Christmas video

A little sneak peak of our Christmas at GG Cookie's house

Christmas 08'

Merry Christmas! Hope yours was spectacular. We had fun seeing family and friends now that we are local! Here are some pics from our adventures. Caleb enjoyed opening presents this year and he was sad when it was all over.
Playing by himself while everyone else is opening presents in the next room:
Here he is making a basket with his new bear bible.

Just in Case you can't remember...

warning: you may want to turn down your volume.

Please pray for Lot 16

this is the site we chose to have our Tuscan Castle built upon. Escrow will start this week and not end until the house is built 5-6 months from now. We are very excited about our new adventure and look forward to hosting lots of parties and guests in our new home.

Chicago with the McAvoy's

This year we were fortunate to take a trip to Chicago with the McAvoy's. This year Jared did not have to go with Shimadzu for their annual RSNA show and although he was thankful to be home with his family on Thanksgiving he was bummed to not have the chance to enjoy the weather and Harry Caray's. We arrived late Friday night and stayed until late on Monday. It was filled with lots of snow, rain, freezing temperatures and lots of adventures. Chicago is such an amazing city and we were thankful to have a chance to visit again.
The "bean" with snow on top
View from the John Hancock building
Us at Harrey Caray's
The perfect snowflake on Sara's jacket

Thanksgiving 08'

We are thankful to be in Fresno as there was no travel unlike the previous several years! Thanksgiving day we spent with Mimi's side of the family. We played poker and ate lots of food. We enjoyed the company of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

On Friday as is tradition we spent the time with Papa Jim's side of the family for a feast followed by football. During our feast Caleb decided he would flash everyone. This year was the first time I played football since Caleb was born and my body wasn't really prepared to say the least. I am still majorly suffering in soreness but I had a great time in the process.

Saturday we went to my dad's and spent some time out on the go cart track for the first time. I was really surprised by these "go carts" which are actually more like mini indy cars. They are really fast and can go up to 60 mph or more depending on the track and the car. Caleb did really well in all our adventures.

McCaffrey - Tuscan Castle

YEAH BABY! - Sorry I am trying to stay objective!
Builder: McCaffrey
Name: Tuscan Castle
Square Feet: 1940
Price per square feet: $137
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Kitchen: granite, huge, same as below
Up front costs: $17,900



Kimmie's thoughts:
positive + negative: not a starter house & ditto everything from Victoria's Cottage

McCaffrey - Victoria's Cottage

Builder: McCaffrey (local) http://www.mccaffreygroup.com/communities/index.cfm?community_id=82
Home Name: Victoria's Cottage
Square Feet: 1457
Price per square feet: $159
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Kitchen: Granite, tile and comes with all appliances minus the frig
Up front costs: $15,600




Kimmie's thoughts:
positive: It's almost like buying a custom home. They literally build it for you with several choices of materials to choose from and you design the flooring just the way you want it. Pre-wired for just about everything, concrete tile roof, tankless water heater, super windows (they only let in approximately 30% of the UV rays), HVAC system and fiber optics.
negative: We would be paying for all the upgrades on the flooring, etc. We would have no money left for contingencies.

House Hunting (Lennar - Harvard)

As some may know we are so thankful to start the house hunting process! Yeah! Although we have looked at both resale and new homes we are sticking to the new ones. I apologize in advance for the video quality. I am using my regular camera and I was afraid to run out of space on my card so I tended to go by quickly through the homes and it is a bit dizzying. We need your help: give your advice and tips as we look at these homes! PLEASE!
The stats will proceed each video so here goes!

Builder: Lennar (national company) http://www.lennar.com/New-Homes/California/Fresno/Heritage-Park
Home Name: Harvard
Square Feet: 1872
Price per square feet: $117
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Kitchen: granite, includes all appliances, tile on floor
Up front costs: $3500



Kimmie's thoughts:
positive: move into a new house in the matter of a month and still have money in savings
negative: small backyard, there is nothing that we have chosen in the house.

Dope Wars Alternative...

http://disney.go.com/dxd/index.html?channel=108602

For all you dope wars addicts out there, here is challenging game testing your entrepreneurial skills. This was probably the easiest and most enjoyable assignment from the entrepreneurship class I just finished. My first round playing I lost $, let's see how you do!

Ever Inspired's Blog

Stop by for new designs and great finds!

http://everinspiredblog.blogspot.com/

Caleb counting

We were gone in Torrance this week. Caleb and I joined Jared as he went back down there to work. It was a good trip and we were happy to see our friends but I am thankful to be back. On one of the nights while we were giving Caleb a bath he started counting the stars on his robe.



My favorite number is "eleven" how about you?

Small Business Enterprenuership

that is the name of the online class I am taking. I thought it would be a good thing to ground myself in basic knowledge as I start out on this journey. So far so good until last week. Our assignment was on finances. Previously I have always liked working with numbers as it pertains to money and to be honest I have been kinda cocky about my knowledge in it. Last week I realized, I really don't like it AND I know nothing. Sometimes I even thought I might like to be an accountant or work for the IRS. NOPE. Not after last week, real life requires math equations! So there goes one skill I thought I had in the bag...guess I will have to find a new one to balance out this one woman show.

