Cold feet in Kentucky!

Slippers have almost become a verb in our house. The floors are very very cold, since they're not carpeted, and the basement isn't heated.

They're the first thing I think about in the morning when my feet hit the cold floor, and one of the last before I go to bed, when I kick them out from under the covers.

We have the girls put them on early in the day too, or else we hear "mama, I'm told". (yes, her c's are still t's, and it's adorable - part of me hopes she never outgrows it!)

Right now, here's what we're sporting - a combination of wal-mart $5.99 specials, Robeez, hand-me-downs, and kohls "whatever was on sale". They were assembled in very short order right after we moved in. The labels don't matter- they're warm, and that's what matters!

I'm actually looking forward to the day mine wear out so I can put a little more thought into the purchase of new ones - like these here - for a mere $2 more than what I spent. Or these.

Here's hoping that your feet are cozy and warm tonight!

What I'm working on.

I got the call Tuesday morning:
Collateral and identity needed to go to press by Friday.
We did it!

11X25.5 roll fold brochure, sellsheet and a finalized logo.

Apple pie and big trucks.

Ok folks - here it is. Our first "this is Kentucky, and we love it"
post. Lots of you have asked for stories, and here's one of our first.

Right after we moved in, we were milling about the house, doing our
thing, and we heard this great rumbling. Kind of like a logging truck
was going to plow through the house. Lydia comes running "mamma! What
is it?". So I asked Sam, "Sam, what is it?". Well. While we are very
thankful for the house we're in, the one of few downsides is that the
driveway to the house above us runs parallel with our house.
LIterally, when I'm doing dishes and they go by, I duck so I'm not
looking directly in their faces, 4 feet away. It's kind of crazy.
Since we live on a mountain, it's a very steep driveway too. With 12
inch ruts. (Not ours, thankfully, but theirs). They have massive 4
wheel drive vehicles that plow up and down their driveway, and we
always can tell when they're coming or going. That was the sound we
heard.

We had lots of snow and cold this week, like the rest of the US.
Which made the driveway next to our kitchen window treacherous and
entertaining. We've seen our neighbors park at the bottom of their
driveway and trek up the mountain to their house with groceries and
kids in tow several times in much less inclemental weather (think
mud), so when we heard the rumble yesterday amidst the falling snow,
Sam and I both looked at each other, shocked. Seriously, they were
going to try and make it up the mountain with 2 inches of snow and
ice? This would be interesting. Trust me, most of the common everyday
vehicles we all drive wouldn't make it up this driveway if it was FLAT.

So there they go, with a big running go at it. We were all in the
kitchen, and once they passed, Sam and I craned our necks to watch
what would happen next. It slows...it slides...it goes up over a 2
foot embankment in the ditch to the right...and again....big river
rocks go flying and he guns it, spinning. We held our breaths and
almost run to take cover with the girls in another room. See, because
if he did start sliding backwards, with the ruts and bumps, good
chances are that we'd meet unhappily in our kitchen, since we're at
the lull before the steepest part of their driveway. Bumper, meet
sink. When it was all done, Sam says "That - was not a very smart
thing that he just did." Hmm. you think so, eh? I agreed.

Well, we are very happy to report that they did indeed make it up
their hill. And not into our refrigerator. But it was entertaining.

I am a little sheepish of running out to our porch and taking a
picture of our neighbors passing by, but I had to go do a quick
search and find a photo to show you kind of what it looks like. This,
but bigger, and not a jeep, with bigger tires and fog lights on top
and a roll bar. And no, I'm not kidding. And then this is the view
out my kitchen window, which will very shortly have curtains. And
blinds.

We're off to go enjoy dessert and a movie. Blessings to all of you.
Do something fun tonight!

Love,
Jessica and Sam

A few photos

Here's a few fun pictures of January so far:

- A quick trip to Cincinatti - we had a friend's wedding in Lexington
to go to on Saturday last weekend, so met up with Annie, Lucy, and
Jude at her Mom's house in Cincinatti so the girls could play
together and we could all catch up on Wheaton happenings. It was so
much fun!

