Its been almost a week since my last post, and lots has happened here!
We had a wonderful trip to IA. The weather couldn't have been more perfect - almost 60 in Dec! (I remember washing my car in the driveway the first weekend in Dec while I was at Dordt, the next weekend was a HUGE snowstorm - and that's the day my brother got married and my aunt and cousin got stranded....) I realized the kids and I have put a lot of miles on that van traveling the country. We have never had a breakdown, problem, car crash, etc. There have been many close calls - literally crashes that happen before my eyes or large objects blow out of trucks, land in my lane and slide away before I hit them - but nothing has happened to us. How many angels are on my wheels I wonder? A great thing about traveling in the evening and going west is you get the longest sunset possible - it was great. Of course the opposite was true coming home, but such is life.
It was wonderful to see family and friends again. I had a family adopt me while I was at Dordt. They still live in Sioux Center, and my kids don't know life without them, as their kids don't know life without me. It is a relationship I hold very dear and it was great to talk with them again. Much of my biological family also lives there and we spent lots of wonderful quality time with them. Again, relationships we hold dear. There wasn't much exchanging of presents but there was lots of laughter, pictures, game playing and memory making. I loved showing my kids that Christmas can be about fun with people you love, not just getting something. Maybe they missed that point, but I didn't. It was wonderful to feel normal, to know where things were, to feel like we were 'home'. We even walked into the mall on Saturday and ran into a college roommate of mine, so cool. The kids will tell you that it was too long of a trip, but they would also tell you that they would not stay home if they had the choice to do it again!
While driving home I wondered about the verse, "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." What does a 12 year old girl, holding a baby in a basement stable, and newly married... ponder? I can't even imagine. Was it a cool mommy moment? We all have some of those. For instance, a few moments ago, all four kids were laughing, playing together and making up their own game. It was a good ponder moment for me. Notice I also said it was a few moments ago, life changes quickly - so do attitudes. Anyway, I can't imagine giving birth in a stable, or having complete strangers show up a few hours afterwards. She had lots to ponder, I'm thinking.
We bought a house on Monday. That actually was hard for me. Just the permanence of it all and the fact that the loan isn't fulfilled until 2042. That's crazy to think about. Matt is already painting and we are making some redecorating plans. We probably won't move in until mid January.
I was one of the driver's for Jessica's class field trip to a nursing home to sing Christmas Carols yesterday. The night before we had gone caroling with our church in the neighborhood surrounding church. I give both of those instances in how life is here for me. Caroling was fun, the kids enjoyed it, we walked and talked and drank hot chocolate and gave strangers some joy in Christmas. I took the kids to a musical light show afterwards. The field trip was hard. I'm used to understanding how the school system works, seeing familiar faces, knowing what's going on. Very similar things, very different emotions, both just getting used to life and the range of emotions that go along with it.
We have lots of plans if this weather continues. A trip to Matt's parents for Christmas Eve, Christmas dinner with people from church, Christmas evening with my aunt, and friends coming to visit from MN next week. Can I ask that we don't get any snow until Jan. 1?
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
The dog next door
We met the neighbor awhile back, and her dog, Rocko. Marissa and Chad have two cats and a dog. Guess where Jessica and Maria wished they lived? Several times we have gone over and knocked on the door to find out if Rocko can come out and play. Last time they took out the plastic tennis ball thrower and all 4 had to take turns using it. A few times the ball flew into the road, then the kids had to play fetch, so it was good exercise for both the dog and the kids. It has been very easy to talk with Marissa. She is a 7th grade math teacher! Hopefully our new neighbors will be as easy to live next to as they guys have been.
I hate losing things. I keep imagining that all the things I have been missing are somewhere in one of these boxes and some day I will find them all. I knew I had a coupon in the form of a store gift card that expired on Wednesday. For the last 24 hours, I have been going crazy trying to find it. Maria and I were going to head off to church to look through boxes but I decided to search through the boxes that were here. I found it this morning and I was so pumped. A silly little coupon, but it put my heart at rest, for awhile.
We went to the high school's Christmas concert last night. It was held in an old time theater complete with big chandeliers. It was an amazing concert. Even the kids thought it was cool. Brandon commented several times that the people sounded like they came right off the cd. Three of the four were asleep by the time the final number, The Hallelujah Chorus, started in. We took the opportunity of everyone standing up to leave.
In a few hours, the kids and I are headed off to IA. The Zevenbergen family is gathering for Christmas in Sioux Center, IA. It will be a long drive, but everyone is excited to see their cousins, so off we go. We'll drive back on Sunday.
Maria had a field trip to the local Pizza Ranch. I can't tell you how excited we are to have a Pizza Ranch in town. Maria's class has had a restaurant center in her classroom for this month. The culmination was a trip to Pizza Ranch. We were allowed in the kitchen and each kid (and adult chaperone =) was given a mini pizza dough pan to fill with whatever we wanted. Then we put it in the oven and toured the rest of the store, then went back to the kitchen to watch our pizza come out of the oven and of course got to EAT them! It was a fun time and it was good to meet some of Maria's classmates.
There were a few things we had hoped to do this weekend if we had stayed, but we put them on the list of things to do next year. There is a live nativity in Grand Rapids and I want to take the kids to the Nutcracker Ballet, which is also in Grand Rapids. In time!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
I hate losing things. I keep imagining that all the things I have been missing are somewhere in one of these boxes and some day I will find them all. I knew I had a coupon in the form of a store gift card that expired on Wednesday. For the last 24 hours, I have been going crazy trying to find it. Maria and I were going to head off to church to look through boxes but I decided to search through the boxes that were here. I found it this morning and I was so pumped. A silly little coupon, but it put my heart at rest, for awhile.
We went to the high school's Christmas concert last night. It was held in an old time theater complete with big chandeliers. It was an amazing concert. Even the kids thought it was cool. Brandon commented several times that the people sounded like they came right off the cd. Three of the four were asleep by the time the final number, The Hallelujah Chorus, started in. We took the opportunity of everyone standing up to leave.
In a few hours, the kids and I are headed off to IA. The Zevenbergen family is gathering for Christmas in Sioux Center, IA. It will be a long drive, but everyone is excited to see their cousins, so off we go. We'll drive back on Sunday.
Maria had a field trip to the local Pizza Ranch. I can't tell you how excited we are to have a Pizza Ranch in town. Maria's class has had a restaurant center in her classroom for this month. The culmination was a trip to Pizza Ranch. We were allowed in the kitchen and each kid (and adult chaperone =) was given a mini pizza dough pan to fill with whatever we wanted. Then we put it in the oven and toured the rest of the store, then went back to the kitchen to watch our pizza come out of the oven and of course got to EAT them! It was a fun time and it was good to meet some of Maria's classmates.
