This past week and a half I was in Highlands Ranch for some firewall training. Unfortunately I did not bring the proper equipment to update my photoblog. So hopefully this is the only break I will have on this blog for a while.  At the end I met Andrea for a nice weekend of skiing and sitting in front of the fire. Comfort won out over Adventure the second day of skiing when the temps fell to -3, even colder at 11,500 feet.
Getting back has been interesting, I did a great job of separating my mind from life for the past week or so with a few interruptions. So now that I am back it feels a bit foreign. I have kids? A Baby? A house? crazy talk. But I do miss them and am very excited to see them tomorrow. We will see how well I get back into the routine but I am really hoping that I am less snappy and more patient after this long break.

I really don’t think a caption is necessary for myself to understand this day. All I need to remember is that in the end…success.

Happy Birthday J, you were so proud of the dress you received from Donna. You also loved the Melissa & Doug Easel and are very excited to use all your art supplies from Grandma and Grandpa Walter with it.
I had an interesting day closing on a house (finally) and getting all the paperwork lined up. This is a lot of stress off my plate. So now I have a goal, a battle to fight, the unknown is gone for now.
The worst part of troubleshooting is the unknown, it is also the best part. However, every time a resolution is found it is a relief to be working towards a goal vs aimlessly moving around to find a foothold. Today was a day of solutions and I am happy with that.

Today I stayed home with little E. Today I had a plumber, an electrician and a Home Realestate person drop by. It was a long day, but a good one. I was able to get E two good naps and experienced one pooplosian that he saved up for right after I changed him.
It was a good day.

So we have devised a final plan for the house. However we may be living in a tent for the time between moving days…
This is one of those situations where I know it will end, I am just ready to be on the other side of it.

Days like today make me wish my life was as simple as my Kitty’s. Ate a snack at 9:00 then did not eat again until 7:00. Coffee just agitated the situation and the stress of looking for a house. Soon this day will just be a memory.

Today L got sick so I brought her home. But before that I took her to see where I work. She was very excited about that. Then tonight we ate J’s birthday cake. I know it has a word on it but it is ok. The cake was delicious other than the acidental rubber mat filling…someone at hy-vee has interesting choices for filling…
But it was a great day of Nemo, pedia-lite and kids pepto.

Today was Js combined birthday party with Violet. It was a well planned party thanks to the Skovs. As for us, well we are still getting the hang of parenting and one of the million facets of parenting is getting to know all your kid’s friends. Which we have not done yet.
Also tonight was an affirmation of a piece of parenting we are trying to get the hang of. Not giving in to pouting or whatnot. Now L was upset because she did not give sunny her treat tonight. But the rule is they need to take care of things before they get to bed. Otherwise when they get to bed it is a matter of them thinking of 1 more thing they need again and again. It got pretty ridiculous a few weeks ago so we put our foot down. Tonight it was a bit our fault because they were off routine. But it is all good, L eventually gave up crying after I had a quick talk with her and J was ok as well (she forgot her Kleenexes).
It was a good day, but very tiring. Thanks to G-pa and G-ma for playing with the kids and allowing me a nap. They definitely love them.

Took the kids sledding for the first time today. While it was a fun experience I cannot say it was enjoyable by all members. N seemed like he was on the verge of tears at all points for various reasons from not knowing what to do at the bottom of the slope and not wanting to walk back up. E was a real trooper and was trying everything truly enjoying herself. J was having troubles as she often would veer off by herself and was having difficulty being independent from the group. But when I got them sledding together the emotions were somewhat consolidated, J was happy to be with everyone else, E was happy to just be on an adventure, and N was still emotional because he couldnt have the sled to himself but was ok with it because his sisters were there.
One thing I did learn though. Sledding is much more enjoyable when you are in shape.

All day the talk has been about how much snow is coming. Today the Denver folk didnt even come into the office for fear of the snow. My parents even came a day early to avoid the blizzard. All day storm warnings and forecasts for 12 inches of snow on every TV. However, here sunny is, pining after the snow only getting rain. Don’t worry soon sunny the snow will come I am sure of it. In the meantime I did cut out of work early to have a beer with some of the co-workers.