Looks like we'll be spending a quiet New Years Eve. Since we've been battling coughs, colds and sniffles for the better part of 2 weeks, we thought it prudent to spend the evening at home resting, and resolving to not get sick in the next few weeks.
Today, I did laundry. Lot's of laundry! And now, I have to sort it all out, toss the old stuff and the small stuff and hopefully some too big stuff and then pack it all up in suitcases and boxes. I'll leave a few outfits out and do a last load of laundry on Saturday before they pack up the washer and dryer.
Tanner and I packed the kitchen, so now we have one pot, one frying pan and paper plates and cups for the rest of the week. It looks like we'll be all done with our packing on Saturday, so it will be sleeping on the floor and living out of suitcases from then on. I know that the last thing I will pack will be my espresso machine. It's just too grueling to have to wait until 10:30 to get my shot of espresso. I think it's funny that it always takes me until 10:30 to get out of the house. The kids get up at 8:00, and between getting them dressed and breakfast, I never leave the house before 10:30. What am I going to do when Kate starts school?
Today, I feel excited. No doldrums. That wasn't the way I was feeling yesterday or the day before, but today I feel only excitement. I keep pinching myself to make sure that this dream is finally coming true. Also, people have been so encouraging the last few days that I really feel upbeat and determined. Thank you so much. I'm feeling such a boost of joy, and I know it's because of the great suppot that my family has once again kicked in to high gear.
Here's hoping that you all have a great new year, and that it's full of as much excitement, vim, and vigor that you can possibly pack into it.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A little humor
Perhaps these two photos best describe the differences between Oregon (on the left) and Texas (below).
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
NINE, EIGHT!
Time is going by way too fast now. The house is almost entirely packed. We just have our clothes, a few dishes and the pantry to pack. I keep wondering if there is anything that I can do, but then I realize that I really have to wait until Friday to finish packing.
The last few days have been a lot of fun. Yesterday, we celebrated our 7th anniversary by having dinner at Pazzo's. Of course, it HAD to be Pazzo's. We spent our wedding night in the hotel attached to Pazzo's, and we had our first lunch as a married couple there, so of course we went to Pazzo's. We've been there every year except for one, and that was because we were out of town. Pazzo's is famous for 2 things: gnocchi and lemon drop martinis. Yum, to both.
Today, I launched a final sally on Target with my three girls, my sister and her two girls. Sniff. I cried in the car on my way home. It makes me wish Texas wasn't so far away. Kate gets to spend the night with her cousin tonight. I guess we're trying to get in all the family time we can get.
I ordered all of the utilities turned on, and am working on ordering a phone line. I think it will be weird having a land line for the first time in our married life. Good news, I have 5 violin students lined up in C.S. Isn't that wonderful? I didn't expect such a wonderful blessing. God is being faithful.
The last few days have been a lot of fun. Yesterday, we celebrated our 7th anniversary by having dinner at Pazzo's. Of course, it HAD to be Pazzo's. We spent our wedding night in the hotel attached to Pazzo's, and we had our first lunch as a married couple there, so of course we went to Pazzo's. We've been there every year except for one, and that was because we were out of town. Pazzo's is famous for 2 things: gnocchi and lemon drop martinis. Yum, to both.
Today, I launched a final sally on Target with my three girls, my sister and her two girls. Sniff. I cried in the car on my way home. It makes me wish Texas wasn't so far away. Kate gets to spend the night with her cousin tonight. I guess we're trying to get in all the family time we can get.
I ordered all of the utilities turned on, and am working on ordering a phone line. I think it will be weird having a land line for the first time in our married life. Good news, I have 5 violin students lined up in C.S. Isn't that wonderful? I didn't expect such a wonderful blessing. God is being faithful.
Monday, December 29, 2008
TEN!
The official countdown has begun. We're getting excited and just a little nervous. After all, we've never even seen the house in Texas. I keep wondering if I'm being just a little bit idiotic!
We've started to look for a little truck in Texas. We're hoping to find a little mazda or nissan so that we'll be able to transport supplies easily. We've bought a fixer upper, and we're pretty sure a truck is going to come in handy.
Well, this week Tanner has to make sure that all of our stuff is assembled from the vast array of family that we have here in good ol' PDX. He has to pick up a bunkbed, clean our stuff out of the barn, check the attic and the tool shed, take down the Christmas lights, and box and bundle it all up before this weekend. My checklist is to get the garbage, water, gas, electricity and phones all lined up in C.S., pack up the kitchen and arrange for swimming lessons. And then we have decisions to make like: do we take my dresser or even the girls dresser? (They're really rickety and splintering.)
Anyway, Saturday and Sunday are the official time to pack up days and our day of departure depends on the weather forecast. I think I need a paper bag: breathe in--out--in--out.
I was just thinking: what am I going to do without my mom's library? I'm so used to being able to go over, pick out a book, read it, return it, pick out another book. I can tell that there is going to be a lot of adjusting in Texas.
