Long Time, No Blog.

I got engaged on December 10th. I love my ring. Matt picked it out all by himself. It’s not like anything I’ve ever had before. (And that’s hard to do once you are on your third engagement ring.) I did get laid off from my job as of December 19th, they closed down the factory. It was only supposed to last until January 19th, but then I got a letter saying that it was going to last at least until the end of February. So now I am a stay-at-home mom. Which I am enjoying. Due to the layoff, I am being evicted from my apartment, and my van got repossessed. Which doesn’t sound good, but is not so bad. We are living with Matt now. The girls started attending school in Akron after Christmas vacation. They have adjusted to their new school just fine. School uniforms are required, which I LOVE. No more morning battles over what they do or do not want to wear. It’s wonderful. Matt bought a different used, although newer, van for me to cart children around in. It’s red. :)

Still working on getting the rest of my belongings out of my old apartment. The winter weather has been working against us. Maybe once we get that finished I can start planning the wedding. We set the date for July 4, 2009. We announced our engagement at Matt’s family’s Christmas celebration a few weeks before Christmas. Everyone gave us hugs and said “Congratulations” and was so happy for us. We then announced our engagement at my dad’s house the day after Christmas, to which my step-mother replied, “Yeah, I heard.” Lovely, don’t you think? Anyway, we do have a location and caterer (thank you Francis family), a photographer (thank you Koloini family), and a DJ (thank you Mr. Congo.) I’ve also received other offers to help with other assorted wedding tasks (thank you Sickler and Schul families.)

Christmas went well. We stayed at home with the kids on Christmas Day. Matt bought me a new bike and I bought him tickets to see the Tran Siberian Orchestra. The show was on December 30th and we had a great time.

I got a new cell phone (also red), and it came with a new cell phone number. If you need the number just leave me a comment and I’ll make sure you get it.

All the kids participated in the Cub Scout pinewood derby on January 25th. Hannah won third place in the family division and got a trophy. It is her first one. She was so excited. I wasn’t there to see it though. I went to Matt’s sister’s house for that weekend to go to a quilting class with his mom and two sisters. It was a lot of fun. He really does have a great family. Both of his sisters have declared that they are my favorite sister-in-law. We scheduled another family quilting fest for the end of February.

Matt’s grandmother landed herself in the hospital last week and went home with a bright, shiny, new pacemaker. Everyone says that she is doing well.

Today was “COSI on Wheels” day at the school. The kids had fun. I was there as a volunteer all day and they fed us pizza at lunch time. (Had to put that in because you know it’s all about the food.) The girls and I went to the real COSI back in October. I told the boys that I would try to arrange another trip this summer so that they get to go too. (Yes, Julie, we will be needing our tour guide again, let me know when you are available.) :)

I’m sure that many of you are aware that the new season of American Idol is underway. I’m very excited. BTW, I am totally addicted to TIVO now. Can’t live without it. Also, congratulations go out to the Steelers on their sixth Superbowl victory. Woo-hoo!

I think that’s all for now.