B is for Bat

It is just now after 10:30 p.m. I just got done putting the boys to bed after being held hostage in Big's room for an hour while Hubby caught a bat in our living room. That's right a bat!!!! Ewwwwwwwwwww, yikes, gross, eeeeeeeekkkkkk!!!

Heaven help me. I may not be able to survive this.

We're thinking it came in through the chimney. Actually, I'm trying not to think about it.

When it comes to bats, rats, mice, snakes, spiders and the like, I'm a total girl. Can't stand them. I scream and run. That's been my most effective method of dealing with such creatures.

Hubby has to go out of town soon for work. What if another one of those things gets in our house????!??!?? The thought alone might send me into tremors. But, I think I have a plan. I'll hightail it out of the house with the boys and call either my dad or father-in-law to come catch it. And I won't return to the house until Hubby's back in town. Sounds like the most logical plan to me.

I might have a plan for the next time a bat enters the house (which is hopefully never) but what is the plan of survival for tonight? Of course I flinch at every little sound I hear and I'm still shaking on the inside. I will also probably sleep with my head under the covers. You know, because I'm brave like that.

Big was so excited to see the bat once Hubby caught it. I, on the other hand, stayed upstairs. But, once it was time to go to bed, Big was almost in tears wanting someone to sleep with him in case a bat came in his room during the night. I did the motherly thing and told him he needed to be brave and that a bat wouldn't come in his room during the night, but we came up with a game plan in case one did. We prayed that God would protect him and that no more bats would come in the house. All the while, during my pep talk to Big, I was inwardly relieved that I actually have someone to sleep with me tonight. Hubby may have my fingernails permanently embedded in his arms by morning. Isn't he lucky?

Well, so much for my productive evening of laundry and addressing our "New Year, New Address" cards. Hubby just returned from setting the bat free out in the country. I'm hoping waaaaaay out in the country. At least, that's what I'll tell myself.

Did I mention I don't particularly care for bats?

This

This.

This little baby.

This little baby boy.

This little baby boy is no longer a baby.

I'm not sure I can handle this.

Last night was his last night in his crib. Tonight is his first night in a toddler bed. He's been climbing in and out of his crib for well over a week now. I know it's time.

But I'm not sure I can handle this growing up thing.

STOP IT!

I can't handle this.

I'm leaving now before this nonsense goes any farther. Goes any further? Farther? Further? Further? Farther? Who knows. But all I know is, it must stop now!

Ode to the Teal Sink

Disclaimer: We have yet to find the cord to our camera, so the following pictures are from Hubby's phone from when we were house shopping. Therefore, the previous owners were still living in the house. So, please be respectful of their things and wipe your feet before entering the door.

On an unrelated note, but equally important disclaimer, I may or may not be eating lunch while I post this. And I may or may not have just gotten sour cream on the computer; I couldn't rightly say. But please don't mention this to my computer engineering husband if he asks.  

Oh teal sink, I love you so
Just how much, you'll never know

For I'm hoping that someday
You'll go far,
Far, far away

Oh teal sink, I love you so
Just how much you'll never know

For I'm hoping someday soon
I'll sweep you up
with a broom

Oh teal sink,
I'm sure I think
At least
you are not

PINK....

Oh vey!

An Ode to the Pink Bath coming soon!

All my friends drive pickups.

Over the past couple of days I've had some old friends visit. It has been incredible having some adult interaction with other females. Not only has it encouraged me to know that I will, indeed, have friends, but it has also been fun seeing people who have known me forever and to see their children. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? Man, it warms my heart.

Yes, it will be a sweet thing rekindling old friendships. The old shall be made new.

Or something like that.

But apparently, there's one thing I've forgotten about living in Smalltownsville - pickups are the vehicle of choice.

My dear friends in the city drive SUV's and minivans. Here, in the country, all my friends drive pickups. Yep, even the young moms.

Disclaimer: To my friends (who knows if you even read this silly little blog) to whom I'm referring - I know I can say these things because you'll just laugh at me. And I know that you know I'm not making fun of you. I adore you and am so thankful to have you back in my life. 

And sometime, I can I drive your truck? 

