Spring Road Trip Part 2..

Well, really, part 3. I already covered the first 2 major locations.  The last leg of the trip was to head back South via Louisville, stopping to visit my brother, his wife and my adorable nephew.  A week ago Friday, we left Gramma's farm.  Thursday night, per her usual courtesy, she asked what time we wanted breakfast.  We hesitantly decided on 7 a.m., and changed our request to 7:30.  Apparently she didn't hear the change.  And she runs ahead of schedule half the time, so at 6:38 we heard, "yoo-hoo!  It's time for breakfast!"  This actually worked out fine, enabled us to not have to hurry quite so much.

The drive from WI to L-ville went really smoothly until we stopped for supper about an hour or so north of our destination.  Note to self:  just go the rest of the way, and figure out what your starving body wants when you get there.  The irony was that we (hubby and I) were not really that hungry, but the kiddos said they were.  I now realize they were just stir-crazy.  And that meant crazy at the restaurant.

So we arrived at big brother's house (er, older, I am pretty sure I am officially larger than he is now, though I have not asked him his weight).  Sweet nephew was already in bed, but it was good to see the adults and let the kiddos reacquaint themselves with their aunt and uncle.  And then we realized Buddy was a little warm.

And here's where the proof of my character comes in.  The next day, Buddy awoke still a little warm.  It was Derby Day, raining (so no trip to a park or the zoo as we had hoped for), and instead of keeping my feverish child (who otherwise acts 100% normal and exhibited no other symptoms), all of us headed out to a local indoor playground/bounce house/mini golf/arcade place.  Yep.  It just wasn't fair to contaminate my nephew, why not share the germs with the whole city? We couldn't stay in a hotel, they were all booked thanks to the horse race, I'm sure.  And beside, sweet nephew had already been exposed.

We went, bounced, climbed, and had a good time.  Returned home and ate some lunch.  Put Buddy down for a nap, then hubby and I headed out to do a little exploring of the area on our own while the cute baby boys napped.  Bear watched videos and played. 

The drive was a nice break, in spite of the fact that we'd been driving all week.  Just me and hubby for once.  Tranquility.  And rain.  A dear friend called my cell, and I didn't answer.  I figured I could call her back later.  She called again 10 minutes later... I checked my messages.  Apparently she was stranded in my old shopping grounds near Nashville, desperate for a way home.  By God's grace, we got her to the interstate without drowning herself or her car's engine, and I felt guilty for not answering first.  Especially when I saw the news reports and Facebook status updates online that night.  Oops.  And when I called to tell sis in law we were coming home, she said buddy was still asleep.  He takes long naps, but that was crazy.  Sure enough, she called back after waking him up and he had a high fever.  I think higher than he's ever had.

I had hoped to go to church with brother and fam before heading home on Sunday.  That didn't happen, between Buddy's temp and thinking matters over.  The normal route home was closed due to flooding, so we decided to head East and then South.  It actually only added 30 miles, but we also remembered that hubby had a flat tire to get fixed first thing on Monday so he could get to work on Tuesday.  Yeah.  So we hit the road.  In the rain.  So a couple of wrecks, including a tractor trailer off the road (thankfully not tipped in the middle of the road, so we were able to get by.)


So we headed home Sunday morning (after enjoying more of sis in law's yummy coffee cake that she MADE), feverish baby boy..... opted not to visit Caslon and her fam on the way, with the feverish boy and all.  And I think we were just ready to be HOME.  The next morning, hubby got his tire fixed (but he got a screw in the new tire later this week and had to get it patched already.)  We also took Buddy to the pediatrician and discovered one ear was infected, the other not quite, but almost.... so he's on antibiotics.  Sometimes I think I've probably missed other infections because my kids behave so normally, even when they have any signs of illness.

And that, my friends, was the rest of our journey.

Now I'm ready for another vacation.  Oh, wait, I had that last month but never blogged about it.

Spring Road Trip 2010

So, our journey began with the decision to head out Friday night instead of Saturday morning to beat the weather forecast.  Little did we know that the next weekend would be the treacherous flood of Nashville, 2010.  But I jump ahead.

Traveling with kids is not simple.  I've been asked we don't just fly the 16 hours to WI to see Great Grandma.  Seriously?  And pay all those extra fees for all the extra baggage/car seats/ etc.?  Then to go through the hassle of renting a mini van?  Not to mention putting up with those ever-savvy self-righteous frequent flyers who look at you in disdain because you can't "control your children."  Um, no thanks.  We opted for me to go to Seattle alone for my cousin's wedding last month, and while I do wish my kids could have met that part of the family, I enjoyed the VACATION immensely.   Anyhoo, we've been taking long trips with the kids since they were newborns, and thank God we have family en route to the furthest destination.

