House Hunting?

Rumor has it that our rent is going up significantly this summer. So with that in mind, Jamie and I are in the preliminary stages of house hunting. Maybe we will purchase, maybe we will continue to rent until I finish school - either way, we are looking at houses. And we are looking for them in Chicago suburbs. We LOVE Chicago, but to be honest, the public school system SUCKS! And the older we get, the more we desire a home to settle down in on a nice little plot of land with a garage, a garden, and maybe even a wind turbine!

We haven't decided on a place, a price, or any detail really. We just contacted a realtor this morning to get the ball rolling. But you know me - I can't wait for anything - I had to go online and look at the possibilities!

Check out this house in Barrington, IL! If we are approved for that much - We are moving here for sure!!! (:-) Side note: I am not getting my hopes up. I am just speculating on the possibility. There is something about this house that speaks to my adventurous and unique personality!

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/28453-W-Maple-Ave_Barrington_IL_60010_1105734646

Tell me what you think!!!

Some Pictures, finally!

The girls had fun at Sarah's 9th birthday sleep-over! Girls just want to have fun!!!

Jamie and Simon taking a Christmas nap.

Sarah and my niece, Abby had fun playing together at grandma's house. Abby is adorable. I don't get to see her very often.

Simon had a Christmas concert at his school. They all had to wear matching outfits. It was so cute!

Above is Slavica and me. She came to watch the kids and help me get ready.

This is Jamie and me on our way to his work-party.

Just an Update

Life is very busy these days. School is keeping me on my toes. The Pine Ridge trip consumes most of my free time. And I am still volunteering 2 days a week at the AIC. I am continuing to meditate, reflect, keep a journal, and hold "life-lesson-sessions" with a Jesuit. I am learning so much about social justice, living simply, awareness of my impact on the world, and ethical/moral judgement.

We celebrated 2 birthdays in our house within the past two weeks. Simon turned 6 and Sarah turned 9. Simon had friends at Chuck E Cheese, and Sarah had a sleep-over with 3 friends. It was fun, but I am glad it only comes once a year!

I have a guilty pleasure to confess: I am addicted to two TV shows. I watch "Big Love" and "Living With Ed" religiously now. I highly recommend "Living With Ed" on Planet Green if you haven't seen it. It is a reality program showcasing Ed Begley and his wife in their attempts to live a completely green lifestyle. It is humerous, but also very inspiring and educational. I have gotten so many ideas about what I want to implement in my own life just from that show.
And "Big Love" is a HBO series about mainstream polygamists in Utah starring Bill Paxton, Chloe Svignie, and Jeanne Triplehorn... It is dramatic, exciting, mysterious, and just plain entertaining. If you have HBO I think you would enjoy it even if you may not understand the Mormon themes of the scripting.

Andrew has a girlfriend now. Her name is Maria. He gave her a box of chocolates for Valentine's Day. Today they are going to a school dance together. Am I really ready for this? He still seems so jouvenile and childish to me. But I guess I am just holding on to the past and need to accept that he is growing up. But wait - he is only 11.75 years old. When did kids start dating so young? My head is going to explode if I think about it too much. Sarah is my spy. And Simon tells me EVERYTHING Andrew says to Maria on the phone. So I think I have my sources covered! :-) I don't want to be that meddelsome mother who can't trust her children... but it is so hard to not want to keep them little.

That's about it for today. Thanks for tuning in.

Carnival

I cannot contain my excitement any longer!!!

I have the best husband ever! He just paid for a 7-night Caribbean cruise for us and our best friend, Slavica!!!

August 30- September 6th we will be in Grand Cayman Island; Cozumel, Mexico; The rain forests of Belize; and Isle Roatan, Honduras!!!!!

We are going to be sailing on the Carnival ship, Legend.

So of course you know what this means... Slavica and I are ALREADY going shopping for clothes. Now is the time to buy summer stuff! (Plus, we are hitting the gym hard! We need beach bodies!!!)

This is that opportunity I was looking for to see somewhere other than the US. Honduras is pretty poor. I am looking forward to supporting local crafters and touring the island to catcha glimpse of their culture. Plus, in Belize and Cozumel, we can tour ancient Mayan ruins! Slavica is super excited about that!!!

I am so excited! I just can't help myself!