SOLD!

Holy S*#!

Um... well THAT was unexpected!

So I asked that this would go smooth and I guess it was

so smooth it caught me off guard!

Our home went on the Market at 3pm on Monday

Tuesday we had 3 showings

Last night we had 3 showings and by 9pm we had two offers on the table.

We got our asking price and currently are looking at closing around the end of March.

Now, this is definitely a good thing.  It's what we want and need, but....

if you know me at all, I'm a little sentimental.

A whole lot emotional and I'd be lying if I haven't cried multiple times

already since accepting the offer.  It's been a crazy whirlwind of emotions

and I know that the next few months will be the same! 

Wish me luck, send up a prayer for my sanity, and if I show up on your doorstep

with a suitcase and air mattress, please don't slam the door in my face, as we currently

don't know where we're going to live! Haha!!!

Ok, I'm heading home in this beautiful crappy horrible weather.

Big Stuff... and some little stuff too

So... Ryan and I put our house on the market.

This has been a long time coming and we are both excited and terrified.

We LOVE our house!

We moved in before it was finished and have spent countless hours

and many dollars making it our HOME.

We both work in the cities and commute daily.  Our families and majority

of our friends live closer to the cities, and the distance makes getting together

always just a bit more challenging.  Lila will be starting school

in the fall and we want to be settled in as we start that new chapter.

This is the right time.

That said, we have put so much of ourselves into that house, to let it go

for what the market "values" it as, is almost painful.

But we are hopeful!  Hopeful that this process will be, if not smooth....

at least not turbulent!  Wish us luck!

This has consumed a large portion of our life lately, but here are a few photos

of time that hasn't been spent organizing, finishing, cleaning, looking, etc....

~We braved the cold to go play outside~

~We played indoors when the cold just was too much.~

Puzzles are a hit in our house!

So is Temple Run and My Playhome

Doc McStuffins anyone?!  ;)

~Elaina LOVES her skinny jeans.  "Mom, they are just SO skinny!" 

~We like to party!  (Don't ask me about the headbands... I don't question anymore.)

~It's a zoo at our house!~

~Our Valentines Day consisted of work, some chocolate, new puzzles for the girls...

...maybe drinking a little too much wine at home in our sweats and taking goofy pictures of ourselves looking like Boone.

~I drove through some miserable weather to go visit some out of state family!  Worth the drive!~

Ellie was in 7th Heaven holding baby Soren 

Grandma and Grandpa with the Great Grandkids

Now it's just about time to head home and tackle some more organizing and packing... We're being hopeful that someone will see this charming little home and decide they just HAVE to have it!!

Last few weekends

So a few weekends ago, we had our nephews come stay with us.

The girls had a countdown for weeks, they were so excited to have

them come and play with them.

It was fun. And crazy. And loud. 

And I'm reassured in my decision to not have 4 children! 

Hahaha!

The kids all had a great time and Lila and Ellie are already asking

when the boys are coming back for more fun!

Since that time, it's been pretty normal schnormal around the Volovsek house.

Ryan was in Florida the last week of January, so it was just me and the girls!

I was pretty pooped by the weekend, but got a lovely breather on Saturday

when Ryan's parents took the girls overnight and we spent a great day and night

together!  A whole day to ourselves, some sushi and cocktails, and a quiet uninterrupted

movie on the couch... it was like heaven!

Both Ryan and I are healthy enough to get back to the gym, and although

I'm ridiculously sore, it feels amazing to get active again.

All in all... things are just putzing along.  We've got things in the works

and are hopeful that the spring is the time all the pieces will fall into place!

Sick of being Sick... and looking forward to feeling healthy again!

Ok... so this year has started out a little rough.

Almost 2 weeks ago Ryan started not feeling so hot.

3 days later, both of us were miserable and shivering, and sweating

and aching, and coughing....

YUCK!

Both the girls have colds, just your run of the mill winter sniffles.

Ryan is finally getting back on his feet.

I finally went to the Dr. yesterday and got myself checked out.

Apparently pneumonia needs to be taken care of.

(Way to go Nurse)

So after 24hours of antibiotics, I'm starting to feel at least a little human again.

It's been a crazy couple of days, and we have our 2 nephews coming tomorrow

to stay the weekend, so I imagine the next few days won't be much calmer. HA!

But, I'm looking forward to feeling healthy again.

