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Thanksgiving...kind of.

                                                Hazel's Thanksgiving Feast at preschool.

I forgot my camera at Thanksgiving. It doesn't really matter since I can't find the cord to the camera. Lost somewhere in the rooms of stuff that is completely unorganized. It is eating away at me, but I'm trying to let it go since there is nothing I can do about it for another week. But it is always on the back of my mind!

We went to Yuma. A five hour drive that took us seven. The hotel was clean so it was kind of a relief to leave our messy house. And the bed was way more comfortable than mine, even with two kids in it with me. I had fresh waffles for breakfast every morning and ate way too much the whole time.

We met some very nice people who welcomed us into their home and never blinked an eye about five extra people running around. Well, at least they never let it show. They let the kids play with their animals and let Hailey sew on the sewing machine the whole time. I always feel bad imposing my posse on people. When we left K gave me a nice card and a young womens gift for Hailey. And apples. But this tells you the kind of person she is, she gave Kade a peeled, sliced apple for the car. Ha.

The kids slept most of the way home and I got to spend time talking with W, which I already do, but five hours with someone I never get tired of was nice. There is a lot more to it, but I have way too much to do to get ready to go to Mesa to be with my peeps and put my oldest child on a plane by herself. So basically have a panic attack. Maybe that is why I have been wanting to cry all day, lets blame it on that. I am in denial. It is the only way.

Friday Letters

Dear Children, you have been so happy with this move. None of you even blinked an eye. I think it just immediately felt like home to all of us. I love that. Dear Mom & Dad, I'm so glad that you came up to help me finish my crazy unorganized move. I love having you visit. I miss you. Dear Moving Day, you were one of the longest days ever. Thanks to W & W, all of the big things were moved pretty fast. Thanks for spending forever taking apart and putting back together all of our beds and for talking me into having my own room. I am really glad I listened to you! The neighbors were so nice and roasted marshmallows with the kids, my VT brought us dinner. I had plenty of help. And I really appreciate it. Now is the part that takes forever for me, unpacking. Dear B & B, it was so good to see you. I am so glad you came to visit. I'll have to plan a trip to come and see you! Dear Fridge, the landlord brought me a fridge late at night that had been...who knows where. I decided to bathe it in bleach. It took 4hrs to clean it. There were living spiders and bugs in it and...cat hair. And a lot of unidentified goo. I scrubbed my fingers to the bone, well just burned then with the bleach, but still. I thought I was done but then I would open it and there would be a bug..alive. Where did it come from?! This happened 4 times! I am scared to put food in it. But I am thankful that I have a fridge! Dear Hailey, you turned 12. You had a good birthday I think and got all of the things you wanted, you were pretty happy. When I took you to lunch I asked you what was the best part of your life right now and you said "having you for my mom". Melt my heart. I love you my little munchkin! Dear Concert, you were soo much better than the first one. Strength in numbers I think. Too bad the little girls were little devils the entire time. Dear Hazel, I loved going to your feast with you. Dear W, you are going to ride in the car with us for 5 hours...we'll see if you come back around after that. You're not even acting scared, maybe you're faking it. Either way I'm glad. You make me happy. Thanks for helping me so much this week. Dear Thanksgiving, I'm not home yet. But I am so thankful for so many things. For this house that we have to live in, this town that is our home, the people here who have taken us in and treated us so kindly, for so much beauty that the Lord had surrounded us with, my testimony that guides and sustains me through every step of life, my beautiful children. I could go on forever the list is so long. There is something to be thankful for every single day. Dear Self, someday soon there will be a moment to stop and breathe and then unpack. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure it will still be there later. For now I am going to try and enjoy where I am right now. And who I am with right now. And thank the Lord for all the things I am thankful for.

