Here's the Deal...

So people keep asking...and here is the scoop.
We moved out here so that Brandon could join the family business. So we could find a place to setttle that we could actually afford. So we could buy a house. Be near family. Put roots down...all that good stuff. However, that has been on hold because....wait for it.....we may be moving AGAIN...in a year, or so...we really don't know.
Here's the thing. There is a pretty good chance that the family business will move to Nashville in the next few months/year. Now, I would be fine with that...hello, its 2 degrees today and although I have never been to Tennesse in my life, from what I hear it doesn't get nearly as cold as FREEZING chicago and it is quite gorgeous from the pics I've seen and I will still be close enough to drive to see my sister...plus, who doesn't want to get to talk in a southern accent...hello- I will be adopting ya'll as soon as my feet hit Nashville soil...but the hard part is waiting.
We are hoping to have a very good idea in January when the move will happen or if it is even going to. See the thing is, I would be fine staying in Chicago too, (besides the cold) it is fine here....I just really want to know.
I am so ready to NOT be renting anymore and NOT move anymore. We are moving for the 4th time in 4 years in a few weeks and I am happy because we are getting our own place (we have been living with brandon's parents since sept), but I know this is a very temporary move which is hard because I know by the time I make this new place feel like home, I will be packing up my kitchen ONCE AGAIN...but I am hoping it will be the last one for a long time.
We are thankful that we will be able to buy a home, just as soon as we know WHERE we are going to be, thankful that we are first time buyers so we are in a pretty good position for the market these days and thankful that Brandon now has a steady job and despite the economy the company is doing well.
I hope I don't sound like a complainer...I really am grateful that we CAN even rent a nice, big house and that God has given me more blessing than I can count...I just am feeling the itch to really invest in something that is OURS as opposed to living in a white wall home (all white guys--- and I am not allowed to paint..ideas, please????!!!) and being able to put money into something that doesn't feel like a big black hole...that is kinda how I feel about renting these days :)
Anyways, we are all healthy, thankful, counting the days until I can be with my WHOLE family in Indiana for Christmas next week and just feeling amazing about being able to celebrate our Saviors birth. And it really does feel a lot like Christmas here in Chicago with all the snow...which I actually enjoy!:) So that's life in a little tiny nutshell..we are in wait mode...
Lord willing I will have more news come January...Stay tuned :)

Three.

Today I am celebrating my beautiful little boy. He turned three today. Three! It's hard for me to grasp that he is growing up so very quickly. Days like to day make me sad in a sense...I know with each year his dependance on me lessens and their is such a remarkable difference from 2 to 3 that makes me feel like their is no baby left in him at all. He is now potty trained, knows all his letters and their sounds, can count to 20, likes to do many things "all by self", still sucks his thumb when he has his special blankie, loves diego and dora, argues that God made EVERYTHING- even if I say, "mimi, made the brownies" (he says no - God did!), loves going to church, loves to rock with his daddy before bedtime, still has a hard time eating anything at all- besides chicken nuggets, makes me sing the same four songs everytime I put him to bed ( I have become very fast and have created new and extrememly short versions of them all :) and makes sure everyones knows that his mommy, daddy and baby mac are his best buddies.

The list of why I adore this little guys is LONG- too long to even start-because then, I wouldn't be able to stop. But the one thing that I desire most for him is that he would grow to love Christ- because despite all the amazing things about Taeden James- he needs to be saved from his sins. Having a strong-willed first child has made me grow closer to Christ-because i am constantly praying for wisdom, patience, and peace. I am thankful for the gift of this child, thankful because I know I don't deserve this special blessing and because I never knew this kind of love that I have for him until I had him.

So Happy Birthday Taeden..We love you!!!

Sneak Peak...

We had our pictures taken a few weeks ago with Brandon's whole family. The photographer was AMAZING and got some awesome pics despite the fact that we had 6 kids under 6. YIKES...!! She got some really great ones of everyone and some really cute ones of the four of us (which I am going to keep under wraps until I do my Christmas card :) But enjoy a sneak peak of these ones...

Update on My Dad...

