What to do...

So, as an update to the seemingly never ending saga that is my life in the last few weeks...here goes.

I can't remember if I said that we were in the "market" for a short term rental or not, and quite frankly, I am WAAAYY too exhausted to click over to my last post, so I will repeat(or not) that we are currently looking for a short term rental that a)will fit my family of 6, b)will fit a houseful of stuff(furniture, clothing, toys, etc.)so that we do NOT have to pay the astronomical fees of storing with the movers, c)has an office or study area, that my hubby can work from home, d)will ACCEPT a short term lease for a price that doesn't require the selling of aforementioned children, e)in a family friendly neighborhood, f)all to be vacated, cleaned and available in 12, yes 12, days. You may be saying, "wow, that seems like a lot to ask." Well, it probably is, but it is what it is. As I like to say. We really need to find a place that meets these needs. We did not plan on having to rent a place like this. We were hoping that our new home would be ready for us in a timely fashion. But for now, it is uncertain if we will ever occupy that "dream" home that we designed. The builder will apparently be "contacting" us, the buyers, in the coming week(or so). So, here is the thing, what do we do? Do we rejoice because maybe possible said "dream house" will be built? Or do we run as fast as we can the other way, and in the meantime get to dreaming up a new dream? So, we are praying and trusting that either way, God will guide us in this decision. 

As for the rentals...we have 2 options. Both more expensive than we originally wanted to spend. One is a single home with a garage and basement, so not only would we have plenty of space to store everything, meaning we would no longer be paying for our self-storage place, but we would have enough space to store any furniture that doesn't have a spot in this temporary house. It has 4 bedrooms and a community playground right next to it. It is $75 less per month than the next place but remember, no more self storage--savings, BUT we do have to pay for trash pick up and lawn care(we do not have a mower--another story--so we either have to pay to have it cut or get a mower). The other option is a townhome in a really nice rental community. It has a pool and fitness center (with, get this, a TODDLER room with movies and such--that is awesome!!) 6 playgrounds around the area. It has only 3 bedrooms, but has a super nice family room and study in the basement. Additional storage down there too, but not enough for our other storage to come over. No dedicated parking, which can be a pain. Oh yeah, the kitchen is fantastic in this one. That is a biggie for me. But it is further away. WHAT TO DO!?!? 

I think we are realistically leaning toward the single, which is not as "nice" and doesnt have the nice ammenities. Hmmm... what would you do if it were you?

Crazy times!

First and foremost, I need to request prayers from all you readers. My Aunt and Uncle and Cousin just lost their house to a fire last night(along with their possessions) and did not have insurance(as they are renting between homes). They really need prayers right now. 

In other crazy news, we are moving in UNDER 3 weeks. AHHH. Unfortunately, we are not packed yet, and my husband will be unavailable this weekend. (Okay, Lord, I know you have a plan here...please let me pack well!!) I also have other super crazy news. Well, our housing plan WAS to move into our new home when it was finished being built, BUT....our builder "went under" and all construction has been suspended. This was, of course, a shocker, considering we had 3.5 weeks till our house has to vacated. So, monday we were told by our realtor, that our house was not going to be built and that we QUICKLY needed to find some other thing to do. I, in true "me" style, freaked out a tad bit. It was all very overwhelming. Although, I do indeed, know that God has a good plan for us. We decided to find a rental so that we have some time to consider what we want to do long term. We are hoping to save some money over the next few months(although with 2 moves in the plan, we may not). But we really need a place that will "fit" our things so we dont have to store items. There are several options right now. We saw one place yesterday that was size-wise perfect. The paint job left ALOT to be desired. WOW! But I can deal. The other one I am going to see this morning, is also nice, (online at least) but is about 10 minutes further out than the other. The first was like 2 second from our Parish. But either way, we will still be pretty much "local" to what we are used to. And close to my one sister-in-law who we are close to now. AND, this second one is vacant right now. That is a plus too!! ANyway, I am currently asking for St. Jude to intercede. I really want to be open to God's plan. It was disappointing to find out about our "dream" house, but easy come easy go. right? I mean, in light of the sufferings of so many, it is a very small thing. 

Woody the Woodpecker

Well we've had a tiny visitor over the past week and a half. An unwelcome one at that. At apprx. 8:10am(yes, I know this is late, but I am able to sleep in because baby is up ALL night, so, anyway) about every other morning, sometimes 2 in a row, it is lovely to be woken up by a JACK HAMMER of a sound. After the 2nd or 3rd day of it, my husband I are maddeningly running around the house trying to figure out what the ANNOYING sound is. It seriously sounds (and feels, yes it vibrates my room) like a jackhammer is going off on my roof. "What is that freaking noise??" I am throwing open my curtains to check out my neighbors, thinking, "seriously Bill? Are you really jack hammering at 8am?" (poor neighbor Bill, he wasn't jackhammering). Frustrated beyond belief on day #5(remember, I am being woken out of my wonderful hour of sleep-in time), I move to the dining room, still desperately trying to figure out what the noise is. I run into my equally baffled husband, who is also like what the .&*^%.. is that. (DISCLAIMER: No curse words were actually used in the real life situation.) 

Me: "It sounds like someone is drilling but I can't see anybody."

Him: "Yeah, but I don't see anybody either. I have checked the house for the noise but can't find it."

Me: "It isnt coming out of the side window, but it is out of the back. Do you think it could be the sump pump in the garage?"

Him: "I will go check. But doesnt sound like a woodpecker?"

