Having fun!!

We have a lot of transitions and changes a head of us, but this last week was a lot of fun.  Paul had a bachelor party in Cedar Rapids on Saturday for one of his high school friends.  I actually watched a few movies while he was gone and that was FUN!  We went to the Waterloo Buck's game on Friday night and we watched the game in style from the suite...also got a lot to eat and drink!!

Then on Father's day we treated Paul to a day of surprises....went to Cedar Rapids (again for Paul) to eat the lunch buffet at Granite City.  It was awesome!  We've been talking about going to Granite City after church for a while and we've never done it so we did.  Then we came home and headed out to The Isle!!!  We stayed over night for $19!!!!  What a deal!  Sophia got to go swimming for the first time.  Here is a picture:

The latest on the house is that the inspection was done on Monday and we got the report yesterday.  We have a couple of things to fix by June 29th and then the appraisal.  We are slowly getting closer and this weekend we hope to accomplish those tasks as we are on a time crunch and have a busy week next week.

Carlos used some of his graduation money and bought a new lap top last night.  I purchased a new washer/dryer for our duplex.  Had the best customer service I've had in a very long time at Lowe's in Dubuque.  Shannon was amazing.  I have an interview in Dubuque tomorrow (Friday) at US Bank so that's a little movement for me on the job front.  I've still been applying for jobs and getting the word out to people so hopefully something comes along my way soon. 

Have a great weekend.  We hope to go to Sturgis Falls in Cedar Falls for a little bit, work on the inspection project list, and have another fun weekend together as a family. 

Slowly but surely

Well, we keep plugging away with life and everything that life brings us.  We finally accepted an offer on our house this week so as long as things fall into place, we will be closing on our house July 27th.  Either way, we plan to move from Waterloo to Dubuque July 15-16.  If anyone wants to help, we could use some extra muscles and hands.  I won't be moving or lifting too much because of my back, but we will get it done.  Sophia also needs someone to play with her while we are busy so babysitting is always a possibility. 

We are still staying busy, but its been a very enjoyable June.  We haven't had committments on the weekends so we are able to get stuff done with we need to get done.  Carlos is preparing for his move to college at Grandview.  He'll be leaving August 2nd.

Sophia is done with day care at the end of June.  We are taking a family vacation to Texas in July, moving to Dubuque, closing on our house, and adjust to our new life in Dubuque.  I'm excited to be around friends that I had while I lived in Dubuque 2000-2004 and to have Paul's sister Robin in town.  I haven't lived in the same town as my family for 12 years and I miss not having family in town.

Paul is done at UNI June 29th.  We have some plans to attend some Buck's baseball games and we enjoyed dinner at Red Lobster last night to celebrate all our hard work and dedication to getting things ready for our move.  It's been tough and we've been exhausted, but it will get better.

We obviously haven't been alone in this process.  God has been helping direct our decisions and given us wonderful family/friends for support, encouragement, and help.  We couldn't have come this far in our journey without you.  THANK YOU!!!

We are excited for this move and what God has planned.  I'm still looking hard for a job or new call.  After our council meeting tonight, I will be done on August 15th from Zion and my last Sunday is August 12th. 

Have a great weekend!  Looking forward to celebrating Father's day with my best friend and life long partner.  The day will be full of surprises and Paul has no idea what our plans will be.  It will be fun...that's all I'm sharing at this time!!!

FINALLY a weekend at HOME!!!

