Name the baby and you get a prize!

We are really struggling with a girl name (in case it is needed), so post any names you like here! I am up for ANY suggestions. A few guidelines we like to follow for the first name.... short(6 letter max), nothing starting with an "M" (as Mark and Meredith is enough M's for this family), and a more unique name. The middle name will be one of a few things we are still debating, but it will be a name from a loved one (at this point, it is likely to be Stephanie). A lot of my friends are laughing about my guidelines (which I have more really, lol), but hey it is my kid! Oh, we are set on a boy's name.. just struggling with another girl name. Give me some ideas!

Carrots, Toys, Tool Chest and iPod...

This sort of sums up our Christmas! Kaya was both so cute and funny to watch throughout the whole process!!! Christmas Eve, she opened her book and ornament (Mickey Mouse one that she loves).... then we put carrots outside for the reindeer which she just thought was the coolest think as she kept saying "reindeer like carrots".... then milk and cookies for Santa on one of her plates and one of her cups... she enjoyed giving Santa a head start on both the cookies and milk, lol.

Then Christmas morning... she was just so dang cute.... a lot of "wow" and "I love it" and just total amazement with the whole thing! Grandma, Mark and I enjoyed watching her and it really made for a wonderful Christmas!! It is hard for me to even remember Christmas before her... it is just not the same without small kids!! I have not downloaded pics onto the 'puter yet. Currently, I am downloading songs for my awesome iPod that Mark swore he wasn't going to get for me, lol. Then I need to tackle the whole pics thing as I have credit with Shutterfly that expires in a few weeks... that would be a waste! At any rate, I will post some pics soon. Then I have GOT to update Kaya's site!! I have to get that updated before this new one comes, lol.

Oh, I am an aunt again... my sister Jolene had a sweet little baby boy yesterday. He was 8 lbs, 8 ozs (smallest one in the family of all 6 grandkids besides for Kaya, lol) and 21" long. His name is Cole Michael Ryan. As my mom says, we are like rabbits, lol. Now she has 3 grandsons and 3 granddaughters.... in April, the balance will be off yet again, lol. I can't wait to meet the newest member to my family. I think I will sneak in a trip soon... hmm, likely February as I have little desire to fly much after that point. Note to self... talk with Jolene about a good time to come and book flight!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!! Happy New Year's to all! I still have my Christmas letter that needs editing... then I will get all the cards in the mail, lol. With a new year will bring lots of new changes for the Lovell family (who am I kidding, we seem to make lots of changes every year, lol). This year just went by in a blink for me.. and I will be making serious changes to help 2008 last a bit longer (well at least I not be at a computer desk working a mindless job for most of it, lol). We are starting the year off with a trip to Iowa in a few weeks to see my really good friend get married and celebrate a late Christmas with all my Iowa family. I have not seen all of them since Thanksgiving of 2006, so it is definately overdue. It is nice to be able to see so much family in one trip, lol. In the end, there is nothing like your family to help keep you focused on things in life. Hmm... I need to be reminded of that right now, so the trip will be perfect timing!

Merry Christmas to All and to All an Early Morning...

Yes, I was the first one awake this morning!! So far it has not failed... I am still a little kid on Christmas morning!! Grandma and I were betting on who would wake up first... I won, LOL.

Everything is ready for sweet Kaya on her third Christmas morning!! I am very excited for her to wake up... or get woken up (I can't wait for too long, lol). This Christmas feels different for many reasons. This is our first Christmas in our own house. My mom is here, as we were with her Kaya's first Christmas. I am thankful to just be able to be with my family and have another child on the way. My heart is very heavy as I think of Jenna and her family. With the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season (this year especially), it has turned out to be a wonderful Christmas with some unexpected joy!

Friday night, Mark and I had our first night away from Kaya since she was born. I rented a hotel room in Nashville as part of his Christmas present. Even for one night, it was really good to just "be" with my husband. I have not being the easiest of people to live with lately... between the hormones of pregnancy and my overall unhappiness with working, so I needed that night more that anything to help just be Mark and Meredith. Then Saturday, Grandma and I were off for her to get part of her Christmas present... a salt glow at Nature Nook. She was so happy and really thanked me a lot for being so considerate (what, me?). Saturday night, we went to the living nativity story at New Vision Baptist Church. This really moved me... it was cold and windy (some like I imagine it was on the very first Christmas Eve for Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and all present at the birth. There were four different parts to the story (the Prophets, the Wise Men where we learned there were not actually three wise men that night, the Shepard's and the the Manger). As we rode from scene to scene on the hay ride, we were all moved by the sense of real-ness. I felt very blessed in that moment to be with my husband, my first born, second born in my womb, and my mother. There was no need for anything else.... life was complete just how it was... something I try very hard to remember every day. Life is what you make of it... and your destiny is in your hands. Rest, be Joyful, and Just Be.... sounds good to me!

