Ladies and Gentlemen...

That's Loki's new catch phrase..."Ladies and Gentlemen...1...2...3...GO!"

We're really not sure where that came from. We've never taken him to the race tracks or anything like that.

But yes, we do have some pretty big news to share. In fact, It's down right ALARMING (as atested to by the above firemen)! I bet the suspense is killing you! Well, it looks like these little Stetson girl gatherings are going to be a little trickier for us to get to, because we're MOVING!!!!

I've actually been in an odd state of denial about the whole thing. But after showing our house TWICE on Wednesday, it's finally starting to sink in. I accepted a position with Hanapin Marketing in Bloomington, Indiana. (The top picture is of the Bloomington Co Fire Dept in the early days of the previous century - I sure do hope they've updated a few things since then ~ atleast I hope they've gotten some slightly more fashionable uniforms ~ these just don't scream sexxy calendar boys ~ do you think?).

Anyway, I will continue doing the Search Engine Marketing work that I have been doing from home, only now I'll have an official office (or maybe cubicle) to sit in. More importantly, I'm going to have a steady income AND benefits!

It's been a wild, crazy ride these past few weeks as we made all sorts of decisions. I must admit that I'm a little flattered. I ended up in the middle of a bidding war between 3 different companies desiring my services. And if it wasn't so STRESSFUL, it would have been amusing!

One of the 3 is actually local, and I've been hoping they'd hire me on for some time (I've been doing quite a bit of contract work for them over the past few months), but they weren't willing to shell out enough dough to make it worth my while).

The other is the Houston based company, I've been contracting for, as well. And they even offered to let me continue working from home. Even though the salary bids were very close, Hanapin's commitment to it's employee's and my opportunities for growth were more than enough for us to chose them! While I'm not thrilled about moving, I am SUPER excited about my new position and the company I'll be working for.

Whitebread will be Mr. Mom for the next year or so as he gets things figured to attend Graduate School and Indiana University. I won't lie. I'm a little jealous. I'm supposed to be the SAHM! But this really is the best thing for our family for now.

And Jake? What about Jake? Well, there are still some decisions that have to be made. Jake is DEFINITELY staying here. We're just not sure if we're going to keep managing it (with the eventual possibility of Jake moving to Bloomington) OR if we're going to sell him. Luckily, we do have that option. We have a couple of people interested. So, that's nice, too.

Whew! I was hoping that like my previous post, getting this all out there would make me feel better but I think it's making it worse! We have SOOO much to do before we go. Lost State Tours has NEVER been busier (and it's still not as busy as we're hoping it will eventually be)! And of course, we're riding that train for AS LONG as we can.

We are still DEFINITELY coming down for Memorial Day! And we couldn't be more EXCITED! But suddenly we have alot of other things to figure out. As in, I think I may have just rented our house come June 1st! AAAAACCCCCCKKKKK!

52 in 52

DISCLAIMER: this is NOT the BIG news, you've all been waiting for...this is just an intermediary blog post to set forth a proposition...

All of these decisions we've been working on making (NOTE: many decisions have STILL yet to be made), has really gotten this gal a thinkin...and I promise to reveal the big news SOON!

I've REALLY been trying to figure out what I WANT out of life. (And I feel like atleast a few of you, my fellow Stetson Sixers are in VERY similar boats). I really just don't know. I honestly thought I had it all together. You know -> graduate high school, go to college, travel around the world, go to graduate school, get married, have babies, start a business....

When I sit down and think about it, the next BIG thing on my agenda is helping Elora plan her wedding (assuming that she wants one). Which means that we're looking at a gap of atleast 20 years here (and WB & I are hoping for MORE). Sure there will be plenty of other milestones. Plenty of exciting events and occassions between now and then but what do I want?

And I can't say that I've entirely figured it out. Well, you know, I want the usual: health, love, happiness, prosperity, male servants bringing me bon-bon's on my patio while I basque in the late summer sun! And I think that I can get most of that (saving the male servant bon-bon thing). But HOW do I make all that happen? Do I want a career? Do I want WB to have a career? Do we send the kids to school? Do we try to homeschool them? Do we like our kids enough to homeschool them? SHEESH! Sooooo, many questions.

Now, I'm not opposed to a career. I've always sort of figured I'd have one - though I NEVER knew what it was going to be. I'm sure that part will all come together one way or another...but is that ENOUGH? Is that all I want out of life? (Not that having ALL of that would be bad). But I think I want more. (I know you're all thinking, "Damn, she's a greedy little looney bird, isn't she?")

But really! I do WANT more. And I'm beginning to realize that if I just VOCALIZE (or in this case, print) my dreams and aspirations that there is a VERY good chance that they JUST might come true.

So here it is:

In 10 years, I want to travel the WHOLE world with my immediate family. I want to take 52 weeks and visit 52 unique locations.

