August, really?

Maximizing the fun of every day becomes tiring...but we are doing it. And there are plenty of pictures...but on this borrowed laptop, I shan't load it down with all those MBs. 

{Post edit: Laptop's back...I've added pictures.}

I was thrilled {and a bit anxious} to be able to go on the Women's whitewater rafting trip last Friday. Twas all pretty perfect...wonderful ladies, compelling and encouraging discussion times...and tons of fun on the New River. We did the Lower Gorge run {listen to me, I sound like I know what I'm talking about} which included a couple of Class 2 rapids on up to 2 Class 5's. Sometimes, I think our guide may have been blowing smoke at us to make it seem more exciting...he had grown up on that river and told great stories, pointing out the ruins of the old mining towns and his still-tended family cemetery. But, man, could he put that boat right where he wanted us...impressive. He even shot us down an narrow chute backwards...on purpose!

The babes were in the Valley while I was adventuring {thank you again, Grandma and Grandpa J!} so I headed there Sunday evening and spent the night, with a plan to go peach-picking in the morning. We picked for a bit, had lunch and then  the kids and I headed home.

A sweet friend reminded me she was watching my babes that evening, so that I could go to a very steamy {no A/C} Zumba class. Got my sweat on!

Tuesday, we. did. nothing! Lovely...we went nowhere...no one came over. It rained; I drank coffee; we played Candyland; I didn't cook. I think I took 2 naps and read most of the day. I did clean out the scuzzy van.

Wednesday, we trekked on over to Coshocton Lake Park to visit Opa and Anne on their camping trip. Just for the day...to see them and to enjoy the water park...which we did for about an hour before a HUGE storm rolled in. We were stalwart, sitting on our loungers, watching everyone scramble. I'll confess...I thought to myself, silly people, just relax and wait it out...we've been through this before. Well, we waited a little too long...and once the drops began to fall, we were hustling our buns back to the campsite, stopping first to get a we-can-come-back-and-swim,right? stamp. And then there was wind, and running, and walls of water...and the rending of tree limbs. We made it back to the camper and gathered up things that had gotten blown around and wet. Safe and sound and shivering, we sat in Opa's camper and thanked God. Bug said, I was so scared, I just prayed. Very exciting. 

After the storm was over, we went for a lovely walk with the dogs, to the river and around the campground. We must put that campground on our list...so fun for kiddos...lots of bike paths and that over the top pool. Next summer maybe we'll go for a week. A good meal was prepared and eaten. Some talking, some chalk drawing, some playing with the dogs followed. And then there was a sleepy drive home...

I'll be sure to let you know about our fun weekend plans. Now, I'm off to cut the grass.

Sweet Daddy update: He is in Nebraska and will be there for another week. His Bloomington assignment is cancelled for now...not sure where he will be next, but we are excited to be able to see him back home if only for a day or so. And when we know where he will go, the kiddos and I will make our plan.

One of those days

It's not what you are thinking...we've had an incredible day...in fact, it is the sixth in a stretch of incredible days. Don't know why, I certainly don't deserve it...and it takes me a minute to realize I having one...but I'm seeing it now. I'm sure it has something to do with my sweet man being with me.

I won't bore you with the play-by-play.

We blew off school letterboxed last Thursday, hijacking Grandma J and taking her with us.

Bug and Bean spent a couple nights in the Valley...and Friday, I spent a day visiting with dear friends, drinking gallons of coffee, and going out to dinner with my sweet man.

Early Saturday, we woke up (with no help from the babes) and went for a walk, together...holding hands and everything. The realtor called and we were able get the house all sparkling for a showing. And we were off....We gathered our babes back to us and traveled to a soccer game. Late, late, I had a date with a gracious friend for coffee. She bought my tea and crumpet. Thank you, sweet friend.

Sunday was a day of sweet worship, naps, and chili with Opa.

Monday was school, errands with Bean, and jobs around the house. Check. stuff. off. that. list.

We were planning to camp this week, but Opa's camper is in the shop...so we road tripped to Amish country instead. The leaves are gorgeous right now ~ what a good day to drive hilly, back roads with no particular place to go.

After a trip to one of our favorite stores, we wandered a bit and made our way to the Valley where delicious dinner waited for us (that's becoming a habit, hmmm.) We'll spend the night and go fishing in the morning...well, I may go "reading near a body of water" or "reading in a comfy recliner" tomorrow, then dinner with friends. It really seems like I often finagle a way out of cooking dinner, doesn't it? Fantastic....

