Old School, New School, Red School, Blue School

I've been a horrid blogger lately. My excuse is that I've devoted my time to other things. The other thing being my attempt to maintain a happy, shiny, organized house. I used to have one in Utah, and in San Jose. I want one again. Trevor is begging me for one. Anyway, just as I think I have almost achieved it, (owed mostly to the neglect of my favorite past times of reading, eating ((well I still fit that one in)) and venting on this blog) my cleaning weave quickly comes unraveled. My four kids are marathon mess makers. Olympic medal worthy for sure. But I digress, I really wanted to post the pictures of the boys last day at Litel and first day at their new school. Their last day at Litel was a hard one for all of us, mostly me. I'll admit to some (and by some I mean loads of) tears. They have, however, made the new transition much more smoothly than I could have ever anticipated. I believe in miracles and one happened 3 days before their first day. Longish story short, I was out with some ladies from our new ward and happened to sit by a sweet lady who just happened to work at the boys school. She was able to tell me who the rock star teachers were in their grade levels and also put in a good word for me with the administrators. I was able to request said rock star teachers, and the boys love, love, love them. Plus, they are totally popular, being the new kids in town, and all that extra attention (although drastically inflating their heads) has helped them feel more than accepted. I don't believe that it was a coincidence that I sat by this sweet lady and count my blessings for this tender mercy. So, here they are in all their handsome glory. We will miss all our Litel Lion friends but couldn't feel better about becoming Mountain Lions.

~Carson with the petite Mrs. Tronske and Preston with the fabulous Mrs. Beach (best teacher that ever lived).~

~In front of their new blue school.~

CVC

Only a select few will get the title. Don't worry if you aren't "select". We are in and we are sooo close to being settled. Everything we need is unpacked (so why are there 1000 more boxes to unpack in the garage). We like the new house with two exceptions; one, we have a nest of pigeons somewhere on the roof, above our master bedroom. Their cooing is more obnoxious than endearing and Trevor has little, ok...no love for them. Two, we still have no Internet...fast forward to Brenda rocking herself, in the fetal position, in the corner, of the office. I'm dying. Literal withdrawals are overpowering me and no amount of Diet Coke will stop my shaking hands. And no, the absorbent amount of Diet Coke is, of course, not contributing to said hand tremors.

We are still commuting the kids back to Chino Hills for school. That means two days a week I make the 30 minute one-way trip four times and the other three days I kick it at the old house (where I clean...but now, hallelujah, I'm finished) or crash at a friends house. I'm pretty sure they're sick of us.

Thursdays are my demon days. Out the door by 7:55am and drop the boys off to school, Abby off to pre-school, and Will and I hang out until 11:30 when Abby gets out of school. Thursdays are also Chick-fil-a days and we play/eat/visit/waste two hours, until it's time for me to work in Preston's classroom at 2:15. The lovely Heather watches my littles while I'm helping 3rd graders play computer games. I'm done at 2:45 and invade Heather's house until 3:25 and it's time to watch the bigs run marathon. They finish and it's time to cart Preston off to piano at 4:00. He's done at 4:30 and we have just enough time to change Abby into her dance gear for ballet at 5:00. She's done at 5:45 and we trudge our way home and get in the door at the turn of a quarter past 6! Right now, I'm waiting at my buddy, Kerry's, house for Abby to be done. Taco Bell for dinner tonight.

As soon as At&t Uverse decides to install our Internet, I'll tell you all about my children's near death experience at the hands of their parents. I'll bait you with a hint or two; brand new carpet in the rental home and an abandoned can of wood stain (left by the landlord).

Tomorrow

I know I haven't posted my pictures from New Years. I might get around to it some day. But for now, I have to write about one of the gazillion things that is spinning around in my brain tonight.

It's 10:01pm right now, on our last night in the Hiddenspring house, the house that we were only supposed to be in for 3-4 months. That would have easily been the shortest stint in a home for us. Instead, it ended up being the longest, just 3 months shy of 4 years.

I watched my Preston get his first set of stitches here (and my Abby, and my Carson). I watched Abby take her first steps and say her first words here. I watched Carson go to his first day of preschool and Kindergarten from this house. I watched Preston get baptized and a few days later I brought home a sweet little baby boy (and watched him take his first steps and all that precious stuff).

There were times when I didn't feel like this was my home, but I don't feel that way at all now. There is so much here. It's harder than I thought to leave.

