[Insert clever title HERE]

I'm a blogger. There, I said it.

But do my mindless ramblings every few months really qualify me as a blogger? Whose idea was it to blog? Isn't it kind of like sharing your journal/diary with the world wide web? I think that maybe when I have kids I'll blog more... you think? Or maybe I won't, because I'll have even less time! Or not, depends on if I'm working after we start a family...

I always thought I would be a stay-at-home mom like my own Mom was. My mom is a great mom, and I really appreciated the time we spent together when I was growing up. She was always home when I got off the bus, she was there at school to volunteer, she took me to practices and friends houses... it was great!! I think that maybe she's even the reason that tulips are my favorite flower. When I was in sixth grade, my school changed to year-round and we were on a "track" system. I would go to school for 9 weeks, then had 3 weeks off. (Summer break could be longer than that depending on what track you were on... I was on B track). Anyway, on my fall break in October, mom and I planted tulips together. We didn't tell anyone else in the family, it was our little secret until Spring time. So when I started to see the tulips peek through the ground, I was so excited!! Something mom and I had done together was blooming, and I didn't have to keep the secret anymore!! So fun!! Mom and I went to lunch together all the time on my breaks, shopping, movies... we saw "Cool Runnings" together in the theater. I felt so special.

So that all being said, I know the advantages to being a stay-at-home mom--from a kid's perspective, anyway. But as John and I start trying to have a family, and I've just accepted my dream job (more on that to come...) I'm hesitant to make that decision right now. Who's to say that when Junior pops his/her head out, that I won't eat up every minute of those 12 weeks off, but decide to continue working? I know there are advantages to kids being in day care too (if the day care is right, that is). I mean, kids can be more social, learn more in that kind of environment, develop leadership skills, etc. I know, they can also pick up other kids' bad habit and sicknesses, but still. Weigh the pros and cons and figure out what's best for you and your family... that's what we'll do. But then, I could also see that sweet little face, tiny little fingers and toes, hear that cooing and decide to never pick up that briefcase again.

God only knows.... really.

Now where did I leave that...?

Blog! I have a blog!?

Yes, I've been a little absent, and I apologize. There has been so much going on lately, and while I've thought to myself "that might be int'resting to blog about," I don't do it. Obviously.

I've barely kept up on my Facebooking...!!

So, here I am. I'll fill in some of the gaps, and there may be more to come later...

As of January 15, 2009, our house is FOR SALE. For the past almost three months, we've kept it clean, uncluttered, and open to any prospecting clients and agents. It's exhausting. For someone who has sold a house before, you know what I'm talking about. But I have never done this, and am about done WITH it!! Our contract is up with our realtor next week and we are currently trying to decide whether to go another month on the market or settle in and stay.

Let's back up a little, though... Just before this, John and I drove around Highlands Ranch looking at houses to get ideas of what we might like and what's out there. We didn't expect to walk through and fall in LOVE with any houses along the way. But after driving around for a few hours grabbing flyers and not seeing ANY Open House signs, we were ready to call it a day. Heading towards the road to the highway, I spotted a sign for an Open House and John made a quick u-turn!! We walked in, and before even seeing half of the house, we both declared that this was "it." We had found our next home. I walked around that house for about 45 minutes decorating it in my mind and placing our furniture in every room. My parents even came by to see it. Seriously, I was ready to move in. The only obstacle here was selling our house first (we cannot afford to take on two mortgages!)

So that brings us back to today: on the market with no offers. We've had close to 40 showings, with two interested parties coming back for a second showing. Still no offers. (sigh) I have to think that maybe God has a plan for us to stay here a little longer. The feedback we've received is mostly cosmetic, but helpful. We've started to make improvements, and will continue to do so whether we stay or sell, and that can only help us down the road when we try to sell again. I don't see us being on the 20-year plan in this house, but maybe the 2-3 year plan wouldn't be the worst thing.

We LOVE our neighbors (this is them plowing our driveway!):

...and have family and friends up North here that we wouldn't want to leave... (But I know that we'd see them just as much as we do now even if we moved South of Denver.) So, we'll wait for our contract to end with our realtor and decide the next move then (no pun intended).

In the meantime, this house...Home Sweet Home... is getting a make-over!!