Sunday afternoon, we went to the Rockettes at the Opry House... then to see all the lights at Opryland. The Rockettes show was really beautiful and yet again, they had an amazing Manger scene with animals and everything. Another moment of true peace and joy. Another reminder of the real meaning of the season. Then seeing all the beautiful lights in Opryland made me just happy!

So.. my lesson learned for this Christmas... be Still in Everything you do! Be Joyful in all you do! Be Blessed for what you have NOW! Be YOU and all is GOOD! Merry Christmas to ALL... with Love and Peace!

Coming up for air.......

That is the truth!! Since my last post, a LOT has kept me busy!!! We are all moved in... YEAH!! The garage still has a good numbre of boxes that say 'un-pack me' when I walk by them, lol. My only real goal for myself with un-packing more stuff now is to ge the car in the garage, and likely with some rearranging that could happen now. My mom was an incredible help while she was here!!! I really don't know what I would do without my mom... I love you so much... she is such a trooper too! She says she will never clean again, lol. She definately did the bulk of the cleaning before and as we were moving in. Did I say we got a hell of deal on this house?? Thus, nothing including at close. The house was pretty dirty (not as dirty as one rental we had years ago, but close) after sitting vacant for 6+ months and having had a single man live in prior. Little things like the blinds being caked with probably years of dust... but they are clean now.

I LOVE this house so much!! Really, I feel like a kid when I look around and find myself smiling! While it still seems like it is not ours (well, it is the bank's, lol) at the same time it completely feels like ours!! I went over to our rental house last Friday just to do one last look around and gather a few things before I turned over the keys, and that place didn't feel like home at all. Mark and I have always said that home is where we make it... as we have made a few less than wonderful places home..... but now I say.... this is really home and feels like it was all meant to be. From our first picture of this house online to when walked around for the first time, it just felt right! There is a lot of character and charm that we were looking for in a house, and then there are things we can do to improve the house some and make it our style. I have not started a list of things to do... as that list would be a bit overwhelming at this point, but there are a number of things we want to do... but that is the wonderful part about it, we CAN do those things whenever and however we want!! While my mom was here, we (again mainly her with some trim work help by me, oh and Mark) got Kaya's room painted. It is a beautiful purple... a darker purple, hard to describe the exact color... I need to take some pics which I will do soon and post. The walls are ready for some butterflies and flowers courtesy of Uppercase Living... that will come soon!! Mark is going to be making a headboard and footboard for Kaya's new Bed (that she doesn't have yet.. she is still in her crib because it contains her and she doesn't climb out of it, but soon after the new year she will be getting her new bed). I have decided that I love how her dark wood furniture looks against her walls, so I am going to hunt for an unfinished dresser, so we can stain that along with the headboard and footboard to match. Then the crib and dresser will be ready for the baby's room... that room will get painted after the little one is born while Grandma is here visiting... poor Grandma, she is labeled as the painter for all her grandkids room's, but she loves doing it for them!

Today, I had my ultrasound and it's a........ boy or girl, LOL! Nope, we did not find out the sex of the baby... we stuck to our guns... Mark was trying to peak though but the ultrasound tech was keeping an eye on him! Kaya came with us (even though she is pretty sick right now.. was home yesterday and today). She thought it was pretty cool and was able to recoginize some body parts as she named them off. She seemed to be a little protective of me wondering if I was ok with this probe thing on my belly, lol. Then she kept wanting to clean up my belly from the gooey stuff. She kept saying "clean up Mama's belly"... it was cute!!

Well... I went on a 3+ hour shopping excursion tonight starting at 8:00... I am tired from that... so a few more things to do then off to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow. Peace to all and to all a good night!!!!

The Final Countdown!!

Less than 2 days until we are official home owners!!! Update: We are closing on Friday at 1:00pm instead of Thursday at 4:30. There was a slight delay in some paperwork, so Friday had to be the day. We found out that the underwriter approved everything today and the loan was approved!! Phewww.... not that there was really any question, but you never know! My mom is still flying in tomorrow night and planning on cleaning Friday (thank God for that, lol). Stanley Steamer is coming Friday morning before we own the house, lol. We are getting access to enter the house since close will be that day anyway... plus I did NOT want to change those plans!! It has been enough to scramble with Friday at 1:00pm. I have an OB appt at 2:00pm at Stonecrest... closing is at an attorney's office in Murfreesboro... wish me luck!! I have to go to my appt, so it will have to work.

It will be a very busy weekend of moving and unpacking.... but the benefit will be so good, I know! Right now, I am SO tired and stressed..... I just need to get on with the show, lol. Work has been really stressful lately... mainly just a combo of work and all this house stuff... it is taking a toll on me. I am guessing that I have lost more weight.... I will find out Friday at my appt. I need to eat better.... this little one needs that!! Kaya sat down on my stomach hard last night... she didn't mean to or anything.. but it hurt pretty bad.. then today it hurt as well. I think everything is ok... just one of those things I have to pay more attention to her with.

