It's Been A While

I'm supposed to be packing the china cabinet right now, but I suddenly got the urge, the itch, the need to write. It's been a while since we talked and I've been missing you, but I didn't know what to say to you. I'm still a little embarrassed about all the marriage problems I dumped on you last week. So just ignore that pink tinge to my cheeks. Seriously, it makes all my old acne scars show up again. Don't look at them, okay?

I've been working really hard in the house and it feels good to know that everything is clean. Of course, I want to keep it that way, so that means cleaning all day. But the amazing thing is, I'm beginning to actually like doing it! It's not so hard when it's just needing to pick up again instead of having to clean a huge mess. I'm trying to get in a routine, too. Today I need to vacuum the kids' rooms, clean the bathrooms, and mop the kitchen. It shouldn't take more than an hour or maybe an hour and a half. Not bad, right? And Thomas is a lot happier with me, so it's worth it.

I'm also a lot less stressed out because everything looks nice. Well, as nice as it can look here anyway. I'm cooking healthy meals at lunch and dinner every day because there aren't any dirty dishes. I even stopped using the Styrofoam plates because it's not a big deal to have three or four plates to wash. It was when I didn't do the dishes after every meal that it became a problem. And I'm not yelling at the kids as much because I feel better. So it was a good change, all around.

The kids are doing great, too. I know I haven't written about them much lately. Maritessa confiscated my notebook where I write down my ideas for writing. So I'll think, "I'm going to write about that tomorrow!" But then I forget. My momnesia is acting up again, it seems. I need to start writing every day again because it makes it easier to think of something!

We're excited about moving next month. Noah and I are the most excited, I think. Every morning he gives me the countdown. "Mama! We only have seventeen days left until we move!" It amazes me that he knows how many are left! I wonder if he's thinking about it all day, or if he just remembers what the number was from the morning before? Noah and I talk about it every chance we get. From the size of his room, to the big backyard, to getting a dog and where that dog will sleep at night.

On Monday, I took him, Tess, and Tripp to the house because Noah wasn't with us when we looked at it. The man was there working and I explained to him that it looks bad now because he's pulling up the carpet to put down linoleum. While we were inside, Noah asked the man what kind of "granol-eum" he would be using. Turns out, they're installing commercial grade tiles. Which sucks even worse than linoleum, but it'll be okay. While we were in the yard, I showed Noah the magnolia trees (there are two!). He loved the crunchy leaves on the ground and the dropped cones. When we got in the car to leave, he said, "I really love those granola trees Mama." Then, when we got home, he ate two bowls of cereal. I wasn't surprised.

We're planning to get a Golden Retriever. They're just about the best dog you can get for a young family. My mom and dad used to have a few, and they're super smart, gentle, loyal, and fiercely protective when the situation calls for it. I can't wait! Noah says the dog gets to sleep with him, by the way. He doesn't think he or she should ever sleep with Tessa. I can see this might be a bit of a battle in the future.

Tessa is a little worried about the move. She keeps thinking that we aren't moving with her, or she won't have her toys. I explain it to her again, and she says "okay," but I can see the doubt in her eyes. I'm trying to figure out some way to make it easier for her. I'm afraid she's going to be scared in her new room with all the different sounds that come with a different house. I'm planning to let her help me arrange her things as soon as we move in, and a little later, I'll let her help me pick out her curtains. That may help a little. I hope so anyway. Maybe I'll let her help with some of the packing too. She likes to feel needed and important. Putting all her toys into the boxes the night before may actually convince her that we're bringing them with us.

I was planning to post a few photos of the kids, but I can't find my camera anywhere! I'm thinking I may have left it at Verna's house a few days ago. I should probably give her a call and have her look around. Unless you know where I left it.