Five Bathrooms, Vera Wang, and Setting the Table

Guys go to Home Depot.  Girls go to Walmart...

and Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Kohl's, and JCPenney...I know it looks like a ton of stuff, but my mom and I got some GREAT deals yesterday on towels and other things for our bathrooms.  Our new home is well-equipped in the potty category.  We needed some trash cans and bath mats and shower curtains along with the towels, and we also found some great curtains for the living room as well as for our bedroom.  We came across  some very colorful curtains for Michaela's room, too. 

And did we ever laugh.  And it only took us 4 7 10 hours to accomplish all of our tomfoolery.  I tell you what, we were acting as silly as fools by the time we got home and crashed. We showed Michaela her curtains today and she liked them very much.  So much, in fact, that she wanted to wear them...

She is creative, no?  My mom said she may be the next Vera Wang.  The girl has many talents.

Eliana discovered that unpacking is quite fun, and kept herself very busy for hours today.  Ok, it wasn't hours, but it was a long time and she had a grand afternoon with the plastic cups and metal tins she found.  She placed everything on the table leaf that was sitting on the dining room floor.  I guess we can't really say,"Don't sit on the table!  Keep your feet off the table!" when it's so low to the ground, just asking to be played upon...

Christian had to get in on this action; he joined her little party and the two of them played happily together for a little bit.

Mike was watching them and commented on how Eliana was learning to play with others.  It's fun to see them grow as brother and sisters.  Eliana is interesting-she's very independent in many ways.  Maybe it's because she has a brother and sister to observe, imitate, follow.  She wants to do things herself, and in her own way.  This is funny because she also gets a lot of attention; someone is almost always around to entertain her, distract her, help her.  She gets the best of both worlds.  I'm not sure what worlds that would be...but you know what I mean.

Today is also the day my parents left.  It's always hard when someone comes to visit, and then leaves again, especially someone like Grandma and Grandpa.  They've stayed with us in two different houses, and helped us pack, move boxes, transfer furniture, run errands, put things away.  It was a crazy, crazy week, and so much fun.  We were sad that they had to go.  We always say, the days before the end of a visit,"I miss you already!"  Well, I miss them still!

I must say, it's late.  We have a long way to go...there is still so much over at the old house, and things are still all over the place here.  In keeping with the unfinished, wacky condition of our house right now I will not properly

A Gift

My husband and my dad went to Home Depot tonight.  They were on a hunt for all things home-improvementy. 

Ok, maybe not all things, but they did get some stuff we needed for this house.  And when they came back, Mike said,"I have a surprise for you." 

I said,"For me?"

He walked back out and came in a couple of times, and I continued cleaning the shelf on which I was working.  I heard my mom say,"Wow, just what every woman wants..."  I thought she was talking about something he had just brought in, as a joke (a new garbage can for recyclables).

I wasn't really paying attention, and a few seconds later I turned around, and there before me was this...

And, yes, this is exactly what I wanted.

I cried.  Indeed, I did.

His love for me is great.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

This move has been a family affair; we've all been involved in the packing and the relocating, the cleaning and the unpacking, and even though it's taking a long time I think we can all see the light at the end of the tunnel. Christian has been so excited to help.  I love getting these glimpses into his heart.  Meaningful tasks are so rewarding for him.

I was having an identity crisis...I had no place to put my clean laundry.

We are slowly filling up our new house with our belongings.

Michaela has taken a great deal of pride in arranging her own room (even though the first two nights we've slept here she was in Christian's bedroom).

We had big plans to make lasagna and a nice salad for our first dinner here.  Papa John's helped us out instead (we did manage the salad).

There is still an unbelievable amount to do, in both houses.  But it is coming together.  And I have a lot of hope for an organized home. On another note, the time for my parents to leave is approaching and I am sad about that.  I will miss them very much.  I am grateful for the time that they are able to spend here throughout the year...

What We've Been Up To

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Packing, cleaning, moving!

Repeat, repeat, repeat...

That's fun to read isn't it?

Well, it's even more fun to do..,

Surrounded, Yet All Alone

The scenario:

The older kids are watching a video.

My dad, who cannot hear "worth a flip" was in the living room.

I was in the kitchen with the dryer going, loading the dishwasher.

Eliana was sitting in the dining room, in her high chair.

Mike was in his office, so he doesn't really come into this story.

My mom, the poor soul, had gone to the bathroom and done her thing before she realized that she needed toilet paper.  She could hear the kids' movie playing loudly.  She knew my dad was not an option.  Her hope lay in me, and I was just too far away.  She yelled with all she had in her,"TOILET PAPER!  TOILET PAPER!"  Nothing.

"HELP!"  Still, no response, but she wondered if the guy outside cutting the grass might come knock on the door to offer some assistance.

"HELL-OO-OO?!" 

This time a response came loud and clear,"HELLO!"  This, from Eliana, strapped in her high chair.  Not so helpful.  But good for a laugh.

My dad finally heard her pleading calls and rescued her.  She promptly came and told me the story and I wish people could have been there.  We had tears in our eyes.  Maybe you had to be there.  And then you could have brought her the toilet paper.