So, we're in our new house. Hooray! This past week just about killed us, but we made it. A big thanks to all the friends, family members, and neighbors who helped us move. We couldn't have done it without your help! We're going to miss everyone in our old neighborhood, but I'm sure we'll be back so much they'll be sick of us!
P.S. I'm writing all of this on my iPhone since we don't have Internet access until later in the week. Nor do we have any TV channels. My husband's depressed about it but I figure I can really get him to do some good unpacking in the meantime. More updates (and maybe even pictures, if I can get things settled quickly) later when I don't have to type with my thumbs on a tiny keyboard. :)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Play with my children!
Things are still going well for the kids at their new school. However, I must confess some conflicted feelings on my part. When I drop them off in the morning, I try to train H to find his class door, so that he'll be able to find it on his own. He's getting better at finding the door, but he always looks back at me like, "Are you sure about this, Mom?" I know his hesitation is probably because it's a new situation and also because he only knows a few kids so far. But part of me wants to take him by the hand, go in there with him, and make those kids like my wonderful son!
Yesterday when I picked the kids up, I asked S who she played with at recess. "No one." What?! I was all worried about it, but she said it wasn't a big deal, and she even laughed about it. I did ask her the names of girls that look like they might be fun. When she rattled off a few names, I suggested she go up to those girls and ask if they wanted to play at recess. The thought of doing that even as an adult is scary (well, obviously not playing at recess, but you get what I mean) but I hope that she'll be able to do it.
I know she's feeling shy about just walking up to people she doesn't know (and with the way some girls act these days, I don't blame her), but once again, my mother bear instincts kicked in and I wanted to fix it all for her... to fast forward a few months and have both kids happy, adjusted to their new school, and firmly in the middle of a group of a friends. But alas, I guess I have to let my kids learn on their own sometimes!
Yesterday when I picked the kids up, I asked S who she played with at recess. "No one." What?! I was all worried about it, but she said it wasn't a big deal, and she even laughed about it. I did ask her the names of girls that look like they might be fun. When she rattled off a few names, I suggested she go up to those girls and ask if they wanted to play at recess. The thought of doing that even as an adult is scary (well, obviously not playing at recess, but you get what I mean) but I hope that she'll be able to do it.
I know she's feeling shy about just walking up to people she doesn't know (and with the way some girls act these days, I don't blame her), but once again, my mother bear instincts kicked in and I wanted to fix it all for her... to fast forward a few months and have both kids happy, adjusted to their new school, and firmly in the middle of a group of a friends. But alas, I guess I have to let my kids learn on their own sometimes!
Friday, August 21, 2009
New school!
Yesterday, S and H had their very first day of school at their new school. I drove them there and then walked them in the bike trail they'll use once we move to our new house. We found their classrooms quickly and off they went. As expected, S was excited and giggly and H was unsure and quiet. On the drive up there, the kids were talking about the new friends they would make, and I talked to them about how important it is to be a good friend. I even used the example of adults who talk about how their neighborhood or ward isn't very friendly, when really, isn't it just as much our responsibility to say hello and be friendly? I encouraged them to say hi to the kids in their class and try to get to know people.When I picked them up, both had great things to say and both had made new friends. Yeah!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Whose idea was it to move?
Oh yeah... it was mine. Not entirely, but I would say that I've been pushing for this for a long time, and my husband has been more back and forth until a few months ago—yes on the general idea to move, but unsure on the timing. Until we found a new home that we loved, a new neighborhood that is awesome, a great new school, a playground and huge grassy area right behind our house, and beautiful views of the mountains.
Whenever I go to our new house, or even think about it, I get excited. It's just the reality of living in the midst of boxes that stresses me out big-time. I know it's not for very long (and I realize that we brought this chaos on ourselves), but I think my anal/OCD nature goes into overload when I'm unable to create order in the spaces that surround me. Last Saturday, I started the day with a messy kitchen. That does not work for me. So, I spent time cleaning it (after completing my thrice-daily ritual of scouring the kitchen table and floor after the babies eat—they are so messy!). When I was done, it sparkled. Two hours later, every surface was covered in boxes, packing supplies, and dishes/cookware to be packed, plus those odds and ends items that you don't know what to do with.
