Keeping Up With Us

Did I really just google "blog topic ideas"? Are we back to that? Who remembers that I blogged DAILY on my previous blog site? The pull to write is there always, but mustering the creativity to form sentences and paragraphs and remember to properly punctuate is daunting now. I go, go, go all day long and the last thing I ever want to do is sit down in an old, hard chair and talk about my day to an over-sized screen that is blinding me in the darkness of the room. Just so you know, when I googled that earlier one of the warnings that popped up was "Whatever you do, don't whine and complain." Note taken. For now anyway.
Jordan has been gone a lot lately with his new job. Mostly, his hours are longer, but lately he has had business trips to take. When he is here, we've tried to make the most of it! With three young children, it's sometimes hard to make yourself get out there and take them places. Thinking of activities that are usually fun just seem like more work in your head. Still, if it makes enough sense to us- we'll do it! We did once go camping with two toddlers and a newborn! Anyway, we played putt-putt last weekend and I had my best game EVER. Pretty thrilling in my world, folks.

We are settling in in our new town. It's good to be home and it will be even better once we are in a home of our own again. Our marriage sure has been through a lot, hasn't it? In five years, we've had more than five houses, three kids, and hardships we never dreamed of. Moving is often listed as one of the major stressors and we average a move a year. We are so excited that one day that will stop. Hopefully, our next house will be our forever home. I'm still happy to be doing life with this man:

We have our flaws, for sure, but at the end of the day I want him right here beside me and I hate to have it any other way. He's my lobster.

I've talked a lot about Abel lately and have neglected the other two wild ones on this blog. Kinley is doing well. He has always been a challenging tot. On my last blog, he was lovingly referred to as Cray K. Not much has changed there. Being three is hard, apparently. BUT! I often get glimpses into his heart and he can be so sweet, encouraging, and joyful. Many times when I pick him up from places like the gym childcare, he says to me, "I'm so happy to see you, Mom." He no longer calls me "Money". My big boy is growing up. He still says some things all wrong and I'll probably never correct him. He calls his bicycle his "mo-bike" (Motor bike?) and our car has the long name of  the "bye bye car truck". I wonder what goes through his head. He can be so funny!

Merit is getting big, too. I can't believe my baby is already eight months. Everyone says that, don't they? But seriously. It breaks my heart. He is so happy! I want to keep him and hold him and not let him grow up. It seems like his little life is slipping by faster than the others. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant with him. Now, he's a sitting, drooling, talking, smiling eight month old. I love him to pieces. He's a social butterfly, too.

We are making it, the five of us. It's just about getting up every day and doing what we have to do. Some days are so hard, but there are so many that are pretty great, too. We're trying to cling to our faith and family. That's what we've been up to. We're eager to see what else God has in store for us.

Thanks for checking in.

Once Upon A Time

What a week. This year has started off with a bang. In just a months time, we've learned a lot of new things:

1. We are moving. Again. Just down the road about an hour, but still. It will be good, but I'm sad. I don't want to leave my church, my friends, my gym, my babysitter, or Abel's speech therapist. Move number seven in five years. It's coming. And the pity party is already here. But I'm trying to be positive, too. The struggle. It's real.

Home is where they are, though.

2. Abe's ears aren't working on some level. I just need to say that out loud. You know, I've felt like something has been wrong from day one and this last trip to Nashville didn't bring the best of news. It was leaps and bounds better than the time before that, though. THAT time brought puke, holding down of crazy toddler while they cleaned his ears out and the baby screamed bloody murder, and news of more surgeries to come. This time, however, I just learned that Abel is still not responding much on the right side with his cochlear implants. The odd thing is, there's something malfunctioning but only sometimes. I'll not try to recall the technical term the audiologists told me and I'd be no good at describing what's happening, but just know that it involved a phone call to the company who makes his implants. Said phone call ended with an agreement that his situation was very bizarre and rare. Because of course. Anyway, they assured me again that they didn't think that the internal portion was failing and that isn't what I should worry about at this point. I'm not sure if I told you before, but he recently had a CT scan that showed all the electrodes to be in the right place. I really don't know what to take from the latest appointment, but we are just going to keep trying. Keep on truckin'. My little man is good at that.

Hotel Breakfast in Nashville

The good news? Nearly optimal hearing on the left side. God is good!

3. I have great friends near and far. About a week ago, I arrived at the airport to pick up a friend I met when I lived in Alaska. I hadn't seen her in years and when she showed up, I noticed she had a pal with her. Upon closer observation, I realized it was another one of my friends who showed up to surprise me. It was awesome. These women have no reason to show up and do nice things for me, but they just did. From the tone of my posts, they knew I was having a hard time with life and they swooped in with great company, cooking, cleaning, and helping with my kids. I don't deserve the friendships I have in life, but I'm ever grateful God blessed me with them. And can I just include y'all on that, too? I have so many wonderful friends whose friendship with me began online.

4. If J goes out of town, all the children will get sick. I can't even go into detail without getting super annoyed. But we've been hit hard with ear and sinus infections, croup, and stomach bugs. It has been pretty miserable. Looking forward to warmer weather, fresh air, and less of this sickly feeling floating around. But three cheers for early bath/beds and footie pjs!

Just livin' the fairytale over here, folks ;) Looking forward to a new week with my wild boys and another chance at being a happy, peaceful, godly, and disciplined mom to my little crew.

What are your big plans for the week?