There were a few things we had hoped to do this weekend if we had stayed, but we put them on the list of things to do next year. There is a live nativity in Grand Rapids and I want to take the kids to the Nutcracker Ballet, which is also in Grand Rapids. In time!
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Its the Little Things
At great harvest yesterday we picked up some raspberry bread. One of the best sweet combinations ever is raspberries and chocolate! So, I need to cut up the bread for supper. A previous post will remind you that we have no serrated knife with which to cut this glorious bread. BUT, another elf sent me a new Pampered Chef serrated knife (thanks Tami) and wow was it fun to use that knife on that bread! Its the little things. And the bread was delicious. Jessica ate it again for breakfast.
I don't feel like today was a very successful productive day. We have a tentative closing date for next Monday. We found that out late last night and all I can think about is appliances, bedding, furniture, paint, cleaning, unpacking, etc. We went and shopped for new appliances today and I'm trying to wrap my head around that or craiglisting for used ones, or cleaning up the old dirty ones that were left in the house. We need to purchase a washer and dryer for sure. Maria and I did story time and we ran a few errands, but mainly I was just scattered. I did write down a 'to do' list. For some reason, that always helps. Now, the kiddos are at church and I need to clean up supper!
Here's to getting more things done tomorrow!
I don't feel like today was a very successful productive day. We have a tentative closing date for next Monday. We found that out late last night and all I can think about is appliances, bedding, furniture, paint, cleaning, unpacking, etc. We went and shopped for new appliances today and I'm trying to wrap my head around that or craiglisting for used ones, or cleaning up the old dirty ones that were left in the house. We need to purchase a washer and dryer for sure. Maria and I did story time and we ran a few errands, but mainly I was just scattered. I did write down a 'to do' list. For some reason, that always helps. Now, the kiddos are at church and I need to clean up supper!
Here's to getting more things done tomorrow!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Crazy Fun
I had a fun day today. I went for a 6 mile run, of course along the beach, got some bills paid, and then my aunt walked in the door! It was SO good to hang out with her and just be. We went out for lunch to Great Harvest Bread which I would highly recommend. Grand Haven downtown is full of cute little shops, nothing big name, but lots of neat things. And this is coming from someone who doesn't like to shop! But I do run down main street twice a week and read all the names of the shops and look in the windows as I go by.
Funny story. The boardwalk and sidewalks along the lake are covered in sand. I don't mean a light dusting, I mean FEET of sand, so I run on the road. I figure they don't bother cleaning off the parking lots (also full) and sidewalks until spring when people swarm back to that area. So now, the wind blows and literally drifts of sand accumulate all over. There is a restaurant on the beach side of the road. Today, one of the employees was standing on the curb SHOVELING sand into a wheelbarrow. Oh, how I wish I had my camera. Who would think you would be shoveling sand away from your gutter, drain and front walk on December 12? It was too good to pass up. I told him I had just moved from MN and had never seen anything like it. He told me he has to do this whenever the wind blows. When you live on the beach, that's pretty much every day!
Jessica asked to be homeschooled..... we decided she doesn't truly know what she is asking for. Part of it came because of something that happened at recess - friends - and part of it is she doesn't like waking up early in the morning. She is also studying the weather and doesn't think that is fun. I explained that if I homeschooled, she would still have to study things and do work. She was quite puzzled by that. I'm not sure she fully grasps the concept!
We are getting closer to closing on our house. We are starting to shop for appliances and considering paint colors. We have a contact at an appliance place and he told us to stop in. They just got a shipment of scratch and dent! My kinda place - the same place with the freezer story from a few posts back.
Good night all!
Funny story. The boardwalk and sidewalks along the lake are covered in sand. I don't mean a light dusting, I mean FEET of sand, so I run on the road. I figure they don't bother cleaning off the parking lots (also full) and sidewalks until spring when people swarm back to that area. So now, the wind blows and literally drifts of sand accumulate all over. There is a restaurant on the beach side of the road. Today, one of the employees was standing on the curb SHOVELING sand into a wheelbarrow. Oh, how I wish I had my camera. Who would think you would be shoveling sand away from your gutter, drain and front walk on December 12? It was too good to pass up. I told him I had just moved from MN and had never seen anything like it. He told me he has to do this whenever the wind blows. When you live on the beach, that's pretty much every day!
Jessica asked to be homeschooled..... we decided she doesn't truly know what she is asking for. Part of it came because of something that happened at recess - friends - and part of it is she doesn't like waking up early in the morning. She is also studying the weather and doesn't think that is fun. I explained that if I homeschooled, she would still have to study things and do work. She was quite puzzled by that. I'm not sure she fully grasps the concept!
We are getting closer to closing on our house. We are starting to shop for appliances and considering paint colors. We have a contact at an appliance place and he told us to stop in. They just got a shipment of scratch and dent! My kinda place - the same place with the freezer story from a few posts back.
Good night all!
Monday, December 12, 2011
the hole in the floor
We found a clothes chute. We have lived here for two weeks and we just found it. Who knew a hole in the floor of the bathroom could provide so much fun and entertainment? Well, actually I did because I had one growing up and we had plenty of fun with it, besides its basic usefulness. My kids still enjoy going to Gpa and Gma's house to eat a banana through the 'peek -a - boo' hole. The clothes chute there has two doors across from each other, so you can actually look through the clothes chute at someone. But here, many things have found their way downstairs, right next to the wash machine, through our lovely little hole already. They even tried to see if their heads would fit, nope, they don't. Whew!
Anika had her band concert tonight. She had to be there 45 minutes early so we took one of her classmates with us and the two of them sat in the back and talked and laughed. That was good to hear. Anika was telling her who was in her extended family and what Christmas was like. The 5th grade band here is just getting started so Anika had no problem jumping in. I still need to find her a teacher so she doesn't lose what she knows, but that will come, too.
Maria and I had fun today just hanging out. We talked with some friends, we danced in the living room, and we watched a movie. She took another nap right before supper tonight. She's just so tired!
The neighbor told us to add our recycling to hers so I should be able to empty my bucket this week. And she said they recycle everything here. Obviously I'm going to have to do some more research into what company I get to pick up our garbage. But, we'll be in a different county than we are now, and I know that makes a huge difference, no matter where you live!
Sleep well!
Anika had her band concert tonight. She had to be there 45 minutes early so we took one of her classmates with us and the two of them sat in the back and talked and laughed. That was good to hear. Anika was telling her who was in her extended family and what Christmas was like. The 5th grade band here is just getting started so Anika had no problem jumping in. I still need to find her a teacher so she doesn't lose what she knows, but that will come, too.