I can't remember the last time we spent an entire weekend in Waterloo (not working or packing of course!).  So, what did we do with our weekend?  A LOT!!!  Friday Sophia, Carlos and I hung around the house.  We ran errands while a showing was taking place.  Came home and relaxed.  I actually took a short nap while Sophia slept.  YEAH!  Friday night we went to the My Waterloo Days parade and enjoyed a nice parade and weather!  Sophia enjoyed hearing the bands and her legs were just a movin when she heard the music.  Then we went to eat Wishbone and had some outstanding chicken.  Our time in Waterloo is short so we are trying to get our bucket list done before we leave and Wishbone was on that list.  Early night to bed.  Saturday Paul mowed his three properties and was home by 12:30.  Sophia and I gradually got ready.  Sophia was quite tired from her week and slept until 10:30 AM  Here's proof:

Sophia has not been sleeping through the night the last week, so we are extra tired!  Paul and I worked in the yard for the afternoon.  Pulled weeds, trimmed bushes and vines, and enjoyed some time together in the beautiful weather.  Carlos stayed home for the day which didn't settle well with him, but we haven't seen him much so we made him stay home one day this weekend. 

We went to a graduation open house for one of the high school youth from Zion.  Then home to relax and watch a little TV.  Finally, back to work.  We washed my van and Paul's car and cleaned the inside.  That was a nice project to have done.  Then we had a bonfire and nice relaxing night with friends and enjoyed more of the wonderful weather.

Sunday was church as normal.  Came home and picked up the house for our 4th open house.  Then went to eat lunch at Culver's and ran some errands during the open house.  We waxed the van and did laundry.  I'm glad the van got waxed...we've had it for a year and didn't get a chance to wax it last year.  So, it was a GREAT weekend to be in Waterloo but filled with projects.  We enjoyed them as a family and got a lot done. 

Hope things are going well with everyone.  We would love to hear from you!!!

Nothing new...

Well there is nothing new to report this week.  Still missing our dogs, but we are adjusting.  Sophia is getting stronger each day...won't be long and she'll be crawling!  WATCH OUT mom and dad!!!  Slowly planning Carlos' graduation party.  Little by little things seem to get done.  THANK YOU!  My oldest nephew Jacob graduated from Limestone High School on Saturday.  It was nice to go home and see family.  My siblings, their families, and my dad haven't seen Sophia since New Year's weekend.....long time!  Celebrated Mother's day and got to see my grandparents which is always nice.  They are getting older and struggle each day!

Carlos had Senior night for soccer last Thursday so he's almost done with his final soccer season of high school.  Here's a picture of the FUN night:

Time is ticking to move, get a job, Paul to start school, finalize vacation plans etc.  Lots on our plate right now, but we keep plugging away the best we can.

Tonight Paul is going to tune up our bikes and get the bike trailer for Sophia working so we can take family bike rides.  YEAH!!! 

The weather is nice and Paul is busy mowing lawns.  We would love to hear from you.  Please contact us if you are in Waterloo, give us a call, or e-mail.  Love to keep connected with people even though we are busy.

Emotional few days....more to come!

The time has come for us to start make big decisions....if going to seminary and moving wasn't big enough!! Due to pet policy at Wartburg, we could not take both dogs with us. So after much prayer and talking, we decided to keep Dallas and give Chester to Paul's aunt and uncle who live in Edgewood. That was a tough decision, but we know how good this new family will be for Chester. Sunday was the day set up to give Chester to his new family. We knew it would be hard, but didn't realize it would be that hard. He's going to be happy and have many opportunities to be on the farm and enjoy life much better. With all the transitions of seminary over the next 4 years and moving to a new place, Chester needed something more stable. Thank you Cathy and Lary!!! We said goodbye to Chester on Sunday. Monday (yesterday) we woke up and had to say goodbye to Dallas. For 48 hours, Dallas went down hill, He couldn't walk on his back legs, slowly lost his appetite and energy, Paul carried him up and down the stairs to eat and go potty, he laid around and wouldn't move much, and most of all he cried all night long Sunday night. We knew it was time to let him go and put him to sleep! UGH!!! After 2 conversations with the vet, it came down to quality of life. Dallas was not Dallas anymore and it hurt us. We couldn't see him suffer much longer.

