Thursday, July 30, 2009
SHOCKED!
Right before we left Jeff gets a phone message from Folsom asking if he was still interested in transferring.
DUHHHH!!!!!!!!
Heck yes.
But he didn't say that. They just left a message.
We went to clean the old house and run some errands.
He left another message.
Just as we were beginning to relax at home and clean up the mess that was made while we were gone...his phone rang.
See, as far as we know the "big man in charge" up here at this facility where my husband works has stated he will not let anyone transfer unless it is a hardship transfer (someone is sick or is extremely desperate and you have to have a really, really good reason) or you are promoting up.
Until December.
We did have either.
We put in his transfer request on the 1st of July. And found out that nothing until December would happen if anything did happen.
That is why we needed a month to month rental. We didn't want to be stuck if we finally did get the chance to move.
So... when the guy on the phone asked if Jeff was still interested and Jeff said yes, he gave us a date.
Jeff has to report on December 7th...of this year!!!!!!
WE ARE GOING HOME!
My biggest wish is coming true.
My mom was more shocked than I was.....you know, she said we would be coming home this year... She was right.... I hate it when she is right.
The whole thing is bitter sweet.
I have said that before, but now that it is real... it really hurts. I have so many people here I love like family.
It is hard to be sad about it.
All of these things just fell into place.
Just like when we moved here and Jeff got this job.
I want to cry.
I am so happy, but so sad.
We are not unpacking everything.
Just stuff we need, as if we were renting a house for the summer.
I had to share the news.
Jeff wanted to keep it between family and quiet until he got to tell his parents.
Now that they know and we have already accepted, I had to share.
So shocked.... I am just so shocked.
I was starting to believe I would never go home.
We will leave right after Thanksgiving.
We will be home for Christmas.
Shocked!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
We've got cows!
Moooooved!
So glad to have my Internet back.
And so much to share.
We have moved.
My mom came last Monday night with 2 of my nephews, Coleman and Jake.
We took her straight to the house so she could assess the situation. We knew we needed to paint, but the carpet needing to be cleaned was questionable, but she agreed.
(We found a great deal. Call me and I will give you the number, if you are local.)
Tuesday morning we taped and prepped the house. Man it was hot and oh boy did it take all day. My super awesome friend Monica came over with her hubby and kids and helped.
By Tuesday night we had begun the primer.
There was a turquoise room, we didn't paint. (Matthew and Nathan's room and they liked it.)
A Christmas room - Yes red and green.
The family room, the dinning room, living room, and long hallway didn't have to be primed, but the brown wood trim did. (we still have to paint white)
The master bedroom was a circus purple. and periwinkle. Lovely, if you like those colors. I just wanted a plain off, off white. It is more of a tan, but then in another room, it looks yellow.
I LOVE IT!
We primed anything that was taped off.
Wednesday we began to paint. I couldn't do a whole lot, anything sitting in a chair level or standing level was all I could do. Bending down and squatting was not good for me.
Can you say contraction?
We barely finished the paint, except the high ceiling trim before midnight.
Thursday the priesthood members showed up at 9ish and loaded our house. they got everything out of the inside except a few closets in a matter of hours.
My good and awesome friend Kim Jensen watched Emma and Sam so they weren't in the way.
thank you!
My mom left Thursday around 3, I hate it when she leaves.
The boys and I emptied the closets in about 2 to 3 loads. They were so good.
My boys are awesome, they deserve a lot.
They moved and moved and loaded and unloaded. I don't think I would have made it without them.
A few weeks ago Jeff just decided, he didn't know why at the time, he decided to get July 24th off. So Friday we finished the rest of the inside and moved stuff around in here.
Saturday was getting more stuff moved around and organized and a trip into town for supplies.
I was beat! and hot.
We realized our dryer is a gas dryer and there is no gas hook ups here. (so spread the word, we need a dryer for cheap)...we are line drying our clothes. What a pain! I will never take my dryer for granted again. Now i have to iron!!!!!
We also have no cooling system. not only am I pregnant and already hotter then everyone else, I am melting.
We had to invest in a few fans. And it really does cool down in the evening, by 3am we are almost cold.
I do love this house.
I am so grateful for my prayers being answered.
