Be It Ever So Humble

I'm calling this my warm up week for the blog, lots of ideas, but as I said consistency is what I am going for here, so I thought I'd talk about our new house (new to us).  

Here she is.  We went from thinking, hmm, maybe in the next year we should think about selling our house to   talking to a realtor and then actually having our house sold all in 3 weeks.  We are used to going along rather slowly in life but having some BAM moments where things go so fast we aren't sure what we were thinking, but normally those moments are for the best (except for the occasional pesky impulse buy).

 I was sadly negligent in taking pictures of our old house, at least the outside of it.  I sometimes loved that house and sometimes hated it (the hate came when the plumber or electrician would tell us how stupidly built our house was or when I could feel the lack of insulation during freezing winters.  However, it was the first home we ever purchased, and it was full of 10 years of memories.  It was old.  It was boxy.  It needed a million updates besides the ones were proudly did ourselves, but we brought home 4 precious children to it, and it kept us safe, relatively protected from the elements, and I can testify that the Lord made a lot of it work way longer than it should have.  Here's a little of the old house's garage and our older than vinyl, vinyl siding:

Here is our lovely former front porch:

And my favorite thing about the old house was for what we paid we had a relatively large yard.  Yes, the sprinkler system needed some repairs and so our lawn suffered between that and doggies, but it was a great yard for running around in and plenty of room on the side for my gardening passion.  Oh, and the old fence-how much fun we had fixing it as it fell apart.  Besides the regular wear and tear, we had 1 drunk lady crash into it one cold January so got a new part, and then 1 August a lovely windstorm allowed us to put new posts in on another section of our fence.  We learned some skills and worked hard, and to have the big yard, I suppose all that work was worth it.  There is where we put in the new posts.

The hustle and bustle of showings, packing, and moving made me not realize until that very last day how heart wrenching it would be to move away from the old, less than stellar place.  We put a fair amount of work into for people raising 4 rambunctious children and on a very limited income, but it still wasn't a whole lot to look at, but that last day, as Luke and I furiously cleaned and then said goodbye to each last room-that was a little hard.  Each room's use had changed and adapted as our lives and hearts grew, and so many memories.  On that last day, all the worst days, all the crying and frustration that life's experiences had brought us were gone.  It just seemed like a hallowed place where miracles had happened and love resided. I still have a hard time driving by, knowing I will never probably go in again and even if I did it would never be the same.

But I love our new house.  Smaller yard, fence yet to be built, but our house is newer, and there is a lot to love about it.  It has a fabuloso deck which doesn't look so inviting in the 20 degrees temps, but we are going to live out here this coming spring/summer/fall:

Luke will be smoking (meat you sillies), and I will be attempting grilled pizzas.  The kids will have all sorts of imaginative options too.  We will have beautiful flowers in hanging baskets.  When money allows, I have an unfulfilled tree house fantasy from childhood which must be fulfilled through my children by that tree to the right of the pictures.  Also right at the bottom of the pic, out of the screen shot, is a lovely circle that had previously had a heap of flowers but which I want to turn into a fire pit.  With 3 boys, you know the playing with fire thing is inevitable, so why not in a moderately controlled environment?  Ooh, and the mystery of our house, to the bottom left of the pic, right out of view, is our bedroom window.  Outside our window, somewhere lurks....a frog...seriously.  A week or so after moving into the house I heard what sounded like a "mechanical frog" in the middle of the night.  It occurred every so often, and then Luke heard it too, meaning I wasn't crazy.  The Eldest, skilled at tall tales, says she saw it the other day, but we can't know for sure.  We do know it seems to be surviving the winter quite well, and I kind of like having a mascot, if you will.  This house was surrounded by hundreds of flowers, which I cursed the day I had to pull them all for winter.  Next spring, I promise, to keep peace with awesome neighbors, to plant a ton of flowers up front, but behind the fence, the true ME will shine with all beds being converted to vegetables and berries and...perhaps grapes, except for a few flowers.  I can't help myself-must have productive plants.  Otherwise, our yard has a useful garden shed, and we am training Enzo to do his dogly duty in just one area so that the beautiful green yard the former owners bestowed us with can stay almost all beautiful and green.  We have 2 quaking aspens, which my sisters assure me will be hellish nightmares with their rooting sucker things, but I like how they look and am hoping it won't be an issue.

