Weekend update

Yes, I realize it is Tuesday and I am posting a weekend update. I did attempt to start this several times, but never finished.
So, we had such a great family weekend!!! Crap! The phone just rang. See, I can never seem to get time without interruptions. Who can, really? Oh good, it was my husband. I never mind taking a call from my sweet man. So, where was I?
Oh yah, awesome family time this weekend.
Friday night we had a fun dinner of tacos and nachos, then went to see the High School Musical production put on by the Richmond Community Theater. I was a very proud aunt!!! My 15 year old niece and 13 year old nephew were both starring in the show. And my nephew had a solo. It was great! Olivia was so cute, she got autographs afterwards from the actors.
Satruday we got up early and headed to Detroit for a thing going on at the science center. We got a membership this year, and it was cool to go to a member's only preview of a show in the planetarium. Enjoyed that a lot. And, we happened to meet up with our friends who were going also, and didn't even plan for that until the day before! After the show, we hung out with them at the science center for a few hours. Kids had a blast. Small hiccup in the plans, our realtor called and said we had two showings for the afternoon. UGH! Our house was trashed. So, Timm whipped home and did a quick house cleaning, and whipped back down to Detroit. . . all while we were enjoying our time at the science center. COME ON! What a great guy.
After that we headed to the park where we do the monthly bbq with the homeless. It was such a gorgeous day. And I spent a lot more time visiting with the people, which was very cool. I am not always quick to warm up to people, and have always found that my comfort zone is serving up the food and a smile. But, after going there for so many months, I'm finally learning to be comfortable and to find value in just hanging out and visiting with everyone.
Sunday after church, we went to Emil's buffalo tavern out here in Richmond. They were having their buffalo fest weekend. An old friend of mine from Richmond bought the "famous" local tavern which had been closed for many years. She put a lot of work into remodeling it and re-opened it recently with a great new menu. We had dinner before heading out to Troy for our Communitas meeting. At first I was so dissappointed because they had a limited menu with lots of buffalo meat items, but nothing exciting to me. Then, I was even more dissappointed because something got messed up with our dinner ticket and it took an HOUR after ordering to get our food. We were growing more faint my the minute. 3pm and still hadn't had lunch! However, my disappointment miraculously faded and turned to joy when the manager told us he was picking up the tab due to the inconvenince. YAY! We rarely go out for dinner. And for it to end up being free!!! Thank you Jesus. Now we can afford to go back some time when the regualr menu is available, since I've heard such great things about it.
OK, I'm babbling and it's time to get dinner on the table. I've been running back and forth to the kitchen as I type.
Once again, if you have made it this far with my ramblings, God bless ya.

Let the bidding wars begin! HA!

Well, we waited almost 9 months to get an offer on our home. We started this process by pricing our home low enough to appeal to buyers in this crazy market. $217,995. Then, we lowered the price. $207,995. Then, we lowered the price again. $199,995. Then, we waited. And we waited. And we waited. You get the picture. We are currently sitting here with the house priced at $55,000 less than it was worth 2 years ago. OK, I can swallow that. That's just the reality of the situation.
But, this week, we get a call from our realtor that someone is planning "write an offer". Cool. Well, we never did get it in writing, because it was so ludicrous that our realtor told them she wouldn't waste her time writing it up if it wasn't closer to our asking price. They offered $150,000. That's just $60,000 under asking price! Well, hopefully they will find someone who is desperate to sell. As for us, we verbally countered at $194,995. I'm sure they are nibbling at their fingernails right now deciding how to play out this bidding war! (sarcasm) Actaully, we don't expect to hear back from them.
Meanwhile, for the NYC team, we have 6 families/people who have successfully rented out their homes. We have zero who have sold. Wait, let me check that stat. . . . yep. . . that would be zero. We keep thinking that the Kelly's will be the first. . . . we'll see. . . .

Mesopotamia? Who knew?

