Mommy I have something for you...

Sometimes those words mean something really cute or funny is about to happen, and other times it means that Madi has done something...shall we say...naughty!

On Friday morning when I got home from some church business, I heard these words.

The scene that followed went something like this:

Madi handed me a ziplock sandwitch bag with something odd inside.
It took a second for me to realize what I was holding in my hand....
Hair. Yes, a bag of my girl's hair.

This is what I saw...




She just pretty much took the scissors and started chiopping bits and pieces here and there. Lovely.


I freaked out just a little bit....ok more than a little bit.

I didn't really know what to do.

Once I regained my common sense, it was a no brainer. It's time for a her first REAL hair cut!

Ok, don't tell Madi this, but secretly I've been wanting to do some kind of an A-line bob hair cut on her for the past couple of months. Her hair always looks kind of unkempt lately. Even when I take the time to do it, she manages to get it all messed up one way or another. Well, this gave me the push I needed to do it! Seriously though, do not tell Madisyn. After the time out and the long talks and the locking up of all the scissors in the house, and all the extra drama that went into making sure she knows that she made a bad choice, I don't want her thinking "mommy wanted to cut my hair short anyways and I just helped her make her decision more quickly". That won't look so great for my case :)

I called the one and only Tenille Osborn and we were set!

The transformation...


We put on a movie and it was the perfect distraction. She held still pretty much the whole time. Yay!



There goes my baby's hair!



Getting all styled up!



Loving every minute of it!



Isn't she stylin!

I am in LOVE.




So, the moral of the story is:
Don't cut your own hair...but if you do...your mom will make sure that your hair will be cuter than ever by the time you're done.

All is well that ends well right?

We're all smiles here :)

It's time.

UPDATE: pictures added!

Time to get back to blogging again. I miss it dearly. It's my journal and even if no one besides me will ever look at it again, it will be priceless to me. So here we go!

Lets start with right now....

She didn't really eat or move from this spot for 2 days :(

Everyone pick a spot and cuddle up!

We are all getting over a nasty virus. Lots of coughing and runny noses going on around here. We've been doing lots of cuddling and movie watching. On days like this we are loving warm steamy showers and hot bowls of soup. Mmmmmm. I think we're all at the end. It has been sunny for 3 days straight and it has been wonderful to open up the house and get some fresh air! Nothing like sunshine and fresh air to get those bugs out of the house.

Just documenting that I was there joining in on the the sick fun.

Despite all that, we have managed to have some fun!

Notice her pants. haha

Bathtime brings lots of smiles here!

It rained, or should I say poured for 2 weeks straight at the begining of March. So, we decided if you can't beat um, join um!

This week has ben sunny almost every day!

Madi turned 3 one week ago today! She is just a little princess. Everything about her is so delicate and lady like. I love it! Madi is so artistic. Anything that has to do with art will keep her busy and happy for hours. She's loving coloring and she will spend an hour just cutting paper to shreds. It must be therapeutic or something. Maybe I should try it out hu?

It was like a pink christmas morning on Madi's birthday!

They are going to be best friends.

Marlie turned 6 months old on the 16th! Madi and Marlie are one day short of 2 1/2 years apart. I didn't even realize that until last Wednesday. Fun! Marlie is so close to sitting up. She LOVES her rice cereal, carrots, green beans, peas, but NOT bananas! What a silly girl. We haven't tried anything else so far. I'll keep you updated :) She only wakes up once a night now, which is wonderful. She rolls all over the place and loves her new play mat. The only time she isn't cooing and smiling is if she's really hungry or tired and I'm not being very attentive to her. She really is my angel baby. Oh and when I put her in her high chair to eat, she gets so impatient and yells. It's so funny. It's not even crying. It's just a full on screech. I guess eating brings out the worse in her. Haha. Love my girl!

This girl can get around!

Sucking on her fist and grabbing her toes. Her two faves.

She sucks on EVERYTHING but she goes for the thumb mostly.

Mmmm...I love this angel.

David is an avid eBay man lately, since we haven't had work all month. It's been a HUGE blessing to have such a savy husband. he is amazing. He sure knows how to provide for his girls. Well, he needs the computer for eBay now. That's our life right now. I love it.


