Well Toto, We're Not in High School Anymore...

So as much as I'd like to deny it - I graduated from high school 10 years ago. It doesn't seem possible for time to have gone by as quickly as it did...but here we are...grown adults. As like most high school classes, we plan to have a reunion. Generally the tradition is that the class president from our senior class plans the events. I honestly don't remember who was class president, but apparently someone does, and they formed a committee, and a facebook invite. There was also apparently some kind of forum to discuss where/when to hold the reunion. Turns out it will be on a Saturday night, in a bar. Here's the problem with that - most of us are 30 or will be soon. Many of us have families. Many of those with families really don't need an extra three hours of loud noise (we get enough of that in our own homes before 8:00pm!). So while I'm not trying to be picky, I'm pretty sure the planning committee members are all childless. So, an evening at a bar sounds great. The planning committee is receiving some flack on the facebook event wall...and those defending them are close friends...mostly single or childless also. I do think it would be nice to plan something in the daytime, and family friendly. Especially in the summer - they could easily do a picnic at a park (which I'm sure would be cheaper than renting out a space at a bar). Honestly, I'd rather see people and their families, to see what they have produced than see everyone drinking at a party. I had enough of that 10 years ago.

In the end, I don't really care what they do. They scheduled the date for the Saturday I will be driving back from Hilton Head...so I won't be there...but if I was in town, here's why I wouldn't go: It is clear from all the bickering on the facebook event wall that most of my graduating class is still stuck back in high school. The same groups hate each other, the same snarky people are snarky, and no one wants to think about anyone but themselves. Maybe I'll attend when we celebrate 15 years...if it appears any of them have matured!

Decisions, Decisions!

Recently, Carl and I took a big step in our journey together - we are ready to expand again! No, not in the having more babies way. We met with a builder to begin the tedious (and decision laden) process of building a house. We've looked at a few properties we like, and may have found the right one...we're going to drive by it again tonight and see if it meets my criteria (flat enough for the kids to have a space to play, roads fairly easy to navigate in the winter, etc.). The lot we're looking at has two acres...that part is a little scary for me...Carl would be mowing a lot! We could also develop some of that land for a big garden, a playset, fenced area for the kids, etc. So if we like the lot, we may begin the process of buying the land. Then we'll wait. Most likely we won't break ground for maybe another 9-12 months. We have some pending changes with salaries and life situations, so we want to give those things some time...but if we love this land, we don't want to lose it. So we may just buy the land, pay for it each month, and if in the end we decide we like somewhere else better, then we'll sell it.

Meeting with the builder was just insane...there are so many options! I didn't realize how specific I would be in the things I like, but I am picky! I want a pantry for sure (walk-in would be nice, but we'll see how cost prohibitive it is), I definitely want 4 bedrooms. I need a craft room! The garage needs to have some storage space. We may or may not finish the basement when we build...that will depend on where we are financially. We definitely want a big kitchen...and a formal dining room. We feed our families at every holiday, and have lots of birthday parties at the house...so we need the dining space. So while we're looking at land, we're also going through page after page of house plans. We like the kitchen in one, the dining room in the other, and the garage in the other....so we are picking the structure of what we want now. Then we'll go back and see how much that's going to cost us....and if we have to make changes to keep it in the range we want, then we go back and make changes...honestly, I have a feeling we'll take months to make all those choices anyway. So while we're waiting on life to happen, we're going to plan (sounds just like me!). I've started thinking about my kitchen (and craft room!). Right now we have more earthy colors....I think I may go with lighter cabinets...more seaside appeal. The kids bathroom will probably be themed Disney of some sort (maybe Mickey/Minnie?). We just have A LOT of decisions to make.

Another thing this signals? We are officially done with children. We are building our dream house, to accommodate 4. Of course, there would be space for another child if God decides to surprise us, but we really like where we're at. We are ready to start our new chapter and watch the kids grow.

So the journey begins...with no definite end date. It could be a year, or it could be 5 years. It is just exciting to start thinking about designing our own space (and sad to think of leaving our first home...the one we brought our children home from the hospital to).

