Action-Packed Week...

Whew! I have a lot of news to post:

First, we have decided to pass on the home that we put an offer on due to the home inspection. There was way more work and money involved in getting this home to where it needed to be to make it worthwhile for us. We are continuing to look and I will keep you posted on the progress.

Secondly, Tuesday was Mason's 5th birthday. We are taking a few of his friends bowling this weekend. Photos to come.

Thirdly, Mason was accepted into the charter school here! To me, that is a huge relief. Even though it's a new school, the curriculum, as outlined, is amazing. You can check out the school's website here: http://www.newlifeacademyga.com/.

Not Homeless...

We got the house! More to come...

Tag, you're it!

My friend, Julia, has tagged me to post my quirks. Soooooo, here goes:

1.) I always put my right contact in first. ALWAYS!
2.) I drive when my friends and I go out because I get car sick.
3.) I chew almost an entire pack of gum through the course of a work day.

I am quite sure that Brian would find a few more to post here, but I'm not going to give him that chance!!!

The Steps to Independence...

Step 1: Ask mom to get that silly twist tie off the bread bag!
Step 2: Spread the delicious peanut butter onto the bread (whole wheat, of course).
Step 3: Shake the jelly bottle vigorously because mom forgot to buy a new bottle.
Step 4: Lick your fingers!!!
Step 5: Apologize to mom for sticking your freshly licked fingers into an open jar of peanut butter.
Step 6: Show off your new found skill!
Step 7: Eat the sandwich and lick your fingers...again.

Star Gazers...

This past December some friends and I rose from our sleeps well before dawn to witness one of the many meteor showers that brighten our skies every year. Angela, Cona, Jeremy and I all went to the darkest place we could find sporting our camera gear. We gazed upward for around 3 hours and after about 80 photos and an airplane distraction, I got one(above)! In the middle left of the photo, you will see a faint streak of light. Now, I'm no astrologer, but the top photo looks vastly different than the airplane I captured (below)!!!

Whew!

House hunting has proven to be hard work! Last weekend Brian, Mason and I were busy bees and viewed around six homes for sale in various neighborhoods around the city. Some that I had looked at online proved to be duds in person, and some that were duds online proved to be stellar selections. The home in the photo below was the best value that we had found. It's a very open 4 BDR, 2.5 BTH that needs very little work on the inside. The yard definitely needs work, but the inside only needs minor changes. Yes, it's a bit more home than our small family needs, but I figure that the amount of bedrooms will help with resale as well. We had originally crossed it off of our list because of the yard, but in touring the home, noted that it was a steal at the price it was listed (we will find out with a home inspection whether it's really a steal). Our real estate agent is doing a bit more research for us and hopefully everything pans out. I'll keep you posted!!!

We're just browsing, thanks!

Our house-hunt has officially begun! Brian and I could not be more excited about the prospect of owning a home. I started scouring the internet for homes within our price range and we have narrowed down the areas in which we would like to live. Now comes the hard part: finding the home! My first couple of experiences with real estate agents did not fair well, but after hanging up on a few rude ones, I did find one Paul Zehe that was enthusiastic enough to set up an appointment to view a home. Now, this does not sound like it should be a big deal, but a lot of the realtors that I spoke to will not even show a property to someone without a pre-qualification letter from a bank that states what loan amount the person is approved for. As we are just in the first stages of looking for a home, I was thankful to find someone that didn't make me feel like I was just wasting their time. Whew! Thanks Paul! I will post later this weekend to let you know how the viewing went! Below is a photo of the property we will be viewing:

So, how IS the weather in GA?

God works in mysterious ways...and I'll tell you why. It was so warm and beautiful last weekend that Mason and I were able to enjoy and afternoon at the park sans jackets. This week it is snowing. Yes! Apparently it DOES snow in Georgia. Of course, when the forecast even calls for this type of weather, Atlanta prepares for the worst. Before the flakes even started to fall, I received a company-wide email informing us that if the weather was bad, the office would close. WHAT?! It's Georgia; how much could it possibly snow? I do say that now that there is nearly 3/4 of an inch on the ground. Who would have thought? Perhaps I will enjoy my first snow day and build my first snowman since living here. YAY!

Christmas Program...