Me: "Yeah, did you check the deck"(Made sense, it IS wood.)

Him: "I'll Check"

He was making breakfast, so I decided to keep searching out WHERE the sound was coming from. Well, well, well, don't you know, I opened that back window on a chilly Holy Saturday morning, angle my head, and look up, and what do I see??? A really CONFUSED woodpecker pecking the CRAP out of our gutter, RIGHT above where our bed is. I yell, OH MY GOSH IT IS A STINKIN' WOODPECKER!!! My daughter says let me see...she sees its tail feathers as it continues to peck the CRAP out of the gutter. When my hubby comes, it flies away. 

So, what is the moral of the LONG story, well, none probably, but I started thinking.. Why is little Woody coming back to visit on such a frequent basis? Why is the stupid bird pecking a metal gutter? Maybe the Lord wants me to be up by this time every morning, so he is sending my own very LOUD alarm clock. Maybe it is like my own little suburban rooster. I don't know. But he visited again today(He took Easter to be with his family I think. Plus I was up by dawn "hunting" Easter baskets with the kids anyway of course, I didnt need the wake-up call). Brian thought, maybe it meant we had termites, but we have had inspections done VERY recently with no problems, so I dont think that is the case. Brian Climbed out our window to make sure there were no "holes" or nests, or anything up there. And everything was fine. So, we figure that little bugger will come back and back again. I dont know. But this is random, we were laying in bed right before we went to sleep the other night, and were saying...."Doesn't it seem like woodpeckers are one of those elusive, maybe-pretend, animals? You know, kind of like a unicorn(except, we know a woodpecker is real, and a unicorn is not, so no comments please :)) I can count the number of times I can remember seeing a real live woodpecker, it is 2. (I only count our friend as once because we know it is just Woody). We just dont think you see these creatures that often. When you hear one(pecking on a good 'ole tree, that is), it is sort of a haunting sound. Not really haunting, but I always stop, hold my breath, knowing I am in the presence of something "rare-ish". ANYway. That is my story. Oh and a BLESSED EASTER TO ALL! 

Menu Plan Monday

So I am posting this a day early because I will not be online this week...and it is for my benefit. Still doing a spring clean of the freezer, I will be using up the beef ribs, and a lb. of ground beef from the freezer, also the bean burritos. Let's face it, I most likely have a couple chicken breasts floating around in there too. The freezer isn't empty yet, but, between using already bought frozen meats and re-purposing leftovers, it is sure saving me money on groceries!!

Check out orgjunkie.com for other menu plans or to participate yourselves.

Monday: Homemade Pizza and salad

Tuesday: Beef Ribs

Wednesday: Tacos

Thursday: Mac and Cheese and Stewed Tomatoes

Friday: GOOD FRIDAY--no planned meal

Saturday: Chicken Fettucini Alfredo with Asparagus

(Make Ressurection Cookies with Kids, and Monkey Bread for Easter Morning)

Sunday: EASTER HAM!! ALLELUIA!!!! HE IS RISEN!! 

yeast rolls, Scalloped Potatoes, Spring Salad with Pine nuts, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and balsalmic vinagarette

**BRING A DESSERT TO TERRI's House** Maybe Fruit Pizza

Lunch: 

Monday: Bean Burritos(didn't eat them last week) and carrots

Tuesday: PBJ and apples

Wednesday: Sedar Meal at LB...Bring cookies and Parsley

Thursday: Taco leftovers--salad, or quesedillas

Friday: Mac and Cheese Leftovers

Saturday:

Sunday:

Holy Week

So, as I was doing my Women of Grace Study this week...we were looking to see if there were any areas where we might struggle with inordinate attachment.  As I was reflecting and praying, I felt that maybe I needed to "give up" my internet time especially this week for Holy Week to allow myself to more fully enter into our Lord's Passion and Death. I felt it would also allow me to grow in the "virtue" of attentiveness to my family and familial needs. I am praying for the grace to grow in that area. I know we only have TODAY to live, not yesterday, and not tomorrow, but today, the present moment. And if I dont embrace that to its fullest, I am missing out on the life God wants for me, and all the blessings. I pray that each of you may grow closer to Jesus this week and know his boundless love for you. That you may give your hearts fully to him, so to be filled with his joy. God bless you this Holy Week. 

Baby wearing Giveaway!

Go to the Coco Cafe and enter this giveaway to win a pouch sling from DrewBabyDesigns. Good Luck!

Kindergarten Graduation!

Well my dear daughter had her "unofficial official" Kindergarten Graduation today. Because we homeschool, and I started early with school, she is finished. I am still planning on having her read daily, and review math...any suggestions in the math review area are WELCOME...but for all intensive purposes, WE ARE DONE!! WOO HOO. She finished her math book today, and is WELL ahead in reading(like 2nd grade level) and we have just been doing our own choice poetry for months now. Her handwriting has vastly improved as well. This is great because this will free up time to stay current with the liturgical year and do lots of Holy Week crafts, stories, etc. Not that we wouldn't have done these anyway, but I won't feel like I am skipping stuff. Now we can feel free to do tons of story time, and outside time, spring picnics, and imaginary play. Not to mention. WE ARE MOVING IN less than 45 DAYS!!!! So we'll need to start packing and getting ready at some point. I think I am pretending it is  not happening...the packing fairies will be here any day, right?!?

Anyway. A big congratulations to my firstborn today. We had cookies, took pictures, and marched around and sang many songs to commemorate this occasion!!