Here We Go Again!

So it's becoming more and more likely that we are moving to Nebraska in a few weeks. Whenever we are about to move, I like to call a few places to see what they have available to rent, etc. If you remember our move to Iowa, it was not fun trying to find a place in or around Clear Lake IA. That town just happened to be a tourist town where every place for rent (apartment or house) was booked within the whole city and surrounding area. I made about a hundred calls (or more!), spoke with realtors, called owners of vacant houses, everything...and nothing was available. Well, ya all know how that ended up....we found a place in a town 11 miles from Clear Lake and rented an old, small, creeky, 2 bedroom apt. (That suited us fine, but we have to laugh about it now....click here to read about the stuff I don't miss about that place!)

Anyway, so today I began the search for a few places in or around Columbus Nebraska....and I started having flashbacks!! Ugh! Every apartment complex in town is full, especially the 3 bedrooms, which we need because we have too many people by most laws to rent a 2 bedroom. (And today was the first day that I answered the "how many people in your family" question, and I was like "6"...then I thought about it and I'm like "Holy Cow!! We have six people in our family!! Whew!) Anyway, so every apt is full and the people I've called about some houses say that by next weekend (when we might plan on visiting Columbus) they will be taken. Apparently places are going like hot cakes and no one even advertises rentals anymore because just by word of mouth they are gone lickity-split!

Why can't we move to a town where they want people to rent and where you could actually work a deal with someone because they need your money instead of begging someone to keep their house available for a few stinkin' days so we could actually look at it!

I asked the realtor that I spoke with about why there are so many renters and she said that within the last few months, they've brought 500 new jobs to the area and 1000 new jobs within the past 12 months so everyone's renting right now. She said they can't even build apartment buildings fast enough! So anyway, we need prayer that if NE is where we are supposed to go, that we would find a place to live!! (...and if I got my way, it'd be a house with all the appliances, with a fenced in yard, at least 3 bedrooms, and CHEAP!) ....but that cheap part probably won't happen...not when they have renters chompin' at their feet!

Who wants to pool some money together to build a rental place in Columbus?? :)

Fireproof

The weather has actually been cooperating very nice with the baby being born. Let me explain....when Nathan was at my parents house with us last week, he took Monday-Thursday off. Well, it turns out that his crew didn't even work Monday-Wednesday because of the rain, etc. So he only ended up missing one day last week! Then, this week he was home Monday, Tuesday and yesterday because of the wind!! Also, last Saturday he got home early just because the rest of his crew didn't feel like working a full day on Saturday! So this is really the first day, besides last Friday, where I have been by myself for the whole day with all the kids! Every other day Nathan's either been home early or all day!! And he's definitely helped out with the kids and meals. I have been so blessed by him lately and for that I am so grateful!!

We went to church last night for our "Fireproof Your Marriage" study. It is very good and again, I encourage anyone who has not seen the movie Fireproof to rent it and watch it with your spouse!! It is a fabulous movie with great values. I also dare you to buy the book The Love Dare (as seen in Fireproof) and read it and apply what you've learned from the book! Anyway, study went great and the kids love playing while Mom and Dad love their 'alone' time for an hour and a half!....well, this time we weren't exactly without kids since Ariella came with us, but she was held the whole time by my pastor's wife, so it was almost like she wasn't there....not that I didn't want her there....oh, you know what I mean!! :)

We said our official goodbyes to Al yesterday morning. He's moved out of his apartment and is now basking in the Florida sun before heading to the Bahamas before returning to France. (Rough, huh?!) The kids clobbered him with hugs and kisses and I know they will miss him.

After getting home from church last night

"Goodbye Al....we'll miss you!"

Pretty girl

First bath with Mommy! She loved the warm water!

Just Roll With the Punches

Short conversation that took place between Nathan and me yesterday.....

Nathan: ".........oh, and we're moving to Nebraska."

Me: "Okay. When?"

Nathan: "When this job is done, probably in 2 or 3 weeks."

Me: "Okay."


