Down but not Out

Okay, so I knew the process of moving across the country was going way too well after the first day of traveling to Indy was over.  We had managed to drive twelve hours with the boys and everyone did amazing. ( Including myself!)  There was lots of sleeping and DVD watching.  We stayed the night in a hotel with a pool and left early the next morning after a good breakfast.  We arrived late afternoon on Monday to our new house after another day of smooth driving.  Today is now Sunday and our furniture and all other earthly belongings are still sitting somewhere in Lubbock.  Yes, that is right, we have been at our beautiful new home for a week with no furniture, no refrigerator, no washer/dryer, and God forbid no TV!!  We first went through denial: "I am sure it will be here tomorrow.".  Then optimism: "Well at least we can get the house completely ready and finish the few little odd jobs that need to be done."  Then the anger set in as no one could tell us when it might get here as they "couldn't find a driver to bring it up".  What do you mean?!?....Are you not a MOVING company?!?....isn't this what you do?!?!.....So it could be two days, two weeks, two MONTHS?!?  All we kept getting was that this is the busy season and to call back the next day.  We then became irrational (well Peter became irrational and I became a little hysterical)  Peter was threatening with not to pay, to call another mover, call a lawyer (this was actually my Mother's idea whom was both irrational and hysterical).  I was crying over every little thing.  Imagining my little boys with no food, no bed, no clean clothes.....

Then we got a hold of ourselves and realized how not so bad it was and actually learned some things that turned out pretty good:  NO TV is great for the kids and we spent a lot of time playing games with my parents when the kids went to bed.  Mom and I had an experience and went to the laundry mat (I have no idea how to spell it?)  Not so bad, spent $12 and cleaned everything.  Could read or watch TV while we waited and folded clothes with out any interruptions.  Good excuse to go to Starbucks everyday.  I can cook anything with an oven and stove, some plastic ware, paper plates, ice chests and a grocery store with a wide variety of frozen entrees.  (Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, Enchiladas,).  Okay, and maybe a trip or two to McD's.  We are actually considering having a week at the end of every June where we don't use anything that we don't have now in remembrance of this adventure!

Luckily, the weather here is unbelievable.  Highs in the mid 80's, cool rain showers almost every night.  We haven't used our air conditioner at all and no one "waters" their lawns! (I love the sweltering dry heat of Lubbock,Texas and all, but COME ON!)

And the last bit of positive swing on the situation is they are paying US for everyday our stuff isn't here.  So, we are making due.  It is amazing the things you can do with out for a while.  But, what I wouldn't give for my TV and couch at night!

I have two days of orientation starting tomorrow and then I am really on my own for the next six weeks besides call once a week or so.  I don't start service until August, so I have time to find my way around the hospitals and get the house settled (they think things will be here sometime the first of the week.)

I am sure everything will turn out okay and  pictures will be coming soon of the house!

Yesterday we began the process of getting the house in order for our move.  We gave in, and much to my relief decided to hire packers and movers.  This has made my life a small bit easier in these final weeks.  But I must say it is a little unnerving to know that we are leaving in ten days and have almost nothing packed.  We did start taking down curtains and things on the walls.  I packed up the boys things as they are going to spend one final week with their wonderful grandparents in Portales.  They are accustom to seeing them often, but we will be so far away so it is a good chance to get in some bonding time, and, it will keep them occupied while things are being packed up and loaded.

As always the last three years have flown by.  It always seems like such a large mountain to climb at the beginning, but as the end is near, it feels as if it has gone by in a flash.  We are so excited to start a new set of adventures, but will dearly miss our friends, our first home and the comfortableness of Lubbock.  As Peter, the military child, often tells me " we can take the memories with us",  I have become sappy and reminiscent about leaving.  We have started to say good-bye to the friends we will be leaving behind and as we do talk about why we didn't spend more time together and see each other more often.

It is exciting to think about what is in store for us in the coming years.  Indy holds so many possibilities for both our careers and our family.  Koen will being preschool and kindergarten; tee ball and soccer.  Gage will be turning two and facing the challenges of potty training and becoming more independent and eventually start preschool himself.  We are talking about one more baby to round out our family and who knows I might even abandon all my rational thoughts and even get a pet. ( Not holding my breath for that one!)  Peter will have so many opportunities as he finishes his master's degree and I will finally be able to concentrate solely on my passion in the NICU.  We hope to get out and explore the Midwest and possibly the northeast and part of Canada.

We hope to try and keep in touch with many friends and look forward to reconnecting when we get back.

From Wedding dresses to shooting guns

This was the conversation I had with Koen last night as he was going to bed:

" Mom do you wear that back dress when you get married?"

"No, you wear a white dress"

"Do you hold hands when you get married?"

"yes"

"Do you hold hands with some flowers?"

"yes"

"Does the white dress have a hood?"

" Well, sort of, but it is called a veil"

"My hunting jacket has a veil"

"yeah"

"Mom do you shoot guns?"

"No"

"It takes a lot of practice to shoot guns"

"yeah"

Where do these connections come from?  It is hilarious!

Summer Time

So at our house there are a few things that announce summer has arrived.  One is that a new kiddie pool can be seen in our back yard.  It is amazing to me the difference  a year makes in the kids.  Koen always loved the pool last year, but was content to play on the outside of it.  He would occassionally climb in and splash around, but preferred being safely outside of the knee deep water.  This year he is "swimming" around, dumping water on himself and even doing the quick face dip.  Gage who wasn't even exposed to direct sun, much less set into the water, has taken to the pool like a fish.  Just when you think you have figured out which child has which personality they surprize you.  Gage who is typically found only in my arms, crying from any loud noise (including the tape dispenser!) or cuddling with one of his many blankets, took to the water like a fish.  He wanted in immediately, kicking and splashing and keeping up with Koen.

Summer also means many evening walks together as a family around the neighborhood.  This is one of my favorite activities to do with the kids.  They talk about what they see are so exited by anything!  It is hilarious!  "A JEEP!", "A DOG!",  "A ROCK!", "POOP!"  Yes, it's the little things in life that keep them entertained.

And lastly, summer means a few indulgences for me that I normally would not share with anyone.  It is something I keep to myself.  I lock myself in my room for peace and quite, and yes watch the summer reality shows!  I cant help it, I love them.... My favorite is "So you think you can Dance!"  I think it is a way for me to try and re-live my youth.  Speaking of which this IS my last summer as a youth.  Yes, I will turn 30 this fall, but am considering holding steady at 29.  It was a big joke at our house growing up, that my Mom was always 29 or 39 or 49 for years in a row.  I am now beginning to see her rational.  Especially now.  We are in the process of selling a house, buying a house, changing jobs, moving across country and buying a lot of insurance for death and disability.  There is nothing to make you feel older than buying insurance that you only get to use if you die or get horribly disfigured!

Maybe this summer I will take up some new hobbies to keep me feeling young....maybe running or dancing or arts and crafts.......or maybe I will just continue to watch the young on TV.  I don't want to do something crazy and  break a hip!!