For anyone who might wonder-NO I didn't cry, but I did tear up as we left the bank. I hugged the mortgage originator and realtor. I wonder how often that happens, but these ladies have worked so hard for us on this repo house. I don't think I freaked the realtor out-we've talked so often lately she'd taken to calling him "Hon".
More later..
Jennifer

Praise God!!! Its a done deal; Frankie and I are no longer parkies. We have a lot of work to do at the new house, but we are on our way. We have never ever lived in a house since we've been married just apartments and mobile homes;mostly mobile homes. While I've been very thankful to have a roof over hour heads -a house will be WONDERFUL!!!! Not only is it our 1st home purchase,but we are almost doubling the size of where we live now and we have a fenced in back yard (no kidding), & a double attached garage (we've never had a garage before either!!!). So it will be very tight financially the next two yrs with afterschool care and a few loans we are paying off, but then we should be well on our way :))) I'm just very thankful for the chance to feel like a member of a real community. We live rual route now; so even though there are a few nice kids for Jewel to play with; that's really it. We have tons of rules about what type of plants we can have and a no swing set rule,etc, etc so it will be nice to have a swing set and a clothing line (we can't have one where we live now). Cannon and I have great plans for a garden. We live right around the corner from our wonderful friends Missy and family. We can walk "up town" there is a very small,but nice downtown area. We are pretty close to one park and the post office!!! I have my walking route all mapped out so hopefully we can get moved in before the junky winter weather arrives. I just can't express how happy we are. I know there will be stresses and extra work with the change, but I would be excited to even move into a larger mobile home- the fact that we have a yard and all the reasons stated above just make it sublime. Someone replied to me,"Well moving into a house will not solve all of your problems". Duh no really? But we are happy and feel very blessed. We can provide Cannon and Jewel with their own rooms, organize based on their needs and personalities, and provide a yard for them to run around in. We have a paved drive way!!!!!!!
I want to extend a sincere thank you to many of you who prayed for us!!!!!!!!! I want to thank our families in advance for all the hands they will lend us and skills they will teach us.

Love,
Jennifer

Gorgeous weekend! The kids and I had a good weekend . Frankie worked all weekend. Saturday-major cleaning and errands. We did get to meet up with Missy and fam at Valentino's; which was good food and great to visit with them. Missy has been super busy with work so we hadn't seen them in quite awhile. Our kids get along famously and Cannon cornered Nate to talk Star Wars, etc. so all was well with the world.
My auto immune disease acted up Sunday morning so I was sick and grumpy. I had to cancel Sunday School so I hope the kids made it through the day without their treats :). Later Sunday afternoon I forced myself to get up and moving. The kids ate lunch with Missy's kids (ask Cannon about Missy's famous homemade pizza-the crust is to DIE for). Since both our hubbies were working we joined forces. We went to the Antique Carousel in Story City which was fun. Then the girls opted out of swimming to play Polly Pockets at Missy's so Cannon and I returned to S.City for swimming. Okay, it was more water play than swimming, but I impressed Cannon by swimming the length of the pool. Cannon nor I had been swimming all summer and due to the fact that the pools around here close next weekend we figured this was our chance. I'm so glad we did !!! We goofed around and had a really fun time. It was good to see Cannon relaxed and silly instead of serious or forboding. At first, the water was shockingly cold,but soon the water felt refreshing not cold. How on Earth did Cannon and I let all of summer escape us without at least one trip to the pool? The weekends that Frank works I try to complete several extra chores because I feel bad that Frank is working. Sometimes he then gets the next 2 days off and othe times he is working extra days-either way I tend to really feel bad and push myself to get several chores done. Then I get grumpy b/c I feel like I'm working all of the time too. Frank told me to relax and do something fun with the kids before it gets cold so..
I know I was not as graceful as "back in the day", but I made it. Man, we need to get that kid some swimming lessons.
Had a fun chat with Sara Saturday a.m. Also Saturday a.m. I completed my initial allergy "immune therapy" shots ;which swelled up and turned hot and funny colors. Now I am at a maintenance level unless I start getting sinus infections or asthma attacks again. YEAH!!! I'm free I'm free.
Frank and I are going to try to at least take the kids to Adventurland since we haven't journeyd out of town all summer-we didn't even go to a family movie. Oh well.
The house situation may be heating up! Keep praying all.
I succeeded in getting Jewel hooked on Family Ties. Poor Frank. I think he is going to start a support group for husbands/fathers of people addicted to classic sitcoms. Jewel hasn't become fascinated with The Waltons yet-I'm working on her. She watched the series until the truly intense Christmas show when Elizabeth's only present -the china doll- gets smashed. Does anyone other than me remember this episode?
Okie.. still pecking at Eldest page by page. Cannon thinks I take "forever" ,but I'm not devoting myself to Eldest like he does (I've got Mom stuff to do too).
Work has been crazy, crazy busy. This afternoon was "normal" UGH I'm thankful.
Smiles and God's Blessings to you all.
Jennifer