The boys have been in tears today. Hard ones, actual torrents of tears, right before bed (I'm sure sleep deprivation had nothing to do with it). I told them about my own moving away story. How I remember my own mother crying at the family room window when we had to leave Kittitas to move to no-mans land (aka Harrington). I also remember when she told us that we were leaving no-mans land. Heather cried but my mom was grinning more than I had ever seen her. I think Mom had a different perspective than the rest of us. Then I told them the best advice I had ever gotten about moving.

I was packing up our Eagle Mountain home, thinking about leaving two of my beloved sisters and more friends than I had ever had. Not to mention the dozens of little boys that were always around to show Preston a good time. I was devastated to leave. I didn't want to move to San Jose. It wasn't fair. Preston caught me sobbing. He asked why and the only thing I could think to say was that I was going to miss all my friends. He told me, in the most matter-of-fact tone, that I could just make new friends. All I had to do was tell them my name.

I told him he was right and that I had made such good friends in San Jose. Then I had to leave. But I made some stellar friends in Chino Hills, too. Now I have friends all over. I told him we are so lucky.

I was just telling him that to hopefully give him some sense of comfort, although the more I think about it the more I believe it. So why am I so sad to leave? I don't want to. I don't want to leave my friends. It's not fair.

But anyway, it's 10:16pm and the moving truck will be here at 8:30am and I still have my last minute bedroom and pantry stuff to pack.

I'm just going to have to pack them lugging around this very heavy heart that's in my chest right now.

A New Year And A New (to us) Home

Yes we're FINALLY moving. It's been a long time coming and I can tell you that 6 months living with 80% of my possessions in boxes got a touch old after awhile. But we have found a home that is in a great area and big enough for our family AND in our budget. We thought that would never happen. So before I go off the grid (which is Saturday BTW) I thought I should blog about New Years Eve. In no way am I avoiding packing the last 20% of my crap...house.

New Years was just what it should be for Mormons, with a lot of kids, a big pajama party, with dinner, tons of soda, and even more Rock band. Cory and Gina were perfect hosts. Cory because he let us come and Gina because she made her famous lasagna. I brought the green salad. I know, you're all super impressed. On to the pictures!

Loving The Limbo

So, the whole packing/moving situation is in limbo right now. I have basically finished packing and now we don't have to move immediately. As of this moment (the next moment could drastically change things), we still have a couple of weeks left in this house. I'm grateful. We still have no where to go (this is excluding a storage unit we have on hold and the Extend America Hotel in our town-I should have said, "We still have no permanent place to go").

I may be driving my family completely bonkers right now. Besides the obvious neglect on my children's appearance (not so obvious with the boys, but you should see Abby's hair on a daily basis), they no longer have access to...anything. Trevor wanted to toast a piece of bread...but I packed the toaster. Carson brought me one of the three things still left in the pantry. It was Mac-n-Cheese...but I packed the pot to make it in. Abby wanted to play Barbies with me...but the Barbies are in a box too. Preston was instructed to do his daily 30 minutes of reading...to his pleasure, I had packed all his books (I have since bought 3 to tie him over). William seems to be the only one not complaining about our new, simple, way of living.

I, on the other hand, rather enjoy doing less laundry (because I have packed all but 5 outfits for each person), less dishes (because we're only using paper products), seeing less clutter, and not having to search the house for ANYTHING for ANYONE, because my go-to excuse is, "I probably packed it", even if I'm not sure that I have. They roll their eyes and grumble and moan but can't pursue the issue. Muahaha.

And now I conclude with an appreciative heart to those who have helped me (not Trevor). I couldn't do it alone no matter how hard I was trying. As stressful as it should be (I'm doing pretty well considering), we've felt a good deal amount of comfort and peace that everything will work out. We'll find a place sooner...or later...and we'll try to enjoy doing the limbo in the meantime.

So Very Overwhelmed...

~This is SOOOO where I want to be right now.~

I can't stand not updating my blog. I love it, but sometimes somethings need to be set on the back burner. As much as I would love to sit here and tell you all of my wonderful and dang near perfect vacation to Washington, I just can't justify it. I am required elsewhere. Elsewhere being every room in my house that has to be packed up and moved in less than two weeks.

Where are we moving to? NO IDEA! That's also on my "To Do" list, find a place to live. We have been so blessed to live in this house for the past 3+ years. It has been sold, however, and it's time to move on, no matter how reluctant I am to pack.

