Decisions

The thing about moving to a new house, especially one that has a very good likelihood that you'll live in for the rest of your life, especially one that needs work done to it, is deciding which project to do first.

I've mentioned our list before. The longer we live in our new home, the longer our list seems to get, which isn't a surprise. However, how do you choose which project to do first? When it comes to items such as new windows, we know that needs to be high on the list. Considering it is a safety hazard that most of our windows won't open, it is an obvious choice to put on the top of the priority list. 

Little things, like new furniture and decorating how you want to, should be moved to the bottom of the list. Necessities first, wants last. 

But what's a girl to do when she knows that eventually she will get new bedroom furniture and she finds this...

 

Be still my heart. 

Let's all have a moment of silence.

I love this bed from Pottery Barn, and it's currently on sale. This bed is gorgeous, has storage underneath, and is the stuff of which dreams are made. Pun intended.

What's a girl to do?

Especially when she finds these shams and duvet cover - also on sale from Pottery Barn.

Day One

Well, it's day one of 2014. Happy New Year!

We had fun having our indoor supper picnic and watching Epic. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Immediately afterward, the boys went to bed. Hubby had to do some work on the computer, so while he worked on the laptop, I picked another movie. I decided to go with the original Batman with Michael Keaton. Good times. I'm pretty pathetic, though, and with only about 20 minutes left of the movie, with an hour until midnight, I went to bed. I just couldn't do it. I've never been much of a night owl. Oh well, 2014 came regardless of my sleep schedule.

The first day of 2014 has been absolutely wonderful. Hubby and Big went skiing today, so Little and I have enjoyed a nice, quiet day together. It also snowed most of the day, so we simply enjoyed the warm indoors. Honestly, I didn't expect to get anything done today. Or, at least, I told myself I wasn't going to be productive today. I love it when I give myself permission to do nothing. Wouldn't you know, I got quite a bit accomplished. I've noticed that's not too uncommon. On days when I'm killing myself to get things checked off my to-do list, I accomplish zip. On the days I don't plan on doing anything, I'm completely productive. 

Little and I are now snuggled on the couch waiting for the big guys to get home from their ski day. 

On another, completely unrelated note, we got my mom family pictures for her birthday this year. They were taken at the end of November and I'm just getting around to posting them. I thought I'd share some of my favorites from the day.

This is my nephew. Big calls him Chubby Cheeks. I'll let you guess why. 

This is Chubby Cheek's big sister. Or shall I say, older sister. They're pretty close in age, and in size. Goodness, this girl is precious. 

This is my brother's sweet family.

Big. I was so looking forward to this photo shoot, because I'm really not good about getting pictures taken of the boys regularly. I have so many friends that get their kids' pictures taken every month for the first year, and then every year for the rest of their lives. I'm doing good if I get pictures taken of my boys every year and a half - even when they're babies. 

And this is why. 

Oh dear. 

Ah, much better. There's my sweet boy.

Of course. I should have known.

Ok, I can't take this cuteness. How did this child grow up so fast? I look at this and recall him laying on my lap as a newborn in the hospital. I remember tears rolling down my cheeks and thinking he was the sweetest baby in the world. He's still so sweet, but a lot more mischievous now. But in this pictures, he's still that sweet newborn to me.

Here I am with the father of my children. Also known as my husband. 

Remember me saying Little is a lot more mischievous now? I'm not sure if you can tell, but Hubby is running after him in this picture. The second reason I chose this picture is to illustrate where we've moved. See the wide open spaces? This is my parents' house - where I grew up from the age of 4 to 18. I loved it here. I still do.

See the old run down building in the background? That was our playhouse as children. My grandpa built it. There are now black raspberry bushes all around it. My mom makes the best homemade black raspberry jelly.

Precious children, who look almost identical.

My brother and his wife. He is one lucky guy.

Ok, everyone smile. 

Um, what?!?

There we go.

My sister and her husband. He is one lucky guy. 

Can you tell I love the women in my family?

The 'rents.

We had to try and get one with our dog, Buddy. He entered our lives just before I graduated from high school because I begged to keep him.

I'm the youngest.

My parents are eternally grateful.

Or something.

And last, but certainly not least, just in case you were doubting it, the following will illustrate that there is, indeed, a lot of love in this family.

Even between brothers. Amen.

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.