Loki will be 12, Elora will be 10 and who knows about any of the rest of the wild young un's we plan on producing...

But we'll spend a week in each locale. That gives us enough time to rest and recuperate before traveling again and it allows us to keep to some sort of schedule, which I think will be important for the kids - even if they are older.

Now, I know that there is a VERY good chance that this may never come to fruition. There are a TON of things to figure out and to take into consideration. But I have 10 years to try. 10 years to plan and organize and put it out there to the world that THIS is what I intend to do, so any help, encouragement, or enthusiasm you want to throw my way, GO FOR IT!

I am so SUPER excited to have this out! To have this down and documented! This could be the beginning of something BIG (and it may just be a dream), but it's a GOOD one.

What's your goal? What's your dream? What do you want the world to know?

Dolly Would

Part of Loki's 2nd Birthday present (and Aleaa's 6th Birthday present) from my Mom was a family trip to Dollywood! It was a little rainy to start but we had a BLAST none the less. And in case ANY of you crazy kids decide you want to head north and visit Dolly's Model City ~ we've got season passes and would LOVE to join you (Plus, I think we can get you a discount ticket!)

Enjoy the pics!

This is our fancy schmancy double stroller (complete with breathable rain tarp)!

Loki and his cousin Aleaa ride the pigs (no, they don't fly)!

Loki and Aleaa in front of the Dollywood Express

This is a cute family photo ON the Dollywood Express. The sad story behind this picture is that we had waited ALL day to ride the train (it was ALL Loki talked about). But by the time the train pulled out ~ Loki had fallen fast ASLEEP. Note to self: Next time, ride train FIRST!

It was a GREAT day and a well needed holiday. The timing was PERFECT as we had just received some long anticipated news which would soon require some SERIOUS decision making on our behalf.

Stay Tuned....

Birthday Madness

It's a little wacky to think how much babies change in 24 short months. Our sweet little man officially turned 2 last Sunday. It's been a wacky ride!

He has learned so much!!! It seemed like it took him FOREVER to walk and now he's got a mind of his own and we can't keep him out of things. Who's idea was it to name him "Loki, " anyway?!

I can't be entirely sure that the poor kid really understands "birthdays". He was sort of born amongst a slew of familial birthdays and right around the same time a few of our friends had children. So, I think that he thinks it's a SEASON. But how awesome is that? That instead of just one day, he gets a couple of WEEKS!.

Needless to say he's been LOVING singing, "Happy Birthday" to anyone and EVERYONE. Yesterday, he was singing it to the cows we passed in the car.

Because we've had so much going on and because we don't really think TWO is quite big enough for his own party, we just had a small dinner at our house. It was actually a pretty big celebration. Not only was it Loki's second birthday but it was also Easter and my Mom's birthday.

Even though it was just family, we did put in a little effort. Loki's ONLY birthday request was to have a Train cake. In fact, he talked about having a Train cake for weeks. I have NO idea where he got the idea. But I figured I needed to get it for him, so I found a nifty Wilton Cake pan and made him a Train cake.

It turned out pretty well (as evidenced by the included photos). I baked the cake the night before, and when he woke up on his birthday, I showed him the unfrosted cake. He took one look at it and said, "I need a spoon."

And when the time finally came for him to blow out the candles (he'd been practicing all week), he was SO excited that we had to re-light them 3 times because he wanted to do it again!

It really was a great weekend but you can tell that we were all a little partied out. Elora didn't even make it to Easter dinner. The picture to the right was literally taken moments before we sat down to eat. I had ONLY just put the bib on her (and she was awake at the time). By the time the below family photo was taken, we had been to 5 birthday parties over the previous 4 day! WOW! We really are PARTY animals!!! And for a nominal fee (including birthday cake) we can liven up your next celebration!!! Just give us a call.

Lot's going on

Soooo, I have had a crazy 2 weeks. Spring break is here and in full effect. The shop was busy last week with private school break, and this week has been hopping because of public school break. Loving all the new customers, but I am pooped! I started at Weight Watchers as of today. I have finally found my tipping point and I can't take it anymore. Plus, I don't want to look like a pregnant person during our Memorial Day get-together. MAJOR NEWS: I have decided that I am going to move the new store. Yep, you heard it right, I am going to move the new store. I am TRYING to make this move in the next month. Again, yep, you heard it right. Nothing like running around like a chicken with your head cut off. I am going to look at a possible place first thing tomorrow morning. Hopefully it will work out, the money will be right and we can move forward. I will keep you posted. Reagan as also been off this week and is driving me a little crazy! I had Haley (a customer/friend) come watch Reagan while up at the shop yesterday. She was a big help and I think I may use her more this summer. She is in middle school, so not old enough yet to leave her home with Reagan, but up at the shop works great. I really miss you all and I can't wait until Memorial Day.

Love,
Me