What a month July was.....

What a month! What a totally crazy, busy, sad, exciting month!

First, we found out that we had a purchase agreement on our house. We made a counter offer and they accepted it. So, we get to keep the washer and dryer and the ceiling fans from the kids' rooms. They are also paying us $3000 more than they originally offered, but it is still significantly lower than our asking price as it is FHA and we have to pay closing costs for them as well as for us. We did have to have Joe come over and do some repairs based on the inspection. We had to buy $158 worth of aluminum, caulk, and nails for him to rip the aluminum and attach it below where the siding ended to better waterproof the foundation. At least that was the only fix that needed to be done.

Then, I found out that our closing day would be July 22. I had a week to get the house prepared and moved. Luckily, Tina, Brad and Don came to help us pack and move from Reformers Unanimous. Also, Mom, Dad, and Carolyn came over to help as well. It took us a full 7 days to get everything packed and to the two storage facilities. They are both VERY full. It also convinced me that we definitely need a moving company to move us from Saginaw to Georgia. I was very lucky, though, that Sue let us take the kids to her house while we did the packing, moving and cleaning. Without them gone for those last 6 days, we would have never been able to accomplish what we did. I was left only with Keegan which was work enough. It was hard to be without the kids...they were fine, though, after the first night. I was glad that I was so busy and thus so tired at the end of the day which allowed me not to dwell on the fact that they were gone.

Now, I am shuffling between my mom and dad's house and Sue and Chris's house. It is so funny being with Mom and Dad as even as a married, 32 year old with 4 kids, Mom still makes me feel like a kid. She cooks, cleans, does my laundry and just generally takes care of me. Dad takes the kids on walks, to the zoo, to the playground and outside to play basketball which gives me a break. At my MIL's, I guess since I didn't grow up in the house, it feels different. I love my MIL as a mom, but it is still less comfortable. Of course, it doesn't help that there are two other kids over each day so that the house is full of 2 adults, 1 7-year old, 1 6.5-year old, 1 5-year old, 1 2.5-year old, 1 20-month old, and 1 11-week old. So, the two of us are outnumbered 3:1! Keeps us both pretty busy. But I am comfortable enough to cook lunches, dinners, do laundry, straighten up and just live like this is almost my house. I guess Sue talked to my mom the other day and they said they would share us so that we would spend 2 weeks in Saginaw and 2 weeks in Battle Creek! LOL! I guess they both need a break from the 5 of us!

Trav is busy out looking at houses. It is pretty scary but also exciting. We won't be able to get the best schools nor the largest house on our budget, but I am sure that we can find something that will be perfect for us. I am trying to not spend a lot right now so that this month we spend without a house payment and utilities, that we can save the money toward moving or a down payment. I would love to win the lottery about now so that I could stop worrying about finances, help out my sister so they could move, help out my BIL so they could get their house renovations done, Eric and Beth to get them out of the hole, and my MIL to help them get out of debt too. That will never happen, but it is a nice dream!

I am now going back to help with the 6 kids. Been at the computer looking through houses and messing around long enough.

My first appointment update, etc.

Yuck! This day started out pretty sucky!!! First, I had to wake Braden up to ride with me to take the kids to school. Then, on the way home from taking them, about 2 blocks from home, I popped a tire. I called AAA and managed to still get to my appointment on time about an hour later after walking home in 40 degree weather with Braden and I without coats. What a fun morning!!! Ugghhhh!!!!

My appointment wasn't at all what I expected. I was expecting a physical with pap and all but all we did was weight, BP, pee test, and go over my bloodwork results. Nothing special. I spilled a lot of protein today, though, so I have to go back to the lab sometime this coming week and do another test for them to double check. They want to be sure if I am getting a urinary tract infection or anything like that that they treat it immediately. She said it is very important to catch them early. I have never had this problem before so I am not sure what is going on. I also talked to her about my concerns over this pregnancy being high risk and moving, selling the house, etc. She told me she wanted me to meet with the doctor next Tuesday morning so that we could discuss what he feels is best for the baby and I. I won't be at all surprised if he says I need to stay here for the duration of my pregnancy and avoid stress as much as possible. That is nearly impossible since Trav is gone, I am stuck packing/prepping the house for sale, taking care of the kids, doing all house/yardwork, etc. My life right now is the definition of stress! Which is what terrifies me as I know that the reason I had all the problems with Braden's birth is stress. I was under horrible stress at work with converting from working FT at the office and going to 3 hours at the office and the rest at home along with taking care of 2 kids under 4 years old and being 7 months pregnant. Totally not fun!!! I just hope that things go well this time. I guess I just have to put it all in God's hands. He is the one who made this pregnancy happen so He must have a reason. Everyone says that there is a reason for everything. There must be. I hope that this baby is a complete blessing for our family and that all goes well and we end up with a gorgeous baby boy or girl and a healthy mom in the end.

I did manage to get the tire fixed on the car today after the appointment, ran to Walmart VERY quickly, and rented the storage unit. So, at least I did get some things accomplished. Also found out that not only one tire, but two needed fixing/replacing. Guess I was driving on an almost completely flat tire besides the one that actually popped! It is so hard with that car to know when the tires are getting low.

