Life without a microwave

I hate to admit how much I use the microwave. I really didn't think I depended on it as much as I do. Take it out of the picture, you quickly find out how much easier it makes your life. We can't reheat things quickly. We usually heat up our coffee in the microwave. Baby Girl tends to sleep through lunch, I find myself heating up her meal later. Today she gets peanut butter bun. We've been home for many days in a row and its starting to show. I may have to get them out today. They've been after each other this am. Poor Five. Most of the time, all too often it's her vs. the boys. She gets so very frustrated with them. I wish I could just have her go play with a friend some days. We used to have that set up, but not so much anymore. It's hard when distance is created in friendships. You don't feel like you can just call at the last minute and set up the play date. School is right around the corner. I can't believe all we have to do before then. I printed out the lists. I only have a couple things per child, we have a ways to go. I feel bad I didn't meet some of my summer goals. I wanted to set up some play dates with friends, never happened. I am not sure where July went. Here we are, almost the 2nd week in August and I still feel like I haven't accomplished enough. My new goal, just take it one thing at a time. So what if it doesn't go the way I planned. I've got to just roll with it. I'm still not feeling good. I can't afford to be frustrated, it will only make me feel worse. So what if the baby room isn't all painted before we move in. Would it be nice, yes. Will it get done, probably not. Is it the end of the world? No. Perhaps I just focus on that part after the kids are back to school. Baby Girl has become part monkey. She's constantly climbing on things. I've caught her sitting on the kitchen table playing with the snowmen hanging from the light fixture. Yes, I still have the snowmen up. Guess when we move out I'll take them down. She's a turkey and we love her. Her little personality is shining through every day. She's got so many words for 15 months! Yesterday she said watermelon! She's also said the name of her little friend, Hudson. Somehow, she thinks its okay to go down the stairs facing forward. It is scary to watch, but she doesn't fall. Guess that's all for now. Hopefully I can keep this going!

