...and the winner is...

HOUSE #2

We signed our papers this morning and whaolla! Next thing we knew we were posing in front of the sign with the sales team cheering us on! We are so excited. Sam thought we were going to build the house right then and there. Thankfully the house is only 6 miles away from Brad's parents, where we are living, that we'll be able to visit frequently. Our tentative move in date is August. We'll start digging beginning of May! Hooray :)

Which house will it be??????

HOUSE #1 (4 beds, 2 1/2 baths)

HOUSE #2 (4beds, 2 and 1/2 bath) A bit more square feet and a HUGE garage!

Tomorrow is the day!!!! We will be making an offer on a new home. Brad and I have exhausted all building possibilities, have schlepped our children ALL over town to look at homes and tonight we narrowed down our decision. Tomorrow we are meeting with the sales lady to finalize what we really can and cannot have. These two houses have very similiar exteriors, however, the interiors are completely different. #1 more traditional. #2 more open concept.

All in all we have interviewed a total of 4 builders. We really worked 2 of them, and I mean worked....and the other 2 were a little bit of a waste of time. However, we did do ALL our homework to the best of our ability with two kids in tow. Some memories worth noting:

1. We were visiting a model home, it was a cold rainy day. The boys darted off upstairs without us to fight over which room they wanted. (Keep in mind this model home was $100,000 out of our price range) . A few moments later we hear the toilet flush upstairs...the sales lady's eyes popped out of her eyes as she said, "WAIT, we can't use the bathroom upstairs. We only are allowed to use the bathroom here (as she pointed to the bathroom on the 1st floor). The sales lady got a little snippy and began to turn white. Brad and I looked at her...then I went and asked Sam what he was doing....his response, "Mommy, I had to spit my gum out so I did it in the toilet". Two minutes go by, Sam comes running downstairs singing..."I've gotta poop mommy". He dropped a stinky load and the sales lady was appauled.

2. Same day, same house, Matthew insisted on having a snack. So he pulled out some cookies, sat on the kitchen snack bar, gagged on a piece, spit it out and slid the regergerated cookies under the placemat...and yes, us parents saw it all...and didn't want to appaul the bug eyed sales lady, so we left it.

3. The sales man asking us if we like the layout, Sam steps in, "this house is UGLY".

4. Matthew falling down the basement stairs all in a tiff over Sam's gum

5. Sam insisting to not get out of the car because he is DONE looking at houses

6. Matthew and Sam going on a bug hunt in a basement

7. The Sales lady at the model trying to get us out as fast as she could because our boys made her nervous as they slid down the stairs.

8. Every house the boys wipped off their shoes and jackets and made their selves right at home as they were certain there was a toy room there.

9. One sales lady telling us to bring a movie and we can write an offer while the kids sit in front of her flat screen TV. Key word SIT.....never. Well at least never together.

10. Remembering the Sales lady at the model who didn't have any answers to our questions....she basically said, "hmmm...I don't know, you'll have to ask Pete..."

...and I'm sure there were more, just some memories we don't want to forget...

Check back tomorrow as we will hopefully tell you which house we selected and which house we made an offer on!

Our little Matthew

...enjoyed a photo session with mommy while Sam away at school! Actually, I had no intentions on taking his pictures, but he was in one of those moods that doesn't happen that often and I had to jump on the chance. There is yogurt all over his shirt, snots in his little sniffer and a whole bunch of dirt in the fingernails as he was just eating oreos, but we love him just the way he is!

He was feeling a little droopy this day, a little cold and a HUGE cough...can you see it in his eyes?

Two and 1/2 years old!

TENNIS

Can you find Matthew? He always joins in the fun afterwards when Mr. Lenny gives out stamps!

am AFTER tennis!

It's so much fun to finally be FOUR!!! Our opportunities are now endless. Tennis is one of the many things we are now signed up to do. What a great opportunity for 4-6 year olds to be a part of. Mr. Lenny (Sam's new idol) is awesome. He is a fun loving tennis (amongst many others) coach. He provides the equipment, and us parents provide the children for an hour of fun once a week! It is great. Sam does get a wee bit frustrated when he swings his tennis racket like a bat, but overall, he is doing well. It's a great following instructions type of hour. It's great.

cold cold snow!

