Thus Ends One Epoch of Time and We Begin Another

1. And it came to pass that we doth completed our 23rd move in this 13th year of marriage.
2. If thou thinkest us crazy, thou be right. But we shine in happiness only looking foolish as we doth continue to search for lost objects including those items that our first begotten son hides in trash boxes.
3. During which time, said eldest son left diapers behind.
4. During which time, O Ye Readers of This Blog, we tarried through three abodes before arriving to rest on our fourth hearth of said year.
5. And Everett spake of merpeople at the pool and showed unto us dance moves from Happy Feet.
6. And Merritt spake of jibberish and laughter.
7. And Sir Erik hung stars in the heavens much to the delight of Sheila.
8. And peace begat peace and mounds of packing paper.
9. Wherein, family helped unpack and friends organized books by color.
10. Wherein, we ran to and fro, O Ye Readers of This Blog, in making order of three origins of boxes--from storage, from apartment #1, and apartment #2.
11. Behold, we have plans to paint the cooking room but know not what to do with the paneled sharing room.
12. Herein, never fear, we shall prevail over the burden of bad design and peace shall continue to reign as we take part in shorter journeys to and fro work, frolick with fire ants and other various insect creatures, partake of Blue Bell icecream at an almost unbridled pace, bask in the company of family and friends at a moment's notice, and, in general, know we abide in the right place.
13. Thus the dust settles, after feeling we waiteth a long while, ending our journey to Texas and home.

Methinks our next move shouldest be a long time from now.

Highlights Through Pictures

Late night unpacking and help from sisters (Lady Paper Roller is in the other room).

Sir Erik cannot unpack without putting on a fashion show.

Fashion show continues.

Mover 1 (to Sheila): Ma'am, I sure do wish we could find those parts so I could put that futon back together for you (and tables and bookcases).

Mover 2 (shakes head in complete agreement that it is such a shame that the movers in DC were so irresponsible)

One week after being in the house, we find THIS box buried deep in the garage's mound of boxes. I don't know how it could have been made plainer.

Evy's Thoughts Inspired By Potty Training

While we were potty training Everett, he would say things like this in the most serious manner:

Mommy, I go poop in the potty. It makes Mommy happy. It makes makes Merritt happy. It makes everyone happy. It helps people. I help people.

(pause for more introspection)

Mommy helps people. Daddy helps people. John helps people, too.

(runs off to be a tiger with sharp claws and lots of growls)

John is the name of the maintenance man from our old apartment. We. saw. him. a. lot. Everett loved helping John. John was great and would ask Everett to help by holding a little flashlight. When Evy realized that our home was not at the apartments anymore as we drove home during our first week in the house, he said from the backseat of the car, "I miss John." John is a good guy.

Chills and Thrills

I think I have about three minutes for blogging today. I just don't get on the computer much these days. Something about unpacking and still trying to have some semblance of fun for the kids and Erik. ("No, Mom, no cleaning. Play wiff me!") I think I have sent about 5 emails since we moved into the house. If you've been a recipient of one of those, consider yourself a Chosen One.

Erik had a pretty brutal week at work. Lots and lots of work. He has also been the superhero in trying to help continue to get things organized in the house.

I've been loving having a home with my stuff and my kids. I love having a real bed and couches and plates and all that other junk I love to keep. I love that our artwork is on the walls. I was amazed at how much more peaceful I felt when my favorites were placed. We are able to eat more at home with pleasure. Also, I am convinced we either have a ghost or a raccoon that lives in our attic. Where is my mullet laden pest guy, Billy, when I need him?

Evy is running about a million miles an hour. He LOVES running through the house and outside. At about 7:00 you can always find him running circles in the house. It is like his prebedtime "get the energy out" . . . and he loves the fact that Merritt now chases him. Of course, Evy laps Merritt, but Merritt at various spots will turn around and catch Evy headon which is funny for everyone. He is talking all the time in full sentences, compound sentences, and makes connections that I never made . . . "No, not a Starburst. A triangleburst . . . a squareburst." One quirk he has is he does not say "with" or "for" . . . he goes the foreign language route and says, "cookie ame" or "water ayou" or "Merritt ame" -- using the "a" instead of the regular pronoun. Come to think of it, he has always done this.

Merritt is into EVERYTHING. Nothing slows him down. Stairs, trashcans, grass, hardfloors, obstacles on the floor, cabinets, nothing. He is climbing and thinks that he is a seal with the way he flails around in the bathtub. He loves the water. He is a "mamamama" and "bababa" talker. Our favorite is when he gives us open mouth kisses on our jaws or chin. So cute! Every single time we meet someone in public, we get the comment,"What beautiful eyes!"

We are living a regular life in suburbia. We are grateful.

And So It Is

Joy of having chairs to sit upon

Visiting family

Neighbors with treats

Lost remotes

Violent thunderstorms

Building new habits

Recognizing grace

Brother chasing brother

Giggles

Fevers

Nebulizer treatments

Mowing blades of grass

Lost pot lid

Pulled muscles

Newly discovered toys

Skinned knees

Post-Stress Fatigue

Sighs of relief

Found futon parts

Evening family walks

Lost baby monitor

Home cooked meals

Water play

Fly infestation

Sandy beach pool

Heat

Energy conservation

Broken chair

Late work evenings

Answered prayers realized

It will take us awhile to have a chance to catch up and share how a neighbor's concern meant a 3:00 am wake-up call from the cops. It will take us awhile to have a chance to share the latest brotherly antics like secret midnight playdates. It will take us awhile to share "Life Lessons Through Potty Training" compliments of Evy Musings. It will take us awhile to get it all going. But, we are enjoying every moment of it all while it is happening.