Maria and I had fun today just hanging out. We talked with some friends, we danced in the living room, and we watched a movie. She took another nap right before supper tonight. She's just so tired!
The neighbor told us to add our recycling to hers so I should be able to empty my bucket this week. And she said they recycle everything here. Obviously I'm going to have to do some more research into what company I get to pick up our garbage. But, we'll be in a different county than we are now, and I know that makes a huge difference, no matter where you live!
Sleep well!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
daily log
Today I organized the piles that oh so quickly accumulate. It needed to be done, is not finished yet, but felt great to get started! And, I think, just maybe, I have the kids ready for school tomorrow - WITH all the papers, homework, money, etc that they are supposed to have. Hopefully I won't get the 'I know you're new so we will help you along' look from any teachers this week. I'm getting there. We are discovering that Muskegon doesn't seem to use websites in the same frequency we are used to. We are used to going to a website and getting all the information we need. Not so much here.
Like tonight. We wanted to go to a church that is near our new home to just check it out a bit. The website said 5 - 9 PM with no details. So we show up at 5 and find out the supper goes from 5 -6 the play goes from 6 - 7. So, we are in a strange church parking lot and no place to go. We call up our dentist friends and go visit for 45 minutes. Which means I got to see a gorgeous sunset over the lake, the kids got to play with the golden labs and Brandon got to watch some football. Matt also got to fix a doll's arm, but that's a whole other story. The program was ok, but the kids weren't impressed. I may have a hard time convincing them to go to GEMS and Cadets there. I will give it time.
We also notice they don't recycle much - from what we can tell, they throw away paper, soup cans, most plastics. Its going to be weird just throwing that all in a bin and walking away, but I think keeping bags of recycling and sending them back with whomever is visiting seems a bit out of the realm of decency as well. We were told to wait until we moved to our new home to truly figure it out. I guess the carrier you have makes a big difference. We shall see.
Maria slept through lunch today. She has been taking a couple of naps a week. She is just TIRED and needs it. Those early mornings are hard on a 5 year old!
Crazy side bar - We got one of the coca cola glasses that you get free from McDonald's. They are cool glasses. Anyway, I went on ebay to see if you could just buy the glasses and of course you can, but people are selling them for $20! That's crazy. I don't want glasses that bad, especially when I can get a nice looking set at Meijer or Kohl's for that price! Maybe I'll just eat lunch at McDonald's all week and get a few more glasses.
I am missing people tonight. More memories - remembering traditions, etc. I will give that time also.
Like tonight. We wanted to go to a church that is near our new home to just check it out a bit. The website said 5 - 9 PM with no details. So we show up at 5 and find out the supper goes from 5 -6 the play goes from 6 - 7. So, we are in a strange church parking lot and no place to go. We call up our dentist friends and go visit for 45 minutes. Which means I got to see a gorgeous sunset over the lake, the kids got to play with the golden labs and Brandon got to watch some football. Matt also got to fix a doll's arm, but that's a whole other story. The program was ok, but the kids weren't impressed. I may have a hard time convincing them to go to GEMS and Cadets there. I will give it time.
We also notice they don't recycle much - from what we can tell, they throw away paper, soup cans, most plastics. Its going to be weird just throwing that all in a bin and walking away, but I think keeping bags of recycling and sending them back with whomever is visiting seems a bit out of the realm of decency as well. We were told to wait until we moved to our new home to truly figure it out. I guess the carrier you have makes a big difference. We shall see.
Maria slept through lunch today. She has been taking a couple of naps a week. She is just TIRED and needs it. Those early mornings are hard on a 5 year old!
Crazy side bar - We got one of the coca cola glasses that you get free from McDonald's. They are cool glasses. Anyway, I went on ebay to see if you could just buy the glasses and of course you can, but people are selling them for $20! That's crazy. I don't want glasses that bad, especially when I can get a nice looking set at Meijer or Kohl's for that price! Maybe I'll just eat lunch at McDonald's all week and get a few more glasses.
I am missing people tonight. More memories - remembering traditions, etc. I will give that time also.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Memories
Anika got to play in her one an only basketball game this season. It was so much fun to watch her, and yet so hard. It was a Saturday morning at 9 AM, watching basketball. It was hard not to think of how many Saturdays we spent watching Upward basketball, knowing most of the people in the stands and most of the kids on the court. She played really well, but they lost. She had a hard time with it afterwards as well - its never fun to lose, but its multiplied when you miss the people you used to play with! The girls at MCS have been playing for about a month and today was the season ending tournament.
We went to the Muskegon Museum of Art today. They had a 'make it take it' craft. So everyone painted a few cardboard box Christmas ornaments. Then we went next door to the library and pet some live reindeer.
Matt and I went for my lake run together this afternoon. The electric babysitter was on hand!
We are exploring different churches to associate with for extra programs. There is a church VERY near our new home that has GEMS and Cadets. I think I like the program already! =) We'll have to check it out one of these nights. I was planning on going there and asking for tips on finding a piano teacher and a flute teacher. Hopefully it all works out.
In the world of mint, there is good news and bad news. The good news is - Dairy Queen has reinstated the candy cane blizzard and I have buy one get one free coupon. The bad news is the closest DQ is 45 minutes away and the coupon expires on Thursday. I'll still get a blizzard from there, but probably not with the coupon - maybe I'll drive down there for my birthday! Another round of bad news. It seems Oreo stopped making the fudge covered mint oreos they always used to make at Christmas time. They still make the white fudge covered ones, but now they have mint sandwich cremes, not quite the same thing.
I realized today that I am with the kids constantly unless they are in school. Its strange with no sport practices, no music lessons, no play dates, no sleepovers, no neighbors, no toys outside. Its something I have to get used to. We have contemplated me homeschooling in the past, but I have resisted. Somewhat out of ignorance of how to jump into it. Right now, all they have is each other. Its just an observation - nothing good or bad necessarily about it. I do find that as the day wears on, my patience thins. I get tired, and they gear up. Oh to have that energy!
Thanks for checking in!
We went to the Muskegon Museum of Art today. They had a 'make it take it' craft. So everyone painted a few cardboard box Christmas ornaments. Then we went next door to the library and pet some live reindeer.
Matt and I went for my lake run together this afternoon. The electric babysitter was on hand!
We are exploring different churches to associate with for extra programs. There is a church VERY near our new home that has GEMS and Cadets. I think I like the program already! =) We'll have to check it out one of these nights. I was planning on going there and asking for tips on finding a piano teacher and a flute teacher. Hopefully it all works out.
