Welcome to the Midwest!

"Welcome to the Midwest" is what everyone has been telling me. I have to say I have never been victim to such allergies. I hear about them, but have never suffered through any until now. I can't say I am a fan and now I sympathize with everyone who deals with them. I had my first bout of Bronchitis after we moved and still harbor a lingering cough and itchy throat in the mornings and evenings. Caleb does too. I just took him to the doctor today to investigate his lingering cough further. Something that had been hanging around on occasion, but spiked up after our move. After a thorough checkup, she prescribed Children's Zyrtec and an antibiotic to hopefully clear up the drainage in his throat. Poor little guy was coughing non-stop in his sleep last night for 2 hours before I couldn't take it any longer and had to hold him upright, that seemed to help. Hopefully the Zyrtec will come through for us and we can enjoy a cough free summer!

I am almost starting to wonder if the cigarette smoke around our apartment has been affecting us too. It will be interesting to see if it changes once we move again in a few weeks! Yeah for a place of our own, home sweet home!

A few more observations!

As I am settling in my new state of Indiana, I have a few more observations in which to share:

1) Sweet Tea. Sweet Tea. Sweet Tea. Just about everyone offers it, but I can't say that they are all spectacular. Today, I took a test swig at McDonald's and I had to say, no thank you. I felt like I was drinking a cup of sugar! I normally don't order beverages when I am out, but its hard to pass up this tasty beverage I have heard so much about in this part of the country! Yum!
2) Speaking of McDonald's, there is one right outside our apartment complex and the drive thru is ALWAYS busy. I have never passed it and not seen a long line. Although Kerry tells me there was no line one Sunday morning at around 845am. Hmmm.
3) It appears that many women in this state mow the lawn. It may be for a good work out, who knows, but even seeing an 80 year old woman pushing the mower in her huge yard on the corner of Gray and the 32 shocked me. It was no riding mower people, she was pushing while her husband pulled the weeds! I have seen her more than once! Also, they don't pick up left over grass here. I guess it is just left for mulch or to be blown across the street for decoration.
4) By almost every pond, there is a sign posted that reads "No swimming, skating or fishing." However, I have seen many fisherman standing right near that sign. Did they not see it?
5) We ate at Bub's Burgers tonight in downtown Carmel. Best burger I have had in Indiana. Only burger I have had in Indiana. Regardless, they have a Bub's busy bag for the kids. When I opened it, I expected to see some crayons, but no. There was a bag of goldfish and fruit snacks. WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA to keep your little one's entertained until dinner arrives. If only every restaurant picked up this little tip. As I am writing this, I guess I am pretty fantastic for providing these very snacks to Caleb just about anywhere we go, but still, you get my point. Great idea!
6) What do people do for a living here? I have seen some MANSIONS up in here. I keep asking Kerry every time we drive down just about any street. My goodness.
7) Roundabouts. Gotta love them. Prefer them over a stop light any day. I think I might just drive around in circles one day and never leave it, well after a few circles maybe.
8) It does not get dark until about 9pm here. Is this normal? I always feel like its so early walking my dog at 830pm in light.
9) I take Caleb to see geese every afternoon at a nearby pond. Geese. I did not see these lovely creatures on the west side.
10) Our apartment complex pool opened April 25th, normally community pools do not open until Memorial Day weekend here. This pool has not been empty since, rain or shine. Being here only a month now, I have enjoyed the cool weather, but I guess everyone else is excited for summer to come. Maybe too excited.

A Love Explained

Kerry and I just got done watching Marley and Me. I never read the book and I think I want to pick it up to see how it compares to the movie, but I bet its beautifully written. I have never cried so hard during a movie until I saw this one. I am not sure what that says about me. Steel Magnolias, Family Stone and Step Mom break me because I am reminded of my mom, but I think over the years my heart has been comforted by happy memories. If you don't understand how someone can love their dog like they are part of the family, please watch this. It clearly explains the love for man's best friend. Clearly. Before Caleb was born, I always told Kerry that having a dog is good practice for children. Yes, I understand they are not the same, but in a way they are. The day they come home you are elated. You are no longer accountable for just yourself, but someone else. You will have days of frustration and joy, but at the end of the day you wouldn't trade it for anything.

Kerry and I brought Speedy home at 7 weeks old back in April of 2002 after choosing him amongst his brothers and sisters. It is hard to imagine how little he was, now being nearly 90lbs. He is an amazing dog, so fully of energy and love for just about anyone. He has been a part of our family for 7 years now and I am not looking forward to the day we will have to say goodbye. When Caleb will have to say goodbye. My son has grown to love "Seaby" and always looks forward to seeing him in the morning and when we come home. Speedy is great with Caleb, loves to play tug o war, share snacks and shower him in kisses. As a kid, I grew up with a dog and I think I will always need to have one in my life.........Kerry may disagree, but I think this movie changed his heart :)

I was reminded of my daily frustration with Speedy after watching this movie. How I can get so irritated by the fact that it takes him forever to find the right spot to pee when I am taking him for his morning potty break in my pajamas at our apartment complex. I am more worried about who will see me, rather than letting him enjoy the fresh air and finding the right place to mark his territory. Where is my patience? I can get frustrated with Caleb over not wanting to sit in his car seat or getting his diaper changed. Where is my patience?

Marley was a crazy dog. Crazy. I am not kidding. This family had frustration of course, but their love was stronger. Love wins.

A Hidden Jewel!

Kerry and I found our beautiful house yesterday! We were on our way back home finishing out the day of house hunting and our realtor suggested we drive through a hidden jewel she knew about. A newer housing development tucked away behind an older neighborhood. When we drove down the hill, it was indeed a hidden jewel. Kerry and I both had seen this home online and I am sure glad we were able to get in and see it yesterday. I was in love the minute we walked in the door. Gorgeous upgraded home with cherry wood floors overlooking a pond. It was exactly what we both had envisioned, but just hadn't found. All of the other homes worth considering were all backed up to a road which we knew was not a good thing. We found a very cute home last week backed up to the woods, but that was bought right out from under us and this one almost was too!

Our realtor called this afternoon to tell us an offer was made and asked us what we wanted to do. We discussed it and decided to make an offer below list and see what happens. If it was meant to be, it would be. We kept saying, "People are stealing our houses!" We got a call from our realtor this evening saying it must be a "God thing" because we got the house! Turns out, they had countered with the other offer three times before getting ours and they decided to accept ours because they were done haggling. Another cool thing is that they are moving to Arizona! Small world!

God is amazing! He truly works everything out in his timing. I know we are all looking forward to moving out of this cigarette smoke infested apartment (which is cute by the way) and into our hidden jewel come mid June.