yikes

Hey dudes-

  I am completely exhausted, but wanted to say this small thing...   we may have bought a home today!!  :)  Our offer was accepted with a few contingencies, and if they all pan out, we will move into a brand new currently being constructed home that we can pick out all of the insides in August.  I am pumped and overwhelmed, but excited.  I also went bowling today with 350 middle schoolers, and then watched Marley and Me during which I cried my eyes out along with the rest of the previously hyper and crazy middle schoolers.  It has been a weird day.  

Love you ladies.  how are all of you?  any news on the festival?  

Jealous of you people who are done with your school year,

  Mandola

freedom, O freedom!

Happy end of the school year! Today I took my last final and my piano students had their recital so I am a VERY free woman! This whole week is filled with lunch/walks/coffe/brunch dates...just the way I like it. I've started spring cleaning (which I actually enjoy) and took 8 bags of stuff to the thrift store today, I find that unbelievable and embarrassing considering that I purged much of our earthly belongings before coming to Luther (just 10 months ago!!). But at least 5 of the bags were stuffed animals, baby books and clothes...so I don't feel so bad :)

Other news: my Dad sold his house in EGF! Its not totally final, but very close. This is great news for him, but it means I need to figure out what to do with the other things I have their--mostly this means my piano. Anyone want to hold on to a baby grand for a few years? I am considering moving it into my living room--which would mean I would have to committ being in this apartment for the next two years (i've been contemplating moving to a pet apartment so we could get a dog)...decisions, decisions. But if I had to decide between a piano or a dog I would definatly chose the one that doesn't shed, bark or poop.

Other news: My Dad's younger brother, my Uncle Joe, is dying of cancer. My dad has been very invovled in the Hospice figuring and all that business--Joe has 4 sons, 2 are older and fairly estranged from him. 2 are at home with his last wife and they are 11 and 8...its been such a rough year in this way for my extended family (and I guess my immediate family too) and I'm so thankful that we're all down in the Cities to lend a hand when needed.

Micaela is doing well, a little uncertain of all the changes happening right now. Our good friend, Rachel, is leaving for the summer so we said good-bye to her last night and Micaela didn't appreciate that at all! I haven't told her yet that a few other Seminary pals (Scanders included) will be gone soon and then Matthew and Anna will move to Louisville, KY so he can go to seminary. We are sad about all of this--why do we have all these faithful people in our lives that just follow God's call to far away places?!?!

Alright, I hope this finds you all with schedules slowing down and some sunshine fun in your futures. Lots of love to you all!

Hey ladies-

   I'll try my best to make it to whichever weekend is decided upon.  I can't promise anything, but you know how much I love to see all of you, so of course I'll do my best!  We'll already be in MN the 2nd weekend.  

   Today I made an appointment with a Mortgage banker.   What?  We are going to look into what kind of shape we are in to buy a house.  A house!  I am excited and scared... and hoping we find out something good.  :)

    Lauren it HUGE (see photo above) and Julia is still a chatterbox.  That is all that is new with us. :)  Oh yeah, I GET TO TEACH ELEMENTARY MUSIC AGAIN NEXT YEAR!   I am pumped if you can't tell.  :)  I'll be 84%, which is a bump up from my 70% this year.  I am a little conflicted about the extra time, but very excited to be back with the little kiddos.  I enjoyed the middle schoolers, but I'm not sure how much they enjoyed me. he he

    We are having beautiful weather and are going to grill for the first time this spring tonight!  Brat burgers.  Yum.  Sauerkraut. Yum.  Mustard.  Yum.  

Love you all!

  p.s.  Sarah, nice narration of the hospital visit!  You are so funny.  

2nd weekend in June

I'm up for most anything the second weekend in June. Of course I'm agreeable to the Cities, but whatever works best for people, I'm flexible.

Festival

LOVE the post about going to the hospital...Elizabeth did have to tell me which parts of the story were true and which were a bit fabricated. I was glad to hear that the hot doctor was true and that he actually said the stuff about putting his hands on your body...how wonderful.

Well, last week Elizabeth and Micaela visited...super fun. But, we were talking about the festival... We think that maybe we should keep it the same weekend as usual (2nd weekend in June), but since Mandy could possibly be around Sunday, maybe we should do it that day. For people without plans the rest of the weekend, we could work up something else, but have the main festivity on Sunday. Thoughts??? As far as a place, it does seem that the cities is the most central location for everyone. Thoughts??

Happy Sunday! Share your thoughts!