First stop: Indianapolis suburb.   Arrival time: approximately 6:00 a.m.  Brother in law had an early-morning coffee date (is it a date for guys-probably just a meeting), so really, the timing was pretty good.  The kiddos slept were good, traffic was good, and we made it out of TN/KY ahead of the storms that hit Saturday.  We hung out with crt, computer guy, e, & m and had a wonderful time.  Not counting Hannah's fear of the cat (she thinks she is evil).  Ironically, Queenie, the big pup, doesn't scare her much.  The girls "slumber" partied in one bedroom, playing leapster while crt tried to read them a bedtime story.  It's so much fun to see my kiddos and their cousins play together!  The girls were also great with Brandon, watching out for him as needed, letting him try to keep up.  And when we visited the new church they are going to, we liked it better than the previous one they attended.  School cafeteria Sunday school for the kiddos and choir room nursery and all. 

2nd leg: WI
When we first moved to TN, I laughed at the presence of FFA (Future Farmers of America) and how the guys drove tractors to school on the last day.  I thought Spring Hill, TN was rural.  It was, then, but a lot has changed.  Well, the area where hubby grew up is far more rural than that.  Farming is a way of life, not just an occupation that a few people share.  Great Grandma's farmhouse, where Tech Mom grew up, was built circa 1908.    The house hubby's cousin rents was built in 1905.

We arrived just in time for supper Monday night... Gramma's Spatzlein (German dumplings) with roast beef and gravy.  (She's great Grandma to the kiddos, Gramma to us, and I can't help but interchange them.  Kinda like my Mom calling the cat my name all those years, I guess.)


Hubby's Gramma is the only living grandparent we have left.  Fortunately, she's surrounded by extended family... sister, brother, nieces, nephews, and all the great-grands.  Except her own daughter, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  I'm thankful she has her community, and her church and relatives do really seem to take care of her (and eachother).  I am so glad that Bear is at a point that she remembers the farm, WI, and most importantly her Great Gramma because we have either visited her home or she has come down to see us and the rest of hubby's siblings and parents at major holidays.  She'll turn 90 years old in August. 

My last set of great grandparents was 94 or 95 when they died, I barely remember them.  We visited their house in the Bronx, one visit they knew who I was, the next they did not, and shortly after that....  One of my grandmothers died in 89, then we had a few years in the late 90's and early 2000's where we lost all except Great Gram.  Hubby grew up near his grandparents, celebrating birthdays and holidays with them.  My visits to my own were fewer and farther between.  But Grandma V, my Dad's Mom, always made our trips to NY special.  In addition to cooking her meals for the family (I can almost still smell them), she showed us around the big city and it's tourist attractions. The Statue of Liberty, Bronx Zoo, World Trade Center, and of course, just taking the subway.  Grandpa RJ, my Mom's Dad, took us on a tugboat ride on the Hudson, sailed with us on Long Island Sound, and made sure we had tickets over to Ellis Island during one of our final trips. 

While our only Gramma left on earth has a much less busy environment, it's strangely novel and even exciting to this suburban girl.  My kiddos love the cows. (After 30+ years of life I actually saw where the term "bullheaded" comes from when the lone bull in the cowyard seemed intimidated by my toddler son.  It stomped and snorted, sending the manure/dirt mixture up over its head and back.  Only Buddy received that "welcome.")  My old flower beds host plants from her yard.  Bear loves to pick asparagus for dinner... from the flower bed.  Buddy mastered the art of mooing.  He also seemed particularly interested in the ventilation grate at the bottom of the steps... the one his Daddy played INSIDE when he was his son's age, but has since been secured to the floor.  We've made a tradition out of going to the cheese factory in the morel mushroom capital of the world (10 minutes from Gramma's farm) and picking up some fresh cheese to bring home with us.

