Still Here, or There

  We are all moved, all but the cat.  We were without Internet except for the iDols, and I just can't blog on a phone.  So here we are, down the hill from our former home.  I have to say, I LOVE this house.  I have never said that about a house as we moved in before.  We have always moved in to fixer uppers, so I was excited about the potential of the house, but not the house itself.  This time I could imagine grand kids running in the backyard.  The bedrooms give everyone a little space.  The living room is cozy enough that the kids prefer to be downstairs in toy land.  The dining room is just perfect for our crowded table, and there is a breakfast nook in the kitchen.  I really don't think I could have come up with a better plan if I had built it myself.  Add to that that the lawn is established and there are a few trees with a good ten years of growth, and you have pretty much a dream come true.  I know this house does not make me more sanctified, but it has dropped my stress level in half, at least once we finally signed the closing papers.

I am hoping that I may now resume my regularly scheduled summer.  Today was even warm!  The trick to making my summer work seems to be figuring out how to keep the kids from getting bored, without causing me to live in my car.  All but the youngest three can go to the pool by themselves now, which is helpful.  The boys can walk to Lacrosse, and our piano teacher comes to the house.  I'm encouraging bike riding, but for some reason that does not cause rejoicing in the ranks.  It is still a puzzle to be figured out, but I have at least eight more weeks to work on it.

A friend asked me last night how the thankful list was coming.  I told her I was in the 600s, she said she had started one too, but was only on 137.  I know it will bless her, so I encouraged her to keep on going.

676-688

Pink cheeks and blond hair.

lightening storms in the evenings.

Sitting on the deck with a glass of wine admiring God's show.

Friends returning from long vacations.

Many babysitting jobs.

Moms getting to know each other better at the pool.

Kids who can swim well enough they don't need my constant supervision.

Walking to the pool with the kiddos.

Cats who don't want to leave their home.

Friends who return every summer, I can't believe how much they grow in a year.

Teenage daughters becoming lovely women.

Snuggling children and explaining that thunder won't hurt them.

Free basketball hoops, thank you Rices!