Year 2, Day 150: Memorial Day 2017, Nothing Happened, or Did It?

I wasn't going to post a blog entry tonight because it's been mostly a "let's get through today so we are one day closer to Thursday and can get in the house" kind of day.  I want to pack overnight bags, but I don't know when our first night will be and I don't like taking things out of bags we need daily.  Same with the kitchen.  So, I'm trying to hold off.  We don't have a solid plan in place, but if you text me or message me on Faceback, I'm sure I can put anyone to work on Thursday-Sunday, June 1st- June 4th.  I'm also at the point where I just need to trust that people will actually show up to help.  Every day, the anxiety creeps up for me.  I need to let go.  Maybe take some calming natropathic medication.  Something.  But before I know it, by this time next week, the moving part will be done, the unpacking will begin, and the kids can ride their bikes in the neighborhood and I can cage, I mean let loose Abishai in the backyard.  Today, we were over at the parents' house, and the neighbor kids were out.  That's awesome!  Awesome for Keturah and Justin that is.  Not awesome for me because Abishai wants to play with the big kids, but I feel awkward being in a neighbor's yard when they have guests over for the holiday.  I even ended up playing ball with one of the younger kids because he asked if I would.  I love baseball, so I did.  I told the kids that we will need to get phone numbers of all the parents, and I will need to know who lives in which house in case we need to come find them.  No, the middles will not have phones or electronics for this because they will be with an adult all the time anyway.  We will text Grandma when they are on their way over from our street to their street.  Otherwise, they have to stay within our eyesight, i.e. from stop sign to stop sign, just like we did in Beech Grove, and just like we did when I grew up.  We didn't let them on the road in Charlottetown because of all the young people driving too fast.  Benaiah got to ride around the neighborhood a bit, though, but we had some friends on the other side of the neighborhood we could call if we needed him.

Wow, ok, I didn't know I would post that part tonight.  Anyway, when I'm bored or can't sleep, I solve my world's problems, i.e. what am I going to use to store piano books so that they are more handy for everyone?  Ah, the smallest of the Howell bookcases should fit most of them and be the perfect size for that spot!  I figured that out at 1 am a few nights ago.  I have some backup plans, too.

Ok, so what did happen today?  Well, Abishai got a new Thomas the Tank Engine bed!  Of course we got it used, just like we got the twin sized big car bed for Benaiah when he was 2.  I don't know what it is, but I like providing little things like this that are their favorite cartoon character because it makes them happy.  I don't get everything they ask for, but if I can do something or get something they haven't asked for, all the better.  I just hope it fits with a weird shaped bunk bed set up in the boys' room.  We'll see!

We also cleaned the van today.  We always keep the trash picked up, and since we didn't live where there's a ton of sand and salt on the roads, it really wasn't that bad.  Justin vacuumed and Keturah did the plastic areas.  I washed the inside of the windows and the headlights.  We usually do the outside windows when we get gas.  And there was no arguing about it because we had talked about it before and how it would count for their TV time of the past 5 days.  I plan to have them help with the condo's fridge as well.  I did notice that the vans rugs are filthy and need replaced.  The van is well used and over 10 years old now.  We try not to abuse it, but still, it gets used by kids.  I have tried to vacuum it twice a year.  At least we've never had a payment on it and it has served us well in 4 Canadian winters and made the 1,600 mile trip to Canada and the 1,600 mile trip on the way back.  Plus trips to NH.  Plus trips to New Orleans.  Lol, I just thought of something.  We should call it "Mama's bus" so that Abishai has some new words!  But he can say, "van" as well.  His vocabulary is definitely increasing DAILY.  As well as his toddler tantrums.

Ok, that's it for today.  I think I'm going to take the kids strawberry picking tomorrow to fill in some of this downtime and then close up some boxes, and declutter my desk again.  Wednesday I'll put together a basket of cleaning stuff and other supplies to take to the new house and pack some of my overnight type stuff.  Keep praying that the current residents have moved by midnight on Wednesday night.  I went by there today and there was no activity.  I don't know if that means they already moved stuff out and were cleaning, or they are way behind and will get a truck on Wednesday to haul their stuff.  I'm not going to lie.  It makes me nervous.  I don't want to have to kick people out.  It seems very ungodly to do that, especially since they are grandparents.  Just keep praying.

Mommy, what's this?  Is it a playground?  Is it a sandbox?

I hope we don't need that clothesline Jared used to tie the bed frame to the truck!  Neither vehicle had any tie downs in them!  I know we have some bungee cords, but they might be in the way back of the garage.  Oops!  And we, in the van, followed Jared in the truck, and Abishai kept saying, "Mommy, Foo foo! Mommy! Foo foo!"

