Random junk I've found in my dryer...

I know that I should check all pockets before I wash clothes, but seriously, can't the owner of the clothing do that? I know I'm that one that ends up cleaning whatever mess occurs because I don't check pockets, but so far it hasn't changed my opinion. I truly never know what I'm going to find when I open the dryer, and occasionally the washer. I decided to make a list of all the strange things that have been laundered at my house. I'm convinced that these random things are somehow to blame for all those stupid missing socks!

• a pad of post it notes (they don't stay together)
• gum, both previously chewed and never chewed
• snacks from school, in and out of baggies
• erasers, paper clips and other school supplies Brady scavenged from the floor
• tissues (usually my fault and a pain to clean up)
• money, bills and coins
• pens and pencils
• rocks (that can't be good for the clothes)
• toys
• compass
• chapstick
• mulch from the playground at school (I loathe mulch!)
• a black widow spider (real, alive and in my washer)

So, there's my list as of right now. I'm sure there is something I've forgotten, but my brain shuts down after the kids go to bed. Who knows what I'll find tomorrow...

Swan Lake

Avery has a field trip to go see Swan Lake today. We got a note home saying that the kids should all wear nice clothes, no shorts or anything like that. They didn't have to dress up this much, but Avery really wanted to wear his new suit. (He and Brady both have new suits thanks to Granny and Pops.) He loves wearing it to church and looking like Dad. So even though he isn't excited about the ballet, he was happy to be wearing what he wanted. He thinks the ballet is going to be like Barbie: Swan Lake, which he had to watch yesterday at school. I hope he'll enjoy it at least a little bit.

My little UT Volunteer

Chloe got a new rocking chair from her Minima, and she loves it! It is a UT chair, if you didn't notice! I'm trying to get at least one other person in the house that cheers for my team. Keith gave his blessing to having it in the house, (not like he really has a choice)! I just think she looks so cute sitting in it. She was watching Elmo while I got some boxes packed. I'm trying to limit the amount of time she spends in front of the tv, but it is so helpful sometimes! I was able to pack three (big) boxes, clean out my dresser and my closet. It feels good to get something done.

Moving on

The people who are buying our house came by for another look last night. It makes sense that they might want another look since they were only here for about fifteen minutes the first time. Is that crazy that they decided in 15 minutes that they wanted to buy the house? They've mentioned that it was the yard that sold it. That's the main reason we bought it too, so I completely understand that. It's funny what they didn't even notice the first time around. They didn't notice the glass top stove or the surround sound, and I don't think they really looked in closets. She didn't know about the little closet in the hallway (my favorite) or that we had a good size pantry. It was a little different being here while they looked around and showed their kids the house, but it was nice too. They asked us some questions about how things work and we told them some of our favorite things about the house. It's not an experience that most people get to have. It was like seeing them in their house already and I think it helps me say goodbye. It was fun seeing them excited about their new home, and seeing their kids already enjoying the backyard. Keith was able to show the husband his shed, so maybe it will help him say goodbye too. :) Their oldest boy is Brady's age and they actually played on the same soccer team last fall. It's such a small world! Anyway, he was playing video games with my boys most of the time they were here. It's funny how different kids and adults view things. It was a little weird at first for us, but the kids never noticed that. They immediately started playing together. When they were looking in the boys' room, Avery told them that the closet is really big, but it just looks small because it was messy!! What a little salesman! Chloe was the only one not excited about the evening, but it was mostly because she was tired. She was also very protective of her big pink ball. She didn't care about the house, just her toys!!
So, because of how quickly the house sold, and the fact that we know who's buying it, I have a question. How clean do I leave the house? Obviously I will vacuum and sweep, and clean the bathrooms and kitchen, but I just don't know exactly what to do. Do I pull the stove out and clean behind it? Do I clean all the windows and window sills? Do I clean the carpet? These are all things I was planning on doing before we listed the house, so now I don't know what to do. When we lived in base houses, we had to have an inspection to make sure it was clean, and so I keep thinking that's what we have to do now. Plus, I have to keep in mind that I will still see her at curves this summer before we move. I wouldn't want to leave it dirty for anyone, but it just adds a little more pressure. I'm going to be so glad when this is over.