Getting my wind and feeling my motivation again.

Here are a few pics that make me smile and feel happy!

A new year

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A few nights ago, Ryan and I were sitting on the couch watching a video on a guy that has

recently (at the risk of sounding corny), Inspired us.  

He's a 3time title holder of The Fittest Man on Earth, and he's humble, and motivated, and dedicated, and faithful. 
(and ladies... he's pretty amazing to look at, so that's a bonus)!

Anyway, he was talking about how he manages stress and his concept was very simple.

He doesn't.  

He works hard at what he feels like he is supposed to do, and lets God take care of the rest.

For some reason, that really struck me.

I've been dealing with trying to find my balance for many months now. My stress and anxiety seem to climb higher and higher 
over things that really shouldn't cause that much internal chaos.  I have a steady job, 
a good home, 2 sweet girls, and a terrific husband.  
I have my health, and friends, and family that love me.  
So what is there really to stress about?  

Maybe I should take a cue, and work on letting Him handle things. 

We've got some big things coming up this year, and just thinking about it gets me all freaked out and worried... 
maybe if I just trust that I'm taken care of, this will all be a little easier and more enjoyable.  

I think it's a good way to start the New Year.

* Also, if you are interested... a quick clip of Rich Froning. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubCJx23Y4S4

New stuff and a welcome to 2014

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a wonderful few weeks for our family.

And although my lack of blogging is apparent, I can't even say it's because

we've been busy!  Starting Christmas day, we had 5 days of relaxation and

glorious, much needed time together!  And even now, back at work ... it's

been mellow and relaxed at home.  I feel blessed and rejuvenated!

Now... if this ridiculous frigid weather would just stop... all would be well!!!

I took over a thousand (yes, you read that correctly) photos in the month of December.

Going through them all is a bit overwhelming.  I have decided that I'm not going to

post a ton.  Just a few, (ok, so a "few" is relative)
 a smattering of the last month, Christmas, and New Years, all kind of rolled into a
random wrap up of 2013!

~We played in the snow.  (This was also known affectionately as the "Zombie Pit")

~We made cookies.  Would you care for a cookie with your sprinkles?

~We celebrated Christmas at my Dad's~

It was lovely and always a treat to see family!

~The girls had a little Christmas program at Preschool.  Ok... so not little.  I was thinking
like 30-40 people.... eh eh... more like 150 or so!
Yoikes! Still super cute though!

~Christmas Eve day was spent at my mom's with just our immediate family.  It was relaxing

and fun and enjoyable.

~Christmas eve we went to Mass then home to make sure everything was just right for

Santa to come.  We opened gifts between and tucked our little ones into bed hoping that

Sugarplums would dance in their heads all night!

~Christmas morning was a surprising treat, as both girls slept in ( I'm talking 7am folks!!)

We had coffee and breakfast and listened to the girls ooh and aah over their loot from Santa!

It was so much fun watching them open their gifts!  Each year it just seems to get better!

We sat on the porch, tree lit up, with snow falling outside the window... it really was magical!

~That day we went outside and did some sledding.  We played with our new games, Legos, Easy Bake oven, and even a game of Go Fish!
We had nowhere to go and spent the day enjoying every second of it!

It was a wonderful day.  One of the more enjoyable Christmas's I've had!

~Papa Dave came for a visit!

~We took the girls skating for the first time!  Lila resembled Bambi the first time out, but made significant progress by her second time out!

~We celebrated Christmas with my mom's whole side of the family.
And I mean WHOLE family!
My uncle Pete and his family came home for Christmas for the first time in 20
years! He showed up at the front door and surprised EVERYONE! We were
missing a few cousins, but it was the largest Bongard family gathering in two decades!
Fun, crazy, chaotic... yep, that pretty much describes it!

My uncle came dressed as Santa... it was pretty fun!

~New Years was relatively quiet this year. Some sushi with friends, and home for some Scrabble and watching the ball drop!

The nice clothes were tossed for sweats within minutes of getting home.... Casual is cool people!

~The next day was spent helping Ryan's folks tear up carpet. I know you're jealous!

As I look ahead to the coming year, we've got some pretty exciting stuff ahead. 

Here's hoping 2014 brings time to achieve our new goals, love and blessings as we celebrate

with family, and maybe a move that will bring us closer to our family and friends!

Stay tuned.  It should be a pretty great year!