It's the most wonderful time of the year!

So the song goes...and I tend to agree! We are so excited to spend our first Christmas in our new home. We are happily preparing for Christmas festivities. Tree, CHECK! Lights on the house, CHECK! Christmas shopping done, ALMOST! Christmas cards, WHAT? Oh shoot! I forgot about Christmas cards! My intention was to get Christmas cards done early this year, like around Thanksgiving, so that I could send our new address to friends and family. Something I've learned about my good intentions: most of them are just that, intentions. Maybe when I grow up I'll be organized enough to make and send Christmas cards at the end of November. Until then, Shutterfly to the rescue! I just tried to order some photo gifts from a different site and they sent me an email saying it takes 8-10 business days just to process the order so basically, forget it if you want them for Christmas! Shutterfly only takes 2-3 business days plus a short shipping time!
Have you seen their cute stuff? They have literally hundreds of card designs to choose from. Chances are, you won't send out the same card that your best friend did! I had a hard time deciding on our cards thanks to cute designs like this one and this one oh, and can't forget this one! I think I'll save the one I chose to be a surprise for those receiving them. You wanna know what else is cool? For an additional fee, Shutterfly will even address and mail your cards for you!
They also have great photo gifts. I've always wanted to make one of these personalized calendars. Wouldn't it be fun to make one of those to match the decor in your mom's house? (or your house ;)).
So, I know this totally sounds like a commercial for Shutterfly. I guess it is. I believe on giving credit where credit is due. When a company offers a great product, gives free shipping on orders over $50, and has options galore, I need to share it with others! Thank you, Shutterfly, for saving my Christmas cards this year!

WE'RE MOVING!!!

Living in Limbo

...and I'm not talking about "how low can you go" (although I've had some pretty low days the last few months!).
Since we got the news that the sale of our house fell through, I've had a hard time finding where I fit in. One of the first things Sam and I decided was to start attending our new ward. Today was our fourth Sunday there. We all are enjoying the new relationships we are making. The boys have attended Cub Scouts and are going to start school there on the 26th! Even though we are doing all these things in our new neighborhood, and people are so nice and sympathetic towards our situation, I still don't feel like I completely belong since I don't physically live there. It is a hard place to be in because I don't feel like I belong in the old neighborhood, either!

We have not had very much traffic through our house. We have been doing Open Houses every Saturday and have had very little success with them. Tomorrow we drop the price another $15,000! We have been fasting, praying, begging, pleading for it to sell. Hopefully the price drop will do the trick!

In the meantime, we have been trying to have a little summer fun. Since the boys go to year-round school, summer break is much shorter this year and I feel like we wasted so much time those first few weeks! We have been swimming, boating, playing at the park, spending fun days with friends and grandparents, went to This is the Place for a fun (hot!) free day, went to a Peter Pan play, and other adventures. We are looking forward to this last week when our Pett family will all gather for a retirement Luau for my mom! Then we are heading to Park City for the weekend. School starts and then camp-out with the Preslar family that weekend.

I'm grateful my kids are pretty easy-going and don't mind all the car time as we go back and forth to the new neighborhood. It's just going to get worse when school starts!

So, there's our update. It is a crazy life and I don't like crazy. But, I am trying to look through the craziness to find joy in the every day moments! It's easy to find those moments with my 3 cute kids!

Broken Heart

Last Sunday we said goodbye to Wells Ward. It was hard. I love that old, historic, beautiful building, the spiritual moments I have had there and the people I have met there who have touched my life. I came home exhausted from the emotional and physical toll saying goodbye took on me. Also relieved that I wouldn't have to do that again for a long time.
This Friday, June 11th was supposed to be our moving date. Unfortunately, on Monday, June 7th, we found out that the buyers of our house backed out. So, instead of finishing the packing of our house, I'm back in staging/cleaning-to-show-it mode. I'm sad, heartbroken, angry, numb. I understand people can change their minds but seriously, 4 days before we are supposed to close? It's just not right.
The day we found out I cried. A lot. Yesterday I was kind of numb. Today I'm just downright angry.
I don't want to be in this place again. Selling a house is not fun. You never know when you are going to get the call to leave the house and you feel like you are living in limbo. I thought we were done with that and thank goodness we were! I could almost feel the new hardwood and carpeted floors beneath my feet and feel the cooled central air. I was done, ready to move on. But now, back to square one. I don't know how to act or feel or what to do. I refuse to say goodbye again. I can't do it. So, in the meantime I guess we just pray that we will have a new buyer quickly. And we pray for the strength to continue.

This is making me smile

Featuring: Manya Girls Accessories

When my daughter was born, my sweet sis-in-law, Marina, made a darling little bracelet for Lucy. It was so cute on her tiny, chubby wrist. Last Spring I made a dress for my niece and sent it to her and a week or so later we received another darling bracelet for Lucy as a thank you. So last year when 7 women in my ward were pregnant at the same time with their first babies, and they all happened to be girls, I asked Marina to stock me up with these dainty bracelets so I would have them for shower gifts. Of course, everyone loved them and couldn't wait to put them on their tiny girl's wrist.
Marina recently opened an online store called Manya girls accessories where she sells these little gems. She has 3 different lines, all reasonably priced. AND she offers free shipping!
I just placed another order today and thought I needed to share the love. Go check her out! And check out her darling model, my little niece!

Out with the OLD, in with the NEW!

