Gotcha!!!

Here is Ming-Ming (Or Tinkerbelle, Ava keeps jumping between the two names)! She was born on May 19th and will be able to come home with us in two weeks. We are so excited for her to join our family we can hardly stand it!!!!

I had you all fooled didn't I! Thank you for all the phone calls and kind comments, no more children for me (that I know of or plan on having), I am just trying to become that crazy dog lady!

We are expecting!

I know, I know,
4 kids is a bit crazy but we are so excited we can hardly stand it! Stay tuned for pictures and more info.

Hello from the woman who fell off the face of the blogging world...

Has it really been TWO months since my last post????
I will tell you I was in a funk. I have a week and a half break before classes start again and I am loving it. I didn't do so hot in Microbiology and Geology but who in their right mind takes those classes together! I am more disappointed because I know I could have gotten A's in both of them, but I slacked off and didn't do the work. I think it was that eye opener that I was needing to get motivated again.
I have been battling depression for the last year or so and have finally found a medication that works for me. Zoloft is my new best friend. I have a new outlook on life, I enjoy each day much more than I did before. I didn't realize just how bad it was until my hubby was working away from home for a week and I didn't have a breakdown. Wow, my poor kids, my poor husband, I was not in good shape. I am finally getting my head above water and feel like I can breathe again.
One thing that I have noticed is that I am growing stronger in my faith. I actually sat down and started reading my Bible. I got motivated after our church's dedication of the new sanctuary. I really do think that I was in a cloud. I know that some people think that we should rely on our faith to get through the depressing times, and I was one of them. However, after being on this medication I realize that I was unable to tap into my faith in the condition I was in.
I am taking time to take care of my self lately. I am getting my nails done again, I need a haircut, but I will take care of that as soon as I find a new stylist. I am feeling better. I do need to eat better and exercise, but I am feeling more motivated to do that now.
I have been thinking about my ministry lately and I think that ministering to women is my calling. I don't think I am one of those super inspiring people, but I have the gift of telling it like it is. I am not afraid to help others by airing out my own flaws. None of us are perfect even though sometimes it feels like we are expected to be. I find joy in making other women feel comfortable by knowing they are not alone. With that I have decided to take on a little more responsibility in my MOPS group. Karen and the friends I have made through that group have inspired me to be a better woman in faith. Next year I will be in charge of coordinating speakers for our meetings. I am really excited for the responsibility and want to make this year a big open book type of year. The theme this year is adventures in motherhood, and I think that is the perfect theme for a group of moms. Motherhood IS an adventure, not all adventures are fun ones, some are the most trying times of our lives, but if we rely on our faith to help us through we will be onto the next fun adventure before we know it. I want my fellow moms to know that we aren't all Bree Vandecamps (she was actually far from perfect but put on a good facade...) there are many Susans and Lynettes out there, and we are just fine that way. (If you are not a Desperate Housewives Fan you will be lost...)

So ladies, with that this far from perfect woman promises not to stay away for so long.

Two Letters One Post

LETTER NUMBER ONE:
Dear Portland Man who Called My Husband and His Co-Workers Baby Killers,
I just wanted to bring something to your attention. I know that the other day when you were walking by Starbucks and spotted a few soldiers sitting there enjoying a cup of coffee that you couldn't help yourself but to call them baby killers. I am sure that you have some valid reason in your head for doing so, but I am here to bring you back to planet Earth. The three soldiers that you spoke to are not coming back from killing a bunch of babies as you said, instead they work the daily grind ensuring that you still have the right to speak the thoughts that enter your peanut sized brain. I almost said that you were uneducated, but the scary thing is you probably do have a college degree, and you might have also seen combat in your day. Unfortunately you may fall into the category of former soldiers (with saying the words you did you no longer can claim to be a veteran) who came back from a war and threw the real soldiers under the bus.
I would like to see how much you would like life if these so called baby killers had never existed to protect your freedom.
The American soldiers fighting in The Middle East are fighting against real baby killers. Have you heard of the Beslan Massacre in Russia? It was funded by Al Qaeda, babies were raped and killed in front of their parents and fellow students. Our soldiers are fighting to rid the world of those monsters, they are not monsters themselves.
I have been fortunate enough that my husband has not had to go to combat, but if he did I would be proud and would hold down the fort back here at home. Two of the men at that table have been on deployments and left their families at home while you got cozy in your organic sheets.
Why don't you get into a conversation with my friend who gave birth to her son a few months back and had her husband on a web cam from Iraq? I bet she would have a few choice words for you. What sacrifices have you made for this country that gives you freedom of speech lately? Have you sacrificed anything like this Oregon Native and his family, whom I worked with for two years? How about you get into a conversation with his wife who has been raising their son alone since his death a little over a year ago.
How about the next time a thoughtless comments boils up inside, you call and tell someone who is mindless enough to care. Or better yet why don't you find a country that will share your same sentiments.
Sincerely,
A Soldier's Wife and A Proud American

LETTER NUMBER TWO:
Dear Man on a Harley,
Dear Sir, I am not sure that you realize the thoughtfulness of your actions the other day. You rode up to Starbucks on your Harley and spotted three soldiers sitting enjoying a cup of coffee. You then proceeded to purchase them each a $25 gift card. What you may not have realized is that not five minutes before they had all been called baby killers by the mindless idiot I mention above. Sir you are a TRUE American, and I thank you for your kind heart. You are a true blessing.
Sincerely,
A Soldier's wife

Future Scientist?

