Already Missing What's Here

Some realities are starting to set in over here.

We all sat down for dinner last night as a family. Sidenote: that almost NEVER happens unless we're in a restaurant. But I made homefried potatoes and Brooks made steaks and we made a bleu cheese and onion sauce and OH MY GAWD it was so so so good. As we sat there, I wondered if it might be the last time we do that in this house.

Today I was sitting in my chair in the family room, watching the kids play (I moved the table out of the room again - thank GOD for no more staging!) and I thought "I'm going to miss this". I'm sure wherever we land they'll play and I'll sit. But it won't be the same. As much as I've bitched about the uselessness of our family room and how it's not really big enough to be living AND dining but really too big to be all living, it's been great for the kids. They have their own area to play in and I can still watch them from "my spot" and even watch a show if I want. I don't know that our next home will offer that luxury. I hope it will. But even if it does, how many years do I have before they want to take their playing private and retreat to their rooms? I guess it's more than just about the move, it's the end of an era of sorts. Grandparent types always tell me that this stage is hard, but fleeting and there will be a day, a day full of teenage boys likely, that makes me long for these days of small boys and exciting Lego creations. I'm really trying to make a conscious effort to enjoy them and not rush them by.

I started packing this weekend. My goal is to do a few boxes or an "area" a day on the weekends and just have the essentials to pack at the end. I can already tell that there will be tough days ahead. I'm ready for what comes next and definitely excited at the prospect of more room for this brood, but how do you leave a house so very full of memories?

A Long Overdue Update!

Usually these start with saying that I promise to be better about writing and updating. But really, I won't. Well, at least not for the next few weeks. We'll be WAY too busy at Chez Martin.

The Good News: Our house has sold. Yay! A nice little family with one small boy will be moving into this house in March. And we will be moving out! Yay for moving! Which brings me to the bad news...

The Bad News: We have no where to move right now. UGH! I'm trying to keep it in perspective, it'll happen. The place of our dreams will be there for us. I just have to keep praying that it falls into place fast enough that we can avoid the dreaded double move. We have offers in on three short sales but that could take months. The WHOLE market out here in SoCal is all short sales. It's beyond crazy.

So that's our big update. I have LOTS of packing to do! I'll update as soon as we hear anything, so cross your fingers for us!!

For Fin at FIVE?!?

My Dearest Fin,

How is it possible that you are turning FIVE today?!? Just yesterday you were this little bundle of toothless smiles...

Going down the slide for the first time and learning to walk and talk...
Playing with Mom, back when it was just you and me all the time!
Growing up but still always smiling :)
And meeting your new little brother for the first time.
Forever my beach baby...
And the best big brother a mother could hope for...
And of course the best model a momtog could ask for :)
Although I don't think there is a way to take a bad picture of you!
And then there were three!
This will always be one of my favorite pictures of you. Biggest boy.
My four favorite people on the planet.
My builder of battles, lover of Super Heroes and ready to embrace the force...
Making sure Dash was ready for his first day of school...
Not hard to see who Kell is taking after!
Really, could life get any sweeter!
It has been an amazing five years my little man! I'm so proud of your intelligence, your wit and your kindness. I can't wait to see where your life takes you ~ I'm so very blessed to be your mother!

Christmas Tidings

Homemade stockings hung by the chimney with care...
Tree with new skirt made with the same fabrics as the stocking cuffs...
My angel tree topper :)
Stocking closeups
Kell wanted to remove and rehang this bell. All. Day. Long.
Some of my favorite ornaments...
A camera my mother gave Brooks the year we got engaged, garland and nutcracker, Fin's first school-made ornament, antique candle ornaments, and a fish/tackle box (mine 1996)

This year I put the small tree that usually goes in the boys room downstairs and made it the photo ornament tree. I am trying to add a new one each year per child and a family shot.
And a closeup of my mantle angels made by my Uncle Bud :)

Dear Realtors,

Dear Southern California Realtors,

Please read the MLS notes before planning a showing at my home.

You will see that they clearly note that you MUST speak with the homeowner before showing. They also stipulate that you allow two hours notice as I have three small children. Perhaps that "three small children" needs to be in bold so that you will realize that 9pm showings are NOT appropriate. Also, it'll be very dark then. And I think that's a creepy time to want to see any house.

Please do not "drop by." I don't appreciate walking in and knowing someone has been in my home without my knowledge. I especially don't appreciate it when you don't even bother to leave a card so that I have to call my Realtor to see if anyone has accessed the box. I'm easy to reach, I am always either home or available on my cell. Both numbers are conveniently in the listing notes for your use. Don't give up after just one either. Go ahead, try them both. You'll get me. Promise.

If you call and make an appointment to see my home, please come at the time you have selected. I didn't choose that time, YOU DID. Say you would like to see my home between 1 and 3? Well, I will tell you that's naptime for the wee ones but I can make it work. DO NOT SHOW UP AT 4. And if you make an appointment, please don't just not show up. You know, like the asshole who told us they had a client who REALLY wanted to see our home and knew it was an inconvenience with kids, but could ONLY come at dinnertime on Halloween night? Yeah, I guess it was ok that we had to go out and I couldn't make the dinner I'd planned on. But then you didn't show up?!?! Yeah, you SUCK.

I'm glad that it hasn't happened since, but that time you let your clients come in and set our chinchillas free? That totally sucked.

And a last final shout out to the Realtor who called today at 4:25 to say she would be showing my home between 4 and 5. IN YOUR TIME MACHINE?!?! Why not just say 4:30? I was out of the house for an hour. You must have just missed me. Funny that there was no message on my cell phone (quitter). Sorry my house was a mess, but again, that's why you CALL ME FIRST. As I was listening to your message, I realized it was 5:15. So I called you back to see if you were still coming. It took you TEN MINUTES to confer with someone?!? in your car and verify that you did in fact come to my home already. Thanks for that card you left. JACKASS!

Listen, I know being a Realtor is hard. I know people run you around and the market sucks blah blah blah. But really, if my Realtor can do her job AND be a good person, so can you.

KThnksBi!