SAHM: Week 1

Wednesday was my first day as a Cedar Rapidian again. It was a little unnerving packing my mama-mini and unloading it at the 'rents. But as I was making trip after trip to the basement to rearrange closets and the shared bedroom of the kiddos, I noticed a saying on my parents wall. I've read it before, but I never truly embraced it until that moment...

Thanks mom and dad for allowing my family a stopping point. This transition shouldn't last long, but it'll definitely help in making sure that our future decisions are thoroughly considered. For now though, I'm living it up!

I posted on Facebook yesterday that I could really get used to this whole SAHM thing. Seriously, it's awesome. Every day, I am waking up my babies at 8:30, letting them stretch out across the bed. We eat breakfast together at our own pace and then head out for the day... always doing something cheap and adventurous. (Remember, I'm technically not employed full-time until Sept 6th.)

The fun started Thursday night when we had tickets to the Jason Aldean concert at the Jones County Fair (thanks again mom and pop). I rolled up my jean shorts and added some super cute cowgirl boots, and spent the night with my awesome sis and her hubs, screaming My Kinda Party!

I love this girl!!

The beer line was long, so we stocked up...

 Okay, so it completely down poured on us, but I was the happiest, wettest cowgirl there, I swear!

Friday morning began with McDonald's in the car... Alayna ate the large fry!

And then we cruised down I-80 to Adventureland. For those of you who haven't enjoyed the excitement to be found in Iowa, you should really check it out. It is a steal of $25 per person to get in, and with a three- and five-year old, we aren't looking for Disney or Six Flags. This year was a big milestone as Alayna topped 36" and could pretty much do all kids rides and even some other favorites, like the log ride. (Did I mention that she was even free admission at three?!) Cade surpassed the 42" mark and attacked anything his heart desired. Roller coaster after roller coaster, he was going upside down and in circles so fast, it made me puke to watch it. Honestly, the camera couldn't even capture him sitting next to his dad!

The Malone family joined us too (not pictured, obviously.) They are pretty much part of the Skala clan, so it was fun that they could come. Clyder and Blake couldn't make it because of work schedules and our last-minute planning, but it was a fabulously hot day. It also happened to be Mr. Skala's 56th birthday, so we tried to do a little celebrating for the old man. Unfortunately, this is all we had for a birthday cake....

But with a candle in it, and a special delivery from the Little Miss Aly herself, he was very appreciative!

Within just a few days, you can see how spoiled we've been with family. This week, Jar is in Chicago, so it's just me and the kids. We've explored the splash pad, the park, and the swimming pool, made cookies, did a little shopping, and spent some time riding bikes.

I can't get enough of these two and their giggles. I'm truly blessed with how well they play together.

I've also gotten in some totally refreshing runs in preparation for the BIX this weekend. And, we've ran errands, made phone calls to find preschools/daycares, registered for kindergarten, changed addresses, and many other time-consuming tasks that add up when you move.

#1 on my list has been getting DVR for my parents. I can't take this recording on VHS tapes much longer. And last night, mom seriously pulled out the TV Guide. No, I don't mean by hitting the Guide button... I mean, she had the folded, weekly listing hidden in the basket beside the chair. I guess this SAHM deal leaves room to help those in need of a little updating too!

The Whirlwind of Life

In mid-April I sat on my front porch in anxiety for what was to come. I was putting in my notice at work, debating what type of work I would do in Cedar Rapids, reading up on the do's and dont's of for-sale-by-owner, and pulling my kids out of school. We committed to 90 days of this FSBO crap, and that's tough. We spent every weekend at the house cleaning everything from ceiling fans to baseboards, staging it perfectly, and manning our own open houses.

Finally we decided to take a night off to visit some friends in Illinois. We packed the kids and headed out Saturday afternoon, bikes and all. Jenni and Chad lined up a sitter and the four of us enjoyed a little bit of small town Ogelsby. There's no exaggeration there.... Literally, I would venture to guess that I was 13 or younger last time I saw cigarettes in a vending machine!

In the midst of it all, we got the call that someone wanted to see the house at 10 am on Sunday morning. As much as I wanted to inform them that we scheduled the open at 2 pm that day to allow for a wild Saturday night, we did agree to meet them at the house. The morning came quickly, and while Chad ran off to work, Jarin failed to realize our van keys were inside his truck.

I believe this was the moment when our whirlwind began. By the time we got access to our car, we were already 20 min behind schedule. Thankfully, we had two babies who were patient for 1.5 hours in the car, and appreciated Teddy Grahams for breakfast! I had 7 minutes to spare as we pulled in the driveway and the main level still needed vacuumed.

Whew! Time was up and the doorbell rang. A sweet couple walked in with their realtor. Since I am positive that the Coors Light aroma was holding on strong, I allowed the realtor to show her clients through the home. And 35 minutes later they were finally heading back out the door.

Within hours, we were receiving a call to inquire whether we'd be open to paying commission fees. Are you kidding? Our final FSBO open house after more than 12 weeks.... you're darn right we'd entertain that! Thankfully my husband is much more level-headed and answered appropriately. That was last Sunday.... yes, only nine days ago.

Fast forward through an 8-time-volley of offers, a final signed offer only two hours before our FSBO contract expired, two really great job interviews, a farewell party at work that was absolutely perfect, multiple trips to the nasty WalMart, and more than 40 hours of packing boxes, and you have me at today. Exhausted.

But totally stoked! I am sitting now, not on my porch, but in my living room, gazing around these empty walls and remembering all the fun we've had here in the last 4 years. After August 19th, it'll be for someone else to enjoy. And I will be happily placed in Cedar Rapids, near all of our family, with a kindergartener and preschooler, and a husband who loves his job. And me, I will be the new Program Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters, in a whole new whirlwind of life.

It's amazing how it always works out.