The big move

Hey everyone! Sorry I have been so silent in this space. We packed up our few belongings and moved far away from Oregon. We moved for many reasons, some I can not share just yet but will as soon as I can. Sorry for being so cryptic but you will understand why soon. We just now got internet up and running in our 1800s farmhouse (on 61 acres!!!!) and I am starting to play catch up. This week I will be posting some photos and thoughts from our long trek over on my Instagram account  so please do join me there!

The big move

Overdue

Just before we left: Play Derby with Trail Life Volunteering one last time Life boxed up Cleaning help A child's gratitude left to the housekeepers in the temporary lodging facility on base

 On the road: Arriving at the coast:
 Hello, hello! Long time no see, huh? Well, as I am sure you know, we have been a bit busy. We survived our final house inspection just barely scraping by. In the end we owed the contracting company $431, and while that is a lot of money for us, it is nothing compared to what others have told us they were charged. I am not dwelling on it and just moving forward.

The road trip from our little town in Idaho to the Oregon coast was beautiful and scary (well, only for me - I don't like driving in mountains, especially at night!). I am so grateful that my little baby who strongly dislikes car rides slept through most of the trip. We didn't arrive to the coast until very late at night but we still had to go see the ocean. The children were in heaven, especially my shark loving boy (although he was upset that there weren't any sharks just hanging out in the waves waiting to greet him.). We have been spending every free moment since then at the beach just soaking it all in and throwing our worries to the wind. Baby F was absolutely perplexed feeling sand beneath his feet for the first time. He had me giggling as he tried walking on it, not quite able to get his footing. But boy let me tell you, once he figured it out he became daredevil boy. Whenever we put him down now he runs as fast as he can straight to the ocean, giving me heart attacks each time.

Kevin already switched our vehicle information over to Oregon and we got our new licenses. I have a little story to go with that - We had to take drivers test for them and I failed! Apparently a lot has changed in the last seventeen years since I took my first test and well, Oregon has some strange rules. Kevin and my children found it all very funny. I even texted my Mom joking about my failure. Thankfully I passed when I retook the exam the next day.

Now that we are here, and I am actually sitting down for the first time in what feels like months, it is time to focus on homeschooling catch up (stricter homeschooling laws here *sigh*) and finding our home! I am very grateful for a roof over our heads but we are literally bursting at the seams of this tiny house.  If that isn't motivation to find a place then I don't know what is!

Overdue

Whirlwind

Today started out like all the others - wake, morning chores then homeschooling. That is where normal ends. Kevin had the day off from work and he and I spent all our time looking at houses our realtor sent us on the computer. We ended up finding a fixer upper in our price range. Before we knew it we had plans to leave tomorrow on a whirlwind trip to Oregon to look at it and place an offer before it sold. Then late this evening our realtor called us back and said it needed too much work and our loan wouldn't be approved. I am slightly relieved that we don't have to leave all of the sudden now but also disappointed. Back to the drawing board. Something better will come our way.


On a different note: I am so excited to read this book! It has been sitting on my desk for about a month now (hence the old photo) and I have only been able to find the time to skim through it here and there but I can not wait to dive into it. Speaking of knitting and reading, I wanted to take a moment to say hello and welcome to all the new visitors from Yarn Along. It is so nice to have you here! I am thrilled Ginny sent you my way hope to see you each week for Crafting On. Okay, back to the homeschooling and house hunting madness!

Whirlwind

When it rains

...it pours!
 How about we just not discuss where we will live or what job Kevin will have because I do feel that my brain might just explode...

-My poor sweet baby boy has been sick for the past couple of days. Not sure what it is that he has exactly but he is miserable. Sleepless nights with high fevers and clingy days resulting in sweet cuddles but nothing getting done (and boy is time ticking until we move!).

-The brakes on our van were completely shot so we had them fixed (a nice unexpected cost) and then the next day as I drove to church I noticed that our windshield is cracked.Now to look into getting that repaired.

-One of our kitties somehow managed to partially knock out two of her teeth (we think a cat fight when we were not at home) which resulted in an overnight stay at the vet and mouth surgery.

-Our house inspection is coming up and we are nowhere near ready. Normally something like this wouldn't have me in a tizzy but if you knew what the civilian company that owns these military homes was like, trust me you would be just as anxious as I am. I kid you not, one of their negative reviews (and they were all negative) said be prepared to give up your first born child and every penny you own when you move out.

-And...okay, I will just stop there. I don't want to be a downer.

But even with all of that rain the sun was shining down on us today. As long as we stand together we are strong and will get though it. I know we are climbing that mountain right now and once we get to the top we'll be able to see everything clearly.

When it rains

Ashes to Ashes

Just popping in quick to say thank you for all of your responses on my absent post. I am still replying to you all but wouldn't you know it - right after that post Kevin was motivated to start work on his resume (the finally hour is drawing near!).  I have been happily staying off the computer to make way for him. Once we know he has secured a job, I think a lot of our anxiety will disappear and we can just focus on the move itself.

Ashes to Ashes

Just give in

More snow photos because if I can't beat it, then I guess I need to just give in and enjoy it. It was almost finally gone though! Oh well, C took advantage of the latest snowfall  and made herself some snow ice cream. Dive! Made it. Back out. Repeat all.day.long. So much fun to watch.
We just found out that (as of right now) we have a move out date of...wait for it...Easter Sunday. I am hoping that is some computer generated date we can talk them out of. Call me crazy but I would actually like to attend Mass and celebrate Easter instead of moving out of our home that day. Ahem. That news was followed by our 13 year old washing machine breaking again. Our children have been having fun watching their stuffed animals get baths in the washing machine. They would leave the lid open and press the lid switch with their fingers to keep the machine going. Perhaps they were having a bit too much fun. Oh well. Thankfully the needed part was inexpensive and should arrive by the end of the week. I won't even go into our tax return drama. Ha! It has just been one of those weeks!

So much to be looking forward to and grateful for though - Little L is turning six oh so soon, C will be celebrating her First Holy Communion (we weren't certain it would happen before we moved but just got the news today it will) and I get to go in for a root canal I have needed since my early twenties! Okay, I might not be looking forward to the root canal but I am indeed grateful to get it taken care of while we still have decent dental insurance.

Just give in

Dreams and Reality

Eating his peck of dirt for the day So remember what it was like before all that snow came to town and refused to leave? Yeah, me neither, but looking at these pictures from sunny November days has me dreaming. And back to reality ...at least with some adventures!


Baby F's birthday sweater was completed on his birthday but with the gloomy skies it was impossible to get photos of him in it. I finally just gave up on waiting and decided to snap a few photos, despite the clouds, on a little field trip in Boise. I am hoping to get better shots once the sun decides to grace us with his presence again.

Details: Yarn is from my friend Ginny at GSheller. I couldn't quite capture the beautiful greens and blues in this yarn but trust me it is breathtaking in person. The buttons are from my favorite button shop - WoolyMossRoots. I made the same mods to this sweater as I did to Little L's sweater I made him for is first birthday. Rav notes here.

Speaking of the birthday boy - He took his first official steps on Monday. He kept taking a couple of steps here and there throughout the day but then that evening he took about ten steps across a room while we were at AHG!

Dreams and Reality