Stairs

My ever changing and adventures boy is at it again! Devin just came down the stairs all by himself the right way :) Earlier this week we noticed him sitting his butt down on each stair as he came down; and just now, Micah watched as he descended the stairs by walking down all by himself. He just placed his hand on the wall-no butt on the stairs, and it was in the dark. I'm so proud of him! Although I could do without the fingerprints... ;)

A clean house...

...never stays clean when the Devinator is around! We had two showings scheduled for this afternoon, so Micah and I worked to make sure everything was in place and wiped down. We have done a great job keeping the house clean since our deep cleaning last weekend, and I'm really proud of us! So really, it didn't take us too long yesterday to go over the bathrooms and dusting etc. And we're even doing a great job with the laundry-my least favorite chore ever.
Anyway, we went to church this morning, and then came home to do all the last minute things like making sure the boys beds and blankets were folded, misc things put away, vacuum again, and then I made cookies. Everything was cleaned up and put in place without any hastle or stress because...Devin was asleep in the van! He fell asleep coming home from church, and so we let him sleep-checking in on him every so often. He did wake up before we needed to leave, but by then we were able to keep a close eye on him since we had already done all the work. We left and ate out for lunch and prayed that the showings went well.
When we came home I noticed that one set of cookies had been eaten, but not the second set. In fact, the later showing was with our own Realtor-so we called him up to find out if they were still coming. After we got a hold of him he said he was not able to get in touch with his other clients and they were coming from out of state. Finally he was able to talk with them, and found out that a half hour before they were due to leave the husband's grandfather had a stroke and was admitted into the ICU-so they had their phones off. So sad for them, but we were grateful they were ok as we were beginning to be concerned that they might have been in an accident or something. So, needless to say that showing didn't pan out, but maybe next week.
So we relaxed knowing we were staying home. Micah wasn't able to concentrate on his reading, so he decided to make his pancakes for the week. He makes these special protein pancakes that are made with eggwhites, oats, cottage cheese, protein powder, and some berries. I'm sure they're good...but I wouldn't know, I've never tried them-I have an allergy to whey protein-which I'm thankful for right now ;) Anyway, in the garbage is the carton with all the yolks in them. As Micah finishes up his pancakes and moves on to making dinner (he's so wonderful!) the Devinator apparently gets into the garbage...and you guessed it-got yolk all over him, the floor, the doors, the cabinets. Got the picture? And of course we are in the "strip him down and get him out of here and clean this mess up" mode that any picture taking is the least of our thoughts. Sorry :(
At least it was confined to the pantry, kitchen floor area-and it wasn't that huge of deal when I think about the rest of our immaculate house (for now)...but it is just another dose of the Devinator hard at work...getting into trouble! :)
Oh and the feedback from our showing earlier in the week was positive. They looked at 4 houses in the neighborhood and liked 3 of them, ours included. Their Realtor said there was interest, but it sounds like they are doing a lot of looking, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Showing