A few days ago, I was lying on my bed, done with work for the day and ready to pack again, but feeling very overwhelmed and not sure where to start. So I cried a bit, and then got up and got moving, albeit slowly. My husband had meetings until 7:30 that night, and by the time he got home, I was done with the kids, done with packing—just done. So, I put some things in the van to decorate my new kitchen and went off to the new house.
It may seem a little silly to decorate the tops of cabinets when there's absolutely nothing else in the house itself, but after I was done, I breathed a sigh of relief. It grounded me, which was absolutely necessary to remember when I returned home to a house full of boxes and chaos.
One last thought: How annoying is that I still have to clean the house that I'm moving out of? Shouldn't it just stay clean, so that I don't have to worry about scrubbing toilets after I've exhausted myself with packing? Phfft. That's all I have to say about that.
Whenever I go to our new house, or even think about it, I get excited. It's just the reality of living in the midst of boxes that stresses me out big-time. I know it's not for very long (and I realize that we brought this chaos on ourselves), but I think my anal/OCD nature goes into overload when I'm unable to create order in the spaces that surround me. Last Saturday, I started the day with a messy kitchen. That does not work for me. So, I spent time cleaning it (after completing my thrice-daily ritual of scouring the kitchen table and floor after the babies eat—they are so messy!). When I was done, it sparkled. Two hours later, every surface was covered in boxes, packing supplies, and dishes/cookware to be packed, plus those odds and ends items that you don't know what to do with.
A few days ago, I was lying on my bed, done with work for the day and ready to pack again, but feeling very overwhelmed and not sure where to start. So I cried a bit, and then got up and got moving, albeit slowly. My husband had meetings until 7:30 that night, and by the time he got home, I was done with the kids, done with packing—just done. So, I put some things in the van to decorate my new kitchen and went off to the new house.
It may seem a little silly to decorate the tops of cabinets when there's absolutely nothing else in the house itself, but after I was done, I breathed a sigh of relief. It grounded me, which was absolutely necessary to remember when I returned home to a house full of boxes and chaos.
One last thought: How annoying is that I still have to clean the house that I'm moving out of? Shouldn't it just stay clean, so that I don't have to worry about scrubbing toilets after I've exhausted myself with packing? Phfft. That's all I have to say about that.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The packrat and the trash queen
On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being emotionally tied to everything/can't throw away anything and 10 being completely unemotional about stuff/throw away everything, I would say I'm a 7. And my husband is a 3 or 4. As you can imagine, this has caused some interesting conversations in our marriage. I'm all for throwing things away, de-cluttering the storage area, and making things look nice and neat. He's all for keeping mementos (and some that aren't really in that category) "just because." A few months ago, he was going through high school photos. I'm fine with keeping a few of those, but come on—the one of him, his high school girlfriend, and his little sister on Halloween?—I don't think that one classifies as a cherished memory. When I brought this up, he said, "Unlike you, some of us actually enjoyed high school." Touché, husband. Touché.
At the other end of the spectrum, I probably throw away too much. I have been caught throwing away some of my kids' art projects possibly minutes after they get home from school (I keep lots of them, believe me. But they bring home so much paper!) It is truly awful when your child wants to show his dad a picture he made at school and you have to fish it out of the trash for him. Yep, mother of the year award, right here!
In preparation for our upcoming move, my husband tackled his boxes in the basement and the bookshelves in his office last weekend. And, he did this de-clutterer proud. He produced seven huge bags of trash and quite a few items for the charity pile. Unfortunately, he's now left with the "I don't know what to do with all this" pile in his office. You know, those things you probably could throw away and there's really no place for them, but what if you do need them someday? I hate that pile. I will always keep those things for a while, and then after a few years of truly never needing them, off they go.
On a happier note, could this little boy be any cuter?
At the other end of the spectrum, I probably throw away too much. I have been caught throwing away some of my kids' art projects possibly minutes after they get home from school (I keep lots of them, believe me. But they bring home so much paper!) It is truly awful when your child wants to show his dad a picture he made at school and you have to fish it out of the trash for him. Yep, mother of the year award, right here!
