I

I don't know if it's the nesting urges, or the impending start of my career again, or ....You know what it is.  It's my ability to control when there is SO much in my life right now that I don't have control over.  


So here are the various places that have been INSPIRING me lately:)--

• http://www.houzz.com/
• HGTV.com
• http://pinterest.com/

For those who haven't had the opportunity to see my notebook: Operation House-to-Home, just know it's amazing!  It's the completely example of how to nest without a nest.  Each room has it's own page.  Within that page I put a picture of the room, paint samples of ideas for that room, and what needs to be done.  At the end of this notebook I have a...to be purchased section, wish list, project list, and a where should we put that piece of furniture section.

Russ calls it "cute".  I call it necessary!  I'm inspired!  I'm stoked that we will be moving into a house that I LOVE.  Our old house did not give me the initial "Wow-I love you, can we buy you" feeling when we walked into it the first time.  But I definitely grew to love it a lot-but there was always this feeling that we were going to be moving sometime.  That this house was not going to be where we grew old or even where we would raise our next child.  

But this house...this house could be where we raise our family for A LONG Time!  Who knows...  So I'm googling things like chalkboard paint, quotes for kids/families, colors that work best together, should the living room wall color be the same as the stairs, frosting glass on french doors, safety proofing your pool, and the uber important COUCHES for the living room.

I love it.  I'm afraid I'm driving Russ nuts.  Everyday I either start a sentence with---"I'm SO excited about the..." or "So could we move that here, and then this there?"  To which Russ replies, "I don't know.  You're asking me about the house that I've been in ONLY once".  Whatever.

I'm INSPIRED.  

love,
Momma 

H

I just bought milk the other day-guess what the expiration date was?....
Give up. Ok, August 25th.  Do you know what is cool about this date?  IT IS 3 days after our CLOSING DATE OF OUR HOUSE!  I think it is just hilarious that I love that the expiration on our milk is FINALLY after our closing date.
 
To say I'm excited is an understatement.  

I'm ecstatic.  Going from a house with 1500+ square feet to an apartment with 800(ish) is SUCH a difference.  And the square feet isn't really IT.  What is it...is the things that a house provides.  Privacy!  The ability to go to sleep with the windows open and not hear your neighbors up until all hours.  Or free from smoke that comes in your windows from your awesome neighbors that don't know how to throw away their butts.  

And the other biggest thing it means is that all of our stuff will be in ONE SPOT.  And not here:

  I swear- we have of some of our kitchen supplies, none of my craft things, none of my skirts, hardly any of our pictures, a small amount of Aylen things, etc.  It's actually good in away.  We are living with the minimum necessary-and truly that's good for us.  It's like camping.  Kind of.  Without the cool stars, and campfires, and fishing all day:)  But I think what makes this so exciting is that our NEW house is AWESOME.  Here are some pictures:)

great kitchen!

mountain views from the bedroom

Ahhhh,,, I love it!  I can't wait:)  And then, just like Russell's says-I can NEST all that I want!  Did I mention they have The Container Store  and the opening of Colorado's own Ikea is next week?!  Yes sirrrreeeee:)

So this week we will officially part ways with our FIRST house ever.  Bye Bryan Circle.  It will be taken care of by a lady who is moving from Geneva.  According to Russell "she got a deal", either way we sold our house in 40 days and although we may lose a bit IT is NOTHING compared to what some people are dealing with houses on the market for 2+ years or losing 10,000+dollars and more.

And for those of you who don't know--we seriously BOUGHT and SOLD (well-started on agreeable contracts between all parties!) these two houses on the same day.  If that isn't a sign that this move was for us--I don't know what is!

Love you all:)
30 days left!

Momma

G

G--I'm struggling with this one, hence the delay in posting.  Some thoughts that correspond to this letter have included:  gosh darn apartment, Grateful, Girl or boy, giving birth, going outside, etc....

Let's go with GRATEFUL~!!~~!