Oh, it's a bed!  Foo Foo night night!

I want to get in it!  We are leaving it on the truck because Jared is driving his dad's car while they are away, and it doesn't make sense to unload it on Monday just to reload it on Thursday.

It even has tracks on the side for cars!

And the front has a little toy box!  And there's a shelf, too, perfect for toys!

Vroom, vroom!  I think it's going to be difficult to get Abishai to sleep the first few nights.

Different boxes, but Abishai loved climbing on them today.  He even laid down for night night, and then went "bing!" and say up, which is a game we play when he doesn't want to go to bed!

Not much to do when there's no toys in the house.  Except for running around, which is fine if you don't have a neighbor downstairs.  Poor Judy.  I try to keep the kids quieter, but it's so hard.  I'll let them be louder in the new house and maybe scare any critters in the crawlspace under the house away.

Plenty of room for gymnastics!

Aw, man!  I forgot that we are getting rid of this couch.  Sad face! I'm keeping the pillow that go with it though.  It is trash because there's been a mouse or two making a home in it.  Great for little boys with energy though.  We've had it for 16 years since Jared's Grandparents (Johnson) passed away.  It was their couch.  I've nursed all my babies on this couch.  Had many a nap and more recently, night time sleep on it.  Fairwell flower couch!  It has my favorite rose color, too.  Sigh.

Oo, another blast from the past!  I'm determined, despite the moving, that we are going to eat better, more rounded meals around here.  I'm tired of scrounging and eating Larabars (although I LOVE them!)  So, I made a version of Shepherd's pie with whatever I had in the pantry.  All the components actually were given to us, so it is a free meal!  This time, it was 2 lbs of hamburger with salt and pepper, 2 cans of green beans, 1 can of regular corn, 1 can of creamed corn, and  mashed potatoes made from potatoes flakes (a box, just like my mom used to make it).  I did use regular butter in the potatoes, but used almond milk so it wouldn't be as bad for me.  I also put garlic and parsley, salt and pepper in the potatoes.  Keturah said it was too spicey.  Justin and I enjoyed it.  But the butter did give me a stomachache.  Boo!

My mom always made Shepherd's pie with just green beans because my dad had a sensitivity to corn.  I've always used frozen mixed veggies (carrots, peas, green beans, corn, lima beans) before.  Frozen is better than canned, in my opinion.

This big girl read an entire 259 page book in 3 hrs this afternoon!  And she remembered most of the story!  I did read the book before she did, because I didn't know how they were going to protray Maleficient.  I was thoroughly surprised by it!  They definitely redeemed the character and added a ton of back story.  I can't wait to see the movie with Keturah tomorrow!  Well done, girl!  I don't think I've read that many books in one sitting before, at least not since I was her age.  Jared said this year was the first year he read an entire book in a day.  And in Grandpa reading money, it's worth $12.95!  Woot! Woot!  I think next year she starts writing book reports to earn money.

I remembered while the boys were in the bathtub, that is probably either their last or second to last bath in the condo.  I don't think I will cry this time because I knew this place was very temporary, but still, we've made plenty of fun memories here, from fires, to Abishai talking to making it through a year of homeschool co op, etc.  So, I grabbed the camera for a few "last" pictures.

Abishai loves to "swim" in the tub now.  I can't wait to get him a pool at the new house!  Just the $30 fill up every other day kind of pool.  Not one with chemicals you leave up all summer.  We've had them before and if you are careful, they will last 2 or 3 years.

Hm, I'm not sure if this Justin or the actor that play "Penguin" on the Gotham TV show.  If you watch that show, you'll understand.  But this is Justin's non smile face, which is not common.  He's still a pretty happy, giggly guy.  He does get mad, but it's usually because he has been wronged and he should be a little mad about it.  (Like when little sisters and brothers touch your stuff).

Cleaning the inside of the van.  Keturah likes to collect little doo dahs in the backseat though.  But at least there's no food or spilled drinks or nasty gum!  They can eat in the car, but they are pretty good about throwing that kind of trash away.  Keturah just had a few Sunday School papers and toys in the back, which is her domain.  Justin and Abishai sit in the middle, and Benaiah gets the front seat if Jared isn't with us.  If we are all in the van, Jared and I are up front, Abishai and Benaiah are in the middle and Keturah and Justin are in the back.  The arrangements work very, very well actually.  The boys can help Abishai, and Keturah cna't pick on the boys and vice versa.  But it must be a little lonely way in the back, too.  Keturah is still in a booster seat because we can't move the shoulder belt to a lower position like we can in the middle row.  She can sit in the middle row without a booster.