In the world of mint, there is good news and bad news. The good news is - Dairy Queen has reinstated the candy cane blizzard and I have buy one get one free coupon. The bad news is the closest DQ is 45 minutes away and the coupon expires on Thursday. I'll still get a blizzard from there, but probably not with the coupon - maybe I'll drive down there for my birthday! Another round of bad news. It seems Oreo stopped making the fudge covered mint oreos they always used to make at Christmas time. They still make the white fudge covered ones, but now they have mint sandwich cremes, not quite the same thing.
I realized today that I am with the kids constantly unless they are in school. Its strange with no sport practices, no music lessons, no play dates, no sleepovers, no neighbors, no toys outside. Its something I have to get used to. We have contemplated me homeschooling in the past, but I have resisted. Somewhat out of ignorance of how to jump into it. Right now, all they have is each other. Its just an observation - nothing good or bad necessarily about it. I do find that as the day wears on, my patience thins. I get tired, and they gear up. Oh to have that energy!
Thanks for checking in!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Clean house
There's something about cleaning the house that makes it seem more like its your own. Its also a bit humbling to see how much dirt and dust a family of 6 can create in less than 2 weeks! But its clean and so I will sleep good tonight. Why do I wrap so much of my life up into a clean house? I have no idea, but I always feel like a better person when it is finished!
The father/son dodgeball tournament went well. No extra broken bones. There is a boy, Caleb, in Brandon's class that was there with his dad. Brandon has been talking about him more this week, so I am glad they could be at this together - and even got on the same team. Matt said you really didn't notice that Brandon only had one arm to use. He is much more comfortable with it and has been practicing straightening it out and bending it back up. It still is pretty swollen, but he is much more able with it.
We woke up to a very light dusting of snow this morning - and oh if I could have bottled the excitement. No one noticed until they were putting their coats on to walk out the door. It was probably too dark to see! They made a few tracks on the driveway before they drove off. The doctor informed us that sledding would not be a good idea until Brandon's arm had healed. So, we will wait until we get the go ahead. I did buy some new sleds at Sam's Club just so we are ready!
The father/son dodgeball tournament went well. No extra broken bones. There is a boy, Caleb, in Brandon's class that was there with his dad. Brandon has been talking about him more this week, so I am glad they could be at this together - and even got on the same team. Matt said you really didn't notice that Brandon only had one arm to use. He is much more comfortable with it and has been practicing straightening it out and bending it back up. It still is pretty swollen, but he is much more able with it.
We woke up to a very light dusting of snow this morning - and oh if I could have bottled the excitement. No one noticed until they were putting their coats on to walk out the door. It was probably too dark to see! They made a few tracks on the driveway before they drove off. The doctor informed us that sledding would not be a good idea until Brandon's arm had healed. So, we will wait until we get the go ahead. I did buy some new sleds at Sam's Club just so we are ready!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
A good reminder
I'm stealing this from a friend's blog. It struck me that I can sing this hymn from memory, but I never really pay attention to the words. I have much to be thankful for.
Count Your Blessings
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., in Songs or Young People, by Edwin Excell (Chicago, IL:1897).
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Refrain
Its hard to want to get up in the morning. We are tired, and we want to stay in bed - and its dark! So today I am trying to remind myself to be thankful for the heater, to be thankful for kids that I have to wake up, to be thankful for the school. I can't quite be thankful we are here, but I do know 'God is over all' and all this is but a blip in time. I still cry when I read emails, or when my kids hearts hurt, too, (or their friends' hearts in MN hurt) or when I think about the last months, especially the last weeks in MN. A good cry is a good thing. But I still have much to be thankful for, even when it hurts. I can be thankful that I have those memories and that we have so many people who mean so much to us still. And, by getting up, I was rewarded with a gorgeous sunrise. I love sunrises and sunsets and the colors He creates. I read on yahoo that the new color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango - God got it down today. I love that color.
I have struggled with having personal devotions with kids, work.... in general - life, over the years. I always find time to exercise, but not to talk with God. Just this week a friend tipped me off to a devotional that gets emailed to your in box every day. Its nothing huge, but it gets you to sit back and reflect. So, I joined up. I wasn't too impressed the first day, but they have gotten better, and today's was spot on. I also started a journal on the computer since my hand written journal is still in a box and I was horrible about writing in that, too. I think I can type faster than I can write, and its definitely more legible. Anyway, today's devotional was about gifts we give to God - trust, obedience, praise, and sacrifice. Good stuff. The quote was ' Praise is a continual choice we must make again and again until it becomes a habit.' Reminded me of the movie Elf - 'The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loudly for all to hear.' I have a lot of work to do in these areas, but the reminder was a good one.
Brandon's doctor appointment today was short and sweet. Doc wants him to practice straightening and bending it as much as possible, so we started tonight. He got his shirt off all by himself tonight, too. He and Matt hope to go to a Father/Son dodgeball tournament tomorrow night. Hopefully he can throw well and dodge even better!
I have received thoughts from some of you on how I am doing. I want you all to know, I am fine. We laugh and joke and have fun together. I don't stay in bed or crawl in a hole and cry all day. I do cry from time to time, but I would consider that completely normal. It wouldn't feel normal to move back to MN right now either - even if everything would be oh so wonderfully familiar again. I can do laundry and clean the house and sort of keep up on homework and find joy in those things, too. I'm trying to be real with what is going on inside of me - our family. So, we are fine, and doing quite well. We just hurt from time to time! Thanks for caring and praying. We appreciate it. This is where God wants us, there have been too many things that just worked out for it to be any other way.
And I get to go on runs by the lake and listen to the waves. Good stuff.
Count Your Blessings
Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr., in Songs or Young People, by Edwin Excell (Chicago, IL:1897).
When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
Refrain
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
Refrain
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.
Refrain
Its hard to want to get up in the morning. We are tired, and we want to stay in bed - and its dark! So today I am trying to remind myself to be thankful for the heater, to be thankful for kids that I have to wake up, to be thankful for the school. I can't quite be thankful we are here, but I do know 'God is over all' and all this is but a blip in time. I still cry when I read emails, or when my kids hearts hurt, too, (or their friends' hearts in MN hurt) or when I think about the last months, especially the last weeks in MN. A good cry is a good thing. But I still have much to be thankful for, even when it hurts. I can be thankful that I have those memories and that we have so many people who mean so much to us still. And, by getting up, I was rewarded with a gorgeous sunrise. I love sunrises and sunsets and the colors He creates. I read on yahoo that the new color for 2012 is Tangerine Tango - God got it down today. I love that color.