Well Friends,
I thought it was time for an update in the world of Hosmerita. I have started another term after a break that was only a week (I hate Spring Break! It is way too short, throw some snow on it and it is enough to make me want to move!).
What is on the agenda for this term? Microbiology and Geology. I think my hubby's nerdy side has rubbed off on me, because I am super excited!
As for the house, we pulled it off the market. This market just really stinks and we really like our house. We didn't NEED a new house, we WANTED a new house. Besides, with bathrooms like these who needs to move!
The next update is that on a whim I dyed my hair. I did it myself and I will not post pictures today because well, I am still in my pjs and I am still wearing my mascara from yesterday, and under that mascara is my mascara from Tuesday. It is pretty dark seeing that Spring is supposedly here and Summer is just around the corner, but in celebration of our Wintery weather last week I am now a Light Chestnut (light my hiney!).
A suggestion when it comes to haircuts. When you call a certain salon located next to Winco at 4pm asking for an appointment that night be prepared for the JV Squad to be manning the shears. My hair cut isn't bad, just a little shorted than I wanted.
Ok enough rambling, I missed you all, hope you missed me too!

The Bathrooms

On to the Bathrooms...

These bathrooms have been hubby's blood, sweat and not really any tears. It is funny how we make the bathrooms exactly what we have always wanted them to be, just so someone else can enjoy them. Oh well, I know someone will love them as much as I will miss them.

Here is the hall bath...

I LOVE the faucets in this bathroom. The showerhead feels like a rainshower, and the curtain rod is one of those curved ones from the hotels. All of the brushed nickle handles give off an "old meets new" kind of feeling that I love.

Here is the Master Bath...

This bathroom is super sweet and cozy. More of the great faucets, Just the right size.

For Sale

Hello All,

I am going to join the shameless plug club and post my house on the sales floor. It is time for us to move on, the kids are getting bigger and I am ready for a new house.

Maybe I will do a room a day, maybe a room a week, not sure. But for today lets start with the outside. I may have to re-post this in a few weeks when the dogwood tree starts blooming, but hopefully we will have a buyer by then!

Here are the stats:

1900 square feet + an addition 200 square foot cottage that is not included.

.25 acres

Updated kitchen with natural slate counter tops.

$3400 in new appliances Refrigerator included

3 bedrooms 2 bath

Formal Dining room

Living Room

Family Room

Den/Office/Playroom

LARGE bedrooms

Fully landscaped front yard with mature trees and plants with UGS

Air Conditioning

Gas Furnace and an electronic air filter

Updated bathrooms with tile shower and counters

And the icing on the cake 52 inch Philips HDTV with Sony surround sound included.

Stay tuned for bathroom pics.

Psychiatric Study

PSYCHIATRIC STUDY

A study conducted by UCLA's department of psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle.

For example: If she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features.

However, if she is menstruating or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with duct tape over his mouth and a spear lodged in his chest while he is on fire.

No further studies are expected.

Taxes

I have a rather strange thing to admit. I LOVE preparing taxes. I would do them for everyone if I could. I used to do my Grandma's every year, but this year I think hers will be too complicated. A few years back I even considered taking the HR Block classes and working during tax season.
Anyways, I finished my taxes online last night and they were already approved this morning, so the refund check is on the way!
I am really excited about that money, but not for the reason you may be thinking. I am not going to buy clothes or shoes or chocolate.
This year is much more rewarding. I am going to write a check and walk into the most comforting doors in town, my church. Hopefully with the check we give in 10 - 14 days our wonderful church can put in a few windows or some carpet.
God tells us to give back, and for the first time in my adult life my husband and I will be able to follow his instructions. I am actually so excited about this I can't even believe it.

Thank you Lord for all of your blessings that you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for never giving up, and thank you for putting all the wonderful things on my heart that you do.

Prayers

Well,
I have had a few prayers lately and God has answered them. The first prayer I had was last week. I prayed that God would take my Gramby (my grandmother) into his arms before she suffered any more. God answered my prayer on Tuesday the 15th at 11:16am. Gramby is now with God. The thing is is that I don't feel like she is gone. She is right here with me by my side. I still feel her presence every three hours just like I would when she would call me every three hours on the phone. I know she is in a better place now.
I also know that Moses is in a better place now. Helen from church graciously accepted Moses into her family to help with the sadness of them having to put down their 17 year old kitty last week. Moses is now free from two year olds pulling his hair, and 10 month olds chasing him down the hall. He can now enjoy a kid free life and I can now enjoy a cat hair free house. I will admit that I am pretty sad about the whole thing, but my kids were allergic to him and they are much more important to me. It does help knowing that he is in a sweet loving home.
I have a few prayers that I am hoping will be answered as well. I pray for my dear sweet friend Kristan and her family, and I pray for that ray of sunshine that we all call Abby and her little boy. Dear Lord open your healing arms around these two young children and let them enjoy the joys of childhood.