Fun in the last bits of snow! The boys just can't wait until summer again. They continue to pull out their motorized vehicles and try to play in the snow. I'm happy to report that the snow is almost all melted. Now Brad and I are suffering immensely with allergies. I am completely stuffed and miserable. I can't wait until we get our health insurance back so I can once again go see my allergist. Brad and I both totally forgot how miserable we are during these few months. However, I don't care...I'll be miserable...just bring on the green grass and pretty flowers. I want to go outside and have photography sessions!

a REAL bubble bath!

Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles EVERYWHERE!!! It was so much fun. Bubbles + bathtub with jets = lots and lots and lots of bubbles! Sam dove right in, Matthew observed from the side for a moment, and then dove right in. They had a great time.

CONGRATULATIONS Daddy!

YOU DID IT! Yeah!!
WE are ALL so proud of you!!!

Seriously, you've proved yourself and kept your spirits high as you plowed through numerous interviews. Your ability to go after what you want again is sparkling!

Yesterday afternoon Brad's phone rang. In my heart I knew it was going to be the call. The call we have been waiting for, but I wasn't sure on the news. However, once again, Brad's determination and motivation to get this job was overwhelming. The HR recruiter on the other end passed out a great opportunity....and Brad said YES! Hooray!!!!

The best part about this call was, we are back in the world of employment. AND, I will be able to continue my mommy business and my side photography business! For that, I am so very thankful, especially in today's recession.

So, we have daddy for 2 more weeks before he starts in his new office downtown Milwaukee. He will be working in a tall building with many many windows and many many awesome restaurants! We are so excited. My boys are going to be lost without him home. So we are going to be a family for the next 2 weeks and enjoy EVERY moment together!

This confirms my thoughts that things DO happen for a reason. All things in life happen for reasons...I am a believer. Now we are moving on to our house search and a school for Sam.

Thanks for every ones well wishes and words of encouragement over these past few months. Seriously it's been a long road, however, with the help and prayers of all our dear friends and family, things have worked out! Ah....yes...it does feel good.

Conversations with a 2.5 and 4 year old

I had to post this on our family blog. A friend of mine forwarded this email to me via facebook and the conversations that happened between my darling little boys was precious. So, for keepsake, I am going to post on here as well and hold onto this forever!
~~~~~
Below is a conversation I had with my 2.5 and 4 year old yesterday. The questions were forwarded to me and we had to fill in the blanks.
Enjoy!

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Sam: That you have to go to the Doctor (because he is a picky eater!)
Matthew: Brush your teeth

2. What makes mom happy?
Sam: When I talk well
Matthew: (dancing around)

3. What makes mom sad?
Sam: When I say "Stupid"
Matthew: When I throw things

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Sam: Makes a funny face
Matthew: Tickle me like this

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Sam: like me
Matthew: baby

6. How old is your mom?
Sam: Six...wait, are you six or seven
Matthew: Two and Two and Two and a half

7. How tall is your mom?
Sam: 5 inches, with hand movements and all
Matthew: She is big

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Sam: Take Pictures
Matthew: Play on computers

9. What does your mom do when you are not home?
Sam: Go to the store and go shopping
Matthew: cwean (Clean)

10.If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Sam: (blank stare)....
Matthew: (hmmm...with finger in mouth...)

11. What is your mom really good at?
Sam: Making food
Matthew: Walking the doggie (we don't own a dog)

12. What is your mom not good at?
Sam: Saying stupid (?)
Matthew: ?

13.what does your mom do for a job?
Sam: Take pictures
Matthew: works

14.What is your mom's favorite food?
Sam: Pie (well not really...but okay!)
Matthew: Syrup and Toast Sticks (no no no!)

15.What makes you proud of your mom?
Sam: Not saying Stupid
Matthew: ??

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Sam: Being a fire station and working with water and a hose like a fireman
Matthew: Mommy

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Sam: We play!
Matthew: Play, eat toast sticks...

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Sam: Loving each other (tear)
Matthew: (didn't get the question)

19. How are you and your mom different?
Sam: I have a cho cho train, and you don't.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Sam: Because I love YOU!
Matthew: kisses

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Sam: Loving him
Matthew: I like him too!

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Sam: Target (right on baby)
Matthew: Target (because that's what Sam said!)