Well, I have some emails and a big Mary Kay order to place... yeah, I am getting a little closer to getting that whole thing moving, LOL. Happy week before Turkey Day to everyone! I can't wait for some good eats and time to chill next week!!! :)

My little Tomato!!!

Forgot to say 'Happy late Halloween'.... Kaya was a tomato for Halloween!! Grandma D and I made the costume that was really easy to do. Here is the pic from Parenting Magazine of a professional who made the costumes. There will be pics to come of a non-professionals version, LOL. She was super cute and had a good day. The poor kid was a little sick.. just a cold, well she might have the dreaded A word... allergies. Dr Rosser thinks allergy testing would be a good idea. Not that I am at all opposed to her getting tested... it is just the whole realty of her having allergies. I hate that idea. Having suffered from my won allergies, that is one of the worst things!!! We have already discussed if she is allergic to cats..... then Blackie and Violet will be needing a new home! Cross that bridge if even needed. I think I will take her in this afternoon to get the blood drawn, so the results are ready for her 2 year check up on 11/16 (yes a month late, but that is what I get for having to cancel her original appt in October, LOL).

Kaya had a Halloween party at school where she had a lot of fun! By the time it came to trick or treating that night, she was just ready for bed! But, we did do a little... and she was getting into the idea of... ring door bell, get candy!!! Then there is her mom... I still have not given her any candy, LOL. Poor kid, that is half the point of Halloween! That night, she fell asleep on the way home in the car (yes, we drove b/c there is slim pickings in BFE, lol). Then last night she just needed to get to bed early. I managed to eat plenty of candy yesterday though, LOL. This weekend, I will let her dig into the candy a little! I am not going to completing deprive the kid... one piece, lol.

OK... off to bed.....

Sleep and House

I have had issues sleeping lately..... I think a lot of that stems from not being used to sharing the bed for so many weeks, LOL. At any rate... it isn't that bad... not like when I was big and pregnant with Kaya, but still it is WAY too early to have sleeping issues!!! The weekend is right around the corner and I WILL be catching up on some ZZZZZ's!!

So... drum roll please......

The bank accepted our offer!!! We are both VERY excited yet cautious at the same time, LOL. After the last house ordeal, we are attempting to be patient until we sign those papers!! In all honestly, I was a bit surprised the seller's bank agreed to our low offer. We did the math on the thing and unless this seller had a a lot of money down on this house when he bought it, there might be a loss for this bank... but then that isn't our problem, LOL. The home inspection is today at 9am. Then the appraisal will be sometime next week. I am just hoping for no major surprises with the inspection.... which there shouldn't be any considering it is only a 4 year old house, LOL. My mom is set to fly here on 11/15 (the day we close) to help with moving and cleaning (this house needs a good cleaning by her and I... we will get it perfect, LOL). I think we might have a local small moving company actually do the physical move for us.... we have looked into the cost, and it really is not that bad considering all the physical labor that would save Mark and Chris, LOL. Of course, I have a harder time rationalizing the cost, but it won't be me moving all the heavy stuff, LOL. The plan is to go crazy the weekend of 11/16-18 with moving and unpacking... once again, my mom is the BEST person to have around in this situations (and others too). She gets going and motives me to just get it done now! In the past, we have been successful in moving and unpacking almost everything in a weekend. Of course the week after that is Thanksgiving... so I want the kitchen, dining room, living room and such all put together so we can have a nice relaxing Thanksgiving in our new home! Oh, note to self... make sure we have a fridge bought and delivered before then, LOL. That is another thing still up in the air... the stove, dishwasher and microwave are not the greatest ones in the world (not that we need that, but something nicer than the cheapest is good too, lol), so we are debating about just buying a whole new set now while we have to buy a fridge. Hmm.... then that is money spent now on things that are not a MUST. We have other must buy's very soon... most important being a fence. While I tend to oppose fencing the whole back yard (I just like the freedom to roam, I guess), that really is not an option. There is a storm drain in the back between the two properties.... I know a very curious 2 year old that would LOVE to investigate that!! Yet another debate... I would like a vinyl type fence or better yet iron, LOL. Mark loves it when I default to the more expense options! We have done some pricing on options... so that will be one of the very first big things we do. Other than that though, there is nothing really pressing. Of course, I have already thought about all the new furniture I want to buy since we will finally have our own place to decorate. One thing at a time, Meredith!!!!

Well, I am feel sleepy again... so I am off to get a few more hours of sleep. I have a cool open house thing at a friend's house tomorrow... where I will be having my first real big Mary Kay selling opportunity. Wish me luck! After I get settled at the new house, that is high priority to get organized and more aggressive with Mary Kay. I know there is good to be done there... and money to be made that will make things more comfortable when I stop working full time.

Happy Friday to All!! Happy November as well!

Breathe.........

That is what I keep reminding myself!!! Here is a quick update of live over that last month plus.....