To be continued.....

Catching up...sort of

If you are thinking that since it took me this long to post about our Christmas week, that must mean that it was REALLY good....you are right! (well that's not the only reason)

We had a wonderful christmas break and there are just way too many fun things to share. So, I'm going to leave you with this wonderful link to all the memories we made and leave it at that for now.

http://greenwoodfamily03.shutterfly.com/2311

If you're ever wondering if we're still alive, you can always check our shutterfly album. The link is at the top of the blog under "family pictures". That is usually the most up to date since it takes the least amount of time. Gosh, I'm sounding so lazy aren't I?

It's not really that I'm being lazy, I'd like to think of it more as prioritizing.

This is totally random, and I didn't plan on sharing this, but I've been doing alot of thinking about change. With the new year comes a chance to look back on the events of the year and make improvements where needed. I've come to realize that I have been lacking in some really important areas this past year. It's time to get back on track. I just let myself get too distracted and I'm doing some much needed prioritizing. Once I get a few ducks in a row around here, I will be better at posting. I miss it!

Update

Ever since this little peanut was born, I just can't seem to stay caught up on my blog. I have the time and I've been really good at keeping my family album up to date, but this blog of mine is starting to collect cob webs.

Just thought I'd take a second to let you know that we are doing great. I LOVE my girls and David and I couldn't be happier. There's a whole lot that's been going on and if I might have to skip a few things I wanted to post, but if you want to see the most recent pictures you can always click on the link at the top of my blog that says "family photos". That's usually up to date :)

Things to look forward to within the next week:

• spending more time with michael (david's brother) who just got back from his 2 yr mission in houston.
• my sister celeste and her little evelyn (who I haven't seen since her blessing day) arrives here on wed!!
• the rest of my family arrives on friday!
• a ton more family arrives this weekend!

I guess I should mention that Marlie is being blessed AND Michael is giving his homecoming talk all on the same day. It's going to be wonderful! It'll be a busy crazy whirlwind of a weekend next week, but I can't wait!

That's about it for now.

I need to post about: (this list is mostly for me so I won't leave something out)

• Our new place
• Marlie's first couple of weeks (she's 3 weeks old now)
• Madi's recent cuteness
• General conference weekend and our trip to the petting zoo/pumpkin patch
• Michael's homecoming (we got to be at the airport when he got off the plane.)

...and by the time I get all that posted, I'm sure I'll have more to share.


So blessed.

Bare Belly

(No I didn't photoshop this in any way. That's really my belly.)

I figured now's a good a time as any to take some belly pictures showing a little skin. I'm 31 weeks along and it's just about that time that I'm REALLY showing and there's no sign of stretch marks (yet).

I don't know how good I'll be at posting in the next couple of weeks. I am leaving for girls camp tomorrow, but I'll be back the next day. Which gives me just enough time to do laundry and get everything packed for our 2 week California trip. Monday will be taken over by doctor's appointments for Madi and 1 (baby check up for me, and a follow up appointment to check that Madi's all healed up.)

I just realized that I never mentioned on my blog that Madi ended up having a pretty nasty ear infection, along with a perforated ear drum to top it all off. Poor girl! She's doing much better now. She sleeps through the night and smiles during the day. YAY!

Anyways, after the doc appointments we'll eat lunch, Madi will take a nap, and I'll scramble to get everything together for our trip the next morning. Very early morning!

I get to spend a week with my parents and then it's off to So Cal for the annual Greenwood Family Beach Trip. David will join us for that week. Can't wait to soak up some sun!

So, if you're wondering why I'm MIA for a few weeks, don't worry. My big belly and I can be found on the beaches of California.

To add to the business of it all, a week or so after we get back, David Madi and I are moving into our own place! That gives me a few weeks to get everything set up and ready. Then, our little princess #2 will be here.

Wow.

Wish me luck!

Next time I post, I'll probably be swollen and HUGE. So, just remember me when I was cute and prego like this ok?

Thanks!

Answers

You know how I said we put an offer on a house in this post? Well, it's been a long windy road of ups and downs since then.

Get ready for a long one........

