WE FINALLY MOVED!

Yep - this past Sat., we spent the night at the Marley house. Woo hoo! We're so happy to be in a bigger home. Now, we're just waiting to get our old house rented. Tons of things to do as Christmas is fast approaching. I've mailed one box to my sister who is in Germany. I have two more boxes to send to Hawaii - but first have to wrap the gifts. This is very time consuming. Evan has already opened one of the gifts, and I had to rewrap it. We plan to put our Christmas tree up within the week. We're kinda behind on that since we had to move.

Seems like everyone is so busy! busy! busy! Our company Christmas party is this weekend, and I'm preparing for that. I have a lot on my plate this week. Anyway, enjoy some pictures we took last week at the state capitol grounds near my office.

OH - also my little sister Torie drove from Texas. It was a very short visit. Evan and her had lots of fun!

Christmas Season is HERE!!

To those who wake up for those big sales on Black Friday -- YOU ARE NUTS!

I have to admit, I'm one of those nuts this year. It was 3:30 am, Friday. I was standing in line at Kohl's waiting for the doors to open at 4 am. Thank goodness my mom was up, so I had a conversation with her while waiting for the time to pass. I only bought two things from Kohl's. A gift for myself - A KITCHEN AID and then something for Evan. Fifteen minutes in Kohl's - I was off to Toys R' Us. They opened at 5 am. So, another 3o minutes wait in line. There were at least 100 people in front of me, and who knows how many behind me. It was wild! There were a few shoppers who were standing in line specifically for a ZUNE. I on the other hand, was standing in line to get some deals on some games for my nieces and nephews. Once in, got my items - I stood in the check-out line for 30 minutes. Nothing like standing in a long line with a store full of grumpy people who want to cut in line. Then behind me was a woman. She was nice, but boy reeked of cigarette smoke. UGH! I managed then headed off to one more store before heading home.

I got home about 6:30 am. The boys were still asleep. I've done most of my shopping online this year. Placed my orders last week, and received them yesterday! All with FREE SHIPPING!

We still haven't moved into the Marley house. It's coming so close though! The HVAC system is being installed, so that should take a few days. We now have hot water. Woo hoo! Cy fixed the water heater and also fixed the plumbing too! If you have seen the before pictures, and the after pictures -- you'll see we've come a long way!

I have at least three parties to attend in Dec. Including a Longaberger Party held on Dec. 3rd at Tamara's house. Then I have my church small group party, my office party, the Kidscoast party. Whoa - that's four parties. Then celebrate our 5th anniversary! Gosh, I can't believe its been that long. We've made it to five years! WOW! Still going strong too! For those who are married, I receive a really neat daily email from http://www.marriagevine.com/. Sign up - its just a few paragraphs on the subject of being married - basically food for thought from a biblical standpoint.

Merry Cheers!

Wendy

Fall Season - one of my favorite seasons!

I can't believe its October already! The month of Sept. has just flown right by. Last week I went on a three day road trip to Newark, Ohio to visit the Longerberger Homestead. What an experience! Traveling with 6 other ladies (most were Southern - mind you) we headed up to Newark, OH. It was a fun trip! I had the opportunity to make my own basket while there. That was a very neat and special experience. One of the many highlights was getting my basket signed by a Longerberger family member. Her name was Wendy too! It was good to get away for a few days from my hussle and bussle busy life.

Our little house on Marley Drive is coming along. Just thinking back, we bought the house on Aug. 1st, instantly had the grass cut, painted the mailbox and access the damage. A week later, we went on vacation to Japan - returned 2 weeks later and vigourously started to work on this house. We have owned this house a little over a month and have literally turned it upside down fixing it. The roof was fixed within a four day time frame, dry wall was put up in a weeks time, subfloors measured, cut and laid, and all new electric completed by Cy.It's down to finishing the bathroom, painting, install new carpet and refinishing the hardwood floors. You ask when we will move in? That's a question I'm asking myself too!

Pictured below is the living room - bare wall/dry wall

Another year gone by...

