Kate pictures...

Here are some recent pictures of Kate...

In her Easter Dress...

Random pics...

And both my girls in their matching Easter dresses...

Pantene Beautiful Lengths...

...is the first campaign of it's kind. It's the "...first in the country to encourage women and men to grow, cut and donate their healthy hair to make wigs for women [not children] who have lost their hair due to cancer treatments." Unlike Locks of Love, Pantene Beautiful Lengths only requires 8 inches of hair. I've wanted to dontate my hair for a long time, but wasn't sure I could make the 10 inch committment that Locks of Love requires. My friend Joanne told me about Pantene! I was so excited and today I bit the bullet and did it!! I was excited to get my hair cut (it's been driving me CRAZY) and to be able to donate it! I can wear it straight, curled under, flipped up or "shaggy short". :-P Here are some pictures:

BEFORE...

AFTER (it's shorter in the back, angled to the front)...

The PONYTAIL...

Our new house...

Here are a few pictures of our new house. We are very excited to get moved in, but we're having a little trouble getting excited about packing! Hopefully, we will get motivated to get that done!! But why rush - I mean, really, we have 4 weeks! ;-)

Front of house...

Better picture of wrap around porch...

Living Room...

Dining room...

Kitchen...

Jack and Jill bathroom between the girls' rooms...

Master bedroom...

Master bathroom...

Master shower...

One more of the master shower...

"It's Emma's birthday!"

The video speaks for itself! I laughed so hard I was crying!!

Emma's March Madness picks...

Here are two videos to give you an idea of how Emma made her picks to contend for the Kelly traveling trophy. I wish the videos could fully show you just how hilarious this was! Jonathan had her picking numbers out of a bowl for EVERY SINGLE GAME!

Springtime...

This is what I woke up to this morning! I LOVE spring and the blooming of spring flowers!!

It's official...

Our house is under contract!! We CANNOT believe it!! It has all happened so fast (we had an offer after only being on the market 2.5 weeks and everything was all settled within a month of being on the market)! And just like with buying a house for the first time, we have learned a lot about selling a house through this whole process. We thought we had really gotten the house ready to sell. Well, what we think is ready and what the inspector thinks is ready can often be two different things!! He didn't find much wrong with the house and we don't have too many repairs to make. But the next time we sell a house we will be a little more proactive and will know what to check before the inspector comes (like exposed wood on any outside trim, a broken mailbox and a crack in the cement)!!

(Kate isn't in this family photo because it was a little chilly outside and the wind was blowing a little. :-) )

Big girl...

I put Emma's hair in a pony tail this week. She looked so grown up!! I had to take a picture and let you all see her!

A few pics...

Here are a few pictures of the girls. I know I haven't been as diligent in posting pictures of them as some of you would like. ;-) Sorry!

My 2 girls!!

Kate getting a little restless...

Kate all ready to meet the people at Daddy's work for the first time...

She's not happy ALL the time...

As a matter of fact, she can get pretty mad!!

This and that...

Things have been a little crazy around here! After putting our house on the market, I felt like I needed to keep it spotless all the time just in case we had a showing. We are supposed to get notification of a showing at least 1 hour prior. Do you know how long an hour is? I mean really know?? It's not long when you've got a house to clean, which includes picking up a toy explosion!! After the first showing, I realized what needed to be done each night and each morning "just in case". We've had a total of three showings. Our first one was about a week after the house went on the market. The second was 2 and a half weeks post putting it up for sale. That showing brought an offer!!!!!!! Can you believe it? We couldn't! After some negotiations, we've signed a contract. We aren't officially "under contract" until we agree on some things after the inspection (which was Monday). So we still show the house until that happens. There was a 3rd showing this past Sunday and we've been told those folks are interested in the house as well and may want to see it again this weekend. The Lord has been gracious to us to sell our house so quickly in such a horrible housing market!! Pray He will be just as gracious in giving us a clear picture of where He would have us move. We think we know where that is, but are still parying about it. The house we like is not quite big enough, but we feel like we can finish the attic to add 2 rooms and possibly a bathroom. We'll hopefully know more about that this week. I said things have been crazy, but I'm afraid they are about to get even more crazy, with packing, etc.!





In the midst of the house stuff, my friend Michelle was in town. She lives out of the country and we only get to see her once or twice a year. Our oldest girls are about the same age and are SOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute together. They were able to play together on several occasions. Here are some pictures and a video. Her daughter's name is Vera, but Emma generally calls her "Efra". :-) She can't quite say Vera yet!!

Taking turns sliding

Taking a ride in the wagon - Vera couldn't understand why Emma wouldn't buckle herself in.

One, two, tree JUMP! (watch the video for the whole effect!)

Saying goodbye

I have to be honest...the last video was cut short because I had to make sure everyone was OK, but mostly because I was laughing so hard!

It's morning.....

I get up at about 5:50 each morning. The house is quiet and everyone is usually fast asleep. That has changed recently, but for the most part it holds constant. I try to get ready as quietly as possible each morning to prolong their much needed rest.

'All of this next part is in the dark' After my shower this morning, when I opened the door to exit the bathroom, I could hear Emma through the monitor calling for Daddy. Since it was about 6:30, I thought she may go back to sleep.

I entered the closet as I usually do to dress, and after about five minutes, the door opens and in walks Emma. Apparantly, Mommy heard the calls and acquiesced.

As Emma rubbed the sleep from her groggy eyes she said...."It's morning....I get up!"

Then we went downstairs to get chocolate milk and coffee.