We made the offer and it was accepted by the seller, who happens to be a bank in this case. It's a short sale, which by the way does not mean that it will sell in a short amount of time or anything. That would make sense, but it's actually the opposite. If you really want to know what a short sale is click here. Otherwise, it's pretty much an alternative to foreclosure. The bank is getting shorted on money and therefore, they are not very willing to do many negotiations as far as closing costs and all that stuff goes.

Ok, with that said, our offer was accepted by the bank and the next step was for us to get all our financials together and get the loan approved. The only problem was the amount we would need to put down for closing costs. It was a couple thousand more than we had the means for. So, our realtor drew up another document asking the seller for that extra money toward the closing costs. That's where everything got stuck. The bank didn't reply, and they may never reply as far as we know.

We thought, ok maybe this is our answer. Lets look at other places and see if there's something else out there for us. Yet, we had both felt that this home was meant for us. Sometimes the Lord wants us to prayerfully make a decision, and move forward with that decision even if there isn't a huge flashing sign that says "go this way!". David and I searched and found a few different possibilities. We even went out to the properties to with our realtor to take a look at them, but none of them felt right for one reason or another. Keep in mind, this whole time, we still have that offer on the table for this other house.

So, yesterday we went to check out a nice little condo on the water. It was in great condition, great price, very close to the hospital where the baby will be born, and the neighborhood was a bit run down, but that didn't bother me very much. David and I pulled up next to the place I thought would end up being our next home.

It had been about 10 minutes of waiting in the car (we were waiting for our realtor). We were just taking the opportunity to watch the activity that goes on around that area for those 10 minutes, when this ruff looking guy walked past our car, with a very curious look on his face that almost made me feel uncomfortable. He just kept walking until we couldn't see him anymore. The feeling of unsafety soon passed and we continued to observe and discuss what we saw and how we felt. Nothing too alarming that told us to leave and not consider living there. Well, about 3 minutes later this same guy comes walking straight towards our car. The funny thing is, I never felt afraid, but a little uneasy. He walked up to David's window and looked us right in the eye. David opened the door and the guy said "why are you guys just sitting here?". We proceeded to tell him that we were looking to live around here and we're waiting for our realtor. The guy took one look in the back seat and said "with that little one (meaning Madisyn) you don't want to live here." He was very soft spoken and was a voice of warning. David then proceeded with the conversation and said "oh really, is this not a safe place to live?" The guy just simply shook his head "NO". David thanked him and told him to have a nice day and he simply turned around and walked away.

Right at that moment, the realtor pulled up. Wow! Should we even go inside to look? Well, we got out of the car and went in with our realtor. It was a very nice condo. Much nicer (meaning it didn't need very much tlc at all) than the house we originally put an offer on. Yet, all of that didn't matter much. We did our walk through and as we were walking back to our cars, I asked the realtor "what's the best way to see how a neighborhood is? Is there a website or what?" He said that the best way is to just simply ask someone who is outside their home on that street. David and I both look at each other and David replied, "well, we're 0 for 1 on that one". We told that realtor about our conversation with the ruff looking guy earlier. He reassured us that he's sold many condos over there recently and had no complaints. As soon as he was finished talking, David asked "so, is the other house totally out of the picture now?" The realtor responded absolutely not. All we have to do is come up with that extra money toward closing costs and it's ours pretty much.

At that moment I felt a rush of peace flow through me like nothing I had felt up to this point (there are tears running down my face as I type this). This was our answer. We did what we thought was best and exhausted pretty much all other options. Now, here we are back to where we started, but this time we know without a doubt it's right. It's more money up front, but it's a home with property and our return in a few years will be much greater. It's the best choice financially for the future, but it needs a lot of TLC. It needs appliances, paint, flooring in some parts, we have to rip out an addition that wasn't built to code, and I could go on and on really. Despite all of that, I know it's right and that with some work (ok a lot of work), it will be beautiful.

What a journey it's been so far, and yet through all of it we got our answer. I am so thankful for the understanding David and I have come to in these 4 years of marriage that when you have a decision to make, big or small, you do all you can to live righteously. You make a decision and move forward with it, all the while being very prayerful even if it seems like there's no answer coming any time soon. The Lord will stop you in some way or another if it's not right. This is not the first time we've made a decision and gotten a HUGE stop sign after all of the effort made to make that decision work. Remember this? Which ended up with this. Which is why we are where we are right now.

