Netflix Rules!

In a "Dave Ramsey" inspired move, we decided to cut our cable (which had gotten ridiculously expensive).  We replaced it with a DTV antenna and a subscription to Netflix.  The antenna works well for the local channels.  The good news is we pick up around 30 channels.  The bad news is 20 of the channels are in Spanish.  Surprisingly, it isn't all that difficult to follow the news in Spanish.  I guess those two years of Spanish in high school paid off (thanks, Senora Marsland).  I've always wished I learned more, so maybe this is my chance!

The real saving grace has been our Netflix subscription.  We are instantly streamming it on our Wii, which means instant access to lots of cool stuff -- Lee has an endless supply of dinosaur and shark documentaries, Courtney gets to see her crush Diego, Court gets to watch entire TV show seasons in a week, and I get my movie and strange documentary fix.  And all without commercial interruption.  Score!

Netflix does have one major down fall -- no college football.  Sure, we'll get some on the local channels.  But Auburn?  Not likely.  I'll be ok, but I fear for the sanity of my husband.  Would anyone care to adopt Court every Saturday from now until January?  Your generosity would not only be greatly appreciated, it could just save our marriage.

Baobab Blast!

Evening four of Vacation Bible School is upon us here at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church.  The kids were a little lacadaisical last night, so evening four should be interesting.  Ms. Bennie says by the last day the kids run the other way when they see her.  Our church chooses to do VBS in the evenings to make it more of a family event rather than just another time filler where parents drop their kids off.  It has it's pluses and minuses -- I don't have to cook since we have dinner there, but an 8:30 end time is a little late for kids the age of our kiddos.  I'm so proud of my husband for volunteering in the kitchen to do dishes after dinner.  He knows I was disappointed that I couldn't volunteer because of Avery this year, and he stepped up to the plate to take my place.  As always, he rocks.

I love our church and the fellowship that we've shared over the last few days and months.  We've made so many great friends and there are so many there that loves us and our children.  Not to name names (Cindy and Jennifer), but some may love our kids more than others -- the baby stealing has gotten out of control.  We let it go though because we know she is in great, loving hands.  And, to be totally honest, Momma and Daddy could use a break every now and then. 

Three kids is A LOT of work, but I wouldn't trade a one of them -- that includes the days they draw on the walls, whine incessantly, spit up all over me, or throw a temper tantrum in the middle of Toys R Us.  It's all part of the job.  Every smile, kiss, and hug makes up for it in spades.

Deja Vu

Apparently, we've been down this road before...

As I was playing around with our new blog, I found that I have tried the blog thing before.  In July 2008, I attempted to start a blog but life got crazy and I completely forgot about it.  There was only one posting, so I've copied it here because I know you are all dying to read it:

Welcome to the Edmondson family's first blog!

I decided to start this blog page because so much has been happening in our lives lately that I know it will be tough to keep everyone up-to-date. Hopefully I can update this enough to keep you all informed of the craziness that is the Edmondson family right now...

Here is a timeline to catch you up just in case it has been a really long time since we've talked...

October 5, 2002 - Court and I got married...we started our lives together in Birmingham, Alabama. I worked for Regions Bank and Court worked for ExpoDisplays (tradeshow exhibit designer and manufacturer).

June 20, 2006 - A wonderful baby boy, Lee Aaron Edmondson, entered our lives weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces (yup, that's a big baby) and 21 inches long.

Still living in Birmingham working for the same companies although our job titles have changed quite a few times. I also managed to finish my Master of Accountancy degree through the distance learning program at Auburn just before the little guy made his arrival.

Here is where it all gets interesting...

December 7, 2007 - Regions has gone through two mergers in the five plus years I've been there. Sadly, it's no longer the same bank that I used to love working for. Also, being a mother has now shifted my priorities a bit. After much discussion, Court and I decide it is in the best interest of our family that I quit my job and stay home with Lee for a little while and possibly do some part-time work.

December 15, 2007 - After just two weeks of staying home with Lee, we find out we have another kiddo on the way and due in August. So much for that part-time job...I'm going to have another full-time position on my hands!

March 2008 - Court started talking to my best friend Hailey about job openings at her company in Houston. Hailey works as a Systems Manager (or something like that) at Johnson Space Center. While Court still likes working at Expo, an opportunity to be an engineer at NASA is just too appealing to overlook.

May 2008 - Things begin to look promising for the job in Houston so we threw our house on the market just to get the ball rolling just in case.
June 2008 - Much to our surprise, we got a contract on our house! Not so surprising, Court got asked to fly out to Houston for an interview! However, while we were in Houston we found out our contract fell through but someone else wanted to see the house. Again, to our utter amazement, we had another contract before we got home. Talk about things falling into place. A little while later Court got offered the job! Woohoo! With Lee's second birthday, June was a big month for us. We closed on our house June 30th and moved in with my parents while everything we owned was put on a moving truck and wondering somewhere around the country at this very moment.

July 4 to July 9, 2008 - We were incredibly fortunate to get to go on a vacation with Court's parents, brother and grandfather in Lake Lanier, Georgia after his last day at Expo. We had a wonderful time and got some really good tans hanging out by the pool and at the water park. It was just the getaway we needed to help us forget that we were homeless and jobless at the moment.

That brings us to today, July 11, 2008 - After one day back in B'ham to load up the cars, we headed out to Houston around 6 am this morning. It was a long day of traveling, but uneventful(thanks to whoever developed the portable DVD player and Dora the Explorer). We are staying at Hailey's house for a few days while she is in Hawaii (must be nice) and doing some serious house hunting this weekend, as all attempts up to this point have flopped terribly. Wish us luck!

Ta Da!

So, here it is...I have finally decided to post something to our blog.  I have been debating for the longest time about what to say and how.  My brother-in-law Eric asked me one day why I hadn't put anything up yet.  I told him I had no idea what to say.  His response?  To say just that.  So, here we are.  No profound insights.  Just us trying to figure all of this out.  Maybe next time...

Meanwhile, back at the Bat Cave, we had our first full family portraits done last week and I'm proud to say they came out pretty darn good.  I had no unrealistic expectations (my mommy motto), so I was pleasantly surprised when all not only smiled but also sat still without incident.  Hooray!!  If they never do that well again, at least we have this.  I've posted a few of those pics here...enjoy!