Tuesday, I rode like a Mexican in the back of our SUV(it's not a 3-seater, bummer) to hubby's cousin's farm about an hour and a half away. (And I have ridden in the back of a pickup truck as well as some sort of cattle or delivery truck in Mexico, so I can say that without prejudice.) Buddy and their baby boy are about 6 weeks apart in age, and his cousin and I e-mail each other.  We've shared pregnancies, a miscarriage each, and if I ever have a vegetable garden, I know who I will ask for tips. She cans a lot of the food they eat.  She milked cows on the farm during her pregnancy with her son, but they've since bought a robotic milking system that is something to see.  I will admit I have issues stemming from my breastfeeding struggles (and pumping).  I'd like to say I'll try to nurse again, but I may not.  I take things too seriously, I suppose.  Anyway, those poor cows.... that machine was like the biggest Medela or Ameda ever.  I loved the computer room (where they monitor projected and actual yield, among other things), which had been painted white with black cow spots.  How cute.)  Of course, it's their job to supply milk for us, and given the fact that another cousin just had a leg fractured in 3 places while milking, I'm beginning to think that the expensive investment was worth it just for the safety of the farmers.  Buddy and S played side by side, an uncanny hint of family expressions shared here and there, Bear and Buddy loved on Spice the kitty.  Hubby's cousin and her husband were gracious hosts, and Gramma seemed to enjoy the visit as well.  She even wore her hearing aid, so conversation flowed much more easily.


We spent Wednesday relaxing and hanging out with Grandma at home.  I did a bit of laundry in her brand new washing machine (but still had to go down the treacherous steps to the basement to use the drier.  Can't bring myself to hang the clothes on the line with the smell of manure so close.  That's a whole different kind of fresh air.)  Then of course, we went to prayer meeting on Wednesday night.  And of co urse, Buddy and I ended up in the nursery.  Many of hubby's 2nd cousins go there, and one of the non-relative girls in the nursery figured out that I was visiting and also that I was somehow related to the other Mom.  That was fun to explain.  When Bear came up from her class in the basement, her "cousin" whose class she was in asked if she can come back.  I almost cried telling her it would be a long time until we return (our last visit was just under a year ago).  Not because I think I would live there (though the Spring-like weather in the mid 60's was a welcome change to our 80's in April in the South), but because, despite our differences, our visits through the years really have brought that place to feel like another home in its own way.  Just as I used to know how to get from Grandpa and Grandma V's in Yonkers to the mall or the seminary a few blocks away, or how I knew when we approached our cousins in Grove City, or the excitement hit when we reached Route 6A on the Cape to visit my family, there's something about hitting the beltline in Madison, passing the Lands End HQ in Dodgeville, and turning onto Tower Rd. that feels like returning home.

Thursday was the whirlwind "catch whomever we can" day.  We visited hubby's aunt D and cousin M.  M is the one whose leg was crushed by a cow during milking two weeks ago, otherwise he would have been
out working.  We chatted with them for a couple of hours before heading toward Madison to visit a friend and fellow blogger.

Our boys were playing in the living room, the girls were upstairs playing dress-up, or so we thought.  I went up to make sure Bear used the restroom and found a mess.  That was not much of a surprise, but what followed was.

The girl who we were visiting held up a small net and exclaimed, "Look, I caught a fish!"   It was then that I noticed both girls were hovered over a large fishbowl on the nightstand.  And their clothes were wet.  "Let's put the fish back in the water.  It needs to stay wet so it won't die," I said.  "Oh!"
I called for our friend to come join me in her daughter's room.  And we found that while the fish had been removed from its home, other things had been added... my girl's socks.  Some loose change.  An 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper, a large plastic gem ("diamond" according to our princesses).

I couldn't help but laugh.  Bear hasn't been around fish tanks before, though I wrongly assumed she knew that fish had to stay immersed in order to live.  I felt bad that she was involved in the Madison Goldfish Massacre, but I was also glad they had fun playing together, and I don't THINK anything was permanently ruined.  Well, other than the dead goldfish that did not revive after it was put back in the water, or the one left missing.

So, we moved the fun outside, where the kids played in the fresh air and we were able to sample some delicious pan fried morels picked from their family's farm out in the country.

Thursday night... we hung out with Great Gram, and one of Tech Mom's best friends from her childhood came by to see the kiddos.  "It's a little J and little L!" she exclaimed.

Friday.... on the road again.  But I must finish this later as I've neglected my kiddos this morning.

vacation!!!!!!!!

We're in Gulf Shores, Alabama for our vacation with hubby's side of the family. I am so glad we are able to all make the effort to come together every couple of years for this week in paradise!

Buddy saw the beach for his first time today. Bear was not AS afraid as last time, but more cautious than her cousins. That didn't stop her (or me and buddy) from frolicking in the gentle, warm rain with the waves washing our feet shortly after our arrival.

