Complete Utter Disappointment

I actually thought I was going to cry when I read the forwarded email from my husband this morning.  Last Wednesday, our builder sent us, the bank, his investor, etc. the "It's Official" date for closing on our new home.  He scheduled it for April 11th (after verbally saying it would be the 15th).  We worked frantically to get everything in order to be ready in 3 weeks:  coordinated movers, packers, gave our 30 day notice for our storage unit and our apt., almost canceled my hair appt. scheduled for the 11th...

Today's email stated that he's not going to be able to get it finished by the 11th and now our closing is scheduled for the 25th!  This is getting close to the LAST straw for us with our builder.  Thankfully he uses incredible subcontractors or I'd be worried about the quality of our home, as unorganized as he seems to be.  How do you make an official announcement for our closing and then 5 days later bump it back two weeks?  Don't people get their ducks in a row before making such an important announcement?  I can't begin to tell you how FRUSTRATING this builder has made this process for us.  We've built 4 other houses and this process has been more irritating than all FOUR together!  UGH!!!!

I know this isn't the end of the world, but we were on the 3 week countdown.  We had grand plans of using Easter weekend to unpack with Andy home and the bonus of a 3 day weekend.  It's so incredibly disappointing.  Ever feel like you are just waiting for the next phase to begin?  I've been in that stage since October 2012 when I found out we were moving to Jax.  It wasn't until April 2013 that the kids and I moved.  We've been living in our cramped apt since April 2013 and most of our stuff in long term storage.  It's so hard to be patient and be present in each day as I look ahead to life in our new house.  I've got to pull up the boot straps and suck it up.  I just want to get my family in our home, unpacked and settled.  It doesn't feel like "home" until then.  

SPRING BREAK!

Since we are STILL stuck in our teeny, tiny apt, I decided to take the kids to Disney for the week.  Since we have our passes, it's a rather inexpensive vacation for us.  

We left Monday during the rain after lunch at Angie's with Andy.  Sadly, he wasn't able to join us because of work commitments.  We were supposed to leave early that morning, but the rain in Orlando & Jax delayed our leave.  We couldn't check into our condo rental until 4 so I planned it well and we arrived right at check in.  I loved the place we stayed in this time.  It was BEAUTIFUL and a much cheaper option for us than a hotel.  We had 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, fully stocked kitchen, dining room and family room.  The place has a great pool with a huge water slide.  

I made us a big spaghetti dinner that night that lasted us a few nights.  It was so awesome to come back from a long day at the parks to only have to heat up dinner.  I packed us lunches every day and we had healthy breakfasts every morning.  

Our first night there we made some Mickey Mouse bracelets to wear to the parks during the week.  The kids had a blast with making them.  

Sis couldn't wait to see Minnie!  She's always been her favorite.  With her Disney gift card from Grammy at Christmas, she bought a Figaro Vet kit.  She wanted to show Minnie her Figaro cat toy that she brought along to the park that day!  Minnie can always make this girl over the moon happy!

The three of us sitting in the very back seat of the Thunder Mt. RR coaster.  Both kids LOVE this ride.  Might be their favorite.  

Waiting to get on the Tower of Terror.  Sis hates this ride in the beginning.  The set up for it is scary and it freaks her out.  When we looked at the picture afterwards, she had one arm up and one arm down.  The arm that was down was squeezing mine, but she had a smile on her face!  

We did a lot of pin trading on this trip as well as Hidden Mickey hunting.  The kids and I had a good time.  One morning, after a late night at Epcot, we decided to be lazy and hit up the pool after sleeping in an hour.  They loved it!  It's been so long since they've been able to swim.  Makes me feel good about our choice to put in a pool.  I couldn't get them out of it!

I was teasing Andy by texting him this photo of me enjoying an Oktoberfest beer in Germany (aka Epcot)

Getting ready for the fireworks at Epcot.

This was the kids favorite treat at Disney.

It was a great trip, but we were all tired and ready to come home, sleep in our own beds and see Daddy.  Hoping we can get another trip or two in before summer and the blackout on our passes starts!

Fun Saturday Treat

After K's haircut in Riverside, we hit up Sweet Theory Bakery which is an allergy free bakery.  They make lots of GF & CF baked goods!  

Birthday Wishes

Andy was traveling over my birthday this year so when he called me that morning to wish me a happy day, he informed me that he had hidden a card for me and that he arranged a cake for me to pick up that morning.  It was so sweet of him to plan ahead with as busy as he's been these past months.  Something as simple as that meant so much to me.  

The kids were super sweet too - they both made me cards and woke me up with singing!  We snuggled in bed a little longer than we should, but still made it to school in time.  Later that night the kids wanted to go to Angies for dinner.  While we were getting ready to pay, K mentioned that it was my birthday and the girl checking us out said that because it was my birthday, I got a free sub!  SCORE!  I totally forgot you get a free sub on your birthday!  What a great present!