Dallas was my faithful, loyal companion for 8 years. For his age, he was still quite hyper but I miss that. For all the times he barked, hit me with his wild tail, and fought with Chester...I miss that. Every step I took, Dallas was always right there. He laid at my feet many times just so I knew he was there. I did laundry last night and it hit me hard that Dallas was not going up and down the stairs with me. He never left my side. For the last 6 months, Dallas has not really wanted to be social with our family or Chester. Dallas was my first dog ever and its been hard to let him go. I know he's not suffering anymore but wow was it a hard decision.

I'm thankful for the love and support of Paul. I couldn't have done something like this without him right by my side. Both dogs had their good and bad qualities and we are greiving. Last night was hard for me and I didn't sleep much as it was the first night without both dogs. It was hard to get ready for work because I had no responsibilities to take care of the dogs before work.

Well, this is the first of many tears, hurt, pain, and sadness as we make transitions in our life and get ready to move to Dubuque. It's all a part of God's plans we know, but that doesn't change are pain and hurt. Time will help heal our wounds and knowing how much better of a life Chester will have also helps. We look forward to seeing Chester some day and hearing stories about how he's doing. Chester doesn't know that Dallas is gone and we know they miss each other.

Here's to you Dallas for 8 wonderful years and Chester we are so happy for you!!! Enjoy the farm and your new family! We were blessed to have them both together as a part of our family for 2 years. Thanks be to God!

Just the week I needed!!!

After 7 weeks of constant stuff going on in our lives and Holy Week, I needed a few days off!!!  Monday of this week was a comp day for Good Friday and Easter Monday.  So much going on, I haven't had a true day off for a while.  Tuesday and Wednesday are continuing education days.  I took some time to work on my call papers and FINALLY have them done.  I need someone to proof read them and then on Friday I will make the changes and submit them via e-mail.  Its an amazing feeling to have them done.  We've had a few showings on the house, one open house, good feedback, found a home for Chester (hopefully May 6th moving him to his new home), preparing for a garage sale May 5th, selling some of our stuff on a new website I'm a part of and its a virtual garage sale and I LOVE IT!!!, working full time, mowing 4 lawns, soccer, soccer, soccer, prom is this weekend, graduation preperations, and trying to spend time with Sophia and Carlos.  Our family is going in several different directions at this time.

I will be back to work on Thursday and have a full day.  Then Friday, Sophia gets her 6 month pictures and next Tuesday her 6 month shots.  Can't believe our little girl is 6 months.  YIKES!!!  The greatest job I have is being her mother.  She brings pure joy to my life and she is loved!!!

This blog post is short because its time to go take a nap and spend some time by myself before Carlos gets home from school and our busyness continues!!

A lot has changed

Thanks for reading our blogs and keeping up with the Waterman's!!!  We have had about 4 private house showings and one open house.  No takers so far, but its early and we keep praying.  The moving sale was a BIG success.  We got rid of a lot, but still have more so we are going to do another sale with our neighbors.  YEAH!!  Tonight we are opening up the pop up camper for someone to look at who is very interested so I'm hoping that works out.  Additonally, we have a found a GREAT home for Chester (our dog!).  I couldn't be more happy where things are at in our lives right now.  It all works out according to God's plans and little by little things are shaping up.  Finally we have a little time to relax at night and on the weekends.  We are staying busy that's for sure, but we can at least talk to one another instead of having crazy schedules.  Sophia survived her first slumber party and sounds like she had a great time.  She slept a lot yesterday when she came home...must have partied too hard!  She has a cold and has slept a lot at day care today which is unusual for her.  So, I'm excited to see her tonight again and hang out.  She's a gem and is so loved!! 

We have a few bigger items that we are trying to sell and we put them on the Cedar Valley garage sale Facebook page.  Hope that it works!!!

This Saturday is Waterloo city wide dump day!!  So, we are loading up the truck and trailer and heading out to the dump to get rid of JUNK in our house.  The dogs couch is finally going.  It's ripped and stinks!  Don't know what they will lay on while we are gone during the day, but they will adjust.

Thanks again for all of your support, prayers, and friendship.  Each week we have changes taking place...keep checking back for the latest updates!