I have struggled with having personal devotions with kids, work.... in general - life, over the years. I always find time to exercise, but not to talk with God. Just this week a friend tipped me off to a devotional that gets emailed to your in box every day. Its nothing huge, but it gets you to sit back and reflect. So, I joined up. I wasn't too impressed the first day, but they have gotten better, and today's was spot on. I also started a journal on the computer since my hand written journal is still in a box and I was horrible about writing in that, too. I think I can type faster than I can write, and its definitely more legible. Anyway, today's devotional was about gifts we give to God - trust, obedience, praise, and sacrifice. Good stuff. The quote was ' Praise is a continual choice we must make again and again until it becomes a habit.' Reminded me of the movie Elf - 'The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loudly for all to hear.' I have a lot of work to do in these areas, but the reminder was a good one.
Brandon's doctor appointment today was short and sweet. Doc wants him to practice straightening and bending it as much as possible, so we started tonight. He got his shirt off all by himself tonight, too. He and Matt hope to go to a Father/Son dodgeball tournament tomorrow night. Hopefully he can throw well and dodge even better!
I have received thoughts from some of you on how I am doing. I want you all to know, I am fine. We laugh and joke and have fun together. I don't stay in bed or crawl in a hole and cry all day. I do cry from time to time, but I would consider that completely normal. It wouldn't feel normal to move back to MN right now either - even if everything would be oh so wonderfully familiar again. I can do laundry and clean the house and sort of keep up on homework and find joy in those things, too. I'm trying to be real with what is going on inside of me - our family. So, we are fine, and doing quite well. We just hurt from time to time! Thanks for caring and praying. We appreciate it. This is where God wants us, there have been too many things that just worked out for it to be any other way.
And I get to go on runs by the lake and listen to the waves. Good stuff.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Another Day Down
The patient mommy meter fell off today, if it ever existed in the first place. I'd like to blame the shouting and fighting exhibited in my children on the move, but I know they have days like this wherever they are. Needless to say, I wasn't the happiest after listening to it for awhile. These are the days when I need 5 bedrooms so I can send them each to one and I can go to one myself! And I know there are mom's out there everywhere nodding their heads about Arsenic Hour. I swear there is something in the air between the hours of 3:30 - 5:30 pm - they breathe it in, and it all breaks loose. We, as all good mothers, are patiently and lovingly creating a 5 course meal in the kitchen while our blessed cherubs read their books quietly in a chair nearby. Oh to live in the dream of the 1950's household. Anyway, you get the idea. They are all asleep now, and I get to try again tomorrow.
The 'to do' list is growing more quickly then the 'done' list. Another fact of life. And at some point I should actually clean this house that we were so graciously allowed to stay in. I did post the slide show I made on Smilebox, both here in the blog (the previous post) and on my facebook page. If you need the link, I can email it to you as well.
Tomorrow I will be driving back and forth to school - several times. So much for the 'to do' list. Brandon has a doctor appointment for his arm and Anika has basketball practice after school. Last week we struggled to get any information about band or basketball. She wasn't real keen on the idea of joining either part way through. She was so afraid of being behind. I guess our kiddos are way behind in Spanish and they were afraid everything would be like that. Anyway, I got to school on Tuesday and she hands me her bag and asks if she can go to basketball practice. So, I talk to the coach. They have 2 practices this week and the end of the season tournament on Saturday. Anika is in for one week! Works for me! She also went to band today and found out she is rather far ahead of them all. Now I need to find her a teacher so she can keep it up!
We did manage to get a bank account also as though we live at church. If you ever move, you need to keep several important looking pieces of mail from the address you move to. And keep them handy and until you have your driver's license in that state. Mine are on the counter, ready for the next adventure. Maybe I should have taken them with me to the Emergency Room. But they believed me without the proof.
So, homework, reading, laundry, cooking, cleaning and losing patience. Sounds like I still live in MN. Except my heart still knows.
The 'to do' list is growing more quickly then the 'done' list. Another fact of life. And at some point I should actually clean this house that we were so graciously allowed to stay in. I did post the slide show I made on Smilebox, both here in the blog (the previous post) and on my facebook page. If you need the link, I can email it to you as well.
Tomorrow I will be driving back and forth to school - several times. So much for the 'to do' list. Brandon has a doctor appointment for his arm and Anika has basketball practice after school. Last week we struggled to get any information about band or basketball. She wasn't real keen on the idea of joining either part way through. She was so afraid of being behind. I guess our kiddos are way behind in Spanish and they were afraid everything would be like that. Anyway, I got to school on Tuesday and she hands me her bag and asks if she can go to basketball practice. So, I talk to the coach. They have 2 practices this week and the end of the season tournament on Saturday. Anika is in for one week! Works for me! She also went to band today and found out she is rather far ahead of them all. Now I need to find her a teacher so she can keep it up!
We did manage to get a bank account also as though we live at church. If you ever move, you need to keep several important looking pieces of mail from the address you move to. And keep them handy and until you have your driver's license in that state. Mine are on the counter, ready for the next adventure. Maybe I should have taken them with me to the Emergency Room. But they believed me without the proof.
So, homework, reading, laundry, cooking, cleaning and losing patience. Sounds like I still live in MN. Except my heart still knows.
Monday, December 5, 2011
A Christmas Elf
In response to my Grinch update we received fudge and Christmas lights in the mail from an elf. The kids are QUITE happy with the festive look in their bedrooms. I am trying to make a Smilebox to send out to show all of you the house we currently live in and what the kids see everyday in MI. Hopefully that will get done soon. For now, I'm trying to upload a picture to this, we'll see what I come up with. I don't know if you can see how swollen his elbow is or not, but its still huge! I had to hold it for him, he is getting there, but he can't hold it up on his own for very long yet.
Today was a good day of talking with friends, doing the laundry and getting a few things done. Matt is at a meeting tonight and the kiddos are all tucked in and sleeping! Take care everyone.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A day in MI
Things that keep us occupied:
-shooting marshmallows out of a marshmallow shooter at the black squirrels in our yard
-Anika and Brandon played a full game of Battleship; I don't think that has ever happened before
-lots of tag and running through the house
-sorting laundry, the kids are getting quite good at it; in MN it had to be done in the kitchen - small space - so I did it all by myself; now, we have an unfinished basement and room for piles, great for everyone to join in the fun
-Matt suggested I take pictures of what the kids see everyday and publish a picture book for you all; good idea, but don't expect much; We'll see what happens. At least I can do all of that from my lap top. All my MN pictures are on the desk computer and that one is not hooked up, so the MN books are no further along!
- tonight we taught the kids how to play Pictionary. We didn't play a whole game, but it was pretty funny watching them work through the drawing and the guessing!
Sunday - a day of rest. I always laugh at that statement. I think about my Grandma and how she used to peel potatoes on Saturday night. I was always told it was so she didn't have to 'work' on Sunday. The realist in me looks back on that and laughs. Now that I have lived through several Sundays as a mom, I think Grandmas was on to something. I think she knew that making breakfast, cleaning it up, making lunch, setting the table, getting cleaned up and dressed, and getting 5 (4 in my case) kids cleaned up and dressed and doing it all by 9 am was a stinking LOT of work, so anything she could get done the night before made it all that much easier!