Justin and Keturah actually didn't mind cleaning out the car.  And they did put just enough effort in for my satisfaction.  Like I said, it's got a lot of stains and ground in dirt, so there's places that just won't ever get clean.  And that's ok.  Abishai was the little inspector and had fun trying out everybody else's seat or riding his bike.  Yeah for kids who can help now!  It makes me a better mom to save my energy for other tasks they can't do instead of using my limited time and energy on mundane tasks.  Plus, these are life skills, right?  Bonus!

Tomorrow: STRAWBERRIES.  Which also means, my birthday is soon (July) because we always had fresh strawberries and strawberry shortcake on my birthday!  Woot! Woot!  We only picked berries once on PEI and I'm not sure if that was the summer before I was pregnant with Abishai (2013) or when I was pregnant (2014).  I think 2013 because we had just gotten back from a long, long car ride to Indiana and back in June 2014.  I think the strawberries are in season in July on PEI (and NH as well).  The berries are early this year here in Indiana.  We have picked berries here before, so I knew June was the month for it.  Yeah!  Oh, and $2 (a pint? a lb?) something like that, is cheap!  I just hope Abishai doesn't eat them all as we pick them!  Fun!

Year 2, Day 149: Race Day 2017

Weirdness.  Not going to church on Sunday, but we had Sunday dinner just the 6 of us, at the in laws house today.  Tried to find a live stream of THE race on YouTube, but could only watch a few minutes of it.  Then Jared stayed at the house and the rest of us went back to the condo for quiet/nap time.  Jared joined us later.  Then it was a mad dash to get boxes to the garage before the downpour of rain.  Tomorrow we pick up a Thomas toddler bed for Abishai (hopefully) and Benaiah plans to do his Grandpa work.  Meanwhile, the others have had way too much TV time and Abishai literally played tornado at Grandma's house.  We found several tabletops that were cleared off of books and papers because Abishai whooshed by, no joke!  It's going to be an upside down week, and if you are available, I think we are getting a box truck for FRIDAY not Saturday.  My anxiety level is starting to creep higher.  I have to keep telling myself that as long as everything gets to the new house, I can rearrange it all to my liking after everybody leaves.  I don't like moving things more than once, but, at least I don't have to lift the boxes myself, right?  So, we'll rest up the next 3 days and hit it hard for the next week after that.

Oh, Benaiah calculated his GPA and it's a 3.6!  Woot! Woot! I pulled out my high school transcript for comparison and it was a 3.8 when I graduated and I graduated college with that as well.  Jared had high grades in high school, but played way too many video games and had too many long talks via AOL Instant Messenger with his girlfriend (me) and had barely graduated college on time with some passing grades.  But, he made up for it by getting like a 3.9 in graduate school.  Grades aren't everything, but it's nice to know that we all have brains that do learn and work well and can spit out the information we learned when needed.

Need to make a plan and go before they are all gone!

Typical holiday lunch - brats and burgers on the girl and salad!

Littlest guy, who loves his biggest brother to pieces, helping out!

Benaiah is such a great big brother to all of his siblings!  He wrestles the boys constantly and helps Keturah out when he can.

Typical day filled with cars of every sort and shape and color. 

Not much left to do but play chess.

Abishai's turn.

Justin asked if he could use the camera because Abishai was cute.  Justin took this very awesome picture!

Sadly, there isn't much to do but watch some bus shows.

Beautiful feet.

Found these signs in my homeschooling binder as I was cleaning it out.  We are officially done with school this year!

Eenie, meenie, mini,....mo didn't want to particpate.

Goofballs.

We had some thunderstorms this evening, but then the windows seemed brighter again, which usually indicates that the sun is back.  And it was!

And the clouds lifted!

Daddy, I want to show you something on Facetime!  Yes, Abishai did turn the phone around so he could show Daddy Keturah's bed.  Then he hit the "end call" button.

Abishai wanted to snuggle with Keturah and maybe fall asleep in her bed.  Well, they snuggled, and Keturah fell asleep by 9:30.  Abishai was rolling around, so I put him in his crib.  Finally at 10:30 I gave him some naturopathic teething tablets with chamomile in them, because he wasn't falling asleep!  I think I still heard him at 11pm!  What a goof!

Year 2, Day 148: Stuffed!