That following weekend when he came home, Andy took me out to one of our many favorite restaurants.  We went to Eleventh South which is located here in Jax Beach, on 11th S. Street.  It's a fabulous restaurant and both our meals were delicious.  After our dinner we headed up to our other favorite restaurant for a martini.  Since there wasn't any available parking due to St. Patty's day weekend, we parked at our new house and walked down.  

Dinner at Eleventh South - free champagne for my birthday!

My yummy martini dessert!  Ocean 60 makes some of the BEST drinks!

It was a great birthday and I'm so thankful for my family and friends who remembered it and reached out to me.  

Beach Day!

We've had some weird weather here this winter.  It can be 70-80 degrees one day and then drop 20 degrees the next.  We are taking advantage of the nice, sunny, warm days and starting beach days already!  We've spent a few afternoons and weekends there already.  It's still a bit cold to "swim" but my munchkins have no problems splashing around - then running to me for a towel because they are freezing!  

The Newest Muppets

Sissy spent the other day with her BFF.  They went to see Mr. Peabody & Sherman.  Her mom texted me this picture from the theater.  Aren't they just the cutest?  I hope they can be in the same classroom next year.  I have a feeling they will both end up in tears if they aren't together.

Love Around the World

In kdg, the kids visited different classrooms to see what different countries are like.  K's class was Hawaii (the U.S.).  The other classrooms were China and Mexico.  Here's my little Hawaiian hula dancer ready for school.

Half Days

This week the kids have SAT testing at school so they have half days.  Today we took Ra's friend home with us.  We had lunch at Angies and then headed over to the zoo to see the new tiger exhibit.  They were so beautiful and the kids got an overdose in vitamin D.  What a beautiful day!  

Catching Up

Things have been busy around here - like usual.  Andy's been gone every week just like it was when we lived in Utah.  He's busy getting ready to switch over a new railroad his company just bought.  Gotta make sure customers are well served!  The kids and I have been keeping ourselves busy in the meantime.  Thankfully he's home most weekends.  

This past weekend was crazy full!  Friday night we went to the Festival of Cars with friends of ours.  Andy was in guy heaven...Sports cars, older cars, exotic cars, you name it!  We had a great time and it was wonderful to get to know our friends better.  

Saturday we headed down to Orlando to watch the Nuclear Cowboyz at the Amway Center.  We had dinner at the Church Street Tavern.  Such a great section of town with cobblestone streets, etc.  We walked across to the arena for the show afterwards.  What a fantastic show it was!  So many incredible tricks and stunts.  

At dinner - Church Street Tavern

Ready for the Nuclear Cowboyz

Too late of a night for our princess.  She can sleep through ANYTHING!

Sunday was a gorgeous day so we got the motorcycles out and took the kids for a ride up and down the beaches.  Sis rode on the back of my scooter with me and Ra rode on the back of the CBR with Andy.  We rode up to the house and peeked in the windows - can't enter because they are staining the floors.  Oh My Word!!!  The floors looked fantastic through the windows.  I can't imagine how great they will look in person! 

Riley's been bugging Andy to take him riding for the past few weekends.  He didn't have time to take him so this was his compromise - letting him ride in the parking lot!

Grandparents Day

The kids' school is celebrating Grandparents Day next month.  Sadly, our kids never get to have their grandparents at school for these events, especially since we just had my parents here for a week this month!  Ra has to make a collage of his grandparents to hang in the hallway at school.  I've been sorting through pictures today to figure out which ones we can use.  Here are some of the ones from the past 9 years...Sadly, most of my early pics that included my in-laws are in storage, but there were a few on my computer that I was able to add.  Now to get them printed and pasted onto poster board by Monday!  Ugh...Guess what we're doing over the weekend?!?

After looking through all these pictures, I realize how fortunate my kids are because they've gotten to do so many things with their grandparents even though they've NEVER lived near my parents and lived near my in-laws for only 3 years.  They've been to amusement parks, beach, pool swimming, zip lining and adventure courses, traveling to Alaska - twice, skiing, hiking, motorcycle riding, riding trains, playing with trains, football games, etc.  Lucky kids!

Life Long Friendships

This past week was such a meaningful one for me.  I got to spend it catching up with some of my closest and dearest friends. Spending time with those who know you best and love you in spite of your faults, quirks, and flaws is the best thing in the world.  Allowing yourself to be vulnerable in front of others and allowing them to see you at your worst, all the while knowing they will love you and never judge you, is a friendship that will withstand any distance, time, or situation.  

To those I had the pleasure of spending time with last week, who I trusted with my emotions and insecurities over the years, I love you and treasure you.  I miss you terribly and can't wait to see you all again.    

And to my other bestie knew that I needed some TLC, thanks for the text messages.  I'm so thankful for you as well!  We need a catch up ASAP to get the details that a text can't express.  Love you too girl and don't know how I'd do life without you!

