We're all settled in

To our new "home".  Yep, we are shacking it up at my parents house.  So far so good!!  Luckily my parents have been more than accomodating, and have really made us feel welcome.  Now, we'll see in 6 months what my post is about.  Ha ha!!

A few notes about the move and building the new home...

Moving with two kids - SO NOT FUN.  I wouldnt recomend this to anyone.

Note to self - when you have two pairs of favorite jeans, make sure you pack them yourself so they dont end up in storage, in the bottom drawer, at the back with a million things stacked up against it.  The hubby did not appretiate retreaving those for me, and I received a lot of bruising while rummaging for them.  So far its the biggest "challenge" we've had.  And I say so far, because we have a long road ahead!!

Its amazing how much of a sense of accomplishment I have had so far while performing the tasks of a general contractor.  I dont think its a secret that I often take on huge, ridiculous tasks while trying to perform my normal daily tasks - which often times leads to migraines and exhaustion.  And I'll inform you that this has really not been much different, although this time Im really feeling good about it. I felt a big wave of excitment when Kyle and I finished designing the floor plan and exterior design.  Then while hitting send on my computer, to release all the bids to our bank, I became overcome with emotions.  Next as I parallel parked (for my first time in public) in front of the building and safety department I profusly began to sweat...although that was mostly due to the parallel parking.  I couldnt believe I was actually completing all the challenging tasks to build our home.  I nervously dropped my prints and paperwork on the desk in front of the "print reviewer" to go over the forms I had completed alone.  Of course I had back ups in my notebook in case I had filled a form out incorrectly, those of you who know me would probably guess this.  But to my astonishment I had actually completed them correctly.  I paid the man my deposit and walked off with a huge weight off my shoulders and butterflies in my stomach.  I got back in my perfectly parked vehicle and drove away, picturing the stamped print back in my hands.  So here we are now, waiting to get the call that the plan was approved.  Today I recieved a call from our surveyor that they have flagged the lot for the excavator to dig the basement.  Therefore, if all goes well, November first will be the day we break ground.  Please cross your fingers that all goes well.  On that very same day, our buyers will be closing and we will officially be homeless!!  Woo hoo!  I promise to update the blog with the pictures of our house in progress! 

Good times

You know, theres nothing really better than hanging out with an old friend, having a beer and reminiscing about good times!!  Thats exactly what we did the night before our big move out of the old house!!  (Yes were moved out, more on that in the next post).  Our friend (mine since 5th grade - Kyles since college) Ryan came over on thursday, we just sat and talked for a good 4 hours.  About anything and everything.  Life has really changed for me over the last few years, and I just love spending time with people who really make me smile, and Ryan never disapoints on that front.  Sometimes with old friends and sometimes with new friends and sometimes with family.  I feel very fortunate to have great people around me, sometimes I dont realize just how lucky I am.   

Jaymies Birthday!!

Me, Shannon, Jaymie and Jennifer

 Me and Jennifer

 Jaymie me and Jennie

 Jaymie trying my shades on...their perfect size :)!

 Tyrel and Rhonda

 Me and Jaymie



Another feather in my cap :)

So a couple weeks ago my washing machine stopped working.  I had a load in there and it was going, then all of a sudden it clanked and stopped.  I opened the lid and it was full of water!  So I unloaded all my wet clothes into a laundry basket and packed it up in the car to bring to my moms.  Then I walked back downstairs to scoop out all the water in the basin.  So 32 oz cup after 32 oz cup I finally removed all the water (what a hassle).  Of course I couldnt leave it at that.  I got on the computer searched what the problem could be, flipped my washing machine over and checked things out.  Then I got busy and forgot about it.  So Monday I realized our laundry was piling up so I went to schaeffers and picked up a belt, went home over lunch flipped the washer upside again (after removing the power cord and hot/cold lines) took the old belt off and replaced it with the new.  All the while, in my work clothes.  My hands were covered in grease!  I flipped the machine back up, replaced the cord and the hot/cold lines.  Ran a load of hot water and bleach (as the machine had started to stink) and it WORKED!!  I was so excited.  I threw a load in and again it worked.  So far I have done 5 loads with a working machine.  Im pretty proud of myself.  I usually try to fix things myself, but have never worked on an appliance by myself before.  Just another thing to say I have tried!!

