out with the old

We sold my car Monday night. We're sort of proud since we did it ourselves. I've never bought more than a used piece of furniture or toys for Graham on Craigslist. But we have several friends who have bought, sold, then bought again their vehicles on Craigslist, so we thought we'd give it a shot.

Enter Buyers 1-8.

I'll use numbers for the sake of confusion.

Buyers #1-5 emailed me asking for more pictures and my history with the car. They were all pleased with the pictures but as soon as they checked the VIN, they never contacted me again.

See, we had a little problem with the title transfer from my dad to me when I moved to Wisconsin. Yes, that's right, I once lived waaayyy up there. It's next to Canada.

Back to the car. Apparently you have to fill in the odometer reading at the time of signing the title over, not when you go to request a new title. Woops. So, when I went to register in Wisconsin I was issued what's called a "Not Actual Mileage" title. The nice lady in the DMV said that it wasn't a big deal. Just a formality since I couldn't remember the mileage from when we signed everything 5 days prior. Well, apparently it is a big deal. HUGE actually. Because when we ran a carfax on my car...there were alerts on EVERY odometer reading after that titling in Wisconsin. It basically implied that no odometer readings from then on could be trusted. That maybe I'd tampered with it.

It basically called me a liar.

So I hate carfax.

Because of the carfax, all of those potential buyers wanted nothing to do with me or my sweet, reliable, truthful Lexus.

Enter buyer #6.

He emailed me asking if I'd take a little less than I was asking in cash. Heck yes I'd take CASH.

In the middle of car history emails back and forth: Enter buyer #7.

He said he'd pay cash tomorrow. Bring it on.

Tons of emails back and forth later, they both say "it's ok, the other buyer can have it."

Dang. No sale.

A week passes...no emails for sweet Lexus. I also get a flat tire. Again.

Enter buyer #7 again. He asks if I'll take even less than before, in cash, tomorrow. I say I'll think about it.

I'm talking to Matt about this, so ready to just take a loss and be done with it.

Enter buyer #8. He asks if I'll take a little more than buyer #7, in cash, tomorrow.

I'm so fed up with the whole back and forth but so desperately want this to be over. We set up a time to meet the next day. In a public place. With all the papers necessary to make a sale.

Buyer #7 emails me and says he hopes that buyer #8 doesn't show. I think that's mean.

We meet. Buyer #8 is nice, honest, and what do you know...worked for Lexus for many many years. He loves my car. He promises to take care of her...he agrees to buy her.

So we follow him home to sign the papers and leave sweet Lexi there.

I have to say that at this point, it's dark and we're like in the middle of nowhere and both of our parents are worried that we're going to be taken hostage or something. (Thank you for your concern parents, we love you!)

No worrying necessary though, this buyer was so nice! I couldn't be more pleased with how everything went down.

Also, I know he'll take good care of Lexi. She was good to me and I know she'll be good for him too.

I was a little sad to see her go.

not forgotten...

I'm a little behind on posting. This is not for lack of material but for my own inability to post out of order. This will sort of satisfy that little issue.

Graham's birthday party was a huge success! My photographer friend took pictures so that I could enjoy it so I have nothing to post yet.

So the party pictures are coming soon!

one year ago today...

Maybe the fastest year of my life.

I have been so incredibly blessed by this little guy for the last 365 days. Each day is a gift and a miracle. He has taught me a lifetime's worth of lessons in self sacrifice. And for each hard moment there are a billion wonderful and beautiful moments.

The first time he smiled.

The first little coo.

The first giggle.

The first time he reached out for me.

The first time he crawled toward me, walked to me...

And now when he grabs my legs and waits for me to look down at him so that he can reach for me to pick him up.

Of course there are the fits, the crying, the bumps and bruises, the night-time feedings. But those are but a speck of dust in this year of joy.