I forgot my usb cable. Oops.

refocus

I'm learning to cherish certain aspects of this transitional time. My kids are getting quality time with my parents, something that I don't remember having much of with my own grandparents. Usually we get snippets of time with them, since they live close enough that overnight visits are not mandatory. On the other hand, since we have to drive 3+ hours to visit Tech Mom and Dad, overnight visits=more quality time.

Mom and Dad's place is for sale. 2.5 acres nestled in a field across from an antebellum in middle TN. Minutes from I -65, yet peaceful. Tree-lined driveway and yard, grape arbor with a swing under it, goldfish ponds, and even a volleyball net in the backyard. There are birds, bunnies and bullfrogs galore, along with an occasional woodchuck or deer sighting. Lucy the long-haired calico is typically shy, but if you are on her good side she will leave a mouse, mole, or other delicacy on the stoop for you. Coneflowers are in season, a few cleomi, and most of all, fresh apples. (Pears are on the way.) There are granny smith, and another variety that's sweeter.

I did not grow up here; not really. We moved to TN the middle of my Junior year of High School, and at that point the only thing growing in this yard was the bermuda grass planted by the builder and a left-over wheat stalk or two that made it's way into our yard from the adjoining farm fields. My parents planted and gardened through the years, creating a taste of Eden in Tennessee. Unfortunately, the work it takes to maintain is taking a toll on them, and they want to sell. Some parts of the yard are a bit overgrown, as is the fire pit where my friends and I burned our notes from Chemistry and Algebra II when summer vacation came around.

Anyway, Bear loves running across the yard, feeding the goldfish, chasing bunnies, gathering apples in the skirt of her dress. She asks me what Grandma is doing when my Mom bursts out in random songs that pop into her head based on a conversation or happening. And covers her ears. (She's her Daddy's girl, I guess.)

Buddy has mastered climbing up the stairs and tasted clover from the yard. Grandaddy thinks our little "bam-bam" is going to break the new sliding glass door. Seriously. He crawls to the laundry closet whenever he hears the washing machine running because it reminds him of bathtime.

We do miss our old house a bit, but at least while we are in limbo we have some times to treasure. Memories will be made, it's somewhat up to us whether they will be good or bad.

breaking the silence

I feel like I can breathe a sigh of relief now. A few weeks ago a posted about some pending changes, but did not have the freedom to share with the public. Well, I can now speak a little more freely, and I figure those who know me best or want to know me best read my blog in addition to my facebook status, so I'm posting here first. Many of you know this already.

Hubby has a pending job offer in another city, about 4 hours away from our current home. The process has begun moving, and we expect to hear his start date soon. So, while anticipating this info, we put our house on the market almost 3 weeks ago. It was a bit of a step of faith, but in this market we felt it would be the wise choice. So far we've had 4 showings, by different realtors and 1 set of offers/counter offers which we are praying will become a sale.

The process has been arduous. If you have followed my wandering thoughts for any length of time, or know me somewhat well, I am slightly organizationally challenged in some ways and VERY organizationally challenged, or undisciplined, in others... especially housekeeping. Hubby has been a HUGE help in motivating me, my sister kept the kids for a couple of days, and voila! we got the house into a showable state.

I don't have cable, therefore I don't watch those staging shows. Let me tell you, I think it's a load of manure. Yes, that's harsh. I think a reasonable person will be able to look past a little bit of personalization and perhaps some clutter. To expect people to "stage" their home like a TV set is ridiculous.

HOWEVER, the normal state of my home involves toys and laundry scattered or piled about, mail all over the kitchen clounter, dishes may or may not be caught up, floor might or might not be swept, bathrooms may or may not be clean, and nothing is ever spotless unless I find a place to stash things in a hurry. I inherited a pack rat gene. Given the choice, I would rather play with my flowers than tend my home. (Unless it's 100+degrees, as it is now with the heat index). Eden might have been a good home for me, but then I would have been Eve... I hope I'm not too much like her. Anyway, I've been finding that state of balance, and although it may not be perfect, my house is a home, and that is clear to potential buyers... minus some of the habitual messes of the past.

I have a range of emotions going through my heart and mind. Relief and joy because we have prayed for God to open a door, and there's finally now a good bit more than a crack after many slammed shut. A bit of fear of the unknown combined with anticipation of a great adventure. Sadness in thinking of family and friends from whom we'll be further separated. God-given faith knowing that He has provided for us in so many ways and is our Jehovah Jireh.