I just wanted to give you all an update on the new house. We almost have a foundation!! They have all the plumbing done, and now we are waiting on a few dry days so they can pour the foundation. This process is so slow! Maybe it's just that I'm so impatient...

Wonderful show...

I absolutely love this show! We all enjoy it, even the kids. They love the construction and seeing it all finished, but I think they like to see the families also. I think it's a great way for the kids to see that there are people in need. Sometimes we think we need something, but it's really a want. I can't really say I need anything. There are plenty of things I want, but after watching that show, it just makes me feel selfish. I always enjoy watching the family as they walk through their new house filled with things that will make their lives easier. Their new homes enable them to live life more freely and be more independent. Yes, they have all the electronic gadgets a person could possibly want, but after what they've been through, I think they deserve a little luxury. I think my kids are pretty normal and of course they want things, but after watching that show it really makes them more thankful for what they have. It might not make them ask for stuff less, but I think they realize how important our family is, and how blessed we are to have each other. I'm thankful for at least one show on tv that is really worth watching, that has meaning behind it. My new prayer to God is that we never need to have an extreme home makeover.

My addiction...

Sudoku is very addicting. I've always loved attempting them, but I haven't always been good at it. That is until Keith got me Brain Age, a game for nintendo ds. I don't have a ds, but the boys do. I play it most every day, but not all day. Avery will come in from school, and say. "Mom, did you take my ds again?" I think he's getting a little put out with me always playing it, but it's not like he's at home anyway. This summer might be a different story! I feel like I need to do something to help my brain not turn into total mush, so I play sudoku. What I like about the game is you can chose for it to tell you when you answer wrong, but if you miss five, then you lose. It says in big letters, YOU FAILED! So, it makes me not want to just randomly guess, but do my best to figure it out.

I think in the future I might want to play in secret, and you'll know why after this story. I got an email from Brady's teacher today saying he was stressed because I forgot to send in his field trip money that was due today. She knew I would send it in, and that I had just forgotten because he was absent yesterday. She was reassuring him that it was okay, and he said, "Call my mom because she's probably just playing sudoku, I promise, just call her." I think I had kids to put me in my place and humiliate me. :)

My life as a mom!

I'm feeling a little guilty this morning because I'm glad that I'm not going up to the school today. Most weeks I go up there two days, one for Avery's class, and one for Brady's. This week I haven't been up there at all, and it has been so nice. I love being in their classes and helping out, and they seem to love it still. I know that pretty soon they aren't going to be as excited about me hanging around, so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can! Still, it is really nice to have a week to myself. Sometimes I feel like a stay at home mom that doesn't actually get to stay at home. I know to those of you who actually go to work all day, this probably doesn't seem like much, but it's busy to me. I guess it's just whatever you get used to. Chloe is really easy going and I'm thankful that I can take her with me to the school, but it still makes it slightly more difficult. Anyway, I also have Ladies' class on Wed. that I'm committed to being there and watching the kids. Individually none of this is very much, but most weeks, I have three days committed and two to myself. Well, of course there are errands and grocery shopping that has to be done on those days. When is there time for the laundry? Okay, I think I'm done complaining. I'm sure if I walked in someone else's shoes for a day, I would be glad to come back to my life. I feel very blessed that I am at home, and it's how I've always wanted it. There are just going to be those days that I need to vent a little, and today is one of those. It doesn't help that I'm not feeling good, or that Brady is at home today. I picked him up early from school two days this week, so I finally took him to the dr. yesterday. It's just allergies, but the medicine they gave him doesn't seem to help, and the other medicine might make him sleepy, so I have to wait until the weekend to try it. So much for a week to myself!!