A Most Precious Surprise

Last night, as I was unpacking boxes of books, I made a sweet discovery. It was my Grandma Bradfield's Bible. I instantly had to stop what I was doing and go flip through it. It proved to be just what I needed and gave me a boost. This moving process has been long and complicated. I needed a little pick me up. Although it gave me a boost in morale, the crying that ensued exhausted me and I was unable to get any more work done and had to immediately go to bed.

I really wanted to curl up with the Bible in my arms and fall asleep hugging it, but forced myself to go to bed like a normal person.

I had a pretty good night's rest, until Little woke up calling for me and then screamed bloody murder. No joke. He screamed like a panther or something ridiculous. Why? I have no idea, but it sure got my blood pumping.

My niece and nephew came over for a bit this morning. Did I mention my brother and sister-in-law are moving, too? Fun times.

It is now 2:00 p.m. and I am still in my pj's.

It is New Year's Eve and I want some yummy food for tonight, but probably won't get any considering I'm the one who would have to make it and I would probably have to go to the store to get ingredients for anything worth making. And a quick trip to the store just doesn't happen 'round these parts. Grocery shopping requires planning. It is truly unfortunate.

I don't know why I want fun New Year's Eve food anyway. We have have no plans. We're staying home, just the four of us and watching movies the boys got for Christmas. One is a Veggie Tales movie and the other is Epic. Big and I saw it in the theater back when we lived in the city. He really enjoyed it (I did, too) and I'm sure Hubby probably will because I think it is a little Lord of the Rings-esque.

Little just woke up, so now Hubby is forcing me to go shower so I can help him work on the wiring on our new bedroom ceiling fans. Don't be jealous. Your New Year's Eve plans probably aren't nearly as exciting.

P.S. The Christmas tree is already completely put away. It just needed to happen.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We celebrated our fourth and final Christmas today. Although the past week has been crazy busy, it was incredibly nice to come home to our own house every night and sleep in our own beds. Amen.

So, rather than sitting on my bum tonight, I'm working on taking down our Christmas tree. Well, sort of more like just taking the ornaments off. The Christmas decorations boxes are in the man cave taking up space. I'm putting everything away except for the actual tree so we can move the boxes down to the basement for storage. Hubby is working really hard to get the man cave set up. It has been the main holding area for unpacked boxes.

I would take the tree down entirely, but since Christmas was put on the back burner this year, I  decided to leave it up with just the simple white lights for awhile. Who knows how long it will stay up. I know Christmas is barely over, but that's how I roll. I don't like clutter. I usually wait until after New Year's, as in January 1st, to put away all our Christmas stuff. I just like things put away. So sue me!

Well, I better get off my tush and get back to work. Hubby just came down from putting the boys to bed...I better go look busy.

P.S. Big cried before bed tonight because he misses his friends. Talk about breaking a Momma's heart!

P.P.S. Little has decided he likes to climb out of his crib. Heaven help us. I'll never sleep peacefully again. Ok, I know I will (I hope) but his bedroom is right at the top of the stairs. My logical Mommy brain tells me he'll fall down the stairs when he comes out of his room. He's the early riser, remember, so it is always pitch black in our house when he wakes. Time to come up with a game plan. Suggestions?

Three Down, One To Go

Merry Christmas!

So far, we've enjoyed celebrating three family Christmases and still have one more tomorrow. It has been a whirlwind that's really cut down on the amount of productivity happening around our new house...

What? My dining room still has no floor boards? 

Huh? There's still boxes to unpack?

Come again? We haven't even started taking down wallpaper in the guest bedroom?

What do you mean I need to pick out carpet for the boys' bedrooms?

The cabinet doors still haven't been put back on my laundry room cabinet? You have got to be kidding me.

You mean I should turn off the computer, get off the couch and actually work on some of those projects with my Hubby who is being so diligent while I just sit? You cannot be serious.

Oh well. There's always tomorrow.

Ups and downs, mainly downs

The germs did a number on Big. Soon after my last post, the vomiting began. It finally subsided yesterday afternoon. I think our new home has officially been "initiated."

