Purging

A couple times a year our ward has a rummage giveaway. Not a sale--members and the community just come and get what they want/need. I think I've only actually picked up two dress shirts for Troy that a lady handed to me with a look that said she expected me to take them (BTW-they are in the stack of things to donate this time around). The thing I love about the giveaway is giving my stuff away.

Between making space for baby and not wanting to move stuff I don't use, we are in the middle of a major purge. I love it. Once we get it all into one place I'll have to take a picture. However, I look around and we just have too much stuff! The new house is three bedrooms and has a garage, but it's still small. I'm all about small. I want to live a small and simple life, so having all these things really bothers me. But a lot of it is stuff I either can't bring myself to get rid of yet or things I use just often enough that I don't dare get rid of them. My piano keyboard, for example. I never use it because 1) it doesn't sound or play like the real thing and 2)I play terribly. But I can't just get rid of it, can I? And what about the quesadilla maker that I've used twice but oh those quesadillas were so good! Too many tough decisions.

A little story (and finally some pics)

After thinking about how we were going to fit our lives and a baby into our two-bedroom apartment, we decided that instead of sacricing our stuff, we'd just move. Add to that the constant promptings of my dad, the real estate lover. It all became too much and at the end of August we started the house hunt. I'll tell you what--any of you who live in a metro area are lucky. In Blythe we have very few options in the lower price ranges, unless of course you want to buy a dump in the ghetto. Yes, we actually have multiple ghettos in our small town. Go figure.

Nevertheless, we were optimistic. This is Troy the day we went on our first home tour:

If you can't tell, he's in a good mood. I think he's singing along with Eddie Money or something. Anyway, among many other awful sights, the visual evidence of which I deleted without thinking of this post, this summarizes our first day:

An investor's reno that looked great on the surface, but at closer inspection was trash. This is the sprayed on grass in the front yard. Highlights of other houses included a kitchen with about two cabinets, bedrooms with psychedelic carpet and extension cords powering the ceiling fans. If I had a picture of me at the end of the day, you would see I was clearly depressed.

But the search continued. We saw houses straight out of the fifties, complete with metal cabinets; houses with a reek that will likely never leave; and houses that were workable, but priced far above our comfort level. There was a foreclosure we made an offer on, but only after it had been on the market for three days (which included a weekend), there were already multiple offers besides ours, so that didn't work out for us.

Anyway, I had pretty much given up on the idea when our realtor told us about a house that was coming on the market. We made an offer the day it was listed and the owners accepted the next day. Hooray! So we're moving and I'm very excited.

Belated Announcement

Oops. I promised I'd let you know what we were having. What a failure I am. Oh well, I'm not too concerned because it seems most of you are extra-intuitive anyway (or Erica voted over and over so she'd be right).

It's a girl!

Or so the doctor says. I must say that I really can't tell when watching the video myself. Sure looks like there's something there to me, but he got plenty of crotch shots and was very confident.

We are very excited for a girl. Troy will spoil her rotten. I think he's the type that can't help but create a daddy's girl.

If I get ambitious, I'll try to figure out how to post part of the ultrasound for Lindsay. But Lindsay, don't be too disappointed if I can't figure out how to cut it from it's full length and you have to wait to see it until after she's born and we finally get to see you again!

Another poll

I know I have zero pictures on this blog, and this post won't help anythingl. Sorry.

We have an ultrasound next week during which (hopefully) we'll find out the sex of the baby. So just for kicks and giggles, cast your vote and we'll see how smart you all are. :)

Finally some real news

After months, well probably years, of a news-less blog, we finally have something to say: We're having a baby. Hooray! It's due January 15 and things are going well. I would post a pic of our ultrasound, but it's just a dark spot with a blob in the middle, so it's really nothing to gush over. However, once I get home I'll have to post the video of telling my family. My sister FREAKED out and I will take any opportunity to embarrass her.

So far the thing I look forward to most about not being pregnant is being able to brush my teeth for a full three minutes. The only time I lose my breakfast is when I gag myself (far too easy to do) while brushing my teeth. My dentist will be so mad when he sees all my cavities.

Another Hubby Bragging Moment

Troy is so awesome. I have a stupid cold and have been useless for days. Add to that the fact that it's ant season and I'll just say that our house is a mess. There is baby powder covering the kitchen counters. Troy decided to vacuum it up and see if our ant "friends" come back. Let me tell you, when the stuff has been sitting there for a week it's not as easy to clean up. Not only has he rid the kitchen of white powder, but he did an all-out cleaning. Hooray! He's the best.

I Want To Go Home!

It's so true. Usually once June hits I'm ready to leave work and the heat and spend time with the fam in Utah. However, this year my homesickness is INTENSE! Actually, I don't think it's homesickness as much as not wanting responsibilities, but whatever. I still want to be in Richy, sleeping in and doing nothing, even if it is only for 2.5 weeks.