I am slacking on the blogging end of things because life is too busy happening! I haven't uploaded pics from my CF cards in weeks (though I better get crackin' because I am down to my last empty card and I have sessions coming up!), so this is an un-illustrated post of all the stuff going on around here...
- We have somewhere to live when we pack all of our belongings into a truck and drive to Portland in less than 3 weeks. It is a teeny tiny 3 bedroom apartment (for the 6 of us + dog), but at least it is a place to call home for a few months until our house here sells.
- Seth is officially licensed in both Utah and Oregon...what a (expensive) process licensure is!
- Our garage is filled with boxes! Because Seth will work right up until the move, I am trying to go slow and steady with the packing. I pack about 5 boxes a day. It is amazing how many boxes are packed already and how much stuff we have in this tiny house of ours.
- Speaking of houses...if you know anyone who wants a cute little house with a great garage and a cozy yard in a very convenient location with amazing neighbors and an incredible ward, please send them our way! ;) This is our only loose end and some days it causes me significant stress, but for the most part I feel like it is just going to work out. I don't know how, but I know that we are doing what we should be doing and that Heavenly Father has a plan for our little family and it will all work itself out.
- I am already living out of a suitcase. We have sold/are selling a lot of our stuff before the move and one of those items is an armoire which I was using as a dresser. I am excited to have a dresser again soon!
- I break into tears pretty frequently as I drive past all the places that hold so many sweet memories for me. I am already sad in anticipation of missing meeting my mom for lunch in the middle of the week, going for walks with the Family at Sugarhouse park, meeting up with our playgroup friends in the ward parking lot to let the kids ride bikes, chatting with all of the older ladies in my ward that I have grown to love so dearly, Sunday dinners with the Fam, Pioneer Day celebrations, taking the kids to the playground at the school, driving to see the fall leaves in the canyon, the Children's Museum, cousins playgroup, girls night out with my wonderful neighborhood friends, hearing the kids yell "Hi Dad" every time we pass his work (which is quite often during the day since it is so close...I'll miss that too), and the list could go on forever! I have a feeling it is just going to get worse so don't be surprised if you are talking to me and I get a little misty-eyed mid-conversation!
- My baby brother has almost completed his time at the Preston, England MTC. He goes out to his first area in Birmingham a week from today! We miss him so much (especially on Sundays!) but he is happy and learning so much and we are so proud of him! (I have lots of pictures to share from before he left and I WILL get around to posting them!)
- Ellie has reflux...just like all of her siblings. She does so much better on Prevacid, but she is still the fussiest of our babies. I often wonder if it is my mental state that makes me think that or if she is actually just a little fuss-pants, but I think it is the latter. Regardless we love showering her with kisses and snuggles and squeezing her abundant rolls. I don't know how Brynn escaped the Michelin-Man baby syndrome, but she was lucky. Ellie is taking after Chloe and Morgan in that regard and I am fairly certain she will be in 6 mo. clothes any day now. Her 2 month appointment is coming up next week and I am very interested to see where she tips the scale.
-Ellie loves to smile and scoot. She scoots herself across her crib (she sleeps on her tummy because she is so uncomfortable on her back) and smiles a lot for Grandma Becky, Morgan, Daddy and Mom. She would probably smile at the girls too if they weren't always smothering her with kisses.
- Despite her crankiness during the day, Ellie has become a great sleeper. She has been sleeping about 7 hours straight at night and then goes right back to sleep for another 2. If I would go to bed when she does instead of cleaning the house and packing boxes after she goes to bed, I would probably be a well-rested mama.
- We got some summer workbooks for the kids and try to get them out a few times a week (I know you are supposed to have them work on them every day, but I think it is a miracle they are coming out at all). The kids love them! Morgan is such a little smarty pants that he whips through pages and pages on his own while I work with Chloe. He loves to read books to himself and to the girls when I am busy with Ellie. Chloe's preschool teachers last year told me that she was average for what they should know after 3 year old preschool (other than her vocabulary and speech which were very advanced). Unfortunately, average at that level is only knowing 5-7 letters of the alphabet and counting to 10-ish. I was not impressed with her preschool experience at all but also realize that Chloe is different from Morgan and that I shouldn't compare where he was at that point to where she was. But, after working with her on the workbook one time, I was even more annoyed about the complete horror that was her first year of preschool. Her teachers were either completely clueless (which I think is likely true) or didn't really spend any time with Chloe (which I also think is true), because the girl knows the whole alphabet and is starting to sound out words! They also told me she couldn't write her name but not to worry because it isn't something that they should know in 3 year old preschool...wrong again. She can spell and write her name perfectly. Anyway...without boring you with the details, the basic gist is that I am annoyed about the awfulness of her preschool experience thus far and sad that Miss Fidge can't come teach her in Portland, but so so proud of her for learning so much in spite of it.
- Laughed my head off the other day when Chloe came in after I finally got Ellie to sleep after a crying fit and said, "Mom, I think Ellie was feeling the spirit and that is why she was crying." Ha ha ha...I love that girl!
- Smiled a great big mama smile the other day when Brynn and Chloe were sitting next to each other on the couch talking and looking at a book and Brynn leaned over, wrapped her arms around Chloe, snuggled her head on Chloe's shoulder and said, "I love you Chloe!" and then smiled even bigger when Chloe smiled and said, "I love you too." If only they could remember that when they are stealing each other's toys and pulling each other's hair. ;)
- Using a lot of applesauce and bottled peaches. If you have any amazing recipes, please share!
- Our dear friends Ben and Aania threw a going away party for us last weekend. I cannot thank them enough for the sweet send off! It was such a lovely night to let everything else go and just spend time with people we love. The kids played so hard and enjoyed themselves so much and we got to catch up with so many dear friends and family. Thank you to those who were there and thank you thank you thank you to Ben and Aania for such a special night!
Yes, life is happening. It is crazy and it is lovely and it is sweet. In the rush to pack and cancel our internet and switch our bank accounts and get renters insurance and schedule a moving van, I am trying to enjoy these last moments in this home, neighborhood and city with friends and family. I am reminded every day how wonderful this life is and how blessed we are to live it!