So, we are just into our second week of school here in the Kelly home. And we are in full swing home school mode. I realize it has only been a few days, but so far, I am LOVING it!
We are studying world history from creation all the way into the 1900's. This week we have been learning about some of the very first civilizations ever. We're learning about archeologists and all of their discoveries, as well as a bunch of geography. I must say, I am loving it, and I am looking forward to learning all about this stuff WITH them.
At the library, I was showing Alli where some of the documentaries and instructional media is, when she noticed a collection about ancient civilizations. She checked one out about Mesopotamia because we had just been learning about it that day. And, we watched it last night. OH MY. It could not have been a better fit with our curriculum. How fun is that?
OK, so maybe you aren't as excited as I am. . . but I guess this is just my idea of fun right now!
She also checked out a video about the titanic because she has been interested in that ever since she read a book and did a project about it last year. I just LOVE to see my girls demonstrate a DESIRE to learn about things.
Also, started a home school gymnastics class on Monday and excel home school co-op today. Girls had a great time. IT's all good.

Wow, what a week!

Was going to wait until I could flash a darling picture up here of my little Livvy doing the "Little Miss Good Old Days" contest. But, I just don't have the energy to make that happen, so I thought I'd give a little update anyways.
What a week we had last week. Started school and so far that is going VERY WELL. In addition, we had our annual small town festival. Always busy and fun. Like I said, Liv participated in the "Little Miss" contest with her prairie dress and bonnet (Shout out to Michelle for the dress!) on Thursday evening. She had a big old fan club cheering her on. So CUTE! She was a little bit disappointed to not be selected on the court. Mainly because Alli was on the court, so she wanted it also. But, nothing a little dairy queen from Grandma couldn't soothe!
Friday we went to the carnival and the girls got wristbands for all of the rides. They were literally the first ones in line at the ticket booth. We arrived a little bit early and when we realized the ticket booth was opening, Liv ran full speed towards it without regarding anything in her path. She WHACKED into a bench and was writhing in pain on the ground. But, she didn't want to stop for long, knowing that the opportunity to go on rides was so close. Later, she revealed the nasty bruise where she rammed her leg. OUCH! She really is a tough cookie. ANWAYS, they ran from ride to ride to ride to ride non stop until they were turned away at 11pm. The only break was to throw down some hot n ready slices that Timm brought us. Crazy!
Saturday Liv rode on the float in the kiddie parade with all the other cutie pies in their dresses. Then, we did the ping pong ball chase. Picture a thousand kids running down main street, each with a bag, chasing a bunch of bouncing ping pong balls. Each ball is marked with a prize. We won some free slushies, sodas, and crazy bread. Also, a bunch of candy from the "good old days barn". After that, we played games in the park (more candy prizes) and did a candy scramble (more candy). On Sunday we went to the grand parade, and the kids filled another bag with candy from that! For some reason, I really enjoyed the parade on Sunday. Maybe the beautiful weather? I don't know. But, I found it enjoyable and relaxing.
Maybe it's because I had gotten up and gone to church from 8am-1pm, came home and sat at the parade from 1:30 - 3:45, came home for an hour, then turned around and got ready to leave for our Communitas church meeting. The parade was the most relaxing time of my day!
Well, now I'm tired and I haven't even gotten to our Communitas stuff. We celebrated the fact that they were having their first meeting in NYC as well. And they were already expecting to have a good number of people come check them out and possibly get involved. Already growing! And then we faced some creepy giants within the group still here in Michigan. It's not an easy thing, this following Jesus thing. Some times it feels like it would be much better to give up. Jesus asks us to "count the cost" of being his disciple. The cost is everything. And sometimes, that is too much to bear. We spent some time in tears and prayer for some of our team who is experiencing the cost right now. Giving up comfort, family, friends, job, home, belongings, life. . . it's tough. But, us crazy folks, we believe that the only way to FIND your life is to LOSE it. The life Jesus has for us is so much richer and more meaningful. But, the journey is tough.
OK, I'm tired with a capital R. Good night!

first day

Yay! I love the first day of school. And, just because we are home schooling this year, that has not changed a bit.
Still woke up with that excited feeling of anticipation. Still eager to wake the girls and prod them along to prepare for the day. Breakfast, hair, teeth, clothes, etc.
And, still eager to get that "first day of school" picture. Gotta have one.
The day went well. Very well. My girls are bright and curious and fun and motivated. It was a great start to a new school year.
Here is a picture of my cutie pies!
Life is good.