This move has definitely reminded me how grateful Russ, Aylen and I are for the family and friends that have helped us out along our journey.  And by help I mean:  watching of Aman so that we could clean and pack, those that came over and shared their muscles to help Russ load the trailer umteenth times, the constant support I received via phone call and especially text messages from you and you and you, financial help along the way, and just the reassurance that people were and continue to be there for us in ALL the ways they can.

I've been obsessed lately with documentaries (thank you Mandy for starting that)...National Geographic has some great ones that are only 50 minutes long--which those of you who know us know we discontinued cable and I really hate to ever be glued to a tv.  But I can justify 50 minutes a day.  And I've watched anywhere from docs about the Aryan Brotherhood, Bangkok sex industry/exploitation of women, babies docs from all around the world, and multiple prison documentaries.  From all of these it gives me an education into worlds that I have no clue about, and it makes me feel grateful for what I have.  Even the simplest things...  like running water, parents that love me, a husband that supports me and my career path, a healthy son, the ability to walk outside  anytime I want and not constantly fear for my life, and the basic ability to be who I am. 


So a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone:) I heart you all!!!!!

That's all.
Bye!!

Love,
Momma

F

This twas the Fruvellhoff Bunch:(

It makes me wanna cry a bit-looking at it.  I think this is what "they" tell you about when you have children and making hard decisions.  We had to decide what we were going to do with all the animals.

Our HUGE BUNCH of animals went from the Great 5 to the lone 1:(  This was probably one of the saddest parts of this move to Colorado. 

We made the decision that we were going to have to place our cats elsewhere-well at least 2 of them.  So Burton was first to be placed with a loving family-who had one cat who needed a friend.  Burton was always the guy that would get along just fine by himself-which didn't make saying Bye to him all that hard.  I knew he would be fine. 

The next departure was Blinken.   This was a bit unexpected because of how it all went down.  We knew that Blinken would be going-we suspected that he was not feeling the Love and was taking it out on us in various ways (waking us up at ALL hours of the night, potentially peeing on the carpet).  So Brother-in-law Will posted on his facebook and within in a couple of hours we had a loving home for him to go to!  Blinken was our first "child" but due to him not getting the attention he needed we just had to let him go.  I got confirmation from his new owner a week afterwards that HE was LOVING all the attention and found a favorite sleeping spot above the fridge.

Next to leave was Dublin.  And this was way sad:(  Dublin is the sweetest guy-but he just needed a TON more exercise.  The guy was not getting it from us as we were PACKING, and going back and forth to Colorado.  We knew an apartment was not a place that would make Dubbie happy either.  And the other issue was that Dubby just had a really hard time making friends with other dogs-which meant that going to the Dog run was REALLY impossible.  He would always act like he was about to annihilate the other dogs.  We found an awesome rescue place that took Dublin in.  His foster home reported that he was doing well with the other dogs-I guess he just needed to be away from us?...I don't know.  I just know that this rescue was in Colorado-and that Dublin is going to be with a family/person that can give him the active lifestyle that we weren't able to (especially at this time of our life).

The last animal to leave was Gizmo.  He was one of Russell's faves.  The cat was just crazy-he would always do "drive-bys"-at least that's what I called them.  Basically where you are walking, minding your business, and all the sudden you are CLAWED by the cat for simply being in his eyesight or something??  Anyways-when we moved to the apartment Gizmo missed his buddies.  And rightfully so-he MEOWED all night long!  Which doesn't work with already tired parents-a 1 year old that wasn't sleeping well at the time, and a PREGGO lady.  So off he went...

Meaning the survivor of all this is Sampson.  Sammy made the cut because he could lay around all day or go hiking all day.  He is down for anything.  He is a lover that is pretty darn chilled out.  I worry he misses the others-how could he not?...We try to bring him on every car ride that we can, go hiking, the DOG RUN, and to hang with other dog friends.  I think he will love being in the house with more room,  won't we all.