We've started to look for a little truck in Texas. We're hoping to find a little mazda or nissan so that we'll be able to transport supplies easily. We've bought a fixer upper, and we're pretty sure a truck is going to come in handy.
Well, this week Tanner has to make sure that all of our stuff is assembled from the vast array of family that we have here in good ol' PDX. He has to pick up a bunkbed, clean our stuff out of the barn, check the attic and the tool shed, take down the Christmas lights, and box and bundle it all up before this weekend. My checklist is to get the garbage, water, gas, electricity and phones all lined up in C.S., pack up the kitchen and arrange for swimming lessons. And then we have decisions to make like: do we take my dresser or even the girls dresser? (They're really rickety and splintering.)
Anyway, Saturday and Sunday are the official time to pack up days and our day of departure depends on the weather forecast. I think I need a paper bag: breathe in--out--in--out.
I was just thinking: what am I going to do without my mom's library? I'm so used to being able to go over, pick out a book, read it, return it, pick out another book. I can tell that there is going to be a lot of adjusting in Texas.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Uh, oh. Happy Birthday, Reagan??!!
I was planning to buy Reagan's birthday present last weekend, but the snow and the ice kind of detered me. I didn't want to risk it, so we stayed home. Yesterday, it became apparent that we had to do SOMETHING. So, we decided to risk a trip to Target.
I suggested to Tanner that perhaps he should test out the roads before we put the girls in the car, but he just shrugged and said it wouldn't be a big deal. So, we packed the girls in the car with extra blankets, jacket, socks, etc... The garage door opened, the car backed down the drive and we got stuck. The rear wheels made it about 1/4 of the way down the drive, so Tanner got out and shoveled and scraped and dug until I could pull the car back into the garage. Then we waited in the car for about 30 minutes while he shoveled the snow from the drive. I kind of felt a little guilty as I sat in the car all snug and warm and watched my husband battle the drifting snow, but I knew I wouldn't be any use. I'd probably end up coughing and hacking with every other step, so I sat in the car and waited with girls. Finally the task was done and we were able to get on the road. It took us another 30 minutes to get to Target, but we did get there.
We headed straight for the toy section and let Reagan wander up and down the aisles. She played with a few, discarded a few and finally seemed to settle on one: a barbie electric guitar. So, we picked a few supplies: goldfish, fruit snacks, twizzlers and eggnog, and then headed home. And we got stuck again. I mean really stuck. Our rear wheels started to slide and the chains didn't seem to make much of a difference and we landed in a pillowy, wet, snow bank. Luckily, Tanner had decided to bring the shovel, so out he got and startd shoveling, and scraping and digging. A couple of guys stopped and helped push the car onto the road, for which we were very grateful. As we started up the hill to Safeway, we saw another car in a similar predicament. Tanner figured he was already wet and cold, so we stopped to help, excuse me, Tanner helped. I sat in the car and watched. All in all, it took us an hour and a half to get home, but get home we did.
That's not the end. This mornig I woke up and realized that I had forgotten to get a muffin or something like that for a birthday cake. And, yes, I realize that I could have made one, but I'm sick. Really sick. (sorry to everyone I infected at Target.) So, Tanner headed out this morning, wisely leaving his family at home, to find a birthday cake. He brought home a tiny, ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, helped another stranded motorist, and bought me a cappuccino. So, at least now Reggie will have a birthday party, even if it is a small one.
I suggested to Tanner that perhaps he should test out the roads before we put the girls in the car, but he just shrugged and said it wouldn't be a big deal. So, we packed the girls in the car with extra blankets, jacket, socks, etc... The garage door opened, the car backed down the drive and we got stuck. The rear wheels made it about 1/4 of the way down the drive, so Tanner got out and shoveled and scraped and dug until I could pull the car back into the garage. Then we waited in the car for about 30 minutes while he shoveled the snow from the drive. I kind of felt a little guilty as I sat in the car all snug and warm and watched my husband battle the drifting snow, but I knew I wouldn't be any use. I'd probably end up coughing and hacking with every other step, so I sat in the car and waited with girls. Finally the task was done and we were able to get on the road. It took us another 30 minutes to get to Target, but we did get there.
We headed straight for the toy section and let Reagan wander up and down the aisles. She played with a few, discarded a few and finally seemed to settle on one: a barbie electric guitar. So, we picked a few supplies: goldfish, fruit snacks, twizzlers and eggnog, and then headed home. And we got stuck again. I mean really stuck. Our rear wheels started to slide and the chains didn't seem to make much of a difference and we landed in a pillowy, wet, snow bank. Luckily, Tanner had decided to bring the shovel, so out he got and startd shoveling, and scraping and digging. A couple of guys stopped and helped push the car onto the road, for which we were very grateful. As we started up the hill to Safeway, we saw another car in a similar predicament. Tanner figured he was already wet and cold, so we stopped to help, excuse me, Tanner helped. I sat in the car and watched. All in all, it took us an hour and a half to get home, but get home we did.
