SOLD!!!

We officially sold our house today!! We couldn't be happier (though our banking account has rolled over and died). I was so hesitant to tell anyone when we got the offer because I seriously thought it would jinx us. But since we closed today, we can officially celebrate! Hooray!!! If you can't tell I am REALLY excited. I thought we might own a vacation home in Toledo, OH.

This is no longer ours!!!

Things really went so smoothly. She offered, we countered, she accepted. She had a home inspection and came back with some repairs (ended up costing us $1,500 which we counted as a blessing because 1. we thought she would just back out after an inspection 2. we thought she was going to demand we redo the roof over the main part of the house). We had the repairs done and she wanted to close immediately instead of waiting 2 weeks for the original closing date. We quickly took all of our money from all sources (other than retirement) and wrote a really big cashiers check (leaving a totally barren account, good thing Ken was paid the next day). I thought it would make me totally nauseous to see so much money go but I think it was over shadowed by the fact that we sold our house!

PS I am really sorry for those of you that have not sold your house yet (friends and family). For me it was so hard to hear when others had sold their house and we hadn't. We are praying for all of you.

A New Life

With both of the girls in school, life has changed a lot around here. We no longer fill our days with princesses and Barbies, now it's filled with super heroes and trains.

Face Painting

We recently went to an expo where they had free face painting. The kids really wanted their face painted, so we waited in line. I was amazed. This was not your run of the mill face paint. It really looked amazing. Unfortunately, I was not able to capture its true beauty.

What a Happy Girl

We were sitting at dinner yesterday and Jordan and Kailyn were talking about school. Kailyn was talking about getting bigger.

Jordan then said, "I don't want to get bigger, because its too much fun being a little kid!"

(Yes, this kid loves life and is always looking for fun.)

Kailyn Turns 7

We had to delay celebrating Kailyn's birthday a few days because of Ken's work schedule. Thank goodness for grandparents who sent presents so Kailyn had something to open on her actual birthday.

The kids making ice cream dippin dots (a present from grandparents). She also loved her paper dolls from her other grandparents.

Kailyn opening her present from her brothers and sister.

A fairy (she is so into fairies right now). She also got a scooter and backpack from her mom and dad.

A Little Bit About Kailyn

Favorite color? All of them except black, white and gray. I especially like royal blue and violet.

Favorite food? macaroni and cheese, German pancakes, pancakes

What do you want to be when you grow up? an artist and ballerina

Favorite thing to do? read

Who are your friends? Rilee, Cosette, Jacob, Jenessa

What is your favorite toy? Barbies and Pollies

Favorite Story/Book? The Bailey School Kids, Nancy Drew and Clue Crew, Rainbow Magic, Scooby-Doo

Where do you want to live when you get big? Toledo

How many kids are you going to have? I think I want 6 boys and 6 girls

Favorite song? The Armor of God

Favorite movie? Sleeping Beauty, Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus

What makes you happy? Reading and Science

What makes you sad? When I think about Jenessa, because I miss her

Least Favorite thing about school? DLA (It's a sheet you make corrections on, like periods, exclamations, etc)

Favorite thing about school? Science

First Day of School

School started here on August 16. This made both girls really happy. Kailyn because it meant she got to celebrate here birthday at school and Jordan because she has been dieing to start school. Everyday before school started she would say, "I wanna go to school. I wanna go to school." We drove the girls to school for the first day, which Jordan was not happy about because she was so excited to ride the bus (they will normally ride the bus).

Kailyn started 2nd grade and Jordan started Kindergarten.

Caden was not so happy the girls were starting school. Yes, he will miss his sisters but more importantly he wants to go to school too. Everyday we have some conversation that starts with Caden saying, 'when I start school I'm going to...' or he is constantly asking when he will start school.

Sad to see the girls go.

His attitude quickly changed when we stopped at the gas station to get gas and let him pick out one treat. He picked tape gum.

Chase picked up a candy and insisted he should get something too. Luckily, it was M&Ms and not something like sourheads. Chase loved them.

Swimming, part 2

Here are some videos of the kids swimming.

Daring Chase. He's one we have to watch. But with those 2 floaties on, he does all right. Notice the daring full "360" in his last demonstration of his new-found talent.

Kailyn, showing off some new tricks

Jordan, doing a couple tricks

Caden, doing his best to not drown. Since this video was recorded (1.5 weeks ago, only 2 more times of swimming since we recorded the video), Caden has learned to swim without floaties, and, like his sisters, can now swim the width of the pool without assistance. We still have to keep an eye on him (he'll just start swimming to you without letting you know. I've started off swimming without him, not knowing he was on his way to me, leaving him trying to stay up in the middle of the deep end).

What we love (most?) about our new place . . .

. . . besides the master bath and the garbage disposal (both upgrades): SWIMMING!! Our kids have gone from deathly afraid of water to little fishes in less than a month. Here are some fun pics (videos on the next post):

Kailyn, demonstrating a "canonball"

Kailyn requesting Ken throw her in the air

Kailyn jumping off of Ken's hands

Jordan demonstrating the straight-leg/no-splash jump (look closely, she is in the air).

Jordan jumping off of Ken's hands

Caden . . . scared? cold? being goofy? all of the above. Our most nervous swimmer, by far. . .

. . . but night-and-day different from a month ago. Our most improved, without a doubt. Demonstrating a "canonball."

Chase, lovin' the dual-floaties . . .

. . . and thrilled, as always, to be tossed at his daddy's whim.

Chase, flyin' high.

Happy Birthday...to me!

This was one of the best birthdays I have had in many years. Why? Cause I actually got to spend it with my husband. In years past he has either been doing away rotations or I've been in Montana (so I wouldn't have to be home by myself) or he has had to work. It just seemed like my birthday was bad luck.

Ken had the whole day of this year, so we really took advantage of it. We hired a sitter, grabbed lunch from Subway and then went to a movie. It has been years since I have seen a movie in the theater so this was a real treat. For dinner, Ken went and got some hamburgers for the kids and got us some yummy take out for us. Dessert was angel food cake with strawberries and whip cream. Yum!

The girls checking out the new necklace they gave me.

Me and my babies.