I'm BAAaaack!!!!

But don't expect too much from me in these coming weeks. And in case you have forgotten what my boys look like, here are some pictures from their Valentine's parties. Please excuse their long, shaggy hair. We've been neglecting them for the house.

Riley's party was Tuesday the 9th. We had conferences this week, so it was a short week. He is concentrating on his "HEART" game, it's Valentine's BINGO. Reece was so nice and sat quietly next to him, except when he was telling me how hungry he was. He knew there was yummy food to be eaten, and Reece loves to eat! Riley was so nice to share his food too, without me having to ask!

Riley gets to sit next to his "Valentine," Alaina! They like each other so much, and thankfully Riley isn't an obnoxious, chasing, shoving kind of boy. They sit by each other at lunch too. When Riley didn't have school on Thursday, he made a homemade Valentine to put in the mail for her. It was so cute! I can't believe I didn't take a picture of it. He folded a paper in half, and on the inside wrote, "I hope you have a sweet Valentine." Then he drew a heart and wrote,"Be Mine." So sweet!

Reece's party was on Friday. Jake had to go, because I was working. They enjoyed a story, while they decorated and ate Pop Tarts, with a side of chocolate or strawberry milk.

They made Valentine carriers, just like they were mini mailmen. Here they are passing out Valentine's.

A week ago, we had this crazy snow. It started when we took Riley to school, and an hour later it looked like this. We got 7+ inches really quick. I had to snap a few pictures. It was a rare snow. It wasn't windy, it just came straight down. The flakes were huge, and the trees looked amazing. The roads were a mess for the day, but this snow ended up staying only on the grass. The next day, the streets were clear. Talk about the perfect snow. Everyday since then, it has snowed a little bit each day. Mostly just flurries, but enough for me to be O.V.E.R. it all!!
What's been going on? What hasn't been going on would be easier to answer. One month ago, I lost my job and the same day, Jake was approached for a better position. A couple weeks later, he was officially given the job. We are hustling trying to get the house on the market. He has been training in Topeka for a week, just commuting back and forth. Next Monday (Feb 21st) he will officially be in Salina. He will be commuting from there to Wichita, and coming home on his days off. When we sell our house, we can look at buying a house there. Lowes is giving us a lump sum check, but it's not as much as we were hoping, so paying for a hotel or an apartment just isn't in the cards.

Around the house we've done a ton of staging, paint touch ups, painted our kitchen countertops (which look really nice), and most importantly, I've packed away a lot of extra stuff that I think I can live with out for a bit. If I didn't pack it, it has been donated. How in the world do you buy a house, and your stuff just triples?! It's insane. I've been working so hard, that I don't want to move anymore. It's hard!!! You live in a house, that you feel is great, but when it comes to selling a house, you find so many things that need fixed up a bit. I'm not a perfectionist, but this house a created one, and I hate it. I feel sorry for people who are like this in every aspect of their lives. What an awful way to live. Hopefully, I didn't just offend a reader...

Riley was bothered for a while about moving. He didn't want to leave his friends. He was even dreaming about moving. Poor guy, he's such a worrier! Hope I can be there for him enough, to make this transition easier on him. He told me that, "I am scared to leave my friends...to make new friends...and to move to another country." Ha ha!! Thankfully, we will not be leaving America. Kids are so funny. Reece has informed me that, "moving is fun!" Since he is the expert. =)

To add to all of the other changes, I got a new job. It's very part time. I am working for a local Orthodontist. I am front desk, and will be working on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I'm so excited about this job. It will be a very healthy environment, and I know it will be flexible for me, with Jake being gone most of the time. I haven't totally figured out my details with Reece needing a sitter yet, but I hope it comes together. (Anyone local, that knows of anyone that can handle a very well behaved 5 year old...let me know!!)