Getting stuff done

Slowly, but surely I am getting things crossed of my never ending list. While yesterday seemed so rough, today has been surprisingly pleasant with a few minor hiccups. I took all 4 kids to the chiropractor yesterday. I've had friends watch them so many times lately it seems, I hated to ask. Also, I believe no one was free. I went prepared, only to be flustered before we left the house. We were able to take it easy in the morning, the appointment wasn't until 12:50. I fed them a late breakfast/early lunch. I wanted it to be substantial so they wouldn't be hungry as soon as we left the house. They love egg sandwiches and we had tons of sub buns in the freezer. I thawed 4 in the microwave. Seven stated he didn't want a sandwich. Fine. I can do that. Well, he changed his mind once he saw his order. I pointed to the bag of buns and told him to toss one in the microwave. I use the defrost setting normally, but his had been out for awhile and wasn't completely frozen anymore. They've been using the microwave for many years now. Our rule is one one/11. That's all they are allowed to use. Occasionally something will require two two/22. I don't know what he pushed, but the next thing I know the microwave is smoking. Yellow smoke coming out. The entire kitchen filled with smoke. The kids instinct was to rush Baby Girl upstairs. I didn't even tell them. They whisked her away while I took the glass tray with the burning bun into the back yard. They all grabbed the fans in their rooms and we tried to blow the smoke out. Every window and door was open, even the garage. I couldn't believe it. Good thing this wasn't right before we had to leave. That was enough excitement for one morning. I was surprised no one mentioned a smoke smell on any of us at the varies places we visited that day. Perhaps they were too kind to say anything. We made it through the 10 minute chiropractor appointment. Baby Girl wandered down the hall, inspecting the room I was in. The big kids were supposed to watch her, but lately she screams if they get in her way. It was harmless her coming down the hall. They colored in the lobby. After that, I was exhausted, but the day must go on. Home to make a nice lunch. N was due home shortly from the early shift. BBQ chicken sandwiches, chef salad, sweet potatoes and corn on the cob were on the menu. By the time I got it all together and done, N was home. Just enough time for me to eat, beg everyone to clean up and head to the dentist. Yup. Not my favorite place. Sure disappointed in myself when I left my cleaning with two small cavities. 45 minutes in the dentist chair and I thought of Daffodil when I heard Debbie Gibson and Belinda Carslisle. How many instruments can they fit in your mouth at once? It's been awhile and I'd forgotten what that experience was like. Survived another event in the day. By the time I got home, I was spent. Disappointed when I walked in the door to find the baby had just laid down for her nap. I had wanted her to be napping while I was gone, not until 5 pm. On with the day. After an hour nap for her and N, we were ready to plan the rest of our day. I wanted to hit the pool. I've been having neck problems and them same headache for 2 weeks. The pool always calms and relaxes me. Five was the only one who wanted to go. The boys complained. N was not interested. I just felt more and more stressed. I couldn't find the things we needed. No one wanted to go. I could make them all go, but N didn't really want to. I didn't feel up to being able to take all four kids alone. In the end, just Five and I went. It was just what I needed. We went at our own pace. We swam where we wanted. We did a few laps, then went to the lazy river. I sat in the hot tub and tossed her diving toys. It was wonderful. After we stopped at Target. I spent $8 on her. She got new shoes, a purse and a pair of sunglasses. She was so pleased. It was a very nice night. We came home and had a late meal with N. They had grilled steak and baked some seasoned fries. Watermelon put a smile on Five's face. We ate at the table in the backyard. The temp was perfect. It was a wonderful evening. Late, but wonderful. Kids brought all the dishes in the house and I washed things up. N rode his bike to meet his friends for a few hours. I got everyone to bed and chatted with a friend on the phone. Today we took at our own pace. No rush, no worries. Baby Girl was the first to wake. Usually a big kid retrieves her from her crib, but this am, no one would rise to her scream. Took me awhile to wake, but I got her. It was 7 am. Everyone else slept for another 45 minutes. This was the first morning she's ever woke up holding an object that has been in her bed. I've got soothing objects for her, taggie blankets, lovies, satin blankets, small soft dolly, and somehow Seven's old Curious George was in there. It's George in his pj's. G and G gave it to Seven when he was really little, 1 year old I believe. She was holding on to George as tight as she could. I think he's the new fav. We had errands to run and eventually got out of the house around 11am or so. N had to stop at a boat shop. Last part he needed to get the boat running, at least that's what he thinks. I wanted to return the last two library books before they get lost again. We also needed groceries. Of course a late start meant hungry people. We're trying not to eat out at fast food places. Not that we do that often, but it seems to happen more frequently to us in the summer months. Luckily, the library handed out great prizes for reading this summer. One of their prizes were Big Apple Bagels. Each kid got a free bagel and cream cheese. After the library, we stopped there for a snack. It was just what we needed to make it through the next errands. We lost Seven in Walmart. Never happened before. They were running around and didn't pay attention, I don't know what happened. He wasn't following us. We were all the way in dairy and didn't see him anywhere. N backtracked faster than I could with the cart and Baby Girl. He was in Electronics with the person working in that department. He was crying and really upset. I was proud of him for going straight to the desk for help. We've never had an experience like that before. It was so quick. After that, everyone stayed close and maybe finally realized why I've kept after them all these years to stay by us. Needless to say, that was it for our day. Home we came for a meal and naps. I made a couple of cakes, one for a birthday girl today and one for us to share with whomever comes our way. We are waiting on Mr. Gene to wrap up the closing on our new house. I have half the house packed, but need to get moving now on the rest. The kids bedrooms are my plan today. The basement is close, just the things the kids have been playing with lately. Little, by little, we will get there. I want to be as organized as I can. Yeah for two blog posts this week! Are you happy with the return? leave me a comment so I keep the momentum going! Please!

August is already here

It's been awhile, where did July go? Not sure why I haven't fit blogging into the routine. It's been a difficult month. The chaos started when we were trying to buy a house. It seems like it shouldn't be this difficult to buy a house. We started the process and things seemed great. The mortgage guy said we has 99% of what we needed to get the house. We thought all was well. A few weeks later we got the disappointing news. We did not meet the qualifications for our loan. Turns out it was an error in our file. Our file was turned over to another mortgage guy and he seems to think this will all go through. I have my doubts after last time. I'm anxious to get moving. I've packed up nearly the entire house. It was supposed to happen yesterday. Last weekend, when we didn't think things would go through I unpacked the kids rooms. We'll see. I feel stuck in limbo. I don't know whether to pack or unpack. All this stress left me with a bad headache that lasted for nearly 2 weeks. I went to the dr a few times. A visit to the chiropractor helped, but still am not feeling 100%. I hope things get better this weekend. It's been real low key around here. The past two days I've taken 3 naps. I hope things get better. I hope we are able to make it through the next few weeks with little stress. N has been really supportive and great. I hope to keep his stress level down, too. Kids are kids. They were sympathetic to me during my rough days. Last night they practically made their own meal. Tonight they did as well, along with cleaning up the table. I am thankful to have big kids to help me out with the baby. Well, that is all for now. Hope to be back sooner than later.

