Answer

Well I wanted to respond to my FEAR post. It has been several days since I asked for help and I wanted to say thank you to my friends for giving their advice. It really did help. We prayed alot about it and I think a combination of the good feelings about the house and the lack of a feeling of "NO" from heavenly father had given us the answer we were looking for. So having said that we signed the papers today for our offer on the house. Now all we have to do is pray for the loan to go through and we will go to closing on the house. The closing will happen on or before June 13th. Wow. I can't belive how fast everything is happening but funny enough it reminds me of when I prayed about Sabrina. I prayed that if we were meant to have our puppy that it would happen and it did very quickly and smoothly. It was an answer to my prayer so I ask the same thing with the house. If it is meant to be it will be. Now I just have to figure out how to get the excitement bug to leave me alone so I can get some sleep. You know what that is like...like the night before going to disney when you get so excited you can't sleep. Anyway, I am like a kid in a candy store, Iam so excited. Finally we will have a home to really call our own ( I hope, we still won't have a final answer until the loan is approved). Anyway thank you again for your prayers and I will keep you updated as soon as I find anything out.

He's A Wolf!

Well it took almost a year but Chace has finally earned his Wolf rank in cubscouts. He is so excited because we have been working hard to earn it. He is only a few months away from graduating into the Bears and he is so ready. So Congratulations to Chace!!!

Best Friends

I read my friend Beth's post about how much family and friends mean to her and it was interesting because I was thinking the exact same thing. We had the opportunity to visit with one of CR's closest friends this past Saturday, and for those of you crazy people who grew up in Satellite/Melbourne ward( you know who you are), I am sure you will remember Brian Hyer and his family. We had the opportunity to visit with his family and his wife Niki( love her, she is wonderful and I wish we lived close because I am sure, to our husbands dismay, we would be very close friends) and we got to meet their adorable son Cole. Cr also got to see Travis and Steven, Brian's brothers, and who are also like brothers to Cr. I loved seeing the guys together and seeing the smile on Cr's face when he got to spend time with his extended family. I know he greatly misses them and wishes with all his heart that we could see them more often. I think the pictures say it all. Giant smiles, especially from Cr. I am so grateful we have friends all around the world and they are what makes our life meaningful. So to all our friends we love you.


Brian and Cr


Brian, Travis, CR, and Steven

Fear

What is the definition of fear? What does fear keep us from doing or accomplishing. Can fear keep us from being happy. These are all questions rolling around in my head. So I thought I would put it out there and explain why and then maybe you can tell me what you think. I am afraid because we are seriously thinking about buying a house, but not just any house a cute, quaint, adorable but very very small 1960's home in downtown Saint Cloud. Our budget is so tight that even in this market(great for buyers) we are limited on the houses we can afford. This one of all the ones we looked at was the nicest I think and we could actually afford it.It has 2 bedrooms with a bonus room on the back which could be considered a 3rd bedroom but personally the layout of the house suggests that it would be more of a family room instead. This would leave only 2 bedrooms to house 5 occupants. The location is incredible. It is only a few blocks from a lakefront that has a gorgeous park with a splash pad and covered playground. This is also where Saint Cloud does all of its' city activities like the craft fairs, parades and even the fireworks celebration on the 4th of July. We would be right in the heart of all the fun and yet it is tucked back enough that when you are outside playing you don't feel like you are in downtown Saint Cloud. It is also only a few blocks from the Library and about a mile or so from the kids school. It also has a small but cute little community park a block away from it.The downside is really only the size, not because of the squarefootage but because of only having 2 bedrooms and 3 children, 2 of which are boys and 1 of which is not. That might cause an issue in a year or 2 when my now 8 year old ,but in 2 years, 10 year old son may have an issue sharing a room with his brother not to mention his sister. It also brings up the question at what age is it inappropriate to have brothers and sisters sharing a room? There is always the possibility of adding onto the home. this home has a HUGE fenced in back yard and we would be able to build on but at what cost and would we be able to afford it in a year or 2 when the boys and shaylyn need to be seperated. Cr brings up a point that noone said that in 2 years we can't try to sell it and move to a bigger house but what if I fall in love with where we are at that point and I don't want to move? Then what? We looked at several other houses today too but this house was in the best condition and most of you will understand me when I say it had that feeling. The feeling of the spirit..one of comfort and peace. Yet I can't stop THINKING about all the reasons this house would not be right for us and maybe we should keep looking, but then I can't stop FEELING this house is the right one for us.Cr seems to think so to the point that he says he knows what he wants to do and is just waiting for me to figure out if it is what I want.AHHHHH. My mom says I am crazy to think I can put 3 kids in 1 room and thatbuying would be a really bad idea but I kindly told her it wasn't her decision and if it felt right to us then we were going to do it anyway. ( sorry mom, love you anyway!) So I think that maybe it comes down to my fear and maybe even unreasonable expectations for a first home with our price range.I think my fear is keeping me from listening to the whisperings of my heart and that we could really be happy as a family there.I don't want to miss out on a really great opportunity because of my fear, as one of my good friends said " I took the leap and it was the best dsecision I ever made. It wasn't a perfect decision and maybe there is no perfect decision but I was Happy with the choice I made. Don't let fear keep you from following your gut feeling."So here is where I say...Take a look at the website for the house and tell me what you think.You are going to have to cut and paste because I could not figure out how to make it so you could click on it and go to the site. sorry.

