Moving Week: Tuesday

Even though Little Monkey Man had a bath right before bed last night (hence the great looking bed head) he really did need one again this morning. For everyone's sake. The water in the tub wasn't quite ready and he was trying to climb in by himself. Then he decided to flash everyone who was still at the breakfast table. Finally I stood him in the sink to keep him occupied. I had some other really cute pictures of him looking at himself in the mirror, but they showed too much private property on his end.

So day #2 of the Great Moving week. I was up from 2:30-6am. I wasn't UP but I was awake. I've had more insomnia with this pregnancy than any of my others. It is just maddening to lay there and NOT be able to sleep, but know how tired I will be the next day. Along with having Draycare back today and doing preschool (working on a book of colors, counting out specific numbers, letter "O", and our Bible story) we managed to get everything but a rice cooker* packed out of our basement storage area.

My kitchen has very few cupboards and many items like my crock pot, stock pots, and popcorn popper had residency on a shelf in the basement. Along with this was all of our Christmas items (Thanks mom and Danielle for helping get that all packed earlier), camping gear, and random things that didn't have another home.

We have yet another box for Goodwill, threw away a significant amount of stuff that we weren't sure WHY we even had, and packed the rest. I'm a keeper, not a tosser, but I have to say getting rid of so much stuff is actually...relieving. Anyone who helps us move will think I had better get rid of 200 more things. We even negotiated. "I'll throw/give this away if you get rid of __________." Fun times.

I had to laugh this morning. After meals the kids always clear their dishes and then go wash their hands and faces/use the bathroom if they need to. Little M (boy that I sit for) said "Where is the bathroom???" He was trying to get around a big stack of boxes in the hallway and couldn't find his way through!

Tonight we are going over to the hospital where I will deliver for an orientation. It is the same hospital I had both of the boys at but we are going to try something different this time. Although many doulas or midwives would probably laugh, this section of the maternity ward is considered a more natural delivery environment than traditional L&D areas. There is a mandatory orientation and then another day of tour just to make SURE you want to use this facility. My dr. says I am a great candidate to try this because it is baby #3 (I know what I am doing) and so far my pregnancy has been by the book perfect.

With my boys this wouldn't have even been an option because Snug was a preemie (delivered in an O.R. just in case) and Little Monkey Man had me on bedrest for a few weeks and was born the day after he was considered NOT to be a preemie. He cut it very close. We'll see how this one goes, but so far the pregnancies have been night and day so my dr. thinks I will probably go full term. Remind me when I am 41 weeks how GOOD of a thing that is...cause I'm pretty sure when I hit 37 weeks I will be more than ready to be DONE.

Still don't know where we are moving for sure, will tell you tomorrow...cause we have to know by tomorrow. Fun times!




*Ok. We got a 10 c. rice cooker (20 c. when done) as a wedding present. We've never used it that I can remember. I am all for giving it away to someone who wants it. #1 didn't know we had it and thinks we will use it constantly. It is in the pile of "if we can fit it in the storage area, it stays, if it doesn't fit, it's gone". Really, who makes 20 c of rice?????

Moving Week: Monday Mess

Welcome to moving week 2010. Actually, we will be moving two times in 2010, so maybe this should be "Moving Week 2010 A". I am going to take the most upbeat perspective on this that I can. Hang in there this is going to be a crazy week!
This is our basement. Ok, this is the homeschool/scrapbooking area/laundry room part of our basement. All the preschool materials have been moved upstairs so we can get school work done. I am not even thinking about scrapbooking in the next 10 years, and I have a very special path to get to the laundry area. I am determined to move with 95% clean laundry. The last 5% should be on bodies. Most of the large cardboard pile you see are tops to boxes yet to be packed...many of which will contain things to simply take to the rental and then unpack immediately.

Which rental? We don't know! That is the exciting part of this week, it is like a mystery game. We know who (us) we know when (Thurs-Sat) we know what (all this junk you see pictured) we know how (using the van, some friends, and a truck #1's dad graciously lent us) but the big question still remains: where????

Anyway, this is the boys' room. This box is an example of how exact I am trying to make the boxes that will be put in storage. Some can simply say "toys" or "#1's clothes" and that is all the explanation needed. However, other boxes I may or may not need for MONTHS to come (like this box containing diapers Little Monkey Man just outgrew along with sposies for him to use while I am at camp this summer) and I won't be opening them right away after move #2.

This is our hallway, and I am LOVING this stack. This stack is stuff that we didn't think we could live without back when we had our garage sale...but still haven't used since and it is all going to Goodwill. I gave away a big bag of boy clothes to a lady at church yesterday too. I am hanging on to most of the outgrown boy clothes just in case we don't have a girl. But we have TOO MUCH STUFF.

