lovinlifeourway: May 2010

We have still been looking for a place. My mom has made 4 or 5 trips to Redding and looked at numerous houses, but no luck. We got close on one but she said forget it if Nicole didn't have a job, and another, but we need a co-signer. Our dream spot is Burney, it is where we want to settle, and is where we want to move to now... but it isn't happening due to a few snafu's and mis communications. We will both be coming up soon (we will see if Nikki can handle it) to check out places together. Hopefully within the next two-4 weeks. We have been debating on bringing Ella but are leaning towards leaving her with Grandma and Grandpa for a couple of days. We think it would be too hard on Ella to travel 12 hours on a train two ways, just to be there for a day. She will be comfy here, in her own space with what she knows.

So many places we have tried calling says we both need to be there in person to show our I.D's and sign the applications. Who knew moving back to my home turf would be 5 times harder than moving down here?? But otherwise it's been a really great month- Jenni

On another note, things here have been well. We can't believe Ella is already 13 months. She is still tiny, but so smart. She has two new baby dolls, and she's too cute with them. She will push them around in her toy walker/stroller and stop to give the baby kisses, and then continue to walk. Her favorite toys are her books. She will grab one of her books, find a lap, and settle in, turning the pages herself. She has recently fallen in love with a purple stuffed cow, and the matching lovey cow, and sleeps with either one every night.

She is getting a little more daring with food, but still funny with certain foods. She did have her first ever taste of ezekial (gound wheat) bread, and seemed to have no reaction, so it's something we can add to her list of foods.

Jen had two of her artworks on display at her school art show, I was honestly shocked she didn't get even an honorable mention, as they were so good, and they were getting good reactions to the people who saw them at the show. But it's still great that they were chosen to be displayed!! At the art show, Ella had a blast outside playing in the grass and picking up leaves for us, she's so giving!

- Nikki