In Which She Tries To Relive The Past

In a land far away and a time long ago, this was me: a Division I hockey player. I played all sorts of competitive athletics growing up so I'm no stranger to training, practicing and working out.

Then came baby number one... I haven't even broken a sweat since October 4, 2000. I take that back, I did run a 5K with my dad in his short-lived running career sometime after Bobo was born. But that was it. Nothing since then. Seriously.

One of the perks of our move, though, has been that there's a nice health club right down the street. It's got all the amenities for children, including a great pool, so we've been spending a considerable amount of time there in the afternoons. I've gotten back on the treadmill.

It was all fine and good until I got my free "body age" consultation. The good news is that my body age is actually only one year older than I really am. Great! Then came the bad news. According to Ms. Personal Trainer, I'll need three sessions a week with her to achieve my stated goal of getting rid of the baby bulge. Three times a week. At $872 a month. Are you kidding me?

Looks like it's me and the treadmill for the long haul (let's hope!).

Enjoying A Quiet Weekend

This is our first quiet weekend in a while. Settling in has meant many trips to Home Depot, Target, and the recycling center (you wouldn't believe how much paper is used when movers pack for you. On many occasions we unwrapped three sheets of moving paper only to find a few loose crayons, or some bobby pins). But not this weekend, we're basically staying home.

The girls are busy on two new found favorites: tap dancing and playing duets. With Elbow still in the plucking stages of violin, the duets are short and sweet. The tap, however, is all consuming. I've relegated them to the laundry room for this loud, floor scratching activity -- they don't seem to mind.




Finding nothing better to do, Crockett munches on a sponge. (It's brand new, don't panic. But still, germ-o-phobes: consider yourself warned).


Toddzilla has been in his glory collecting all that previously mentioned paper, loading it into whatever receptacle he can find, and throwing it into the garage. Garbage is serious business to him; he asks to empty wastebaskets and help collect the trash. He's too busy to be photographed. I'm not complaining.

Tenting It

My husband and I have moved six times in our eleven years together. We just bought our third home in six years. You might say we know a thing or two about being transitory.

And yet a home never feels like home until all those little things that define us as a family are in place. Pictures on the wall. Beds made just so. Play spaces arranged. Favorite reading chairs in place and fully stocked with books.

Moving so many times has a certain nomadic charm, despite all the inconveniences. Above all, it reminds me that this earthly home - where ever it may be - is just a wanderer's tent. It's not permanent. It's not the place God has been preparing for those who love him from the beginning of time. It's not heaven.

But isn't it just like our Heavenly Father to bless us even here, in these tents, with the things we love best: family, friends, and even our favorite things.

(Incidentally, this is the backyard behind our new tent -- we're basically in the woods!)

If The Sink Fits...

Crockett is almost one. One! It creeps up on me with each child, but especially with this little man. The girls have already planned out his birthday party - from the cake to the trail mix "for filling the dump truck favors."

They're eager to make him a big boy; I'm holding on to my baby. Big boys don't take baths in the kitchen sink now do they?

Along the Alphabet Path with Toddzilla

Toddzilla's learning his ABCs with Mrs. Applebee and her gang at Serendipity. While Toddzilla works on the basics of letter recognition, Bobo is using the Flower Fairy songs as her copywork and studying the flowers for botany. Elbow is getting in on the action with the Flower Fairy coloring book and a continuation of phonics.

Toddzilla is so excited to be "doing school." He's all seriousness with his Letter A cookie cutter:

A Little More Christmas

Christmas is long over and done for us... With a move thrown into the mix, we basically wrapped up the season on Christmas day (sorry to the liturgical purists, we didn't come close to making it to Epiphany).

All said and done, I did manage to pull off my "hand made" pledge. A few projects had to be scrapped or started again, but all extended family received something I either sewed or knitted. It's not all pictured, but here is most of it:

Now that I can't find anything (still in boxes), it will be a long time before I get back to handiwork. I just wanted to motivate myself to get organized so I can get back to some fun stuff in the near future!

We're Here...

Highlights of the 1100 mile journey to our new home:

• A night out with two of our all time favorite couples before hitting the road




• All four children traveling like little troopers, much to the shock and delight of their parents




• Spending two nights with Nana and Papa along the way, and getting to see the children's only and beloved cousin (and his parents!)




• Gradually thawing out as we left frigid temps and arrived without our jackets - in January




• Hearing the squeals of approval as the big three raced to the backyard, found their bedrooms and made themselves at home




• Having so many wonderful people welcome us to the Buckeye state!
  

It will take me quite a while to feel "moved in," but the boxes are largely unpacked and the place is beginning to take shape. Eleven years marriage and six moves -- we're getting pretty good at this...

Farewell to Fargo

There are too many things we'll miss about this place to list them all.

For now, here are some pictures and

memories I don't want to forget.

Endless trips to our beloved church gym,

where we passed many a frigid North Dakota afternoon

Playing Norwegian elves -

and a thousand other dress up games - at home


"I'm ready to move! I'm packed!"

Last time Elbow was my lunch time helper.

The daily image of Hubby reading his Bible right in this spot

(and being embarrassed that I snapped a picture).

Farewell Fargo

We've loved our time with you!