I have two boxes in the kitchen of things I want to go to storage, but am testing my theory out by having it packed...so far I have dug out 3 things that I really will be needing. It is so hard to predict. The toaster probably won't even make it into a box to travel. I think I will hand deliver it to the next counter top. We eat a lot of toast. I'm not super proud of that, but it is true.

Goodbye beautiful built in bookshelves. I shall miss you the most. Well, you and the built in china hutch...or the fireplace...(neighbors do NOT count in this "missing most" dilemma. They are so dear to us and will TRULY be missed the most).

And here is the boy who did not need a nap today. He informed us. He cried. He kicked the bed. He got a spanking. He sang loudly. He woke up his brother. He stood in the corner. He crashed on the couch for 2 hours. Because he did not need a nap. Poor little guy, his entire life is out of sorts right now.

We were very thankful that it was Martin Luther King Jr's birthday. Not only because he was a great man and did so many wonderful things for our country, but also because it gave us a daycare-free day to get LOTS done. Stay tuned for Tuesday's installment of Moving Week 2010!

The Truth Of It

Going to church may be something that many people do out of habit, or obligation, or for various reasons, but I have to say that especially since last year when Little Monkey was so sick it has become something I look forward to with anticipation because I learn so much.

I won't lie because some weeks I barely get out the door with everyone dressed and we will simply be there for two hours so I get to see other adults and my children can be with caring childcare workers. Some weeks are like that. But even on those weeks where my heart is not in the right place, God uses the sermons and affirmations of others.

The truth of it is, I (we) are trying so hard to look to the Lord for guidance in this whole housing situation. We are clinging to the verses I posted here and praying very hard that we don't become cynical or ugly towards each other or the kids during this stressful time. We are not always successful. We do lose our tempers, feel overwhelmed (like 4am this morning when I was packing boxes because laying in bed thinking about it seemed unproductive), and get stressed out. I thank the many friends and family members who have listened to me vent because often I just need to talk about it and then things don't seem as bad.

Today our music minister (director?) told the story of Horatio Spafford. He wrote the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul". Take a minute and read the words...then read his life story. His life was not easy, and he lost everything, but he was still praising God. I think that not having an ideal or easy place to live really pales in comparison.

It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life,
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:It is well, with my soul,It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Here's his story in a nutshell:

Horatio was a wealthy lawyer in Chicago in the 1800s. The first tragic thing in his story was the death of his son (1871) followed closely by the Great Chicago fire that wipes him out financially. He and his family were believers and in 1873 they planned a trip to Europe to assist D. L Moody with his ministry he had there. Because of a business manner he sent his wife and four daughters ahead and planned to join them a week later. Their ship sank mid trip after an accident with another boat in the Atlantic. His wife alone survived.

As Mr. Spafford sailed over to get his wife and bring her home, he asked the captain of the ship to let him know when he was at the location of the accident. He wrote the words to the hymn above while he was at the scene. He had lost five children and his wealth within three years. It reminds me of Job. He, like Job, remained faithful. (He later did have 3 more children, one who died and two who survived. I was glad to know that when I looked him up online today)

So I will probably continue to stress a bit this week (or a lot) about housing and the move and everything. I will more than likely share the craziness on this blog. But I AM going to remember how faithful God has been to me before, and how He promises to take care of us in the big and little things.

By Himself

Snack today was clementines and pistachios. Snug always has me peel his "little orange". He actually eats almost a bag of them by himself a week. Good think Aldi has them for $1.99 a bag right now. Today it was a different story. As he hoisted himself into his seat (he's taken to wanting to be in a booster again, he isn't a fan of sitting on his knees these days) he announced that he could peel his "little orange" by himself.

And peel he did. By Himself. He is not my independent son. However, he also can now get on his coat by himself. These breakthroughs are most helpful as I have many little people to care for and a new little one on the way. Now, my independent son could be just a tad less so because the things he attempts by himself are really not 18 month old friendly.

MMMM, that is one tasty snack!

Living Beyond Yourself

I am a part of a woman's Bible study at our new church* and we are/have been doing a Beth Moore Bible study called "Living Beyond Yourself" and it is on the Fruits of The Spirit. Think I need to be living beyond myself these days? You bet.

We have been doing the study since the fall and are taking it slow. I am ok with that as her lessons are usually lengthy and thought provoking. The next two weeks are on...FAITHFULNESS. God's faithfulness to us and our faithfulness in the Spirit. Ironic? I think not.

Here are some verses I walked away with today, and wanted to share. I have them on 3x5 cards here at the house to keep reminding us of God's faithfulness to us. It is so hard to remember in the middle of stressful times.

Psalm 145:13b
The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, He is the faithful God keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!

If any of these encouraged your heart this morning (or whenever you are reading) please copy them down to read for yourself. Isn't the Word of God living and active?


*I have been going on Wednesday nights for about a year and a half to this church with the boys, but our family started attending there together in October