This has been such a crazy few weeks for Micah and I. We were so happy to finally have him home again after finishing 6 weeks of Pediatrics in another city-and boy did I really need his help. After moving him out of his apartment, our house became a mess again. I was really starting to feel the stress of trying to get the house in tip top shape, finish filling out the paperwork to list it, and finally make the arrangements to get it officially on the market. So, my wonderful husband put his work aside for a day and just really buckled down with me to get it all done. I am grateful and feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The house got listed on MLS Thursday night, but we had to wait until this morning for our sign to get posted. And our Realtor didn't want to put a lockbox on until we had a sign-so he told me to call him the minute I saw it put up.
So at 10:30 this morning I saw a guy boring into the yard to get the sign erected. As promised, I immediately called my Realtor. As he answered the phone I heard him gasp realizing who I was and apologized because he forgot to call me this morning-we had a showing at 11:00!! I was excited and then the panic set in because it was in a half hour! Now after all the cleaning and organizing we did this weekend, this wouldn't have been a problem, but I had just hosted my monthly book club the night before, and hadn't finished cleaning up from that. So I asked him if he could push the showing back to 11:30 to give me a few more minutes to get the house the way I wanted it. Lucky for me, it wasn't a problem. As I was placing the key under the mat (remember there isn't a lockbox yet) I saw the client sitting in the driveway. I felt bad that I was still there, but she assured me she was still waiting for her Realtor to show up. So I bustled out with Devin as quick as I could and left hoping the house showed well-which I think it did.
Since Aiden was due out of preschool at noon just around the corner, I went there and sat in the parking lot, watching the house and waiting to see when they left. As 12:00 rolled around and I went in to get Aiden, the couple and Realtor were still at the house...it had been a half hour! That's got to be a good sign right?? I remember looking at houses and being in and out of some in less than 5 minutes. So anyhow, I was encouraged that maybe they at least liked it a little. I haven't heard any feedback yet, but I know that typically you don't get any until the next day. My Realtor showed up later this evening to put the lockbox on and get me the brochures for future showings. So it is now official. Our house is on the market! Please pray with us that the right buyer is brought to us, and that everything goes off without complications! Thank you in advance and we'll be sure to keep everyone posted :) Oh, and now that we have a lockbox, we should be receiving at least 4 hour notices from a service before a showing...so I won't have to be frazzled next time!

4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bath, 2083 sq ft.

The Devinator strikes again...

I just wanted to share our latest adventure with the Devinator. I was making heart shaped chocolate covered rice crispy treats on a stick for Aiden's Valentine's party at school, and let Devin lick the spoon. If you remember the Christmas Cookie making post with Devin all covered in chocolate, or have a toddler of your own, you know they get very messy. So I herd the boys upstairs for a bubble bath. I let them play for some time and finally start by getting Devin out. I dry him off, put lotion on, put some Vicks on since they've been a little congested. And of course dress him in a clean diaper and set of PJs. Nice squeaky clean baby.
I set him down and go to grab Aiden's PJ's and underwear from the next room and I hear a *SPLASH*! I rush into the bathroom and there is Devin sitting in the tub-fully clothed. UGH!! So I get him out AGAIN, strip off his wet clothes and carry him back to the changing table. I take off the diaper since it's soaking wet on the outside and bend down to get clean PJ's. What does he do next?? Pees all over himself!! Now, I'm very proud to say that Devin hasn't done that since he was an infant. He was never one to pee as soon as a diaper was off, so it's a rare occasion. But not tonight...this was a good pee. So back to the tub he goes for his second bath, and 3rd trip into the tub.
Now I've learned my lesson-so Aiden gets out first this time. Water is drained, and Devin is just sitting in the empty tub awaiting my return. I get Aiden all lotioned up, Vicksed, and PJ's on, and then head over to the tub to retrieve my precious child for the 3rd time. Lucky for me this next time of lotion, Vicks, diaper, and PJ's have seem to held up. Nope, spoke too soon...he just pooped!
Now as I've had a few minutes to relax, I'm sorry I didn't snap a picture with him in the tub fully clothed, but what are you going to do. In that moment I was thinking "NOOOOO!!! Save the diaper!" And it was too late for that anyhow. But I just thought I'd share another "A day in the life of being the Devinator's Mom". Till next time...