Anyways-it's only fair that I pay some tribute to our animals.  It was a sad choice, and one that was not necessarily approved by multiple loved ones in our life.  It was a good moment for me because I often care ALOT about what others think.  I ask their input, and want to make everyone happy.  But I'm learning (and VERY quickly) that I have a family and that is my FIRST priority.  Our decisions may not be understood by others or even approved of-but it doesn't matter because this is our family and we live with our choices.  I will ALWAYS get input from my beloved family and friends because that is what I do.  I get all opinions and that helps me really think things through.  BUT i will always disappoint someone because my choice will be different than theirs, and that's ok.  Because they are my BELOVED-which means they will be there for me-no matter what.

PHEW.  Wasn't expecting that deep realization to pop through.  The beauty of blogging.

Love to all,
Momma   

E

A week and half ago I wrote to my Favorite teacher of all time the following email:
Ok-so job at Child Guidance...i LOVED northstar but things didn't work out like I wanted.  We then applied for jobs in Colorado because it was our goal to come here sometime.  I then found out we were pregnant again.  I got a job in Denver at a domestic violence shelter.  Russ then got a job.  I then got offered another job-with the Erie hs and middle sc working for a mental health agency to do Prevention and intervention-summers off, plus 2.00 more an hour and a start date of August 8th.  I took that job-declined Denver job.  Russ then got offered an even better job.  He declined his first job-took new job.  We packed our whole house, and put it on the market.  We moved into an apartment in Westminster, CO.  We made an offer on a house in Longmont, CO today.  Russ doesn't love his job-but is working it and it pays  more than he is used to.  He will start a MBA class in a couple weeks.  Then he has one more before he will graduate in December with his MBA.  Our newest baby will be born around Christmas time.

And then to add since then--we put an offer on an AWESOME house and start negotiating last Friday.  We reach a deal around noonish.  We get a call from our realtor in Lincoln-we have an offer!  We wheel and deal and by 3pm we have a  FINAL DEAL.  So we close on the Lincoln house at end of July, and close on the Longmont house at the end of August.  

Whew.  I seriously cannot believe that in 3 months are lives has taken a COMPLETELY different turn.  We have literally uprooted our life and planted it in Colorado.  We live in an apartment and we so desperately want our roots to grow-and I think the final move to our house will make that happen.

So for the past 3 months I have been waiting to fully breath....and I think that finally I'm starting to allow myself.....to EXHALE.

Love,
Momma 

D

Daycare...the Daunting task of Deciding who loves my child while I'm at work.

Ugh.  We were spoiled.  We were lucky to have Della watch Aylen for the first couple months of his life when I went back to work.  And then he went to a daycare that had things that I am learning now-I took for granted.  Things like --I don't know...CLEAN WALLS and FLOORS, and it smelled nice, and toys that didn't look 500 years old or that the toys were taken through mud and nastiness, and PEOPLE that were educated and knew what it takes to nurture a child.

So-my FIRST tour of a daycare-I walked in and seriously tears formed.  I COULD not imagine sending my child to this place.  They showed me the infant room which was DISGUSTO.  Cribs were placed back to back, there were a few mats-and the room barely had any lights in it-and certainly NO WINDOWS.  I glanced at my tummy and quietly told Biscotti I will not leave you here.  Then we went into the Toddler room.  The teacher said that she is ALL about INDEPENDENCE.  Independence this, independence that...if a child cries we let them a bit-they need to Learn INDEPENDENCE.  And they went with the 1-7 ratio-which I couldn't imagine right away for my Aylen John.  The room was gross, the teacher was nice enough, but Ms. Independence-which don't get me wrong I believe in but I believe she had the wrong ideas about going about it.  So-I leave there and immediately start bawling my eyes out, because this place is horrible but it has an opening.  Gross, uck.  I seriously thought ok-if this place is the ONLY place with an opening-then I'm taking my child to work (even though it's not allowed-but really....)