And then there's the idea of finding a new church home... again. How hard will it be to find another place where the Gospel is preached and it's okay to struggle to live it out in our lives? Where it's okay that His sanctification feels like a mystery at times in our lives, that we may change but God Himself does not... His Word does not, His grace is far more than that silly acronym "God's Riches At Christ's Expense" that I've heard in sermons far too many times.... why I roll my eyes at that acronym is a whole post in itself.

Some of my walls have just begun coming down with some of these friends, and now to start the process of finding a church family over. I hate the process of "life goes on", the one in which miles separate you and the walls come back up as the distance divides. If it seems like I've pushed people away or just not let them see my heart during this process, I probably have. I am thankful for those who have tried not to let those walls grow again... you know who you are.

I am comforted by the facts that our destination will bring me closer to a cousin who I've come to know over the past few years, some friends I've met online who have become an extended part of my family in Christ, and that new seasons bring new fruit.

I may come and go on here for a while... my absence should mean I am busy with life, my family, and hopefully not too busy on Facebook and Farm Town, though I do enjoy them. The process of preparing my home for change has also included a bit of refocusing of my own, something the never ends.

are you my conscience?

or rather, is my mother-in-law my nesting instinct?

if you've read my blog, or know me in real life, i've made it pretty obvious that i am domestically challenged. at times, i am what you call a "defeated perfectionist" who suffers from "analysis paralysis." i made a spreadsheet of several nesting projects, room-by-room about a month ago. then i got so overwhelmed by the magnitude that i have really only done a few things here and there, the bare minimum. of course, getting sick didn't help, but i honestly can't blame my lack-of-productivity on just one week.

a few weeks back, tech mom asked if i wanted her to come help tackle some of the projects around the house. this weekend became the chosen weekend for our tackles.

today was our "tackle it tuesday", weekend edition. we:

• cleaned out all except 2 of the cabinets in the kitchen (one will be easy, the other, well, this pregnant woman won't be leaning into the corner cabinet any time soon)
• cleaned out and reorganized the hall "pantry" which is really a storage closet for kitchen stuff that doesn't fit in my cupboards because the floor plan is so darn open we have limited cabinet space.
• reorganized the microwave cart/cleaned out the microwave/threw out old phone books
• went through old baby clothes... set aside several boxes for goodwill, boxes to give back to sis in law to go through to see what she wants to keep in case they have a surprise 3rd daughter, kept several plastic totes "just in case", since hubby and i are open to the idea of more kids in the future, reorganized bear's dresser and closet
• threw out a bunch of junk... boxes, plastic bags, old gift bags, store hangers

not only did she help with all that cleaning, she brought a few things to help me utilize my space more efficiently... spice steps for the spice cabinet, lid baskets for tupperware/gladwarelids, and 2 small wire shelves.

plus, hubby and his dad took bear along on a trip to lowe's to buy previously mentioned totes and some shoe box-sized clear boxes. they also took one of the shelves out of the kitchen cabinets, bought 2 more just like it, and installed them. you see, our builder put in these nice tall cabinets for us, claiming they were an "included upgrade" but they should have put in at least one more shelf. so now some glasses which were in storage in their box on the floor of the hall closet have a home in my kitchen cabinets. we actually had more kitchen cabinet space in our 1000 square foot apartment than we do here.

bear was a really good girl all day. she kept trying to find ways to help, and as we sorted through her old shoes, she decided to squeeze into her squeaky shoes and run around the house in them. then she decided she did not like where mommy put her current shoes in her closet and set them up the way she liked them. she also helped carry good hangers from "ground zero" in the guest room back into her bedroom, which was actually a huge help so i did not have to squat to pick them up off the floor.

so, here is a list of projects left to tackle, hopefully before baby boy makes his appearance:

in the kitchen:

• clean out junk drawer in kitchen
• clean out cookie sheet cabinet: done Sunday (thanks, Tech Mom!)
  
• clean out big awkward pot/pan cabinet:done (thanks, Tech Mom!)
  
