Surviving

I know, it's been awhile. I didn't realize it had been since March, but I am going to try my best to be a regular blogger. It used to be such a good outlet for me, and I'm hoping to pick it up once again!

Since the last time I wrote, many things have happened/changed/stressed me out/and so forth - some for the bad and some for the good! I had a really stressful ending to my teaching career, but I survived and am moving on. I went back home to Texas with Jason during Spring Break, which was a great refresher for me, but Spring seemed to last forever. I was gaining a little weight with the pregnancy, but for the most part, no one I worked with knew I was pregnant, and for some reason, I didn't feel the need to tell anyone! Finally, at the end of April, when plans were being made for the next year, I broke the news to my fellow teachers. I felt so bad because they had gone through new teachers frequently in that position, but thankfully, they rehired the teacher from last year, which made me not feel so guilty about all the change!

Jason and I decided that I would stay home with the new baby as much as possible, maybe pick up a part time job (I was already dreading the emotional struggle that would be leaving her) but it would be better than a full time position so far away again.The last week of school was HOT! Now, I grew up in the heat, but what I didn't grow up in was teaching in a stressful classroom, two weeks into June, stuck in a second story box and NO Air condition!!!! To top it off, that was the week I packed my things up to move out! Praise the Lord Jason was able to help move everything out, and it was all going downstairs this time! Oh, and did I mention I was 8 months pregnant too?! LOL. What a week - so glad that is past, but I struggled alot knowing that I wouldn't be teaching next year. As much as I know I needed a break, it's still sad packing things up and putting it into storage. Now that school is starting back, it's hard to walk pass the school supply list and not be tempted to pick up some cheap crayons, markers, and pencils!

So yes, this is a bit of a random entry, but over the next few weeks, I hope to take some time and share with you everything that has been going on since the arrival of our angel, Julia Kaye. She is absolutely precious and turned 7 weeks old today. I'm amazed at how much she has grown and it already makes me sad having to put away her "newborn" clothes. :( I guess this is just the beginning of many changes to come, but I am so thankful!

Girls, Girls, Girls!

As some of you know, just before Christmas it was confirmed that I was pregnant! It's been a whirlwind since then.

This past week, Jason and I ventured to the doctor's to find out whether it was a girl or boy....not a surprise to us, we found out we were having a girl! By the time Baby Girl comes, we will have three girls under 7 years old...this should truly be an adventure! I'm sure Baby Girl will be loved by all, now let the fun of preparing begin!

Soon to big a big "middle" sister!

She is ready to be a Big sister again!

Moving Up - Our First Place Together

It was time to leave Ramsey, and move closer to Mallory's school, which is in Lino Lakes. After a few months searching, and help from a local realtor, we found a home and a couple who were in the same situation as we were with trying to sell their home, but having no luck. We offered the couple what we could, and they decided to take us up on our rental offer. So here we are, move in date was December 1st, just in time for another snow! I got to the house before Jason did with the Uhaul, so here are a few pictures without our things in it. I realized I hadn't shown any family or friends where we were, so I hope this helps you picture our new home!

We live in an area called Columbus, about 5 minutes from Mallory's school, on the bus route, and about 5 minutes from Forest Lake, where our kids will go to Middle/Junior High and High School.

It is in the country, on a few acres, two ponds, lots of room, decks, and storage!

Here is our fish pond. The fish are in the garage for the winter....but hopefully the snow will melt soon so they can rejoin the outdoor animals! We haven't been able to see the outline of the pond for months now...can't even see it outside right now, but this is what it looked like on our first day here.

Unfortunately I have no pictures of the front of the house, BUT here is the back decks, which overlooks the ponds and acreage. We can't wait to be able to grill out and enjoy the outdoors.
This is a partial view of the backyard. The partial fence is actually a garden the owner has. I've been trying to imagine what flowers to plant, and how to keep the deer and other animals out!

It is a split level home, but we have a handy door on the bottom floor/basement/garage.

The garage is quite large with lots of storage. We still have some boxes, but hopefully by spring we can go through some more things! It's just so hard sorting through things in the freezing temperatures!

An odd motif, but the basement bathroom also houses the washer/dryer. This house is keen on "borders" and this just happens to be a winter scene with peasants! Just what you always want to see when you step out of the shower!

A closer look - we're definitely in the country!

The basement is quite large - this is where we have the den/tv room and kid's play area.

This is the other side of the basement, where we put my original bed from Texas and a table, so guests have a place to stay. It has worked out well, and I have my scrapbooking things in that closet in hopes of oneday getting busy on that again! LOL! This used to be a bedroom the owners said, but they tore out the wall, so this is what we have. Once Baby Pfingsten comes aboard though, this will become Jason's office and the guest room will disappear.

Basement

Upstairs living room - where most of my original living room furniture is. It's my quiet area!

The view from the dining room to the sunroom.

A better view from the sunroom - yes, there is a barn, but we can't use it - it's locked up with all of the owner's furniture.

From the sunroom, you can walk out on the deck, enjoy the view and hopefully one day grill out and eat!

Our kitchen - LOTS of storage! Again, a border!

Upstairs bathroom

Upstairs hallway - 3 bedrooms and 1 bath are off of this hallway.

Built in storage in the upstairs living room.

Lots of wildlife out here! These are a few turkeys I saw at our neighbor's house. We see deer almost daily, and turkeys and other critters!

The iced down pond - for ice skating! Unfortunately, I never made it out to skate this season, but Mallory and Jason did! It's a tedious process of layering layers of ice, but Jason did a great job, and they had fun!

Soon after we moved in...this is what the snow did to us!

No, this isn't in our backyard, but this is the lake close to us, filled with ice houses!

So this is us, for now! One day, when the house is clean, I'll take snapshots of us "living" here, but until then, I hope this helps you picture where we are!