- Lydia having fun with hair clips - she came running out of the
bathroom with the clips on her fingers; she looked like a bionic girl.

- Lydia with her animals in a "family hug". She came and told us what
they were doing and was so proud of her little arrangement. It was
adorable.

I am so very thankful to be home more to catch these special moments
with my girls!

Test Post - from my email!

I'm sitting here in my kitchen, watching it snow out on the
mountains, very excited about the tip I just got from a friend - mail
to blogger settings! It lets me post directly to my blog by sending
an email. Here's hoping that it works. And big thanks to Amy, even if
it doesn't!

I'm off to make an apple pie before Millie wakes up from her nap.

More to come later on - a funny story with (hopefully) pictures if we
can catch it in action.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all of you!

Quick update since we haven't posted for over a month (gasp).
- We moved to Hyden, Kentucky over Thanksgiving, and with the help of family (thank you Baers for all your help!), we got moved in quickly and easily.
- We are no longer pursuing the cabin purchase, since upon closer look once we moved down, it ended up being a little larger project that we wanted to pursue.
- Millie is crawling and waving!

I hope that your holidays are relaxed and spent enjoying the season with those you love. We're here in upstate New York, enjoying very crisp weather (think single digits!), beautiful snow-covered landscapes, lots of fun with cousins, siblings, and in-laws, and the hopes of reconnecting with a few friends as well. The plan is to rest up from the busyness of the past few months before we head back to KY and begin life there in full force.

I was browsing through a magazine today, and saw the words to one of my recent favorite Christmas songs - In a Bleak Midwinter. Love that song! So simple and pure. So today, the Baers leave you with this:

What can I give Him; poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yes what I can I give Him? Give my heart.

Merry Christmas!

Our list

We are almost done with "the list" of items to repurchase for our new home - it's been a lot of looking on craigslist, at ikea, at target, and napervilleyardsales.com - and we're getting there!
- couch - check.
- washer/dryer - almost check.
- glider - almost check.

It's kind of fun to "reinvent" ourselves in a way! We like to think of our time with our house at 316 as the test drive for our home and life in KY. And all the things we didn't get quite right, or weren't happy with? No problem - now we know what not to do, and what we want to change for the next time around.

This is a very random post, and I think it's due to the late hour. Our girls have been faithfully (and I mean faithfully) waking up just as we go to bed...making for some very long nights.

I will leave you with this - whoever you are - designmom posted a link to a beautiful site today - http://tinysprouts.com

Now I want to play with fun chunky embroidery style on children's clothing! How sweet is this stuff... love it!

Day more than 4.

The past few weeks have flown. Between the everyday events of life, we've been planning like crazy.

Sam went on a scouting trip down to Kentucky a few weeks ago to follow up on a few leads, and he landed this find of the year! Someone had alerted his Dad to the property when they had heard that we were looking for a remote piece of property with some flat land. It's a log cabin frame that's been sitting unfinished now for a little over a year. For those of you who are wondering (and yes, we would be too if we were in your shoes!), it doesn't have any water damage from being uncovered - just needs a roof, and then a good pressure washing and drying out before we start finishing it up. A gentleman started building it for his long-time girlfriend who proceeded to break up with him. So he's dumping the house in it's unfinished state. Enter, us. Just what we were looking for! A beautiful piece of property with a pond and a bunch of flat land. We verbally agreed yesterday, and will finish the paperwork when we get to KY. Finally, we know a tiny bit of what our future will look like. And. We. Are. So. Excited.

Day 3

Big news today - we are now the owners of a new address:
PO Box 617514
Chicago, IL 60661

A CHICAGO address, folks. The first and possibly last time this will ever happen.

We closed up the house tonight in preparation for the key hand-off tomorrow; what a bittersweet moment. Today is all about remembering the fabulous times at 316 North Prospect Street - our first home together - a place we could actually claim as our own. And after 6 years of hard work - living in dust for half of it, with the anticipation of it being finished - we are done.

