We're in Texas, y'all!

Obviously, it's been awhile.

Between the homeschooling and the sports and the church my little happy place online fell by the wayside over a year ago. In the meantime we've got a completely new life in Texas so I feel the need to chronicle a bit. Not to mention the sad fact that packing up for said move revealed I haven't even started a baby book for my FOUR year old.

To make a very, very long story short, we now live in Boerne, Texas. It's about as far away from our beginnings in Fargo, North Dakota as you can get - evidenced primarily by the fact that it's November and we're still wearing flip flops and tee shirts. (Except for Hubby who's taken very quickly to cowboy boots). It's an adorable little town - quickly becoming a very large town - evidenced by the traffic going to and from school. Yes, my children now go to school. More on that later. Probably much, much later as I'm still fumbling my way through this new "mom of children who are never home" life.

Here, There, and Everywhere (Reader Beware!)

Lots of ups and downs this week - maybe more downs than ups - but I'd rather document the good moments than the bad. And yet...

In many ways this is a trying season for me: my baby is turning two in just a few weeks and there is no baby on the way. I've never had a two year old without a baby coming and it just feels different. (The Christmas story is oh-so-hard without a babe in arms or one on the way when that's all you've known for a decade.  There is obviously power there regardless of one's motherhood status; yet Mary's hopes and fears for all the years are heard differently when rocking your own sweet child, not knowing what the future holds). I should have posted at length on how the Lord ministered to me so tenderly in the late hours of Christmas Eve, alone at the foot of our tree. It seems too late now, but just recalling it here will keep it alive somehow, if only for me.

We've also moved every three years - almost to the day - and (thankfully!) there is no new change of location in our sights right now even though we have just passed our three year mark. The short version of this little digression is that it just feels like the cadences are all off and I can't quite get my footing.

I did say I wanted to focus on the good parts, though, didn't I?

My no-longer-a-baby-little-big-man

Sweet notes passed between siblings after a short separation

Silly sister moments after Tae Kwon Do

Becoming quite proficient with those Lego instructions

Crafting away the winter blues

A colonial themed birthday party for one of Bobo's friends

Girls Weekend

I've been in denial about how much I miss my friends after our recent move, so it was so much fun to have my two best buddies fly in for a long weekend. All ten of our combined children are best friends too, so it was hard not having the whole gang together, but that will come soon enough. Plans are in the works already.

Hubby took the big three camping for some of it so we could have some girl time (plus Crockett). We definitely wined and dined (without Crockett of course), eating outside and enjoying the warm weather. They went home to six inches of snow. That's North Dakota for you. Can't say I miss that.

But I do miss you both already. Thanks for a great time!

Southern Living

We're not accustomed to sixty degree weather in March. Or February. Or January. But we've experienced it all since our move to Ohio. (Yes, those were my children out in the cul-de-sac today in tank tops and bare feet. Sorry.)

I'm not sure I was prepared for how southern Ohio feels. Or how eastern. With its stone fences and tree lined lanes, I think of Connecticut. But the sweet tea, oft-encountered southern accent - not to mention the proximity to Kentucky - all scream Southern Living (at least to this former North Dakotan). Funny thing is, Ohioans consider themselves very midwestern. Go figure.

Despite it's obvious confusion, you can hardly find fault with a state whose motto so boldly declares: "With God, all things are possible." That feels like home.

Update...

To my great relief (and Hubby's - I think he had nightmares of having to shuttle us all around all the time), I passed! I am now a proud Ohio driver. Phew, that was a close one.

Failed. Again.

This is getting embarrassing. As you may know, when you move to a new state you have to take a written test in order to obtain a driver's license. In North Dakota, I failed miserably while my husband whizzed through without a missed question. Adding insult to injury, they revoked my license right there on the spot; he had to drive me home and bring me back the next day.

In Ohio, they have the decency of letting you keep your old license. Yes, that means I failed here as well. Before you go thinking I must be the world's worst driver (which I very well may be), let me ask you this: Do you know "the minimal tread bare a tire can be?" or "how many hours one must spend in jail after receiving their first drunk driving citation?"

I didn't think so.

So I'm off to try, try again this afternoon. I've actually studied, so I should be ready. By the way, the tire tread answer is 1/16; the requisite jail time for a first offense of drunk driving is 72 hours.

Ohio BMV here I come! (By the way, I couldn't even find it in the phone book because everywhere else I've lived called it the DMV).

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!)

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!