Florida, here we come

As many of you know, we are moving to Florida at the end of the month. This was a quick decision, but one that we are feeling good about. Frank lost his job on Wednesday. We could guess that it was coming for a few days, so we talked and prayed a lot. When it happened, we knew what we had to do.

We are moving into his parent's house, in Lake City, for a few months to save up some extra money, then we will find our own house. We have found we can also get more for our money there right now. Frank is going to finish school in supply chain management at the college there in the town. At first is was out of neccessity, but now it feels like it is all part of the plan or big picture.

We will really miss many parts of Utah. More than anything, we will miss my family and all the many gatherings. We will miss the people in our ward like crazy. Abby is really going to miss her friends, and is worried about making new ones. I am sure she will make news one quickly. I am worried that Daniel is going to be too loud for the grandparents. I think my parents have always been a little releaved when we leave their house after a long visit (more than an hour).

Frank has been getting the house ready to sell. That is taking all of his time. It needs a lot of work. I have been trying to pack with a one month old baby in my arms, that is the only place she will sleep and stay calm. She cries in everyone else's arms when she gets tired or behind on sleep, so I get few brakes from her. Today was a little better. I hope to see improvements so I can finish packing. My mom has been helping the last two days. Our plan is to be done packing by Tuesday Aug. 24th and load the truck Friday/Saturday 27, 28. That leaves us with a few days to finish repairs and clean so the house is in great shape for selling. We will role out of our parent's house Monday 30th.

I know the Lord is guiding us in all of this, so it will be all good.

I wish I wasn't here today

Today, is one of those days that I wish that I had some where else to be, other than home with my kids. Sarah (the one month old) will not sleep or stay asleep anywhere other than my arms for a full nap. My back is not feeling very good after two days of this. While I am down stairs holding sleeping Sarah and helping Abby clean her room for a new bed she is getting, Daniel is upstairs all by himself. I know what you are thinking, "are you mad?" Yes, I am mad and desperate. I just want to get something productive done, so Daniel was flying solo upstairs.

I come up to find the water at the kitchen sink running on high pressure. The fridge door is wide open with the bar stool in the middle of the opened door. The peanut butter is on the counter with a knife that has strawberry jam on it, which is now in the peanut butter. The jam jar is completely empty, thanks to Daniel, of course.

Later on, I am at the computer while Abby and Daniel are playing downstairs and having fun. Who knows what mess will be left by that unattended event? I hear someone in the kitchen. I go to investigate, who is it? Daniel is standing at the counter, on the other side of the stove, on the stool, naked, except the diaper (this is normal attire lately) with a number ten can of my well loved homemade granola. There is a granola spill on the stove, the counter and inside the electric burners. I look at him with a patient smile, he takes his hands, picks up the granola and says, "see mom, I am picking up", with a pleasing smile. The first handful makes it into the can, but the second one ends up at his mouth, until I explain that isn't helping. So, then he just picks out a cranraisins and eats it.

This day is full of moments of, "I can't keep up" and so was yesterday, among many other days. How can anyone even think about a normal house when mom is holding a baby all day? One might ask, "why don't you just put her down more often to get things done". Well, if you really want to know, just read on. This little one needs a lot of sleep. If she doesn't get it, she doesn't sleep well at night or for her next nap even. The further she gets behind on sleep, the harder it is to handle her and get her to sleep again. It is an on going game with her. When will this phase end? I thought I saw light at the end of the tunnel when she took a one hour nap and a 1 1/2 hour nap in her crib two days ago. It was a miracle that I knew might not happen again. But I was hoping I was on the right track with her sleep, but I just can't find the solution.

I have typed this post while she is asleep in my lap on a pillow and nursing in my lap, also on a pillow. I hope to have happier things to right about later.

Water logged

I just spilled 2 gallons of water on our kitchen floor. And if you think that is an easy clean up, well, you have never tried it (little alone with a crying baby in the back ground).

AAHHHHHHAA!!!!

Getting exercise.

Who needs to go to the play ground when they have a human jungle gym?

Sarah, just hanging out.

This was about two weeks ago.
This is for you, Aunt Beth

Abby was holding Sarah while I took a shower, and when I came out, both of them were asleep.

Shake what your mama gave you.

Daniel with cousins Jackson and Lily

Cousins Joni and Ava

What a dance party they had.

Summer is here..

One of Frank's favorite things about summer is he gets to grill all summer long.

And this is the result of his love of grilling.