Needless to say, having him sick has slowed down the moving in process. Not as many items checked off my list as I would like. I'm trying to go with the flow. I have my good moments and my not-so-good moments.

Not only was I taking care of him, but we've had some people working on wiring in the upstairs. So, for naps, we've had to camp out in our new front room. Keeping on top of the vomiting episodes, keeping track of Little and staying out of the workers' way has been quite challenging. Those are the moments I am most thankful we only have two children.

My emotions have been a bit of a roller coaster. I'm so thankful to be closer to family and grateful for all the help we've received during this time. I can't believe how blessed with are to have this place as our home. But at the same time, the organized control freak in me is having a hard time not getting worked up. I like things organized and put away. I don't do well with unfinished projects. The selfish part of me is having a hard time enjoying my children instead of seeing them as obstacles that are getting in the way of me accomplishing my tasks. (I kid you not, Big just came down the stairs and is interrupting me as I type this. He's supposed to be in bed.) I'm also feeling down about Christmas. I know the true meaning of Christmas. I know it isn't about presents, sending out cards, baking, etc. But I've been struggling to find joy this year. Struggling to find time to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. And I'll admit, I'm also sad that I won't have time to bake, watch "White Christmas", or send out Christmas cards. And as for gifts, ha! I know I've bought some things - mainly online, but they're simply piled in an extra room right now. The UPS man comes, leaves it by the front door and I shuffle it into the extra room without even opening the box to see what's inside.

Then, yesterday, I made a trek to Walmart, which is no short trek around these parts. There were things I had to get for the house and I desperately needed to get groceries. Especially since they were calling for snow. Worst Walmart experience of my life. Ever. Hands down. I don't even want to talk about it. Let's just say I almost broke down in tears twice, and I'm not a crier. I finally let the river flow once I was in the car and on my way home. I also came home with a humongous bruise on my shoulder. Please, don't ask.

Yep, most moments I feel like I'm losing it. I just tell myself that life will get back to normal eventually. Although I've learned that it is never the same old normal. Life only evolves into new normals.

I'm so thankful for Hubby. A lesser man wouldn't put up with me. He truly loves me. Hubs, if you're reading this, please hang in there with me, although I have no doubt you will. I love you. I know I don't show it like I should, especially lately, but I truly do. You're my best friend. Thank you for laughing with me during this process and for being so stable. I need you to be stable, and I need you.

Germs

When I picked up Big from school today, his teacher told me he hadn't been himself at all today. As soon as he got in the car, he started bawling. He said everything felt bad.

Luckily, although it was the end of the day, they fit us in at the doctor's office. Fever, red throat with a blister, and a headache. It's probably just a virus, but he's been asleep since he got home this afternoon. So, it should be an interesting night. Will he sleep until morning? What will his temperature be when he wakes? Will he be hungry? Time will tell.

What makes me even more sad is that tomorrow is his last day of school before Christmas break. The whole school is getting together to 'Sing Around the Tree' and then have class parties. Thankfully, his friend's mom, who was my friend in school, is coming by to get his gift for the gift exchange so he can still participate.

I really hope he's better by Christmas and that none of the rest of us get it.

In other news, we continue to make progress around the house. The dining room is painted, so now we can start moving the furniture into that room. We're basically unpacked except for the man cave and some other random boxes.

Hopefully after tonight, my laundry room will be in working order. Oh joy! Isn't it depressing to be an adult and get excited about such matters as a working laundry room?

Although we've certainly made progress, there is still so much to do to make the house how we want it. Thankfully, time is on our side.

Since Big will be home sick from school tomorrow, I'm seriously considering take a good chunk of the day off from work on the house and spending it watching Christmas movies with the boys.

It sounds as though Big is waking up. I better go - a mommy's work is never done.

Home Sweet Home

Last night was our first night in our new house! I think Big got the best night's sleep out of all of us. Little woke up around 1:30 crying and crying. He said he was scared, so I put him in bed with us. He stayed there until about 4:30. Unless he's in a dead sleep, he's no fun to sleep with, so those weren't exactly restful hours. He then woke up for the day around 6:00 and said, "This is a nice house."