• clean off counter (begun)
  

in the nursery:

• put crib side back on toddler bed and raise mattress
• put batteries in mobile and set it back up
• finish washing little guy's clothes
  
• organize little guy's dresser a bit better (done Sunday)
  
• organize crib sheets and blankets in closet shelves (done Sunday)

master bedroom:

• clean off my dresser
• clean out my dresser... go through clothes, get rid of the size 6's which i will never squeze into again after birthing 2 children
• clean mirror on dresser
• set up mini pack and play (sheets are washed)

miscellany:

• put cleaned bouncy seat and car seat covers back on their respective homes
• put clean boppy cover on pillow (done Sunday)
  
• go to publix and use my baby club buy one get one free coupons on miscellaneous needs for little guy

bathrooms:

• thoroughly scrub/clean everything one more time (it's been almost 2 weeks... sigh)
• clean out and reorganize cabinets and drawers. (1 done, 1 to go, thanks to tech mom)
  

utility room:

• clean out and reorganize tall cabinet (done Sunday)
  
• "dust" top of dryer and washer again (just did it a couple of weeks ago) (done Sunday)
  
• vacuum and mop floor
• vacuum corners and behind washer and dryer

oh yeah:

• pack hospital bag for me and baby
• pack a "just in case" bag in the event we have to drag bear to the hospital with us to meet my parents there, in case there is not time for them to make it to our house before we leave for the hospital
  

there's still a lot to do, but i am so thankful for the help i had this weekend. and thankfully, if our little guy were to decide to come tomorrow, it will only take a couple of minutes for hubby to put the cover back on the car seat and set up the mini pack and play next to our bed.

thanks, tech mom, for all of your help!!!!! i couldn't have done it without you (and without tech dad and hubby keeping bear occupied)

so, today tech mom decided she was on a roll and wanted to get more done... did she ever. in addition to the things listed in brown on the above list, she reorganized my linen closet. we packed away some table cloths and other linens that we don't use very often in a tote in the bottom of the closet, which basically made an extra shelf on which to put the recently laundered baby bath towels.

after church and lunch, i also tackled a couple of things, listed in red.

bittersweet

Yesterday and today ended up being busier than we had anticipated, in mostly a very good way. Tech Mom and Dad rode over from their house on their motorcycle yesterday, and left after breakfast this morning. They gave us just enough notice to make the main areas of the house presentable, and since I knew they were coming to see Bear, anyway, I didn't worry about the rest. I did manage to scrub some nastiness out of the fridge. You don't want to know how bad it was. Anyway, we relaxed with them, and Bear had fun climbing on them, playing with blocks, and demonstrating her newfound fascination with wedding dresses (blankets draped over her head.. thanks to the Little Mermaid). Before they drove off, she sat in front of Papa on the bike and giggled as he started the engine. Usually the noise frightens her if she is too close, but she held onto Papa's arms and grinned. She knew she was safe.

After they left for their 5 or 6 hour ride home (scenic route, on motorcycle, not interstate), we headed down to my parents as we had planned for dinner. Their house is on the market, as they are planning to downsize. Their property is 2 1/2 acres, and as they age and like to venture around the country visiting relatives and friends, it's a lot of upkeep. There are 2 water garden areas, fruit trees line the driveway, and all sorts of vegetation. They did not plant a veggie garden this year. We had a very nice visit. I love the fact that my daughter has been able to begin relationships with all of her grandparents, and she loves spending time with them.

Dad and I walked with her up the driveway, where we picked fresh granny smith apples which were within arms' reach. Bear laughed hysterically as Grandaddy shook the peach tree, trying to loosen out-of-reach peaches from near the top. She also tried to climb the trees herself. We saw bunnies, baby frogs, and of course, the ever-popular goldfish in the lily-pad covered pond. Bear also laughed as she heard the frogs "ribbit"... which I have decided sounds more like a burp.

In a way, I can't help but hope it takes a while for the house to sell. I want her to remember days like yesterday and today. There are connections being formed that I hope will grow stronger. I pray that we will always live near enough for those bonds to be strengthened more than once or twice a year...

Back to the blogosphere!

Our family vacation snuck up on me so quickly that I don't think I even posted about it before we left. I am currently at a motel near Louisville, KY. We ate dinner with my brother and sis in law, after a nice long drive south from hubby's gramma's in rural southwestern WI. Bear is sound asleep on her really big bed in our room, and I hope tonight's sleep will be more restful for all of us. While in WI, we discovered that she and air mattresses are not the best of friends. She ended up in our bed with us every single morning or night. It was nice in the big beds we slept in... a little overcrowded in the full sized one.

anyway, we had a very good visit with hubby's side of the family, though I think the older Gramma gets, the more overwhelmed she gets by having her routine disturbed by us when we come to visit. Yet I know she also gets lonesome in that old farmhouse, and I think all of us who live so far away are equally grateful for the relatives and friends who drop in or go out with her. And though there are many gramma-isms I could share, her quirks that make her Gramma, those closest to her already know them and I will keep them between us. The young 'uns had fun getting a taste of country life... feeding tall grass to the cows, visiting a duck farm, riding a pony for the very first time. And of course, chasing Gramma's kitty around her sprawling front yard. Mostly, I think Bear was just happy to be with the older cousins whom she idolizes.