The children worked very hard putting together a stellar Christmas program this year! It was fun to see Mason and all of his classmates show off their talents.

Mason was so excited to be Vixen and the snowflake dancer! Brian and I were so proud to see him on stage!!!

Missing the Snow...

Taken For Granted...

Living in the city has given me a new perspective for the rural community in which I was raised. When we go visit family in Kansas and Missouri, I get the opportunity to take in the wonder that God has created and to notice the things I had always taken for granted growing up.

To those that have grown up where it snows, you know that once it snows, it's too late to think about purchasing a sled or toboggan. In those instances, you learn to improvise by using what you have on hand. Brian would tell you that a car hood works mighty fine as a sled when pulled behind a tractor, but since I had no car hood and no tractor (let alone acres of land to drive on) I figured a cardboard box would do just as well on the tiny bunny hill at my mother's apartment complex.

White Christmas...

It was a winter wonderland when we arrived in the land of Oz this year. Luckily,we landed in Wichita before another snow storm pounded the city with 8 more inches! Mason was quite amused with the white stuff as he hadn't seen it since we moved to Atlanta 2 1/2 years ago.

The night we arrived in Kansas City it began to snow and we got another 3 inches for Mason to play in. Although this was not Mason's first snow angel, the photo is priceless. Brian and I also made a makeshift sled out of a cardboard box and twine and pulled Mason around the parking lot of my mom's apartment complex.

We had a great holiday that was filled with lots of family and friends! I couldn't think of a better way to spend vacation days from work. I can't wait until next year!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

This is officially the first year that Mason has been excited for the coming of Christmas. Not only is he excited for Santa and what comes along with that, his one Christmas wish was for snow. Let's pray that a warm front doesn't move into Kansas by the time we get there!

Another recent discovery...

I am cleaning out my 2007 photos to make room for 2008 and came across our little fisherman! Mason, Brian and I used to really enjoy fishing at the Athletic Club before Brian took another job at the Country Club of the South.

A Recent Discovery...

While Tiffani and Athena were visiting this past summer they visited Babyland General in Cleveland, GA. I was browsing through my photos this afternoon when I came across this one. I chuckled a little and thought you might too!

Happy Halloween!

It was an eventful Halloween this year! As usual, my office decorated for the trick-or-treaters that stop by from the Atlanta children's shelter. Our department chose a Hogwarts theme from the Harry Potter books. We decked out the entire department with stone wall paper and we all dressed up as wizards and witches. There was a pumpkin carving contest among all of the departments and I won first prize with this monster! A big thanks to extremepumpkins.com for the idea. I should share my half-day off prize with them!

On top of visiting my office donning his veterinarian costume, Mason went door-to-door trick-or-treating for the first time. Apparently, it was the first time Brian had gone door-to-door as well. Mason was so brave! He walked up to each door by himself while Brian and I hung back on the driveways! I'm not sure I would have done that at 4 for any amount of candy that my mom would promise! I am also very sure that we will still have plenty of candy to give to the kids in goody bags at Mason's birthday party in February! Happy Halloween! Till next year...

A Place of Beauty

Albeit far from natural, one can't help but be in awe of how nature can be manipulated to be even more beautiful.

Halloween is coming...ha ha ha!

As you all know, Halloween is my favorite holiday of the year; not because I am a pagan devil worshiper, but because it is the one day of the year that society allows us to become anything our heart desires without fear of being ostracized. Mason, being the ever unique child that we have come to adore, chose to be a "vegenarian" this year. Perhaps in 20, or so, years the world of medicine will welcome another member of my family! Calling Dr. Fleske!







Kids R Kids had a Fall Festival this past Friday. There were games, face painting and a magic show for the kids to enjoy. Don't worry Tiffani, it won't be long before you too can prescribe cotton candy to your patients! To top it off, he washed that cotton candy down with a sprite! Yes, Tiffani, he brushed his teeth, but only after he ate a sugar cookie!

Mason-O-Lantern

Yes, my favorite holiday is upon us once more! Mason and I stopped at the local pumpkin patch today and picked out three of the most beautiful pumpkins I have ever seen.




Mason had a good time picking them out and even got to help by pushing the wheel barrow.








We played games and I even convinced him to stick his head through the pumpkin! Jack-o-Lantern and Halloween costume photos to come...