Flatrock Days

Pa lives in a little community in southern Alabama. Every fall they have a community day and we had the opportunity to go this year. There was a water slide that Kari loved. Kaitlyn went too, but, she didn't love it so much. And a horse that Kari rode. (What can I say, she takes after her dad?).





Couple of cute pictures of Kaitlyn :)




Kari and the horse.

Our little souvenir

So, many of you know already, and some of you who don't know have guessed. I have said before that I wanted to take a trip to China and get pregnant while there. That way, when the baby grew up and went through his/her rebellious phase, they could get a "Made in China" tattoo. Well, I suppose "Made in Italy" will have to do :)

Yep, you guessed it. I'm pregnant, knocked up, expanding, expecting, in a delicate state, fat... In short, we are going to have another baby. We are about 16 weeks along and due in the middle of March 2009. And, no worries about due dates this time. Since I tried labor with both of the girls, and it didn't work, then this one will be scheduled. A bit less dramatic, but, less work for me :)

So that's it. That is our news... Imagine being pregnant in your first trimester, in a hotel room with 2 other children and a husband and having to eat fast food at least once a day. Yeah, it wasn't that fun. But, I am glad we are settled, and happy and excited to tell everyone.

Where's your smile?!?

Somehow while I was gone, my sister taught Kaitlyn to smile on cue. She says "where's your smile" and Kaitlyn busts out this huge not quite smile (because it is kinda fake) but still cute. Check out the results. Special shout out and thanks to Thompson!

Some Random Catch up Pictures

Kari wrote all her own letters the other day. Look at her so proud!



The Kaitlyn Fish Princess :)


Kaitlyn wants to do everything her older sister does. Including brush her teeth on the stool.


Kaitlyn has taken to dolls lately. She wanted to cuddle with daddy, and her 2 "bay-bees".


We had a girls afternoon while daddy was out of town. I wanted to paint my toenails which were in serious disrepair. The last time they were painted was before I went on the cruise with Justin. The girls wanted theirs done too. Cute, huh? Kaitlyn even held still for a whole 2 minutes!!!



Eating brownies with daddy. (Batter actually)




Kari found Daddy's doo-rag... Pretty cute.




Playing with Daddy.


Wearing Daddy's hat.




This group are just some of me and Kaitlyn together. I have to admit one of my favs is the one where we are all blurred out except our eyes. Not very good as far as pictures are concerned, but kinda cool and artistic.

Daddy's Birthday

Well, celebrations were rather limited. First, Justin was actually in TN on his birthday. So, his boss took him out to dinner where they sang, gave him a balloon and force fed him ice cream. When he got home, we had a small cake and candles. He still doesn't have his present yet because I had to ship it to Pa's since we were still in the hotel. Poor Birthday Boy... :)

We are back...

Sorta. We got a new computer because the other one was junk. Litereally Junk. We had one of those service plans and we had turned it in often enough it was more cost effective for them to give us a new computer than it is to continue to service the old one. Neat, huh? This one is pretty fancy, and I still haven't loaded everything on it yet. Also, we don't have permanent access to the internet yet, so, that will have to wait for a bit. We aren't gonna be around a whole lot in the next few days, so, we will set it up when we get back. I have some cute pictures to put up, and will do my best to update. So, I won't be the greatest yet at updating this thing, but thought I would give it a shot while Kaitlyn is sleeping.

I think

That we finally have a place to move into. After working so hard to find a house, I feel like we have kinda exhausted what is on the market right now. So, we put a deposit on an apartment today and should be moving into it next weekend. Then, I should be able to come back to the land of the internet. So, for now, that short update will have to do.

And now, onto the good stuff

Or not....

We are having issues with the bank and the house. We put in an offer, which they accepted, and were ready to close on the 22nd. However, they were not. Long story short, we ended up having to cancel our previous offer, and submit a "new" one. By new, I mean the exact same offer, just new closing date. Well, this time the bank rejected it. Didn't counter, didn't say we need to think about it, just rejected it. Which, is very suspicious to me since it was the EXACT samw as the one before that they had taken and were working towards closing on. I just don't get it. We have also been having issues with the listing agent on the house, and my suspicion is he just didn't submit the offer because we hurt his feelings somehow. Anyway, I went and looked at a few new houses yesterday, and found one that was nice, but not nice enough to offer again.

So, since we have been back now for 5 weeks and have spent several of them in hotels, we are thinking about moving into a short term lease for an apartment, and then, just taking our time and makeing an offer when we are totally comfortable. I hope to have a mailing address soon, and to be able to unpack a few things atleast. I also hope to be able to cook an actual meal and to have a bedroom door. No, not for that reason. So, I can put the girls to bed and stay up past 8 o'clock myself. Up to this point, since we are all sharing one room, we have been putting the girls to bed and then hiding in the bathroom (the only door to close) until they fall asleep. Then, we can come outside and watch tv silently with the captions on so as not to disturb them. Oh well, such is life.

So, that is my story and I am sticking to it. We are getting ready to head to Pa's for the weekend while Justin is gone to TN this week.

Justin's 26th birthday is coming up this next week too. He will be such an old fart :)

Also, the computer is back in the shop, yet again, to hopefully correct what we originally sent it in for over 5 weeks ago. One day I will have a computer again. And not be living in a suitcase. And have a mailing address. One day... {Sigh}

Last, but not least

A little update.

We are now in Ga, where Justin has started his new job as Assistant Project Manager. He is a quite busy with all the new responsibilities he has, but I have total confidence that he will do just fine once he feels more confident. He has already taken his first "Business Trip" up to the job site in TN. He has a laptop, a blackberry, business cards, a name plate, an office with a window. You name it, he is doing great!

We have been floating between hotels, extended stay hotels and family and friends since we got back almost a month ago. We have eaten way too much fast food, and I am getting tired of it.

We looked at something like 25 houses in 2 days, and thought we found one. It isn't perfect, but it has ALOT of potential, and ALOT of space. It is huge!!! We put in an offer, and they actually took it. However, it is a forclosure and there is a lot of red tape involved between the bank and the VA loan we are getting. It is really confusing actually. We thought we were closing on Friday, and since the house is empty, we could move in on Saturday. However, now we are not so sure. The listing agent for the house is not being very professional, and he isn't returning phone calls, so, we actually don't know where we stand. We may not close on Friday... And, if that is the case, I would hate to start all over again.

So, I guess, we will just wait and see what happens. And, as soon as I get my new address, I would be happy to pass it on to those who care. Sorry for being gone so long, but I finally have access to the computer and internet, so, I am seemingly back from the edge of the world. Enjoy!

Graduation

Justin graduated Magna Cume Laude from Auburn University's Building Science Program on Aug 9, 2008. We are all very proud of him and all the hard work he put into it. He even got his 2 seconds of fame as he walked across the stage infront of the whole University's graduating group!!! Yeah for smart people!!!

In all his graduating glory!!! Notice the honor cord?


I didn't get a good picture of him shaking hands (not that this is a good picture), but he is in the middle walking back to his spot. (Again, notice the cord)


And waving.


In front of the sign.


The family in front of the sign.


In front of Samford Hall.