The Storm after the Calm

I can now walk in every single room in my house.  Christmas is over and put away. While there is still plenty to do, I'm not living in survival mode anymore.  And now my emotional storm has hit.  All in all, I have handled the last 8 weeks better than expected. I was strong, mostly pleasant, and less crazy than I could have ever imagined.  But now, it's all caught up to me.  All the melt downs I should have had are now hitting. All the things I have completely shoved out of my brain because I couldn't think about them have started to filter in. I asked Mike the other day, "What is wrong with me?!"  He said, "I've just been waiting for it.  I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner." haha!

Tonight as I attempted to go to bed, I was overwhelmed with how much I miss my friends and family. I have had limited time and cell phone reception for my normal chatty-ness to help ease the distance.  I have budding friendships with some great ladies here in Florida, but they just can't match up to those friendships I've had for years. Those women that have had helped me become a better person in my adult years. Specifically 2 of my Spokane ladies.  They went above and beyond with service for our family that last week (and plenty of other times as well).  Hours upon hours upon hours of babysitting and meals and just plain fun. I gave a crummy goodbye and have barely gotten to talk to them since I left.  I miss them, alot.

What I wouldn't give to be able to go to the gym with Cara and do lunch together while the kids go crazy.  This woman is amazing.  She is calm and easy going and incredibly thoughtful.  She thinks of all the little things and makes things perfect.  She is always up for fun on a whim and is an incredible cook. She helped me learn it's ok to admit defeat.  Not every day is great.  It's ok to admit it and own it and try again another day.



What I wouldn't give to do dessert and games or visiting at Julie's kitchen island. Julie is also amazing!  She lives up to the name. :)  She is easy to talk to and talks a mile a minute. She is so good at keeping things simple and enjoying the great outdoors. She makes delicious treats and is willing to try new games and go camping! She was my first friend in Spokane.  She helped me learn simplicity.  Meaningful things are worth the time and effort and space, if not, get rid of it, or don't do it.


As I thought about these ladies, other friends, roommates, and family members keep coming to mind. I'm so grateful to have had such great friendships wherever I have lived. I miss you all and your wonderful personalities that help me be a better person.

Merry Christmas!

We've always had a small corner for our tree and it's never looked this pathetic.  12 foot ceilings don't help. We have been joking about our teeny tree.  From outside it barely shows past the center window pane.  It's pretty funny!

I made sure I actually took a picture of each kid this year. :) Christmas morning, Luke was a monster.  I think he's growing.  He was constantly into everyone's stocking food.  I'm pretty sure he ate at least half of everyone's animal cookies after polishing off his box.


Random pictures.....Michael got his Cars squinkies, but they have since been hidden with his Cars shrine.  He hasn't actually played with them. Haha! He did love his other present, the fishing game and asks to play it all the time!


Isabelle got her doggie in a purse.


Luke got a ball pit


I got a washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, and microwave last week for Christmas, but Mike still got me my Christmas puzzle.  One happy lady!


Mike also got a washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher and microwave last week for Christmas, but when I saw him attempting to trim our horribly overgrown bushes with some pathetic tool, I found the perfect present for him to open. :)



Isabelle got the gear to start up some dance lessons.  Despite her unenthusiastic face, she was shrieking with excitement.




This picture makes me happy.  All my boys. :)


And the award for best toy this year (ie most entertainment value so far)....drum roll please.......

Runner up goes to the marble run we gave Michael.  So much fun.


And the winner is.....the ball pit Santa brought Luke.  I don't even mind finding stray balls ALL OVER MY HOUSE.  Seriously such a fun toy for ALL ages!!


I made Mike's traditional Christmas breakfast, and other than being a bit late, it was perfect!  It was beautiful and delicious.  Mike's quote of the morning, "Breakfast is great, Hon.  It's a Christmas miracle!"  Hahaha!  Yes, I am that much of a kitchen disaster. At 2 we went to a friends' house with another family. We didn't get home until super late and had a great time.

All in all it was wonderful Christmas season.  We miss our family, but are grateful for new wonderful friends.  We had lots of chances to really reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as we spoke and sang of Christ.  My children soaked up the story and the "Baby Jesus Movie" was one of the most requested Christmas movies.  They played with our two child approved nativities and acted out the parts of that special event. I love the ages my kids are now.  The Santa part of Christmas is so magical and the Jesus part is so simple yet spiritual.

Tradition!

Well, other than time off, Mike's job is great....but time off is difficult around Christmas in the lab department.   So, we had our first Christmas alone in 8 years.  It was hard and good all at the same time.  We missed all of Mike's family and the week long party that Christmas entails, but it gave us a chance to do a few things of our own and attempt some new traditions.  With the current state of our home, quite a few traditions we actually do didn't happen, ie, gingerbread houses, decorating, tons of stories, etc.  Anyway, we did have a good time together as a family

This was pulling out a couple of decorations.  This reindeer on a motorcycle has been Michael's favorite since he was Luke's age, Isabelle has never loved it.  SO funny to see everyone's reactions when I pulled it out. Isabelle plugged her ears, Michael grinned ear to ear, and Luke started dancing. I finally decorated the Christmas tree my sweet husband put up 2 whole days before Christmas. None of the pictures were very cute.



One night we bundled up with blankies and jammies and headed out to drive around to check out some Christmas lights. (yep that is still paint tape all over my house. )


Christmas Eve morning I started a gazillion layered jello, made cinnamon rolls, and played.  Kids helped.


Christmas Eve Mike had to work in the morning so it ruined plans for a great outing, but we hit a park for a bit.