Took the kids to McDonald's tonight to play and eat. Braden ended up coughing so hard he threw up all over the floor there. So, needless to say, we left quickly. He seems fine now so I hope it was just because he was running around so much that he couldn't help but cough. I am almost sure he has asthma though he seems to still be fighting that cold. I hope he can kick it for good really soon and the rest of us can avoid getting it.

It is almost bedtime so I will end for now. Hopefully nothing else will happen tonight. Tomorrow should be a busy day as the women will be here to pack/clean and Tony will be here to work on the phone stuff and hopefully finish it up. Guess I won't get out of the house tomorrow. Oh well, there is plenty here to keep me busy!

Tuesday update

Well, it was a pretty boring day overall. Ashton and Braden were home with me so we really just hung out at home and relaxed. I did get some laundry done, but that was it. I guess I just needed a break after Monday's packing day. I have planned to do errands on Wednesday as long as Beth is willing to watch Ashton after school. I love those days as it gives me all day to just have Braden and I tend to get most of my errands/shopping done that day. Glad that we have the arrangement that we have.

Tony came over and worked on the phone system again and finally got it figured out. The next day he is here, he will put the finishing touches on it and get all the rest of the wall units in place. I am glad that things are getting done so that we can get this house listed and sold. But, it is kind of like having Joe around in that his schedule is so demanding that it seems to take forever to get things done. Oh well, at least, like I said, they are getting done even if it is taking a while. I am so anxious to move and be with my husband again. Today I was pretty sappy and had to call Trav to gush all over the place to him. At least he knows that I totally miss him and love him.

Tomorrow I have my appointment with the nurse at the OB/GYN. I am kind of anxious and scared about the bloodwork that was done and about what she can tell me. Hopefully all will be well and I can relax a bit. I really don't think that I will relax through this whole pregnancy, though. I just hope that the baby and I make it through with our health intact.

Week in Review - October 16-22, 2007

October 16 - Got the confirmation from Dr's office that the test came back positive. Her exact words, "Karen, you are VERY pregnant! Congratulations!". I thought that was a funny way of saying it. Wondering if she said that as I was further along than most people when they find out and so my HcG count was higher. Also went in for some bloodwork from my OB/GYN. Will find out more about the results when I have my appointment next Wednesday. Talked to Trav today and he said that he hopes I am not either on the rag or able to get pregnant when he comes to visit. Surprise coming to him, eh?

October 17 - Had my nephew and both boys today. Went to Mom and Dad's for help in switching Braden's carseat around. Ended up cleaning out the whole car. Started thinking about how nice it will be to have a van!!! Also, mom made a comment when I was talking to Casey and getting her to smile that, "you definitely don't need another one of those!" Talk about putting a knot in my stomach!!! Uggh!!! Not looking forward to telling Mom and Dad anymore than I am Trav.

October 18 - Had a crappy day as Braden is sick so I was doing breathing treatments every 4 hours and giving meds. Hope that he gets better soon.

October 19 - Braden is worse. Today met with a real estate agent. Not sure who we will ultimately list with. Liked her, though. Also today I had an appointment with Fr. Jim. Hoped that he could bring me some peace, insight and prayers. He did just that. I left feeling so much better! Carolyn came and watched the boys while I went. Ashton got to hang out with Uncle Eric and Zachary after school and went to lunch. It was nice not having all three of them here this morning. I was motivated and got some packing done. Went to the mall in the evening and had fun. The kids enjoyed it. Was able to pick up some things that I have been needing.

October 20 - Had almost every neighborhood child over. Did get to go to Scott and Kim's in the evening to enjoy a fire and smores. It was a lot of fun! It was fun to get out and just enjoy some adult company. Braden is still sick. Wish he could get over this cold. Cleaned the toilet and got sick from doing so! This morning sickness sucks!

October 21 - Today Sue, Chris and Cameron came to visit. They gave the kids their birthday gifts. The kids loved the gifts and had a blast playing with Cameron, Caelyn, Austin, Jordan and Isaac. Went to dinner at Old Country Buffet and ran into Mom, Dad, Tia Juana, and Uncle Jim. That was funny. It was nice that they got to see eachother. The kids did great at dinner - well, acted great but really were too distracted to eat much. Braden is still sick. I am getting exhausted being up all night giving him treatments. Not sure how much more I can take. Hoping that tonight I can get some sleep!

October 22 - Today, Kim called and offered a couple ladies to help pack. I was so excited to have some help!!! We got so much done!!!! Got a lot of the kitchen stuff packed as well as a lot of the scraproom stuff packed. Did at least 15 boxes. I made them stuffed manicotti, tossed salad, and cheesecake for lunch. They seemed to like it. It was nice to cook for other adults again for once. Also had Zachary over and he played with Ashton and Braden until I had to pick Madison up from school. Caelyn came over when I had to run him home/pick up Madison so that the ladies could stay and continue to work. Tony came over and did some work around the house. I am really starting to see some improvement with things. Can't wait to see the house "show ready"!

That was my week. Trying to at least write something each day. Just don't get on the computer all that much anymore. Wonder why????