October Birthday's

Warning: It's long and mostly of Caleb!

Ever Inspired's First Boutique

Earlier today my gracious mom in law hosted a boutique and invited all her friends to come. I have been preparing for several weeks now in anticipation of the event. Several people came and some even bought some cards from me! Very exciting! It was a great opportunity to get my name out there and spend some more time getting to know her friends. Sorry! I forgot my camera so no pics! Hopefully next time, if there is a next time! Thanks M.I.L and everyone who helped make it happen!

What would you do with a million dollars?

While we were eating McDonald's for dinner and playing the Monopoly game we asked each other the question what would you do with a million dollars?

To my surprise we both answered the same way:
1. Consult a tax attorney that specializes in large sum winnings
2. Tithe
3. Buy a house (cash) here in Fresno
4. Pay off our Rav4
5. Sell our Mazda and buy a Camry
6. Go on Vacation (maybe Europe?)
7. Save the rest

(8. I added that I would put Caleb in a 2nd language course, to which Jared asked "how much is that anyway??")

Good to know we are on the same page, now all we need to do is win! Hope my expanding waistline can hold up to the challenge! :)

How about you guys? What would you do with a million dollars?

Official Launch!

Since this is my personal blog I can share with you the joys and frustrations of making my own website.Those of you who know me are aware that I am not a "techy" person and I never wanted to build my own website but had to due to the lack of capital for my business. One of the most frustrating aspects is expectations, that fight between what I think is a good website as a user and what in reality I have the skill level and resources to actually produce, do you know what I mean? I know the website needs to be better but this is all I can do for now. So without further ado check it out: everinspired.com.
If you are reading this you probably already recieved my official lauch email but if you didn't, sign up here and I will add you to my list!
Thanks!

Oh no!

That is what Sarah Anderson is saying in response to this photo. Some of you may share her grimace and some will just laugh but I had to do it!

Long live the Mac

This is a perfect little indention of my battery charger on my chase lounge that I sit at everyday. These days I have been spending many hours with my mac and I have to say that I love it. I know I am barely tapping into the possibilities but I love it and I am so thankful for it.
sidebar: I am not trying to portray anything negative about other computers, I just really like mine.

Birthday Celebration

We had a great time with 20 people - wow - Caleb can pull a crowd!He really enjoyed opening his gifts and playing with his cousins.

Caleb's birthday today!

In honor of his birthday I will post a few photos you haven't seen and give you a break down of a few of his favorites!

These days he likes all things veggie (not the kind you eat!) as well as basketball, soccer, and anything with dada or papa. He likes black beans, cereal (Raisin Nut Bran), hummus and chips. He also enjoys the occasional starbucks and mcdonalds. He LOVES all things electronics and things that have buttons to push. He is very opinionated, especially about his shoes! Stay tuned for pictures from his bday celebration this weekend at Mimi's!

Etsy

I just opened an Etsy account. I am anxious to get started and thought it would be good practice for me and a chance to gain some feedback. I still have a lot of work to do and so many things to learn but here is a preview of things to come:

everinspired.etsy.com

Chico Fun!

Right after my trip to Portland, "Mimi", Caleb and I took a trip to Chico. Although it was a long drive we were greeted warmly by our cousins and aunt. I was surprised how well Caleb slept while we were there, it was his best trip. Although the mosquitoes were affluent somehow were came back unscathed from it all! Here is a couple pics and video from our trip.

Anderson's in Portland

As you may remember some of my best friends just had their first baby. Baby Parker is now 6 weeks old and doing very well. It is a weird feeling not being the responsible one all the time. Kinda nice actually then you can try and help others. He is absolutely adorable! I had great food and great company. We had a great visit and I miss them already.

Caleb clapping

Someone should tell him that he isn't the center of the universe.

5 things I miss about LB

1. friends...duh
2. weather...duh
3. the water! the well water here is terrible tasting.
4. the postal people
5. downtown disney

Introducing

Grandpa & Grandma "puff"



Whose laugh is more contagious? Carrie or Caleb?

For those of you who are wondering...

how things are going so far here in Fresno.
Caleb is adjusting, sometimes we have nap issues but for the most part he is doing well. He loves hanging out with his family all the time but misses his friends still.
I am doing well. When Caleb is sleeping I am really busy working either for Nick, or working on my online class. Besides of course the obvious house fun. But when Caleb is awake we can get bored easily we are still trying to make some friends.
Jared is REALLY busy. Working full time from home and going to school two nights a week and homework, he has a full schedule.

Haircuts Needed

Unfortunately the lovely lady who we planned to cut our hair while in Fresno is now in a little town in Arizona. We badly need family haircuts:

YUMMY

We live really close to a drive thru startbucks!! I think it is quite an accomplishment that we have only been there once so far this week.

