At the Park with the Waddell's (4/20)

We got home in time from Nebraska, to have dinner with the Waddell's (Trista's stepsister from California). It was fun to get some more time with them and Chad was glad that he was able to make it down to see them. After dinner, we headed to the park for some play time.

The kids loved the merry-go-round and took turns riding and pushing. Even Uncle Jeremy climbed aboard for the action. Daniella did a good job supervising and keeping the kids from being dragged under!

We went for a walk around the lake. Harry was the leader with his Mom and Dad following right behind! Notice the perfect spacing between them -- quite talented! :)

Dylon enjoyed watching the ducks and geese with his Pa.
And good thing that Ma had a hold of him ... I think he would have tried to go right in!
The waterfall is always a big hit. Fortunately, everyone stayed dry.

(Daniella, Domi, Chad, Harry, Braden)

The guys even had a swing jumping contest. Uncle Jeremy won. It was quite entertaining to watch boys be boys!

As we neared the end of the evening, jumping gave way to swing time snuggles

(Daddy & Braden, Ma & Dylon)

We had a fun evening and are looking forward to the next time the Waddell Family comes to visit! And if they want to stay with us the night before they leave -- they'll only havea 15 minute ride to the airport ... I think they might like that!

(Ma, Braden, Pa, Harry, Matt, Domi)

Nebraska Road Trip

We drove to Lincoln, NE this weekend for our goddaughter's dedication.

Overall, it was a good drive and the boys tolerated it well. Mom and Dad even did alright!

Here's a few highlights ...

Thursday, 4/16: We drove up to Denver and picked Daddy up from work. Rain, sleet, and wind were our companions until we stopped overnight in Ogallala. I enjoyed looking in my mirror and seeing all 3 of my boys together. When we arrived at 9:00pm, all 3 were still awake watching Praise Baby on the DVD player. I was a little nervous since we were 2 hours past bedtime. But, we set the pack-n-play and sleeping bag up, tucked them in, and right to sleep they went! What good little guys!

Friday, 4/17: We got up, ate breakfast (mmm...donuts!), and went swimming. We had the pool to ourselves and enjoyed splashing each other.

Dylon loved carrying the remote around the hotel room:We warmed up in the hot tub before heading back to the rooms to clean up and pack into the van for the rest of the trip. Look closely -- the blue in the corner is Braden's toothbrush stuck on the mirror.

Dylon fell asleep in the car in the morning - he loved his first trip facing forward in the carseat. But he didn't want to sleep after lunch. So while his big brother was sleeping, he enteretained us by playing with his toes. He took off his shoes and socks and ate his toes. He'd take a nibble, lick and smack his lips, and then say "MMMmmm". I don't know how Braden slept through the 3 of us laughing so hard!

We were all glad to get to Lincoln and unload at Uncle 'Rad and Aunt Megs house. Baby Izzy wasn't sure what to think of all the commotion. Both of our boys thought she was pretty cute and enjoyed giving her hugs and kisses. It took Dylon a few minutes of observation though before he was ready to love. During the drive, Braden continually told us that he was going to "check out baby izzy" with his doctor kit. But, although he played doctor while we were there -- I'm not sure I ever saw him examine her. Probably better that he didn't, his bedside manner isn't always the best!

Saturday, April 18th: Our little huskers were up and ready to go. They enjoyed a yummy breakfast of dry cheerios -- a favorite! We were happy to get to see the Poore family (Daddy's high-school friend) this visit and meet their daughter Josalyn for the first time! Dylon got to play in the dirt and take a nap at their house. Thanks Jesse and Heather! Braden went on a date with Daddy and Mommy to his first Husker football game. It was the Spring game so Nebraska played ... Nebraska! I'm not sure who was more excited - Daddy or Braden?! It was a fun atmosphere and more family focused than the season games. Braden was excited to see all the people wearing "Go Big Red" clothes. He got a little nervous when we walked into the stadium and the crowds of people, but as we came up into the stands and he saw the open stadium and fields - his eyes got huge and a smile covered his little face. We took him down under the stadium and he was able to walk on the red path the players use to come out of the locker rooms. We waited for the players to come in from warm up and he held out his hand and asked for "fives!" He enjoyed the funnel cake, balloon release at the first score, and watching the Scarletts (dance/chearleaders) -- he even enjoyed watching the football game a little bit! By half time though, he was asking to go home and take a nap! I guess the game starting at 1:00 (naptime) and the hot weather (70+ degrees) wore him out. However, we the time we got back to the Gilbertson's, he had found his second wind! Good thing he got a little nap in before we left for the game.

