House Hunters Goes To Florida

Not really, but it feels like it, well maybe not, there's no camera men following us around, no staging, no Suzanne Whang and certainly no perks from any of this. Just a lot of houses that DO NOT meet our standard of things, but is certainly the Florida style. Well I thought it would be fun to share with my fellow bloggers the three top picks and then I will share with you the one that we have decided on.


House number 1: 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms plus den/office, screen in pool, hardwood and tile flooring with carpet, 2435 sq. footage, quite subdivision, fence in backyard, needs a little work to the kitchen cabinets, needs new paint throughout the house, inside laundry, built in 1998, price at $16,000.00 above house 2 and 3



House number 2: 3 bedrooms/2 baths plus den/office, gated community, community pool, tennis courts and community center,screened in lanai, privacy fence, no carpet all hardwood and tile floors, sprinkler system, beautiful spacious kitchen, built ins in every bedroom closet, 2303 sq footage, needs no work except to paint the kids rooms, inside laundry, built in 2004

House number 3: 4 bedrooms/2.5 bathrooms, the house is 2 stories, the house is nestled among trees in a peaceful neighborhood and very unique fenced in backyard with screened in porch, 2450 sq footage, bathrooms and kitchen has been updated but needs a lot of new paint, needs new carpet and needs to replace 2 french doors off the back of the house,brick wood burning fireplace, washer and dryer hook ups in garage (no inside laundry), built in 1985

HBTM

As I turn 34. Here is 34 things that you may or may not know about me.


1. I hate chocolate (don't hate me)

2. I love fruit and salty things

3. I like to iron our clothes

4. I am an EBay junkie

5. Up until now I have only lived in two cities my entire life (I've been sheltered)

6. And I have only lived in 5 houses

7. I have had Lasik surgery on my eyes in 2001 and I love it!!

8. I am not a big tennis shoe wearer

9. I am not a big reader

10. I am not a big T.V. watcher, in fact I could live without cable

11. I love to travel and explore new things

12. I hate sitting and doing nothing, I guess that is why number 9 & 10 are true for me, not that they are nothing but I feel like I could be doing something more

13. I am a perfectionist

14. I am not a red meat eater (one steak, once a year and I am fine)

15. My middle name is Lucille (don't laugh)

16. I love to organize

17. I drink about 4-5 bottles of water a day

18. I lack self-esteem

19. I am not 100% sure of moving to Florida

20. I do not wear a lot of jewelry

21. I have not worn a watch in about 1 1/2 years, maybe that is way I am late most of the time

22. I am a sucker for Jelly Belly Jelly Beans especially cinnamon and butter popcorn

23. I love fall, pumpkins, hayrides and the changing of the leaves

24. I hate making decisions

25. I am a dog lover not cat

26. I would give anything for another child or two

27. I love to scrapbook and take pictures

28. I prefer Pepsi over Coke

29. I do not like writing in black ink, I prefer blue ink

30. Besides being a wife and mom, I have only had 5 true jobs in my entire life

31. The doctors said after I was born that I would not live through the night, boy did I prove them wrong

32. I have the best husband in the world

33. I have great kids, maybe that is why I stopped at two, no telling what number three would have been like

34. I have been to Walt Disney World way too many times but I have never been to Epcot

Well I hope everyone out there in blogger world has a wonderful Tuesday. As for me, the day has been good. My friend Tamera came down for lunch and surprised me with a birthday cake. Phillip had a presentation in Orlando this afternoon and is taking me out for supper when he gets in. So, Carrabba's here I come.

A Brief Update

Last week the kids and I did a little exploring around the area. We ended up at Rainbow Springs which was very nice. The area has several waterfalls and gardens along with the springs. Which Courtney was not to sure of, especially after passing a Black Racer along one of the nature trails and was very concerned about swimming when she spotted a "Swim at your own risk" Alligator sign.Two of the falls located throughout the gardens.

Jonah was the first one in the 72 degree water. It looked like a pool, it was so clear. However, looks can be very deceiving because the water was clear it looked swallow but was over every ones head, even dad's.

After much hesitation..........

Courtney finally jumped in!

Even in 95 degree weather, 72 degree water is very cold!

On Saturday afternoon, we treated Rascal to a visit to the Millennium Dog Park. Way to cool!!! There were two separate sections one for big dogs and one for small dogs. The parks were complete with dog toys, water dishes and pools. In the small dog side, the owners sat on park benches under the trees, talking about their dogs like parents talk at a park while their children play. Very neat!!!