Move to Fresno

Thanks to so many of our dear friends and family we made it.
Friday morning we were thankful to have Rachael watch Caleb while Christina, Randy, Uncle Bill, Jared and I loaded up the moving truck. It was amazing how fast we went.
While I left to get Mr. Caleb and some lunch they were finishing up squeezing our last items in the truck. Then Jared realized that we still had our garage to empty! Ouch. Thankfully we were able to secure Mike's dad's truck to fit the rest. Caleb LOVED the moving truck:
Saturday came and we thought it would be easy. Finishing packing the rest and say our goodbyes to our next door neighbor. We woke up and got some great breakfast burritos from Nicks (Main St. in Seal Beach). There were six of us: Mike, Dani, the McAvoys, and Jared and I and somehow it still was next to impossible to leave by noon! Of course the flat tire on the truck didn't help either. Five vehicles start down the path to the Valley. Here is a pick of Caleb sleeping on the way here.
It was a long day. Thankfully we had a lot of help here in Fresno to unpack as well. After an early dinner we all started unloading and a couple hours later some of us were a little tired.
Well we still have lots of things to figure out here and once we get things in a spot I will give you a tour of our new place. Until then!
P.S. A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who helped, could not have done it without you!

Beginning of the end...

The long awaited days of packing are here. Many of you know that I have wanted to move out of this apartment a couple weeks after I got here. I thought I would practically be whistling a tune but really I am just peaceful; content to have made it thus far in this place and hopeful for what is next.
Anyway, thanks to Christina and our life group and others we are almost there:

Meet Parker Anderson

For those of you who do not know, our dear friends the Anderson's just had their first son. His name is Parker Anderson. He came into the world 8 days past his due date at 8lb 4oz and 21 inches long. Welcome to existence and we can't wait to meet you!

My new background

I really like this picture. It was taken a couple of weeks ago when we were searching for a place to live in Fresno. It gives you a hint of his destructive behavior lately.

Jared's new toy

Jared gets this...
and I get to donate his old large cd player!

Our new apt home

Check out our new place starting August 23rd:
http://casadelunaapts.com/modeltour.html

The News

Last Friday was kinda crazy. Jared was suppose to have a decision and leave the state all within a couple hours. Unfortunately they will only allow Jared to work remotely until they find his replacement :( . We are hoping this will take several months and then they will realize that it's working out and not find a replacement. So we decided to take our chances and pay the registration and tuition fees for Fresno State only to find out that there was a GRANT that neither of us were aware of. When we got the paper financial aid "award" in the mail we only qualified for unsubsidized loans, so thanks for hooking us up Jesus! So we are going to Fresno although it is certainly not like we had pictured it we hope things will work out. Thanks for your prayers on our behalf. We will miss our friends here and our church.

Kinda random...

It's a weird feeling when the car you actually own is better than your rental. I never thought this would be true as it has always been a treat to rent a car. In our garage is sitting a 2007 Toyota Camry with 28K miles and a "lived in" interior. I have yet to meet a Toyota that has disappointed and this is no different, I love the car, but I LOVE mine even more. Get better RAV!

SF & Renegade Craft Fair

A couple weekends ago my friend Sara and I met in SF and attended the Renegade Craft Fair. I was glad I attended but wish it wasn't so expensive, I was definitely the only one there scoping it out - everyone else was local. It ended up being a really great trip tho because Sara and I had lots of fun exploring SF. Here is a pic of us about to get on the #30 bus to Fisherman's wharf. (It was Sara's first bus experience).We went to Alioto's for dinner, it was scrumptious!We stayed at the La Luna Inn, Tim was the best!
The next day we drove the crooked road and shopped at Union Square and came across the place where we will stay next time!Lots of fun and Sara did a great job of driving!

YUCK!

**(weak stomachs beware)**

Jared came home Wednesday afternoon shortly after Caleb had just thrown up for the first time. I was so surprised I didn't know what to do, he was crying, standing still in yuck and I was cleaning up the couch. Thankfully when Jared got home he cleaned up Caleb. Unfortunately this was only the first of our woes. An hour later it was my turn. Caleb was taken to the ER where he sat throwing up in Daddy's arms waiting for hours to be seen, then finally given a shot. I was at home worried for him but busy occupying our bathroom at the same rate as Caleb. Thanks to Dani & Mike who came over that night and split the boys and girls so we wouldn't have to be alone during such chaos.
This has been our goal since then, to get Caleb to drink something, here are his selections:

From left to Right: OJ/water, water, pedialite, vitamin water w/potassium.
Since then we have gotten really creative and mixed all of these anything to get him to drink.
Here is our $100 investment to save our carpet, couches and stomachs:

Oye, Lord please let this be over soon!

Update

First of all thank you for your prayers and thoughts concerning us and the decisions that face us. As of today, we still don't have any new information. We are waiting to find out if Jared's current job will let him work remotely therefore allowing us to move to Fresno. Although he sounds like he is choosing Fresno State we still do not know his job situation and therefore have no way of planning. Just wanted to give you and update and continue to ask for prayer. Fresno State Fall semester starts Aug 25th. Thanks.

New Seat?

Apparently the new chair we got for Caleb is not good enough, he wants seats closer to the "action".