In preparation for our upcoming move, my husband tackled his boxes in the basement and the bookshelves in his office last weekend. And, he did this de-clutterer proud. He produced seven huge bags of trash and quite a few items for the charity pile. Unfortunately, he's now left with the "I don't know what to do with all this" pile in his office. You know, those things you probably could throw away and there's really no place for them, but what if you do need them someday? I hate that pile. I will always keep those things for a while, and then after a few years of truly never needing them, off they go.
On a happier note, could this little boy be any cuter?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
While you were gone
Dear Husband,
I know you felt bad about leaving for the Scout camping trip on the morning of my birthday, so I thought I'd fill you in on all the fun we had while you were gone.
1. T didn't throw up again after that first awesome time on the kitchen floor Monday night. However, he did wake up from a nap on Tuesday afternoon with a random rash. It went away by the next morning.
2. Because of aforementioned rash, I didn't think it was a good idea for him to go to the pool with your sister and S and H. So, T yelled and moaned and whined for two hours straight. Candy and cookies were offered. They didn't work. My hearing may be permanently damaged.
3. My friend Shelley brought us dinner on my birthday, including a delightful chocolate cake/pudding masterpiece. I made the kids sing to me so I could blow out the candles.
4. Inexplicably, I had the songs from "Potty Time" stuck in my head the whole week. I serenaded the babies with a rendition of "Super Duper Pooper" and they loved it.
5. T's fever finally broke on Wednesday. A's fever—not until this morning. With all three boys, that's 15 days total of fever. I went through an entire bottle of Children's Tylenol while you were gone. And knowing how N and A2 regularly switch pacifiers when I'm not looking, it's only a matter of time before she gets this random virus. Good times.
6. Speaking of N, she spent most of the night in our bed last night. She kept sobbing in her crib, and since that's not exactly conducive to other siblings being able to sleep, I picked her up. But every time I tried to put her back, sobbing would ensue again. So, she slept next to me. (I guess it's a good thing you weren't there, though, or she probably would have kicked you all night.)
7. I packed a bunch of boxes, and also cleaned the house from top to bottom to show it to a realtor on Wednesday. On the phone, it seemed like she had a client who might be interested in the house. When she came, it seemed like she just wanted to sell our house for us, like all the others. Well, at least it got clean, I guess.
I'm so very glad that you called today to say you were coming home early. I had just been thinking that I didn't want to do this by myself anymore, so I'm glad I don't have to.
Welcome home. :)
I know you felt bad about leaving for the Scout camping trip on the morning of my birthday, so I thought I'd fill you in on all the fun we had while you were gone.
1. T didn't throw up again after that first awesome time on the kitchen floor Monday night. However, he did wake up from a nap on Tuesday afternoon with a random rash. It went away by the next morning.
2. Because of aforementioned rash, I didn't think it was a good idea for him to go to the pool with your sister and S and H. So, T yelled and moaned and whined for two hours straight. Candy and cookies were offered. They didn't work. My hearing may be permanently damaged.
3. My friend Shelley brought us dinner on my birthday, including a delightful chocolate cake/pudding masterpiece. I made the kids sing to me so I could blow out the candles.
4. Inexplicably, I had the songs from "Potty Time" stuck in my head the whole week. I serenaded the babies with a rendition of "Super Duper Pooper" and they loved it.
5. T's fever finally broke on Wednesday. A's fever—not until this morning. With all three boys, that's 15 days total of fever. I went through an entire bottle of Children's Tylenol while you were gone. And knowing how N and A2 regularly switch pacifiers when I'm not looking, it's only a matter of time before she gets this random virus. Good times.
6. Speaking of N, she spent most of the night in our bed last night. She kept sobbing in her crib, and since that's not exactly conducive to other siblings being able to sleep, I picked her up. But every time I tried to put her back, sobbing would ensue again. So, she slept next to me. (I guess it's a good thing you weren't there, though, or she probably would have kicked you all night.)
7. I packed a bunch of boxes, and also cleaned the house from top to bottom to show it to a realtor on Wednesday. On the phone, it seemed like she had a client who might be interested in the house. When she came, it seemed like she just wanted to sell our house for us, like all the others. Well, at least it got clean, I guess.