Sunday, 4/19: We were thrilled to be able to share this special day with the Gilbertson family. God has blessed them with a precious Isabella. They are awesome parents and she is such a sweet little girl. We are excited to see her continue to grow and trust that she will follow God in all that she does. It is such a privelege to have special friend and to be given the honor of being her godparents. We love you Izzy! I was walking out of the church behind my guys and couldn't help but snap this picture. I am so incredibly blessed! I love these three!!! Monday 4/20: We drove to Kearney on Sunday night and spent the night with the Verzal family (Joe was Chad's best man in our wedding). We hadn't seen them for about 2 1/2 years and loved catching up with them. The kids had fun playing together and are excited for the next time we get together!

Dylon, Callie, Braden, Madeline, Carson

We stopped in Sterling, CO on the way home so that Daddy could do a quick bank visit. The boys enjoyed the McDonald's playarea and burned off some of their energy. Then we ate a quick lunch at the Pizza Hut buffet before heading on to Colo. Springs. Dylon was the big eater of the day putting away 2 pieces of pizza, 1 breadstick, peaches, and a bowl of ice cream. He looks like he enjoyed every bite, doesn't he?

Braden made it through his one piece of pizza and was happy to finish filling up with his ice cream too.

It was a very fun weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of our dear friends! We also were thrilled to have so many days together as a family. It makes us anxious for next month when we can move into our new home and be with each other day after day!

Fun with the CA family!

What a great day! The weather was amazing - warm, with just a hint of a breeze. We met up with some of our extended family at the park this morning. My step-sister and her family (Waddell's) are visiting from CA. We were excited to have a little time with them before leaving tomorrow for NE. Braden took awhile to warm up to them, but by the end of lunch at Schlotzsky's, I think he had a new friend! We're excited to hopefully see them more often now that we live in CO. Maybe we'll even get them to move out here one day!

Here's some pictures of the cousins ...

Harry and Braden:
Harry, Braden, Dylon, and Domi:

Our New House!!!

YAAA!!!! We have an accepted contract on a new house in CO!!!

We submitted an offer yesterday (Monday 3/13) on the Jericho house again. The more we have looked and prayed about houses, we continued to be drawn back to this home. We were hoping that with a few more weeks on the market, the sellers would be more flexible and wouldn't counter back with a financing contingency. After we submitted the offer, we found out that they had received another offer too. All we could do was wait for the offer deadline that was at 11:oo today. The time came and went with no word from the sellers. We didn't know what to think. We were hoping and praying, but nervouse that no word might mean it was bad news.

After Bible Study, the boys and I were headed to Sam's with my Mom. When we got to the store, I was unbuckling Braden from his carseat. He looked at me with joy and clapped his little hands, "Ya, We're getting a new house!" We hadn't told him about the offer. I had mentioned to my mom in the car that we hadn't heard back on the house so it wasn't looking good.

"Braden", I asked, "What do you mean we're getting a house?"

"God tol' me"

"What?"

"God said me getting a new house today"

"What color is it"

"Brown" (this has been his consistent answer since December -- and yes, the Jericho house is tan/brown!)

We talked some more and he described the various toys that he had seen (and played with --- but just a little! :) in the Jericho house when we were house hunting. I didn't know what to think. We'd spent more time in this house than others, so maybe that was it. But I think that it is more likely that maybe, just maybe, my precious little guy has such pure child-like faith that he can so clearly and easily hear God. I want that kind of faith!!!

We finally heard from the realtor around 2:30pm this afternoon. "Congratulations! You have a house!" I can't tell you the surprise and joy that filled me! The only thing that would have made it better is if Chad had been here for a huge hug! It was hard today to wait and trust that God had a plan for us -- better than we can plan or do on our own. I had struggled, but given it to Him in faith. I think that made it all the sweeter.

When Braden woke up from his nap, I told him that God had answered his prayer. We looked through some pictures of houses that I have taken during the house-hunting process. He calmly told me that each one was not it, until I showed him the Jericho picture. "That my house mommy, God tol'l me." I can't wait for him to run into, live, and grow in this new God-given home!

For those of you that want the details of the house:

3081 S. Jericho (so much easier than our WI address!!!)

4 bedrooms

2 1/2 bathrooms

Living room, Dining Room

Eating area, Family Room

Large covered deck with amazing mountain range views

Fenced yard with electric dog fence included (yes, a doggy is on the list for the new house purchases!!!)

3 car garage

Walkout, unfinished basement

Here's a link to the listing:

http://www.cohomefinder.com/p/80013/708632.htm#photogall

And a few pictures of the house for any of you that are interested. We'll get some better ones when we go back for the inspection next week.

The front of the house with our van in the driveway (we already look like we live here!)

Walk into the entry way and formal living room and dining room spaces.

Good sized kitchen with views of the mountain range from window above sink.

Open floorplan with eating area and family room continuing from the kitchen.