On Sunday, we attended church and I saw a old camp friend which was a blast from the past. After church when headed to my dad's to spend the afternoon with both my brother's and sister's family. We had a great time, even Rascal enjoying being spoiled by Aunt Robbin.

This week has been jammed pack with house hunting. Now that my realtor is back in town, the kids and I have probably looked at 50 houses easily. For some reason, "House Hunters" is not even fun to watch right now. But we are now under a time crutch. The word is getting out and yes, it is true, we have a contract on our home so it looks like the first of October we will be moving. We have had several people at the church down here praying for us and I am sorry GWP but it looks like their prayers maybe answered. Finally today, we found a couple houses that look promising, I can not say that they would be my choice but in this market they look better then what we had be looking at.

We Made It

Just wanted to let everyone know that I made the trip migraine free, praise God. We had a safe trip and arrived at my dad's around 4 yesterday afternoon. Phillip met the kids and I at my dad's for supper and then we followed him to Ocala. Our hotel is really nice, they even greeted Rascal with a doggie bone when we arrived. Our room has a kitchenette with stainless steel appliances and a full size fridge, which is nice because I will be able to cook a few good meals. I was impressed this morning when I went for the "free" breakfast and everything was hot and tasted very good.

Today, while Phillip was at work the kids and I did some driving around, of course I was checking out all the necessities (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joann's) and even found a few local stores that are great. By the way Diane, I found my Florida Gator Crocs and the kids found Mickey Mouse Crocs (too cute). The kids did work a little on their school work and the three of us enjoyed an afternoon swim.

Tonight, we attended a church that Phillip had been attending. Very Friendly!!! Needless to say church was over at 8 and it was 8:45 when we pulled out of the parking lot. We met the youth minister, who is a good friend of Sam Hartford (what a small world). Jonah is very excited that the youth group starts at 6th grade and he has already been invited to a youth event on the 26th. Courtney is tickled that they have a tween program, so she will have devo's and get togethers with kids her age. We were also invited to supper Friday night at an Elder's house. Maybe things are started to come together (I know that some of you really don't want to hear that). Well I better go for now. My dad is coming down tomorrow to spend the day with the kids and I.

Heading South

As of last Friday, I am no longer employed (YIPPEE), thanks to courage and prayers of my husband and several friends, I was able to say goodbye to a job that I have done for 6 very looooong years. Thank you Alicia, Diane, Joanna, Judith and my hubby. Also, thank you Diane for a wonderful celebration lunch on Friday.

With all that said, I just wanted to let my fellow bloggers know that I am heading south in the morning (not for good, just for some R & R/ family time). I hope to be on the road before any of you are awake, well maybe not the ones with little babes. We hope to stay until well, I am not really sure but sometime around the second weekend in September. So please remember us in your prayers. We are taking our school books (one of the perks of homeschooling) and anything else we may need or think we need. I promise, Courtney is not packed in the suitcase, but I thought it was too cute. This afternoon while I was setting at my desk on the phone, Courtney climb in the suitcase and as a scrapbook mom my camera was handy and the moment was captured.

With a safe trip we should be there by mid afternoon. Please pray for our safety and especially pray that I can make it with getting a migraine (which are way to common here lately).

Determination

Determination, I will honestly be the one to say that if Jonah puts his mind to something he will try everything he can to get it done. This past February Jonah earned his Arrow of Light with Cub Scouts which made him able to move up to Boy Scouts. As many may not know with Boy Scouts there are several rankings that a boy must earn before they can reach the goal that only a few boys will reach, Eagle Scout. With DETERMINATION, Jonah earned his first rank - Tenderfoot- in only 4 months something that usually (every boy is different) takes about a year.

During the recent Court of Honor ceremony,

Phillip had the privledge of pinning Jonah's tenderfoot patch

on his shirt, always upside down until the scout does a good deed.

We are so very proud of his DETERMINATION!

Congratulations Jonah!!!!!

