Homeward Bound

We'll I'm alive, I made it, & Savanna's quite the frequent flyer. I must say that sitting for six hours holding a 25lb. sleeping child tends to put quite the strain on a mother's back & body. I woke up this morning feeling like I did a full body workout. I haven't had a full workout since high school, so this was quite the shock. Being home hasn't been the leisurely trip that I was dreaming of, but it's been great to see Savanna interact with her cousins and play in the "wonderful world of Nana's toy land." Needless to say that my family waited until I arrived, knowing I'm a sucker for organizational projects, to have a garage sale. It's a good thing I don't live here, because I'd buy it all--well, I guess that's not so good because we could use a lot of the items when we move into our new house. I've been sorting, stacking, pricing and categorizing a million toys, books, movies, etc. It's been great! Why? Because someone else has watched Savanna and I haven't had this much uninterrupted "cleaning" time in a year. It's been quite the adventure to boot, but I'll post those pictures and stories later...only because I have to access my sister's camera. But until then, be jealous that I'm enjoying my free time.

Our DIAMOND in the rough--

We found it. We got it. Now, we just have to pay for it. Yeah, we are soooo excited to be 1st time home-owners, well, almost. Now I can enjoy my vacation back home, Chris can sleep a little easier knowing that we'll have a roof over our heads, and Savanna can just get excited about all the fun times we'll have in the backyard. I am so excited to plant a garden, buy a lawn mower, have a place to put food storage (rather than under the bed), and paint the walls. Let me know if you like it. If not, I don't care! I LOVE IT!!

My "HAPPY" List:

I love making my happy list because it helps me remember all the moments I laughed and smiled this last week. It's been adventure filled with trips to Connecticut, house hunting, staying in "nice" & "not so nice" hotels/motels. Late night searches for gas stations, milk, dinner, and a clean diaper or change of clothes for Savanna. All in all, I'd say it's been the BEST week of our lives...okay, so not really the best. These are the moments that stick out to me:

Taking advantage of Elmo's World & Teletubbie DVD's so I could

actually have a peaceful moment to MYSELF!!

Playing "Hide & Seek" and seeing all the

creative places Savanna finds to "hide" her head.

Finding our shadows & being their friend

Realizing that Daddy's way is sometimes better than Mommy's

Going to the beach with my little girl & being in awe of her confidence while walking the beach & looting others of their toys, food, & drinks...I really need to have a talk about how becoming known as the "klepto" is NOT a good thing.

Things you never knew...

...you'd find in a house (or outside). This is New England and it's different, so anythings possible. These are just a few. We couldn't catch all the odd & out-of-place things we saw, but these ones really made me laugh.

Is something missing, or is it just me?!? Why does every old house have the "haunted" rocking chair you always see moving by itself in movies...yeah, like I was going to buy a house with one of these!
Don't hit your face! (this pole was directly in the middle of the room, bitter contractor??)

Okay, this is a bit more serious, but still...your landscaping & yard are not completed until the Virgin Mary is right smack in the middle.

Seriously, what'd they do call the electrician and say "I'd like the wires ran outside along my house, rather than within the walls and hidden by siding."

Even if you could fit, would you like to do your business in a broom closet? Don't even get me stared about where to wash your hands & closing the door for privacy.

Happy Father's Day

(Unfortunately, this is the only picture I have available at the moment...check back for better ones)

I'm excited today is Father's Day because I now have a reason to share my favorite poem ever & to spoil those "f" in my life with little gifts, cards, and other stuff most guys would rather do without...or so they say.

My Dad is My Hero

The world has many heroes

Who have won a world of fame,

Heroes who have given their all

To win in life's great game.

But of all the famous heroes

That our changing world has had,

There's not a one I look up to

Or admire more than Dad.

To me, my dad's a hero,

Though he'd turn away from praise.

He's heroic in his quiet strength

And his gentle giving ways.

He may not make the headlines,

You won't see him on T.V.

But I think my dad is everything

A hero ought to be.

He always keeps his promises,

On that I can depend.

He's loyal to me, no matter what,

And he'll always be my friend.

So when I think of heroes

And the great things that they've done,

I feel the way I've always felt--

My dad's the greatest one.

-Shelagh A. Jager

Happy Father's Day to my dad, father-in-law, brothers, uncles, grandpa's & friends. But most of all I want to say it to the #1 father in my life right now--the daddy of my little girl. I love you!

Operation House Hunt:

DVD's to keep kid occupied= $0

Enough toys to entertain a daycare= $0

Having a daughter who loots the houses of trash = Memorable

(in this case: Jehovah's Witness pamphlet spanish version)

Turning around to see her finger knuckle deep up her nose = PRICELESS!!!

I must say that Savanna is a trooper. She did sooo good & kept us all entertained. The poor girl was dragged through 9 houses, buckled in her car seat for close to 5 hours, & only had one breakdown (at naptime & only for 5 min). Yeah Savanna! Mom & Dad are going to buy a prize & you'll get your own room in the new house...that is whenever we find it. No luck this time. We're not giving up, but we're not taking Savanna next time if all goes as planned. We're hoping to pawn her off on a loving family for a couple of days. Any takers??? :)

Enter into the nightly saga...

