Last Time

Tomorrow will be the last time I will wake up and make my bed here in this house.  I thought of that this morning as I was making the bed. Odd thought...It will also be the last time I take the kids to school in the morning and get to greet the day with a view of the valley.  The sky is always different and always beautiful.  It amazes me every time. What a wonderful way to start out the day!

Last night was the last time I got to spend time with some of the gals in our ward at a baby shower.  I enjoy doing that every chance I get.

Lately, I've been thinking about many of the 'last things' we've been doing.  I'm bummed we won't have time to go for another 'hike' before we leave.  We'll have to come back again.  We have loved having a bit of nature so close.

I'm guessing we've already had our 'last time on the playground' (we have 2 that we can walk to in less than two minutes) and our last nice weather BBQ with friends (months ago).

We'll miss being in a familiar place with familiar people doing familiar things.

The only thing that will be the same is family and the school.  It's strange to think that after so long it's actually our turn.  We've watched so many families come and go while we've been here that it just seemed like we would always be here - like it would never be us moving out.  This just might be the last blog post from where I'm sitting.  It's all so surreal.  We're not really moving, are we?

I promise I will convince myself that I'm excited - right now it's just not happening.  So much work just to have to step out of our comfort zone and start all over.  

I also promise that I really will post something fun one of these days. You know - something exciting or upbeat - maybe something about the kids or all the fun things we're doing.  I've been just a bit preoccupied with the house/moving topic.

Round Tuit

Life just isn't slowing down!!  We're moving this week!  My 'to do' list is about a mile long.  I don't really even have time to be writing this - 'someone' is supposed to be fixing dinner.  Here are some things I'm going to do when I get a 'round tuit'.  (No specific order.)

Reconnect with Layne - or at least have a conversation that has nothing to do with the house, finances, our schedule or our plan of attack for Christmas presents.

Teach/spend time with my kids - they have been neglected (a little - far from 'neglect' that's under the abuse umbrella - but still...they need more/I want to give more).

Participate more fully...the kids I teach at school, the teachers/other parents I work with, committees I serve on, family, neighbors, friends...all need me to be more fully present.

Clean in a 'keeping on top of it' kind of way (right now I feel like I'm deep cleaning 2 houses - it's too much - especially when I had nothing to do with the mess at one of them).

Spend some time doing something creative.

Update my journal, my kids' 'binders', my blog (I might even start another one.) and a bunch of other things I keep meaning to do...want to do...but, just keep putting off for seemingly more immediate matters.

Set up child care for Rachel - she'll need somewhere to go once we move (while I'm at the school 2 or 3 times a week).

Exercise again!

Be on time...this is a tough one for me - especially with kids in tow. But, it works so much better when I'm organized and life is a little less chaotic.

The list could go on...but, it's time to get back to the 'to do' list I mentioned earlier - boxes will not be packing themselves...oh, I think it's about dinner time too.  Hmm...maybe I'll do that first.

I Am Thankful For...

...vacuum attachments!  We were doing yard work and some cleaning yesterday at our new house.  I'm so very glad our vacuum has attachments.  They're simple - but, I'm happy to report there are no more cobwebs between the ceiling and curtain rods, no more dust on the baseboards and the list could go on.  I was just thinking about that one yesterday - since I literally spent hours vacuuming. 

I'm also thankful for the gospel, family, friends, freedom, a place to live, a body that functions well, food to eat, an income, a vehicle that runs smoothly, a school that's a good fit for our family, and an education.  Well, I guess that's the beginning of the list of generalities.  Too bad there's not enough time or space for all the specifics - I'm sure that would be fun to read!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

So Sad

When you move the people are always what you miss the most.  This time will be no different.  Jonny asked the other day if he could go to the local neighborhood school (as a way to continue to hang out with his friends in the neighborhood).  Jacob has also asked in family prayers to help us make new friends.  We will all miss being able to walk out the door and find a friend.  Luckily, we still live close enough to get together with friends.  It's also comforting to know that we all get to take our best friend with us.  Have I mentioned yet that I LOVE that my children are each other's best friends?  And, it's obviously in my best interest to take Layne along.:}

Mom of the Year!

Not me!  I realized today I could never have this title.  I don't really do play-doh - I know research says...It's just too much of a mess no matter what precautions we take.  So, it's rare to never around here. I'm also terrible about cooking with my kids - again...completely aware of the research.  I just forget - and sometimes I just have to face the hard truth that I'm just too lazy.  I could go on - but, I think the list of these particular two are incriminating enough on their own.:}

To my credit - I do have to say I'm in my kids' classes, I love to go on field trips and read to my kids (although, I did the last two more with the boys than I have with the girls - still working on that).