Girls Weekend - Zobel Style!!

Sometimes life just calls for fancy!

 Me and my mom, having drinks after a full day of shopping!!

 Me and my cuz April!!

 Sangria - YUM!!!

 Aunt Melissa, Cousin Vickie, Friend Joan, Mom, Me and Cousin April!

 Ready for the night!!

 Mom and I at 801 (aprils in the background sippin on some sur sur)

 Me and April - Just flashing our smile :)!

Its too bad my flash didnt work, because the man driving this vehicle appeared to be Bret Michaels.  It was not, but it was a perfect photo op to see that two humans actually sport long hair, bandanas and cowboy hats.  He caught me trying to snap his picture, so I quickly aimed my camera at the skyline, only to return to him as he looked away :)!  Sucker! 

 Yum, banana and chive flavored beer!!  So good!!

The "survival kits" that Vickie made us all.  They were filled with all kinds of stuff.  Granola bar, candy, some fancy jewelry (photos to come on that stuff once I get one from my mom), lipgloss, hair things, and so on!  It was so thoughful, and so cute!! 

Let me fill you in on me and this ones story.  I met April when I was very young at a family reunion.  She is actually a 4th cousin - but we immediatly clicked.  So even though we had many hours between us we would write letters (real letters - like I said we were young...and email didnt even exist - or we didnt know about it - at this point).  We were probably 14 or 15 when the letters started to dwindle.  We both got involved in sports and such and were too busy to write.  So we hadnt really seen or talked in years.  Except a few run ins here and there.  Then this past summer we had another Zobel family reunion and we picked up right where we left off.  Only this time we knew we werent going to lose touch!!  So all us Zobel girls planned a girls trip to visit April.  It was amazing!!  Shopping and spending time together!!  April is already planning to come back to Lincoln in a few weeks!  Then the Zobel ladies are planning another trip next fall (if we can wait that long).  Its amazing how close our families have become again.  Even though life hasnt slowed down that much, we are finding the time to spend together.  Thanks for the memories, I loved every stop - it was rockstar living with April :)!!  Cant wait till the next time!



Also there were many quotes heard around the town of KC...we dont want to forget...

"I love this Sangria - it doesnt even taste Red Whiney" - Michelle

"Who has a 1 stall bathroom in a bar, Im doing the mens bathroom."- Kristin

"Youre the spoon boss" - waiter at Gordons

"Your good this way" - Melissa

"I just flashed my smile, and we got the chefs table" - Vickie

"I just flashed my smile, and got us upgraded" - Kristin

"That guy is so scrawny" - Vickie (referring to Buck Cherry's lead singer)

"That was a good stop" - Melissa

"I havent seen an affliction shirt in a minute" - April (clearly Affliction shirts are the dress code in KC) 

Shocker, Picky Vickie doesnt like it - Kristin

Camdyns writes her name!

So for awhilenow Camdyn has been writing her name, she couldnt be prouder of herself!!  (see below)

 Woo hoo!!

 Concentrating!

Mason and Cade

 Here is Cades new buddy Mason.  Poor buddy broke his leg a month ago.  He has to wear this cast a couple more weeks.  Its all the way up one leg and a little down the other.  Hes in great spirits though!  His poor mama though, Renee has to carry him all over and hes a big boy and the cast weighs 10 pounds!!  Yikes!  Anyhow, here they are sharing their snacks!

 Mason got Cade hooked on dried blueberries!  Cade goes nuts for dried fruit - like stomping his feet and clapping excited!!

Of course I cant get them to look at the camera at the same time :)!

Soon to be homeless!!

For those of you who read my blog (hi mom) - the good news is finally being posted.  Weve had such bad luck selling houses so I never wanted to jinx it!  However, Im hoping this deal is solid enough to write about!!  The buyers are closing on November 1st and after that we will be living with the 'rents!!  Our new home should be complete next spring!!  I can not wait to build this house with Kyle for our family.  Should be stressful, exciting, exhausting, rewarding, and challenging all wrapped into one project.  Perfect for me, since thats they way Ive always lived :)!!