Savannah Turns 4 - Candy Party!

The past few weeks have FLOWN by. My weekends have just been nonstop chaos for the most part. The weekend of March 23/24 I had the State Science Fair and Savannah attended two birthday parties (one of which out of state). Then the next weekend was Easter...which meant lots of little things we did with the kids. We colored eggs, we made the traditional bunny cake, our church had a big Easter Egg Hunt and learning stations tied together (I ran the craft station for 60+ kids), and of course Easter Sunday church, the bunny baskets to empty, and the dinner with family. It was just insane! Then the week between Easter and Savannah's party was just chaotic too. I taught Tuesday and Thursday evenings (an FE review course with the topic of Engineering Economy) so on those days I left for work at 7:00am and arrived back to the house at 9:30pm...and those were my tabata workout days too! Wednesday night I had a United Methodist Women's meeting at 6:30, so I got home and saw the kids a bit and then headed off to that. Ideally, I would have skipped this month's meeting because of all the other craziness going on, but I'm the Vice President, which means I'm supposed to give presentations occasionally...so I needed to be there.


Needless to say, I was relieved when the weekend arrived! Friday night was just crazy party prep night...but Saturday was worth all the stress. Savannah had a beautiful day and really enjoyed her party. We missed a few of our friends (my bestest had her 3rd child that day - a new little boy to spoil!), but the day was special.



The candy decorations were fun to make - and the real candy buffet was tasty too!



Luke loved the decorations too - at least the balloons!! He was a walking balloon boy for quite a while.



The kids loved decorating cupcakes! The Wilton Topping Tornado was a big hit!



The cake! I loved the candy candles - surprisingly found them at Walmart!



Still no singing, but at least she blew out her candles!



My pretty girl on her big day (and little brother admirer too!).



Our good friend Patrick (or to my kids - Mr. Pat) got Savannah the Disney Dazzling Princess Game. Savannah adores it. After everything had calmed down, the guests were gone, Luke was in bed, Carl was running his mom home, my big girl and I were able to just enjoy time together and play. It reminds me of a game of my childhood (Pretty Pretty Princess anyone?!) and it was a ton of fun to play with her. It is also pretty adorable to see Carl playing too - he has to wear the jewelry to become a princess too!!

After all is said and done, I am so glad the party went well. But I'm also really glad the parties are over for a while. My closets can get back to normal (instead of holding party decorations and party food and just about every craft product under the sun). My evenings can be spent with the kids, and life can just be enjoyed. No more craziness until closer to Halloween again. Even though winter/early spring birthdays mean inside parties, I'm kind of glad. It gives me crafts to focus on during the cold winter months, and then during the warm spring and summer months I can just enjoy my kids. I can't wait for spring planting and dinners on the deck!!

Crazy Busy Life

I'm not sure when I blogged last...it seems like forever! Life has been insane for the past month...and sadly I think that may be the trend between Luke and Savannah's birthdays. There's just so much to do! This year we celebrated Easter between the birthdays too. Thankfully Easter is after Savannah's birthday next year, so that might help out a bit.

Work has been pretty crazy this month too. The State Science Fair was the 23rd, so I was busy as a bee the week before. This week I'm also teaching review sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evening for the upcoming Fundamentals of Engineering Exam. Yesterday was pretty brutal, and I expect tomorrow to be the same. I leave my house at 7am...work my normal day...including my 45 minute lunch break Tabata workout class...then between 4 and 6 I find dinner somewhere...then from 6-9p I teach the review class. I finally walk in the door around 9:30p. Last night I just showered and crashed into bed. Back at work bright and early at 7:30 this morning! So - work is busy this week!

It's also the week before Savannah's big candy birthday party! Thankfully I finished most of the decorations and plans before Easter, so there isn't a whole lot I can do until Friday night and Saturday morning. I can guarantee that on Saturday night, after it's all over, I am going to collapse into my bed. I am already exhausted and my week is still running at full speed.

I may be busy - but I wouldn't trade any of it for the world! I love my kids and I enjoy my job!