Blurry, but I had to put it on here....this kid will end up with stitches in his tongue multiple times just like daddy. :)





This year I made picture books for each of the kids of just a few pictures of each month through the year.  The kids LOVED them!  They got to open their book and jammies from Grandma on Christmas Eve.



Just one of the 15 pictures I took trying to get a cute one of Christmas Eve by the tree....fail.

Where's Waldo?

This is what just one room in my house looks like.  You can just guess what the rest look like. Yes my boys really are in that picture.


So, I've disappeared.  I've been overwhelmed, crazy, handicapped, sick, and tired...not to mention I lost the charge cord for my camera for almost 2 weeks...GASP!  I have plenty to update when my finger heals (I lost a fight with a hammer and it takes me forever to type without an index finger) and after Christmas.  We started the bazillion repairs on the house, have been without some or all appliances at different points, and got our stuff delivered, dumped out, and left.  I'm living in chaos.  Oh and did I mention Christmas is in 4 days?!?!?!?!?!?

Here are just a few pictures for now of us getting into the Christmas spirit sans snow.

One night, after I really looked at a calendar and almost had a heart attack and then cried and went to bed at 8:30.  I woke up to my Christmas tree up with lights put on.  My husband is amazing and loves me and I can't believe he's put up with me these last few weeks.  He has definitely earned hubster of the year.


Church Christmas party: Michael wants Cars squinkies and Isabelle wants a little doggie in a purse.  Luke didn't care for Santa much.




Another point I was dying for some Christmas, I bought a tube of gross sugar cookie dough, canned frosting and a jar of fun sprinkles and a Christmas movie.  It helped liven up the afternoon.


This was the day we closed 2 weeks ago today (has it really only been 2 weeks?!). After 6 weeks of temporary living, and now these last 2 weeks of crazy, I'm ready for regular life to begin that doesn't involve coin op laundry, paper plates, or clutter everywhere I look. There is a light at the end of this adventure.  What will be next?!

Happy 3!

A couple of weeks ago, this handsome little boy turned 3!  We contemplated postponing his birthday because of our living situation and he wouldn't know any different.  I couldn't make him a cake, the presents I actually had already bought (I was totally on the ball this year) were in a moving truck, plus it just felt weird, but we did it anyway!  I'm so glad we did.

We started the morning off with his birthday book and singing.  I didn't have any candles!!!!  Mom fail!  So he didn't blow out a candle for breakfast.  Luckily, only Isabelle noticed and she kept her mouth shut.



The only thing he asked for was a Cars bike.  I guess it was a good thing I didn't have his presents....that wasn't one of them.  I found a steal on craigslist and picked it up that afternoon.  He was asleep in the car and didn't see it.  He was SO incredibly happy.  Unfortunately, it's been in a storage unit since he got it.


We hit Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and party time with the family....NONE of the pictures I took are worth posting.  They had a great time running around and being crazy.  Luke found a game that had plastic balls just the size for his little chubby hands.  He walked around all night with them.

We stopped at a grocery store on our way home to grab some cupcakes and candles.

He also got another Geo Trax engine, thank you again craigslist.



Happy Birthday to my sweet boy!  I swear he didn't spend the day in his jammies!  Haha! It was far from what I love for birthdays, but he loved every second and still felt spoiled.  We had a great day, but I failed at capturing it in picture form.

Michael is a spirited little boy. Persistent, stubborn, independent, but so sweet at the same time. He has quite the soft side.  When it comes out, it just melts my heart. He is hard to understand still (Isabelle is an excellent translator), but talks alot. He loves to sing and loves music.  He loves technology.  He finds something to play and sneaks away. I find him all the time in his bed when I think he's sleeping, playing Mike's ipad.  He still moves a mile a minute and fidgets ALL THE TIME!  I always think he needs to go to the bathroom, no, that's just Michael.  Even glued to TV or a tablet, he's moving like crazy.  SO funny.  He loves to run and is fast for how short his little legs are.  Michael's favorite color is green.  He loves anything sweet, especially candy. Seriously, he always finds something sweet to eat.  Just when I think there is nothing left in the house sweet, I find him in a corner with something. He loves trains, cars (especially Disney Cars, but any will do), and balls.  He also LOVES to read.  He will drop any tablet, or walk away from any show, if I sit down with a book to read to him.  What I love about Michael right now is his tender moments.  He snuggles up and says, "You my best dirl (girl), mommy." He gets out of bed every night for an extra hug and kiss.  I'm pretty strict with bedtime, but how can you say no to that?!  Every time I'm gone, even just to the bathroom for a second, when I come out he says, "OH! I MISSed you mommy!"  And gives me the biggest hug. I cannot get enough of this sweet little boy!

Thanksgivign with the Fam

For Thanksgiving we had a family reunion with my entire family, including all 4 grandparents. It was fabulous! It was also a nice break from the hotel. We actually were more comfortable with 30 people in my parents house than in our little hotel. HA!  I can barely tell you know what happened, but I remember it was fun!

We hit the Houston Zoo....a must!



It is now tradition to have a picture of these two eating cheetos together.









We hit up a park and played kickball.  SUCH a great all ages family game.  I forgot how good it is.  Michael was obsessed.  He ran like crazy! His short little legs are FAST!



Then my camera battery died and I didn't have my cord. So sad!  Between everyone else we got some great pictures, but it will be it's own blurb book, so here's the cliff note version. We officially had a 3 day reunion revisiting our holiday traditions.  We had Thanksgiving on Thursday, Christmas on Friday, and New Year's on Saturday.  I can't get enough of my family and the fun times we have together.  I love watching all the cousins growing up and loving each other.