Ruminations on moving

So the silver car (did we name that one?) is gone.  It got cut into chunks and a scrapper hauled it away.  It was actually kinda cool.  I am regretting not getting a photo of all that metal.  And I'm wishing we had a pickup to have hauled it in ourselves. 

Packing/moving with children is hard for a number of reasons.  Number one is probably "They are simply into everything".  Somewhere high on that list is that mama's regular work doesn't let up.  For example, yes we are trying to finish up projects, paint (and refresh) rooms, fill nail holes where cherished photos hung, and pack boxes, etc... there is still laundry that must be done, meals that must be cooked, dishwasher unloaded, bathrooms to clean... that part doesn't go away.  So, I (still) average 3 boxes packed per day. 

And at the same time, I am beginning to simultaneously realize what I will miss in Michigan and what I will gain by moving "home".  It is very bittersweet. 

So I think, perhaps, a list is in order.

I will miss... and I look forward to...

Let's start with I will miss...
so many wonderful mama friends
a network of natural parents, info, and resources
my gardens (and specific plants)
the kitchen I helped design
co-ops

I look forward to...
visits with FAMILY!!!
not one, but two babies coming into the world (a family member and a close friend)
so many old friends
a network of colleagues
some aspects of academia

These realizations catch me off guard at times.  I'll try to put them here when I have a moment.  It helps me process all these amazing changes. 

The front is so very close...

The car is being dis-assembled (parted out).  Boxes are being packed.

Mamas and papas are very tired at the end of the night.  So much so, that we fell asleep during bedtime last night.  Which means, I forgot to bring my diapers in off the line. 

Enter the rain.

Soggy diapers.  Boo.

And if you can see from the picture our grass is having some "issues".  As in "what's with that patch of pale, sparse grass?"  We have no idea.  We've overseeded it twice.  Guess it's just gonna have to be ugly. 

Progress

...Outside and in...

House projects

We're getting the house ready!  Here's the front of our little pad.  The ugly siding is down and it's prepped for restoration. 

Now who wants to buy a cute mid-century modern ranch?

Farm Swap

My latest swap items: apple trees and mousers.

They headed off to California last Friday!  The theme was "farm play mat".  I really needed this swap to force me to finish the farm play mats I started almost a year ago. 

Keeping busy on hot summer days...

Park Play

R is really going to miss his preschool friends. We are still meeting each Tuesday at a local park. (Mine's the one with the mohawk...)

News

We have big news.  No, no new babies.

After much soul-searching we’ve decided that we are going to move back to Pittsburg, Kansas.  Heading back will allow me to finish my master’s degree (only 5 hours left!) as well as slowing us down a bit.  N is looking forward to exploring all his employment options.  There may be some entrepreneurship in his future. 

My dream of owning a sustainable homestead is much more possible in Southeast Kansas. 

I’m working hard figuring out the details.  We are finishing up all our house projects (gotta get it on the market) and packing a few boxes here and there.  I’m quite nervous about finances.  And the actual act of moving is not super pleasant (two adults, two small children, two dogs and a cat), but I get more excited every day!

We’re referring to it as “hitting the reset button”.  Stay tuned for details!

Fine Art's Final Day

Maybe the saddest yet...

Dino bin

It was time for a sensory bin change, brought on by a really rainly (blah!) day. 

We went with Dinos!!!

18 Month Stats

S is ...
21 lbs (7th percentile)
31.5" tall (43rd percentile)

Doing fine!