Noah's birthday was totally low key. He's two, and we took advantage of the fact that he wouldn't know any better and took him out for Mexican food where a bunch of loud Mexicans (present company included, and one with a COW BELL) sang happy birthday to him and scared the be-jee-bees out of him. We then took him to Target and let him pick out his gift. I was going to try to lean him towards the bigger toys, but then thought better of it and let him take home a $5 DVD and a $3 bouncy ball. He was ecstatic (and so were we)!
Lola's birthday was more of a weekend celebration. Much like her mom, she firmly believes birthdays were meant to be "birth weeks" or in this case a "birth weekend." Friday was her preschool Valentines/birthday celebration. She scored tons of sweets and plenty of valentines. Saturday I took Lola and Grace (her bestie) to Build-a-Bear where they each picked out an adorable (and overpriced) plush animal and stuffed, bathed, dressed and named it. Lola came home with "Queen Bear" and Grace came home with "Kiwi." We then went to lunch at Red Robin and stuffed ourselves with yummy food. Sunday after Church we had neighbors and family over for cake and ice cream (p.s. Thank you Pioneer Woman for the "best chocolate sheet cake" recipe). She scored yet more gifts and went to bed a happy girl. This morning she woke up to a room full of balloons and yet more gifts--oh to be five again!
The house hunt, though, is what has consumed the majority of our time since the beginning of the year. It went from being just a thought in the back of our minds to the forefront in a matter of weeks. We found a KILLER agent--and by "killer" I mean super great, not a crime committing felon. We've never house hunted before, and he has been way patient and we've learned a ton from him, and his name is PIE--and since we're being honest, I picked him cause he's named after one of my favorite foods--the fact that he's great at what he does is just a bonus. So we talk/email/see Pie on a pretty regular basis, and I've learned that being a Realtor is a lot tougher than I ever imagined. I just really hope all the time and work we're all putting into this "finding a house" thing pays off for all of us (and soon).
The only other thing I have to report on is the fact that we have found a group of friends to hang out with, and though this may sound cheesey and lame, I am SO stinkin' happy! Moving to a new state is tough, and though we have loved being in Colorado there is something to be said for having good friends close by that can make any new place suddenly feel like home. I feel like we finally have that, and I am blessed because of it. It's just nice and comforting to have that assurance that you can pick up the phone and find someone to do the most menial, mundane things with you just so you don't have to do them alone. It's nice to know that come Friday night, even if no plans were made, we'll always find people to eat/chat/ laugh with while our children destroy the house. It's nice to sit and chat with a friend for twenty minutes only to discover it was actually more like 2 hours. It's nice to know someone who wont laugh at you just cause you want to drive out to Sams Club just for an icee. Life seems a little fuller, a little brighter, and it's moments like the ones we have had a lot of in the last few weeks that I realize how well Heavenly Father knows me and places people in my path who will help me and teach me and make me feel like not such a bad person cause man, are they gonna burn in hell for some of the stuff they have done!!