Fun Weekend Getaway!

My dad and I planned a fun filled hockey weekend back in October.  I met him in Harrisburg on Friday at the airport and from there we drove to State College.  On the way, we stopped in this tiny little town to get some ring bologna, ham loaf, meat sticks, and sausage.  Gotta take home a bit of PA with every trip, right?  Mom & Dad are going to bring my stuff down with them on their next Florida trip.

We unpacked and headed out for a bite to eat.  We headed to Kildare's Irish Pub which was on my "Eat Your Way Through State College" list for the weekend!  We had a fantastic Shepherd's Pie.

After dinner, we headed over to the Pegula Ice Arena.  Dad gave me the 10 cent tour.  It's a pretty awesome arena.  We watched the men's game vs. #10 ranked Michigan.  It was a pretty boring game because the men didn't play very well or aggressive.  

The next day we woke and headed in town for breakfast at Ye Old Diner - Home of the Grilled Stickies!  What a great meal.  We both grabbed a box of stickies to take home.

We did some shopping after breakfast - frankly we both needed to walk around after eating that huge breakfast!  

The next thing we did was head over to the Creamery so dad could stock up on ice cream to take home.  He filled a big cooler with ice cream and dry ice.  With the cold temps, not sure the dry ice was even necessary!

We went back to the arena to check out the girls ice hockey game.  They played really well, but sadly lost 2-1.  

After the girl's game, we headed over the men's lax game.  They were playing Michigan too.  The PSU men are ranked #10 and beat Michigan 22-7.  It was a great game and was crowded in the Holuba Hall facility - they played indoors since there was still snow on the ground!

After the lax game, we headed back downtown and went to my dad's favorite place:  Bill Pickle's Tap Room.  He loves their peanut butter wings...Sounds weird, I know, but they are pretty good.  

We headed back to the arena with hopes that the rematch with Michigan would prove better results.  Boy we weren't disappointed.  What a fantastic game!  The men's team beat #10 ranked Michigan 4-0!!!  What a difference - they looked like a completely different team!

Afterwards we went to Happy Valley Brewing Company to celebrate!  It was the first time EVER that my dad and I sat at a bar together and enjoyed a drink!  We had a number of drinks together over the years, but it was the first time I've gotten him to sit at a bar with me!  

What a fun weekend!  Sunday morning he drove me back to the Harrisburg airport so I could head back to SUNNY Florida and my sweet family.

Thanks for a great weekend Dad!  I had so much fun!  Let's do it again soon!

This Year's Valentines

Every year we do something creative for our Valentines.  This year K is giving the butterflies to her classmates.  We did these years ago, but decided to recycle the idea. 

Ra is still into the Minecraft craze so we made some fun Creeper cards for his classmates.  His have Hershey Miniatures wrapped in Creeper paper. 

Sweet Friends

Today I got a text message from my friend Lynn who's daughter is K's best little girl friend.  They were practicing writing letters during Library today.  They were told to write to someone who means a lot to them.  This was K's letter & picture to her sweet friend.  

When I opened K's backpack, there was a very similar one from G.  These two are the such great friends.  I'm hoping it's one that lasts a lifetime for them.  It makes my heart happy to know she's developing such strong bonds. 

Wax Museum

In 4th grade, the students have to research a historical figure from an approved list.  Ra ended up with Jim Elliot.  If you are like me, you are thinking, who in the world is Jim Elliot?  I had to look him up. It turns out that he was a missionary who was martyred at the age of 31 while trying to reach a very dangerous and violent Indian tribe in Ecuador.  

Ra had to research Jim Elliot.  He read a book from the school library over Christmas break and we also watched The End of the Spear movie that we found at the public library.  The movie is about Jim and the other 4 missionaries but told from the view of Nate Saint, who was the pilot of the group.  The movie showed us how dangerous this tribe really was and how Jim's wife was able to make more connections and convert many in the tribe after Jim's death.  What a great story for Ra to understand.  One part of the movie that stuck with me is Nate's son was asking his dad not to allow the Huaorani kill them - that his dad should shoot them if they attacked.  Nate's response was so important for my little man to hear - he said he wouldn't do that because if he killed the men of the tribe, that they weren't ready to go to Heaven, but that he was ready.  Wow!  To sacrifice yourself because you're trying to spread the gospel to the nations and know that if you defend yourself, you are defeating your mission...So powerful.  Because of their deaths, members of the tribe were saved and made gave their deaths meaning.

The students needed to write a 5 paragraph essay about their historical figure and then dress up as that person and recite their paper from the perspective of their figure as if they were in a wax museum.  The finale was that the entire 4th grade was in the gym, all dressed as their historical figures, and they had to give their speech when someone came by and pushed the button colored on their hand.  It was a great experience for Riley to memorize a 1-2 minute speech and work on his public speaking skills. He did a great job and we're really proud of him.

Here he is with his favorite spectator during the wax museum presentation: