Sell, Sell, Sell

Since we have a couple more months of living at my aunt and uncle's, (and probably a few months of living with my parents), before the house will be completed, I needed to find something to do. It's weird not having a house to decorate, paint, or do maintenance on. It's amazing how much time you have when it's not dedicated to making your home better.

I have drug my feet with regards to selling my little one's clothes.  I don't know why. Maybe there was still a thought that a 4th child would be on the horizon, or the memories that many of the clothes have, or just the thought of someone else's kid wearing the clothes I dressed my children in.  Whatever it was, I finally decided it is time to let go.  I have absolutely come to terms that our family is complete (see previous post:  How Do You Know?). I contemplated waiting and having another garage sale this Spring, but where would I have one? I don't want to be the new neighbor in this really nice neighborhood having a garage sale. Plus, I'm not sure this community is made of garage-sale-type-of-people, if you know what I mean.  My old neighborhood usually has a block sale every Spring and a couple neighbors offered their garages for me to use. However, dragging all my stuff to someone else's home and hanging out there for a couple days doesn't sound that appealing. Which is why I'm so glad swap sites are available.

They are perfect; an on-line garage sale where you can post items and arrange to meet people for pick up. I quickly decided to join a few different ones because with my work, I travel all over the city and can be flexible with meeting locations. I watched the sites for a few days to see how things were done, what prices people were putting on things and the lingo, (PPU, NWT, NWOT, etc). I posted a few things and quickly got responses. I also posted a couple things that did not get any response-I later realized I had overpriced some things. I know I could take my 15+ bins of clothes to a second hand store, but from what I've heard, you don't make too much. To test it out, I took a tub full to a store I won't mention and was disappointed in the return. They took the items I didn't think they would, and gave me back the ones I thought they would definitely take.

I started this process in the middle of December and am impressed with the profit, (which I am setting aside for window treatments :)).  I have sold something nearly every day since I started this a few weeks ago and have only had one no show, which I think is pretty good, considering all the people I have met.

There are definitely some interesting people out there. You never know who is going to meet up you. I refuse to meet at our home and usually find a busy location, like a gas station, Sam's Club, etc.  A couple ladies had to wait until they were paid to meet up, which really makes me feel guilty for selling them my clothes and not just giving them to them.  (Justin is always quick to say they are just telling me that because they want me to lower the prices. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt :)).  I have a couple repeat buyers which has come in handy.  I message them first with clothes to see if they are interested before posting on the site.

Through this process I have also donated a lot of clothes, hoping to help those who are in need.  I've realized my kids had a LOT of clothes!  I am keeping a tub of "memorable" items that I hope to incorporate into a quilt for each little one. I am one of those people who can always recall what my kids wore for certain occasions:  Alena and Lauren's first Easter dress, the onesie Alena wore for her first thanksgiving, their going home outfits, a couple matching twin outfits, Caleb's favorite red fire truck shirt, the outfit AJ wore to the San Diego Zoo, etc.

I decided to create a new Facebook account where I do all of my swapping.  (I am rarely on Facebook anymore, except to check in with my twin moms a few times a week).  I have seen some bullying on these sites and more drama than you would think, so I like being able to stay anonymous.

Slowly, the number of items in each bin is being diminished and bins are being emptied, creating a little more storage room in the basement.  If only I was able to have easy access to the items in our storage unit. I'm sure there are some household items that need to go :)).

A Nice Little Saturday

Do you ever have those days where after the kids are in bed you look back at what you did over the last 12-18 hours and think "that was a fun day?"

Yesterday was one of those days.  We cherish our time together on the weekends and usually try to find at least one thing fun to do as a family. It's much easier to plan when it's nice outside but we have been so lucky this winter.  Many times, our adventures aren't extravagant, and may be as simple as an outing to Homemakers, Lowes or the grocery store.  If there are any free events around town, we often take advantage of them.

Saturday morning the kids wanted to make a fort.  I'm definitely not a skilled fort maker and don't recall doing this childhood activity often, (except in my cousin's basement when we would visit).  Justin claims to be an expert after making numerous forts growing up with his two brothers whenever his dad was out of town.  So he tackled this project, gathering all of the large blankets we could find, the dining room table and all the folding chairs in the house.  After completion, the kids played in the "motor home" reading, playing babies, and messing around on the ipads.  Alena and I even had a lengthy game of Go Fish, which was interrupted 148 times by her sister.

After enjoying the "motor home" we decided to head to the zoo.  The temperature was in the mid 40s and it was the perfect day to go to the zoo.  This is my second trip this winter and each time I have been closer to the animals than I ever had before.  We had a close up of the lions, watched the zoo keepers feed the penguins, and another zoo keeper was giving detailed information about each monkey in the monkey exhibit.  Even though we've been to the zoo countless times, we still enjoy going and spent nearly 2 hours there yesterday.

After naps, I made granola and we all played outside at the park across the street.  As the sun was sinking low, the regular 8 deer we have seen frequently by our place came through the park.

Our evening ended with a little take out, a bath and a movie, (for mom and dad-we watched Philomena, which I highly recommend).  It was a perfect little Saturday.

A Right of Passage

I think every child should go ice skating at least once during their childhood.  For many, that one trip may be all that they need and another experience on the ice isn't necessary.  Others may realize they had a great time and may want to give it another try.  I wasn't quite sure what my oldest would think but I decided it was time to find out.

I remember learning how to ice skate when I was little, spending time with my cousins on the ice.  It is just like riding a bike; even though it's been years since I have gone, it all came right back to me when I stepped onto the ice this past weekend.  My husband's first, and only, experience was when we were dating.  He must have decided he didn't want to try it again because we've never gone back!  

I was so excited to see that the weather was going to be warm this past weekend and thought it was the perfect time to take Alena on her first ice skating experience. I love the outdoor Brenton Skating Plaza so wanted to take advantage of having her first experience be outside.  There's something about feeling the hot sun on you, the cold ice beneath your skates and the glare on the ice when you skate.  She was up for the adventure when I mentioned going. Wearing just a long sleeve shirt and donned with gloves, we laced up our skates and joined the crowd on the ice. 

It took a little while for her to get used to the ice, and I attempted to teach her to glide on the ice rather than walk on it, (referring to Elsa many times).  We spent many laps hand in hand, me catching her when she began to fall. She did fall to the ice a few times but was quick to get right back up and try again.  

After a little bit, we decided to rent something she could skate behind to help work on her balance. Then when she would feel ready, she would let go and skate by herself while I skated with the skate aid beside her, just in case she needed to grab it.

I thought after 30-40 minutes of going round and around she would be ready to go but she wasn't.  We took a few breaks, munching on our popcorn and people watching, but after each break she would ask if we could go skate again.   

By the end of the 2 hours she was skating mostly by herself, even changing directions, and my toes ached because I was wearing skates a size too small!  

During this trip, I realized my oldest daughter has acquired two traits from me:  

1.  Competitiveness- I'm a little worried that she has acquired this trait but hopefully it will be to a lesser degree than what I have.  I knew she was competitive and her teachers have even mentioned it to me, but this activity helped me realize it. The entire time we were ice skating, she was looking around at other kids, sizing them up and watching them. Whenever she saw a little boy or girl about her age or older skating without any assistance, she would want to let go and skate by herself too.  A little bit of competitiveness is great, but sometimes it can get you in trouble.  Hopefully she can keep this trait scaled back.

2.  Determination - This is an excellent trait to have, and it's no doubt my little girl is determined. I couldn't believe how anxious she was to learn how to skate, how quickly she would get up after a fall, and how often she would let go of the skate aid so she could do it by herself.  I love her determination and hope it takes her far in life!

Overall, it was a very successful first trip.  During our trip home, she asked when we could go skating again; a definite sign that she's ready for another adventure on the ice!

Guilty Pleasures

That's such a weird term, but I've realized lately I have a few of my own guilty pleasures that I'm going to divulge right here:

1.  I've lost count how long we have been without cable but as the months go by, I miss it less and less.  I watch one TV show each week, (when it's on, and the series is ending so what am I going to do now!?).  I've also watched the last two seasons of Bachelor and am ashamed I am currently watching this season as well.  I NEVER wanted to get sucked into this show because it just seems silly to me-you can't meet your wife/husband on a show like this.  I know there have been a few success stories but they are rare and the episodes are so staged it drives me crazy.  Two seasons ago, I watched one episode and couldn't stop watching, not because of the bachelor, but one of the lady friends who was vying for his attention caught my eye. I loved her strong personality and humor and of course she ended up being the next Bachelorette so I was "forced" in to watch her season too.  I'm being loyal to Iowa and watching the current season, but I'm already ready to be done.  The bachelor seems awkward on the episodes, the girls are embarrassing, and the bachelor keeps giving a rose to the crazy lady!  Unfortunately, without cable or DVR, I have to watch live TV, which means my entire family is watching the Bachelor with me this season.  AJ saddles right up to the TV because a little screen time is rare in our house and she will take advantage of it, even if it isn't something she wants to watch. Thankfully, the kids are in bed after the first hour, leaving me alone to watch the rest by myself.  I'm so embarrassed that I am another victim to this reality show.

2.  I do a lot of driving throughout the month and my trip down to Southern Iowa can get pretty long, especially because I leave the house at 5:30 AM now and need something to help keep me awake.  I've been an off and on fan of Taylor Swift and remember when she released her first single, "Tim McGraw." I'm sure nobody expected her to be as big as she is now.  I love her newest song on the radio, "Blank Space," and lately found myself checking all the radio stations to see if they were playing it when I was in the car. Last week, I decided to just go and buy her album.

Now I can listen to this song whenever I want and the rest of her album is quite good also-enough so that I didn't want to dose off this week during my drive.  She really seems to have a good head on her shoulders despite the amount of money she is raking in.  She's a great role model for teens and it's impressive that she writes all of her music.  I hope she decides to do another country album as I think her song writing is much better in that style of music.  We were born in the same decade so I don't feel so old buying her CD, right?.

3.  Sometimes after a crazy, long day at work, I will run to the store quick before heading home to get a few things.  By this time, I am so exhausted and often starving as I routinely see patients through lunch and may not realize until 2:00 that I didn't eat.  There have been a few instances where I will grab a Kit-Kat or pack of peanut M and M's while standing in the check out line, and enjoy them in my car before I go home.  Definitely a guilty pleasure and I often regret this indulgence the next day!

How Do You Know?

How do you know when your family is complete?  Did you and your spouse have a set number of children you decided on shortly after getting married?  Did you want an even number?  An odd number?  A boy and a girl?  Or did you keep having children until you had both genders?  Maybe you stopped at one because you felt your family was complete?  Possibly, your last pregnancy and delivery was rough and you made the choice that you were done bearing children.

But what does a "complete" family really mean?  Do women all of a sudden realize their family is exactly as they envisioned and decide they need no more children?  When do you come to this realization?

I know many mothers who held their last child shortly after giving birth, gazed into that little one's eyes and just KNEW that this was it.  This child in their arms completed their family.  Many others have a son and daughter and decide that's perfect; one of each and no need for a third.  Others want as many children as they are able to have, and many believe that He will determine how many children will enter their family.

Many would think that after having one, then twins, (+ a rocky pregnancy), would immediately tell me that our family is complete.  That was absolutely not the case.  It wasn't until recently that I finally had that "complete" family feeling.  (I'll leave out the exact moment that enabled me to come to this realization).

For the past two years, I've wondered about having another.  For me, it's difficult knowing that I will never be pregnant again.  Even with all the complications I experienced the second go around, I loved being pregnant.  I will never have an infant to take care of again; to rock, to nurse, to nap with.  I will miss watching those first year milestones be met: First smiles, laughs, rolls, crawls, solid food and steps.

Yet, recently I've come to the realization that I love where things are right now, and even though I won't experience those firsts with another child, there are many other firsts that occur as your children grow.
First somersault, first written letter of the alphabet, first swimming lesson, first day at school, first sleep over, etc.  There is so much ahead of us!

In a way, I'm glad the twins are past some of these early stages of life.  The fact that they can communicate with us, learn to control their emotions and will hopefully be potty trained in the near future are huge!  I'm looking forward to this next stage of parenting.  A stage where you can really learn a lot about each child, form a relationship with him/her, watch them grow into little adults, see them participate in sports, watch them fail and succeed and be there every step of the way:  Laughing together, crying together, dancing together, cuddling together and just BEING together.