Stinker.


I got my kitchen and pantry unpacked yesterday, so at least now we can function.

Some of the furniture also got arranged, so at least we have a place to sit down. Little and I are sitting on the couch enjoying some Netflix and computer time. I really should do more work. There are still lots of boxes to unpack and things to organize, but all I want to do is sit.

Maybe first on my agenda should be finding the cord to my camera so I can start posting pictures!

I love Smalltownsville

Yes, there are many reasons to love the city, but I have my reasons for loving Smalltownsville, too.

Case in point: At Big's school, they having CHRISTMAS parties this Friday. Not "Winter" parties or "Holiday" parties but CHRISTMAS parties.

Also, information was recently sent home from his school regarding a Reading Fair in which students may participate. Under the guidelines for 'Characteristics of Fictional Text' there is a note that reads, "Biblical stories are considered fictional only when the characters are non-human and personify (portray) human characteristics (e.g., Veggie Tales)"

Yep, I love Smalltownsville. Amen.

One Day Closer

Well, we are another day closer to moving in!

Here's a list of the projects we've done so far:

Wiring
Painting the laundry room
Painting the Pantry
Tearing down plaster walls in the dining room
Putting up sheet rock in the dining room
Taking down border in Little's room
Painting Little's room
Attempting to take down wallpaper in the guest bedroom
A bit of unpacking

What we have yet to do:

Paint the dining room
New flooring in the laundry room
New flooring in the pantry
New flooring in the man cave bathroom
New carpet in Little's room
New carpet in Big's room
More insulation in the attic
Decide what to do about the walls in the guest bedroom
Add light fixtures to the upstairs hallway
Unpack

Thankfully, if I can get all the dust cleaned up from the sheet rock extravaganza, and get my kitchen unpacked, we can go ahead and move in. The "yet to do" projects we can do as we live here.

And since it is an older home, there are several other long-term projects on our list. A few of those items include putting in new windows, redoing the guest bathroom, and redoing some things in the kitchen.

It can be quite overwhelming to think about, but we are blessed to be closer to family so they can help us.

Can't wait to announce when we've moved in! Stay tuned!!

Stamina Needed. Send Help!

Today, it appears, we hit the wall (no pun intended) that I knew was coming. I've just been waiting for it.

It started when I had to wake Big for school. For the first time since starting his new school, which is all day as opposed to half day back in the city, he said, "But I don't waaaannnaa go to school." I asked why and he responded, "Because I'm too tiiiired."

Whelp, that only took a week and half.

Then, later this morning, I started going into freak out mode.

How are we going to get all these projects done?

I can't get anything significant accomplished and try to take care of Little. You see, Little is the type of small person that needs constant supervision. Bless his precious little heart.

How are we going to get all this done when Hubby has to work all day?

We have no sense of normalcy or routine and we're all starting to freak out because of it. Ok, maybe that one just pertains to me. You see, I'm the type of person who thrives on routine and structure. Bless my precious little heart.

But then Little finally went down for a nap, I regrouped, and the work and progress continued. It really is baby steps. I know we'll get there. We've already tabled one project so we can just stinkin' get in our new house.

I would love to show more pictures, but I left the camera at our new house...you know, the one without internet. But I've got to do some online Christmas shopping anyway. Did you realize Christmas is two weeks from today?!? I better stop thinking about it, or I'll go back into freak out mode.

Good night!

Oh Internet, Where Art Thou?

I'm here! I'm here! But, unfortunately, the internet isn't. We have yet to get the internet at our new house. And I'm spending the majority of my waking hours there trying to get things ready to move in. (We're still living with my parents - hence, I'm on the internet right now.) The rest of my waking hours are spent taking care of children, go figure.

As soon as the internet is up and running I'll post more. I have pictures waiting to upload and tales waiting to be told.

So for now, I'll leave you with this little tidbit...

You know you're living in Smalltownsville when:

1. While listening to the radio in your car, you have to change the station every 5 minutes as the previously clear station is now completely static.

