After Nearly 15 Years ...

The newest addition to our family is a brand new bouncing baby washer/dryer set!!!! I've never actually had a new washer and dryer, but it became a necessity as we have plans to add a bathroom downstairs where the old dryer was. We purchased a new set of Whirlpools that both fit in the space where the old washer was (upstairs in the hallway closet between the kitchen and family room. They are full size (with more capacity than my old machines), but fit in just half the space because they stack on top of one another. You can also place them side-by-side. The washer uses less than half the water of the old one and the dryer dries the clothes twice as fast as the washer can wash them. Can I just say I AM IN HEAVEN!!!!

I know what you're thinking ... "Man, you're really old." or perhaps, "Man, you really need to get out more." Both are probably true, nonetheless, I'm a happy, happy girl.

So Sara, next time you're here you won't need to fear my dryer chewing up your clothes and spitting them back out again (I hope!). (Last summer at the family reunion my dryer completely ruined a load of Matt and Sara's nicest white clothes :(-- sorry again guys!).

Brad has been working late into the evening for several nights now, wiring a new outlet for the dryer and putting in a new venting system. The washer and dryer were in separate places in the house because the house was built before dryers existed, so there wasn't room (or venting capability available) later. It's taken some ingenuity and muscle on Brad's part to make room for it, but the progress is exciting.

The next step is to move our extra fridge upstairs next to the washer/dryer. Brad will be removing the sink and old ice maker to make room. He's built me some nice storage shelves downstairs to compensate for the lost storage space in the laundry closet. All in all, the house is getting more and more updated and 'user-friendly' by the day. I'm really thankful for a handy and hardworking husband whose main hobby is home repair. There is rarely a day when he isn't greeted at the door with a "Guess what broke today" or a "Can you fix this, Dad?" The kids know better than to even approach their inept mother anymore.

A Great Giveaway

Okay, I've posted lots of stuff today, but just one more thing (I promise). I just finished drooling (and I sincerely mean that) over some incredible jewelry pieces created by Julie's friend Talaisa. She's started a business and you can find her at http://talaisasbeaddrawer.blogspot.com/ . Bead Trends magazine has been contacting her about putting her designs in their magazine (yeah, she's THAT good!). Right now she's having a giveaway, so you need to visit her blog and post a comment to enter. I can vouch for the incredible giveaways that she does since I was a lucky winner in her last giveaway. (I got some incredible teardrop pearl and crystal earrings. Lucky, lucky, lucky me!) Anyway, if you're looking for some incredible, one of a kind jewelry, look no further.

Isn't it incredible how many times I used the word 'incredible' in this post? :)

An Exciting Day At School!

Kate had an exciting day at school today. She lost her first tooth!!! She was thrilled because her teacher made a big deal about it. She really enjoyed her status as "class hero" today. :)

When You Don't Have Pets At Your House ...

Kate decided that Jack is her own personal dress-up pet. Luckily he was in a generous mood and seemed to enjoy being dressed up and dragged around by a jumprope as much as she enjoyed doing it.

I've Got a "Mom Buzz"

Jack and I have really been enjoying a little one on one time since the other two kids went back to school. Having the entire day to hang out has been such a pleasure. I'm really making a concerted effort to not clog up my schedule with responsibilities that take me away from quality time with my little guy.

Yesterday was one of the best days I can remember having in a really long time. We got up and got Todd and Kate off to the bus, then promptly sat down and started reading. A bookshelf full of books and two hours later we decided to build a big train track. Then we colored some pictures, ate some lunch, and sat down in the rocking chair where we rocked (I'm not even kidding about this!) for 3 hours. We just sat and sang and rocked and snuggled until he fell asleep. How much better can it get?

I love being a mom. :)

An Offer That's Hard to Refuse

So, in an effort to not clog up my life, I decided not to teach my little private school math class like I did last year. The drive to Burley just drove me crazy (no pun intended there!). I liked being able to have Jack with me, but I did not like dragging him out of the house when he wanted to stay in bed, didn't feel well, wanted to play, wanted to hang out in his diaper, ... (the list goes on and on). Also, I felt that it really cut into the time I was able to devote to helping in the other kids classrooms. I have been really happy with the decision thusfar, but received a very tempting phone call two days ago.

The wife of the principal of American Heritage Academy (the school where I taught last year) called to offer me a pretty decent pay raise along with the offer to teach from home over the internet. I would just teach 3 kids, 4 days a week, one hour a day total, they'd buy me a webcam and writing pad and the kids would email their assignments back and forth to me. I wouldn't have to leave the house, go to faculty meetings, etc. and I'd make more money. I'm SOOO tempted. It's tough to turn down several hundred extra dollars a month for just an hour at the computer 4 days a week. Also, I could set my own schedule which would be nice. I need the flexibility of that. Well, Brad and I are going to fast and pray for some guidance this Sunday, so I'll let you know what happens after that.

Funny how these opportunities keep finding me.

The Allred Cabin

After a fun day in Salt Lake we were fortunate enough to get to visit our good friends Heath and Kaycee Wolfley (Kaycee Allred from Tremonton). They invited us to spend the weekend at her parents' cabin in the mountains near Lava Hot Springs. We had the best time!!! We ate and talked and ate and rode 4-wheelers and ate and went swimming and ate and went hiking and .... Well, you get the idea! We had a wonderful time with their adorable family as well as another family (Jim, Stephanie, and their 4 girls -- also friends of Kaycee and Heath). Thanks for the wonderful hospitality -- we love you guys. Wish we could've stayed longer, but we needed to be back for meetings on Sunday.