Oye

Is it over yet? When do I get to clock out? It's been a long day. I knew it would be since we were going to stay at home in our jammies all day. But the day seemed to drag on. It didn't start out bad, it was just, without direction. We took naps early. All of us. Ty slept in my bed and I slept on the couch. Why? Because yesterday Ty decided it would be fun to fill Aubree's bed half way full of toys with her in it. They totally can NOT share a room! So. Ty slept in my bed, I put a 'nighttime' on him (pull up diaper) just in case he had an accident during nap time. He has yet to master the potty control while sleeping. Of course today, he drank two sippys full of water before bed and peed through the diaper. Ok, no big deal. I bought cookie mix to make Halloween cookies, I thought that would be a fun after lunch activity. Ty wouldn't eat lunch, so we didn't make cookies. Aubree is whiny, nothing new there! But as the day drug on, it all started to get to me. I was getting frustrated so I decided we needed to get outside. So we somehow managed to get socks and shoes and jackets for everyone, it took an unbelievably long amount of time and a whole lot of sweat, but we did it. We're half way out the door, trying not to knock Aubree off the steps, hold the screen door open so it doesn't shut on anyone, move out of the way so Ty can get out, again without knocking Aubree off the steps. I think we're all successfully on the step, and WHAM. I shut the door. On Ty's fingers. Oh god. The screaming, THE SCREAMING, and writhing. I'm frantically trying to see his fingers and throw everyone back in the house without damaging anyone else any further. I see the fingers, they're pointing the right direction and there's no blood. Sigh, breathe, breathe, stay calm. Ty is jumping up and down, stomping his feet, shaking his head and letting out this high pitched shrill scream. Somehow I am finally able to hold him and let him cry and hold him some more. I tell him we're going to get some medicine to help with the swelling and pain. He's starting to calm down. I give him a small bowl of yummy autumn mix (candy corn, Reese's Pieces and honey roasted peanuts). He informs me that the medicine is yummy, and we're back to the WHYS. Why is the medicine yummy? Candy and the suggestion of a movie seem to be able to cure just about anything. I get him settled and plan to check on his fingers in a few minutes. I retreat to my bedroom for some quiet and a moment to catch my breath. I called Justin and told him what happened and as we're talking I realize I'm sitting in Ty's pee. Oh great.

Ty seems to be fine, but I need the rest of the day off!!

How 'bout them apples?

My hometown is burning to the ground and no one told me. What the holy moly is going on!

Pics

I just added some pictures to the last two posts - so go check 'em out! And here's a few more fun ones.



Ty LOVES the 'I SPY' books. Well, here's his own little creation.... Can you find what's hiding in this picture?

It's a giant horse dog!

Hhhhmmmmmm, Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh

I love trees. I love trees. I've always known that I really like trees, but I'm not sure that I totally understood my love for trees until now. Our new house has big beautiful mature trees. Today is the day that I fell in love with them.

Our first house had a huge gorgeous tree in the front yard. I think it was one of the best things about the house. We were smack in the middle of urban living. Apartment buildings on both sides of us (one tiny house away on one side). In that stretch of street our house had the only tree. It made such a difference. It made our house feel like a home.

Our second house was brand new and came complete with a dirt lot. We did a lot of work on the yard. Installed a sprinkler system, put up a lot of fence, laid sod, and planted flowers and bushes and trees. I think 9 trees. I like trees. But they were small and young and we didn't stay long enough to enjoy them.

Now, our third house, has lots of trees. Mature trees. Beautiful, breath of fresh air, home to many, many a squirrel, trees. I didn't have to plant them, I don't have to wait for them to grow in to magnificant beings, and there's more than one. How lucky am I?

Late this morning I was standing at our sliding glass door that looks out at the deck and backyard, waiting for the dog to poo. Lovley, no? Well, it was lovely to me because the dog poo provided for me to fall in love. Not only with our trees, but with fall. I've never disliked fall, it has lots of nice qualities. But it marks the end of summer and I'm never too happy about that. But, sipping my second cup of coffee, staring out at my backyard, kids screaming in full on chaos running like tornados through the house, waiting for the dog to poo, was magical.