We have been doing a lot of spring cleaning around here and things are looking nice and fresh. We are getting ready to get out of the old and into the new!For over a year now, I have been wanting to move. I have felt very strongly about it and thought of little else. Sam has wanted too, as well, but knew how much work there was to do before we could sell our house. Sam has been working so hard to get things fixed up and finished and I have been painting until my hand resembles a claw. At the beginning of February, I was looking at the MLS (a weekly, if not daily occurrence) and saw some brand new houses in Daybreak (South Jordan) that I thought were worth taking a look at. Sam and I had looked at new and existing homes in several different communities and just not found exactly what we wanted. So we went to Holmes Homes and checked out several of their floorplans. After 3 visits to the builder in 4 days, I was ready to sign the papers but Sam needed a little more time. After praying about it that day, he knew we were making the right decision and we signed the contract that week!

Our new house will be done around the beginning of June and it has been fun to check on the progress each week. Our current home is on the market and in the first week, we had 8 showings so we hope that keeps up and that we will get an offer soon! So, if you know anyone in the market for a cute bungalow in Sugarhouse, send them our way!

8 is Great!

The other day I found Noah looking at his baby scrapbook and thought "Oh my little Noah baby...where have the last 8 years gone? When did that chubby little toddler turn into this tall young man?"

Last week we celebrated Noah's 8th birthday. Friday we had an Indiana Jones party with his friends and Sam rigged up a cool obstacle course in the basement while I planned a treasure hunt. I also used my cake-decorating "skills" (NOT!) and made an Indiana Jones cake. I have to admit, every birthday cake I have made since Curtis turned one has been pretty much a disaster. My skills are so non-existent that Sam usually takes over and makes the cake look presentable. But this year, I had an idea in my head and for once was actually able to execute it! It's far from professional but Noah loved it and thought it was so creative. And isn't that what its all about?

Here are a couple of pictures from the party:

Swinging across the pit of doom

The kingdom of the crystal skull with lego Indiana running away from the cake/cookie boulder

Noah with his good friend, Charlie.

On a personal note, Noah is such a wonderful kid. He is a joy to be around. It was tough getting him into this world but all 26 hours of labor were completely worth it. I would do it again if I had to! We are so grateful that Noah is part of our family.

8 things I love about Noah:

1. He strives to be obedient and help others choose the right.

2. He is a wonderful big brother and little brother.

3. He is a great helper.

4. He has the cutest freckles smattered across his face.

5. He is funny!

6. He is thoughtful and cares about other people.

7. He is excited to be baptized in a few weeks!

8. He is very creative and loves to express himself artistically.

Noah, I love you and am so grateful you are mine! I love you more than everything!

Love, Mom

Cute kids

Noah is becoming a pro at quick wit. His teacher relayed this exchange to me: While talking about Charles Lindbergh (?) in class, Noah's friend Charlie said "Hey, I built an airplane?" Without hesitation, Noah replied "So, I built the ark."

Lucy is becoming quite particular in her clothing options. Most days she wants to wear a skirt-totally fine, I love little girls in skirts and they are quick and easy to make! The problem is, like most women, the first outfit is not the best outfit. I will get her dressed and 15 minutes later she will walk out of her room wearing something else, usually a skirt that is inside out with a shirt that doesn't match at all. I've decided to just roll with it. So, next time you see Lucy and she looks like a ragamuffin, just remember, she is a budding fashionista and asserting her independence!

A decade

Do you remember what you were doing a decade ago? The thoughts and feelings you were having? Even who you spent the day with or what you ate? No? Well, I remember everything.

You see, at this time on February 1st, 2000, I was realizing that I was going to become a mother that very day. I was experiencing contractions, getting stronger and closer together and it finally hit me--Today I will meet the little soul that will make me a mom. And, at 5:17 pm we welcomed little Curtis Taft Preslar into our loving arms and family. I never imagined 10 years ago that I would someday actually have a 10 year old. Did anyone else feel that way? But, that's what happens after your baby is around for 10 years!

The last 10 years have been full of love, happiness, fun, frustration, anxiety, smiles and tears as we have navigated parenthood. It has been a challenge, but an even bigger blessing. Curtis is such a cute, goofy, sensitive, talented, sweet kid and I am so glad he is mine!

10 for 10 about Curtis:
1. He is a Lego building maniac.
2. He loves his brother and sister so much!
3. He still loves trains, just like his dad.
4. He loves Cub Scouts and will receive his Bear award this week!
5. He loves to read.
6. He is a great helper.
7. He loves his family-immediate and extended, and idolizes cousin Taylor
8. He loves animals and is so happy to have a cat. (much to my dismay)
9. He loves spending time with friends but will also play happily by himself for hours.
10. He is very loyal. He's got your back.

Happy Birthday, Big Boy! For now and forever, my baby you'll be. I love you, Curtis.

ps. don't freak about the cub scout background. This week is the Blue & Gold banquet where we will celebrate 75 years of Cub Scouts, Curtis will receive his Bear and move on to Webelos and Noah will be introduced as a new Wolf.  And since Sam and I are Bear leaders, it's kind of a big deal around here! So, in honor of that, the first FEMALE who can tell me what a Webelo is, will win a prize!

Holiday Updates

I'm not really in blogging mode but I was tired of having that last post up from over a month ago! So, I just went through my photos from the holidays and pulled out a few favorites.
We went ice skating with my family on Christmas Eve. Even little Lucy got in a pair of skates! She had a great time!

Noah didn't stop skating for a second. He is really getting the hang of it!

Curtis was happy that Santa remembered to bring Agent C a new collar for Christmas. He loves that cat.

My cousin Tina came home from serving 9 months in Afghanistan. We were all able to go to the airport on New Year's Eve and welcome her home. It was so exciting to see her reunited with her two children.

I'm so glad she is home safe and sound and so proud of her for serving our country!

I have a video to share but for some reason I can not get it to load on blogger...I'll try again later.