NEED HELP!

Ok, so you already know that I'm obsessed with finding a home in CA now that we're for sure going there, and you might already know that I'm a little impulsive. This weekend I surprised even myself!

We had a trip to CA planned for this coming weekend to look at homes. Well, last Saturday, after spending the previous 2 days making appointments and arrangements for the this trip, I saw a listing that really jumped out at me - I REALLY REALLY liked it and it seemed like the neighborhood was perfect. SO, I called and was shocked to find out that just that day the lady had taken **30** applications for the place! I KID YOU NOT. So, I asked her if she could not make her decision until we had a chance to see it and 6 hours later, we were there!!!

James is such a good sport. Plus, he likes road trips, but he wasn't as thrilled with the house as I was, so even though I had offered the landlords more money than they were asking, and would've given them the deposit right then and there, he wanted to wait until the next day and look at at least one or two other places. They seemed cool about it and we headed back to grandma's house. Well, we were naive, because we really thought they'd hold it for us and THEY DIDN'T! The rented it to someone else and broke my heart!

We persisted and were lucky enough to see four homes on Sunday that each had great qualities, but none had the good school and neighborhood of the other. Despite the fact that they were much newer and larger and some even "mansion-like" we couldn't feel that thing that you feel when it's right. We were really bummed and anxious. We couldn't go home, not just yet.

Long story getting longer.....

So yesterday was pretty much our last chance and we knew it. We drove around the nice neighborhoods looking for "for rent" signs and saw the church house - GORGEOUS- and amazing homes all over. We had two appointments and ended up REALLY liking the last home, and by the time we started back to grandma's had 2 really great options in a nice neighborhood with a pretty good school that we were pursuing. Then on the way back to AZ we had a nibble from one of the homes in the boundaries of the REALLY REALLY GOOD SCHOOL. So now we have 3 great options, a deadline of tomorrow, and no idea which one to choose.

I had no idea finding a rental home would be like this. I could really use any help or even OPINIONS on which one to choose. Here are the homes with their pros and cons.......

Pros:
Gorgeous area
REALLY close to James' work
Nice school
Awesome curb appeal and yard
Nice 'n big - great floorplan
Rent not due 'til June 10

Cons:
Didn't actually go inside
Can't move in til mid June
School is not top ranked
Owner/ Manager lives far away

Pros:
BEST school
Cul-de-sac
Close to everything
Jacuzzi
Coveted neighborhood

Cons:
Master BR downstairs
Smaller
Have to pay rent May 1st
Didn't get to see inside
Not as close to work



Pros:
Biggest
Nice school
Will pro-rate rent for May
Really nice managers
Great neighborhood
Close to James' work

Cons:
Less curb appeal
Most expensive
Almost too big
No Fridge

HELP!

Easter Pics and Scrap Crap

In light of recent events, Easter was an especially humble and spiritual holiday for for James and I. We just feel so overwhelmed by our blessings, the sale of the house, the baby, the transfer to California... all of it. There seem to be too many intervals in my life where I am negative and ungrateful. Hopefully I will be able to adjust my attitude a little.

But enough about that. We did have the chance to enjoy Easter egg hunts and all the "hype" with the boys. Here are some fun photo's to share.

Charlie was a little egg hunting machine! You wouldn't believe how many kids there were in his age group - around 100? Anyway, he bull-dozed through them all and managed to get his fair share.

Someone brought a REAL bunny to the hunt and Charlie was in love. "Oh Momma - a bunny!" he kept saying, "LOOK! I pet it!" We had to pry him away from it to go visit the OTHER Easter bunny --

Of course, Dillon was TERRIFIED of the Easter bunny, so stayed as far away as possible inspecting his loot!




I can't believe I got these shots AFTER church on Sunday. They were so hungry and tired, but with James's help I think we got some really great ones. HOW CUTE ARE THEY??????







Though my passion for scrapbooking has been somewhat lacking lately, I managed to make these for the April Paper Posies Design Team gallery

Proof that Miracles Happen!!

I can hardly breathe - I can't believe it and NEITHER WILL YOU!

James got an email from the coordinator in Jacksonville saying that one if the new '07-'08 interns going to Camp Pendelton (San Diego) needs to switch with one of the Jacksonville interns. GUESS WHO's GOING TO CALIFORNIA????!!!!?????

Yes - it looks like instead of starting his family medicine internship in Jacksonville Florida in June, we'll be going to Camp Pendelton in San Deigo County!!!! It's almost exactly 1 hour from my MOM!!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Now we don't have it in writing yet, but we've got email confirmation from both programs so we're 95% sure its ON! More later!!!......

Wahoo!

A Few Good Days

I really love the days that I wake up feeling like I've slept well and I can get from the bed to the couch without throwing up. I've had more of these lately and I'm feeling really greatful. Yesterday I threw up six times, but I won't go into that.

We've officially had our first swim of the season. It was for Family Home Evening on Monday night. The water was cool, but not unbarable and the boys had about as much fun as is possible in an hour and a half! The big bummer - I forgot my camera. ARG!

Last week we had several days in the 90's and so the boys played in the backyard with this coolest wiggley sprinkler toy that our coolest friend BETH and her little darlings gave the boys for their birthday! Thanks guys!! They totally love it.

>

I bought my first ever maternity swimsuit and am looking forward to being a big ol' green and white COW in Hawaii. Speaking of Hawaii.. here's a pic of the cute little cottage we've rented for that week.... feel free to express your feelings of severe jealousy. I totally understand. ;)




I know it's cute, but that is NOT ME (wha?) in this picture, and it makes quite a difference - just take away her gorgeous tan and add 50 lbs or so. YIKES! Oh well, I'M GOING TO ~HAWAII~ AND I DON'T CARE IF I LOOK LIKE A PALE FLORAL WHALE!

We're getting a massive downpour right now! I had to run out a snap a photo.... gotta LOVE a rainy day in the desert!

8 Years!!

That's right! We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday. 8 blissful years ;) What's fun is that we share the anniversary with the Coates' so usually we celebrate together. We went to our favorite Japanese place Ah-So. It's kind of like Benihana where the food is cooked in front of you - onion volcanoes and fire and cool tricks.... VERY entertaining and even more DELICIOUS! I had had a rough morning, but felt well enough to go out and had a great time! Afterward we went to Coldstone and ate our ice cream in the van while we listened to a funny comedian on cd (thanks Dave). Good times.







Here's my beautiful (Surprise! I know we weren't getting each other anything, BUT) roses James gave me ..... pausing for the "awwwww"........... I cannot tell you how long it took me to edit out all my acne in this photo! This pregnancy has done a real number on my skin!! Ahh! Got my hair cut today, though. LOVE getting my hair cut LOVE IT!

Mush brain made this:

When I am pregnant, I get what I call "MUSH" brain syndrome. I feel so disconnected from my thoughts and the world around me. My brain will completely stop working mid-sentence far too often. I loose a lot of my creative energy and am left with...... "MUSH."



Under a bit of pressure to produce something with my AWESOME march Paper Posies kit, I sat down and 4 hours later had this to show for it! I was amazed. Not too shabby ;)






A little ironic, however, that the kit is very "boyish" (which I was ever so excited about before morning sickness) and I make a page about my sis and I! WHa? ;)

So now you know!

SURPRISE! THIS is why I've been MIA lately... Cat's OUTTA the bag people!

I would like to formally apologize to my people that love me enough to check my blog regularily. I promise to blog as often as morning sickness will allow! Thanks for understanding! LOVE AND HUGS to you all :)