It's like I was in a world all my own. The kids seemed to be removed from my moment, like they were in a far off distant land that was somehow only 50 feet away from where I was standing. The pooping dog was conveniently block from my view of the yard. My coffee was warm and tasty. The sun was peaking out from behind the clouds letting the leaves in the yard and my heart glow, and then returning to his cover again. I'd watch as a breeze came and the leaves would flutter and dance down to the ground. Serenity and peace are not things that I feel often. I am so greatful for dog poo. And the fact that we don't have a finished fence yet, so I have to wait for the dog to finish doing his business so I can let him back in!

I hope in trying to share this moment, I did it justice. It was awesome. Not to mention, it reminded me that the kids don't always need me to get in the middle of their business. Sometimes butting out can be the best way to handle the situation - especially if you get to have a moment like I did. Nothing helps me be a better Mom then feeling like my soul's been revived. I have a feeling I'll be staring out the window to watch the trees a little more often.... not just when the dog needs to poo.

Don't freak out!

We're alive and well! We're HOME.

The move went pretty well, although I was not the one driving a truck for 3 days across the country. Packing the tuck was the easiest ever. Daddy's become a pro. He and Gramma Nan drove all our junk across WA, ID, MT, ND and MN. It took 3 much longer days than anticipated. Almost 3 HOURS longer each day. That's a lot when you just want to get to your hotel and soak your sore bones in the hot tub!

Gramma P came up to give me a hand with the kiddos on the plane. I thank my lucky stars for that! Our flight was late and our poor friends had to pick us up after midnight.





We stayed with Krisha and Andy, all patiently waiting for the junk to arrive so we could get to work. And waiting. At last the trucks and our people were almost here, and then.. They hit a closed road 10 minutes from home. They carefully looked at the situation and calculated a way out. They were so close. But not quite close enough. The moving truck got stuck in the mud on the side of the road, after it was turned around! Ugh. Justin could tell it wasn't going to unstick easily and got out to take a look. The truck was starting to tip.

They called a tow truck to pull him out. Pop! Super fast, just like that, well, just like that after they waited more than an hour for the guy to get there. Waiting, 10 min away from home. Daddy and Gramma Nan arrived safely around 9pm (instead of 4 or 5pm like they thought).

We ALL stayed at our friends house, two doors down from us. I think they may be the sweetest people on the planet! The next day Andy and Krisha called in reinforcements and the truck was unloaded by lunchtime. Amazing. We went and got carpet padding and they helped cut and position the padding and the carpets and got our furniture in to functioning set up. I can't imagine getting through this without all these wonderful people. We are so blessed.

The Gramma's stay about a week. Played with the kids so we could unpack, get MN plates for the cars and they organized the kitchen and bathroom. Krisha took us gals around town for the best Stillwater tour you could ask for. We went to dinner downtown and walked around and looked at too much cute stuff in too many cute shops. It was perfect.



Did I mention it was HOT? Yes, HOT. I had to borrow shorts - freakin' awesome! What a welcome. God; I couldn't ask for more!

Things

.... are crazy and not that crazy all at the same time. We've packed up all our stuff. As of today we are living out of suitcases and the kids have no toys. Well, not NO toys - that would never work. But we packed all of their toys. Luckily Gramma Nan's got plenty to get us through the next few days. This move has been full of anticipation and impatience, as hard as that has been, this is probably the easiest move we have ever done. So far. It's been a long process, but it's been nice to have time to think and prepare better. Tomorrow we're getting the 4runner tuned-up. I'm having a goodbye lunch with my Stoller Strides owning & tattoo loving friend Kelli. Then a goodbye dinner with my Moms group. And on Wednesday a goodbye lunch with my friend Katie. Saying goodbye is hard, these women were my saving grace. Wednesday morning Justin will be picking up the rental truck and we'll start loading everything up!

Instead of jotting down all our plans, I think I'll save the rest of the story till after it unfolds!