To Those Who Wait......

The foreclosure is officially back on the market! Whew!!!!

As most of you know, I have been literally stalking my dream house since June. A house that just happens to be listed way below market value, in a great neighborhood, full of kids, with a large front porch, and a huge back yard. It's a foreclosure so these things take a while.

Well, last week, after months of waiting for it, the bank finally listed the house and we made our offer. And, so did someone else!!! Someone who offered more than we did and the bank accepted their offer. I was mortified!!!! Our hopes were ALL in that ONE house, the one that we have been waiting for all this time. We have our new carpet, kitchen cabinets, and counter tops picked out. The kids have already chosen their rooms and décor. This was heart breaking.

For the next five days, we sadly began looking at other homes on the market and of course nothing compared. Our marriage was challenged for sure. I wanted a big kitchen, Mike wanted a media room, I wanted a big yard, Mike wanted a pool. It was frustrating. Very frustrating.

But, after much aggravation and no new place to call home, I received a wonderful phone call. The first offer to the bank fell thru and the house was ours if we wanted it. Do I still want it?! What? The last time I answered YES that fast was when Michael proposed. Patience truly is a virtue and I believe that if something is meant to be, it will be. Our prayers were definitely answered.

I can’t wait to get moved in and make this our home.

Truly A Pampered Chef

Today has sure been a rough one! I don't understand why Thursdays have to be so crazy. Yes, all the kids have overlapping soccer practice on Thursday evenings but between two parents, we can sure juggle it. Somehow Thursdays have become my domesticated day as well. The whole house needs to be spotless and all the laundry needs to be washed and folded. I have to have the kids packed for practice and all uniforms for Saturday games have to be clean and ready to go. I sure need a little help on Thurdays and am not afraid to admit it.

Now with that being said, I want to share this great recipe that the pampered chef has introduced me to. I bought the deep dish baker last year and my family has had many meals prepared by this awesome stone baking dish. It works like a crock pot but you can use it in the microwave and have home cooked meals in less than half an hour, including prep time. I love it!!!!

It’s the Easy Tortellini Toss made with cheese tortellini, spinach, and ham. Yes, spinach!!!! And my kids always ask for seconds. Tonights Thursday dinner was delicious, fast, and not picked up from a drive thru window. It's the little things on Thursday evenings that really help!!!

Happy Wife, Happy Life

The keys to domestic bliss may include commitment, compromise, and communication, but if you want to keep this little wife really happy it’s the little things that I suggest!

I could easily give you a list of things NOT to do, but that’s just common sense. So, my dear husband, instead I thought I would just give you a list of the to do’s that will make me a happy little wife.

-Please pick your laundry up off the bathroom floor.

-Speaking of the bathroom….the last thing I want to come home to, at the end of a busy shift (with a full bladder) is the toilet seat up and an empty toilet paper roll. Very. Frustrating.

- Take the garbage out. There should not be bad odors in the same room that I prepare our meals. Seriously.

-Write your gorgeous wife a love letter once in a while. Texts and e-mails are totally appreciated, but not nearly as romantic.

-Kiss me hello and goodbye every time you see me! Every. Single. Time. You know, like you used to.

-Turn the television off, sometimes. I gladly appreciate the Jets, Yankees, & Gators but, I think our TV needs some rest every now and then. Just sayin.

-Remember that Golf may be fun, but those clubs won’t keep you warm at night.

-And sometimes take a turn being the bad guy with the kids.

Sigh….. It’s been almost 12 years so you must be doing something right…but it’s the little things that will get us through the next 50 years.

Love Ya!

Must Not Stress

Today I was lost in thought about the hundred little things that had to be done before Monday!

The ever-growing list of "must do items" was overwhelming.

The laundry. It looks like a small bomb went off in the laundry room. The pantry is overflowing with all of my recent coupon deals and needs some serious organization, it's Labor Day weekend and I must get a list together for a BBQ we are going to, I have items waiting for me at the dry cleaners and I have two overdue movies from blockbuster that seriously need to be returned, and don't even get me started on the garage.

This year I volunteered to help out at the kids school, made myself available to work 2 days a week, and joined a mom group. It’s crazy, every time my iPhone goes ping ping new message I jump! ughhhh

As these thoughts seemed to take over when, I told myself to consider the things that I did today that really matter.

Today, I have a son that has developed a love for sports and always keeps me on my toes, a daughter who is adjusting very well to middle school and making tons of friends, another daughter who is almost out of her braces and a great asset to her soccer team and, a hot Starbucks in my hand and a new found addiction to Twitter.

Laundry, lists, party planning, PTA, will eventually get done. It always does.

So, tonight I will turn my phone off, make some hot chocolate and have a game of scrabble while my Hubby's is distracted by Football. I confess it is the only way I can beat him.

I must be getting old because this kind of day, it thrills me to no end.