We do rest from the ordinary on Sunday. But often, I find that it is a lot of work and I long for a day of laying on the couch, or bed and doing nothing. Today, I sort of got that wish! About 3 PM my body said it had had enough of life and I sort of crumpled on the couch, then I went to bed and did not emerge until 7 PM. It was lovely. Typically, Matt falls asleep and I have to keep the kids quiet and out of his way. We normally have homework, piano and flute practice and things to prepare. But, we don't have any of those things scheduled so we watched the Vikings game (one of the three channels we get is FOX) and then the kids watched a movie.
The crazy thing is, I still have a headache and I'm still tired, so much for resting! =) Next time I should go for a walk!
So, here's to a start of a new week and all the promise that it holds. Hopefully you all had a day of REST!
-shooting marshmallows out of a marshmallow shooter at the black squirrels in our yard
-Anika and Brandon played a full game of Battleship; I don't think that has ever happened before
-lots of tag and running through the house
-sorting laundry, the kids are getting quite good at it; in MN it had to be done in the kitchen - small space - so I did it all by myself; now, we have an unfinished basement and room for piles, great for everyone to join in the fun
-Matt suggested I take pictures of what the kids see everyday and publish a picture book for you all; good idea, but don't expect much; We'll see what happens. At least I can do all of that from my lap top. All my MN pictures are on the desk computer and that one is not hooked up, so the MN books are no further along!
- tonight we taught the kids how to play Pictionary. We didn't play a whole game, but it was pretty funny watching them work through the drawing and the guessing!
Sunday - a day of rest. I always laugh at that statement. I think about my Grandma and how she used to peel potatoes on Saturday night. I was always told it was so she didn't have to 'work' on Sunday. The realist in me looks back on that and laughs. Now that I have lived through several Sundays as a mom, I think Grandmas was on to something. I think she knew that making breakfast, cleaning it up, making lunch, setting the table, getting cleaned up and dressed, and getting 5 (4 in my case) kids cleaned up and dressed and doing it all by 9 am was a stinking LOT of work, so anything she could get done the night before made it all that much easier!
We do rest from the ordinary on Sunday. But often, I find that it is a lot of work and I long for a day of laying on the couch, or bed and doing nothing. Today, I sort of got that wish! About 3 PM my body said it had had enough of life and I sort of crumpled on the couch, then I went to bed and did not emerge until 7 PM. It was lovely. Typically, Matt falls asleep and I have to keep the kids quiet and out of his way. We normally have homework, piano and flute practice and things to prepare. But, we don't have any of those things scheduled so we watched the Vikings game (one of the three channels we get is FOX) and then the kids watched a movie.
The crazy thing is, I still have a headache and I'm still tired, so much for resting! =) Next time I should go for a walk!
So, here's to a start of a new week and all the promise that it holds. Hopefully you all had a day of REST!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Rainy Day, Broken Bone, and a Parade
Bet that title got your attention. I'm trying to decide to start with the small stuff and lead up to the good stuff, or just give you the good stuff from the start. I better start with the good stuff or you'll skim all the stuff before and not really read it, which means you really aren't reading this anyway,
For you anatomy geeks out there (I am one of them) - its the radius bone on the thumb side of the wrist. Its shorter and smaller than the Ulna (the one on the pinky side of the wrist) and yet oh so valuable in rotation of the forearm. And yep, its broken, or at least the head of it is. If you look up radial head fracture you'll get the idea. And the one enjoying all this fun is Brandon. It seems if you try to leap tall buildings.... ok couches... and don't quite make it, the landing can be quite the bugger. It happened last night shortly after supper. He howled for quite awhile, but if you know Brandon, he howls about a paper cut, so the sympathy wasn't running real deep. I did my athletic training inspection on it, and I have to admit, I was a bit worried. It was point tender and point swollen, not good signs, especially on an elbow. So we got him to bed and to sleep after a movie, and I went in to check on him and he was moaning and grimacing in bed, asleep. Also, not a good sign. He woke up Jessica to come and get me in the morning to help him out of bed. I had already decided I was bringing him in when he woke up, but he wasn't using his arm AT ALL, so off he and I went. Everyone else was still in bed. We drive by the hospital every day on the way to school, which I am very thankful of now, I knew right where to go. We got there around 8 am and we were back home by 9:30 am. This small town stuff of driving 6 blocks to the hospital, one doctor on, etc, worked out all right! The x-ray was inconclusive, but the doctor said the symptoms all point to a radial head fracture. The prescription is a sling and ibuprofen for 3- 6 weeks. We go to another doctor on Monday to check in. I actually think I liked Anika's broken arm better. At least it was protected in a cast - this thing is hanging out there, waiting to get hit and hurt and everything else. He still complains a fair share, but I'm trying to be more sympathetic. The hardest thing for him is to hold his fingers up, so they are getting pretty swollen. They just hang out the end of the sling. I keep tucking them back in. Hopefully some prostrate sleeping will bring the swelling down, both in the elbow and in the fingers. I couldn't believe how swollen his elbow was this morning.
Ok, I hear it is snowing in MN. We just had rain here all day, but I still managed to go for a run. I ran down to the beach. The waves were huge and the noise was mesmerizing. I love the sound of water. We had a lazy day at home, but the kids got bored. The weather was dreary and we are so used to having to run from place to place every day, that they weren't sure what to do with a day at home. We all wrote some letters and eventually we walked over to the church and ran around in the gym over there. That place is huge!
Some good friends of my uncle and aunt stopped by with a meal for us today. They are such cool people - you choose your friends well! It was nice to see a smiling face, even if it wasn't familiar to us, on such a dreary day. They gave us some advice on doctors, too and their phone number if we need anything else, very cool.
Since the couch was mentioned earlier, I have to talk about it. We actually are quite happy to just have a place we can all sit on again, its going to be hard to leave behind. BUT, its got bright blue flowers on it with green leaves. Its not the most attractive thing, but its part of this house, so we live with it, and willingly sit in it. Its great for kids to lay down on when something like a broken arm happens, just saying.
Life without an address is getting tricky. Do you realize that is the first question asked when you do just about anything? We fudged our way around a library card (they still don't know its a work address), but the bank account wasn't working. I have an email in to our loan officer to see what we are supposed to do. The loan department wants us to have a bank account before they process our home loan, we can't open a bank account without a MI license, we can't get a MI license without an address, we can't get an address without the bank loan....... tricky.