"Please Don't Go Away" Going Away Party

Back in April we shared with our GWP family the news that we were moving to Florida and immediately there were tears. I feel that my family has been so blessed to have made such wonderful friends here in B.G. A group of our friends were afraid that we would move faster then we are so they gave us a going away party back on June 30th. But seeing how it has been over a month since the party and we are still here well at least the kids and I, maybe a second not so planned party will be needed when we finally say goodbye (I am only kidding, Terri, Joanna & Alicia). I apologize for taking so long to post these pictures but everytime I look at them I start to cry and since I am having a rough night tonight what is a few more tears.

Many Thanks goes out to.....Alicia you made a awesome cake, you rock!!! Thank you Jill, for all the wonderful pictures, I don't know what I would have done with out you and your camera (except for not have such a large selection of pictures to choose from when I scrapbook, but I can handle it). Terri and Joanna, you did a great job putting everything together (I know it was not easy, since it was the busiest time of year) and thanks for the awesome scrapbook, I LOVE IT!!! Judith, I am so sorry you missed it, I guess your husband being in the hospital was a little more important. To everyone who came and to those who could not make it, we love you all and thanks for 6 awesome years and many more to come just a few more miles apart.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

80's Flashback

Okay, I guess this would fall into the category of an infomercial as well as a flashback. Since my last blog, I have received several comments about the last CD that I bought. Well actually I have came across three Casey Kasem 1980's CD's; The Long Distance Dedications, and then two "Top Ten Hits", there are 20 #1 hits on each CD all by the original artists. I found all 3 CD's at Sam's if anyone is interested (that's the infomercial). I have enjoyed listing to the CD's and boy, the memories some of those songs can bring back.

Anyway for all of you 1980's fans check out this list of songs that are from our younger years. How many do you remember and do you still know the words?

"Mickey" (I had the 45 at one time in my life)
"Time After Time"
"Love Song"
"He's So Shy"
"Karma Chamelon"
"Walk Like An Egyptian"
"Heaven Is A Place On Earth"
"Wishing Well"
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
"Heaven"
"Rock This Town"
"If You Don't Know Me By Now"
"Another One Bites The Dust"
"The Living Years"
"Hungry Like The Wolf"
"Sweet Dreams"
"Right Here Waiting"
"Three Times A Lady"
"I Honestly Love You"
"Endless Love"
"Unchained Melody"
"If I Could Turn Back Time"
"You're The Inspiration"
"Greatest Love Of All"
"Back On The Chain Gang"
"Shout"
"Addicted To Love"
"Kiss On My List"
"Who Can It Be Now?"

Well I hope you enjoyed this small stroll down memory lane. I can not believe that I have turned into my parents, YIKES!!!!

Happy Birthday Dad (Pappy)

Last weekend the Kids and I were able to help my

father celebrate his 66th birthday.

Something that normally

does not happen since we live so

far away from each other.

Ever since the passing of my mother,

the opportunity for us to spend

time with my father does not come very often.

So you can imagine how

wonderful it feels when my father is able to visit us .

We surprised him with an ice cream cake on Sunday

and Jonah was able to take him to the

Catfish House for his birthday

My sister would totally disagree,
but I am a "daddy's girl."

Puppy Love

Yes, we have a new addition to our family.

Fellow bloggers meet Rascal.

Rascal is six weeks old and weighs around 1-2 pounds (if that).

His mother is part Pomeranian and part Maltese,

while his dad is a Yorkie.

As you can see there is a BIG size difference in Penelope and Rascal.
However, so far Penelope loves her new play mate.
Enjoying the afternoon breeze on my lap.


Special thanks to Ava for letting us have such a
special little dog.

One Proud Momma

Jonah was awarded Male Bible Student of the year,

last week at Bible Camp.

I am so very proud of this accomplishment.

Way to go, Jonah!!!

Also, Emily Johnson, was awarded Female Bible Student of the year.

Way to go, Emily!!!!

Ready for a Nap (and it's not even lunch)

What a week it has been! With Jonah at Bible Camp this week and Phillip in Florida, Courtney and I have had the best time together, just one on one, Mother Daughter time (for the most part). Along with Courtney making two pairs of flip flops (I'll have to post the purple and tie die flops later)on Monday, Scrapbooking for 13 hours on Tuesday, Celebrating the Fourth on Wednesday, Courtney spending the day Thursday playing with a friend while I scrapbooked and organized some old photos. Then every night Courtney and I crashing in my bed late after staying up watching HGTV. Which is our favorite TV channel. It has been a great week.