We didn't end up getting the house as mentioned before... roof needed to be replaced as condition of the loan, seller refused to pay for any of it, so we refused as well, LOL. We have an offer on a different house (a MUCH better house... as faint would have it, this one could cost us less money and is bigger and better in a lot of ways). All we need for this house is for the bank who the seller financed to approve our offer (the seller has been trying to sell for a long time and we suspect he is almost to the point of foreclosure). Waiting on a bank takes time of course, but if all is well... we will close on November 15th, just in time for Thanksgiving. I am being MUCH more laid back with this house.. fully knowing that there are some things out of our control. My mom along with myself have a very good feeling about this one (which I never really had about that last one), but we will see. Here is a picture of the house....



We all returned from our trip to California safe and sound. My mom, myself and Kaya returned on 10/15 and Mark returned from Reno on 10/18. We had a little birthday party for Kaya on 10/19. We went to the pumpkin patch on 10/20 which both Grandma and Kaya loved!! Grandma had to leave on 10/23 (sad for all of us!) and Mark was traveling last week as well. He got home on 10/26 late and is home for awhile! Actually his boss has decided that there might be very little traveling before the end of the year!!! I have to thank his boss later, LOL. Last week was week #7 of him being gone every week except for one week in that seven weeks! Phew... I think that is a bit much! The funny thing of course... is that he NEVER travelled in the past, LOL. After things are going smoothly in Reno, he will travel very little. Oh, Mark's promotion.. yes, he is now the Training Supervisor... which means more responsibility, people to supervise (lol) and more money! That last part is the best plus in our eyes! We get this house bought and get through Christmas... and then we can seriously talk about me not working full time! That is music to my ears.

Not to forget about hearing little Lovell #2's heart beat on 10/19. Grandma, Mark and Kaya joined me for my second OB visit. The little guy/girl has a good strong heart beat!! So far, it is in the 150's..... so the speculation is that he is a boy, LOL. But then time will tell... all will have to wait until April!!!

Well... I am loving the awesome fall weather!! I do not have a ton of fall decorations out as we are moving/not moving. The garage is in total disarray, but I know there is an end to all of this... we will get the right house for us soon, have no fear. This coming week will be one where Mark and I will have to remember what it is like to live together again, LOL. Honestly, I am looking forward to that... looking forward to get moved.... just looking forward to all that is to come!! Peace and Hugs to All!

Some bday pics of the 2 year old

Kaya and Grandma on the train to San Francisco

Kaya at birthday dinner @ Chevy's... they brought the sombrero out!

Kaya enjoying her birthday ice cream

Awww, sweet birthday girl!

Happy Big 2nd Birthday Kaya boo!!!!

(posted 2.5 weeks late)

WOW! You are two years old, Kaya!!! I admit there is still some of me that thinks of you as a little baby... most of the time I see you as the big girl that you have become!! Over the last 6+ months since I have been working, you have been growing up at a much faster pace than I am comfortable with, I admit. I treasure all the time that we have together that much more though!! You are really the sweetest girl! You are very loving... giving hugs and kisses and saying "I love you mama" and "thank you mama" without any encouragement... you simply do that on your own. Your vocabulary is amazing... saying words like "halitosis" and "aticulating truck" (cousin Jack is so proud) still cracks me up! You are saying a lot of full sentences like "where did it go?", "I am ready for dinner"... and many more. You have recently learned how to jump all over the place and still enjoy doing that a lot. One of your favorite past times has become play dough... which is fun for Mama too! You are understanding the idea of having a baby brother/sister more and more.... you love to kiss the baby in mama's belly and you love to feed your baby. You are also getting more and more independent!! You like to say things are "Kaya's" or "mine".... which we continue to work on the whole idea of sharing.. have no fear, someday that concept will make sense to you. You really like dresses and un-dressing yourself... you do a great job with that! You love to help with everything we do... making pancakes or other food items, brushing your own teeth (Mama still does a run through just in case), and helping put groceries away or anything else that we are currently doing. You just like to be involved, and I have no problem with that. You play well by yourself as well! Like all of us, you need some alone time... and I respect that!

Each day, I count my blessings that I am able to call you my daughter!! You are a lot like me... at times you and I struggle with our strong attitudes, but most of the time I smile knowing that I am lucky enough to see the world through your eyes! There are times when I really struggle with working right now and I feel you are not getting as much of my influence as I want you have (because deep down I feel I need to be at home with you, but I also know this is a temporary thing), then I see you do something that I taught you (like saying 'please', 'thank you', and 'your welcome' to people in public) and I know you are my daughter all the way and that I am doing the right thing for you right now! In the end, that is all the matters! I love you very much Kaya!!!

$500 cash please!

So... not only does our realtor not trust this silly women we are buying our house from, but her realtor doesn't trust her either!! LMAO. Both realtors suggested that we add $500 in cash (that we will receive at closing) to fix any repairs ourselves (or with whom we choose), and not leave the seller responsible as she might fix them herself or something. I thought this was hilarous!! She is not doing anything about the roof which still pisses me off some. I got out of Mark that the roofer said there were no shingles that were damaged all the way through, so like a lot of hail damage it is spotty. I am sure any insurance company wouldn't pay to replace the entire roof anyway. So... if we get hail damage that is worse while we own the home, we can file our own claim. If we don't, the roof life is shortened slightly, but we will probably replace it in the time we live there anyway. I still think the $500 cash for us is pretty funny!! :)

Never mind!