Well, Benaiah was supposed to put boxes in the garage today, but, he felt that the garage was already too full.  And it is pretty full.  We took down Keturah's bed today, and will do Justin and Benaiah's tomorrow or Monday.  This move will be easier because most things will already be in the garage and we can back up a truck and load it up quickly and it's only going 20 minutes down the road, not 1600 miles.

But, my brain hurts from trying to keep the kids entertained.  They were all wired today, so I sent them to spend the night at the in laws house because Jared is house and dog sitting.  I have too much stuff to do here that requires less interruptions and I don't like hauling around my special foods, etc.  So, tonight, Abishai is spending his first overnight away from Mommy!  And since he often takes naps at Grandma's house, he was ok with it!  Lil' Stinker!  Daddy put him to bed last night here at the condo, and so when Abishai woke up, he asked for Daddy, not Mommy.  I'm glad he loves the both of us and doesn't mind being away from Momma.  Meanwhile, I brought Benaiah back with me so we can do some more work together tomorrow and sort of have a Mother/Son kind of date.

Stir crazy kids, especially this one, who started the day by slamming doors.  BTW, I really don't like my iPhone camera.  I think there's something wrong with it, so I'm going to try to grab the big camera more often again.

Totally appropriate shirt!  "It's the Smile that keeps me out of Trouble!" Again, it has gone through 4 kids wearing it!

Yeah, this is what you do when school's done for the year and your family is moving.  Play sleeping bag monsters!  Hobos!

It's a fun game but it gets loud pretty quickly.

Sleeping bag monster!

So we went outside, and Keturah forgot her water bottle in side, so she was complaining.  Then she wouldn't stop touching Justin's bike, which made him mad.  I tried reading a book, but got interrupted numerous times.  Inside or outside, these kids are going crazy!

Benaiah was hot, so he got to borrow one of his dad's gym shorts!  Jared's had these for nearly 15 years!  And they fit Benaiah perfectly.  I bet Jared held football sized Benaiah in his arms while wearing these shorts.  Sigh.

Abishai got a crown at Sunday School today, and he wanted us all to try it on.

Definitely a princely fellow.

I was told the prince ate like 1,000 goldfish tonight in Sunday School  I told the volunteer that it's odd because he only eats goldfish at church.  She said, it must be because they are Jesus goldfish.  Ok, then!  And I did admit that having goldfish at church is part of his dinner on Saturday nights.  He loves Sunday School though and goes right in and plays without looking back.  It's a good feeling to be able to leave your kid with others with no fear of being called in to get them.

I guess Abishai has a new spot at Grandma's house for all his cars.  Jared had to move some pictures out of the way, though.  Sorry, Mom.

If you look closely, there's a black blob in the middle of the picture.  That's Benaiah and he is dragging Justin out from under the bed. There's a sliver of a blue shirt and an arm you can see.  All 3 boys and their father LOVE to run around, be goofy and wrestle.  It's surprising how much they do NOT break, especially at Grandpa's house where he has lots of pretties.  Anyway, I love watching them play like this.

Leah will love this!  Jared said that Abishai found the coaster and put his cup on it all by himself!  You have trained him well, Grandma!

Abishai also wanted to help feed the doggie!

He even put them outside all by himself and it was his idea!  We didn't tell him to do it!

Then he said, "Doggie, Go!" because he wanted Socks to go eat.  I think he said, "Nom Nom" too.

We love reusable fabric bags this.  You know you are part of the J6 when you pack for an overnight in a fabric grocery bag.

Abishai's first overnighter without Mommy!  Big step!  Next up: potty training!  Then he can go on trips with Grandma and Grandpa without Mommy and Daddy!

This is for my mom and sister, Stefanie.  We love Dunkin' Donuts and look, they have iced coffee!

This is why I have always discouraged the kids to put bottles of anything in the freezer.  If you want it cold, put it in the refrigerator!  Because I know that they or I will forget and then this will happen.  This was a great bottle and has Keturah's "I 'heart' Gymanstics" on it.  So disappointing.

Huge crack in the bottle!

7 teeth left!  The tooth fairy forgot two days in a row.  Oops!

Here's the bottle when we first discovered it with the frozen water in it still.

Shaking my head, please don't do this!

How many "men" does it take to take apart a bunk bed?

Apparently, 5 "men"!  Ethan, Justin, Benaiah, Jared and Abishai.  Or, as the joke goes, 1 man to take it down and 4 men to comment and watch him do it.

Only 4 1/2 days until we walk into our new house!  It's so close I can smell it!  I can't sleep sometimes because I'm still planning everything in my head!  It's really real!  And exciting!