My SECOND TOUR I instantly fell in LOVE-clean floors, teaching through PLAY, sweet teachers. And mind you before I had visited this place I went into-"I have a 1 year old, he would start in August, I have a teacher schedule-will need 2 months off in the summer, pregnant with another".  So she knew this-and even mentioned all of it in the beginning.  And she continued her 20+ minute tour, and talked and talked about the facility.  At the end I'm ready to sign Aylen up! Clean place, caring people, OPENING hopefully by August 8th-tell me what I need to do?....Then she said--so you'll be off for the summer?  Yes lady-I told you this, you told me this.  Then she says well we started making teachers pay 1/2 tuition for children in the summer to hold the spot.  This isn't ideal-but honestly I'm not surprised.  I say, "ok"  How do I sign up?...And she says-Well I don't think I want to allow 1/2 tuition anymore...So do you think you could get a Part-time job or ask to work more in the summer?  Are you freakin kidding lady?  To which I say-No...I'm not working in the summer.  And I say well there are PLENTY of schools around here, which means there are a TON of teachers, and I'm pretty sure alot of them have had children-so there is some place around here that is teacher schedule friendly.  And she just smiled--I don't know.  I bet you don't, YOU WASTE of my time person WHO SERIOUSLY just ASKED ME TO work more so that my CHILDREN could go to her daycare, EVEN more annoying than the FIRST TOUR piece of (#($*.  UCK.  So there I go-and I start crying again.

I went on SEVERAL more TOURS and finally found our spot.  Two phrases that made me feel better:  

1.  Our first priority is to LOVE and NURTURE the children and then education.
2.  In the event that you have summers off-we WILL definitely work with you because YOU NEED to be with your CHILDREN in the summer if you CAN!

ahhh...now that's better!  Of course the center looked just great (not super new, but clean and great).  They had openings for both Aylen and Biscotti and it is in the old Longmont Post Office Building-which has extremely cool character!

Anyways-I can't tell you how good it feels to finally have that taken care of now!  Such a relief that I feel comfortable in the place that will play a HUGE part in my childrens' lives:) 

Love to all-(part-time job in the SUMMER crazy lady)
Megan 

C

Confessions of this Momma!
(my friend Cristy did this and now I'm copying her! thanks friend.  So here's to my random confessions~!)

1.  I could watch track and field competitions all day LONG!  I'm serious... this kept me busy for at least an hour the other day.  And that is saying something since we ditched cable year(s) ago-I hardly watch anything on the tele.

2.  Probably on a daily basis I rethink my career path.  I feel guilty that I don't bring home the bacon that my lovely partner does.  I'm "equal opportunity" which in my book seems to mean that I must make the exact amount that my partner does.  I some days wish I picked a profession like ...accounting, finance, perhaps a Doctor or a nurse.  I wish I got paid for the BIG changes I help make in people (trust me I know I get paid in a different way-but monetarily would be nice).

3. I have a crush on Tom Arnold.  Weirdest crush ever.  It all started from the movie TRUE LIES.  And he's in the truck and...I don't know.  He just is way cute!

4.  While we are talking about crushes-I will forever love Tyronne Lue.  Basketball player at Nebraska some years ago-and he signed a t-shirt, a poster, and a program for me.  He EVEN said that I was the best point guard besides him.  I'm still trying to figure out if Russ will let me name one of our children Lue:)---- dreamy!

5. I could eat the following foods all day-everyday:  Nacho Cheesier Doritos, those darn plastic chocolate donuts, gum (chew-not eat), Pizza and French fries!

6.  I love, love a GREAT GOODWILL find:)

7.  I am jealous of those people who have a ton of money, but I also believe that money can change people. And in that respect I sometimes judge those who misuse their money.

8.  If I don't have daily contact with a friend, family member, or even a neighbor or person--I feel lonely.

9.  I sometimes wish I could go back to middle school where I had no responsibilities, played with friends, shot hoops all day long, and had dinner cooked for me every night! 

