Spring is Coming!

So, it's been a while since I've written anything.  It's been one heck of a winter.

So, the van died.  Ended up needing a new engine and with the help of family, and an awesome new mechanic, we were able to get it back on the road almost two months later.

Since then, Caleb has potty trained, we finally got our taxes done and back and paid off the student loan, and the Beetle.  The only debt we have left is the van (YAY!) and if we stick to our plan we should have that paid of in about 18 months. Ellie is working on the potty training and although we still have work to do, we are still making progress.

It has been stressful season and I'll be glad when the weather warms up and I can throw the windows open.  In the meantime, I'm hoping to make some sense of this house one bit at a time.  I'm trying to follow Flylady.com.  I still have work to do.

Prayers are welcome.  Hugh and I are still learning how to work together as a team to tackle this house which seems to often overwhelm me when I add the kids to the equation.  You know the expression: Cleaning the house while the kids are young is like trying to shovel while it's still showing... and that doesn't take into account the fighting, bickering and general Mommy, Mommy, Mommy! coming from said children.

All I can say is that this Mama is exhausted and I need a vacation...

Pushing My Limits

So, today has been full of adventures...  I'm trying to think positive here....  
1:00am - Ellie wakes and has trouble settling back to sleep despite nursing.  We finally get up and go downstairs to snuggle so she doesn't wake her daddy.  
3:30am - she finally falls asleep and I creep upstairs to join her and hubby in bed.

7:00am - I'm woken by my cell going off.  It's Hugh saying the van died.  At least he's in town.  He walks home, we come up with a game plan and he walks back to try and move the van.

8:00am - Hugh calls as he gets to the car.  The cops called a tow truck and it's already loaded.  They agree to bring it to our house since we have to pay $85 for it anyway.  The tow truck runs out of gas...twice... before they make it the 3 minutes down the road to our apt...

8:30am - a co-worker of Hugh's came to pick him up for work.  We both stood there waiting for the tow truck.  He finally shows up and doesn't have change for his cash only payment option.  So, I give him $50 of the $85 so he can go break it and get change.  He comes back and we square up and get a reciept.  

Hugh is already headed to work at this point.  Ellie is up (she was up at 7:30).  Car is in parking lot.  

I eventually call the police dept to complain about the fact that they didn't give us an opportunity to move our van before they needlessly had it towed.  Apparently 'that spot' is always towed and even if we had called right away, the still would have had it towed.  Meanwhile, Hugh is on the phone to USAA to see if we can get reimbursed since we have towing coverage.  We should be getting it back in our chk acct today. (yay).

Our neighbor is going to help us with the car later (it sounds like it may be the alternator).  

I figured that since the car is here, I might as well do the touch ups I've been meaning to on the spots where the paint is chipping.  Dripped a nice big glob on the side of the door and it seemingly dried instantly.. Ugh.  

Both kids are covered in black since they were touching the car as I tried to complete the touch ups without wearing any more paint where it doesn't belong.

Add to that the tantrums of an almost three yr old and the melt downs of a fussy, not feeling well, just cut part of her first molar 13 month old...

Calgon, take me away... Anyone want some kids???

Through the Wringer

Well I've discovered that yes, there is something worse than having a sick baby... being sick yourself on top of it adding an active almost three year old to the mix.  Thankfully the boy was asleep through most of the spewing.  Poor Ellie, she went through three sleepers before she finally fell into a fitful sleep.  Hopefully she can sleep it off and we can both recoup quickly.  Now to do the laundry that has multiplied exponentially overnight.

A Weekend with Family in NH

This weekend we all headed to NH to Grammie Jewett's.  Hugh's Mom came up with her boyfriend Billy and his sister Jenn came up with her new husband Will.  It was great to have some time to really get to know Will and Billy and for everyone to have time with Caleb and Ellie.  This weekend was so nice.  We were reminded how important our family is. God really reminded me how important it is to have time to play with my kids.  
I think the biggest highlight for me was when we headed to North Conway to the outlets.  Walking around was nice but the best part was when we were done eating at the restaurant we went outside to the playground.  It was about 7:30/8 and the shops all closed at 6 so it was really quiet.  We were the only ones there.  It was awesome. We had so much fun just playing with both kids, from the swings to climbing and sliding.  Ellie was having fun climbing the stairs and playing peek a boo in and around the climbing structure.  Caleb was sooo excited to be 'chased' he was shrieking with delight!  Even Daddy was in on the action and the kids were eating it up!  I hope that I can treasure many more moments like this as they grow and our family evolves.  These are truly the moments that make it all worth while.
This weekend has also reinforced the importance of taking time for just the two of us.  We need to 'date' again.  Every time I saw Mom and Billy walking hand in hand or saw him stroking her hair, I longed for that also.  Watching Will and Jenn exude the love and joy that comes from being newlywed was so refreshing.  That specialness has faded in our relationship and I know we need to rekindle it.  I love my family and I need to remember these moments when I get stressed and frustrated.  Thank you to all of our  wonderful family for a memorable weekend.  <3

Jenn had a try at the zip-line after Will tried it out.

Caleb wanted to try too (with a little help from Daddy)

Ellie was not at all happy about Daddy putting her down.

There's my happy girl!

Oooh, what does Brother have??

She's on the Move!

Here Aunt Jenny, have a wood chip.  LOL

Oh the simple joy of new love.

She gave me the 'Look'. I'm seriously in trouble with this one.

My family :)

Aunt Jenny was trying to convince Caleb to climb up the rock with us.

The whole family with the back of the Heard Homestead in the background. :)

Giggles and love.

Even the grown ups got in on the fun. 

Aunt Jenny and Uncle Will on one side and Daddy and Caleb right beside them.

Me and Ellie :)

Hugh's Mom was thoroughly enjoying watching the antics of her kids and grand kids :)

Hehehehe...

Daddy and Caleb.

He is practicing his soccer skills.

Happy girl!  With her ball.

"Grammie" Polly Jewett

Daddy and his princess. <3

So it Begins...

I'm so guilty of being overwhelmed by all the stuff that I 'need' to do.  I figured that we all need to remember to Enjoy the Moment as often as we can.  It is too easy to be in the I need to do this, that and the other and miss the little joys that are right in front of you.  (I'm totally preaching to the choir here...).  I need to learn to do this more often. To focus on the joys of my children while they're little and my husband while he and I share our lives together.  Here's to a calmer life as I learn to stop and smell the roses as the days go by and to cherish the little things.