Day #65 - Times Like These

So here we are again...

A house that is trashed, a half painted bedroom, an overflowing sink of dishes, laundry piled everywhere... And I sit on the couch writing a blog.

I WAS painting... But got to the point that I needed a step ladder, and then quickly remembered I loaned it to my mother-in-law a few months back and I haven't gotten it back yet. I texted her, haven't heard back, and decided that I'll have Michael stop by to get it on his way home because it's frigid outside and I'm not going out! So the brakes are on the painting project for the moment.

The dishes are never-ending... And I have no dishwasher... Michael and I left a brand new beautiful home on 20 acres to come to a house with no dishwasher?!? I know! And while we're listing complaints (and by "we", I mean, me), I don't have a garbage disposal either. So trash is not a fun thing around these parts. Oh, and 2 full baths in the old (new) house, down to one bathroom that is original to my 1950's (?) cape cod. It's lovely... Really... You'd have to see it to appreciate it. Hahahaha!

Laundry is laundry is laundry. If I could hire one job done at my house. Laundry would be it! The person would have to do ALL OF IT though - the sorting, the washing, the drying, the folding, the putting away. I can't stand a single part of that process!

Oh and I skipped the trashed house part... Since we are painting our bedroom (and again, by we, I mean, me), everything from my bedroom is in my living room/dining room/ hallway. It's lovely... Really... You'd have to see it to appreciate it. And I won't even follow that one up with a hahahaha.

But I do have the girls upstairs "cleaning" their rooms. And dinner is ready, just needs to be thrown together (baked spaghetti). So some things are coming along ok.

As I was painting today, I had more time to think about my "Intentional" word of the year. I'm really working hard at having intentional thoughts... Not letting my head get the best of me... Not letting my mind race... Not playing out conversations that have yet to happen... Not being "so sure" that someone thinks/feels some way when I've yet to hear that from them... 

All that being said, the devil knows these thoughts. He knows my triggers. He knows what can send me into a tailspin. And is he does it. He unleashes my brain, my thoughts, silence around me so that I have time to create this gross over-exaggerations of what is actually happening in my life. It makes me quick to take offense, overly anxious, and totally miserable...

But in the midst of this, I think "Intentional". And I pray, and ask God for help reigning in these thoughts... And He helps me... Instead of racing thoughts, I get laundry, and dishes, and half-painted rooms... Along with giggles from my littles as they "clean" their bedrooms while playing dollhouse. And a phone call from my husband who is headed home a little early to relax with his family.

I Am Blessed.

Day #64 - Are We Done Yet?

Well, we survived the holidays.... A massive ice storm where thousands were without power for upwards of 10 days (luckily not us!)... A snow storm.... A trip to San Antonio for a week without the kiddos... And Lauren's 5th birthday (yesterday)!!

While we were in Texas, 2 out of the 3 girls had the flu... And managed to infect both of the Grandparents charged with watching them...

It was surprisingly hard for me to be away from the littles for so long. I mean, I knew I would miss them, obviously, but it got to the point I quit calling. I was a mess/in tears whenever I'd talk to them, as I could hear Lauren especially having a hard time... So I left the phone calls and checking-in to Michael. We all lived to tell the story... And the break was just what the doctor ordered...

And while in Texas, we got some time to see Dad and Jan.  They came down for the weekend and we had the entire weekend free to do what we wanted. We did some sight-seeing, ate some great food, and had some drinks. It was a lot of fun! And seeing them just reminded me of how much I miss them. I wish we could all be closer. We're thinking about a trip to Texas this June, with the girls, but we have some number crunching to do. Not sure if we'll be able to swing it, but I'd sure LOVE to!

Michael and I started painting our bedroom the Saturday after we returned. He got the ceiling done, while I'm stuck working on all the trim work. Today I should be able to finish that part up. Tomorrow, after a trip to Walmart to get my paint re-tinted, I should get the actual wall painting part done. We made the terrible mistake of trying to select a paint color while standing in the store... I don't recommend that! And I totally knew better! Awe well!

Michael left for Illinois again today. I say again, because the day after we returned from Texas, he headed to Illinois for some training for 3 days. This trip is just an overnighter, but it's tough on all of us... Managing the girls alone, while they're missing their daddy, is not easy. But again, we will make it. And it will help us to all appreciate each other a bit more when we're all together. (Hopefully....)

I believe we are going to start a bible study at church on Monday night. It starts at 530pm, so it'll take some pre-planning on my part for meals and such, but I'm really hoping we can swing it.

Kate and Lauren are both excelling in school. I'm amazed by them on a daily basis. And Miss Madeline is excelling at testing Mommy's patience. Hahaha! She's awesome too! We are truly blessed.

This move back to St Johns has not worked out exactly the way we were hoping it would.... But I do think we're better for it... Michael loves his job. I'm still at home with the girls doing the best I can. We love each other and our babies more and more every day. And we thank and praise God for keeping his hand on us through everything. As Michael says, we'll just keep doing what we know is right, and things will fall into place the way they are meant to...

Oh, and my Word Of The Year, Intentional.... Expect to hear some things about that in the future....

Thanks for sticking with me thru my "brain dump"... If anyone is still here reading along...

Hello?!?

Anyone!?!

Awe well...

Day #63 - Part 3

So after a long-er-ish break, I had to retread everything I had written to try to get back on track! Man, I really stink at this blogging regularly stuff!

So it's New Years Eve... (Not really, but it's New Years Eve in our story)...

We go to Detroit, we have a TON of fun, share a kiss at midnight, and come back "Michael and Stephanie" in my mind. Things from that point forward move VERY quickly.

We had inventory at work, which for the record, totally blows! It was like 10pm on the Friday night, the first day of counting, when Michael was getting ready to leave work. I had to stay later to get things ready for all the guys to come back at 6am the next morning to resume. I went to him, gave him my key, and told him to just crash out on my couch if he'd like.  He was living at home, about 30 minutes away, at the time and I thought it'd be easier for him to just stay at my place. I half thought he wouldn't take me up on my offer, but he did... and seemed happy about it.

When I got home, much later, he was laying asleep on the couch. I immediately noticed I had a new floor lamp. He kinda woke up and I asked him about it. He said, "it was too dark in here and you didn't have any overhead light, I hope you don't mind. I tried to match your color scheme and decorating style..." I was flabbergasted. It seems so silly now, but I loved that lamp. I just thought he was so thoughtful and considerate!

A couple of days later, I invited him over for dinner... made chili... We joke about it now, but he said when he walked into my apartment and saw what I had going, he just KNEW it was going to be terrible. I was still cutting up peppers, had the meat cooking, and had told him we'd eat in about 30 minutes or so. His mom simmers chili all day, or at least for a few hours, and that was what he was used to. He didn't think it could be done any other way I guess? But I passed the test. He loved my chili, still does, and he still will tell you that meal sealed the deal for him. At that point, he knew I was a keeper.

Things from that point moved very quickly. I never asked Michael to move in with me. We never talked about living together. He just came over, and never left. We never packed his things up at his parents and moved them to Lansing, they just steadily made their way to my place. There was never a box or a bag transported that I can remember. It was actually almost funny the way it worked out.

And the rest is happily ever after... Marriage, 3 little girls, 3 moves later and here we are!

I think I'm going to take a break from the reminiscing. I've got some other ideas floating around in this head of mine...
Stay tuned!