What a miracle it was to get into the house.
We are in.
We are still unloading boxes. We are not unpacking everything. We have put in our transfer to Sacramento and are waiting.
So we decided to wait and see.
As for the old house, today the RS came and helped me finish the cleaning.
We forgot about the primer we promised to do over the pink and brown butterflies in Emma's room. And the duct tape still stuck to the window from our Christmas lights this last year.
We have emptied the storage shed except for a pool (yay) and some snow tires we will not need this winter.
Tomorrow Jeff is making a dump run to get rid of a bunch of trash and junk we do not want to move out here. We have some firewood that Jeff cut down with a friend last year. Jeff the ding dong, gave away all of our wood last summer forgetting we might need the firewood in case the power went out. We are giving it to my friend Jenae who can use it this winter. (We have no fireplace here!!!)
After that we are officially out of the house.
Whew!
I really don't wanna do that again.... at least for a little while.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Moving
I haven't moved in 3 years.
And then it was a 3 bedroom apartment and 4 little boys.
Now I have a 3 bedroom house with a garage, pantry room/laundry room, a shed in the back yard full of stuff , 4 boys and their stuff, a little girl and her stuff, my scrapbook stuff, a dog (still deciding if we should take him with us or not) and more furniture and stuff than we had before.
We opted not to get a moving truck. We are counting on the good graces of our friends and their trucks.
We figured since we are moving in town, it hard can that be?
But now I see, it is going to take 3 days to move all this crap!
Oh my heck, and I have run out of boxes!!!!!
I still have a pantry, and 3/4 of a kitchen to pack. Plus some of Jeff's stuff from the garage.
Emma's room is just a few boxes of toys and her clothes, the rest is big items, (dresser, desk, crib).
The computer, and a 2 shelves from the linen closet with stuff we might need.
The wonderful priesthood members from my ward are coming over to help move on Thursday.
The landlords (long story) are waving the deposit but we have to paint and clean the carpet. We are prepping the walls Monday, starting painting on Tuesday and part of Wednesday, cleaning the carpets Wednesday so everything can be moved in by Thursday.
None of my brothers or my dad will be here to help.
I am so freaking out right now.
EEK!!!!
Will I get it all done?
I am so worried about what the other ward members will think of my house and all my crap.
I NEED to have it all packed my Thursday morning at 9am.
Jeff is getting a bunch of boxes from work. but I will need like 20 more.
I am sooooo cheap, I don't wanna buy any.
Well, truth be told we are broke.
So need free boxes. I will have to hit up the grocery stores tomorrow.
So much to do, so little time.
Moving really stinks!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
28 1/2 weeks
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Boys, Less noise...
The Father walks into the "nursery" as the boys are playing and that is his way of telling them to be quiet..or settle down.
You can tell he doesn't spend much time with his boys. He leaves it up to the dog, Nana.
If only. A dog in charge. You only have to pay in dog treats and chew toys.
Part of my point of this is, today Jeff was home.
He is NOT a stay at home Dad, nor would he survive as one.
He is a "discipline first, ask questions later" sort of Dad.
No wonder he doesn't enjoy his days off as much.
I posted a message to a friend today on facebook.
She told the story of her little boy peeing in the trash can....in the bathroom.
Why do they do stupid non-logical things like that?
I dunno, but my message to my friend was...
"I think boys skipped the "think logically" class in heaven."
Why would they want to pee in the trash can?
Why would mine want or need to pee in the tub...when the toilet is RIGHT THERE!?
I do have more point to this post than I have stated so far.
Today was a get it done day.
We were suppose to make a list and get it done.
It started out....get the chores done and then on to the list...
Well, I asked my 2 very bored, getting on Dad's nerves, 6 and 8 year old boys to wipe the base boards of the hallway and walls, (which I can not reach without having pain) and the fight began.
Jeff, not having enough patience to find out why they are fighting went straight to threatening.
I had to be the peacemaker.
They were fighting over the spray bottle. The cleaner.
I asked Jeff to make another one. "Why?" He asked.
I said, "why not? They are cleaning aren't they?"
Pretty soon, I had 4 spray bottles and 5 people cleaning while I folded laundry on the floor in the living room.
