Our day

We had 6 hours of watching the moving company unload our stuff, now the fun will begin!

Have a great day!

Getting into a routine

I love having a schedule.  I don't stick by it minute to minute, but I love knowing what should be coming up or what we should be doing.  The past week the kids and I have found our rhythm in our new place, I think.  It makes for such a smoother day.  We still have our fair share of meltdowns, fights, and fits, but they're not as dramatic.  It's all going to go out the window on Thursday though.  Bummer!  We are finally getting our stuff from Germany.  Then we will be busy trying to put everything away or making room for it all.

On Thursday we signed up to start using the YMCA.  I LOVE it!  I love the time I get (2 hours!) to have to myself, be in a zone, and not worry about the kids.  They are being watched by the workers in the child watch program.  Love it!  They love it too!  The first day, Xander didn't want to leave.  He was having a ball playing with the cars and car tower ramp.  Sterling's always been ready to leave.  Today she didn't want me to leave her so I could work out.  I had to distract her so I could run out.  I think I could use this program every day just to have those 2 hours to myself, ha!  Motivation to get in shape!  Thanks Y for all the benefits!!

Shocker of the year?  We went out on Saturday as a family.  We went to lunch at Kona Grill, then Nick and Xander were going to go watch a movie.  Since it was nap time for Xander, I suggested Nick to watch a movie he wanted since Xander would most likely fall asleep.  Sterling and I left the boys at the theater and we headed down the strip to go shopping.  I didn't get very far and Nick called saying Xander was being too loud and asking too many questions.  I hurried back to pick him up so Nick could still enjoy his movie.  It worked out!  The kids didn't nap in the stroller, but they were pretty well behaved.  Towards the end, I let them out to play in the water, until it was time to go shoe shopping.  While shopping for new shoes for Sterling and I, Nick called to meet up, his movie was over.  Perfect timing because we were just trying on our shoes, buying, and then we were done.  Nick's not a fan of shopping, but really, which guy is?  I think we're going to do the movie/shopping day more often, ha!

On Sunday we went to the farmers market.  It was huge!  So many vendors to choose from, but we found lots of good veggies to cook with our meals this week.  

On Monday Nick was being so kind and trying to download music on my phone for while I'm at the gym.  As he did it, something erased all my stuff and put it as if the phone was his phone.  So with that, ALL my pictures are gone!  I was/am SOOOOO mad!

Monday my friend and her daughter came over so we could make our fabric wreaths we are so pumped about.  Cutest things ever!  And, easiest things ever to make!  They do take some time, so we didn't get finished.  I thought they'd only take like 2 hours.  Boy was I wrong, lol!  But, I worked on mine more last night, and I just have a little bit left.  I'll post a pic when I'm finished.  Cute and fun!

Have a great day!

Fraudulent activities

Three days after moving here, my debit card information was stolen.  We didn't find out until this past Sunday.  Luckily we caught it right away because the bank was able to stop all but one charge.  That one charge was refunded back to us though.

Just imagine!  We were so excited to get back to the states.  Crummy ole people are so malicious!  Maybe I'm not so excited to be back anymore?  I know though, that this could happen anywhere.  I was just an unlucky pick.

June 23rd the fraud started, but they didn't follow through.  The bank shows 3 attempts to deduct a "payroll" for $1.  The bank believes this was an attempt just to verify our account was still open.  Aug 6th and 7th, more "payrolls".  Again though, they didn't follow through.  Because they didn't follow through, it didn't show online to where we could see.  The banker could just see the activity.  Aug 9th, they go on a shopping spree!  It totaled to $432 when we caught it.  I'm just glad we caught it when we did because I couldn't imagine having anymore fraudulently taken from our account!  People are messed up!  They need help.  Seriously!

So, our banker was kind enough to let us know to use a credit card to make all purchases from, then just pay that off.  That way, if it happens again, it won't be our money.  You know, the money we have to pay bills from.  If it's not yours, don't use it without permission!  It's that simple.  

Our neighborhood is also an unlucky pick to have people breaking into vehicles at night.  Good thing we park both cars in the garage!

In our local area (not neighborhood) there have been 5 murders!  AHH!  Really!  I guess I never imagined murders here.  I think midwest of being calm, sweet, , slow moving, friendly people.  Most of which really are though.

Welcome back to the good ole U.S.of A.!

Have a great day!

Family Visit Recap

My sister and brother, along with their crew, came for a visit last week.  My sister and her crew came for 6 days and brother and his crew for 2 days.  It was a fun, busy week.  We ate out lot.  We shopped a lot.  We drove around a lot.  We ate some more.  And more.  I felt like I was on vacation with them :).  We also went to the zoo.  I wasn't super impressed with it, only because everyone talks so highly of the zoo.  I thought the animals were too far spaced apart.  Other than that, I think I'll like it.  We have a season pass, so I'm seeing many more mornings/afternoons hanging with the animals.  Xander LOVED the petting zoo.  He was overly excited about the chickens and goats.  He squealed in delight.  He was hilarious!  

Xander still asks every morning where his Kinley and Bode are.  It's been 4 days. 

We had so much fun, that I barely took any pictures of my kids!  I have a billion of their family. Nick calls me a stalker with all those pics.  Ha!  Now I just have to find a way to get them sent to them.

playing at Chic-Fil-A

Special day for my niece, I'd bought her first Build-A-Bear.  She had such a fun time going through the steps to build Sparkles.

Xander waiting

The ride home from the zoo.  Tired!

And worn out!

After the zoo, we came home to have fun in the backyard and enjoy grilled burgers, brats and dogs.

Thank you for the fun visit!  There may have been one person who tried ruining the fun for everyone, but I won't mention any names.

Have a great day!

Random bits

We've got both of our vehicles

Enjoying mommy made dinner.  I have to admit that I haven't cooked much.  This was actually the second home cooked meal that wasn't from a box or processed!  

We've went shopping, had lunch, and played in our clothes at the splash park with our very best friends!

We've put together one of our home gyms.  Moved our elliptical to the basement.

Bought some new furniture.  

Finally managed to get Xander a haircut.  it wasn't without kicking, screaming and crying.  but we got it done!  No pic, had to restrain the boy to sit as still as possible.  

We still wait for our stuff from Germany.

Tomorrow we get some pretty exciting company!  My sister and her family!  Beyond excited to have the kids together and playing, while we sit back and drink some wine!

And now I sit and watch The Bachelorette!

Have a great day!

Blog Update

Today is the day that the blog will begin a makeover including our new name.  It may take a few days, but I'm hoping to be done today before the kids wake up from their naps.

So, please excuse our mess and we hope you like our improved space when complete.

Have a great day!