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.

Far and Close

My mom and dad live in Virginia, and we live in Texas.  This is the farthest we have ever been from them.

I wish we were closer...

But then again, we're pretty close.

MISSION: (SOMETIMES SEEMS)IMPOSSIBLE

Now we're getting somewhere.  My mom and dad showed up and started cracking the whip.  They got this show on the road, laid down the law, took the reins.

It's great fun to have them here, we've already laughed a lot and we are hoping to be in the house before they're gone-it's our mission. 

Dunt, dunt, dun-nit, dunt, dunt, dun-nit, nninninni...Here is your mission should you choose to accept it.  You will efficiently and cheerfully continue cleaning your new house, and get all of your possessions transferred from their immediate location to a new and better, more orderly position.  You will do this in the next 48 hours.  Your accomplices will be Kenneth, the menace; Tricky Vicki, a slick chick; Mr. Clean, head of intelligence;  the Three Stooges.  These agents are well-trained in their fields, and most of them are potty-trained.  This message will self-destruct in ten seconds...

Eliana wasn't quite sure what to think of this mess...but we worked hard to get it into some sort of order.

Things are always more interesting when they are in a strange spot than when they are in their normal place...

Dinner and relaxing after a long day of packing...

Before...

Here is what the space looked like after the big packing extravaganza.

Sassy, isn't she? 

We are excited about any progress we make, so this is good stuff! 

Losing and Winning

Losing-as in my marbles.

Winning-as in Michaela's first soccer game of the season.

They did such a good job.  Unfortunately, we arrived a little late.  That would be because of line number 1 up there.  Christian and Michaela both had soccer this morning at 9 am.  He, practice; she, a game.  Well, I went to bed last night (after an event over at the church at which they stayed late and therefore got to bed around 9:45) thinking,"So nice that we don't have to get up early tomorrow, no alarm to set for 7:30.  Aahhh!" 

Everyone was up by 8:15 or so, had breakfast, and began playing and just hanging out.  I went to do something (back to line number 1, I have no idea what it was) and glanced at the clock: 9:09.  "OOHHH NOOO!  YOU GUYS HAVE SOCCER!  HURRY, HURRY, GET YOUR STUFF ON, WE HAVE TO GO, NOW!"  Well, since now everyone thought the house was on fire, and Christian was asking why I scared him and Michaela was throwing her Pink Panthers uniform on the floor and telling me,"No, Maroon Strikers!", and Eliana was chanting,"Shoezon, shoezon?" our morning was off to an excellent start.  All I needed was the William Tell overture playing in the background. 

I raced around getting clothes, and shin guards, and cleats, and they got water bottles, and who has the baby?  We managed to get everyone in the car and arrive at the soccer fields at 9:21.  And I didn't speed, either.  I am a law-abiding citizen. 

Michaela was able to play the second half of the game, and Christian got in plenty of practice.  Later, I apologized to them for forgetting their soccer this morning, and promised to give them all the dessert they wanted for the rest of the day.  I didn't really do that.  I did tell them I was sorry, but they just had their normal amount of junk today.  What kind of mother do you think I am?

It was great fun to watch the girls' team.  They played so well together.  They were passing the ball, booting it down the field, blocking the opponents' shots, and going for goals from further away with more confidence than last season.  This season is going to be a kick to watch, because I think they'll just get better.  Why yes, I did mean to be such a dork, and write "kick" in that sentence.

I peeked at Christian every few minutes and noticed him doing a good job across the street.  Michaela's game just happened to be at the same time and on the same school's fields as his practice.  How convenient for me!  Especially on a day like today.  He has good control over the ball, and I could see him during the drills, dribbling away, practicing shooting into the goal.  And then, his favorite thing, they had a scrimmage game-shirts and skins.  He always manages to be on the skins' team.  Even as little boys, they love to lose the shirt and strut.  What will he be like when he's 14?  17?  Oh my.  Let's not skip ahead that far, eh?  Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

Tomorrow is the start of a new week.  I am looking forward to a fresh start.  Marbles, you may roll hither and yon, under all manner of furniture, and disappear into an abyss of giant dustballs and long-forgotten toys and socks, but know that one day I will find you because we are moving and the furniture will be relocated and everything will be cleaned up and returned to its rightful place. 

Baby Steps

People keep asking when we are moving...and I keep saying,"We're moving?"  Just to freak them out.  It works.

We are moving, even if it is a little at a time.  I don't mind the slow process; that way there's the chance to put things away as you go along. 

Christian and Michaela took on the task of packing books today (and for those of you who know us, you know we have some books).  At least most of them are in Mike's office and don't need to be transported!

They packed about five boxes, so we can at least say we're on our way!