Finally, the parade. Grand Haven has a Jingle Bell Parade. Its their version of the Holidazzle. Think Spring Lake Park size parade (girl scouts, boy scouts, local schools and preschools, small businesses) with a float that is lit up something like the Holidazzle, only not lit up on such a grand scale. It was fun to see. They tossed out candy and cans of chicken noodle soup, itty bitty ice cream cones and afterward there was free hot chocolate. The kids enjoyed it too and it was good to have an outing.
I am a self proclaimed Grinch, and if I ever make a club, I know I have a co-founder and at least 3 members ready to join the 'I hate Christmas' club. Having said that, we have no Christmas music playing (none of the equipment is hooked up) no decorations up, and no snow, so it doesn't really seem like Christmas around here. We aren't getting ready for any Christmas parties, we don't have any Christmas concerts, and our calendar is empty every night except for the stuff we want to do. Its a little weird. I don't even know if we'll get around to doing our typical traditions. Some of them we will have to do, once we get into the house. We always paint an ornament and put the kids' hand prints on the tree skirt, so those we will have to do. We always paint a window but we can just do a nice snowman scene instead for January! The computer isn't hooked up, so I can't even look at all the things we normally do. Hopefully we will be able to go sledding at some point! And I'm not doing Christmas cards until I have an address either!
Overall, we are doing well. Anika described it as we are fine, just not complete. Jessica had a sad day on Friday. Nothing major, I could just tell she was off. When we got home I asked her what was up and she just said she was sad, she missed her friends - two in particular. She then asked the 'why did we have to move' question again. I told her I missed my friends, too, but you can't stay somewhere just because you like it. We felt this is where God wanted us to be. So, how are we? We are fine. Sometimes we smile and laugh, like at the parade dancing to Jingle Bells as the floats pass by and singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with hot chocolate in our hands. And sometimes, we miss you all, LOTS. In the grand scheme, we are held in His hands and much better off than so many, but we often feel like a part of us is missing.
Tomorrow is our first day at church. Matt isn't preaching yet. But off we go! What a difference a week makes - when I think about where I was a week ago this morning, compared to in the hospital this week! Or a week ago right now, we were still driving - through the rain!
Thanks for checking in, and for all of your prayers. I think Brandon, his new friends, and his teachers are going to need an extra dose of patience on Monday.
For you anatomy geeks out there (I am one of them) - its the radius bone on the thumb side of the wrist. Its shorter and smaller than the Ulna (the one on the pinky side of the wrist) and yet oh so valuable in rotation of the forearm. And yep, its broken, or at least the head of it is. If you look up radial head fracture you'll get the idea. And the one enjoying all this fun is Brandon. It seems if you try to leap tall buildings.... ok couches... and don't quite make it, the landing can be quite the bugger. It happened last night shortly after supper. He howled for quite awhile, but if you know Brandon, he howls about a paper cut, so the sympathy wasn't running real deep. I did my athletic training inspection on it, and I have to admit, I was a bit worried. It was point tender and point swollen, not good signs, especially on an elbow. So we got him to bed and to sleep after a movie, and I went in to check on him and he was moaning and grimacing in bed, asleep. Also, not a good sign. He woke up Jessica to come and get me in the morning to help him out of bed. I had already decided I was bringing him in when he woke up, but he wasn't using his arm AT ALL, so off he and I went. Everyone else was still in bed. We drive by the hospital every day on the way to school, which I am very thankful of now, I knew right where to go. We got there around 8 am and we were back home by 9:30 am. This small town stuff of driving 6 blocks to the hospital, one doctor on, etc, worked out all right! The x-ray was inconclusive, but the doctor said the symptoms all point to a radial head fracture. The prescription is a sling and ibuprofen for 3- 6 weeks. We go to another doctor on Monday to check in. I actually think I liked Anika's broken arm better. At least it was protected in a cast - this thing is hanging out there, waiting to get hit and hurt and everything else. He still complains a fair share, but I'm trying to be more sympathetic. The hardest thing for him is to hold his fingers up, so they are getting pretty swollen. They just hang out the end of the sling. I keep tucking them back in. Hopefully some prostrate sleeping will bring the swelling down, both in the elbow and in the fingers. I couldn't believe how swollen his elbow was this morning.
Ok, I hear it is snowing in MN. We just had rain here all day, but I still managed to go for a run. I ran down to the beach. The waves were huge and the noise was mesmerizing. I love the sound of water. We had a lazy day at home, but the kids got bored. The weather was dreary and we are so used to having to run from place to place every day, that they weren't sure what to do with a day at home. We all wrote some letters and eventually we walked over to the church and ran around in the gym over there. That place is huge!
Some good friends of my uncle and aunt stopped by with a meal for us today. They are such cool people - you choose your friends well! It was nice to see a smiling face, even if it wasn't familiar to us, on such a dreary day. They gave us some advice on doctors, too and their phone number if we need anything else, very cool.
Since the couch was mentioned earlier, I have to talk about it. We actually are quite happy to just have a place we can all sit on again, its going to be hard to leave behind. BUT, its got bright blue flowers on it with green leaves. Its not the most attractive thing, but its part of this house, so we live with it, and willingly sit in it. Its great for kids to lay down on when something like a broken arm happens, just saying.
Life without an address is getting tricky. Do you realize that is the first question asked when you do just about anything? We fudged our way around a library card (they still don't know its a work address), but the bank account wasn't working. I have an email in to our loan officer to see what we are supposed to do. The loan department wants us to have a bank account before they process our home loan, we can't open a bank account without a MI license, we can't get a MI license without an address, we can't get an address without the bank loan....... tricky.
Finally, the parade. Grand Haven has a Jingle Bell Parade. Its their version of the Holidazzle. Think Spring Lake Park size parade (girl scouts, boy scouts, local schools and preschools, small businesses) with a float that is lit up something like the Holidazzle, only not lit up on such a grand scale. It was fun to see. They tossed out candy and cans of chicken noodle soup, itty bitty ice cream cones and afterward there was free hot chocolate. The kids enjoyed it too and it was good to have an outing.
I am a self proclaimed Grinch, and if I ever make a club, I know I have a co-founder and at least 3 members ready to join the 'I hate Christmas' club. Having said that, we have no Christmas music playing (none of the equipment is hooked up) no decorations up, and no snow, so it doesn't really seem like Christmas around here. We aren't getting ready for any Christmas parties, we don't have any Christmas concerts, and our calendar is empty every night except for the stuff we want to do. Its a little weird. I don't even know if we'll get around to doing our typical traditions. Some of them we will have to do, once we get into the house. We always paint an ornament and put the kids' hand prints on the tree skirt, so those we will have to do. We always paint a window but we can just do a nice snowman scene instead for January! The computer isn't hooked up, so I can't even look at all the things we normally do. Hopefully we will be able to go sledding at some point! And I'm not doing Christmas cards until I have an address either!