I haven't visited my regular haunts yet; it will take some time for me to catch up with my friends in the blogosphere and elsewhere online. But I did see that I won something from Carolyn's blog party over at Scrappin' Servant. Thanks, Carolyn! Now I really need to get back to that tackle I intended to do for the party in May. Better late than never???

My belly, and I assume the baby inside, have grown a lot this past week. It's tighter and rounder, and though Gramma's eyesight isn't the best, she says I am sticking out farther than someone who is due 3 weeks before me. Maybe that's because I had to ask her to push in her chair so I could squeeze past it. Baby Boy did not like the direct sunlight shining on my belly today. As we rode in the car, and the sun warmed my tummy, he kicked as if to say "it's hot in here already!" Is that a sign he'll have his father's internal temp gauge? (I hope not!)

We'll spend some more time with my brother and sis in law tomorrow, and head home on Friday. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

family time

Tech Mom and Dad, caslon (the blogger, not the kitty) & camera man came to visit this weekend. Tech Dad helped hubby hang a couple of shelves in the garage and epoxy and re-caulk our kitchen counter where is was beginning to separate from the particle board underneath (the back splash and counter top are 2 pieces unlike the counters that have a back splash built in). Hubby FINALLY found the caulk that had been missing for 3 years since we had the kitchen painted, much to everyone's relief.

In the evenings, we hung out on the front porch, and the neighbor-kitty which has not been removed by the HOA or Animal Control came to visit/play with Bear. If it makes it down to the end of the cul-de-sac, its owners may not see it again.

Yesterday, us girls took advantage of the Spring tax-free shopping weekend and hit Kohl's. Meanwhile, the boys hit the road on the motorcycles, heading over to the Natchez Trace Pkwy for a scenic drive. In spite of Tech Dad's prompting that Computer Guy (Hubby's brother) would give Camera Man a good deal on his motorcycle so he can get a new one, Camera Man continues to contend that he would prefer a new camera. I can't say that I blame him, especially since a motorcycle won't really contribute to his livelihood.

Last night I even got to ride on the bike with hubby, and I have to say I prefer the full-face helmet that blocks wind from your eyes and bugs from your teeth to the "brain bucket" that leaves your face open to everything. Baby didn't seem to mind the bike ride in the least, though I doubt riding on a motorcycle will be a regular occurrence for us during the remainder of the pregnancy.

All-in-all it was a very good weekend. Bear will miss her company greatly, as will we.

meet my immediate family

I put this on my facebook profile, and decided to share it here. I wish they had an image of a guy on a motorcycle for dh. I thought about making his figure a cop, but he's not one anymore so I couldn't bring myself to do it. (Though to a certain extent, once a cop, always a cop.)

Click here to see samples of my Dad's artwork.

Family time is good.

I am blessed to have in laws who don't fit the stereotype of the dreaded in-laws. ;)
Baby Bear will be beside herself with both sets of grandparents to dote on her tomorrow.
Tech Dad is providing entertainment of sorts with his dulcimer and accordion. Not at the same time, in case you wondered.

We played a new game tonight (Apples to Apples). It was fun. Light. Good. It would be boring to play with complete literalists. Thankfully, none of us fit in that category.

The only downside? I doubt we'll have a white Christmas. But I guess that's better than waking up to 40 mph winds, 9+ inches of snow, and 8 degrees, as DH's Gramma and extended relatives are facing up in the Midwest. Pray that Gramma doesn't try to shovel too much snow herself, when there are people with plows and snowblowers who are willing to help. (She cannot stand to be lazy. Wish that would rub off on me to some degree.)

Long-distance cards have been mailed, I guess the local ones might make it by New Year's. I found my address book. On the desk. Under everything else. In case you wondered.

Tech Mom brought me new Christmas lights because DH banished me from buying any more decorations, and then one of the strands died so we had half a tree lit. Only a woman can appreciate the importance of a fully lit Christmas tree.

My computer's battery is almost dead. Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed-bugs bite.

I think I may have to send out 2 or 3 different Christmas cards.

I am torn between the more formal:

and the very quirky cuddly family shot:


I think the only solution may be to just have some of each printed, and make sure Gramma M. gets the formal one since she specifically said she did not like the whimsical one.