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?zp=34769&mxp=18&bd=4&typ=1&sid=6d70fef36dc04130a365a991924424b3&lid=1097715869&lsn=9&srcnt=20#Detail

Mommy, I'm Pretty!

Ok so I am making breakfast when my stealthy daughter sneaks into my bathroom. A 2 year old in a bathroom alone is never a good thing. Next thing I realize it is too quiet and out pops Shaylyn. "Mommy I'm Pretty". I take a look and I did not know whether to laugh or cry or get mad. Then she had such a big grin on her face she was so proud of herself that she looked pretty like mom. I can't get mad at that.





So I slowly trudge her back into the bathroom to wash off my makeup when I discover that not only did she make herself Pretty but the countertop and the mirror were now Pretty too.AHHHHHHHH!



Of Course we women all know that makeup is oil based so it was plastered to her body. I tried shampoo, regular soap, and it wasn't until I thought about the dish soap's slogan "cuts through grease" that I went and got the dish soap and finally started to peel away the pretty.She had it on her face, arms, legs, some in her hair and a little in her ear. The worst part was we were going to Cr's grandmas house that afternoon to see Cr's sister and our niece who came down from Philedelphia and here is shaylyn with beige eyebrows because no matter how hard I scrubbed I couldn't get it off the eyebrows. Wow! What a morning. Don't ask how long it took to get the makeup ring off the tub!!!Atleast I had my laugh for the day, that is until she decided she wanted to eat dry oatmeal in the living room, but that is another story.( and I wonder why I can't seem to keep my house clean)

Pictures of Chace's B-Day Party

Chace turns 8 years old=) He got to have his first sleepover party. I let him invite 2 of his church friends over for a party. They both live in our neighborhood so I figured if they had any problems, acting badly or homesick it would be very easy to fix. They were wonderful, the kids had a blast and the house was intact when they left. Amazingly I was actually able to get them to sleep around midnight=)


Chace turns eight!!!!!!!


Don't blow the icing off!!!


Big grin for the digital camera grandma got him!


Money!!Mine!Mine!All Mine!!!


Sleeping quarters. Not as much damage as I would have thought.

Aquatica

Ok so today I went to Seaworld's Aquatica waterpark. I went with my friend Jennifer. WE had such a great time. The park is fun. They boast a ride where you go straight through the dolphin tank.I put a picture of it here. I did not think the ride was all that great. You were in the clear tube for all of maybe 6 seconds with barelt enough time to turn to your left to see them.I wasn't impressed with that at all.I did however have a good time on all the waterslides. My two favorites were this big raft ride and a ride where you go head first on a mat and you drop at the end. That was a cool feeling. We got to laze around on the lazy river and we also went on a rapid river which moves very fast. That was alot of fun too.The day was absolutely beautiful and to me the temperature of the water was perfect. I just want to say that this park as far as adults and slides go is about the same as any other park however the kids area at this park kicks the other parks buns. It is a huge jungle gym, climbing area with water dumping on you and sprinkler type things. They also have like 4 or 5 water slides that are perfect for ages 5+. Then they also have another smaller, calmer area with real slow slides for the toddlers. If I were to go with the kids this is the place to go and I have been to all of the water parks in Orlando including Disney. If I was going as just an adult I would choose either Wet n Wild or one of the 2 disney water parks. Anyway Ihad a great time today and tommorrow Jennifer and I are going to Islands of Adventure. I love that I finally get to go have some mommy time! If I have to say so myself I think I deserve it =)!
Missy

Get this widget!

This is the one where you go through the dolphin tank.The picture looks great but in reality you really did not see much.

My Flower

I am an Echinacea What Flower Are You?

You Are an Echinacea
"You are a health conscious person, both your health and the health of others. You know all about the health benefits and dangers of the world around you."

I found this on Beth's Blog and thought it would be fun to see what flower I was.I think it interesting aboutthe health thing since I just did the blog on my "going green." Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Chace!