Sweet Man has said several times that he LOVES when he's working and LOVES when he's not. We are able to enjoy adventures together that we would never be able to before this job/life change. So blessed to live this way with my loves.

Sorry, I bored you with the play-by-play...if you're still with me, thank you.

We do have travel on the horizon next week. Daddy's going to Illinois and we're going to Indiana to visit my fell-in-love-married-and-moved-to-his-hometown-I-miss-her friend. She's newly pregnant with #2 and frequently queasy. Then maybe Cincinnati again...not sure about all of it.

I can't wait for tomorrow.

Happy Memorial Day...

We're in the Valley with lots of family around...eating, playing Bocce and dominoes, throwing water balloons...maybe planning a trip to the pool.

Have a great day in this great country....

Assurance

Yesterday, I sort of checked out...it was a "no shower for Momma, too much screen time" kinda day. 

But this morning confirms again why I am a blessed momma.

It started as a rainy morning here in the Valley. We were snuggling, watching news and discussing plans for the day. Bug cozied up to me and said,"Mom, can we finish the Charlie book?" We've been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and as of last night we had 3 chapters left. All the rascals had been picked off and only Charlie and Grandpa Joe remained with Mr. Wonka. How could we stop there, you ask? It was 9:30, Bean wasn't paying a lick of attention, and I was drifting off to Sleepytown ( ;), MLG.) 

So, snuggling to finish a great book is my idea of a fantastic morning...yes, Bug, we shall finish the book and we did. Oh, I do hope he is becoming hooked on reading.

After a few rounds of Hi-Ho Cherry-O (my least favorite boardgame ever, ugh...,) I went outside to retrieve something from the van...I make endless trips out there, especially now that I am "packed" to hit the road...and discovered this little guy. 

A rescue mission ensued, mostly to protect him from Bean...she's like that Looney Tunes character who loves creatures 'til they hurt. We got our boots on and made a trip to the spring and let "Sally the Salamander" go back to his family.

The sun made its appearance. A little further down stream we played with sticks and "seaweed" and sang "Do, a Deer." My kind of morning...we're in a beautiful place with wonderful people taking care of us. 

Grandpa J just got back from turkey hunting and brought back...mushrooms...Grandma J is smiling.

I'm heading to see my momma today...to get some more news and see if I can start "shoveling" a bit. I may even see my little brother and a few good friends.

I love my life...can I start to love the challenges..? Maybe. God is good, all the time. No matter what. I can be sure.

In the Valley

We've been spending much time at Sweet Man's parents' house. They take good care of us there.

We interrupt their usually quiet days with laughing, cartoons, cap guns, and tantrums. Sometimes we chase the noise outside or to the big basement. They say they don't mind the busy-ness of us...I'm trusting them to tell us when it's too much.

When I go to a home with a beautiful view, I want to make a cozy nest and spend the day staring...the Valley has that kind of view. I can see a worn red barn surrounded by green winter wheat fields and a creek that is in no hurry to get anywhere. Yes, I could sit a while with a cup of coffee, but that would mean someone else taking care of my babes and that happens enough anyway.

My day begins as I hear footsteps in the loft above my room. Grandpa opens the gate...yes, really, I barricade my children at night...and makes chocolate milk and coffee for us. I can't vouch for the milk, but the coffee is fantastic. Bean usually stomps down the stairs, across the living room, and into the room to jump up on Grammy's bed...SLAM! Good morning, Bean....

Fox News, breakfast, my shower and getting dressed all happen...and the day unfolds...

We often do school in the basement or hang out in Grandma's office watching Noggin. Sometimes we throw a little housework in, but never enough to earn our keep. Bug might help Grandpa outside in the shop. Bean helps Grandma in the kitchen and may share her warm yummies with the boys in the shop. Grandma always has yummy meals for us...mostly I try to stay out of her way.

The Amish store is a fun trip down the road. Much Word Twist is played on Facebook...no names, thank you. There is a nearby pool house for swims. There is the spring and the creek to plunk rocks and play Pooh Sticks (thank you, friends...now I understand the magic of Pooh sticks.) Keen eyes are always spotting wildlife - deer, turkey, groundhogs - and the field glasses are passed around.  Walks and naps take place in the afternoon. And then evening...dinner, little TV, few games. And maybe best of all, I have my own room - aaaahhh. I let Sweet Man share it with me when he's home, of course.