Rocking Lydia to sleep in her little black and white room with the lyrical verse on the wall. Bringing Millie home and snuggling with both girls together on the couch. Smores in our fireplace inside. Campfires outside on the patio! Christmas and the white pine boughs over the window trim throughout the house. Sitting on our porch on hot summer nights, feet dangling on the porch swing. Gathering with neighbors in our front and back yards. Watching Lydia and the little ladies in the neighborhood roll down the driveway in their little orange cars. Lots of meals and card games around the table. Walks around the "loop"- up prospect, shortcut to summit, up to Illinois, back over to Prospect. Many great memories that we will remember forever.

And with that, we close the door to 316 North Prospect, and shut a chapter in our lives. Welcome home Michelle; we left the porch light on for you.

(and now I'll cry my way back to Naperville!)

Day 2

So, when you miss the 6:25 in Naperville, and instead take the 6:35, you might as well ride you bike into the city. I sat and watched trains continually pass ours on the inside tracks, and watched the masses at each stop actually pass our train by, waiting instead for the next express. In hindsight, I should have gotten off at one of the first stops and waited for an express. Or paid better attention to the schedule. Actually, scratch all that - if I had just hurried a bit in my morning routine, we wouldn't be having this typersation. Anyhow, it was a nice HOUR AND FIFTEEN minutes worth of working on the train. As opposed to the short 35 minutes of the express on the way back home.

What we learned today:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonalization_disorder
Wikipedia says that periods of continued stress can cause this defense mechanism to kick in - I think we qualify. Textbook! I do feel like I'm walking around outside of my body, watching someone else leave a fabulous neighborhood and a beautiful, handmade house. Who would do such a thing?! Apparently, us. I need to remind myself that home is not the structure containing everything...it's what's inside; the people, the everyday familiar items, the love. God is good, and we are so thankful to be 2 days closer to settling in our new life, chasing after a dream - an idea - we've had now for over 7 years.

Day 1

Today was the first day of the rest of our life. Or so I feel. We've officially moved out of our house and have spent our first day as Napervilleites. We are living with some good (and very gracious) friends of ours who have welcomed us into their home for the next 8 weeks, after which point we'll move to Kentucky.

Today we learned: that our children are very flexible, and will have a much easier time with this move than we will. Even though bedtime was akin to WWIII tonight (seriously, 8:45 and Millie has just finally calmed and fallen asleep?) Lydia keeps randomly saying that she's "cited to move to tucky". I also learned that the 6:25 train out of the Naperville station gets in to Union with the same speediness as my 6:25 over at college ave. Tomorrow: update on if I actually MADE it to the 6:25...

Millie's first cereal!

Millie had her first cereal today by spoon. Sweet thing kept sucking it up off the spoon like it was milk. So cute. Here's a recent picture of the girls!

Home for sale!

Samuel Baer | 630-768-8542 316 North Prospect St, Wheaton, IL Beautiful charming remodeled house with short walk to train and downtown Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. 2BR/1.5BA Single Family House offered at $280,000 Year Built 1930 Sq Footage 1,000 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 1 full, 1 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size .25 acres HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION www.316NorthProspect.com Cottage living in the west suburbs! This beautiful Wheaton home was completely remodeled in 2004. Upgrades include new bathrooms, jacuzzi tub, vaulted ceilings, beadboard, decorative crown molding, solid wood doors, granite countertops, hardwood flooring, and custom built-ins that give this vintage 1930’s style home a charm all its own. Beautiful front porch and back patio area extends the living area of the home during the warmer months. A friendly neighborhood and a park at the end of the block makes this a great location for families and singles alike. The Metra West Line College Ave stop is a 5 minute walk away; an ideal situation for commuters. Wheaton College is also within walking distance. This home was remodeled by a builder and designer duo, with storage solutions and style in mind. Square footage was considered horizontally and vertically, with every inch wisely used. Come see this charming house! see additional photos below PROPERTY FEATURES • Central heat • Fireplace • High/Vaulted ceiling • Hardwood floor • Tile floor • Bonus/Rec room • Dishwasher • Refrigerator • Stove/Oven • Microwave • Granite countertop • Stainless steel appliances • Attic • Basement • Washer • Dryer • Laundry area - inside • Balcony, Deck, or Patio • Yard • Jacuzzi/Whirlpool OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES • Porch ADDITIONAL PHOTOS Schedule a showing today! Great Room Kitchen Bathroom Master Bedroom Finished Basement Room Contact info: Samuel Baer 630-768-8542 For sale by individual owner Equal Opportunity Housing Posted: Jul 20, 2009, 5:54pm PDT

Welcome Amelia!

