358 Days

(Thanks in advance for the therapy *grin.*)
This is the number of days our house has been on the market now. It is actually being shown tonight, in about 30 minutes. We are beginning the rental process and will take that option soon to supplement the mortgage payment. It will not pay the mortgage but it will hopefully pay 2/3. Here is our listing. Realtor.com If you know anyone who is in the market for a new home, we would really appreciate the referral.

Over the 4th of July, the kids and I drove to Omaha again. Grandma Chris spent a lot of time with the kids while I did some work on the house. After working hard, I sat on the back porch one afternoon. We lived on the top of the hill so I was able to soak up the sun and look out over the entire neighborhood. Until I lived in that house, I always referred to 'home' as my parents' house. This house was home and so much more to me. Those walls held millions of memories from our new lives together. My new life with Joe and our new lives with both children. I was heartbroken, welling up with tears, as I sat there reflecting on backyard BBQs, sledding through the snow in the yard, late night card games, holidays, the children that came to play each day, and all the love, comfort and security of the life we lived there. How could someone not want a place I wanted so much? I know now it is not that people don't want 'my' house, they just don't want the house. And really, the market for homes outside of the 'first time home buyers range' in Omaha have not had any traffic in the current economy. I truly try to be optimist about the whole situation. The truth is, I feel lost. Lost is an anxiety filled, uncomfortable feeling for me. I wonder if we made the right choice to move, and if we should even be trying to sell the house. I find it difficult to be consistently faithful despite the long wait. I do understand that everything will work out and that this too shall pass...things always do. During the interlude, I am searching for strength and peace, and would appreciate your prayers and thoughts.

Although this is not the typical tone of our blog, I really do appreciate those of you who took the time to read about our struggle. I know so many have it so much worse and that we are very fortune and bountifully blessed in our lives.

Here are some pictures of a couple of things I was able to get done.

Giveaways to Get in On

I have two great giveaways for you this week.


How darling are these shoes? Story of a Princess is having a great giveaway for your choice of shoes from See Kai Run. They make comfortable, flexible rubber soled shoes for babies and toddlers (both girls and boys, although I only posted pix of little guy kicks) Click the Story of a Princess link above for more information and how you can enter to win. P.S. These shoes are on the wish list for Boston's first pair of shoes. :)

Are you ready for the VIZIO Million Dollar Event? Turns out it has been going on for a few months now, and I just found out about it. So, I'm sharing with you. Here is the scoop, click the link above to enter to win a 55" VIZIO LCD HGTV worth $1999.99. (One entry per household. The sooner you enter the more chances you have.) 17 TVs will be given away each week until August 14th, 2009. (24 TVs will be given away on the last week.) We all need one of these TVs before football season right?

Giveaways to Get in On

The Story of a Princess and Her Hair is giving away a $200 flat iron on her site this month. This site has been one of my main sources of inspiration when styling Cambry's hair. There are tons of ways to enter. Check it out!


I ♥ Faces is having an AMAZING giveaway this week! (Although their giveaway are always super cool and really generous, I especially love the art form this week.) Here are a couple of examples of the art pieces created from regular photographs by the artists at All Pop Art . Visit this I ♥ Faces page to find out how to enter to win a piece of art of your own. Oh, and make sure to add a couple of these to my wish list. :)

Add it to the Wish List

Ever since our horrible experience at a box store portrait studio for Cambry's one week photos, I have been interested in photography. Okay, so it really began as just an interest in taking cute photos of my children and saving money. Joe had bought me a digital camera earlier that year for my birthday. It wasn't until about a year later that I actually began to learn about my camera, its functions, etc. When I was pregnant with Boston, I really had my heart set on a new camera. My point and shoot was great, compact and went everywhere in my purse or pocket. However, I became quite interested in the more advanced functions and lens options of other cameras. My mom surprised me on my birthday last year with another point and shoot - an updated version of what I currently had. This point and shoot has slightly more megapixels, some extra functions, and a greater aperture range. I have learned even more about my camera and captured some great shoots with it. But now, more than ever, I am wishing we get to the point, financially, where I can purchase a Canon Rebel XSi. I have shopped cameras to death since I moved to Houston. This particular Canon has all of the functions I have come to love (and hundreds more), is compatible with all Canon lenses - plus others, is moderate in price range (for an amateur), and is something I could have and grow with for years and years to come. My trusty point and shoot would stay by my side too; you never know when you need a backup.

It's a dream anyways. :) Back to play with my point-and-shoot for now. Thanks for stopping by.