Well, the seller backed down, LOL. Yesterday morning, our agent called us to tell us that the seller re-thought her dumb decision and that we are back on towards buying the house!! We had the inspection Thursday afternoon... which went pretty good. The inspector had two concerns... 1. roof looked like it had hail damage and 2. the hot water coming out of the tap smelling like sulfur/rotten eggs. We had a roofer come to the house yesterday, and he determined that yes it was hail damage and estimated $7,200 to replace the entire roof. The water thing is likely just replacing the anode rod (whatever that is, LOL) which is max of about $50. We have $500 listed on the offer for repairs, so obviously this goes a bit over that! Likely though, this might have already been claimed on her home owners. At any rate, we are hoping this isn't something that makes this women back out again!!! I look at it like... no matter what she does, sell the house to us or someone else who might pay more money, anybody with sense would demand a home inspection and the roof would come up!! The roofer said that he has gone to a lot of houses for the second time with new home owners and given the same hail damage estimate from a few years ago. I know that it would be nice to have the money from the insurance company and not spend it on the roof... but this is a situation where we would have a hard time getting our insurance company to cover the cost since it is documented on the inspection report before we purchased the home. Note to self... if we plan to not own this house for too long (which we are on a 5-10 year plan), we probably should get any type of damage like this fixed when we have the insurance money, LOL. Good thought for future!

Anyway, we are moving forward to the October 19th closing date. Mark is going to get home from Reno on the 18th, so he is here in time for closing. I have a buys afternoon planned that day between my OB appt and Kaya's 2 yr appt, but my mom will be here too to help with all of that. We have not done any packing yet, LOL. That is today... pack Mark and Kaya for them to leave for CA tomorrow morning, clean the house some b/c it is a complete mess (baby shower at your house on Tuesday night Meredith.. don't forget, LOL) and start packing the spare room/den. I want to get almost all of that room packed and then get it ready for my mom to sleep on the bed that is buried at the current time. Then my mom is flying back with Kaya and myself on Oct. 15th. My mom is the BEST person to have around when you are moving!!! She doesn't mess around at all!!! She already said that most of the week after next, she will take Kaya to school and then pack during the day. How easy do I have it? LOL Seriously, I am SOOOOOO grateful that she will be here (oh, this was planned for her to come that week anyway to help out some while Mark was gone, but now she is going to stay another week too!!). I will obviously help when I get home from work. Of course that week is a wild one too. Kaya's 2 year pictures on Wed the 17th and then the Light the Night walk on the 18th. Phew.... I am tired just thinking about all that needs to happen before Halloween!! Oh yeah, I decided to make Kaya's costume too, LMAO! I just couldn't find one that I really liked to buy for the money, and I found the cutest thing in Parents magazine. There is no sewing involved and it looks super easy... of course, you know how that always goes!

Well, time to get to packing, cleaning, and doing the mounds of laundry! I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!! The weather is just BEAUTIFUL!!!! Enjoy it!!

Bring on the drama!!!

Well, you know that saying "If it is too good to be true...." I was thinking that big time today!!! Mark called me this morning to tell me that our real estate had just called him to say that the seller wanted to back out of her end of the signed offer agreement contract. I was like "WHAT THE F*CK?!". She stated that she felt she wasn't getting enough money for the house... so she might just rent it instead!!!! Well that is great that you think that... but it is a little too late for that one!!! LOL

After me fuming for a good hour or so.... Mark still went to the planned inspection at 1:30 this afternoon, because bascially we are moving forward as planned towards our October 19th close date (that got updated from Oct 15th due to Mark being out of town all that week). Our agent talked with the title company attorney's, and they basically said that we have all the legal recourse that we could have on our side. This woman signed a legal offer contract and that is that!! We are NOT backing down at this point. We just can't let her get her way or whatever crap she is trying to pull. Mark thinks she might have gotten another offer right after ours or something. I think it is that... or she is trying to play the money game with us (which she is not getting another penny from us) or she is just an idiot!!!! At the inspection today, her agent's office (it was not her actual agent that was there, but another agent for the same office) said that the house was staged (furniture and all, which I suspected b/c all of the furniture was too nice to just be sitting there) and this woman did this for a living... like she might be a flipper or something. What a dumb ass though!!! You would think she should know better!!! We offered her the full asking price... so she just needs to get over the whole thing, LOL. Her decision to maybe just rent or whatever should have been made in the 50+ days the house was on the market!!