Excited! Sometimes I think I'm a little kid who really didn't grow up:). Happy Anniversary to Katie and Bill!!! Frank and I are celebrating our anniversary by eating at Bennigan's ! This restaurant serves an incredible black bean burger in a Guinness sauce with very thinly chopped, deep-fat fried onions. It is so fabulous!!! that I didn't finish my mashed potatoes or order dessert. For those of you who know me, have ever talked to me or eaten a meal or snack with me my preferences are obvious (back to the not grown up thing:) ). Frank has given me little presents and/or written me notes all week long. I'm overcome by his romantic gestures and so excited for tonight I can hardly focus on my projects here at work.
The house we are trying to buy is coming along very slowly. It didn't pass inspection, but we think things are being worked on-its a weird deal since the house is a repo. Keep praying everyone!!! Hopefully, we will be moved by Christmas. Also pray the mobile home will sell :) Whenever I freak out Frank reminds me its all in God's hand and in God's time; I forget that. My mother-in-law is helping our children decorate their rooms-she might need to start drinking alcohol soon :) Neither of my children have ever lived in an actual house and Jewel has never had her own room so they are jazzed to say the least. I heard rumors of a fabulous surprise from Aunt Sara and Aunt Katie and Uncle Bill so I wonder what they are up to:0

I would like to give a shout-out to Carmen (a.k.a. evil cartoonist-which is an odd moniker considering how sweet this guy is-a dry, sometimes off-color sense of humor yes,but such a good soul). anyhoo.. Carmen have you read Eragon or Eldest? I believe you would enjoy them. Cannon and I fighting for custody of Eldest, but i won b/c Frank bought the book for ME. Cannon checked it out from the library and already read the book-so he can wait until I'm done. It is bad enough Cannon has read Eragon in excess of 4 times and so Frank hasn't had a chance to read it yet.

Cannon has been sick with his asthma and a cold; seems better today.

I tried to walk some quick laps around our street last night, but after 20 minutes the wet air drove me inside. This stupid weather has not only been hot, but the dampness has aggravated my asthma. My inhalers make me more hyper than ususal: junkers. Oh well.

Okie--
I must actually finish projects now.

Smiles and enjoy the cooler weather.

Offend. Well I hope I didn't offend anyone with my H.P. story. For many years I myself banned H.P. on the basic premise of "There are many good books to read that have nothing questionable in them and I'm not so sure on all this wizardy business". Frank and Cannon begrudlingly obliged. Then.. during a random conversation with one of our church's deacon's wife-who happens to also be a on the Iowa Board of juevnile fiction guild-made a comment about the books. I must confess I was shocked. So I questioned her about the books, J.K. herself, etc. I still had misgivings. Then I found out my sis-in-laws family-all of whom are strong Christians- were reading the series. My interest was piqued, but I was still very guarded (I'm pretty old school on some things-I don't regret that I just tread very cautiously with many things or avoid them altogether). I came across a book by a father (John Granger) who was also very conservative and read the 1st H.P. book to outline in great detail his reasonings for taking the book away from his 11 yr old dau. He then went on to explain the difference b/t invocational magic and incantational magic. I'm not saying this to offend or convince anyone; each person must and should act on their own convictions and leading of the Holy Spirit. Frank and Cannon read the books together and had many discussions-this is the route our family agreed to. In fact, a week ago Cannon left a friend's house b/c his friend wanted to play a game involving demons and Cannon was leery of this. So I believe we have gotten the correct message across to him. anyway.. those are our thoughts- I hope I didn't offend anyone.
Smiles,
Jennifer