We have a house!!!

Two weeks ago, I went with Jake and Joe out to Tucson, AZ to look for a house.  One of the first homes that we looked at was this cute little place just under 1900 sqft with 4 bedrooms. 

Jake fell in love with it, and Joe grabbed the MLS listing and wouldn't let it go.  I don't know if it was the fact that this house had stairs or a cool pokey plant that they boys named the eating bush because it bites if you touch it, but they were sold. 

Unfortunately for us, there were multiple offers in on the property and a verbal acceptance on one of those offers was already in place.  Jake cried and everyone else was a little sad, but we decided to keep looking and planned to go back again the first weekend in May.  

To our great surprise, the original buyer backed out before ever even doing an inspection and the property was reopened for bidding.  In hopes of a potential bidding war, the bank left the property active until this last Tuesday.  After a week of hoping, praying, and waiting for a response from the bank, we found out that we were the lucky ones whose offer had been accepted.  

All the kids are super happy, and I still can't believe that we are buying our first home.  I know that there is a lot to still do over the next month, but I can't wait to get started.  

Easter

 I love Easter.

Easter ushers in spring.  It brings with it sunshine and warmth.   Everything that we do personifies it's purpose.  We paint eggs, wear brightly colored clothes and talk about Jesus.  

This year I have been trying to remind my children why it is we celebrate Easter.  I think maybe they got it, but I won't hold my breath.  It's hard to focus on the resurrection when chocolate and our tummy's lustful desires for the delicious treats distract us.  But just as Easter symbolizes Hope, I will hope that my children will one day appreciate the sacrifice of their Redeemer and all that His atonement is.  I hope that you all had a fabulous holiday.  Happy Easter. 

American Girl Dolls

For those of you who are not fans of the American Girl doll fad or feel they are to expensive, which I tend to agree,  you may decide there is a reason why so many parents love this product line after viewing their newest DVD.  

On the trip home from my grandfather's funeral, I let the kids pick out a new movie.  Rebecca chose this one.  "Chrissa stands strong."  I didn't think much about the movie, and she watched it in the back of the car on her own, so it wasn't until about 2 weeks ago that I saw this DVD for the first time.  

Chrissa stands strong is about bullying and in my opinion it is the best movie I have ever seen done for children on this topic.  I was so impressed that I lent the movie to some of my neighbors to watch and have their daughters watch.  They were equally impressed.  

So, for as expensive as these dolls tend to be, I love that they help little girls deal with life's challenges without trying to turn them into tweeny boppers too soon.  We stopped watching a lot of the disney tween shows because there is such an over abundance of disrespect towards adults and other people in them.  It may be looked at as just sarcastic or humorous, but my children's attitudes seem to change after watching too many of these shows.  I am really grateful for producers who put out good quality, age appropriate programing.  

So that's my plug.  If you are looking for a good movie to show your girls about bullying check this one out.  You will be happy you did.