23456

So on April 6, 2013 we got together for our annual photos on those magical days when the kids' ages are sequentially ordered.  It was 23456 and they were so silly.  It was hard to get a photo where they were all looking at the camera and smiling, but as you can see, fun was had by all.  They really get energized by being together.

Why, you may ask, are you just now posting these photos to the blog on January 2, 2014?  Let's just say 2013 was more like a year and a half.  There were struggles; there were doubts; there were fears dismissed and fears found; there were achievements; there were setbacks; and, there were big decisions.  But, you may say, you look so happy on facebook!  I don't want to get into all of the tumult of the past year here and my thought is the less said the better.  We figured everything out and to tell you the truth, we were happy and we are happy.  Living on the ranch, migrating every 6 months to follow the cows on pasture, working with family, managing a lot of rental/family properties from afar, being part of two dynamic families..... it makes for a full, but hectic and confusing life at times.  We just focus on trying to remember to take time for us and we're working toward simplifying life, but it's a slow process.

I want to continue my efforts at blogging because I love the blog books that I get printed for myself and Mumsy and I want the kids to have a record of their childhoods.  So, I'll be catching us up to date!  Thanks for reading.

Finally emerging from "snow"

Well, we are pretty much settled in at our "new" Eagle house. We bought it the day after taxes, April 16th but just really moved in the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. There was some remodeling and some housesitting (thank you Maegen and Britta). We were up north with the cows and getting settled in our "new" house on the ranch in Donnelly (Dad's old house). We sold our "Boise house" on 9th St. and rented our "new house" in Donnelly. I'm surprised the kids can keep all the houses straight, but they do (sometimes better than I do). It's been a really busy time and I can't find the Christmas stockings, which makes me sad because I made them and they are really really cute. We moved from Donnelly to Eagle in the midst of a big snow storm coming through. I posted the pictures of the ranch earlier, but we've had plenty of snow since we've been in Eagle as well. The first big snow laid down a nice 10 inches and I then realized that we have an enormous driveway, really enormous. I decided to clear from the car to the house, but leave from the car to the road snowy and hopefully everyone's OK driving over that snow. We don't get many visitors anyway (but we have been getting a lot of UPS packages so sorry Mr. UPS man). It has finally pretty much melted off and I am beginning to feel like I'm catching up (not really getting ahead though). So as the snow melts I am also emerging from a fog of mental snow and glad to feel like I can take a breather (just for a minute though and only while everyone's asleep).

The other day my dad came over and said "What happened?" The kids toys were strewn all over the family room, there were half empty and half full boxes (which would actually make sense if you knew I was filling the goodwill ones as I was emptying the others), there were dishes on the counter and spills on dining room table, mail stacked up on my desk and probably some other things that didn't look quite right. My response was "Nothing." And that's exactly it.... a regular day around here can look pretty crazy.

In addition to just all the moving and getting situated, our pressure tank went out and we wound up getting a new pump too. We also had the chimney sweep out and then learned that our fireplace is for "affordable ambiance" and not really heat so much. So we're looking into an insert. We also haven't been able to find an exterior vent for my bathroom fan. In Clyde's room the vent is not connected to the ductwork but of course the problem's not at the vent but somewhere unknown under the floor. Our ovens are about 25 degrees off and the elements are on top inside each oven so all the heat goes to the top and things cook really unevenly. We can't get high speed internet through cable or phone, only dial-up is available.... and the list could actually go on, but there's no sense in airing any more of our dirty laundry (5 loads just the other day!).... One thing I will add... we didn't have a can opener, but as you can see, we made do.

This house will be a home soon. Thanks for listening. I print the blog and this post is for my kids in 30 years... when they think they've got it tough maybe they can remember how we still had fun with all this moving and their dad working 7 days a week. We are, actually, remarkably happy.

2 under 2

So whenever I don't have time to do something, or maybe don't want to, I have this handy excuse: "2 under 2"... I have two children under two years old. But this Friday, that will cease to be true. Clyde is turning two. I will have "2 2 and under" which doesn't have the same ring to it. So I guess I can either (a) quit making excuses, (b) come up with something ringier, or (c) have another kid because "3 under 3" would be an even better excuse! I don't think I would actually be able to function at all if I chose (c), and I've tried (b) and I just can't come up with anything. So, it's got to be (a). I will try, but don't expect me to be a whole lot less complaining or more available. Until Alice is walking and feeding herself and Clyde learns a new favorite word other than mine, I don't see my mindset changing too much.

Just so you aren't left with the impression that I am not enjoying my 2 under 2, here are some pictures. Aren't they beautiful? They are also smart and funny. And I'm sure they will be fast and thoughtful and make this world a better place...

Tea party anyone?
Big blue eyes...

Big lion...