On Friday, Jonah came home and OH, how we missed Jonah. Courtney and I picked Jonah up from camp around 3:30. He nearly talked our ears off on the way home and if I did not know any better, I would say he had a great time. However, I did dissappoint him this morning when I asked how bleach got all over his camp shirt and he told me that someone squirted him with bleach. He then looked at me and said "you can get it out, right". Unfortunately, that is a laundry trick that I have not learned yet.

Last night the kids and I went with some friends to the drive in, something that is normally a "daddy thing" to do with the kids and we even stayed for the second movie, which I have never done. Last time I went to the drive in, I crawled in the back seat and went to sleep. Anyway after leaving the drive in at midnight, I realized how crazy I was because the kids had to be at our neighborhood's "Alex's Lemonade stand" at 8:00 this morning. What was I thinking?

Since the Lemonade stand is just opposite of our house. I did let the kids sleep till 7:45 and sent them out the door with breakfast in hand. This is the kids second year helping with Alex's Lemonade stand and it will be something that we will either start or continue once we move to Florida. All proceeds goes towards the fight for childhood cancer. What a GREAT cause!!!


"I think Jonah is awake"


"Fighting Childhood Cancer one cup at a time"

While the kids were selling lemonade, I decided to mow the grass. It is funny how a little much needed rain can suddenly make dead grass or should I say weeds grow. However the grass would look better if I knew how to weedeat. I guess I'll be making some phone calls before my nap. Any takers? Well I have rambled on long enough. It is getting closer to lunch and then I think we all may take a nap or maybe I'll take the kids to the pool and I'll nap in a chair by the pool.

Fourth Of July

Courtney and I had a wonderful Fourth of July!!


On Monday, Courtney made these adorable flip flops with a matching ponytail holder. Does she look patriotic or what?


Since Jonah is at Bible camp and Phillip is in Florida, Courtney and I were invited to spend the Fourth with our adopted family (The Word's). Jason and Jonathan grilled hamburgers while the girls cooled off in the pool.


Firecracker Popsicles, YUM, YUM!!!!

After lunch and a short nap. We all gather up at Western for music by the B.G. Orchestra and a spectacular firework show. Several of our friends joined us for the music and fireworks. We had a wonderful time!!!
Lizzie, Courtney, & Rachel

Sweet Music to my Ears

Phillip and I feel so blessed to have two wonderful children who have a love for music. At the end of last year, Courtney decided that she wanted to learn how to play the piano. Well as most of us know, a piano is not a musical instrument that you can rent month by month, like you can a guitar or violin. Phillip and I were clueless as what to do, we could not just go out and buy one with the hopes of Courtney loving it and wanting to play forever. We let sometime go by and still Courtney would bring up the thought of learning how to play the piano. Little did we know that with the wait would come a piano given to us for Courtney from a wonderful couple at church and it is this piano that brings "sweet music" into our house along with Jonah's guitar. However, he is at camp this week so you only get pictures of our sweetpea. Today as Courtney was practicing, she was getting frustrated by the mistakes she was making, but in my ears all that I could hear was the sweet music that her little fingers were making.


Courtney has been a very quick learner and has a wonderful teacher whom we will miss dearly when we move. A few months ago for her daddy's birthday, Courtney asked her teacher to write out the notes to "Happy Birthday" so that she could play it for Phillip. What a sweet and wonderful daughter she is.

Oh Where, Oh Where, Has Our Little Dog Gone,......

.......Oh Where, Oh Where, Could He Be!!!! We are so sad! It seems that sometime over the weekend, either our dog Sam ran away or someone took him. When I went to feed the dogs this morning I could not find Sam and he is usually the one laying around waiting on his food. I know this sounds horrible but I do not remember exactly when I saw him last. On Sunday, I was in bed all day with a migraine, so Courtney put the food out for the dogs that morning and since I did not get out of the house, I did not miss Sam. I remember seeing Penelope Saturday night when some friends left after scrapbooking but I do not remember seeing Sam. The last time that I can clearly remember seeing Sam is when they showed the house on Friday. I always put the dogs in their kennel when the house is being shown. And for the record, Yes, I have checked the laundry room. However, we are all so sad. He hardly ever strays away from the house and if he does, he only goes to our neighbors house and back. We miss him and hope to find him soon. By the way, I just took these pictures of Courtney and Sam only a week ago. She loves this dog and do all of us.