...of night terrors and dreaming in the Densley household. You'll find yourself either being pulled into a foxhole on the front lines of the battlefield, or in the middle of a raging sword fight in the Medieval times, but whatever it is, Chris always feels a need to include me in these nightly adventures. On the other side of the room we have the mysterious cries for help and babbling conversations into the wee hours of the morning. All this along with multiple trips to the bathroom, urgent requests for a drink of water (rather loud, I might add), and leaky diapers contributing to wet sheets. It's at this point you ask yourself, when is a wife & mother ever suppose to sleep...when she visits Nana & Pa's house at the end of the month. I am looking forward to the break in mothering and catching some free time & sun camping on the lake.
Oddly enough, Chris just ventured from his Sunday nap in a panic asking "Is everything okay?" If only I could capture these moments on camera, I could post them for every ones enjoyment. Just the look on his face is enough to crack me up! It's a good thing I find myself chuckling in the middle of the night at my misfortune in the "good night's sleep" department or I might find myself in the cell next to Paris Hilton for my own physiological observation and analysis.

Everyday should be a beach day!!

This one of Savanna looks professional...good job Cherisa! It's one of my favorites.

The weather finally cleared up around here with just enough time for us to drag the kids out for some good old fun. And what's more fun than sand, mud, and the ocean?? I've discovered that the longer I'm here the more I think I will miss feeling the sand between my toes and splashing through the "icy" water on a hot summer day. If only we could live right on the beach I think I'd be in heaven...that is until winter came.

I was a little anxious on how Savanna respond to the sand and ocean, but she dove right in literally (as you can see from the sand in her hair & mouth). She didn't even scream when I stuck her toesies in the ocean, but she much preferred the "man-made" tide pools. I can't say I blame her--the water's a bit to chilly for swimming if you ask me. I'm not sure if she liked the sea water or the sand better, but she kept testing both out...as if the taste was going to change. I tried to stop her once, but I figured, at least she's eating even if there is a little fishy feces in it...YUM! I'm guessing that this little trait came from her dad, because I'm too much of a germ phobe to do such a thing.

I do wish I would have remembered my beach chair & had myself a nice ol' big mug of diet coke, the day would have been absolutely perfect, well, almost, I wouldn't mind looking like I was 16 again. The day was great and I owe it all to the great company & entertainment from our little "toads" and "mermaids". Not to mention the luxurious nap we both took when we got home...that is after I cleaned all the sand out of the tub and started the wash. It's all worth it!!

More pictures to come as I get them...thanks ladies!

Bad weather, but good times

Luckily Dad is as much fun as "Coco" or I'd be in trouble. These past few days Savanna has been in heaven with the many fun & games she's played with "CoCo". (Sorry Cole, but I think you're stuck with it.) I did find it funny this morning to wake-up and find him sleeping not on, but behind the couch in a two foot hole. I don't ask questions, but I would've taken a picture if I had a working camera...it's now referred to as the "Colby-hole" rather than a cubbyhole. I think Savanna was a little perturbed when I dropped him at the airport because she threw a fit the WHOLE way home. Thank goodness for McDonalds and Diet Coke or it would have been a much longer drive in the mental and sanity sense. When we got home she played for a little bit then got up and walked right behind the couch, I think looking for her new "favorite" friend. She didn't have time to get too upset because right about that time Daddy walked in the door and that's her FAVORITE time of day! I hope you had fun Colby. Come back soon! (Hopefully we can get some better weather, but I must say you've had the true Boston experience...the ocean via New England Aquarium, true Bostonians--how could you not, horrible and unpredictable weather, traffic/crazy drivers, and my favorite part...SHOPPING!) Next time we'll let you do the Freedom Trail or maybe we'll get you the book & just hit the beach.

East vs. West...The battle begins!

Okay, okay, I know things are different and everywhere has pros and cons, but seriously, nothing compares to West coast construction and values. As the "house hunt" progresses the more unmotivated I've become about taking care of our current "home." I find myself pursuing endless websites and photos looking for something that doesn't exist...a house like my parents in a neighborhood of New England. I do at times find myself excited about the many weekend updates/projects we can find to bring out the potential of the jem we hope to find. But then I remember the fact we need to eat and wear clothes rather than "move this" and "knock down that." Also, I'm not sure that Savanna will be a great help in the project department, but that's were Teletubbies & Elmo's World come in handy--yes, I admit she's babysat by the TV. Actually, we could put her to work with tools she likes so much; I'm sure she'd do some damage, but to what is why I have my doubts about this method. I know that our little "cottage" is out there, but finding it is becoming a difficult journey. We are hoping to get ourselves down to the great state of CT this weekend for a little Ward-hopping and use our investigative moves in various unsuspecting towns. I am dreading the drive with Savanna. She's not much of a car seat fan, but then again, who is??? Thank goodness for modern conveniences and bribery.