Livin' Like No One Else

So we spent last week selling some items around the house and had a big garage sale on Saturday... the kind of garage sale Dave Ramsey would be proud of.  Two quotes of his have been running through my mind since we decided to make this move.  I'm sure you know what they are.  "Live like no one else so later you can live like no one else," and "sell so much stuff the kids think they're next."  We're not done with the selling part but we are doing a pretty good job of living like no one else...

This is our living room after selling the couch and recliner, as well as four framed pictures off our walls.  It's not "ideal" right now, but it's temporary and it's fun for the kids.  I do miss coming downstairs in the morning and having a nice, comfy couch to lounge on and sip my coffee and watch the news.  But, it does make it easier to have a dance party with the kids!

By the way, I have to share...  we posted this picture of our sofa on Craigslist last week:

I really believe this couch has held up well for being nine years old.  It's survived a dog, cat, and three kids...not to mention this:

...anyhoo... the buyer came to our house to see the couch in-person.  She loved it and didn't even try to offer us less than our asking price.  She commented that we "must've used it in the formal living room because it hardly looks used!"  Who even has a formal living room?  Definitely not us.  But, I took it as a compliment and gave credit to Rooms-to-Go for making such good furniture, took my money (right after Nathan almost dropped the couch on her) and we all went on our way. 

More clean-out, selling & packing this week... 

Phase 1

Phase 1 is the biggest garage sale you have ever seen.  We are trying to get rid of as much stuff as we possibly can.  Initially it was going to be all the little stuff, you know?  The clothes, dishes, toys, the little things here and there that you don't really need.  Then we thought in April we'd have the "Everything Must Go" sale where we sell all our furniture, appliances, etc.  Well, I guess we got a wild hair and decided now is as good a time as any, and we already sold our sofa and recliner.  We just don't want to be stuck with this stuff at the last minute.  So, now we're hanging out in our living room with our patio chairs, beach chair and well...I just like lying on the floor. 

Anyways, we still need to go through every closet, cabinet, bin, and shelf with a fine-toothed comb to include everything we possibly can in Saturday's garage sale and then see where we are from there. 

So, if you don't hear from me for a few days, send a search party into our coat/junk/catch-all closet, ok?

First Flip-flops

I know...for most this is not blog-worthy, but I've been looking forward to spring for this very reason for quite some time!  I'm SO enjoying shopping for new girlie spring clothes & shoes this year.  It's kind of dangerous, I admit.  But, last year Eliana was just beginning to walk, so flip-flops were not an option.  This year, she'll probably have about 10 pairs to choose from before spring/summer is over.  I mean, we are in Central Texas and flip-flops are a staple item for about 10 months out of the year!  At least they are for me, and my little girl must follow in my footsteps... So, in my mind, a girl's first pair of flip-flops is a milestone.

Eliana pointing out her "fleece-floss" for the camera.

...this is just because I love this cute new outfit on her.

Walked by the toy room this morning and saw this...

When Jaron has been quiet in the toy room for a while, chances are you'll find a herd of some sort.  Sometimes they're walking across the room like you see here.  Sometimes there are two groups facing off in some sort of battle.  Sometimes they're parked on the rug you see there.  Whatever the formation, it always makes me smile!