She's here, and we're coming out of the "dark tunnel" of the first 6 weeks...
Amelia joined us on March 16th, 2009. Here's a glimpse of the first few weeks with her!
Love to you all, Sam, Jessica, and Lydia

Christmas movie

Holidays 2008

Hi friends and family!

We had a very very quiet, uneventful holiday here in Chicago, which was just what we needed. We took some time to make some memories with just the three of us before the baby comes, and we really enjoyed spending long days together just hanging out around the house and around town.

Here's a video of a bunch of photos from Christmas day, and our vacation time together over the next week or so.
In a nutshell and hopefully somewhat in order:
- Christmas morning - it was beautiful - sunny, cold, crisp and clear. The light was beautiful outside!
- We had special "christmas hot chocolate" and crescent rolls, and Lydia had her first candy cane. I think that she was wondering where they've been her whole life!
- The "rocket" from Seth and Mary in its garage in the closet. (one of her favorite gifts!)
- Lydia playing in her new kitchen set! She likes making coffee. (hmm....maybe it IS time to cut back!)
- Lydia in her sweet chef's hat. Silly grin! (She was eating chocolate chips)
- Opening gifts - you can't see it, but she had great fun opening a very soft pillowcase from grandma Ruth (nana), and she loved it!
- Lydia hugging "kitty" backpack - she says "thank you josh. thank you allison" when she carries it around the house. So sweet!
- Christmas dinner at Bill and Dayna's. They are gifted with hospitality, a beautiful home, and great cooking! Also a sweet 3 year old who plays so sweetly with Lydia.
- The light show at Cosley Zoo, our little local petting zoo. It was a little chilly, but we had a great time. Lydia loved the lights, and the hot chocolate too.
- Christmas projects - Jess finished her rag rug that she's been working on for Lydia's room. Lydia got a kick out of playing with the rag balls before they became "rug"!
- Gluten-free sugar cookie making! We decided that Lydia needed to learn how to frost and sprinkle cookies. She did great. And Sam was so kind to show Lydia that if you lick your hand, you can pick up more sprinkles with your fingers. :) we also found out that we only have heart cookie cutters. Like 10 of them.
- Lydia in the snow! She loved shoveling with our little collapsible shovel. It's just the right size for her.
- Sledding! It was still snowing when she was sledding, and she kept pulling the blanket up around her face. I felt kind of bad. :(

We missed seeing all of you over Christmas. But looking forward to trips out, down, and around after the baby comes!
Love you all, Jessica, Sam, Lydia + baby 2!

Fall at the arboretum

Today Sam had an all-day class, so Lydia and I took the advantage of a beautiful day to head out and go to the arboretum for the afternoon. We had a great time looking at the flowers, walking trails, collecting pine cones, and taking a few photos. We're calling this batch her official "year and a half" photos, and we put an order in today for prints to send to family. So many of you will be getting a few in the mail. I know it's been almost a year since we did this last!

And we have some fun family news: we're 15 weeks along with baby number 2! The morning sickness has subsided quite a bit, and I'm feeling much better than the past few months.

Lydia is growing up a storm. A bunch of her pants are getting too short to wear; finally our little peanut is growing! I'm excited about this fall, putting her in little jumpers with striped leggings and other fun things. The whole "fun" bit of dressing a girl is finally hitting me. She's talking like crazy and will repeat any phrase, though she probably doesn't know exactly what she's saying. Butterfly, book (pronounced "boo - cckkkkaahh"), and "i love you" are a few of the ones she adds her own sweet little twist on. It cracks us up. She loves reading books, playing outside on the porch or out on the back deck, and just learned how to play "ring around the rosy". (a new favorite).