Also, on my "To Do" list? Get Preston to and from Scout Day Camp everyday this week. Then send him off to the river with Uncle Cory and Co. Take the kids to movie day on Wednesday and swim day on Friday. I think we'll bypass Beach day, I don't have it in me. I got caught up on laundry yesterday, but I'm behind again. Don't ask me how it happens, I don't know. Then I'll fill out the multiple applications for rental properties and pray that someone is crazy enough to house me, my husband, four kids, two dogs and eight fish. If not, I'm sure I can spare a child or two. Maybe that will up our odds.

I'll ask you to pray for my sanity...it may just get accidentally packed up in a box along the way.

Nesting...Involuntarily

I say involuntarily, because this house is finally going on the market. As depressing as the prospect of moving is, it was about time. I am incredibly grateful to my in laws for letting us live here. We were originally only supposed to be here a few months. Those few months turned into two years. There is no way we would have been able to make it financially without their help. This house has been the biggest blessing (literally).

So now the cleaning must commence. We've organized our closet, which hadn't been done in the two years we've been here. It feels rather nice to be able to walk into our "walk-in" closet now. We've had the palm trees trimmed and have hired a gardener to whip the highly neglected backyard into shape. It was bad, real bad. Can't-see-the-dogs-through-the-grass bad. I may have to take before and after pictures for you to fully understand just how bad it is.

I've scrubbed all the tubs, which feels good, but leaves me unwilling to put dirty little bodies into them. Abby had a ring pop yesterday. She likes to rub it in her hair. Her hair is stiff. I must break down and cleanse her.

The office is next. I'm really lazy when it comes to paperwork. Nothing ever gets filed like it should. I've even changed my filing system twice, but it only motivates me for a minute or two. The office doubles as a play room. I'm thinking half of the toys will have to spend a little time on vacation...in storage. I hear it's nice there. Nice for moms who only have to yell half as much when half the toys are in storage.

After that, we're ready. We're ready for potential buyers to come and go as they please. We're ready to start packing, when necessary. We're ready to move on to the next homestead.

We're Here!

Oh, look! Brenda decided to blog again! I'm actually feeling like we're back to normal again. Trevor started work, Preston's back in school, and Carson, Abby and I hang out at home coloring, doing laundry, playing with Cars, vacuuming etc., etc... That's not to say we aren't having tons of fun with the family though! We went out for Trevor and Chelsea's birthdays the day after we got here and we spent plenty of time at everyone's houses doing laundry and watching Heros, Amazing Race, and American Idol before we got a washer, dryer, and dish! Here are some visual aides for you.

Trev's birthday dinner. (this is as good of a family picture as we can get these days.)

The House. (and the mini vanS (that's right plural))

I'll blog more later. Abby is interrupting me with the notion of having her dinner. Cheers!

Checking in...

So, we've moved and are trying to get settled. First things first, we got dish. It was top on Trevor's priority list. Mine is internet. Funny. I still don't have it.

Preston started school last week and is so grown up. I walked him to his classroom and Mrs. Miller (his teacher) invited me to stay for a few minutes. Preston, however, excused me from this saying "Umm, you can go now Mom." He obviously didn't need me to stay, but didn't bother thinking that maybe I needed me to stay. He loves it though. They have, like, 10 trikes and a ROAD!!! He thinks it's the coolest.

Carson wasn't loving the whole move to a different house thing. He had a hard couple of days of homesickness. Anyone who knows him knows he's a homebody. But Trevor's idea of comforting him with a new Lightning Storm McQueen seems to have done the trick. Bribes work.

Abby doesn't seem to care where she is as long as she has her thumb (we're in for it now) and her crib.

I actually get excited every morning to put things away. It's fun to have a bigger house!

Trevor is about to make his decision on which job to take. He's been a big help to me with unpacking, but doesn't get excited about it in the morning like I do. Weird.

We love being by family and the only reason we aren't completely unpacked is because we take extended breaks to be with them. Good excuse, I know.

I know this is a lame post but I'm trying to hurry, as it's not my computer. I'll keep you better posted as soon as I have internet. (Oh how I miss you internet).

Boxes, boxes and more boxes

So, in case you haven't heard, we are moving the family down to Southern Cal. Didn't I say I would never live in California? Especially Southern Cal? What do I know. Really though we are super duper excited! We have really missed being close to family and I guess the Miles' are better than nothing! Totally kidding!!!! I'm actually the most excited I think, but we will miss all the friends we've made here (wipe tears). We've been packing all week, except for the days where we just didn't feel like it, (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday). Hmmm, looks like I don't feel like packing much. It'll get done eventually right? Wish me luck. I need it.

They insist we take them with us. ;)

These are all empty. I wonder why I feel so overwhelmed!