Thankful Thursday

1. Since today is July 4th, I have to start by saying I am very thankful for my country. Although I disagree with almost everything most politicians say or do, I am grateful for the freedoms that we still have here in our country.

2. The kids are REALLY looking forward to the parade, petting zoo, pony rides, and fireworks today! I love fireworks, but aside from the ones I saw from my hospital room last summer, I haven't seen any the past 8 years. When Nadia was really young I didn't take her because I thought the loud noises would be too scary. Last summer I planned to take them, but then my bed rest interfered with that plan. Just like the amusement park and circus, taking my kids to the fireworks was something I looked forward to doing long before I actually became a mom. Hopefully they will really enjoy it tonight because I'll be keeping them up way past their bed time!

3. Paul has three interviews scheduled to take place between July 10-15. PTL! Praying one of these will offer him a job! We had hoped for at least a two year position so we could have a break from applications and interviews, but at this point we are not picky. Right now I'm hoping he'll be a FT adjunct for one year and then hopefully land a permanent job elsewhere that would start in August 2014. He wouldn't be eligible for a tenure track position at any of these three schools since he hasn't done a post doctorate. Aside from an application for a part-time job teaching online courses, I haven't done any applications for Paul over the past week, but a physical chemistry tenure track job in Georgia was posted yesterday. That one will be number 87.

4. At dinner on Sunday night Nadia ate corn on the cob, fresh blueberries, and half a peach without any difficulties. Be still my soul. Yay!

5. The past two weekends I went to a few yard sales. Two weeks ago they were right in our development, and last weekend a development about 1/2 mile from our house had their annual yard sales. I spent a little over $100 between the two weekends, which means I got a lot of things as the most expensive item was $5 and many were less than a dollar. I mostly got clothes for Nadia although I did buy a few things for Ian and Oliver. The most recent purchase Ian loves the most is the 25 cent (new with tags) Papa Smurf stuffed animal I got him. I didn't  never have stuffed animals on my shopping list when I'm shopping at yard sales, but he REALLY wanted it, and he's been playing with it ALL the time. The most recent purchase Nadia was the most excited about were four new cartridges for her Leapster ($1 each). The non-clothing purchases that excited me the most were the three boxes of BOB books (sets 3-5) for $1 each. If someone had told me 10 years ago that some day I'd enjoy shopping at yard sales, I would have laughed. I only go to shop for the kids - puzzles, books, clothing, toys, and shoes, but two weeks ago I actually bought myself two pairs of sandals (in like new condition) at one of our neighbor's yard sales. The kids two most favorite purchases from the yard sale two weeks ago would be the Noah's ark set (for Ian) and the Little People princess carriage (for Nadia). She used her own money to make that purchase.

6. Oliver has begun to say my name!!!!!!!!!

7. My parents are coming up today for an overnight visit! Yay!!!!!!!!

8. We received our new (basic) cell phones on Tuesday. Ours were three years old, and Paul's was no longer functioning. We wanted to stay with the plan we've had the past 5 years (that Verizon no longer offers), and they agreed to give us free phones and let us stay with that plan for 2 more years.

9. My ringworm has finally gone away. Thank goodness. I have no idea how I got it the end of April, and when I found out what it was I had no idea it usually takes 8 weeks for it to go away. Not fun.

10. We had our first showing of our house on Tuesday (it's been on the market since May 22). The realtor who showed the house said the wife liked it and wants to bring her husband to see it this weekend.

11. I knew our toaster oven was on its last legs, but I was hoping to wait until August to replace it. It totally died earlier this week; so I went to Walmart and bought a new one yesterday. I love it! It's much smaller and is a regular toaster on top and a small oven on the bottom (called a Toastation). I think it's much better than the last one we had!

12. I lost one pound over the past four days!