So.... like I said, we are moving forward like all is fine. We will be there at close, and if she doesn't show up.. she is screwed! At that point, we will have to decide if we want to sue her or not for the house... which all that we have talked to (our agent, title attorney's, mortgage guy) think that a judge would rule on our side no matter what b/c of the signed paperwork. At this point, I don't think we would want to go down that long road.. that would be pretty nuts!! You have to think that the fact that we didn't coward away today shows her we are serious and that she better stick to closing... otherwise, she could be in for a lot more money!!!

So.... bring on the drama!!!! I should have know that buying a house for us wouldn't be so simple!!!! LOL

We got the house!!!

The seller asked to close on October 15th!!!! WOW!! Mark pulled the boxes down from the attic and the packing has begun! Our mortgage guy thinks the loan can be done in that time, so we will see!!! We don't have to be out our rented house until October 31st, so we have some time to move! We are VERY excited!!!

Can it be true???

That we will be homeowners of this house before the end of October????? Can it really be true??

"

Go to www.realtracs.com and search for MLS 896831. Then click on the house, then click on the picture of the house for pics of the inside

Yes, I think it might actually be true! We put an offer in on this house tonight! We will know by 10am tomorrow morning if the offer has been accepted. I was dragging my feet about looking at houses late this afternoon. I was tired and cranky (not me, LOL). We looked at one house that was ok (like all the house we saw last weekend that were ok, nothing jumped out at all). Then we drove up to this one and my first thought was that I really liked the neighborhood but the house didn't do a ton for me on the outside. Then we opened the front door and "WOW" was my reaction!!! A single mom currently lives in the house and has WONDERFUL taste!! Every wall is painted (mainly dark chocolate browns and light browns that coordinate so well). Beautiful hardwood dark floors, dark cabinetry throughout, tile bathrooms, awesome light fixtures and ceiling fans (all that has been updated from when it was built in 2002)!! This women has incredible taste. I said to our realtor "I haven't developed a style yet b/c I haven't had my own house.... but this is it!" Oh, stainless steal appliances in the kitchen. The living room, kitchen, eat it are the 'open floor plan' that so many love which I have always said I didn't like... mainly because I like to go against the norm, LOL. But I really love the look!! We seriously thought we were not really seeing straight or something when we kept looking around! It is 3 bd, 2 bath + bonus upstairs. For the price, we have looked at homes in the same price range... and none compare with the character that this house has!! I can't get over the fact that I love the paint colors! I love color but have NO clue what would work.... with this house, I don't have to worry about that!! Oh, Kaya gave it her seal of approval too, LOL.

While there are still the details to finalizing (hoping they accept our offer), we put in that we would close on October 26th!!!! Keep your fingers cross everything goes well tomorrow!!

Another sign from Jenna...

I woke up yesterday morning thinking of Jenna.. as I have done many mornings, but not for a little while. Thus my post yesterday. I have had a lot of signs from Jenna over the last three plus months, and yesterday was yet again another one. Mark, Kaya and I went to Target yesterday afternoon. I had to use the bathroom where I found Margie and Joshua. I told Joshua that Kaya was there, and it was too cute seeing the smile on his face. As Margie, Joshua and I walked out of the bathroon... Margie looked up and saw Jenna's three kids with Mark's mom. I instantly thought "Thanks Jenna... I see you". It was so good seeing the kids.... it has been too long. Seeing them just helped me feel like "yes, life does go on". While I hate seeing them without seeing Jenna, I feel a part of her in each of them... so that helps me feel her too.

Ash, Kaity and Jake look wonderful!!!! Dawn, along with your mom... are doing a wonderful job taking care of your kids!! Thanks for the visit yesterday!

Time heals all wounds??

This is what people say, but I think there are some wounds that cannot be healed. I have a few wounds that are just too ripe for me. Living in this world without Jenna just doesn't seem right. Having such a short period of time with Jenna just doesn't seem right... I feel selfish in saying this... but this is how I feel. I feel truly blessed to have known Jenna at all, and to have known her as well as I did... but I feel robbed in what was to come. I feel all of life was robbed though too... someone who had such passion for doing things her way and not looking back... we are all at a loss without that kind of person. Between not having her to chat with about anything and everything... to night's out that are just not the same.... to Jenna's ability to find humor in any moment... to night's when I would love to bring pizza over to her house so we can just hang out together and let the kids run around.... gosh, I have had countless nights where I have wanted to call her last minute and see if she wants to do that again..... to just having the opportunity to see her smile.... there are many moments and reminders that are just too ripe for me. So, does time heal all wounds?? I say no... simply there are just some wounds that are not able to be healed. Yes, time helps... but time can make it harder to face reality too. As three months have gone by since Jenna passed away.... I find myself still in denial. I have pain when I think about Jenna's three beautiful children, her husband, her mother, her sister, and all of her family... along with those that were closest to her, even for those that barely knew Jenna because we are all affected by the loss. I do hear her telling me that 'everything is ok' and see her smiling..... but damn it I want to say to her that everything is not ok. I keep remembering multiple conversations Jenna and I had at the beginning of this year when Mark and her were having some troubles. My heart just went out to her when she was going through that because after all she had been through with her first battle with Leukemia, this between her and Mark seemed to scare her more than anything else. Jenna was so stong, like she was with everything... and she did exaclty what she needed to do... she took care of herself and her children. Then she got pregnant... which was the most amazing sign that life was an amazing power... then she found out she was sick again which was a sign that life can be so cruel. Again, Jenna took this all with stride... I am a firm believer that positive attitude makes ALL the difference! Jenna's positive attitude did make a difference... my memories of her during this time are happy memories... as I think many feel that way... Jenna was Jenna through all of this, never getting down for too long. She would tell me 'sometimes you just have to greive and then move on from it' when she would have down moments and I would try to comfort her.... so true, yes we all have to grieve and then be able to move on from that. So this is what I attempt... to have my moments where I greive... and then remember Jenna telling me to move on... while I will never be "healed"... that is ok... beacause I would much prefer having to not be healed by losing Jenna then to have never known Jenna. I miss you very much girl!! Thanks for being you!!