Overall, we are doing well. Anika described it as we are fine, just not complete. Jessica had a sad day on Friday. Nothing major, I could just tell she was off. When we got home I asked her what was up and she just said she was sad, she missed her friends - two in particular. She then asked the 'why did we have to move' question again. I told her I missed my friends, too, but you can't stay somewhere just because you like it. We felt this is where God wanted us to be. So, how are we? We are fine. Sometimes we smile and laugh, like at the parade dancing to Jingle Bells as the floats pass by and singing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with hot chocolate in our hands. And sometimes, we miss you all, LOTS. In the grand scheme, we are held in His hands and much better off than so many, but we often feel like a part of us is missing.
Tomorrow is our first day at church. Matt isn't preaching yet. But off we go! What a difference a week makes - when I think about where I was a week ago this morning, compared to in the hospital this week! Or a week ago right now, we were still driving - through the rain!
Thanks for checking in, and for all of your prayers. I think Brandon, his new friends, and his teachers are going to need an extra dose of patience on Monday.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
A day of sunshine
Its birthday month! A friend from church informed me that when you have a December birthday, you get to celebrate all month - I'm in! So, I'm sitting here with mint hot chocolate and candy cane oreos (thanks ladies) celebrating the arrival of December.
I used to hate the fact that my birthday was in December. Like when you would get a Christmas card that said 'Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday' - it's two separate days - celebrations people!
And then for awhile it was fun to do things over Christmas break and never tell anyone it was your birthday. Like your own little party in your head.
Now I really get into all the fun treats. Who else gets every restaurant and store to decorate and bring out the yummy treats???? Frango mints from Herbergers, egg nog shakes and peppermint hot chocolate from McD's; DQ used to have candy cane blizzards - how dare they stop that yummy treat; candy cane pie from Aldi or Baker's Square; candy cane oreos, mint m & m's; mint truffle and candy cane hershey kisses..... I could keep going.
So, on with the celebration.
Things that have happened lately
- we met the neighbor
- we were given a calendar of things to do in Grand Haven during the Christmas season
- someone brought chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!
- our MN house closing went through
- Maria jumped out of the car and said 'Bye mom' on her way into school today; I don't think it hurt that I bought her a new pillow pet blanket for rest time. She needed a pillow and a blanket to take to school every day for quiet time. This solved that problem and it was on sale at Meijers
- we have a library card - it took three hours, but we have one - who knew you need two pieces of mail with your name and address on it to get a library card
- the kids went to Wednesday night activities at church
- we left our winter coats at said activities, but some wonderful woman delivered them to school this morning
- we have renter's insurance and a homeowner's insurance policy
- the kids have an application in for health insurance
- I went for a run and did sit ups and push ups
- I took a shower and flossed my teeth and put in my contacts, although the contacts thing might not happen for awhile again - that one missing bathroom box is killing me. It has my nail stuff and my boxes of contacts among other things. All in good time
- we are closer to setting a closing date on our house, maybe even the 16th
- I bought a really cool frame at Hobby Lobby - its a store like Michael's or JoAnn's but way better frames - and it was 50% off!
- I hopefully solved the fighting in the morning between Jessica and Maria over shoes; I thought having the two of them in the same size would be so nice. OH MY! One shoe is misplaced - probably in a different box - so I went out and bought a new pair of shoes today. Yes, new, from the store, with tags, never been worn by another child; maybe it will cause more fights, who knows; but it felt good to try; they weren't on sale though and there is tax on clothes in MI. bah
Yesterday was hard for me to not compare to how things used to be. And in my head, they were all better before. I was reminded that we are starting over, and it takes time. Its good to have friends that help keep reality in its place, even if we aren't in our place.
Perhaps tomorrow I will conquer the bank accounts. This is going to get complicated as the bank that is processing our loan is only in Grand Haven and we plan on living in Muskegon, hmmmm. Not sure I want to drive 10 miles whenever I need to do some banking.
I used to hate the fact that my birthday was in December. Like when you would get a Christmas card that said 'Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday' - it's two separate days - celebrations people!
And then for awhile it was fun to do things over Christmas break and never tell anyone it was your birthday. Like your own little party in your head.
Now I really get into all the fun treats. Who else gets every restaurant and store to decorate and bring out the yummy treats???? Frango mints from Herbergers, egg nog shakes and peppermint hot chocolate from McD's; DQ used to have candy cane blizzards - how dare they stop that yummy treat; candy cane pie from Aldi or Baker's Square; candy cane oreos, mint m & m's; mint truffle and candy cane hershey kisses..... I could keep going.
So, on with the celebration.
Things that have happened lately
- we met the neighbor
- we were given a calendar of things to do in Grand Haven during the Christmas season
- someone brought chocolate peanut butter cupcakes!
- our MN house closing went through
- Maria jumped out of the car and said 'Bye mom' on her way into school today; I don't think it hurt that I bought her a new pillow pet blanket for rest time. She needed a pillow and a blanket to take to school every day for quiet time. This solved that problem and it was on sale at Meijers
- we have a library card - it took three hours, but we have one - who knew you need two pieces of mail with your name and address on it to get a library card
- the kids went to Wednesday night activities at church
- we left our winter coats at said activities, but some wonderful woman delivered them to school this morning
- we have renter's insurance and a homeowner's insurance policy
- the kids have an application in for health insurance
- I went for a run and did sit ups and push ups
- I took a shower and flossed my teeth and put in my contacts, although the contacts thing might not happen for awhile again - that one missing bathroom box is killing me. It has my nail stuff and my boxes of contacts among other things. All in good time
- we are closer to setting a closing date on our house, maybe even the 16th
- I bought a really cool frame at Hobby Lobby - its a store like Michael's or JoAnn's but way better frames - and it was 50% off!
- I hopefully solved the fighting in the morning between Jessica and Maria over shoes; I thought having the two of them in the same size would be so nice. OH MY! One shoe is misplaced - probably in a different box - so I went out and bought a new pair of shoes today. Yes, new, from the store, with tags, never been worn by another child; maybe it will cause more fights, who knows; but it felt good to try; they weren't on sale though and there is tax on clothes in MI. bah
Yesterday was hard for me to not compare to how things used to be. And in my head, they were all better before. I was reminded that we are starting over, and it takes time. Its good to have friends that help keep reality in its place, even if we aren't in our place.
Perhaps tomorrow I will conquer the bank accounts. This is going to get complicated as the bank that is processing our loan is only in Grand Haven and we plan on living in Muskegon, hmmmm. Not sure I want to drive 10 miles whenever I need to do some banking.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)