011. He's going to be SO good at being an administrator!! I'm so proud of him.

Ben is AMAZING! He's so funny and sweet and good-natured. Well, he is most of the time. We are going through a whining/crying phase that I'm looking forward to finishing. He's enjoying his new preschool and has made lots of friends. He's also picked up some not-so-great things, like eating his boogers (we FINALLY broke him of that) and getting an attitude. He's told me "duh" and even stuck his rear out at me when I asked him if he wanted a spanking. And this is a Christian daycare. He's learning so much and the cute little songs he comes home singing are the best. I don't care what you say...a three y/o singing "Three Little Speckled Frogs" is the cutest thing ever! Much better than him repeating the "Sexy Lady" song on the Swiffer commercials...geez!

Now to catch up on reading the blogs I haven't read in months...