Happy and content Jenna in March of 2008...

Babe Lovell #2 at 10 weeks

Well... here is Kaya's little brother/sister as a little 3.5 cm peanut. Our first picture! Mark is in Reno this week, so when I called him after the ultrasound I tried to convince him we were having twins... but I didn't last too long! The little guy (or gal) bounced around a few times on screen... so that was really cool to see!!! I must admit... I was pretty emotional seeing little one #2 for the first time!!! Kaya liked looking at her little brother/sister too!! I love the little diagram on the left to help you ordinate what body parts are what!

Keep it up....

Two names you go by
1. Meredith
2. Mere (by a select few, lol... just kidding)

Two things you are wearing right now
1. tank top
2. pj pants

Two things you would want (or have) in a relationship
1. Respect for each other
2. Lots of humor... a given with Mark, lol.

Two things you like to do
1. be outside doing anything
2. laughing

Two things you want very badly at the moment
1. a house that we can do with as we chose
2. surprisingly... for hubby to be home now

Two things you did last night
1. bought plane tickets for trip to CA in October
2. stayed up too late

Two things you ate today
1. Wendy's, lol
2. Special K bars

Two people you last talked to
1. Kaya
2. hubby

Two things you're doing tomorrow
1. first prenatal appt
2. picking Kaya up early from school!

Two favorite holidays
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving... love the food!

Two favorite beverages
1. Raspberry ice tea
2. red wine... same here Shannon!

Two jobs I have had in my life
1. Head graphic designer.. what were they thinking hiring me?? lol
2. nanny... one of my fav past jobs

Two movies I would watch over and over
1. Grease... I have it memorized
2. Ever After... something about the Cinderella fairy tale

Two Places I Have Lived
1. Chico, California (gotta love those Chico students)
2. Iowa City, Iowa

Two of My Favorite Foods
1. Italian
2. Mexican

Two places I'd rather be right now
1. in bed asleep, lol
2. Australia

Home here we come.....

We got our official pre-approval financing today... so now we just have to find our home!!! I am very excited for the whole process! I think this will be the best move we have ever made... a move into something we can call ours!!!!!! We are going house hunting with an agent this weekend... with a number of houses in mind. We are not going to be too crazy with racing through the hunt... but at the same time we are just so anxious to finally be home owners!! Oh, I have to call the rental company tomorrow and confirm the process for getting out of our lease.... we have asked before and there isn't a penalty b/c we renewed the original lease... but then I want to make sure of that of course, LOL. I can't wait to have a house warming party!!!!!!

Watch out!!!!!

Two posts in one week...... I think the media needs to be alerted!!! LMAO

I booked the tickets tonight for our trip to CA in October!! Yeah... it seems like we were just there... time does fly!! Mark and Kaya will be flying to CA on Sunday 10/7. My mom is going to have Kaya all to herself until Wednesday 10/10 when I fly in. She is really looking forward to the alone time with Kaya. I must say... I am looking forward to that time for both of them as well! There is nothing better for a little child than their grandparents!!! Kaya is one lucky kid!! My mom, myself and Kaya will be taking the train to San Fran on Wednesday after I fly in... the train will be fun.. and it definitely beats driving through the bay traffic! We will hook up with Mark after he is done with his conference for the day.... then Thursday is Kaya's 2nd bday... not sure what we will do for sure... but with San Fran and the ocean at our disposal... I am sure we will think of something, LOL. We will stay Thursday night and then come back to Sacramento (Mark included) on Friday. Spend some time with our Sacramento friends (can't wait to see you Hill... Kaya and Nat will have a blast celebrating their bday's together!!). Mark will have to drive to Reno sometime Sunday night (only a 2 hour drive).... then my mom (yes, I guilty her into flying back with us, lol), myself and Kaya fly back to Nashville on Monday. My mom will stay through the next Saturday. That will be SO nice to have her help that week while Mark is gone. It will be a quick trip to CA... but we are all really looking forward to it!! I think all of that should make up for not having an official bday party for Kaya, LOL. I debated... and decided the kid will have enough with the trip and everything else. I will probably make her cake the weekend before we leave and have a very small "party" at home...... speaking of home...... we are REALLY close to buying one of those, LOL. Our financing is almost all in order.... we have a house picked out.... but unfortunately so does someone else... and they beat us to it, LOL. Oh well.... there are other options. I am just SO excited that it is all in our very near future. My hope is to be moved in by early December... Mark's plan is by Thanksgiving... that works for me! I cannot wait to paint walls of my very own home!!!!!!!!!