I'm so very glad that you called today to say you were coming home early. I had just been thinking that I didn't want to do this by myself anymore, so I'm glad I don't have to.
Welcome home. :)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
R.I.P.
I feel that I would be remiss if I didn't write a short post in memoriam of a truly great man, someone who helped shape my teenage years: John Hughes.
John Hughes, writer/film director all things 80s, died yesterday of a sudden heart attack. And as I look back on all of the wonderful gems he brought to the world, I've had a really nice trip down memory lane. He either wrote, directed, or did both on all of these movies:
Pretty in Pink
Mr. Mom
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Home Alone
Uncle Buck
(plus a ton more)
But the truly best teen movie (and perhaps even the best one period) of all time, was written by John Hughes...
Some Kind of Wonderful
The teen angst, the drama, the boy loves girl/girl doesn't know boy is alive/boy's best friend (also a girl) is secretly in love with him... I spent half my teenage years quoting lines from this movie. And let's not forget... the kiss.
Rest in peace, John Hughes. And thanks for the genius.
John Hughes, writer/film director all things 80s, died yesterday of a sudden heart attack. And as I look back on all of the wonderful gems he brought to the world, I've had a really nice trip down memory lane. He either wrote, directed, or did both on all of these movies:
Pretty in Pink
Mr. Mom
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Home Alone
Uncle Buck
(plus a ton more)
But the truly best teen movie (and perhaps even the best one period) of all time, was written by John Hughes...
Some Kind of Wonderful
The teen angst, the drama, the boy loves girl/girl doesn't know boy is alive/boy's best friend (also a girl) is secretly in love with him... I spent half my teenage years quoting lines from this movie. And let's not forget... the kiss.
Rest in peace, John Hughes. And thanks for the genius.
Fridge
We're in the market for a new fridge. I'd like to get stainless steel (maybe even the knock-off kind that lets you put magnets on and doesn't smudge as much). Side-by-side fridges/freezers drive me nuts, and my kids would be endlessly opening a bottom-freezer model. So, that leaves us with top-freezer models.
If you have one, or could shed some light on which brand/model not to get, please do so.
If you have one, or could shed some light on which brand/model not to get, please do so.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
S ties it up!
It's been a hard summer for S. I'm not really sure why, but I do think she's been frustrated with going from being with her friends all day at school to being with her younger siblings all day. Poor S will come up with elaborate background schemes for playtime ("Let's play Harry Potter. Let's all get spellbooks, use pencils for wands, and practice spells") but by the time she has everything set up, H and T have lost interest and want to play with action figures again. I feel bad for her, but I also remind her that she's lucky to have brothers who will play "hotel" and "zoo" with her at all. And, they're lucky to have a very imaginative sister who thinks up the schemes in the first place.
Beyond that, S has just seemed kind of angry at the world lately, which has made this a super fun summer for me, of course. So, I was really happy to see her accomplish something semi-big a few days ago. She learned to tie her shoes! (Yes, she's almost in 3rd grade, but this has been so hard for her to do for some reason. Apparently, her dad and his siblings were the same way.) After going to the store and realizing that there just weren't many velcro options in her size, I came home and told her she had to figure it out by the time school starts in three weeks. A few days later, she had done it!
I should also mention that S reached another big milestone earlier this summer—she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. (Again, she's doing it a little late, but in this respect, she is totally my child. Always so cautious, to the point of talking herself out of things.) She's doing really well and isn't even scared of going up and down hills anymore.
Hooray for S!
Beyond that, S has just seemed kind of angry at the world lately, which has made this a super fun summer for me, of course. So, I was really happy to see her accomplish something semi-big a few days ago. She learned to tie her shoes! (Yes, she's almost in 3rd grade, but this has been so hard for her to do for some reason. Apparently, her dad and his siblings were the same way.) After going to the store and realizing that there just weren't many velcro options in her size, I came home and told her she had to figure it out by the time school starts in three weeks. A few days later, she had done it!
I should also mention that S reached another big milestone earlier this summer—she learned to ride her bike without training wheels. (Again, she's doing it a little late, but in this respect, she is totally my child. Always so cautious, to the point of talking herself out of things.) She's doing really well and isn't even scared of going up and down hills anymore.
Hooray for S!
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