Now the big selling point, the main reason we moved, is our family, especially the handsome, intelligent, hard working Lucas, needed some more space.  I was also told that if we were ever to possibly further procreate that a larger house was not optional.  In moving, we got double the house, with a basement which is great for banishing children too but can be hard to find in our area!  Our new home has 5 bedrooms and an real, live master bedroom which I enjoy so much.  We will talk about my sancto-sanctorum another time.  There is plenty of space, but it will all get used.  In our new neighborhood, you could say our home is one of the homelier ones, but it fits us perfectly with room to house the youngins when they become moody, gangly teenagers.  We don't have a mansion, and this is not the dream house we told ourselves we would move into when we left our starter home at last, but a dream house is probably more about what you do with your life and your family than where you live (at least in our income bracket), so I think we are all as happy about it as can be.  Kiddos didn't even have to change schools as it was so close to our previous home.  

Now, in closing just a few more extremely amateur photos of some of my fav places in the new place:

This is the walk-in shower entry, lots of tile and 2 shower heads.  It is a bit spa like, and, most importantly, there are 2 locks between me and the rest of the house when I am in here.  Safety!!!  Peace!!!  Sanity!!!  or, at the very least, Cleanliness!!!  And my favorite, favorite place in the house if I am not sleeping:

See how I'm keeping it real.  I wanted to show you my marvelous tile backsplash but note on the stove The Eldest made eggs for breakfast.  I get so torn between the huge help she is by feeding herself and her brothers and the fact that there is much cleanup FOR ME after the fact.  But, it does clean up easily, and I have a ceramic top so I would be pathetic to complain too much.  Our appliances at Ye Olde Place were pretty much as old as the house and stayed functional mostly from prayers, I do believe.  I love the new kitchen, newer oven, fridge, counters and backsplash.  The oak cabinets, which I was convinced pre move-in I would have to paint, I quite love for now.  Woohoo!  And, as a random but very important new part of my house, note by KitchenAid.  Sure, every cook and their dog gets 1 for Christmas eventually, but mine means a lot to me, and as our friend who is living with us can attest, I spend WAY TOO MUCH time concocting foods in the kitchen, so this baby is going to earn her keep, and I have already run it like 3 times just to hear the motor.  

Well, that will probably be my longest post ever, but I wanted to record a few things for posterity, and seeing as how I flipping need reading glasses now, who knows when the memory will go, need something to jog it if it's sooner rather than later.  

2013-The Year of...Possibilities

OK, I have crazy ideas-not all the time but sometimes.  I started this blog 2-3 years ago and crashed soon thereafter.  I have some blogs I really enjoy reading, though, and I still have that desire to have this kind of connection with family/friends, so I am trying again.  Actually, I feel a little doubtful I will have the time for it, so I am not inviting people to this blog until I've proven to myself that I can actually pull this off, time and energy and desire wise, so if anybody gets notices I posted this, just ignore them until it is actually factually fact that I can be consistent...to some extent.  I don't really know what I should post because I try LOTS of yummy recipes, deadly, naughty ones, healthy ones, cheap ones, you name it.  I can be crafty too, though I doubt I'm cool enough to do any kind of tutorials (except for maybe how to change a diaper, scrub a toilet, how to remain calm and clean up after there have been 5 kitchen "accidents" involving 3 kids in less than 10 minutes, what to do while waiting on hold FOR-EV-ER with customer services of various companies).  I have funny kids, as many people do.  I like to draw silly comics about my life, like I used to draw about my sister when we were teens, so those could be fun to share, though I may be the only 1 laughing.  And pictures-we always are getting in trouble for not sharing pictures, pictures, pictures of our young adorables, so I see a blog as a way to share these more than once a year.  Also, I have been told by a few people who I quite like and think something of that I have a way with the written word that speaks to them.  Admittedly that may only be the case for those 2-3 people, but I would love if what I had to say was interesting or funny or uplifting to somebody, and if not, I also love how a blog can be a great journaling method, documenting in word and picture for yourself and your posterity, and maybe it could save me from being prosecuted some day too. :)  So, as it is the first day of the year and I am desperate to give it a whirl-but I also need to be working right now-here is my humble first post.  If anyone does read this, just love me even though this is a sad little introspective post, and if you don't love me, no reading my posts.  I have blocking powers!!!