All in all, it's a great place to be.

I need to do a better job taking pictures. But here are some.  

Going to a Tea Party today...stay tuned for political ranting....

Coming Home

I have looked forward being back in Ohio. I really looked forward to be back in our own house, sleeping in our own beds. This trip has held some unexpected surprises. 

Bug, Bean, and I arrived in Apple Valley Wednesday afternoon. Good plan - a little buffer time before the craziness of our busy weekend. Grandma and Grandpa J welcomed us into their cozy and spacious log cabin. After my last bit of the 20 hour drive, it took me a minute to see the beautiful new staircase they added to the loft where the grandkids will be sleeping. Sweet Daddy rolled in a few hours later. Just being in their house relaxes me - probably having extra adults to dote on my babes. Or the cups of coffee and the snow falling. I sat on the couch a lot. The next day, I sat on the couch until I moved and sat in the recliner - it was a busy day for me. There was even a bit of video-gaming for Momma which doesn't happen often. Being there was just what I needed.

After that bit of recovery, we headed to our house Friday morning. I was itching to get the van unpacked and we did so quickly. When we travel with Sweet Daddy, we have 3 big locker trunks full of stuff: one has books, one has art stuff, and one has household/kitchen stuff. Then we have luggage and bins with clothes, toys, etc. Most of it landed in a pile on the garage floor. Some was toted inside. Sweet Man had planned a day out with the boys so he was off. And the kids and I were kidnapping Mimi to go run errands in preparation for their birthday party on Saturday. 


After a very successful trip to Columbus, Bug, Bean and I went back to the house to relax and wait for Sweet Daddy. It was about 5 o'clock. About 7:30 we realized that the heat, which had been turned down during our travels, was not kicking on. Sweet Man diagnosed that something was wrong with the furnace. Brrr....we decided to have a slumber party in the living with our pull-out couches, electric blanket, and fireplace. We survived the night even though the inside temp dropped to 47 degrees. Needless to say I didn't sleep well. 

In our short stay, we had managed to pull random belongings from bins and trunks and strewn them all over the house. But we had a party to prepare. And ourselves to get clean. We managed to do it. 

The birthday party at the Works Museum was a success (thanks to  Sweet Sister-in-Law and Mimi) and we got to see many of the kids' friends and some of our family. I was exhausted after it and we needed a place to stay. We were all feeling sick, too. Sweet Daddy's sweet sister and brother-in-law offered to take us in, in spite of our coughs and vague flu-like symptoms. We got there and Bean and I catnapped on the couch at their house while the boys picked up pizza for dinner. I slept very well that night, with the aid of Nyquil.

It was good to be back in our home church for Sunday morning service and to see so many great friends. 

Time to gather up for the coming week. I realize now that had I known that our furnace was not working, I would never have gone to the house and certainly would not have unpacked anything. In preparation for our trip to Las Vegas (Sweet Man has a meeting and invited me to come along - yes, please) we had to pack up and clean the house for showings. The logistics of staying in our house, which has only furniture and none of our stuff, was too crazy. I didn't anticipate the stress of trying to find belongings and trying to pack them again. I need to be so much more organized. 


Figuring out what I needed from our boxes, from the store and what we could live without was difficult. And then packing for 5 categories - ugh - 1. going with the kids to grandparents' while we're in Vegas 2. going with us to Vegas 3. staying in the "on the road" stuff 4. going to storage in Apple Valley 5. the constant purge pile. And sorting, scrambling and cleaning in 45 degree temps - not fun. The kids were crying, I was yelling, we were all freezing. But we finished quickly and then off to Mimi's for chalupa - warm - and Opa let me build a fire in the fireplace - double warm - and the kids took naps in their new beds at Mimi's. 

That night, sweet sister and brother-in-law graciously took us in again for another good night's sleep. 

I am glad to be home for a little while - I may just not be in my own home. These days, we are depending on the kindness of family and they are certainly rising to the occasions. Thank you, all! 

(remember that Seinfeld episode when Kramer has lo-flow shower heads?...

looks like Bean's hair is another victim)