So much to write about...I'll start with hair

Well, we have moved. We are in our new home (over a week now). I'd say we are 70% moved in/unpacked. I lost steam at the end of last week and took the weekend off. Bob has been a GREAT help in getting "projects" done.

Last night, Rylee came for a sleepover. This was a big deal for both girls. Events included:
outside play in our tree house/on our swings, a walk through the "jungle" (aka the right side of our backyard), apple picking in our back yard; inside play; making English Muffin Pizzas & eating together; more outside play along with the neighbor girls (Mave and I....-something). Bathtime and a little TV time before bed.

The girls bathed together (Zade had his screaming/stand-up bath prior to theirs and it lasted less than 3 mins because he just hates it!). Then the girls had a great time. I washed G's hair first (really just conditioned it) and then washed Rylee's hair. Rylee asked me: "How did G's hair get like that?" I said she was born with curly hair. Rylee announced that her hair was curly too (and it is). Then she said, "I wish my hair was like G's."

I loved their innocence and I loved how that comment brightened my child's face/helped her confidence. In a world that uses "bad hair" as a term, I'm happy that my child HAS HAIR (picture: congenital defects that result in little or no hair, people with cancer with NO HAIR, etc.) and that she has beautiful hair. I'm so glad that she lives in a family where at least one other child likes her hair. Our conversation went on to talk about how God made us just the way we are. I have blonde hair with a little wave, Rylee has brown hair with medium curls at the ends and G was born with brown hair with lots of curls.

It was a great day. I was frustrated by a little boy who just doesn't listen, obey or respect my authority most of the time but the girls were so well behaved and had a great time! As they ate dinner together at the island in our kitchen, I looked at them and thought...hmmmm....three kids looks so good. I wonder if our family will someday have another....

Pool man is coming this morning to open the pool. I'm excited and the girls are REALLY excited!

Fall is in the air so I'm not sure how many swimming days we'll get in before we need to close it for the winter but....

One Year: Measured in 2 Photos (& tons of emotions)

A year ago today, we buried my niece, ARH. Publically we "did the right thing." We didn't say what we really wanted to say. We acted as others expected. We wore pretty clothes.

Privately, we buried our niece with our own hands. We blew bubbles, sang children's songs, read scriptures, hugged our remaining children, sobbed and held each other.

Love. Tears. Sorrow.

Today, I will purchase this house and begin the journey of making it our home. We will move in either today or tomorrow (whenever the truck arrives).

New beginnings. New memories. Always tied to the past and always missing...

But through tears we have: Love. Hope.



In case you are wondering - It's about Love (aka God) and Family. Period.
That is it.

In Maine

Well, we are in Maine. Arrived at my mom's ~130 am on Wednesday morning (after being locked out of the car and calling AAA/Locksmith).

Relaxed Thursday.

Kids and I ate a picnic at the ocean and then ice-cream at Dorman's.

Friday was a day to hang out with a bunch of kiddos ages 1-5.

Saturday has been rain, rain, rain. We found warmer clothes in Mom's basement (yeah!). Ours are in the truck somewhere in Kansas being driven to our new home. We have done NOTHING today - first time in weeks and it is wonderful. The kids really needed a day like this (as did their mother!)

Speaking of the truck, Mom & Bob's truck broke down in Kansas for a while but it got repaired quickly (thank God they were in a town with a Penske repair place - Salina, KS).

There is a goof-up with my final paycheck at work (deposited on Friday). Please pray that it can be corrected by 1pm EDT on Monday so that I can close on our new home (They still owe me a LARGE chunk of money that was confirmed prior to moving and yet not included in my final check as both outlined in University policy and as confirmed in writing by the HR Dept...and I need it to close the house!).

Otherwise, uneventful. ;)

Headed to get ready to go out in the rain with the kids, I think. Hmmm...Maybe.

Saying Good-Bye...

I'm a little bummed that I didn't plan a going away party. I did have three fun meals yesterday:

1. Breakfast - with Janet - one of my coworkers. Cracker Barrel in Ahwatuke. It was work related but we had a nice time!

2. Lunch with Jerry C. - the dentist I worked with at the health dept for >5 years. It was sooo great to catch up and I'm so glad we both made an effort to get together. I've missed Jerry. We haven't seen each other in a while.

We met at a newer restaurant in one of my old 'hoods - The Parlor. It's an old beauty parlor called Venus. The interior is really neat (I'd just love to photograph it). Great yummy salad. Good company. Neat history to the building. Good times. BTW - Those of you looking for a different place to eat or "go out" in the evenings - I'd recommend this one! Camelback and 20th St.

3. Dinner at Klud & Fiaz's. Klud has been telling me for years that she'd teach me to cook some of her yummy food. Well, yesterday was the day. Met at 4pm. Learned how to make 2 meals. Had a great time. Again, good people (her whole family and a friend as well as my kids).

There are so many people to see and so little time left. :(

I also had a nice "chat" with Don - the guy who hired me and the one who "brought me to AZ!" Then, I helped him as she transitioned to the dental school. I know we'll see each other again. Strange times.

The Purge & Flowers

So, I'm trying out templates for the blog. Today's attempt is: Brown & Beautiful
(kind of a theme for our family)

Preparing to Move:
Preparations are in full swing although completely disorganized! This weekend: Purge the house. Saturday: Yard Sale (note, in AZ we do NOT call these Lawn Sales - um, lawn?)

The house is a wreck! I mean, really. Sale will end at 815 this morning as I need to get over to the park and pick up our last :( food coop of fruits and veggies.

Sunday - church and hanging with Z's birthmother.

Between now and then I need to clean up the house a little or we might not survive the week.

Finally, the cat - the one who did not adjust well to our family - well, she/he has finally adjusted (now that she/he is headed back to the original owners in a week).

OK, going to try to go take a nap for an hour - before I need to be up for a yard sale.

BTW - If you know where we live, come on by Saturday morning. The crap in my driveway is NOT going back into the dwelling - it has to go! If you want free stuff - come later in the morning and just take what you want (free)!

PS - we are now in the "Moving Month" - it's August!

Considering Switching to Blogger

I've been blogging for ~3.5 years now. I am preparing to move across the country in late August.
I'm thinking this is a good time to switch to blogger. What do you think?

Want to follow my blog here?
Interested in staying up-to-date on my life? Kids?
Really, it's all about the kids, right?

The Chain:

Created by our friend Suz - to help G count down how many days we have until we move to our new home. AKA - a way to help me not go a little crazy with her asking "Can we go to our new house now?" every 2 hours. Nope, not until ALL of those chains are gone. 42 and counting.