It's Official...

It's official...our house is for sale!  This is something we've been discussing for awhile now...a few years!  Apparently, we or I have been talking about this for so long that so many people thought our house was for sale a couple of years ago. 


There are different ways to go about putting your house up for sale.  Usually, you've found another house you LOVE or are going to build.  With us, we have no plan right now.  We just wanted to see if we would be able to get any interest. 

I know one thing, I LOVE having our house as clean as it has been!  I do need some help in the decor part though.  I'm hoping that maybe Jen will help me out there!  I'll never forget walking into their house in Indiana and I felt like I was in a magazine!  Everything was beautiful and so inviting!  That's how I want our house to feel to people when they are walking through it!  I do know that staging your house is very important.  So, we are going to be working on that each week!  Probably one room at a time.  No real plan yet on that either! 

We also decided to list our house with a local real estate company, actually the same realtor Ryan bought the house from 8 years ago! 

So, if you are looking to list your house, I personally suggest listing with a trusting and honest realtor who is motivated and has a great website.  After looking at so many houses over the years, having a good realtor is important.  It's a lot less stressful on us and we know that he will not direct us in the wrong direction.

Enjoy your weekend, maybe we'll get another showing!  Already had 1, in just the first week! 


 

Why I Love Zoup

I don't have many restaurants that I love, but I do love Zoup! There is a Zoup by my office and whenever i am in town i have lunch there. The regular workers know me by name..some may not think that is a good thing, but i do as it shows customer service. There is a retired man Dave that works there and he calls me by name everytime I am there and he even has made me homemade applesauce (which i have to admit was the best ever). Do you realize that I have not even mentioned how great the  food is yet? This is exactly what i want I am trying to get at.. I know that if someone has great customer service that regardless of the food people will recommend based on their experience. Yes Zoup has great food, but I am a regular based on the experience, not the food. Too many times I visit a store or restaurant and have horrible service and that is what i remember and share. Let a lesson be learned-provide a great experience and you will be successful. Thank you Zoup for providing first class service.

http://www.zoup.com/

Taking Time

Have you ever rushed from point A to B, only to get more frustrated as each minute passes by that you are not there yet or as quickly as you'd like?  That was me on Thursday...

I worked in the main office all day and planned on getting out early to head to the Secretary of State's office to renew my license.  Well, that was a great plan but as I'm sure you are all aware, plans usually don't go as you like.   

I got out of work later than I wanted, it seemed to take FOREVER to get to my car, then I had to try to find my brush in my purse (because I was finally updating my picture on my license since my current one is 7 years old!) and reapply my beautiful red lipstick, that I only wear on special occasions because who seriously wears lipstick while working at home with their kids at their feet?  

I finally arrived at point B, way after I had wished to be there.  I took the #77.  When I looked up to see #70 on the big black box, I though to myself "This will go quick!"

Well, it didn't!  I sat there for 10-15 minutes before the next number was called.  

And that's when it hit me...it was like God was telling me something.

To be content, slow down, appreciate right now!

 

I really do love the fact that I can work from home but also have the opportunity, on occasion, to put on my special red lipstick and go to the office.  I enjoy walking in the cool weather.  And who doesn't love their picture taken on a great hair day!?!

So as I was sitting there, waiting oh so patiently for my number to be called, I realized that I need to slow down and be thankful that I have all that I have, and don't have for that matter.  

I need to be content and enjoy the moment.  

Smile and take the time to say hello to people.   

Take the time to listen to others.

My wish for all of you is that you'll take the time today, we're never promised tomorrow, to think of somebody else and enjoy your moment!

 

Don't Forget To Brush Your Infant and Toddlers' Teeth!

Thank goodness I am married to a dentist as I would be clueless on how to take care of my girls' teeth.  Every night we have a toothbrushing ritual; some nights the girls enjoy brushing and other nights it takes 15 minutes of craziness to do a 3 minute task.  The nights the girls are difficult I would like to just give up and put them in bed; however my husband Paul reminds me that if we don't take care of their teeth they will look like this!




Below are 2 videos starring my girls on how to properly brush your infant and toddlers' teeth.


Infant Toothbrushing


 
 Toddler Toothbrushing



Happy Toothbrushing!


 

Baby Products - favorite & least favorite!

As our baby gets closer and closer to turning 1, I have realized so many things about which products and items we love and ones I could live without!  For me, diapers are diapers.  As long as they fit him, they all seem to work just fine.  Right now, I'm using Huggies because I bought them at Costco!  Love that store!  When those are done, I'll probably buy Costco brand.  

One of the few items I will be getting rid of is this Summer Infant Right Height Center Tub:

  

 When I registered (which I suggest doing with a very experienced friend, seriously girls you know your husbands do not enjoy it as much as a girlfriend would, so make it a girl day and treat yourself to a pedi afterward), I saw this and thought how perfect it would be!!  I thought the tub would be wonderful for when Abe is almost sitting up on his own.  Plus the stool can stay attached to the tub, keeping baby higher and closer to you.  

However, I can honestly say this is probably the least item used.  I loved the infant bath part until Abe wanted to sit upright, then I used the tub part, maybe twice.  It was a pain for me to fill it every time and he wasn't quite able to sit up by himself so it was easier for me to just hold him with one hand while I bathed him very quickly.  The stool would be perfect but I already have a stool in the bathroom for our 4 year old to use when he washed his hands.  Also, it takes up a lot of room in our bathroom closet, so I am now storing it in Abe's room as a laundry basket.  

So, what I will do instead, if we have another infant in the house someday, is buy something similar to Baby Under the Sea Sponge:

  The first item I think of that I LOVE is the Diaper Depot:

 

I bought this after Abe was born (with a gift card!) and have loved it since day 1!  I see now that there is a bigger one, which would be nicer but I don't know if it would fit as nicely on Abe's changing table.  Either way, totally recommend this for keeping your diapers handy, butt creams, lotions and other items organized and close by!

Those are my top choices for items I would not recommend and absolutely LOVE!!!  Which items do you LOVE and could live without?