Happy Halloween!

Anyone still there?

Well, the events of the past two months haven't left much time for blogging. I feel like we are about 80% settled. Of course, we have been 80% settled for about five weeks now and I'm not sure when we'll get to the other 20%. But some fun stuff has happened in the lives we have tried to live while transitioning, that I just don't want to miss the chance to blog.

There is no one Ella loves more then her Dad (aka, total daddy's girl). But in her uncontrollable excitement of seeing him one evening her fingernail on her rapidly moving arm scratched his eye. I've never had a scratched cornea but apparently it is very, very painful. Poor Dad was completely incapacitated for about 24 hours. Luckily it heals pretty fast.

We signed Quinn up for soccer at an indoor facility near our home. I thought little girls dancing was the cutest thing I have ever seen, but watching Quinn run his little heart out at his first soccer game definitely tops the list.

U2 Baby!!!

Dave and I share many passions in life, one of which is U2. U2 tickets are the most sought off ticket in the Jackson household (next to conference of course). For months Dave and I have been looking forward to the concert. Our tickets were on the floor in the inner circle. Now, as great as that was to be that close to Bono, It was not great to be that close to 200+ complete strangers. I value my personal space way too much. Dave says he will always get floor tickets. As for myself, I think I can rock it just as good from my own seat that I don't have to share with anyone. Can you spot Dave in the last picture?

Someday...

Someday I will have every box in my house unpacked.

Someday I will have all the paper piling up on my kitchen counter organized and put away.

Someday I will be caught up on my laundry after not having a washer and dryer for two weeks.

Someday I will be able to park my car in the garage. (This will happen before anything else thanks to my amazing hubby).

Someday everything in my closet will have its place.

Someday I will get a minute or 120 and clean my floors.

Someday I'll be able to instantly find all of the important papers that come home from my kid's school.

Someday I will blog before and after remodel pictures of the house.

Someday I'll get Ella's one year old picture taken. After all, she's one for a whole year, right?

Someday I'll feel in order with this house and I will start to enjoy the beautiful fall weather. Or, I'll just enjoy it now.

Someday I'll get over this swine of a flu so I can work on all this stuff and kiss the people I love.

But today I will just sit quietly and thank my Heavenly Father for my beautiful family and this beautiful home and the many countless blessings he has given me.

Happy Birthday Budro!

My little boy is now 4 years old. And how we love having him as part of our family. Despite being surrounded by girls most of the time Quinn never lets us forget that he is all boy. He loves baseball, Transformers, Spiderman, riding his bike and swimming. He has no problem keeping up with his two older sisters and is so tender and sweet to his baby sister. For a little boy of four he has a lot to deal with concerning his food allergies and asthma but they don't slow him down one bit. He can be sweet and lovable, rough and tough, and way too demanding for his own good. We love you Quinn! Happy Birthday Budro!

I wish I could take credit for this cake. My talented friend Katie made it for him. She did an amazing job and Quinn LOVED it!

It's official...we're moving!

One Saturday night in mid June

My hubby and I cozy in our room.

On the Web we searched for a house to buy

Seven months of looking, it's true, no lie.

A new listing we were excited to come across

Call the realtor now, we can't bare another loss.

A bank-owned home that was priced to sell

And everything about it looked really swell.

This house we saw, this house we loved

The bidding war is on and push came to shove.

We lost the bid to someone with cash

Our dreams were gone, they were gone with a flash.

But then we heard there really wasn't any doe

Our bid is back in and here we go!

Our offer was the highest, yes it's true,

The joy in our hearts, it grew and grew.

Praying and hoping everything would work out,

With it in the bank's hands we had some doubt.

We waited for months or maybe just weeks

Our friends prob'ly thought we were really big freaks.

And finally last Thursday on August thirteenth,

WE CLOSED, HORRAY! Before the fourteenth.

And now some remodeling to the house we will do,

A makeover of such, so it looks brand new!

The packing I started and hope to have done

By the time we move, this part's not so fun.

By Labor Day we hope to be in our new home

Hello Glendale, ready or not, and here we come!

Karaoke Baby

Ella loves to hear her voice amplified through our karaoke machine. The only trouble is fighting with Dad over who gets to use it the most.

Ella's Birthday

Going through the pictures I realized that I forgot to blog about my sweet baby's birthday. I had her in the summer on purpose so we could always have a swim party and I would never have to come up with any other birthday entertainment, just a new theme. This years theme was The Little Mermaid. Some people think that being pregnant in the summer in Phoenix is crazy, but I think it's brilliant!

Ella was not interested in her cake at all!

Maybe even annoyed.

Grandma and Grandpa Jackson were in a car accident on their way to the party. Oh, the sacrifices they make for their grandchildren. They are okay and Pa's nose has healed nicely! Or at least as nice as it was before.

I wish I could take credit for this but I can't. Ella's very creative Aunt painted this ocean scene to hold all the food.

"Mom what do you have me in?" "Don't worry Ella Bella you look adorable!"