Jeff cleaned up the kitchen and supervised the boys as they cleaned every surface they could spray.
NOTE TO SELF: Go to Walmart buy each child a spray bottle in their color. Maybe even a rag to go with it
I was amazed at how fast my house got cleaned. I hardly lifted a finger.
We attempted to have them clean their room, which by now you would think, with only a small card board box full of toys, no dressers or beds, (just mattresses on the floor...check a previous post, we are moving) you would think, they couldn't mess it up.
Well, they can and they do.
Total pig sty.
Not only that, it took them hours to get it done and all we heard was noise and fun.
Which I know is normal, I used to do it. It is not just a boy thing.
I have very fond memories with my sisters, cleaning our room for hours, not really even cleaning.
Ahhh, those were the days.
Okay, back to the boys.
I can handle it. The noise and fun you hear when they clean...Jeff can not.
I think it is due to the fact he grew up way different. He was an Army brat.
Jeff has to yell and yell even louder. I know his blood pressure gets higher.
It is really the end of the world if the boys have a clean room or not?
No.
It is the end of the world if they are noisy and having fun while "cleaning"?
No.
Could there be less noise?
ALWAYS.
Boys are weird, funny, smelly, ornery, not as easy as you would think, kind of creatures.
They can ALWAYS make a game out of any and every tiny or big thing.
They are easily entertained.
They think they are hilarious.
They are my favorite.
I thought I would hate the summer with my boys home from school, but I am actually enjoying it.
Everyday is loud. Everyday involves dirt and grossness.
I know it is just going to happen.
I only ask them for helping me with Emma and the chores.
I could ask for silence, but lets be real.
Boys and silence just can not go together. (something I think they teach to all boys in heaven)
They just do not know how to be silent.
So, for the rest of the summer, all I am going to ask for is less noise.
P.S. No, we did not get to the list.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Love and Hate
5 things I hate about today:
1. They messed up on Jeff's overtime check.
2. I still have no place to live.
3. I am trying to being nice and happy on 3 hours of sleep. Day 3.
4. There is too many hours to wait for Harry Potter movie #6.
5. I still have no place to live.
5 things I love about today:
1. Emma ate 1/2 a pancake. (she has been super picky and she is getting her 2 year molars)
2. Tonight is Harry Potter movie #6.
3. Jeff isn't working overtime and I can get a hug and maybe a nap.
4. My kids are happy and healthy...loud and messy, but very healthy.
5. Tonight is Harry Potter movie #6
I tag:
Danielle
Amy
Kaci
Carie
My sister Aimee
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Today
Today I canned 50 cans of rice.
Today I called the boys and told them we ARE going to the Lake.
Today I bought 3 books and snow pants for the winter for $2 at a garage sale across the street.
Today I YELLED at my kids for marching up and down the street in thier PJ's tooting horns when I got back from canning.
Today I yelled at my kids again for NOT being ready to go to the Lake, even though I called them the hour before I got home from canning.
Today I yelled at my kids to help get ready for the lake.
Today Jeff got overtime. YAY!
Today I found a mistake in my check book. (groan)
Today I only put $25 worth of gas in my tank it it only filled it half way.
Today I took my kids to the lake .
Today I had ALOT fun at the lake.
Today I need to make dinner still
Today I need to clean up my house.
Today I need to get ready for church tomorrow.
Today was a long day.
Today I think I am ready for tomorrow.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
why oh why, oh why, oh why
So many "why"s today.
But what really shoved all the other "why"s in my life away is this:
I just came from the bathroom where my 2 youngest boys were taking a bath or lack there of.
Laughing and screaming and have a GRAND time.
I prepare myself to be mean and yell, I know they have flooded the floor because the water is seeping out under the door into the hardwooded hallway.
As I open the door, I notice the youngest (age 6) on the potty, totally naked.
Then the floor, wet sopping towels, the sad attempt at cleaning up the water on the floor.
The toys mixed with the wet dirty clothes they had removed before getting in the tub.
I see the tub, completely empty except for one thing.
I see the shower curtain, not hanging in the normal place it should be above the tub.
No, it was hanging over the form of my 3rd boy. (age 8)
He did not know I was standing in the bathroom with my hands on my hips.
