A home...

Since we no longer will be moving into the new apartment complex that is being built (they're not free anymore since Eli quit working for that company!) we decided to entertain the idea of becoming first time home buyers. Being the fact that a baby is on the way and we are far from rich (haha!) our budget only allows for a small increase from what we are paying for rent. After looking at purchasing a 1994 manufactured home that sits on land we would have to pay rent for, my mom suggested looking at a newly built home and moving it on to a piece of land of our own. What a great idea, but I didn't think we would be able to afford it, to our surprise, we just may be able to!!!

On Saturday we took a trip down to Orofino where a manufactured homes dealer is located. We were able to look through several different models and fell in love with a couple of them! We want a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home and have found a layout that we love! While our minds are far from set on this particular home, we have a good idea of what we want! There are a few other dealerships in Lewiston and even more in Spokane. Over the next couple of weeks, we want to look at more homes to make sure we find the "perfect" one for us!

We are also trying to find a lot that is zoned to allow a manufactured home, a very difficult task. I think that we are going to get a realtor's help in the process of finding land. I just hope we can find something at a reasonable price!

We're trying not to get our hopes up, but I'm really excited to find a home that we can call our own! Our lease is up in May and I would love to move out by then, but this process may take longer than that. We'll just have to wait and see! Keep your fingers crossed for us!

This is the floor plan of the model we like so much! (Click on the image to enlarge! Let me know if that doesn't work, I was having issues uploading it.) The model we looked at has the optional master bath up-grade as well as several other amenities that make it VERY desirable!!! I took our camera with us on our trip to Orofino, but forgot it in the car. So, no pictures of the interior! :( Oh well!

Help April Help Her Mom

My friend from college, April, needs our help. Click on the button on the left to hear her amazing story about her mom. I feel so privileged to have such a healthy loving mom and I wish that for April as well. Thank you for taking the time to read her story.

The "H" Word

As I was getting ready to start our daily calendar routine with my kindergartners, one of them ran up to me frantic, "Mrs. Cann, so and so just said the 'h' word." I got a song started for the rest of the kids to sing along with while I pulled so and so to the side.

Being the fact that swearing is a HUGE no-no, I was coming down pretty hard on him. The conversation went something like this:

Me: "Now you know that we do not use words like that in our classroom."
So and So: "I know, I know, I tried not to."
Me: "No there is not any trying in the matter, there is absolutely no excuse for using those words. Those words are VERY bad."
So and So: (beginning to tear up) "I know..."
Me: "I want to know exactly what you said."
So and So: "I said, (pause) 'hate.'"

It was all I could do not to laugh! I was SO relieved that he hadn't said the inevitable "h" word! Oh the joys of teaching and children!

And the verdict is in....

So all within a matter of a few hours, Eli quit his previous job and started a new one! This has been an emotional roller coaster for both of us. Unfortunately Eli's last job didn't turn out to be what he thought it would; after several weeks of hard work with little appreciation, he decided it was time. Eli is now a new employee for Inland Northwest Broadcasting!

Eli is back to himself today. During the past couple of months Eli had been so unhappy that he had lost himself. Almost every night I would say, "When can I have my Eli back?" It was hard. I'm sorry that it turned out this way but I know that it's what's best for us.

So although everything hit the roof last night, everything is smooth sailing tonight and we're REALLY excited about his upcoming job! And best of all, we're actually spending time together...something we haven't done in God knows how long!

More Life Changes

Why can't anything EVER go as planned? There always seems to be something! Eli and I have been faced with a pretty tough life changing decision...okay, maybe it wasn't a tough decision...but stressful to say the least! Good news is that everything is okay, it's just another hurtle to jump over. I will post more tonight after things are more finalized!

Feeling Lonely

Eli is working SO much lately. He goes into work around 8 or 8:30 in the morning and then he doesn't come home until 8 or 9 at night. Plus, he has to work 4 hours on both Saturday and Sunday. That is A LOT of hours in one week. I feel like I never see him anymore...and I don't think things are going to change anytime in the near future. Ugh. The poor puppies even sit at the door and cry for him; I've never seen them do this before. You would think that if I'm home by myself I would be cleaning and organizing like I should, but no, I sit and watch Dr. Phil, Oprah, The Biggest Loser, and The Bachelor (not all in one night)...and our apartment looks a little like a tornado has run through it...

Maybe I should go get busy, but I just wish Eli would come home!

BIG NEWS!!!

Eli and I have been keeping a little secret... WE'RE PREGNANT and really excited about this little one that will join us on or around August 21st! We were surprised to find out the news but overcome with joy! I can't even tell you how excited we are!

Here are a few pictures of little Baby Cann at 9 weeks! (I'm currently 12 weeks!) It was the most amazing thing to witness this little peanut squirming around inside of me! We could see his/her arms, legs, face and beating heart! Truly a miracle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY!!!

I'm one day late, but I really wanted to do a post all about Ashley! Ash is one of my closest friends. We became friends in junior high and through all the life changes, we are still extremely close!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLEY! I HOPE YOUR BIG 24 BIRTHDAY WAS GREAT!!! I LOVE YA HUN!!!

This picture was taken on one of our "Girl's Choice" dates! We went to Logan prior to the dance and had pictures taken everywhere, including my trunk! I believe we were kicked out of Walmart and possibly Shopko!

What beautiful utters you have!!! LOL! We dressed up as cows for Halloween!

If you look closely you can see the figurines from the ride, "It's a Small World" from Disneyland in the background! That was an awesome trip!

Random picture in the hall! Yes, those are Napoleon Dynamite lockers in the background!

HAHA!!! BAND GEEKS! But hey, we hung out with the senior boys as freshman, so we were cool, or so we thought!

I saved the best for last! Ashley was one of my bridesmaids on the most important day of my life! Our wedding day would not have been complete had Ashley not been there!

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING ASH!