So excited that we get a fireplace in this house too!

Upstairs view. Master bedroom is behind me, loft to the left out of view,

from L to R -- bathroom, bedroom, bedroom, and a 4th bedroom to the right out of view

Bathroom for boys and guests (come visit us soon!!!)

And here's a look at the floorplan. This was in the closing documents we recieved today -- how fun! It's not very clear, but gives you a good idea of the house.

As you can tell, we are so excited! And we are so thankful to God for providing us with such a wonderful home!!!

The Class Bully

I received a call from the nursery today while at church for Bible Study (they call you on your cell phone if your child needs you b/c we are spread out all over the place). I went to get Dylon thinking he was sad and missing his mommy. When I arrived, he was in the hallway with the supervisor. She informed me that they had been having trouble with him. My heart went out to the little guy, until .......
she told me that he was pushing the kids all morning and the last straw was when he bit another little girl! Oh my!!! So, I am now the proud mommy of the class bully! Yikes!!! I even had to sign a formal complaint that goes in his nursery record. How sad is that! I'm not sure why he was feeling so aggressive today, but it's something that is definately not ok. He tends to have a temper at times (hmm, wonder where he got that from!) He has tried to bite at his brothe rwhen he gets frustrated over a toy or can't communicate what he wants, but we've been tough on him for this and I was hoping it was under control.
I remember at our church in WI a little boy in Braden's room who had his name tag on his back and just below it another tag that said "I Bite!" I am hoping that this won't be necessary for Dylon and that we can stop this behavior once and for all! Oh, parenting is so much fun! (Seriously, I do love being a mom!!! I just wish there was an instruction manual with a chapter on stopping toddler biting!)

More House Hunting

Chad and I went to look at more houses last night. We had a successful night and found some good options on houses.

Our favorite is what I have decided to fondly call "The Mansion". It is a brand new model home in the same area as the last home we offered on. The builder is closing out of this subdivision and seems like they are ready to just get rid of the house. It's more house and money than we were looking for, but if the price could be right, why not!? And it's a BROWN house -- so Braden will like it! Chad is going to meet with the builder and our agent again tomorrow night and see what kind of deal they can work out. If the builder is really ready to offload the house, we'd be happy to take it off their hands! :) And if not, we found several other great options.

You can see a floorplan and other pictures here: http://www.richmondamerican.com/Shop+and+Buy/Home+Detail.htm?mr=Denver%20Metro&li=20644&cm=755

Braden continues to expand his vocabulary. He enjoys talking on his cell phone to his friends and family. His favorite people to talk to right now are Daddy, Auntie Cathy, and cousin Rebekah. On the way home from church Sunday, he had the whole van laughing at his conversation:

"Helwo? Hi Auntie Cafhy. How you do-ing?" He continued to talk for a few minutes, but I don't remember everything he said. All of a sudden he pulled the phone away from his year and flipped it closed and looked at it in suprise. "Oh my dosh! She hung'd up on me!" What a character!!!

Dylon is still fighting an ear infection. He is on the second round of antibiotics and goes back for a recheck next week. If there is still fluid, he'll be sent to the ENT for a consultation and possible tubes. As much as I don't want my baby to have to have surgery, I'd like him to feel better and hopefully sleep better too! He seems to be waking up more at night and for the past week has decided that he needs to be up for the day at 5:30am. That is not quite when this Mommy likes to start her day. He is such a cute little guy and is trying to figure out his limits. He gets frustrated sometimes when he isn't able to communicate his wants. And when he doesn't get what he wants ... watch out! It's taking some work to figure out how to mold his will and lovingly keep the boundaries he needs. But, we're getting there. And did I say that he is oh so cute!

And a few pictures of the boys:

Braden (4/1) modeling his Batman gear (Thanks Mason for the hand-me-down!)

Helping Ma get the Easter decorations out. I remember when my younger brothers got these big baskets! (4/2)

Dylon loves to copy and be right by Braden. I couldn't resist this moment of brotherly love! (4/6) They actually sat down together on the chair for quite awhile while they ate their apple snack.

Offer declined

So, the CO house and offer is a no go -- for now! The sellers wanted to include a contingency regarding our financing. We aren't able to buy in CO until after the WI house closes. I think they aren't very motivated right now because it's only been on the market for 2 1/2 weeks.
We're disappointed, but know that if this is the right house for us it will all work out. We'll keep looking at some more houses and keep this house on the back-burner. Maybe the sellers will be more willing to accept our offer after the inspection is done in WI and we have the final loan commitment letter. The house is growing on me and I can see our family living and growing there. The mountain views are amazing and it would be so nice to watch the sun set while I'm cooking dinner! Keep praying with us for God's direction and wisdom as we seek the right house to make our new home here in CO!