What a great and mighty heavenly Father we serve. I am beginning to scratch the surface of what He means when He says that children are a gift from the Lord. What a blessing our little Graham is. As we try and fail everyday, may we truly give him over to our Father for all things. May we continue to try to love him as Christ loves us.

We love you little monkey!

Florida Reunion

So remember when I was going to post about the huuuge family reunion right after the vacation post? Yeah, me too...the time has gotten away from me. How many more times can I play the "my baby is mobile and I'm working 2 jobs" excuse? Oh, that's the last time? Ok, you want to know what's going on, lets get to it.

While on vacation in Florida, we were ohsoclose to all of my in-laws extended family. Some of them have come up to St. Louis to visit, but it's been close to ten years since the whole family has been down there. So I was really excited to see them as they were us.

There were grandparents, all of Jenny's (Matt's mom's) sisters, their kids and grandkids and many spouses....I mean when I say the whole family, I mean the whole family!

Can we say related? This is Jenny's mom and three sisters. It was so fun seeing them laugh and giggle like little girls! I'm sure they wish they all lived closer.

These are all of the cousins. They also had such a great time laughing about their childhood and how so much has changed.

And what was little Grahamster doing during all this visiting and picture taking?

Running (seriously, almost running) all.over.the.place. He looves being outside and had a blast with all of the open space. He was sweating.

Oh how I love that precious face!

the strike

Recently Graham has been on a bit of a food strike.  He used to be such good eater, eating whatever I had on the spoon...I don't know what happened.  So, his new favorite is grapes.  Grapes and only grapes.  Well, also he's taken to strawberries and apple pieces.  No vegetables, no beans, no cheese, nothing from a spoon except fruity yogurt.  Oh, and whole wheat pita.  Loves him some pita.

That is until tonight.  I usually offer him anything in its basic form (no sauce, butter or salt) that we're eating...he usually starts batting his arms around his face.  But for some unknown reason, he accepted the little piece of BBQ Pork that I offered him.  And oh man was it a hit!  He kept wanting more and more.  Seriously.  BBQ.  So much for the organic and healthy way of life....the kid wants pork with sauce.  So much like Matt and me....what did I expect?!

44 in a 30

Woops!

I got pulled over this afternoon and didn't get a ticket!  First.time.ever.

I think I'll frame the warning.

And maybe slow down.

Maybe.

Steels in New Smyrna

Shortly after Matt and I ran our half marathon, we boarded a plane with the rest of the Steels headed to Florida! We were long overdue for a week of rest, relaxation, and being tan.

Graham did GREAT for his first flight. He was a little squirmy, but when isn't he? He just walked around my lap and even took an hour snooze. If you know my child, you know that is NOT typical.

First stop: Overnight in Leesburg with relatives, then breakfast with Nanny, Dee, Grams, and Uncle Jimmy in Ocala.

Off to the beach!

Graham has this new scrunchy face that he does when he wants to play with you. He scrunches and then pants through his noes. Gets me every time.

What Matt did most of the time. Surfing, not walking.

Graham's first experience with sand. He didn't really care for it this time but it grew on him through the week.

I think someone was excited to be on vacation...

It's blurry because Matt was running, yes, running with Graham on his shoulders.

Steels plus Nanny and Dee. So glad they joined us for a few days!

Baby and daddy feet.

He liked it a little more the next day. I think the trunks and rash guard helped him feel prepared.

Then he discovered how fun and tasty the shells could be.

And he met a friend. Thanks Christy and Britt for coming to visit!

The one picture that Matt wanted.

Mmm, yummy sand...

Best picture ever.

Ok, so vacation was awesome. We spent most of the time at the condo or at the pool getting tan. I even read a book. Try and contain your shock. Thank you Judy and Gary for letting us use your condo and for taking such good care of us! We ended our vacation with a family reunion in Leesburg with Jenny's side of the family. There were many cousins and second cousins to meet and play with along with another bazillion pictures. But time for a break...this post has gotten too long!