That's not the end. This mornig I woke up and realized that I had forgotten to get a muffin or something like that for a birthday cake. And, yes, I realize that I could have made one, but I'm sick. Really sick. (sorry to everyone I infected at Target.) So, Tanner headed out this morning, wisely leaving his family at home, to find a birthday cake. He brought home a tiny, ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins, helped another stranded motorist, and bought me a cappuccino. So, at least now Reggie will have a birthday party, even if it is a small one.
Monday, December 15, 2008
It's begginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Wow! What a snowfall. Isn't it wonderful when the whole city shuts down because of a few inches of snow so that you can almost hear the snow crackling as it falls?
My apologies to everyone who is stuck at home and wishing they were at work. We were praying that the girls would get a last blast of snow before we left for Texas, and I guess God saw it fit to blanket the entire country in arctic weather. Woops. :-) I am thankful that God gave the girls a good chunk of snow. Looks like it will be an entire week of snow angels and snow men. Luckily I have a carrot.
A few days ago, Kate asked me if it ever got really cold in Texas, and I told her no. She started to cry. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "Christmas won't ever come!" I guess that's our fault. We've been telling her that first comes Daddy's birthday, then it will be Mommy's birthday, then it will get REALLY cold, then Reagan's birthday and THEN Christmas.
We've been busy making cookies and candies, and in between that we've been packing. We have a list and we've been checking it twice. Looks like everything is in order and all lined up. Though I'm sure there will be plenty of hang ups once we actually start the journey.
Friday, December 12, 2008
We're laughing again!
A quick note before I go to bed. Just found out that the average garbage bill in C.S. is $14 a month for a 70 gallon container, with brush removal and oversized garbage removal (i.e. refridgerators, washer, dryer, etc...) Don't worry, they also provide a reasonable rate for carcass removal. Only $4 a carcass, but if your a vet they have a flat rate fee of $20 a month.
Of course we know that in the electric department we will pay dearly. After all the summer gets REALLY hot, and our A.C. is going to be running 24/7, so...
Of course we know that in the electric department we will pay dearly. After all the summer gets REALLY hot, and our A.C. is going to be running 24/7, so...
Monday, December 8, 2008
One month to go!
Yup! It's almost here, and we are so very excited. We've started packing the things that we know we can do without for the next month. As most of you know, that's pretty amazing considering the spartan surrounding we already occupy. But, since Tanner might find this month pretty busy, especially the weekends, we've decided that we can do without certain pots, pans, dishes and toys...mainly toys. If any of you know someone that is having a baby, especially a baby girl, please tell me. I have TONS of baby girl clothes that I'd like to give to someone, but I don't know anyone having a baby girl. I know people having boys, but no girls. Hmmm...
I am priviledged to have a baby that finally sucks her thumb! Oh, I've wanted one for a while, but all of my others prefered pacifiers to their fingers, but Georgianna has a decided preference for her thumb. YAY! Unfortunately, she has also rejected the bottle which means our drive to Texas might be a little more complicated than we anticipated; nevetheless, I am still trying to give her the bottle, so perhaps she'll adjust and acquire a taste for it.
We've calculated our budget for Texas, and discovered that in order to be poor, survive and BARELY scrape by we need to make a whopping 1K a month. We started to laugh ourselves silly. We feel like we could do that standing on our heads with our eyes closed. I guess we'll see once we get there if our budget calculations are correct. All in all, when people start complaining about the economy, my answer remains the same, "Why don't you just move to Texas?" or as Tanner says, "the best _____ country in the Union."
I think it's amazing how God is providing for us so that it will be possible for Tanner to really concentrate on school. We've been so apprehensive about doing this because we know how stressful school, work and family can be, but God seems to be providing in an amazing way. It looks like if it really came down to it, I could get a job to support the family without having to leave our kids in daycare. I thank God for this opportunity and for his provision.
I am priviledged to have a baby that finally sucks her thumb! Oh, I've wanted one for a while, but all of my others prefered pacifiers to their fingers, but Georgianna has a decided preference for her thumb. YAY! Unfortunately, she has also rejected the bottle which means our drive to Texas might be a little more complicated than we anticipated; nevetheless, I am still trying to give her the bottle, so perhaps she'll adjust and acquire a taste for it.
We've calculated our budget for Texas, and discovered that in order to be poor, survive and BARELY scrape by we need to make a whopping 1K a month. We started to laugh ourselves silly. We feel like we could do that standing on our heads with our eyes closed. I guess we'll see once we get there if our budget calculations are correct. All in all, when people start complaining about the economy, my answer remains the same, "Why don't you just move to Texas?" or as Tanner says, "the best _____ country in the Union."
I think it's amazing how God is providing for us so that it will be possible for Tanner to really concentrate on school. We've been so apprehensive about doing this because we know how stressful school, work and family can be, but God seems to be providing in an amazing way. It looks like if it really came down to it, I could get a job to support the family without having to leave our kids in daycare. I thank God for this opportunity and for his provision.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)