My dad is currently in the middle of his cancer treatment. Normally when people are in the midst of treatment, they feel horrible, BUT I am so thankful to be able to say that my dad feels GREAT!!! This is because he is taking a different approach in attempting to rid his body of this cancer. Because traditional medicine had no options for him, my parents did tons of research (along with my uncle who literally to a leave of absence from his job as a doctor) and found an alternative treatment from a world renowned doctor that just happens to be located only an hour and a half away from my parents home. This doctor was just recently featured in Susan Somers new book called "Knockout- Doctors that are curing Cancer". I am enjoying reading this book and learning so much ( I would highly recommend it to anyone who knows someone with cancer or has cancer in their family, as it gives good ways to prevent cancer in the first place.)
Anyways, my dad is now an organic fanatic and doesn't eat sugar or meat. Now if you know my dad at all, this is a huge change. He has always loved food, but suprisingly this change was very easy for him as he knows he is doing it for having his life in exchange. I am so thankful that my dad is so passionate about fighting this cancer and am so thankful that my parents were able to get my dad into this doctor who has given hope and life to so many. We obviously don't know what the outcome will be but we are praying for a miracle and praying that the Lord would heal my dad of this diesease. The only thing about this therapy is that it is EXPENSIVE because insurance won't cover a penny of it,( even though this doctor has kept people alive with this therapy with the most deadly kinds of cancer for over 25 years)! So if you think about it, please pray for my parents, my dads health and that God would give my dad many opportunities to share the gospel with people that he is in treatment with! Thanks!!!

My Flea Finds...

Ok, so one of my favorite things about where I now live is that there is an AMAZING flea market 10 mintues away every month. I had some SAAAWEEEET finds today. I so excited to use these items in my home one day! Oh and they were all crazy good deals too. I spent a total of 32 bucks on all the items!

How cute for the corner of a bathroom- 7 bucks!

Seriously, I am obsessed with windows and I love everything about this one. All I have to do is dust off the cobwebs and its ready to go. 6 bucks.

So I thought this would be amazing for a big fruit bowl in the middle of a kitchen island. I will say it was the one item that my husband said was nasty and looked like it was from an old mans garage. (it probably was :) But I love it anyways and for 2 bucks-are you kidding me???

I kept seeing these jars around and people were asking for crazy amounts for them. Then I found a guy at the end who gave me all three for 5 bucks. Hollaaaa! Not sure what I will put in them, maybe cotton balls, qtips or something for a bathroom, but I would love to use them in my kitchen too--what would you put in them??? oh and my favorite part about them is that they are a cool tealish blue. love!

Ok, favorite find of the day. 12 bucks got me this cool old scale that I am obsessed with. How cute with a pumpkin on top for fall or candles!!! Ahhhhh---I am dying to decorate with this little guy.

Anyways, if any of you want to get away for the weekend and do some awesome flea market shopping come see me! I promise you will not be dissapointed(how sweet would it be if all us bloggers who love cool old things could meet up for a girls weekend away and flea market shop together...ahhh, a girl can dream, right???)

Halloween...

Well, its Halloween. Definitely NOT my favorite holiday with all the nasty stuff out there, but fun for the kids to get dressed up and go ahead and ruin my diet by bringing in candy I would NEVER buy (darn almond joys, don't worry I have only had three so far.) Anyways, Taeden fell in love with a Tiger costume a few weeks ago so that is what he was and Macalan took over Taeden's first costume as a monkey. We had fun trick or treating in the cold then going back over to Wayne and Heidis house for pizza and a movie. Wayne is always a trooper and dressed up as a clown. It was a little freaky, but pretty funny. Taeden was so cute saying, what sounded like "kiss or feet" and yelling thank you until the person giving out candy acknowledged him. Poor Mac is coming down with yet ANOTHER cold so he just hung out and rested with Dad.

Always ready to bring out the smile

Sweet Baby boy

Wayne as the clown

Me and my boy

Little Tiger man

Finally Pics of My Cute Nephew.

Little Oaks is so scrumpty and from what I hear, pretty much a champion baby. Only waking up once in the middle of the night and going right back to sleep and being an angel all day long. I am so thankful for this! My sister needs her sleep because their big move is just around the corner. In one week they will leave my parents house (where they have been living for the past few months) and head out to Indiana. I am praying that the transition will be easy for all of them and can't wait to visit them in their new home!