I covered quickly. I did not laugh and run for the camera. I did not scream and yell.
I stood on a pile of wetness in the bathroom dumbfounded.
There was an instant word ringing in my head.
It confused me and was making me freeze as I stared at my son covered by the tan wet shower curtain (with pole and rings) and my other son totally naked on the potty his legs danging not quite touching the floor.
why?
why do they decide to do these things?
why do they think it is okay?
why do they think it is funny?
why do they forget Mom will make them clean it up all by themselves?
why do they forget it makes mom mad?
and why do they not care about the consequences and do it anyway?
Is it really a boy thing?
I know it will happen again.
Why do I let them do it?
Do I have the time to sit by and watch them in the tub? No.
They are old enough to take a bath together and be with out their mother.
Is it worth the mess they make?
yes.
Five minutes of them doing something in another room, and knowing full well they are old enough to clean up what ever mess they make all by themselves, is totally worth it.
I need 5 minutes.
Why you ask?
Because as a mother of 4 boys.
I NEED five minutes without noise and not seeing gross-ness to maintain my sanity a few times a day.
Plus, it is teaching them action and consequence.
You make a big mess you knew you were not suppose to do, YOU get to clean it up.
My day is filled with the word "why"
Why do they play with the salt shaker and waste the salt all over the kitchen floor.
Why do they drink all the milk and put the empty carton back in the fridge?
Why do they do the worst job on there chores, knowing mom is just gonna get mad?
Why do they have to pull out every piece of clothing from their duffle bag (see a previous post) and not put it all back, making me wash clothes that have never been worn?
Why do they insist on making their 2 year old baby sister scream?,
Why do they not unloading the dishwasher like Mom asked 10 times, just 10 minutes before?
Then again...
Why do they decide to change Emma stinky diaper without being asked?
Why do they decide to clean up the front yard that Dad never asked them to do while he is asleep on the couch?
Why do they happily watch their baby sister cartoons all day without complaining?
Why am I so lucky?
Some answers can not be explained.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Now We Know.
NO ONE will be transferring unless they have a "hardship" transfer. Which just mean, someone in the family is sick and/or needs something that this town and Reno can not provide.
Not having my family around when I have the baby via, c-section is not a good enough excuse to use for a "hardship".
So now we know.
We have been wondering for weeks, what we needed to do. Find a place here? Or wait until we hear about the budget and transfer situation.
Now we can finally look for a place to live here and get ready to move.
I feel like I have been in Limbo for weeks... oh wait I have.
I am not as sad as I thought I would be.
Disappointed?? Yes, but not sad.
We fasted and prayed for weeks and weeks to know what to do.
And now we know.
What a peaceful feeling.
As I prayed about it last night, I felt that overwhelming peaceful feeling, our plan for us is to stay here.
We still plan on transferring home to Sacramento, we just don't know when the Lord feels it is time.
So much to do now.
1. Find a place to live.
2. Pack the house.
3. Find more boxes.
Well there is more.
I am getting anxious and I am very excited. I don't know where we are going but we are going somewhere around here.
Monday, July 6, 2009
I am Blue
The last time I was visiting home, my cousin Felisha gave me the color test.
She read this book years ago and decided to "test " me.
The book is called:
"The Color Code" by Taylor Hartman, PH.D.
The cover says " A new way to see yourself, your relationships, and life."
I was curious what the book considered "my color". She briefly explained what to do...well, you are asked about 30 questions..well not questions... just words.
For example.... and you have to think about how you were as a child and now...
"choose one word that best describes you"
#28.
a)__calculating
b)__self righteous
c)__self-deprecating
d)__disorganized
Now as I read some of these out loud, not being able to decide which one was more me, my Aunt Kathie was laughing at some of them. She knew the answer, but did not want to give input. She wanted the answers to come from my opinion of me. Make sense.
After another set of some real questions, she did the calculations and it was decided I was:
Blue/white
This book is fascinating.
This Doctor has traveled all over and doing business retreats to help business partners and many members of companies learn better ways to work with each other by better understanding each other.
He also used this for marriage counseling sessions. Husbands and wives can better understand each other and why they do and say the things they do.