Little House on the Prairie

The other day I was unpacking our books. Before being mommy to Big and Little, I was an elementary teacher. I taught 5th grade and 2nd grade. Needless to say, I have oodles of children's books. And I'll never get them. No, you can't make me!

One series that I have is Little House on the Prairie, but this particular series, I had long before my teaching days. I've loved those books my entire life. My mom read them when she was a child and she read them to me when I was a child. The memories are still vivid of her sitting on the side of my bed reading them to me. Like I said, I was always a fan. She and my dad even took me to Mansfield, Missouri to see Laura's home there. It was an amazingly lovely experience. In fact, I'd love to go back some day.

Not only do I love the books, but I also love the T.V. show. I liked it somewhat as a girl, but now that I'm older, I adore it. No, it isn't very much like the books, but there's just something charming about the show. It's focus on family, faith and community are heartwarming and remind me of home. I own each season and have watched every single episode, more than once. They were my constant companion when I was a nursing mother. The show was an actual instrument in my survival as a mother of a newborn.

Am I ashamed to admit that I still love to read the books? No, absolutely not. Are you surprised to know I'm reading through the series again? Right now, I'm about to finish Farmer Boy. My mom still reads them from time to time. Ever feeling down about winter (this would be the perfect year for that...brr), read The Long Winter and you'll realize that you are, indeed, a pansy.

I also love reading the story of Laura and her husband, Almanzo.

Most of the time, when I see photos of people taken from this time period, the people look almost frightening. But I don't find that to be true with them. I mean, Almanzo could even be called good looking.

See what I mean?

And Laura's a simple beauty.

Sometimes, I wonder why I love the books so much? Is it because they were read to me as a child? Perhaps, but I think it's because although you know Laura's life was not easy, she writes about it as though it was charming. You know she was a little girl that was loved and cared for and saw her life through rose colored glasses. She didn't focus on the hardships, although she wrote about them, but they didn't define her life. She came from a loving family who counted their blessings and were thankful for the little they had.

That's so unlike me. I feel like most of the time I'm focusing on all the challenges (which aren't very big challenges compared to what Laura faced) and simply overlook my blessings.

So as I was organizing all my books the other day, I made sure to tell Hubby to keep these books easily accessible. Sometimes, I just need a little Laura in my life.

Family Time

Today my niece and nephew came over. Oh boy did the kids have fun together. Four kids ages five and under makes for an adventurous day.

My best friend, and cousin, also came over today with her sweet little three month old. She was just precious and still had that sweet baby smell. Ta die for!

Tomorrow one of Big's friends is coming over to play. He's been missing his friends from the city, so hopefully tomorrow will cheer him up. Also, tomorrow is the last day of Christmas break. I know most parents are ready for their child(ren) to go back, but I'm not. I've loved having him home, and I know Little has, too. We'll be lost in this big old house by ourselves on Tuesday.

Schools in the area that are supposed to be back in session tomorrow have already canceled due to the frigid temperatures. I'm so ready for spring. Although, I've been trying to see this wintertime move as a blessing in disguise. I would have certainly never chosen to move during the winter, but the cold weather and snow have forced us to be indoors. Since we have to be indoors, we're getting more work done on the house than we probably would if it were summertime.

Once it is summertime, hopefully all our boxes will be unpacked and we'll be fully settled. I know all our house projects won't be done, but the small ones should be, so we'll have time to enjoy summer in the country! Eeek! I can't wait!!! There will be fishing, people. Lots and lots of fishing!

Since we had four small shenanigans around all day, Hubby and I are going to veg tonight after the boys are asleep. Hubby's putting them to bed now. I should go wash dishes, but I'd rather stare at the wall and ponder life. Or go find some chocolate. Or basically do anything other than wash dishes. I guess hanging out with four shenanigans will do that to ya.

Thoughts

Nothing can prepare you for cleaning bathrooms in an all male home. (Well, all male, except yourself.)
Gross.

I've been suffering from anxiety today.
I need a vacation.

It is amazing that you can be totally frustrated and annoyed with a person but in the same instant still love him so much it aches.
Parenthood.

I'm contemplating doing a half marathon.
I need a therapist.

There have been numerous times since moving to Smalltownsville that I've wanted to stop what I'm doing (usually while driving) to take a picture.
I need to get a better camera. Or at least carry the one I have.

I'm ready for spring.
The end.