Enjoyable summer days:

For the first time in a while, we had a beautiful weekend day with low humidity. After typical Sunday activities, we all ended up outside for the better part of two to three hours. First, the squirt guns came out, and everyone had a fun time squirting each other, and the squirt guns were small enough for the baby to get into the act without getting drenched and unhappy. After that, the bicycles came out. Unfortunately, one of the bicycles has a slipped chain that needs to get repaired, but other than that outside was a hit.

While the bicycles were zooming back and forth, Melissa and I made lists of the activities we need to do to make the house more saleable (if it comes to that) as well as a list of things that may come with us if/when we do finally move. Of course, after we made the second list, I still managed to run across three items in the first two seconds that were never discussed. Oh well.

For the first time in... well, forever, I'm moved out of my parents' house. They brought the majority of my boxes from storage on Saturday. I managed to pitch quite a few, but it still added five boxes of stuff that will hopefully be moved shortly. It was quite a few blasts from the past, and there were a few painful decisions (I don't really *need* all those trophies I earned from fifteen-plus years ago, I remember all my accomplishments pretty easily, though it was tough to say goodbye). Once we get the rest of it out of the house in the form of tons of not-usable boxes and some stuff to drop off to a donation center, it will finally be clean again. Last but not least is the box of records that I am hoping to take, there's some real gems in there.

We've got a busy week ahead, between trying to do a few chores before I go (such as cleaning out a car), getting haircuts and clean suits and packed bags and all that other stuff while still trying to get work done this week. I'm fairly sure that I'm not going to have the best concentration this week, and I need to get a few long-term assignments moving so that they won't be late before the middle of next month.

Which puts Sunday into more contrast, as the possible calm before the storm. Playing water guns and watching the kids play was fun yet relaxing at the same time. I don't know if this kind of simple fun will be common through the next couple months, but hopefully wherever I end up will not be a major transition.

Of course, today (Monday), I have a massive headache and it feels as if my sinuses are working overtime. Again. I sincerely hope that I'm feeling okay when my interview(s) start(s) later this week.

many changes to come

Scott has had about 5 companies call him for interviews. He leaves Thursday for an interview on Friday comes home for a few hours then leaves again for one on Monday . If he gets the job he really wants it is off to Wisconsin we go. He will leave for a couple months and try to find a house or house to rent within our new budget ( will be be getting alot more then we make here) . I will stay here decide what to pack and pitch try to sell and what gets stored and what goes with him .
We are hoping to sell the house the house on the corner of my street was on the market less then a month it has been sold.
I am scared but relived to start this next chapter in my life. Nothing is keeping us here . His parents came over Saturday and his mom went in Noah's room and cleaned it and got mad at me because it was a mess. I didn't ask her here to clean it she just did. Then tells me I should be the one cleaning it daily . I don't think so my kid is almost 8 I told her I cleaned it before school got out and it was up to him to keep it clean.She said he has to much stuff I wanted to say it is your fault for Christmas and birthdays and other holidays you go overboard but I was a good girl. Everytime we go to visit she will ask me if i made an appointment to get myself fixed. I know I am not done having children yet but how to explain it to them. I know it cost money to raise them. I come from a big family my parents made it work on my dad's money the baby just graduated high school.
I am not that close to most of my family members the on I am the closest to is leaving for college.
I made a list of stuff to get repaired in the house it is a not so small list.
I will update when I know more.
Keep us in your prayers.

Quick update:

It's been summer for a couple weeks now, and a warm one it has been. Alexander is growing quickly, and he's been wanting us to help him stand as much as possible. He's not quite completely stable, but he's starting to get his balance. He's also not quite able to move around yet, but it seems that it will be happening shortly.

The older kids are doing well too. They love Rock Band when we get it out, and we've been doing it a few times lately. I played games with Noah and with Rainey over the weekend. Noah's favorite currently is "Monopoly - Diggin' Dinos", which he played at least three or four times over the weekend. One was against Daddy, and Daddy had zero luck with the dice. However, Noah was really a gracious winner to Daddy. When Daddy was running low of money, Noah would give a couple extra dollars so that Daddy could stay in the game longer. He did this more than a couple times, yet Daddy still lost in the end. If only he and his sister could play as civilly, though I think it's a matter that both of them are absolutely bent on winning.

As for Rainey, we were able to get the cribbage board back out. She's still learning the game, but she's able to make some really good plays too. I told Rainey that we would have her learn euchre at some point, and she seemed rather excited, especially when she heard that Grandma and Grandpa like to play euchre.

Nicholas is making a bit of progress with the potty training, I hope that he continues on the path.

Hopefully the summer turns a bit cooler. At least our yard is looking better thanks to the assistance that we'd been provided by Melissa's brother and friend, now we just need to do some deep cleaning inside and we'll have a sparkling house.

Stay cool!