Well today is Chace's 8th birthday. Where has the time gone? It seems like every time I turn around another year has gone by and I see my boy getting closer and closer to becoming a man.Next month in May he will be baptized.I am so excited for him. I think he understands what it means and is also looking forward to this day.He loves scouting. He enjoys having a goal and reaching it. Scouting helps him to do that.He is very honest.I love that about him.He knows that even if he gets in trouble it is far better to tell the truth than to lie.He will even come home from school and tell me he got a "stop and think" even when the teacher did not write a note home to me. How many kids do you know that turn themselves in even when the teacher did not think it was a big enough deal to write home about? I think that says alot about him.He loves legos!The more things he can build the better.He has a gentle spirit. I love to see him playing with his sister. The way he helps her and guides her. He will make a great Dad someday, just like his dad.He loves to read. He read all of the Magic tree house books and has now moved on to the Goosebumps books.I will catch him awake reading at 10-11 pm sometimes. I have to check on him or he would stay up all night reading because "I have to finish this one book, Mom".I remember reading those books when I was a kid and feeling I couldn't put them down either.He loves the outdoors,camping, hiking etc., just like his Mom and Dad. He is learning to love nature, to take care of it and nurture what god has given to us.He is very health aware. He will gladly choose water over soda and an apple over chips.I love that about him too.I am so proud of my son, the things he is accomplishing in his life and the man I hope he is on the path to becoming. He reminds us to read our scriptures and to pray. He helps us to learn patience and understanding.I know the Lord entrusted me with a very special spirit. It sometimes scares me that maybe I am not good enough to raise such a special son but then I know the Lord loves me and will help me to teach and guide Chace and also to be humble enough to be taught by Chace just like Mary and Joseph were taught by Jesus.I love my son and I hope his Birthday was a grand and special one.
Missy

Dark Sky Festival @ Harmony, Florida

Yesturday we took Chace and Shaylyn(Makai was sick) to the Dark Sky Festival. It was so much fun. Everything was free, gotta love that.They had all kinds of different vendors set up to teach and educate people about the earth and other conservation ideas. They had science booths set up. They had lectures on Astronomy with telescopes set up so you could look at the stars.Then they had some really fun stuff like bouncy houses, a glow in the dark mini golf course, a bat walk, smores, ponies( that was shaylyn and my personal favorite) and all kinds of other fun things.

Shaylyn with "Teddy"


Playing Mini Golf


Picture showing the course Glow in the Dark

I loved this event because it taught my kids that science can be a ton of fun. they also learned about conservation and things they could do to help our planet and make ourselves healthier.I have recently started to " Go Green " as the saying goes. I have been doing research on buying organic and the great benefits to our health. The problem is it is very difficult to find organic/fresh foods in the regular market. Well last night I found a company that is brand new and it is all organic!!You go online and order your food every 2 weeks and you go to a reps house and pick up your order.I am so excited to be able to buy the healthy foods I have been looking for and know that they have come straight from our local farms. If anyone else is interested in finding out more about what organics means check out the website, you may not be able to actually order from them if there is no location near you but you can find out about organics, what it means and why it is so much healthier for you. The website is www.getgreenorganics.com ! Hope this helps.
Missy

Gatorland

Well I promised I would tell you about some of the fun stuff we were able to do before the Flu hit us. The Thursday before spring break I had Makai stay home from school because his class went on a field trip.The field trip cost more than we could pay so I kept him home instead. I did not want him to just sit at home and get depressed so I decided it was time to use some Gatorland tickets a friend of mine had given me.We had so much fun. They have done so much with the park since the last time I went.They added a waterplay area, petting zoo area, and lots of shows. Makai loved the alligator wrestling show. He stared and watched waiting for the guy to get bit but he never did.




They had another really neat show where they get the gators to jump for some chicken. They did it as a show with 2 country boys playing around and competing to see who could get an alligator to jump first. At one point the 2 guys put chickens on their hands for some " fowl play"!HaHa!




They also had a show with upclose encounters with animals. They had scorpions and different kinds of snakes. The best was a giant albino python.She was beautiful. It took 6 people to hold her up.




They had a huge alligator that they rescued from locals who were trying to kill it because it was eating dogs in their neighborhood. That makes you think twice before letting your kids or pets approach a lake or other water.Shaylyn and Makai played in the water for a long while. they really loved that. Although every time shaylyn would come to me she would be cold and shivering but when i asked if she wanted to get out and dry off she would scream "No" and run back out into the water.We really had a great day.

The Dreaded Flu!!

Well I am sorry I have not posted all week. The dreaded Flu decided it wanted to pay the Wise family a visit. I got it last thursday until Saturday, Chace followed suit on Monday night and Shaylyn started running fevers Monday night. Atleast Shaylyn did not have the stomach part of it.Chace is old enough to make it to a bathroom on time if you know what I mean. Shaylyn would not have been so lucky. Today Cr skipped work because he is feeling sick too.Makai is the only one without any symptoms but I have been shoving Dan Active down his throat hoping to cut it off before it gets to him. I swear by that stuff if anybody was wondering. I wish I could afford to give it to them every day but I can't so I usually watch the people around me and if it looks like people are getting sick I go and buy enough to last a week or two to build up the kids immune system and I swear it keeps the kids healthy. I just did not see this one coming. The Flu just hit us hard and we have no idea where it came from.This week is spring break and getting sick has kinda messed up our fun spring break plans. I guess it is good that chace did not have to miss school though.Anyway I have some fun pictures of Gatorland from last week and some other activities that I will post later.Hopefully we will be able to have a little fun before the end of spring break. Time will tell. I hope everyone else is healthy and happy.If you are, be on the lookout for the dreaded flu because the Wise family is booting him out and he will be looking for his next victims=)My suggestion.......Dan Active!I swear it works!Good Luck.
Missy