Nutshell

OK, it's borderline getting late, and I'm coming down from a workout high, but as I'm not tired enough to go to sleep yet, you get ME.  Apparently at present there is a standoff somewhere near the main intersection near my house, so that's fun.  Haven't heard any sirens, so it must not be that close.  We've had a busy but great few months.  Big L is working some crazy hours, but he is doing well and they think he's a keeper, so what more can I ask.  I have been exhausted but happy.  Christmas was fantastic (except for the coughing, pink eye, vomiting, inability to sleep, muscle and joint aches, etc.)  L is obsessed with her new beta fish and dwarf African Frog.  They are named Blueberry and Freeze, respectively.  It's a soap opera in a 2 gallon tank the way she sees it.  Today, she was very sure Blueberry was going to die, and she was eagerly talking about what new fish she might pick.  I'm a little wary she might start looking up fish poisoning methods, but, alas, she isn't totally internet savvy yet, so we should be okay.  M is honing his expert skills at getting the living daylights beaten out of him by a 23 month old.  Mostly that involves doing the most horrible crying ever.  He is a pacifist, no fighting back, so crying is his only defence.  He had a great fifth birthday, Lightning McQueen all the way baby.  He had some naughty little friends that tried to ruin Santa for him this year, and I'm a little bitter, but this too shall pass.  Seriously people, if you aren't doing the Santa thing with your kids, make sure they can keep their mouths shut about it to other people.  Ruin it for your family...fine.  Ruin it for my family...GRRRR.  B is actually a delightful sick patient.  Now, I'm not a heartless mommy, but as with L, when he is sick he is what I would call a "normal" kid.  He isn't destroying my house.  He likes lots of cuddles, and he just chills.  No, it isn't my dream to parent vegetables...just really calm kids.  They do exist...only with L and B, they have to be sick for it to be a reality.  B got one of those sweet little cars that are yellow and red/orange that you can ride around Flintstone style, and actually all the kids fight over it a bit, but he looks pretty cute in it and says 'car' lots and lots as he pushes it around, which is good since he is not much of a talker yet. 

We got all our Christmas stuff down today, and now I must buck up for New Year's festivities.  In a way, I'm bummed to have the kids go back to school.  The hermit thing is very becoming to me.  I hadn't driven my car for 6 days until tonight.  Sweat pants and wacko hair, baby...that's the life for me.  I will shape up now and take daily showers and be sociable again, but everybody (at least I think almost everybody) deserves some serious cave time every so often.  Well, lest I embarrass myself with anymore of my insights and wisdom, I will say adios for now and hope that my 1 devoted follower reads this, even though i was very, very, very, very naughty and didn't blog FOR-E-VER.  I love my family and friends very much...and I like being healthy again very much also.  Peace out!

Weekend Trip

These are rare for us.  We had a lot of fun going down to Tooele for Cousin O's baptism on her birthday.  What a little girl!  L loves playing with her.  It's one of those houses where you arrive, the kids disappear and play happily for hours, no drama, and grownups can just visit.  I love that.  I can never see too much of my siblings...unless we were neighbors then I'm sure it would be too much, and we had a good visit and a good walk.  We stayed with our friends Adam and Sherrie...ever so kind of them as Sherrie is due to have a new baby next month.  They are the best of people, so generous, so kind, so understanding and, also of great importance, SO FUN!  We got to play a couple of games and attempted watching a movie, though much sleeping was involved in that part.  We love the Drais'!!!!  Before heading home to our less traumatized then ever puppy (Corey must have done some great dog sitting), we took the kids to Temple Square in SLC.  They'd never been, and it had been awhile for The Husband and I.  I love the feelings I get when I'm there, just thinking about the pioneer sacrifices...the fact that this barren desert was turned into farms and beautiful buildings because of lots of faith and hard work.  The kids said they enjoyed it, and I hope it sticks in their minds even though it was just a quick visit. 

All in all a great trip.  Car desperately needs vacuuming and possibly an exorcism now, but we all made it safe and sound and enjoyed family and friends.  Our only real problem, B has not learned that kids should sleep during car trips.  He spends about half the drive screaming and then 1/4 talking gibberish to who knows who and then the last 1/4 of the trip staring with this creepy zombie stare...sleep would be so much more easy, but to each his own, especially the unique little ones.  My next post better have pictures...or else.

Sisters' Weekend

 

Wow!  I just had one of the most fun weekends in my life...and if that's too dramatic of a statement than we shall say one of the most fun weekends in a very long time.  We had kind of our first sisters' weekend ever...with a niece or 2 thrown in for good measure.  I am very tired now, as my sisters were nice enough to drive a late night drive to come to a 6 am spinning class with me on Friday.  We walked with my kids by the greenbelt.  Then we had a fun evening downtown, including the Pita Pit and seeing a guy on a bicycle with tons of CDs attached to it.  The next day we were able to do the Women's Fitness Celebration 5K with much sweating, panting and a few stories to tell.  Where did Megs disappear to for the last 10 minutes of the run?   We may never know, but at least she found her way to the finish eventually.  There was some fun sister shopping.  Leave it to us in the dressing room to tell each other the truth to the best of our abilities, and then we were able to enjoy some delicious pulled pork which The Husband worked on all day while watching the 3 amigos (who consequently thought there mom had abandoned them because she spent some time with her sisters instead of them).  Lastly, we stayed up way too late watching a Hitchcock and doing a couple of pedicures.  I had a great time and feel a lot closer to my sisters, which is just what I needed.  And my sisters did a lot of dishes and patiently waited for the sole shower in the house. Now, as long as I can cure my children's neuroses from the weekend, oh and probably the dog has some issues too, then I can mark it as a lovely historical event in my personal history.  May there be many more sisters' outings to come.  Thank you to all 3 of my sisters for being so helpful around my house amidst the chaos, being so fun and for being who they each are!!!