Friday Letters

Dear Children, you were so excited to have family come visit. You cried when they left. Dear Sis, Thank You so much for coming and making my birthday so happy. I love you. And I missed "my other kids". Dear Moving, I Hate You! I didn't pack. It looks like there has been an explosion. My kids are running wild. I hope I live through this one. Dear New House, you were not livable. Now you look pretty good other than the gross inside of cupboards that has mouse poop. Oh didn't I tell you we decided we might as well add some mice to the mix. Dear Roach, there I was minding my own business washing my hands in the kitchen sink and a ginormous roach crawls out of the drain..while I am washing my hands..I freak..screaming, drop the phone, run. I tried. I really did but it crawled out of the sink and onto my concentrated bug poison, turns around and looks at me...I'm not joking. The kids are witnesses. It was threatening me. I might as well tell you the worst part, heck why not. I ran next door where the landlord was working on the roof and had him get down, yes, you read that right. I had him get down. He came and killed it, but turned white and left the house and kept saying "that was really big". I made him promise not to tell anyone. But I just did so now we all know that I have not fully recovered from my roach phobia. Dear Birthday, I am 33. I don't like it. My body and mind feel old and worn out. But I have a feeling this is going to be the best year in a long time. All the kids decorated and made me cookies and jumped out and surprised me. It was so cute. It really was the best birthday that I can remember in a really long time. Dear Friday, I am moving. I am sure it's chaos. Thank You W & W for spending the day helping me! Dear W, you made my birthday feel special and happy. You are so thoughtful and kind. Thank You for all that you do for me. You make me happy. Dear Self, I am a little stressed. Moving does that to me especially when I already have a full schedule. Keep it together and fall apart later. 

Source: thoughtsandfeelings.net via Camille on Pinterest

lost my mind

Source: remember-the-time-1.blogspot.com via Camille on Pinterest

Friday Letters

all kids do back flips around the bench seat right

Dear Children, it has been a long week. You have been so good about it. I love you. Dear B, You are such a good friend to me. I am pretty excited that you had a baby that I can come cuddle. Dear W, I love being with you. I don't know how we became such good friends so quickly, but I am really glad that we did. Somehow we are still friends even after you have seen me in all my weirdness. Ha. Dear Scary, finding my toothbrush NOT in the place where I left it. Dear Rodeo, you wore the kids out! I will have to attend rodeo's more often. Although I did not enjoy seeing a child almost get trampled. Dear Allergies, you suck! I have always felt awful for people who suffer from allergies, but I never had them. I seem to be allergic to Thatcher. I can't talk or breathe without coughing. I sound ridiculous. It's been like 3 weeks of breathing misery. Dear Hailey, we had a little scare in the hospital, thankfully you are ok. I'm hoping you feel better really soon. Dear B&W, really, I couldn't ask for better friends. Stealing my children and caring for them while I was with Hailey when you just had a baby! I will be trying to repay you for a very long time. Thank You! Dear Hazel, I had fun going to the corn and cotton fields with you for preschool. You had so much fun. Dear Self, I don't think I have ever been as happy and content as I am right now. A constant reminder that the Lord knows my heart.

Bikes

Thanks to W we don't have any flat tires right now.

This looks so safe.

And I also see why Hailey steals my bike.

Hazel is practically a pro at riding a two wheeler now.

Avary said she was doing ballet and riding a bike.

She was serious and did this for a long time.

Aaannd this is how that riding session ended.

Ha. Don't worry he was fine. He fell over and then laid down.

Source: spirituallythinking.blogspot.com via Camille on Pinterest

Friday Letters

Ballerina, Taylor Swift, Cinderella, Navy Seal

Dear Children, you have been funny this week. I love when you entertain me. Dear Fun, thanks to friends we got to go play at the park, have hot dogs, and I even got to play cards. The kids had fun and so did I. Dear Evening Dancing, the kids seem to always be waiting for the moments when I say "time to dance" they are so funny and giggle the whole time. Dear Big Brother, I hope you have a happy Birthday! You know, now that you are old and all. Dear W, I love talking with you. It can feel like 30min when it has been two hours. Ha. Dear House, after 2 yrs of paperwork and nightmare our house is finally SOLD! It is sad, but such a geed feeling to be done with it. Dear Halloween, you were good, but I was ready for it to be over before it began. Strange for me. Now to get rid of the candy. Dear Hazel, your party at preschool was fun. They blew up a giant bat cave and we crawled inside and listened to a story. Dear Avary, your heels have been hurting so much you got to the point you couldn't even stand on them. Luckily there are no breaks, but back into your boot you go. At least it helps. While waiting for the x-rays you were doing back summersaults on the bed in the ER. They didn't need to ask what happened. Dear Voice, you have been gone for so long and I can't always breathe good. It's driving my crazy! Dear Week, my brain doesn't seem to work and I can't even remember the last week. Dear Moving, I am dreading you. I hate moving so much. Dear Self, I am so blessed. And I know it.