WOW.... 10:20pm..... way past my bed time, LOL!!! Happy Dreaming!

Lions, Sun and Single Mom Life....

I started the weekend out like I would love to start out every weekend.... a Friday night out with the girls!!! We went to Fuji's Japanese Steakhouse in M'boro. It was a blast!!! I loved watching our 17 year old cook make lots of fire.... poor kid had to listen to 7 mom's when they are out and away from their kids... that must have been fun for him, LOL. He was a great sport and played it up. The weather was absolutely BEAUTIFUL this weekend!!! We decided to go to the zoo on Saturday... Mark's first time to the Nashville zoo... and I swore I wouldn't go on a Saturday again, LOL. That place was a zoo of people!!!! Sunday... we spent almost all day outside... or at least I did.... Mark and I have sunburns to show for it. Mark mowed, I weeded... and then I just sat outside and read while Kaya napped. Kaya loved playing outside.... including helping me weed. Mark and Kaya spent this morning together before he left for Reno (he is enroute from Dallas to Reno now) for the week. That was nice for them. I am in week 2 of 3 straight weeks of the single mom role...... I don't like the job, LOL. I do have a lot more respect for my mother... yes, you read that right mom..... and all the other single mom's in the world. I am just SO tired at the end of the day and ready for bed by 8:30!!! Speaking of.... I better whined down for bedtime in an hour, LOL. Hope everyone has a great week!!!!

Hello... is anyone here?

Yes, I am here! I have done such a great job of keeping up with this blog!!!! LOL Yes, I know... I have not. The month of August zoomed (or as Kaya would say "zoom zoom") by at warp speed... and it looks like September is doing the same! It is FALL though!!!!!! Yeah.... I can feel it and smell it in the air!!! I am appreciating this wonderful weather even more this year... mainly because of the horribly hot temps of late summer!

Well, I have a hand written list of things that has kept us busy over the last month plus... the list is growing! I will get a post in about all of that soon. I just wanted to pop in fast and say "HELLO!".

My craft... what do you think?

I made an anklet today. I have been planning to make anklets/bracelets as reminders of Jenna. This anket will be sold to the highest bidder, LOL. Really, I will be making many more for anyone who would like one. Here are a few pics on the rough one from today.

I will post pics of Kaya soon and put her website link up as well! Thanks for reading!

Our Saturday

I started playing around with templates and decided on this dragonfly one. It is fun to play with all this stuff... I hate to admit, LOL.

Today was a day full of emotion... as most days have been over the last month and more. Kaya and I went to Chick-fil-A this morning for a little Saturday playdate. Mark, Kaya, Chris and Mike went there last night; so I think Kaya is good with that place for awhile. Cousin Jake would be proud! Kaya had a lot of fun playing with her friends!! I enjoyed the time as well.... it was good to share some happy Jenna stories! We headed home for nap #2 for the day. After Kaya woke up, we headed to Nashville to hit up a fly shop for Mark and a bead store for me. Kaya enjoyed playing with everything at the fly shop. We got her a piece of rabbit fur which she LOVED tickling herself in the car. As we drove around Nashville, I couldn't help but think of Jenna. Anywhere that I have gone with her, songs, random moments... well, a lot of things bring me to thinking of her. I struggle with a mixture of sadness, angry and smiles remembering all that she means to me and so many. On the way home, I decided that it was time for La Siesta (a little shared love between Jenna and I), so we went there for dinner. As we walked in the door, I was reminded that Saturday night is live music night. Then another moment... the waitress walked us to the very same booth Jenna and I sat in when we were there for one Saturday night for her to drink three macho margaritas and listen to same man and woman band. I loved that night.. just her and I chilling to some good music, food and drinks. I had some cheese caseo for ya girl!!!!!!

You are everywhere Jenna!! I really do have peace in that though... because I feel blessed to have reminders of you in so many ways!! While my heart is empty and my husband says he misses "me" and hopes I will be back soon, I can't help but smile knowing you are still here with me, with everyone, in so many ways!!!!!!!!

OK.... I hear you Jenna!

Well, I have kept away from the whole blogging world until now. Over the last month since Jenna's passing, I have heard her tell me a lot of things. One of those things is "Hey... are you finally going to blog, so I can keep up with you here in heaven?!" So... here ya go Jenna. Thinking of you with hugs and smiles!!!