L's Big Day

Well, the day L has been waiting for finally arrived... yes, today was her birthday. It is hard to imagine that 7 years have gone by since L came into our lives, yet there we were, the five of us gathered around the table singing Happy Birthday (technically 4 of us were singing, L was holding in as much air as her lungs could hold in anticipation of blowing out candles).

As today was Sunday, we kept things rather low key, but we did take everyone to the YMCA yesterday to go swimming per the birthday girl's request. I think she had a pretty good day, all in all. She seemed to receive a cornucopia of presents from her loving family and got to talk to loving grandparents and aunts. Otherwise, she spent the day with M coloring and painting with her new art supplies and taking pictures with her camera.

Marianne made a fantastic rainbow cake decorated with a variety of frosting flowers... again per L's request. As the birthday boy or girl gets to pick their dinner on their special day, I was expecting something in the realm of pasta, but our ever growing 7 year old threw a change up and went for nachos; who would have guessed?

Other than the celebrating, it was a nice quiet day and we enjoyed hearing from all of the family. A couple of side stories that Marianne and I found rather humorous. While we we are the the YMCA swimming, L talked M into going down the curvy water slide, which he finally did. I couldn't see M as he went down the slide (keep in mind that Marianne was at the bottom to catch him), but the place was filled with his terrified and high-pitched screams. Apparently, he didn't like the turns. Perhaps that sounds cruel, but knowing he was safe the whole time, Marianne and I found the situation pretty funny.

Also, I finally had a change to cut M's hair tonight. It had been a while and his hair was starting to get pretty wild. M did fantastic and B was so interested in what was going on that he pushed a chair over to have a better inspection. As soon as I finished up with M and sent off in the direction of the bath tub, B climbed up into the chair and gave me the "my turn" look. It hadn't been my plan to cut his hair tonight (due to the aforementioned couch diving injury) but as he was there, I figure why not? B let me cut his hair with no problems and I sent him off to the tub for his bath as well. After he was all clean and dried off, he came downstairs and gave me a hug as if to say thanks. Not bad for a 1 1/2 year old!

Well, that said, good night and Happy 7th Birthday, L!

Wisdom 4-year-old Style

M, happily coloring in his new coloring book said, "Mom, Jesus sure made the world cool when he invented the Super Hero Squad coloring book."  His perspective on the world is pretty fabulous, and it's not blasphemy because he is innocent.  I think I'm feeling quite proud of him today because we did a well child visit for M and B, and I didn't think M would have immunizations but turns out he could have his pre-K ones if we wanted to.  Even with it sprung on him last minute, he just laid back and took it, just saying that it hurt once and 1 little whimper.  Now L, my very over the top girl, for those same shots was screaming and thrashing around and begging for mercy, seriously begging us to stop.  My guilt level was high. 

L is bouncing around and desperate to know the exact number of presents she will be getting for her birthday.  I can only imagine what she'd be like if I was actually spoiling her rotten.  Feelings of entitlement seem to come naturally.  She has had to be a brave girl herself this week, having some kind of toe problem that we have been treating home medicine style.  L can't wait for her debut as a flower girl and Aunt Sam and almost Uncle Jon's wedding.  Big stuff to a 6/7 year old's world.

B has actually pulled off more cuddling this week than bodily harm, so he is on the good list.  Yes, he is only being sweet because he has a cold and is feeling pathetic, but I'm still counting it.  At the ripe old age of 19 months he can move our heavy dining room chairs to the counter, the sink, the fridge or the pantry.  One pauses to contemplate life's deeper meanings when one finds a stuffed Winnie the Pooh and some magnets in the sink, toothbrushes in the pantry, etc.  

Big L, that's his DJing name apparently, stayed the longest he probably ever has at work last night, but he got a lot done and thankfully didn't get trapped in his parking garage, which he thought was a possibility for a minute as he was leaving. 

And Big M, that's me but I don't like the sound of that, is getting very excited for her sisters to come later this month.  It'll be fast but fun.  I just signed up for a super cheap gym membership that is a quick walk from my house, mostly so I can do spin classes.  Also, both The Husband and I are hoping for some home improvements to happen really soon, preferably by magic, but if not that, we hope to learn some new skills or find cheap labor (haha).   Well, peace out for now.