Unpacked...mostly

Aside from installing a mid-bar brace (seriously, who leaves a ten foot clothing bar without a support in the middle?) so I can finish hanging our clothes and put the shoes inside the closet and one box of toiletry items that need a home (no storage INSIDE the bathrooms), we are all unpacked and getting into the routine of life in our new home. It's beautiful here, although we hit a weird heat wave, so we haven't yet escaped the burning inferno we thought we left behind in Georgia. But, our home is situated in a little grove of trees, so it keeps the heat off the house and plenty of shade to enjoy the yard. I just wanted to give everyone a quick update that we are here, happy, and hopeful in our newest adventure. We miss those we left behind and you are in our thoughts! Don't forget! There is plenty of room in our new abode for visitors!!

Angels Around Us

I don't think I can convey the depth of gratitude I feel for one of God's angels today. We got the packet for our move yesterday and I had a night of anxious, fitful sleep. When I awoke this morning, everything was weighing on me and there were too many crazy things that needed to be accomplished today (I thought there were several things I could do over the next couple of days, but the prep. page demanded a certain time frame). What to do?!?!! I couldn't get going on any of the other things until one aspect was taken care of. I called a sweet friend who assisted me in that situation and offered to assist in others. Because of her, I only have a few very minor things left on my task list for today. I am so incredibly grateful and just want to tell Amy how much it means to me that she quickly came to my rescue...both physically and emotionally.

Surgery Success

After a couple of failed attempts at removing the offending portion, the doctor decided that placing a metal shaft between the head and body would solve the problem. Now there is a tiny metal appliance supporting the head on it's body, but the doctor feels confident that it is a permanent solution. I'm not sure how painful recovery will be, but that's what happens when a child knocks a crab's head off.

I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

If you don't know this song...it feels like my life right now. All except the "now that we are through" part. I just don't know what to do with myself...especially after being entertained by my family for two weeks. I just can't wait for us to close on this house, have the movers come, and to be permanently back with my husband again. I just miss him and look forward to our official move. So, in the meantime, I've created a new nightgown for Emily out of one of his old t-shirts (especially great since it was a freebee in the first place for him). She has gotten so leggy that most of her pj's are a bit...revealing. I'm working on Gianna's afghan which is also one of her Christmas presents (I hope to have it finished before the movers get here to pack us). I want to do more sewing, but that is apparently a happy-happy hobby which is undermined while I'm missing my best friend. I keep practicing the piano and trying to keep up on my skill (oh! Did I mention that I got to play accompaniment in the women's group at church in Missouri a couple weeks ago? Intimidating a bit, but so satisfying that I could be at service). I've also gotten involved with indexing. I tried doing it a few years ago, but I didn't get batches that were very easy for me. The new system is AMAZING! It's so quick and it is easy to do a batch every day. Some of the names are like puzzles due to handwriting. It's always gratifying to figure out something that wasn't completely obvious.

Farm Fresh

I'm not a big goat fan, but these goats were really cute. My brother Micah invited us to his friends' farm to show the girls cows, chickens, turkeys, and goats up close and personal. I didn't realize how many "firsts" the trip would make. 1. First time on a "real" farm. 2. First time up close with most of these animals (my parents have chickens, so they had just had their first experience with live chickens a few days prior). 3. First time riding in a truck. 4. First time hanging out with Uncle Micah. 5. First time riding a 4-wheeler/atv (okay, so they rode a 4-wheeler a few days prior with him, but all of us rode together on a big one at the farm) Emily took lots and lots of pictures with her camera (she has a talent developing!) but I haven't put those on the computer yet. Micah and his girlfriend commented that the girls weren't afraid at all of these animals. I don't know if we grow into fear or if it was just that they trusted us that much not to endanger them or what, but I wouldn't have gone in the pen with those birds or out with the cows! We drove over to another place and saw these cute goats. The girls got to feed and pet them. They loved it. When Emily got tired (who said you have to take naps at Grandma's house?), she asked for a piggy-back ride. I got her up there and then she declared, "Mommy, you feel like a billy goat. You aren't comfortable." Um...thanks, honey. You know how to tell it. =)

Hum a Little Tune

I am so grateful that my house is filled with music. You all have heard about my little songbird Emily. Well, Gianna is growing in her desires to sing and be musical as well. She now demands to listen to "Castle on a Cloud" and is very diligent in learning the lyrics. She is quick to pick up tunes. She likes to play "Name That Tune" and will hum something for us to identify. I don't always get it as quickly as Emily does. Both of the girls like improv. They will sing their own new words to tunes they know or tunes they make up on their own. It's delightfully entertaining and sweet as I often get a prominent name drop in the songs. =)

Goin' Fishin'

The girls had their very first fishing experience this past week. They were so excited about it. While my Dad pulled out the gear, Gianna verified with me that the "fish sticks" (fishing poles) were the way we were going to catch fish. I was afraid my girls might not enjoy the outing, but hoped for the best. I was concerned that they wouldn't catch anything and that they would be completely upset to discover you had to put bait on hooks to catch the fish. No problems there. Emily even was willing to bait her own hook...with crickets!! Dad still assisted her, but she held the bug and got it on the hook! I was so impressed with her because I wouldn't even do it. Emily was the first to hook a fish. Mom, Dad, and I were all assisting her and instructing and getting pictures. In other words, all of our focus was on Emily. As soon as we got her fish out, Dad turned around and realized that Gianna had hooked her own fish and had reeled it in. A natural fisherman, er-uh, girl! Who would have guessed?? It was so fun and the girls wanted to go back. Too bad we were leaving and wouldn't be able to. However, they look forward to more fishing expeditions. Now, if I can only get over my squeamishness as baiting the hook...

Vacation Station

I've had such a great time visiting my family. It's been way too long since I've been able to visit. It was much overdue and much appreciated. I got to relax and everyone pitched in to take care of my girls, making it so much easier for this temporary single-mom. I miss my husband so much, but having my family to help me has been a renewal of his wife that I know he'll appreciate. So many pictures to come, so don't forget to stop back by in the next couple of weeks!