I woke up this morning feeling old. Actually, one more year older. Today is my birthday! It really doesn't feel like a birthday for me. In a few minutes I'll have to make a call to my mother telling her THANK YOU for giving birth. It's her birthday too! I've had several ecards sent - and really enjoyed all of them! THANK YOU!!

So, the infamous question is what do I want for my birthday? Cy asked me that question a few times over the weekend and I just said "World Peace". How dumb is that? My actual translation of "world peace" for me is -- a massage, a pedicure, a birthday cake, dinner, seeing a movie, flowers, new clothes, house renovations to be completed, new shoes, a facial, etc. I know men can't read minds, but I guess I'll have to see what I get for my birthday.

Peace

Back from Japan

The Early's - behind is a view of Tokyo from Sky Gardens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
After 2 delayed flights, then 2 cancelled flights, an evening spent at the Hilton Dulles Airport Hotel with food vouchers valued at $75.00(courtesy of United Airlines), another night spent at our friend Aleks' house in Falls Church, VA and 5 hours wait at Dulles for a flight home to Columbia -- WE MADE IT HOME.

We left Japan on Friday, Aug. 24th at 4 pm and arrived at IAD (aka Dulles International Airport) on Friday - the same day at 3:30 pm. Our 12 hour trip went by fast and Evan slept most of the way. I'll tell ya to you this way -- he didn't "eat" the plane food that was served. He was always asleep when the attendant came around. This was a good thing for us, b/c NOW -- he's over his jet lag and back on his normal sleeping schedule. I must say that Evan is an awesome traveler. He didn't fuss at all (well, only the normal fussing), but we had several people tell us how surprised that we even had a 2 yr. old traveling with us. One lady on the bus told me that she would have to prepare herself every time she saw a child get on the bus. She said that most, if not all children would cry during that three hour bus ride and it was very unpleasant for her. So, she said Evan was such a good boy. It was very uplifting to hear.

According to plan, we were to board our final destination flight at 5:01 pm. We spent at least 8 hours on Friday waiting, walking, double checking our flights for any time changes, standing in the long customer service lines to make flight changes, watching the many, many people walk up and down to each gate to catch their "ON TIME" flights. Oh and - watching Veggie Tales - "The Rumor Weed." OH well for that plan! Since our flight got cancelled (twice), we decided to just stay in VA for the weekend to visit our friends. We rented a car (PT Cruiser - which by the way, was very weird to drive considering that we hadn't driven in two weeks, plus we just came from a country that drove on the left side of the road) and had dinner with our friends Tino, Lisa and their daughter Olivia. We ate at the Silver Diner. Afterwards, Evan had lots of energy to burn, so we went to Tyson's Corner Mall (suggested by our friends). BOY - was that cool! They had a neat play area for kids and Evan had a blast.

I will have pictures posted soon on our website. We forgot our digital camera at Aleks' house and will have to wait for Aleks to mail our camera to us.

Thanks to those who prayed for our trip to Japan.

The Land of the Rising Sun - Japan

Here we are in Japan on vacation. We left on Aug. 13th - a 13 hr. plane ride - a real nice birthday present for Cy. We arrived the next day, 3 pm. Greeted by my sister Rhojon, her two kids - Ivy and Christian, and my parents too! What a great family reunion.

So far Japan is an experience. From driving on the left side of the road to experiencing the Onsen (traditional bath house). This a neat place! We're trying to soak up as much culture as we can. We have just three more days here - then back to the good ol' USA. Today we are going to Enoshima Aquarium (www.enosui.com) after we drop my parents off to catch their flight back to Hawaii.

Jani (see ya!),
The Early's

July Update

Gosh, has it been a whole month and a half since I've blogged? Eeekkk! Well, lots of things have happended, but I'll have to make this blog short. TWO MORE WEEKS until we fly to Japan for a much needed vacation!!! We are super excited! We'll be visiting my sister and her family. My parents are also meeting us out there too! It'll be a little family reunion, minus Amy and Lani.

Here are a few current pictures of Evan. We've spent a few days at Greer's pool. Greer is Evan's "potential twin". They were both born four hours apart. I will share more pictures on snapfish when I get them organized.

Hugs to all!