We almost bought a house

It's been a crazy few weeks for us. We innocently went to go meet with a builder and I fell in love with the model home...that was way more expensive than we ever were looking at. So- we walked through it, admired the builder's work, admired the details, the wood work, the kitchen and left knowing that if we were to build, we'd want to build with them.

During the meeting and afterwards, it was mentioned that they really needed to get the house off of the books. So- my realtor suggested that it doesn't hurt to put in an offer. We looked at our finances, ran numbers with my CFO, talked it over with my parents, etc and ultimately decided to put in an offer. We low-balled thm completely (I think $80K less than what it was currently on the market for). I didn't feel bad (like I was insulting them) as they knew our budget and knew what we were looking to spend anyway.

Well, they counter-offered us and dropped their price $35K. We decided, before offering more money, to take another walk through and really look into the house. And we walked away Monday night deciding it wasn't the house for us.

The garage was a side load, we need a front load for Sean's snowmobile and trailer. The office was large. It had a two story great room that I think looks pretty, but Sean thinks is a waste of space. For a house of that size (3600 sq feet) there was only 2.5 baths (would have expected more), and the master bedroom was rather large, yet the way they had it for furniture placement (where the bed and tv would go, for example) was awkward. And lastly- you could hear the turnpike when outside...

I left sad...I really loved the entryway, loved the hearth room, loved the idea of being in that house. But- today am ok. we made the right decision.

The Chardon High School Tragedy- Too Close to Home

I grew up about 20 minutes from where this senseless tragedy occurred. My heart hurts for those families- and all affected. I came home from work and hugged my kids tighter.

Owen's Trip to the Dentist

I took Hunter to the dentist on Monday and decided to let Owen tag along. Owen had been to the dentist previously, when he was 2...and it was very traumatic. So- I thought best to watch his brother get his teeth cleaned and see how it went.

We sat in a chair across from Hunter and as the dentist cleaned, Owen kept saying "It doesn't hurt. Look, Mama...it's not hurting him!" He was so intrigued by the entire appointment. And then it was his turn.

So excited to be sitting in the movable chair...

 The dentist counting his teeth (all I could remember was 10 on top)

 Getting his teeth cleaned. He looks in pan, but they told him to close his eyes.

 Fluoride... they said he looked like a duck. He thought it was so funny and kept quacking the entire time it was in his mouth.

 And we're done. Cheesy smile!

I was so proud of him. He did so well! And happy to report, all his teeth looked good! Hunter had a good appointment as well. No cavities, but could do a little better brushing. We cannot wait for those braces to come off!

(And a little shout out to my little nephew, Charlie who turns 1 today! Happy birthday, Charlie! We love you!!)

Happy Valentine's Day

From my family to yours:

 It's a cut out heart... though kind of makes him look like a super hero...

And from Quinlin, a dozen roses

Looking forward to my home grilled steak dinner tonight and a nice snowy evening in. Happy Valentine's Day!

Ladies Man

This happened a few weeks back...but I didn't want to not document it and didn't want to forget. Owen has a crush.

A little girl named Alyssa... blond hair, blue eyes. She is a little older than him (maybe a few months) and in his preschool class. One day he was talking about her at home, so the next day when I dropped her off, I asked his teacher which one she was. There she was, sitting at the table, looking all cute and quiet. Owen, then instantly darted to her table...

"Hi Alyssa" he said. A quiet "Hi Owen" followed. And then, out of the blue, he started hopping on one leg for her. It was like his mating ritual... I don't quite know what he was doing, he was just hopping. So- not sure where he's learning these new pick-up moves...and I don't know if these will win him any dates in the near future (I'm guessing no- haha). Daddy may need to show him how it's done.

Quinlin- 2 year stats!

I took Quinlin to the doctor on Tuesday for her 2 year well visit. It went so well- she performed on command, followed directions and was genuinely adorable (did I expect anything less?)

Now the main stats:
Weight- 31 pounds (90%)
Height- 34.25 inches (57%)
Head 47 cm

I thought she was thinning out...but it doesn't appear that way. In 6 months, she's gained 3 pounds and grown 2 inches. Hopefully she'll start evening out soon. Although, it doesn't matter. She's perfect and beautiful to us!

Wordless Wednesday- what this isn't normal?

What do you mean? People don't go to the bathroom in just shoes with their pretty pink purses?

Hunter turns 15!!!

‎15 years ago, my world changed. I was thrown into an incredible journey of motherhood with an amazing little guy who would become my very first knight in shining armor and has, to this day, grown into an amazing young man.

We celebrated on Friday (his actual birthday) and the poor guy had to wait until almost 6:30 to even open his gifts. I had been horribly sick all week and couldn't get in for a doctor's appointment until an open clinic at 5pm. So- I came home, we opened gifts, and then left the kids with a sitter and took Hunter out to dinner. I tried to be a trooper for him, but was just so incredibly miserable.

Anyway- back to gift opening:

 Owen and Quinlin tried to open most of the gifts. They were thoroughly disappointed when most were clothes.

 He did get a golf lesson with an instructor and simulator though as something fun to do.

 Owen loved wearing Hunter's new shirts!

 We took him to dinner and he was "too cool" to pose for pictures. hahaha

And- so it's a normal birthday post like his brother and sister, at 15, Hunter is 5'4, 108 pounds. He actually is now almost taller than me. I cannot believe it. Size 9 shoe, Adult S and M shirts, pants just now able to wear men's sizing (otherwise, size 16 at Old Navy).

I tried to do the birthday quiz on him...but he's too old to play along:

1. What's your name? Hunter ____

2. How old are you? 15 (eye roll)
3. Where do you live? (eye roll)
4. what is your favorite color? blue
5. what do you want to be when you grow up? a doctor or something with forensics
6. who is your favorite person? eye roll
7. who's your best friend? Mike
8. what is your favorite tv show? NCIS, CSI, Tosh, World's Dumbest
9. what is your favorite food? cheeseburgers, wings
10. what is your favorite drink? Sprite, Mountain Dew
11. what do you like to do for fun? snowboarding
12. what do you like to play outside? snowboarding or street football
13. what is your favorite song? too many to choose
14. what is your favorite movie? "I don't know Mom. Do I seriously need to keep answering?"
15. what is your favorite book? too many to choose


Happy birthday Hunter- we love you and are so proud of you!

Quinlin's 2nd Birthday Party (Picture Heavy)

Poor baby girl got the classic, 3rd child syndrome, I think. I wasn't even in full planning mode, and figured it was so small- just immediate family- so I never really planned. We threw together a menu for the party the day before- pizza, pulled pork, pasta salad, spinach dip and cake. My SIL brought over a good sausage dip as well- and of course, we ended up having too much food. But- a good time was had by all. Picture overload time...

First, her actual birthday:

 Off to school

 Chick Fil A for birthday dinner and playing

 We got home too late for presents, so this was the next night

 Quinlin's cabbage patch kid- Olivia Morgan- is welcomed into the family

 Sean thought he would be funny and shaved his beard to a  "don't I look like a gym teacher" mustache

 Playing with her new Tangled Barbie

 Speaking of hair, look at those curls!

 And now the party

 The standard cousins shot. I love watching them grow together.

It was a great time! Next week she will finally go to the doctor for her 2 year well visit. I'm excited to hear her stats and see where she is on the charts.