Our Home Has a Monster!!

Daniel found the cookie package on the counter and snatched quite a few before I found out, but he wasn't being our "Cookie Monster"...he is our "Frosting Monster". He leaves lots of evidence.

Family Update

Our house has not sold. It has been on the market for a month or so. I know that in this market that is a short time. It wouldn't be so hard if Ben didn't have to have a home office in our family room where our computer and TV are. The kids have been real troppers this summer. They have done a lot of reading because that is all there is to do when it is soo hot outside. I will be so glad when we sell this house but things are going really slow. We are anxiously waiting for school to start. It will be nice when the house is quiet during the day for Ben to work.

We had a great time taking a break fromselling our house, cleaning the house and waiting for someone to come and see it with a trip to Utah. We had Nona with us(well actually, we wouldn't have even gone if not for her). We spent 8 days in Utah and Idaho. I should have lots of pictures but unfortunately, my camera was safe and sound in my purse. Sorry. We visited with friends, my family, and Ben's family. We stayed up way too late watching the Olympics and we loved every minute of it. Ben was home keeping the clean house clean and ready, watering the lawn and working hard. We missed him.

Kids with their cousins in Utah

Grandma Nona and the kids eating snow cones(our trip to Utah)

Life is full of changes. I have been the Relief Society President(women organization in our church) for over 2 years now and I was released from those responsibilities last sunday. It was bitter sweet. I have learned so much by serving the women of our ward. I have learned of the love of Jesus Christ. I have felt his love that he has for the sisters in our ward. That is what I will miss. But change is good. I am now a primary teacher for the 7 year olds and I am so excited. I already have my lesson planned and just love the idea of going to church and am responsible for only 5 little children.

Ben's work is going good. He is learning so much and will feel like he can really get his feet wet when he can set up his office and spread out a bit. Since we are selling the house lots of our things are packed already and we are living on the basics. I actually like the house as empty as it is. I always love to keep things simple, so I am enjoying that there is nothing on my kitchen counters but a cookie jar, no toothpaste, toothbrushes on the bathroom sink, no dirty laundry piling up in the corner, etc. But I am looking forward to having pictures of my family on the walls again. That will just have to wait for our move.

Katelynn starts high school. I am terrified for her, but she is just excited. Matt will be in middle school and is there right now for a 6th grade preveiw. They get to have their schedules, lockers and combinations, and see where their classes are when no one else is in the school. So on Tuesday when he goes, he won't get lost. Allie got a letter this morning to let her know which teacher she was getting. She is very happy because she got the teacher she wanted. And my poor Daniel just keeps asking when his school starts. I will try to do some preschool things for him so he isn't so bored with just me. But there is one very important thing he will be learning on Sep 2. Potty training. On sep 2 we will be diaper free(at least during the day). I have been waiting until school starts and the kids are all at school, so I have the time to focus on him. So I am all prepared with lots of juice boxes, watermelon, and extra underwear. Yah for me!!!!

We love you all and would love to blog soon with a new address and a moving date, but I am not holding my breath. Talk to you later.

FOOTBALL!!!

Football season has begun in our home. Matthew is playing on a YMCA Grid Kids team. They have been practicing 3 to 4 days a week for the past couple weeks. These boys are being coached by the elementary school principal and one of the high school football coaches. They practice on the high school football field and use their equipment. They even have a couple high school kids helping the boys. I am hoping that once school starts that the practices will be less. His first game is in a week. He likes playing, but I am a bit worried for all the blocking and hitting. I really don't want any injuries.

Once Matt decided to play football, that is all Daniel talks about. "when is MY team, where is MY football helmet, I need to go to MY football practice" He now has a uniform with helmet. Practice is right across the street from our home, so Daniel and Dad go out there each day and watch.

Taking A Break!!

Daniel took this picture. He is 3 years old!!! Amazing little guy!

I needed a break from all the work at getting the house ready to be put on the market. Ben's boss' wife came to town with her husband, so we spent the day with her and had a great time with her. We decided to have a picnic at the park. We decided to take some bread and feed the ducks. Daniel was so excited. As we drove into the parking lot we noticed a sign that said "DO NOT FEED THE DUCKS!" I was so disappointed. Daniel kept asking, "When do we feed the ducks?" But we played and had a great time. Here are some pictures.

More Fun Home Pictures

Here are some more pictures of our home that is now FOR SALE!

I love this part...our bedroom. She made a plain old bedroom into a beautiful place that I love to be in.
Our kitchen wil nothing in the sink and on the counters. Crazy to think that I have to keep the house looking like this.

This is our kitchen. Who would have thought to put a lamp in the kitchen and a statue of an angel. But it feels great.

We removed dark brown paneling in our family room and put this wood up and it looks so beautiful.

Home Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE


AFTER

We are selling our home. With Ben's new job, he is now working at home. I think it will be great as soon as we find a home that has an actual office. Right now he is using our family room or our bedroom depending on the day. Very crazy and we are feeling even more squished.

We have been doing lots and lots of sprucing up on our home. We had a stager(interior decorator to help our home look better to potential buyers) come in and help us a lot. I promised my mom I would get the before and after pictures...so here they are.

The Janes Are Still Alive!

Hello everyone. We have not fallen off the face of the earth, but boy have we been busy with Ben's new job, Ben's 5 week training in Bothell, WA, deciding to sell the house, going to a family reunion, Ben and Matt going to boys scout camp, fixing the house up, looking at new homes, trying to decide where to move to, and celebrating Ben and Daniel's birthday. Can you see why we have been missing in action? I will get to all the details of these things at a later date(when things slow down a bit...hopefully), but for now I will share with you a picture of cute Daniel and a video clip made by Katelynn. Hope you are all well and happy.Here is the new "Alfalfa"(from the Little Rascals)