It sure is hard while it's happening because you just want a flashing light answer, but it's so wonderful to look back and see the Lord's hand nudging you in the right direction every time.

So, we're back to our original offer and we'll see how it goes! We're going to do a walk through of the house one more time tonight so we can take notes on exactly what needs to be fixed before we move in. We have to work it all into our budget somehow for the next couple of months. It will all work out and we'll have what we need.

As far as I'm concerned, we have till the baby is born to make it liveable, which is totally doable. Especially, with the help of family and friends close by. It will be a fun project and it will be ours!

Stay tuned because this is just the beginning of this story....I'm sure of it.

ps. this picture is from easter weekend (which i have yet to post about) and i figured if you read that whole post then you deserve to at least see a picture at the end.

We're happy :)

Yet again

...I am behind on blogging.

I have been VERY blessed to escape any morning sickness with both pregnancies so far. I have nothing to complain about. The thing is, I am done for by 2 in the afternoon everyday. This whole fatigue thing is taking some getting used to. I used to use the 2 hours or so that I have to myself while Madi takes her nap, for blogging.

Now, I use it for sleeping.

That doesn't leave much time for my online journal keeping. It's just something I have to figure out. Change is a good thing.

No post is complete without some pictures so here you go....

We have way too much fun playing make believe.

She amazes me everyday (sometimes "good amazement" and sometimes "not so good amazement" , but amazement nevertheless)

Like I said, I have nothing to complain about :)

Greenwood Christmas!

The Monday before Christmas, David and I did our gift exchange with the Greenwoods. Madi pretty much just wanted to rip the wrapping paper off the gift, take a quick look at what was inside, and throw it down just in time to rip open the next one. Oh Christmas with a 1 1/2 year old :)

Madi got this adorable rocking horse that trots, neighs and wags its' tail. Yee Haw!!

David and I got FlipVideo!!! We opened it right up and recorded the rest of the nights events as well as the weeks to follow. I'm so glad we have a video camera to capture all the sweet (and not so sweet) moments of our lives!

THANKS GREENWOODS! WE LOVE YOU!!

The Bigger Plan

Yes it's sudden, but it's about time. We're moving on!

After much time, many doors being slammed in our faces, and one great opportunity, we're leaving our wonderful little town.

You're probably wondering, "what happened with Pittsburgh??" For those who don't already know, I'll make a long story short. While we were on vacation in CA we got an email from the school that flipped our plans upside down. Honestly when I read it I was almost relieved. I knew that wherever we ended up would be wonderful. The thought on being on the other side of the US was a little daunting, but I knew that if it was right it would be great! The Lord has always lead us down the right path and we've had great experiences in these past few years. This is not the first time that we've had a plan A, B, & C and all three have been flushed down the toilet no matter how "righteous and reasonable" they may seem. Bottom line is that they just weren't right for us. I can always look back and see why or why not later on down the road, but at the time it's really hard. I am starting to get the hint that following the Lord's plan for us is going to always be our "test" is this life.

With that said...new plan (#100 or so)!

I'm really going to miss my home! I've never lived anywhere that I've made so many wonderful friends so fast. I'm kind of glad the whole "moving thing" came though so suddenly, because I don't have very much time to think about leaving :( We found out the job was for sure on Friday, put our furniture up for sale that afternoon, sold it Saturday morning, and we're moving this Thursday or Friday. Wow! We're moving to Snohomish once again. We're going to live with David's parents until December, while we "build up our reserve" (the one that's been completely depleted from having no job this whole summer). Then, we'll move into our own place somewhere around that area. David will be working for a construction company...first in the field, then in the office. He said to me "I didn't get my degree so I could go into construction, but this is a great opportunity to get on our feet." All I have to say to that is AMEN! It'll be great because that's where the Lord wants us.

More now than ever, I can't express how grateful I am to know that there's a bigger plan for us. I love knowing who I am, where I came from, and where I'm going (well not really but I will!)

Life is great!