SMU - Single Mom Update

So what is new around here? Well I am looking for a house to buy. When I had looked around, renting a 3 bedroom anything was around $1000-$1400. So I decided that it would be a lot smarter to buy instead. My budget is meager to say the least, but if I can find something in my price range I will only have a mortgage of $600-$700, because the rates are so low. I am really excited and so are the kiddos.
What else is new? I am cleaning people's houses for extra money, not my favorite but I really appreciate the opportunity to earn extra $.
I have some projects that I am working on one being a huge ridiculous dollhouse that I found for $35 for Enza for her birthday. It will not be done in time because there are around 3000 pieces. Clearly in over my head on that one. I have also been making some headbands for a friend's baby. I have another friend who has asked me to help her paint her bedroom furniture. All of these things are great as I am such a project person. It is a major stress relief for me. Thanks guys!

**The best part of all of this is that although I have my really hard-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed-days. There are days that I still wake up, glue on my smile and tune up my laugh, but there are fewer of those days now then at the beginning. I AM GOOD!!! I feel better and better about life all the time and have really found my strength. I am absolutely amazed at my courage, strength, and optimism. Apparently I am lacking my humility but hopefully I will get it back soon. I never thought I could handle anything like this. When my sister was going through her divorce I secretly thought I was glad it was her and not me, because I wasn't as strong as her. I guess when you are faced with crappy, then you figure out you can sink or swim and I choose to SWIM. How amazing to have so many people come out of the woodwork that "Have my Back". It has been such a blessing and help for me. Heavenly Father has shown me in so many ways that he thinks I am worth it. And after a lot of prayer I feel that I am too.
So here is a Toast to New Beginnings! Cheers!

Update

SO here is an update on the general stuff:
We had Cruze's kindergarten orientation. He is so excited to go to the big school, me I am torn. It is fun for me to see him so excited about going, but I am scared of what he will learn and also the fact that he is growing up way too fast. He is so funny and is starting to be able to read words while he sounds them out. He is signed up for soccer again and we will see if he will actually play this season because last fall he wouldn't play at all. He is quickly becoming a little man, and making his momma proud. Cruze's smile and beautiful blue eyes are so catchy.

Gauge is getting so tall so fast. I think he will pass Cruze by before too long, how hard for Cruze. He is tough as nails too. He loves tv and would sit there all day if I would let him, but he is also very smart and creative. He is a deep thinker and the things that he puts together shock me. He is athletic and talks so well. He is goofy and funny most of the time. His eyelashes and dimples are so charming.

Enza is so talkative. I have heard that girls generally are, but it is so funny because it is nonstop and rarely do I understand what she wants. She is sassy but funny, and definately my snuggler which I love. She is definately not a baby anymore, and she reminds me of that everyday. It is sad to have your baby grow up so fast. She is very underweight but her loud screams and personality make up for it. Oh yeah, we are finally able to start letting her hair grow back. I can't wait for her cute hair to come back. The curls are gone with the buzz cut, and her hair is already thicker than it was before which is good. I love having a daughter!

I am camp director and secretary in the R.S. I love being able to serve and learn from the women I serve with. I am hoping to open a business refinishing and antiquing furniture, which is really one of my passions. I am also thinking of starting an etsy store. There are a lot of things that I have had people tell me to sell on etsy, so I am thinking that may not be a bad idea either. Bon Jovi was so much fun, I didn't think I could love it more than the last time, but I did. It was the absolute best concert I have ever been to, the seats were amazing. This last week I had to go to the dr.s because I thought I had a blood clot. I turns out that I do and that is goes from my calf to my groin. I have been on bedrest and it is killing me. I hate being down. I have had a ton of people who have been around to help make this easier. To all of you, THANKS so much I have really felt loved and appreciated.

My mom had surgery last Tuesday because they did a scan before they started her radiation and found that she had some tumors that had grown and were cancerous. The surgery went well, it will be a long recovery but at least it is over. They said that they feel like it went well and that they got everything. They will still do radiation after she has healed and get anything that they missed. We are praying that this is the last of the surgeries and that she can have radiation and be done with this. She has been through so much in the last almost year. I love you momma, hang in there.

Cruze Birthday

Cruze turned 5 on the 6th, which was the Superbowl. I wanted Cruze to be able to have his birthday not be forgotten because of the game. So we just told him his birthday was on Saturday, because that is when we celebrated it. I cannot believe that he is already 5 and this year he will be going into kindergarten. I am so happy, but really sad at the same time. For his birthday we decided to combine with the other 3 of us that have birthdays all within about a week of eachother. So we went to Boondock's and opened presents, ate cake and ice cream, and then we let the little kiddos bowl for a while. Then Cruze wanted to go get pizza for dinner so we went to Pizza Factory and loved it. That is one of my favorite pizza restaurants. We love you Cruze, and we are so glad that you are your very special personality are in our home. You keep us on our toes, but you equally keep us laughing. We gave him a bike, and a semi-trailer that stores his matchbox cars. He also got leapster games, rc car, disc shooter, some adorable chaps and a couple other toys. Thank you to everyone who gave him gifts and participated in us celebrating his day.

Cruze's Cake made with the help of my friend.

Cruze and Preslie with their cakes. It was also Tanelle and my birthdays. IT was a fun night.