This past Saturday was Amanda's First Communion. It was so freaking windy and cold, but still a very special day. Amanda wore the same dress that Ashley did, made by my mom. The service was beautiful; I had tears streaming a few times. This is a very big milestone; two years of classes to get us to this point. Not to mention that David was actually here to celebrate his little girl's day. My mom, dad, aunt Mary, Carrie, Krista, David and myself attended the service, while Ashley was back here handling the two 2 1/2 year olds. Afterwards we came back to our place for dinner, DQ cake and presents. It was fun to see Abby and Nathan play; and they look so much alike they could be siblings instead of cousins. We hope to have a play date again with him next week. So thanks to dad for the great pictures; I just had to post a few.
I've always wanted to learn how to crochet. My husband's late grandmother made those killer, ever-lasting washcloths and hot pads. She also made us a beautiful blanket. If at 96 (and half-blind) she could do it, I should be able to...Enter over-experienced crocheter, MOM. Somehow mom and Ashley got talking about crafts, and next thing we know, she was teaching Ashley. -I've had the yarn and hooks for about a year, just sitting here. Ashley picked it up pretty quickly, and before long she had a few different stitches down. Then came me. I had read Crocheting for Dummies, but easier to learn with a person. I get the idea, I just can't coordinate my hands quite right yet. Maybe having a little less wine (mom too) would help during the next session. I think we were laughing so hard we were crying; because I make things harder than they need to be. Mom said she won't give up on me until I've learned; hopefully that will be before she leaves!
We ran to the store yesterday. When we got back Abby, mom and Amanda went in the house. I propped the door open so I could bring in the bags, and the next thing I knew, Abby ran outside in the rain, in her socks...So I chase her down the driveway and carry her back. I was laughing so hard I couldn't catch my breath. Well, she had fun anyway. Maybe the next time it rains, we'll put her new pink rubber boots and pink raincoat on and let her splash around.
We met our friends for dinner in St. Paul, and then came back to our place for dessert. They treated us to an indulgent cheesecake from Cafe Latte' on Grand Ave. I kid you not, this was the best cheesecake I've ever had! It was not overly rich like most cheesecake, but very light and creamy. The best part was the sugar-cookie crust; YUM! I guess Rachael Ray has visited there on one of her shows. I will have to go and check it out! Then they insisted on leaving the remaining pieces for us; this could be dangerous! Anyone in the area up for coffee and cheesecake??!!
AND, to top the day off, the sellers of our new house bought a house and we're all set! YEAH! We have our inspection on Monday, so here we go!
We finally found and bought our first house! I can't believe everything finally all came together; considering how many properties we looked at. This house is still in Cottage Grove, all of maybe a 1/2 mile away! The seller has to find a new house and have until May 15, (per the P.A.) but shouldn't be an issue at all. We could still walk away if we decide not to wait until May 15 or even extend the time they have. So for now we are set to close on May 23. Not concrete on what day we'll move but that will all come together when they find a house. Stay tuned!
The big day finally came. I couldn't even take her to the orthodontist to have her braces taken off because I was still gone. So daddy and the girls took her. She looks so different, and her teeth are beautiful.
I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for this! My friend Stacy in Duluth has gone to this scrapbook retreat 2 other times, and this time she politely insisted that I needed to go. Hmmm, kids have no school all week, this could work. I checked with David while at work and he volunteered to take 2 days of vacation so I could go; and he could have bonding time with the girls. We stay at an 11-12 person retreat house in Meadowlands with a complete kitchen. People offer free-will potluck-type items for the meals,-taco salad, take and bake pizzas and egg bake for brunch (yuck!) I have my rice cakes and peanut butter all set to go since I hate eggs. Stacy and I will share a 2-person room with its own bathroom. The workroom has huge banquet tables for us to set up on and go to town. I have neglected my Florida pictures, so I plan on working on that. We'll be there from 3:00 today until around 11:30 on Tuesday. I don't know if I will know what to do with myself... No chores and no children will be very strange! She said its very relaxing; sounds like just what I need. Not that I'm complaining but that 22 months while he was gone was challenging!
So the only downfall is I've been fighting the cold-crud since Tuesday, but finally starting to feel normal. Now I just have a little congestion and occasional cough.
A.I.: Sad to Chikizie go. I kind of thought Ramiele would leave. Actually liked how Kristy Lee Cook sang. My favorites last week were: Carly, David C., David A. and Luke. AND, the best news (in t.v. land) is Grey's Anatomy comes back on April 24!!! YES, YES, YES! FINALLY! I recently watched an old Patrick Dempsey movie- "Can't Buy me love", he was sooooo geeky! Much improved now days!
Ok, um why is Kristy Lee Cook still on there???! But I was having 2nd thoughts about David H. anyway. I hope David A. can come back down to earth and remember the words to a song. I LOVED Chikezie's performance! Brooke, Carly, David C. and Chickezie were my fav's this week; sometimes that'll change from week-to-week.
I had a crazy morning yesterday. I spent 1 1/2 hours at a mortgage place filling out and signing papers, and asking a lot of questions. Last week we were pre-approved at a credit union but our realtor wanted us to check one more place. She had me working with the "first-time homebuyer's guru", but it turns out she could get us the best deal through the V.A.; mostly due to not having to pay P.M.I. So again re-pre-approved and being shown 10 houses in Cottage Grove on Friday. I found out that likely our landlord will show our place furnished (with our stuff in it) to perspective renters, so I'm stressing a little. Ok, A LOT. I've got to just stop and breathe. I don't know how fabulous the place can look but I will try. I'm going to buy some boxes for personal items-pictures mostly. Now I feel like I have to stage this place and it's not mine, per se. Here we go, my craziness gets crazier. I had jokingly told my mom that when they come for Amanda's first communion they'd be sitting on boxes. It won't be that bad, but there probably won't be too many decorative things and such around. Our lease ends June 30 and we have to give 60 days notice, so our tentative goal is to notify her by April 30. This could all change depending when we find something we want to buy.