2. Seventy-five percent of stations on the radio are country.

3. They broadcast notices of local funeral services on the radio.

4. Your children repeatedly report, "I see stars!!!" at night.

5. When leaving the grocery store, the only sound you here is the fans running on grain bins. No people. No traffic. Just fans. One of my favorite sounds from childhood. Not sure why I enjoy it so much - guess it's because it reminds me of home. :) It's not exactly a sound you hear in the city.

6. When at the checkout with your Hubby at the local grocery store, the person in front of you says, "Man, you guys move back and we get a blizzard! Thanks a lot." And after you leave the store, you and your Hubby turn to each other and say, "Do you know who that was? Me neither."

7. No stoplights. It's a beautiful thing.

8. You realize you'd forgotten there is a switch on your car to turn the headlights on bright.

Iowa's not so bad

Hubby's new job is in Iowa, but we're living in Missouri. We thought about moving to the town where he works, but it just didn't seem to fit. Growing up in this area of the country, you're taught not to be a big fan of Iowa, or should I say, Idiots Out Walking Around?

Hey, don't blame me, it's what I was taught as a child!

Yes, I'm happy to be on the Missouri side of the state line. It is where I grew up, after all, but today, I made a trek across the border to my other option for a grocery store. It is a longer drive, but I needed another option - a better option. I have to admit, I was a bit apprehensive. Man, do I ever miss my Price Chopper in the city!

I was pleasantly surprised! I don't think I've ever been so excited about a grocery store. I felt kind of tense as I walked in, expecting to be disappointed and wondering how I'll ever survive not being a Chopper shopper. But the more I shopped, the more I relaxed. I realized that I can do this. There are options in this store. It is bigger than HyVee, the produce is much better and has much more variety. I can get pretty much everything I need at the new store. Granted, it is still significantly smaller than my city grocery store with significantly fewer options, but promising nonetheless.

One fun feature is the meat counter. It is like an actual butcher shop. You don't go to the meat cooler and pick up some prepackaged meat - you tell the butcher behind the counter what you want and he packages it for you. I heard this store was the place to get meat, and I'm guessing this is where I'll buy the majority of ours from now on. (I'm sure my Smalltownsville friends are all laughing at me.)

Want to know something else that redeems Iowa?

No food tax!!!!!!

It pays to cross the state line and drive a little further to get groceries in Iowa. Pun intended.

Oh, and they also took all my groceries out of my cart for me, put them on the check out counter, wheeled my cart of bagged groceries to my car, and put them in the car for me. Who knew you could feel so pampered buying groceries?

Take that Price Chopper in the city.

Firsts

We have been busy, busy since my last post. Everything is moved out of our old house, and we closed on it. Boy, did it look and feel good having a 'sold' sign out front and knowing that part of this crazy process is over!

Then, we officially moved in with my parents. Things have been going well and they have been very accommodating. We're so grateful to have a place to stay. What a blessing!

I've had the joy of experiencing some firsts since being back in Smalltownsville. I took my first trip to the local HyVee. There is a whole six aisles! And I'm talking small aisles, not as long as as the aisles in the city. In all honesty, I won't do the majority of my shopping there, I've heard I need to travel a bit to get good produce and meat, but it is nice to have a place close to get the essentials - especially when you get Smalltownsville service. When I went to the check out line, one of the workers took all the groceries out of my cart and put them on the counter for me. Then, after I checked out, he pushed the cart to my car and loaded them in the trunk. 

Another first was Big's first day of school. So far, he's loving it! I was nervous about him going all day since he only went in the afternoons in the city, but he seems to be adjusting very well. It helps that his teacher is someone I've known my whole life. She attends the church I grew up in and the one my parents still attend. 

Last...

We closed on our new house!

I'll start posting pictures of the inside later. The people we bought it from are moving out tomorrow and Friday morning the carpets are being cleaned. Starting Friday afternoon we'll finally show it to our families and begin some projects. We still won't move in for probably another week. We're not sure exactly when we'll move in because have to wait and see how projects progress.

I can't wait to keep the updates coming! Stay tuned!