....it takes quite a bit to phase me these days...... :)

First Days Back

Since Nathan decided to stay at my parents house until Thursday, we decided that it would be best for the rest of us to leave at that same time so we could caravan together. It worked out wonderfully! I had the kids in the van while we followed Nathan in his car. We stopped in Granite Falls (almost exactly half way) at Hardees so the kids could get their wiggles out (they have a little enclosed play area) and so Ariella could eat. She didn't make a peep in the van the whole way! What a good girl!

The first few days back home have been wonderful!! Right when we first came into our apartment, Tiernan goes "wow! it's all picked up in here!" :) Nathan did a good job of keeping the apartment clean while we were gone. I told Tiernan it should look like that all the time! Although after 5 minutes of being home, we had all our stuff all over the place again....sigh...

Sleep has been going well for everyone! The boys are sleeping in until about 7am or so, which is a lot later than they did at my parents house! And even Tiernan has taken a nap a couple times, giving me time to take a nap as well! Ariella is a great sleeper too. The first few nights back here, she slept from about 9:30pm-ish until about 8am-ish, waking up only once to eat!! I tried to get her up more than that (because I needed to feed her!) but she only wanted to sleep! Last night she was up a few times but she just gets her fill and right back to sleep she goes!

We actually ventured out to church yesterday morning, and even with getting all 4 of the kids ready, showering ourselves, feeding the baby, etc, we were on time!! They welcomed us back with hugs and even announced Ariella's birth during the service!

Al came over last night to visit and to meet Ariella. He will be leaving on Wednesday morning to head back to France. (Well, first he's making a stop in Florida, but then he will be leaving the states for good). We have enjoyed getting to know him and our kids (especially Brayan!!) will miss him coming by. Al couldn't believe how small Ariella was and he said that she makes him want to have a baby :) We told Al that he should find a wife soon and settle down....maybe when he gets back to France :) He also asked if we knew of anyway he could rent a baby...hehe. I told him it's called 'babysitting' and then they pay you to watch their baby! He thought that sounded good.

Here are some pictures from the last few days.....

Tiernan snugglin' with Al

Brayan was jealous when Al was holding Ariella...he wanted a turn!

I'm not sure what kind of face this is, but it's sure cute!!

Her first 'sun bath' :)

So sweet.....

All dressed up for church...she was adorable!

So sleepy

The boys keep busy during our first day back home without Dad. Tiernan doing a floor puzzle and the other two playing with animals. (And yes, that is a work-out bench for our sitting arrangements at the table....ya gotta do what ya gotta do!)

Check out that double chin!

Just perfect

The shirt says it all...."Pretty Girl"

What Nathan took to work with him to give to the guys....Twix bars with pink ribbon wrapped around them :)

After singing "Happy Birthday" to Ariella before we left G & G's.

Our first family picture

So girlie

Big yawn....

Snuggled in the sling

Home Sweet Home

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee'rrrrreeee Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccckkk!!!! (We're Back!! :)

We made it back to Luverne today after being gone for 2-1/2 weeks!! It's getting late so I'm not typing much, but just wanted to share some more pictures of her birth!! I'll have more pics and all that good stuff soon :) Enjoy!!

Focusing during a contraction

"Thank you Jesus that my baby is healthy and breathing!!! And, wow, am I glad to be done!" :)


"She's perfect!"

(Notice the cell phone on the right?....that's Nathan hearing what's going on in the room :)

She's looking at Mommy right away!

Sweet Babe's hands on Mommy


Joy weighing her.....6 pounds, 7 ounces....see her little feet sticking out the side? :)

More of Our Sweet Babe

Ok, so we officially love our little daughter!! She's so sweet and so tiny!! She's a fabulous eater and did very well last night, just ate and slept! Here are some more pics :)

Check out that hair!

Snuggled in the bed we made out of a drawer...she's only been in here a couple minutes though, Momma's arms are much more comfy :)

Caedmon loves her! He is always wanting to kiss her!

Being held by cousin William

Auntie Sara and cousin Eliana

And She Shall Be Called....

Ariella Dawn

:)

(pronounced Air-ee-ella)