I had Jeff take the test for fun while I was doing my 1 hour sugar/glucose test at my Doctor appointment on Wednesday. He is a White/blue. According to the book, we are compatible.
There are 4 colors: Red, Blue, White and Yellow.
Red's are the Power Wielders: active, productive, insensitive, selfish, demanding, critical, insecure, competitive, determined, resourceful, impatient, and calculating...to name a few.
Blue's are the Do-Gooders: emotional, committed, perfectionistic, highly demanding, self-sacrificing, nurturing, resentful, worried, dedicated, moody, and insecure...to name a few.
Whites are the Peace Makers: peaceful, diplomatic, insecure, dependent, tolerant, patient, kind, lazy, accepting, emotionally unsure, gentle, and stubborn...to name a few.
Yellows are the Fun Lovers - happy, fun, self-centered, uncommitted, irresponsible, carefree, exciting, superficial, impulsive, undisciplined, charismatic, popular, and trusting...to name a few.
So, according the the book, I, as a blue/white, I am considered to be a Do-Gooding Peace maker.
There is positive and negative things about both. As you can tell. I also believe we all have some of the other colors as traits.
Luckily, my good "white" personality balances out my negative "blue" side.If you want to know more and/or take the test, I would love to test you. If you want the book yourself...sorry, but it is out of print.
But I got my used copy on Amazon.com, with shipping, for less than $8.
Do I agree with the book? Yes.
I can't believe how much of the Blue and White I read that was so me.
I kept saying, "How did he write this book without interviewing me and hit it dead on?"
It has helped me a lot in my self esteem. In a good way.
It has helped me see myself and I see where I need to improve.
It really has helped Jeff and I.
We have been disagreeing a lot lately and I end up thinking, "what is going on in his mind?"
And after I read book, I realized, he isn't doing anything to tick me off on purpose, it is just who he is and how he knows how to communicate.
And it is who I am and how I think differently. I didn't realize it until I read this book.
But I do this.
I have this way of thinking. I think things should be done a certain way. In a way that I think would be more productive or makes simple common sense. And I get frustrated when others don't see it the way I see it should be done. And then I get mad that they aren't doing it the way my brain thinks it should be done. (mostly my kids and Jeff)
My friends, I think that is where my "peace making white" side comes in. My friends mess up or irrated me (hardly ever) and I give them the bennifit of the doubt. I don't make a big deal. I try not to offend. I just accept it. And take it. Even if they hurt my feelings. (hardly ever)
What is super funny, is the friends who have hurt me one too many times, I have a hard time forgiving and forgetting.... "blue side"!!!!!
THIS IS ALL IN THE BOOK!
My poor boys...since I have realized my error, I have tried to improve. I try not explode. I am trying to be more patient.
Jeff clearly can't read my mind so I CAN NOT get mad when he doesn't understand what I need or want done.
So I have changed my way of having a discussion with him and it works. He doesn't feel bossed around and I don't feel frustrated.
It would just be easier if he could read my mind...lol
I love this book.
I highly recommend this book.
If you do know your color or do get the book and test yourself....let me know. I am totally curious.
The other night I was sharing my color with a group of friends and said "I didn't realize how bossy I really am until I read this book?" (a blue trait)
They all up roared with a HUGE laugh....."Yes Katie, we knew that."
They were kinda teasing.
But they are my true friends, so I know they were being nice.
I am trying to balance myself.
I am working on it.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
July 31st; midnight
We finally got the official letter in the mail.
Today we are looking for another rental.
We prefer not to have a year lease. A month to month would be perfect. (in case Jeff does get a transfer...what miracles do happen...not to me, but you never know)
If anyone reads this and lives in Susanville, keeps your eyes open for us.
I have spent the morning looking at places online.
Am I discouraged?...yes.
Am I freaking out?...yes.
Am I not sleeping at night because of all of this?...yes.
Am I on the verge of tears every minute of every day?...yes.
I just HAVE to have faith that it will all work out.
It is really the hardest part.
Trying to be positive for everyone.
Drawing out that silver lining.
Luckily, the boys don't know how stressed we are about all of this.
keep the prayers coming.
We are down to 28 days left.