It's been a while...

...since I last blogged. Um, almost two weeks which is so unlike me. I've got several people worried. I really am fine, though...just haven't felt like blogging much. I've read a few that I follow, but that's about it. I just got tired of it. And you know what...since I haven't been blogging much lately, I've gotten so much more done around the house. I feel like I've been a better wife and mother, too! I have been able to focus on just being a wife and mom and being with my hubby and kids. I want to remember that my most important role each day is being their wife/mom. I've got to learn how to balance this addictive hobby and come to some sort of conclusion. It feels good to be thinking about balancing it, though. Like Kelly said, I feel like, the past few months, I haven't had a blog. The blog has had me. And it's so true. I do realize that I was posting things that I am thankful for; so please don't think that I quit blogging because I'm not thankful. I have so many things to be thankful for. The Lord has blessed us tremendously.

Well, we almost sold our house. But we didn't. Some ranchers from a surrounding small town (Molly, Phillip's family knows them; Phillip might, too!) wanted a "city" home. They looked at it about three times, took pictures, but decided against it. No, it's not listed. Yes, we just moved into this current house (from a house across the street) in February. However, we found a house in the same neighborhood, just a few streets down, that we really liked. Actually, I take that back. We kind of liked the house, but the yard and the front driveway (where the kids could ride their bikes/scooters) were awesome! We were going to wait to put an offer on it until we had sold ours, but since ours didn't sell, I guess we won't be making an offer. [Now, for those of you who read my blog, but don't KNOW us, we just buy, fix-up, and sell houses...we are currently in our 5th house and we've been married almost 7 years.] Anyway, I am a little relieved just because moving during the holidays, and the tree, and decorating, and having to tile, carpet, and paint the new house; AND the people that were going to buy our house had mentioned that they would want to take possession at closing, which would mean that we would have to figure out a place to stay and put our things until the new house would be finished. So, needless to say, I'm relieved but just a little disappointed; just because the kids really love to ride their bikes and scooters and there is nowhere for them to ride at this house. And they are still too little to ride in the street. Maybe we will start looking again after the new year. The housing market just stinks right now!

The kids are great! The girl is out of school for the week which has been nicer than I thought! It's so nice to just relax at home in the morning and not have to have somewhere to go. My sister, Emily, got here today. My mom had been with her visiting for a few days and they just got back today. Em will be here until Saturday, so I am very excited about spending some time with her. We will be going to Jim's family's house for Thanksgiving on Thursday just for the day. They live about 2 hours from here, so it won't be a bad drive.

I've got a lot to do...get all my Christmas decorations out and the tree up. I just can't get motivated. I still have a lot of Christmas shopping to do. Mom, Em, and I plan on shopping on Friday. I'm really not sure what to get the kids for Christmas. They really do not NEED anything. WE do not NEED anything. I think this Christmas is just going to be a small one...just some games or something. The kids haven't even asked for anything; except the boy asked for a gun so he can "shoot deers". I'm not sure where he came up with that; especially since Jim isn't a big hunter and hasn't hunted at all this season. My birthday is December 23 and then I have Christmas and I really can't tell you anything that I want; which is not typical of me since "receiving gifts" is my #2 love language. Hmm...maybe that's a good thing, don't you think?

Have a very happy Thanksgiving. And I am thankful for you, my reader. And for you, my commenter.

Ashley