Father's Day with a SPLASH

Due to the craziness (I think that would be an appropriate word) of our life, we celebrated Father's Day, a day early since Phillip is leaving for Ocala tomorrow after lunch. (He will be gone for 12 days, so please remember all of us in your prayers.)

Phillip and Keith thought that we should spend a relaxing afternoon at the pool and order pizza for supper. Which was easy for J.P. and myself since pizza did not involve anything except for ordering and paying and also I think the guys did not feel like grilling out. With Phillip be out of town a lot during the week, the kids and I are usually at the pool without him, so today was his time to swim with the kids and watch Courtney do her "new thing".

We are so proud of Courtney's recent accomplishment. Since spending the afternoon with her friend Reagan on Tuesday, Courtney has overcome her fear and thinks nothing about going off of the high dive now. Thank you Reagan! In fact since Tuesday, Courtney has went off the high dive about 30 times.

WAY TO GO, COURTNEY!!!

She takes a bounce on the diving board.......

And she is off the diving board.......

in mid-air, nothing under her feet except for the water below..........

SPLASH!!!! In the water she goes, holding her nose, with her cheeks puffed with air.

Jonah, again our no fear kid, loves to do front flips off the diving board. We do feed him, I promise (look at his ribs).

A true workout.
Poor Keith did not get to rest with Jonah and Tyler around. Both of them talked Keith into throwing them up in the air numerous of times.

Well I hope that all fathers,
rather this is your first or like my dad this is his

44Th Father's Day, I wish all of you,

the best Father's day ever!!!!!

A Day at the Zoo

Well, just like several of my friends, we have recently made a trip to the zoo also. A few weeks ago we had to be in Nashville to pick Phillip up from the airport at 8 in the evening. So the kids and I decided to make a day of the trip to Nashville. Our first stop was shopping (of course this was for mom and not the kids), then we picked up lunch before heading to the skate park in Nashville. Jonah had been bugging me to take him for some time now, his goal is to skate at the park in Nashville and Louisville before we move (one down and one to go). The park was very nice and not nearly as crowed as the one here in B.G. There were nice benches and plenty of shade.

After the skate park we headed to the zoo. The last time that we were at the Nashville Zoo, it was lacking a lot. However, the zoo has made some improvements and it is becoming a nice zoo. All the animals were out and about which is nice, who wants to pay $$ to see animals sleep. While feeding the Lorikeets, one thought that my curly hair would make a good nest (how fun that was). Jonah and Courtney enjoyed watching the Meerkats and of course every kids favorite attraction at the Zoo is the huge jungle gym. I wonder sometimes if we go to the zoo for the animals or to act like an animal.

Can you call Lorikeets, Lovebirds?

I paid a lot of money (ha! ha!)
to get this giraffe to stand behind the kids!!


The elephants cost even more money to pose with Jonah
and Courtney since there were three of them.

I guess our next big adventure before we move will be the skate park and the zoo in Louisville.

Beach Bums

It has taken me a while to journal this trip and I have had several friends ask me when was I going to post some pictures. Well, let me just say again I took a few too many pictures but this year there was no film like last year so I should be able to be a little more selective when I go to print (isn't digital great) and scrapbook this trip. Speaking of scrapbooking, Alicia and I found a great scrapbooking store at the beach. It was awesome!!! Thanks Jason and Phillip for letting us have "our time".


We had another beautiful week at Gulf Shores with the Sowders. The kids enjoyed the pool as well as the beach. We again dug the infamous hole, which was a popular hit with our kids as well as any of the kids and adults walking by. This year we decided to take bigger shovels so it was easier and faster to dig the "infamous hole".

We spent several nights crab hunting which is a favorite with the kids. Courtney and Jonah enjoyed playing in the waves with their boogie boards and Jonah enjoyed riding some waves on his skim board. We buried the kids in the sand and the girls were tickled when Jonah would take in a deep breath and the sand on top of his chest would move. Jonah met a boy at the pool who lived in our subdivision (what a small world), they had a good time playing together. Again, we ate lunch at LuLu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister Lucy's restaurant), played putt putt, ate ice cream not frozen yogurt and took the challenge of getting that perfect picture on the beach. Speaking of which I am very pleased with our pictures this year even though the wind was horrible the night that we decided to take them.

Yes, we decided to go with tan and navy this year and I was very pleased.

Our family