Baby Charlie?

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling like I hadn't slept in weeks. My whole body was tired and felt heavy. I managed to drag myself out of bed because that is what you have to do when you have a 17 month old. with a list of things to do for the day, I arranged for Carson to spend the day with Grandma.

As we walked out the front door, Tenaya bolted for freedom. I secured Carson in his car seat and then tried to convince Tenaya to come home. She wouldn't have anything to do with me. Mind you, I am in my pajamas, the car is running and I am in the middle of the greenbelt, screaming at the top of my lungs as Tenaya is prancing around as though this is some sort of game to her. I was furious. Screaming louder and louder with every "Tenaya Come!" The next thing I know, my neighbor Michelle came out to see what all the commotion was about. I completely lost it. The keys went flying and the tears started flowing. It was then I knew something more was going on.

Michelle calmly took Tenaya inside to play with her dog, Pickles and I took Carson to Grandma's. then I took my long list of daily activities and tossed them aside and went back to bed. I woke up at 2:00pm with a craving for fast food. Who does that?? So, I ventured to Burger King then to Target to buy baby wipes, body wash and a pregnancy test. I picked up Carson and returned home, leaving the pregnancy test in the car.

I am not pregnant, I thought. I mean, how could I be?? We just started trying and my boobs are not sore. Yeah, my stomach has been hurting and feeling nauseous. Yeah, I was supposed to start a couple of days ago. Yeah, I am tired and emotionally unstable. But what's new?

I proceeded into the evening and watched Fresno State pound Georgia in the college baseball World Series. What an amazing series.... Go FRES-NO-STATE!!!

Half way through the game I received a phone call from Keithly (Heather Church). We have always had an unspoken friendship that goes deeper than words. She just knows, and this time was no different. She had a feeling. Not sure exactly what the feeling was but it made my lazy but go to the car to retrieve that darn pregnancy test and pee on it! By golly, it said that I was pregnant!

I called Michelle over for a second opinion because Steve was at water polo practice. She agreed that there were two lines. I was not sure how to feel so I just paced the house.

Steve came home and was watching the game highlights on ESPN while I was talking to cousin Amanda on Skype. She asked me if we were "officially trying." I mentioned that there was a pregnancy test on the counter that Steve was too blind to notice. And well, long story coming to an end, he found the test and realized that I am pregnant!!

I am only a couple weeks along so I will have to schedule a doctor's appointment to make sure all is well, but will definitely keep you all posted. Here's to Baby Charlie!

Anyone need Home Financing? - I DO! I DO!

Yes, it is official, Steve and I signed papers last week with Wilson Homes and have chosen to proceed forward with the purchase and construction of a brand new home, the Fordham Model in Rivage at Harlan Ranch.

We have, however, also chosen to not sell our home but rather to just rent it. Goodness, Budget Lockdown is officially in effect!!!!

It is rather bittersweet. I am really excited for the new house but am very sad to leave our current home. This was our first home together and it holds a lot of memories. Steve and I love our house and our current neighborhood but hope to fill the new 5th bedroom with a little Charlie someday. The purchase of this house is a financial gamble but hope that it will pay off in the long run. It is a little unnerving right now because of the current state of the housing market but I believe that long term real estate is one of the best investments!

Well the details of the house are rather exciting. The house will be located just 2 miles east of where we live now. It is approximately 3,200 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 3 1/2 baths. The lot we have chosen is directly across the street from my friend Shawna who is fighting her battle against cancer. More importantly, it has plenty of room for friends and family to come visit and stay!! We hope to move in some time after the 1st of the year 2009!!

Kenny Chesney!

We just returned home from an amazing weekend in San Francisco. Steve played against Olympic water polo players at a tournament in Moraga on Friday and Saturday. Then Saturday I picked him up as we ventured into the city.

While out to dinner on Saturday night we sat next to Sammy Hagar. Then on Sunday we went to the Kenny Chesney concert at AT&T Park. The concert included a line up of Luke Bryan, Gary Allen, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks & Dunn and Kenny Chesney. It was super fun. Kenny started to sing his song "Shiftwork" and said "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome, George Strait." I of course about fell out of my chair only to have Kenny say just kidding! I didn't think it was too funny. Then later on he welcomed Steve Miller to sing a few songs with. And to top it off he welcomed Sammy Hagar to sing as well! The crowd went wild. It was an incredible concert.

Burnt Toast

I know that those of you who have older children know that I am in for many years of unimaginable stories, but this morning we had a little incident that I thought was funny.

I chose to have some toast for breakfast, so I take out the toaster from the cabinet under the counter, stick my bread in and proceed to wait for it to toast. Well, as usual, I am side tracked by little Carson, probably doing something he wasn't supposed to, and the next thing I know, my toast was burnt. So I attempt to scrape off the burnt part, convinced that it is still edible. After a few more scrapes and a sniff test it was still too burnt to my liking.

I decided to try again and placed yet another piece of bread in the toaster and was determined not to let it burn. As I watched carefully, the little household appliance started to smoke and smell of something burning, again! I popped the toast and sure enough the toast was burnt, AGAIN! I wondered how this could happen twice in a row. I thought clearly there is a problem with the toaster and not with my marvelous cooking skills. I researched the problem further only to discover a Hot Wheel car stuck inside my toaster with its plastic wheels and windshield completely melted! Oh the joys of motherhood. I love Carson!

Budget Lockdown

So, it is official, we are on Budget Lockdown. As we grow closer to trying for baby number two (AKA: Charlie Margarita), we realized that we would need another bedroom in our house. We currently have our room, Devin's room, Carson's room and an office that we are not willing to give up. We love our house and even more, our neighborhood. We looked at purchasing 5 bedroom in our neighborhood but came to quickly realize that we would not get our monies worth. Instead, we are looking to have a brand new house built in a new development exactly 2 miles east of where we are now, Harlan Ranch. The builder is Wilson Homes and the house is the Fordham Model. Steve and I have been stirring upon the idea for months now of how we are going to make this work financially. And well, we are going to just bite the bullet and do it. But rather than jumping big as we were originally thinking of doing, we are going to take a small step up. We are actually going to take advantage of the market and purchase this house without selling our house. We are seizing the opportunity, but at the same time pinching every penny to save for a down payment. This is something I struggle with. Granted I have never been frivolous with my spending, but when going to the grocery store and places like target, I tend to just buy what I want. Not any more!! And as far as gas prices go, I really think twice about heading out. I paid $4.45 at the pump yesterday and it cost me over $90 to fill up. I am not complaining (AMY), but just making it clear that I don't plan to be joy riding in the Denali.

The loan business has not been so hot lately in which Steve would love for me to get a "real" job. This is something I contemplate daily and seem to have no resolution in the matter. We will see in due time. I do believe that everything has a way of working itself out. So, in the meantime, I am declaring my commitment to conscious spending. Wish me luck!