FYI, in case you are wondering, I used the collage feature on shutterfly studio, which is a free download on shutterfly.com. It's capabilities are minimal, but I don't have another program on this computer and my other computer is unreliable.

Wordless Wednesday

Our thanks to Dotson Studios
for their beautiful work!

(click on individual photos to see them more clearly)

home again

We had a wonderful weekend with hubby's side of the family, and on our way home today we met my brother and sister in law for lunch. I haven't checked, but I seriously doubt I am still just 4 lbs. over my goal weight. That's okay, though.

Germs were shared, and I dug out my stash of guafinasen when I got home. Thankfully it seems to be working already, and my congestion is not bothering me quite as much as it was. Nothing like a 1200 mg horse pill to dry you up.

no deep thoughts here.. i'm beat. But I am thankful for the blessing of family and safe car rides home. Please pray that Gramma and Computer Guy's flights go smoothly tomorrow and Tech Mom and Dad have a safe drive home.

Happy Thanksgiving
from our family to yours!


We're having a wonderful time with hubby's side of the family. Great Gramma even flew down to spend time with us,
so we have the whole gang here.

We have so much to be thankful for... safe travels (8+ hours for some), good conversation, relaxation, and a terrific turkey dinner with lots of sides and delectable desserts . The girls are playing well together and drawing those who are willing into their tickle-fest.

I am thankful for these wonderful people who God used to change my life forever.

I am also grateful for you, my blogging and real-life buddies who humor me by reading my ramblings and participating in conversation, no matter how simple.

May God bless you and may you know the love of the Saviour
as we enter this holiday season.

Halloween Happenings

* On the way to the Kids Karnival at First Evan:
Bear: "Roll, roll, roll your dope."
It's a very good thing she didn't realize what she was singing. With a little coaching, her pronunciation improved and she sang the correct lyrics.

* The main area was a little overwhelming for her. The big bounce house was too noisy for her taste. She liked the bean-bag toss, and digging through fake leaves. She also liked putting swim rings around cones. But her favorite part was Toddler Town, a room where the
A/C actually worked and the kids were her size or smaller. The bounce house in the Toddler Town was smaller and quieter, too. She had fun sliding down the Little Tikes slide, and slideing blow-up animals down the slide. Tech Mom, hubby and I were glad there were chairs set up for the parents. I had to remove her costume in order to change her diaper, and by the time we got home, Bear did not want to put it back on, so no trick-or-treating for us. She did get candy at the Kids Karnival. And she had fun giving the kids that came to Tech Mom's door their treats... except when one particular boy with a fake-bloody mask leaned over so she could put the candy in. Maybe next year....

Aahh...

Baby Bear is asleep, following a fun-filled and very festive weekend. We had a big family birthday party for her on Saturday, and I've posted lots of pics on her blog, aka my online scrapbook. I really need to work on her real scrapbook.

You know your 2 year old is tired when:
a) she says "night-night" at the dinner table
b) she practically falls asleep on her daddy while finishing her sippy cup of milk
c) after proclaiming "'all done!" she throws her empty cup on the ground and proceeds to start snoring while in her daddy's arms

...at 5:20 p.m.

She loved having her cousins and some of her aunts and uncles and both sets of grandparents come visit. We missed those who were not able to make it, but hope to see them soon! She received sooo many wonderful gifts. One of the best gifts was the cake which my talented and crafty sister designed and made. She's just begun teaching herself to decorate cakes, but she does it like a pro already. After everyone left, hubby and I took turns taking naps. He slept on the couch while Bear and I went upstairs to play, then he and Bear played while I napped. He even cleaned up some for me! I woke up to a not-crumby kitchen floor, the card table and chairs were put away, and the rocking chair had been returned to the nursery.

traditions

I hope that the trip to the Pumpkin Patch will become an annual tradition for us. Do you and your family have any Fall traditions?

One of these days....

my in-laws' coffee addiction will rub off on me. Tech Dad's here tonight, passing through on business. I had the coffee ground and ready to brew so when we returned from eating dinner, all I had to do was flip the switch. I must admit that good, fresh-ground coffee with milk and a couple of splenda and fresh-baked brownies are not a bad way to wind down.

Baby Bear grew ecstatic when she heard Papa was coming to visit. "And Gamma?" she asked. Papa will have to give Gamma a big hug from Baby Bear when he gets home. She also wanted to go outside to wait for him to arrive. She wanted to go outside, anyway... Papa was a good excuse to get her way.