Well there are some confessions! I feel like I have a TON more...but I can't think of them now:)

Love to all,
Momma 
 

B

 

Biscotti aka Fruvellhoff Baby #2.

I have no idea why I thought it was a good idea to come up with weird names for my babies-but since Aylen was Little Rock.  I figured this one needed a name too.  Russ and I started saying Biscuit-but that just didn't seem right-but Biscotti.  Yea...that is where it's at.  I'm weird. Whatev.

So Biscotti was one of those planned but not really, kinda surprise, how the heck did that happen-so much stress in other parts of our lives, WOW Aylen is going to have a super close friend (in more than 1 way), this is really, pretty darn COOL-Kinda kid:) 

A very cool thing that happened with us is that I found out about Biscotti about one week before my Birthday.  With Aylen I found out one week before Russell's birthday.  If that isn't meant to be I don't know what is...

One of my biggest worries with the Colorado move was that I wasn't going to be going to my midwife in Lincoln.  I LOVED Karen.  I mean I seriously loved her like a family member.  She gave me strength for one of the biggest journeys in my life.  I was so nervous to not go through Biscotti's birth with her.  I did get to see her once before leaving-and she promised me that we were headed to the MIDWIFES NIRVANA.

So I'm trusting her-and we toured a Birthing Center.  I'm really excited, and the midwife we met reminded me a little of Karen.  Fiesty.  Funny.  And totally Sarcastic.  I love that stuff.  So we have our FIRST appointment on Wednesday this week and I can't wait to start to feel more comfortable with our NEW midwife situation.

(above you will find a really poor pic of Biscotti.  we were able to see her/him before we left Lincoln.  we didn't get any measurements or official pictures.  but we did see a baby moving hands and arms and an AWESOME beating heart!)

Love to all,

Momma 

A

(ahem. let the record state that when I was all excited to begin blogging again-our makeshift internet went OUT!...so we are back online and I'm determined to work through the alphabet!)

A-Duh.  Aylen.  Awesome.  Angel baby.  Affectionate.  A-pain some times:)!

Aylen John boy had his 1 year birthday party!   I was so thankful for everyone that could attend.  It was a small crowd and for a bit in time I was bummed out because in my head I had envisioned this HUGE birthday bash for our little man-with ALL of our family and friends!  But life changed, and instead we were surrounded with family that probably would not have been at his birthday party had we been in Lincoln-and WE got to have his party IN THE MOUNTAINS!  The view was awesome! And family and friends were perfect!

New events in our Mr. Aylen John's life:

• He is fully weaned from breastfeeding.  An event that I expected to be very emotional for both of us-but honestly it has gone better than I expected.  I'm proud of us...We made it ONE whole year!  That is awesome!  It was darn hard work, but we did it and I have ZERO regrets!
• We have started the era of the "New Sheriff".  Inside joke with Russ and I but basically meant when Grandma left-the "New Sheriff was in TOWN" and we were going to figure out this sleep thing.  Aylen was waking up at night ALOT, sleeping in our bed and basically causing the whole entire place to be TIRED all day.EVERYDAY.  So we started a routine, got Aylen in his bed and WOULDN'T you know it-the kid is SLEEPING.  Granted he still stirs around 2 and 6 in the morning, but usally can be coaxed to bed fairly easy.  And TONIGHT he went to bed at 745.  Holy GOODNESS!
• Starting to take some steps-although he still prefers to hold one of our hands-he loves to walk around and explore! 

• He is definitely experiencing a rather needy phase.  Although, i truly think this is related to being weaned.  The few days after we weaned he just could not get enough of me-"MUST BE HELD," he screamed!  But the last couple of days he has engaged in more independent play-so I think he is slowly working himself out of the phase. 

 So there it is some fun-NEW things about our little Sir!  He is wonderful, awesome, so sweet and I seriously can't imagine him not being in our life!




Love you Aman:)
YOUR Momma!