Kids Say the Darndest Things!

Ok, so my dear 5 year old has always been smart as a whip, with a memory like an elephant and a vocabulary years beyond his own, but this one caught even me off guard. We've been working recently on thinking before he reacts, particularly to his younger brothers. Needless to say, the other day one of his mishaps earned him some time alone in his room. When I went upstairs to talk to him about his behavior and his consequence, he sat and listened intently. Then, he responded with
"Thank you for the advice, Mommy. I appreciate that"!

This-n-That

What a week! Lots to do in very little time and everytime I turn around there seems to be a new challenge waiting. On a brighter note, we finally found our house and it's a great fit. All I can say is that God works in truly wonderful ways! It came to our attention before going on the market right at the deadline we set for ourselves to make a decision between our 2 lesser options. It's the right size, has a finished basement, plenty of room for the kids, is in the right school district, and happens to be around the corner from the school they will be attending this year. And the couple from whom we will be renting is fabulous!

On the biz front, Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby Boutique will be closing temporarily to allow for some sanity during the move. I am planning to keep the site live (so you can browse and make your wish lists of goodies for when it re-opens!), but disable the ability to place orders until the 3rd or 4th week in August. I really hate to do it given the great wave the shop has been on recently, but I know it needs to be done. After the move, we still need to get settled and ramp up for school, so my hands will be quite full! The good news is, once I re-open I will be able to introduce some fabulous new products...Hmmmmm...I smell a giveaway in the future :)

Be Blessed!

Affordable Baby Organics Giveaway

Always in search of affordable, eco-friendly options for my wee ones, I was happy to stumble upon Affordable Baby Organics. My favorite item? The Reversible Eyes of the World Organic Baby Sling by Karma Baby...eco-friendly, durable, and mommy chic!

Now for the goods...check out the fabulous giveaway by Affordable Baby Organics over at Emily's Latest. Up for grabs are the Organic Beginnings Apple Green Organic Cotton Onesie (in the winner's choice of size, 6-12 or 12-18 months) AND the matching Apple Green Organic Cotton Knot Hat (one size, fits 0-18 months). ..Super Cute!

Decisions, Decisions....What do you think?

Well, we've narrowed the house search down to 2. I'm still hoping for a miraculous new listing to pop this weekend, but if not, we have 2 workable rental options. Of course, each has it's drawbacks. I'm hoping some of you may be able to lend your insight and help me sort out my true preference...I'm torn!

Here goes:

Rental #1: PROS - nice curb appeal, open floor plan, workable bedroom set up, decent backyard with a deck, family community. CONS - NO finished basement (huge for storage but not finished for a play area), NOT in a great school district (academically mediocre and also not racially diverse or incredibly accepting and our children are multiracial). $1750/mo

Rental #2: PROS - fairly open floor plan, very nice finishes on the inside, HAS a finished basement and large storage area, workable bedroom set up, GREAT school district. CONS - NO yard for the kids (literally), more of a condo-style (though it's listed as a detached home), few (if any) younger families with kids (mostly much older couples). $2000/mo

My eldest is 5 and will be in private kindergarten next year. However, after that, we will probably need to use the public school system, since our second will be starting school too (sending 2 kids private would be a really big stretch)...that's why school district is a consideration.

All things being equal, the houses are both workable on the inside with respect to the basics. The big sticking points are House #1 does not have a finished basement and is in a less-than-desirable school district. House #2 has no yard for our 4 munchkins to play in and no kids in the community (feels almost like a transitional community for much older couples, though it's not), but is in a good school district.

What do you think?

My Humble Prayer

Dear Lord,

You know each new challenge.

You know each mounting fear.

You know each need and shortcoming.

I give them all to you

And have faith that you will bring us through

As you have so many times before.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen

I pray this prayer tonight not only for myself, but for any of you who may need it. God is great and able to meet any need if we have faith and let him.

Growing Up Too Soon!

3 months already...yikes!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock...

(Picture courtesy of Realtor.com)

Boy, the housing market stinks right now! I know, I know, lots of inventory if you're looking to buy, but we aren't. Given the number of homes on the market and the length of time many have been sitting vacant, one would think there would be more of a home rental selection out there. Uhhh, no.

Rewind just a bit...for those of you stopping by for the first time, we learned last Friday that the owner of the home we are currently renting is selling it to his son and only giving us until mid-August to move our precious herd of 4 wee ones. For those who are counting, that's about 4 1/2 to 5 weeks from now! My sweet hubby is in management with one of the Big 3 American automakers (given that 2 have gone bankrupt, it's pretty obvious which one!). Given all of the relocations and shuffling lately, it really makes the most sense for us to continue renting, but there is NOTHING out there! Talk about pressure...If anyone has a home for sale in the Avon-Avon Lake-Westlake areas in Ohio that has been sitting vacant and wants to consider renting to an AWESOME family, just give me a holla!

Unexpected Delays

Those of you who stop by from time to time know that I have been working for the better part of the first half of this year on an exciting new product line for Bullfrogs & Butterflies. Just as I'm reaching the cusp of launching this new line, my husband and I have learned that we will be moving in the next 5 weeks. POP! There goes my proverbial bubble...bursting into thin air. So, it looks like things will be on hold for a while longer. Very frustrating. Sometimes life seems so "1 step forward, 2 steps back", but then again, this could be a wonderful opportunity for us in many other ways. Although the shop won't be moving in the direction I envisioned right now, my family will...and that's very exciting!

I will, of course, keep you posted and perhaps give you a glimpse every now and then into the abyss that is known as "packing up the herd"!! All who want to help with that HUGE undertaking are more than welcome :)

A Reason to Celebrate

Fabulous Feature

Sending a big shout out to Emily of Emily's Latest for the fabulous feature she posted about Bullfrogs & Butterflies Baby Boutique. Emily was the lucky winner of the Posh Pastry Giveaway hosted by Jamie's Precious Peas a while back. She is super sweet and I couldn't help but throw in a few extra goodies for her in addition to her prize. Read her full review HERE.