28

So today is my birthday, and it's kind of a significant one to me because it's sort of a golden birthday. I was born on 2-8-82, and today I turned 28. I love that I have a fun numerical birthday, and it's pretty easy to remember, especially when I have to give it to someone for information purposes. The next time I'll have a "golden" birthday will be when I turn 82...if I live that long! But I do have some great genes in my family :) As long as I can be as active as my Grandpa, Grandma, and Great Aunts have been-that's fine with me! At any rate, I think it's awesome I can have 3 golden birthdays. Not to mention that 8 is my favorite number-it's upright infinity after all!
I have seen a lot of growth in myself over the past year. We have been through so much, and I've learned that I'm much more resilient than I gave myself credit for. I've learned that it's good to look at the big picture sometimes, but when you have a lot on your plate, it's easier to take it a day at a time. I've started to live more in the moment. I love this quote, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present..." I want to live this next year according to that. So often we think we are prepared for what life has in store for us, and then God throws us a curve ball. We are not only defined by how we handle those unexpected situations, but how we honor and cherish the gifts that have been given to us now. The gift of family, love, our Mother Earth, etc. I never want to take anything for granted, especially time spent with loved ones because we never know how long we have with them. Already the time for us to move is quickly coming upon us, and I know that I'll be missing my family and friends so much. I am so grateful for everyone in my life, and all the blessings I have been given. God is so good, and I know He gives me the strength to accomplish anything.
I have had a wonderful birthday, and I thank each and every one of you for the birthday wishes you gave to me :) Till next year!
I'll get some pictures posted later this week after I get my camera back from Micah-he took it for his last week on this Pediatrics rotation...we get to move him home on Saturday!!!

I can breathe again!

Over the past year or so I have begun to sneeze uncontrollably at my parent's house. A few months ago I began to experience some shortness of breath after being in their house for a few hours. We have somewhat concluded that it is the cat's fault, and since I'm no longer around them much my body has lost it's resistance to them. When I spend more than 3 or 4 days in the house I get better because I think my body gets used to the allergens and begins to build up the tolerance. But at any rate, I'm only in town for a weekend, so I go through this every time I come to visit.
Well, my Dad came up with the idea to put this ventilation mask on me and see if it helps the problem...and so far so good! I've had it on for about 20 minutes now and I haven't sneezed once :) I guess I look a little funny too-so we snapped a few pictures.

Bad kitty kitty!

Too bad it's blurry, it says "DANGER This area contains dangerous life forms and unknown bacteria." So we hung it on Lance :)

We really need to think of something else though...maybe get rid of the cats?? ;)

Night out

I know a lot of this blog is about our adventures with the kids, but every great once in a while (and I mean GREAT once in a while-haha) we get to go out on a date night or spend some time with friends without kids. Our best man Josh also has a January birthday and he wanted to take us all out to celebrate. It was also a thank you dinner for Micah for bringing him some business. So we loaded up our minivan with Josh, his girlfriend Jen, Dan, his friend Kelli, and us and took off for a night on the town! Josh's brother Rob also met us up at the restaurant.

(Jen, Josh, Me, Micah, Kelli, Dan, and Rob)
We went to this awesome sushi bar for dinner and just enjoyed some great food. We even cooked slices of steak on a rock :)

We went out for drinks after dinner, and then to a comedy club. It was a ton of fun and was so nice to get out and enjoy some adult company and conversations :) Again, I had almost no battery left in my camera, so this is all I have. Kelli took some pictures-and if I can get a hold of them I'll post them here too. Happy Birthday Josh! Thanks for an awesome evening :) And thanks to Micah's parents for babysitting the boys for us!!!!!

Birthday Parties

We had a few birthday parties in January :) James, Aiden's best friend, turned 4! Laura was planning on having a small party at Chuck E Cheese for him-but the morning of his birthday and party he was sick :( She called it off, but then he got better and the party was back on again :) The kids had a great time, and since this was only our second time going there-it was fun. My camera was running out of batteries, so I only could take a few pictures.

Happy Birthday James!

Over the weekend Micah's little cousin Macee turned 3 :) She was having a party and we were all planning on going-but then I got sick! I didn't want to go and get everyone else sick, so the rest of the family went before the party to give Macee her gift. We were sorry to miss it, but I know the kids enjoyed seeing her and especially getting the cool Spongebob gift bags ;)

This is Macee's little sister Averie-isn't she so cute-and so little! She's 8 months! I'm so used to the Devinator and his 90% self ;)

Happy Birthday Macee!