Saturday Canceled

Today we had planned to attend soccer games, then hit the pool. They closed the fields, too wet and muddy. Kids decided against the pool. Poor mom was out voted. Church instead and an evening with friends. We had an inspection on the new house. It went very well. We are so excited to move, it will be hard to wait all summer. At least I have plenty of time to get organized! I tackled the basement a few weeks ago, but there is always room for improvement. I really want to do it right in this house. While I am giving up some spaces I am used to, I am also gaining new ones. The laundry room for example. Here it serves not only for laundry, but craft, lunch and tote supplies, paper goods and more. It's quite a versatile space. The new house does not have a laundry room, just machines in a closet. It will be a challenge to decide where new homes will be for the rest of my things. I want to create a mud room feel in the garage, right next to the house entrance. I want cubbies and hooks for each kid. The craft supplies I hope to create an area in the basement especially for such projects. I also want to have an area for the kids to sit and play board games. I have high hopes for the basement areas. Getting a new house can only come with the desire for new things. My mind is a swirl of pinterest ideas. Shelves for everything, organized areas and a bigger table. We've found plans for a farm house table. N said we could give it a try. I'd love a new, bigger table to fit our family more comfortable. It would come in handy during when we get together with family and friends. The ideas are great, but executing them will be a challenge. First, to get the hubby on board the building train. Wish me luck.

Might be a long summer

Buying a house in May, but not moving in until August leaves lots of room for ideas to fill my head. I am so excited for our new adventure! The kids are excited. Seven doesn't want to see the house until it is empty and ready to move in. Everyone else can't wait. I plan to take pictures next time we go. Buying a house in May, waiting to move in August also interferes with our trip to MN we planned in January. Nothing like changing it up so we leave in a few weeks instead of a few months. We were lucky N had time off in June. Normally, we would not have had the option for two different trips in one summer. Looks like I will celebrate Fathers day with my father, not sure how many years it's been since that happened. Not too much else going on. Kids enjoyed the last two days at home. Tomorrow, we head to a BBQ with Azalea and friends. We took the kids to the park tonight for the first time this season. Baby Girl had never played at the park, last year she was too little. It was a nice family evening. Later this week, I hope to prepare for our trip. Once we return, I want to get organized for the move. Purge and clean. Sort and clean. As goes with most people who've moved as many times as we have, there are still boxes to look through. Maybe there aren't people who have moved as many times as we have. Regardless, it's going to be an organized summer.

On the path to home ownership

Well, we did it. We put in an offer on a house and they took it! We've been house hunting for a few months now. It was starting to get slightly frustrated. They disappear fast. You have to know what you what right away. We saw lots of great stuff, but there was always something off. I was driving to pick up a friend earlier this week on a street we've looked at before. For some reason, the simplest house on the block caught my eye. My thoughts: "Why can't we find a house like that?" Would you believe the next day the owner of that house called and asked if we were interested? Not sure I'd believe it myself if it didn't happen to me. The lady up the road gave the owner our number. We'd looked at her house twice in the last year. Guess the Lord really does want me in MI, or at least back on Oriole Drive for now. When we move a 2nd time in the same location, we never move far. This one is just around the corner. They took our offer. Now for the rest of the house purchasing business. We are excited.

A day for mothers

Have to admit, the whole Mothers day thing isn't really for me. It's never what you hope it will be. I still do the same things I always do and get frustrated even more because it's supposed to be great. The kids really tried and were great in the morning. They "made" breakfast for me. A hard boiled egg, banana, greek yogurt, OJ, coffee and a waffle. They were sweet and I loved their little gifts they made at school. Getting 4 kids and myself out the door for mass still frustrates me. It wouldn't be so bad, but I've got kids who tend to want to play Lego's and take forever getting dressed. Needless to say something bad happened and I still feel guilty. It was an accident, but couldn't help blaming myself. It ruined my attitude for the entire day. It got better at church, but Baby Girl was all over the place and fussy. It was exhausting. We left quickly and I felt like collapsing when we got home. Can't, had to make lunch and try to get Baby Girl down for a nap. I finally accomplished that and was about to relax when I get a message from N. We have a house appointment at 2. That's less than an hour away and I just put down a fussy baby. Daisy to the rescue. She came over and stayed with the kids while we looked at the house. Baby Girl slept 2 solid hours and was happy when she woke up. N made a meal and we had no dessert. A quick family drive for ice cream and our night was complete. Not quite the mothers day you'd hope for, but still, my mothers day. On to a new week. The weekend seemed like it was a week long. Now to try keep kids soccer straight. I've been known to have the wrong day/time. I think I've got a handle on it. It helps the coaches are emailing frequently. We'll see how it all goes. The house hunt continues. We've seen quite a few places, but each seems to have a flaw. One was beautiful, everything we need, but an in ground pool. Can't imagine dealing with that. I really wanted another to work, it had many great qualities, but in the end was just too small. 1985 was the prime time for another house. Someone let it go. Mold, mildew, but lots of space. Too bad it comes with such a high price. It's a money pit and should be a bargain. Others just weren't even close to what we want. I know it's out there, we've seen them before. Months ago there were two that would have been great, right lot, right house, right price. We weren't ready and missed those. If they were around before, more should be around again. We just need to be patient. I'm always working on being patient. Seems to be my eternal homework.