Tomorrow we will be getting rid of our washer/dryer, making a dump run, and cleaning the house. Dwayne will have to pop into work to get his items shipped so they will ready for him when he gets there. Melody and Mom were going to come up this weekend and we were talking about spending a day in Seattle but it turns out Mom has caught the flu and feels pretty miserable. I could tell she was really disappointed but was trying to hold it together. I'm not really feeling like spending 3 days in an empty house trying to keep two toddlers entertained so I think we are going to go down to Oregon for the weekend. We'll just quaranteen my mother and let her see the kids a little and hear their laughter. It will also be nice to start our trip from Oregon. We are hoping to make it to at least Boise the first day and starting in Portland will cut off a couple hours from our trip. Having the house completely empty should make it pretty easy and quick to clean up. I'm getting excited now and ready to get on the road.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Packed and Ready
Well, our stuff got loaded onto the truck today and is on its way to Colorado. I must say I was a little surprised by how long it took. Apparently, the two previous households were underestimated and took up a lot more room in the truck. Because of that, they had to really jigsaw our stuff into the truck to make sure it all fit. The guys did a really good job and I was delighted by how respectfully they treated our things. It also sounds like our stuff will be arriving the 28th when we do so I don't have to go any days at all without our things. The Lord really answered my prayers with that one. It is hard enough without our stuff in territory we are comfortable with. I couldn't imagine trying to do it in a state and city I know nothing about. That will also give me the whole weekend with my husband to get some major unpacking done before he has to go to work. Please pray that the good weather continues to hold and our drive to Colorado will be uneventful.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Packing Day
I think this whole moving thing is finally hitting me today. I've been frustrated, anxious, and cry at the stupidest things. The kids are feeding off my energy and fighting, screaming, arguing, and misbehaving like crazy. I can honestly say I have not been a model parent today. I will be happy when we are on the road and on our way. Tomorrow is finally packing day. We have a crew of people coming into the house to put everything they can in boxes and Thursday they will be back to actually load the stuff into the truck. Thursday night or Friday morning, Mom and Melody will be up for one last visit over the weekend and to help me clean the house and tie up loose ends. Monday we will be on the road towards Denver. I've been wanting this day to get here but now that it is I feel like I'm not ready. It will be interesting to keep the kids entertained with limited toys and a laptop. I think the kids and I will be fighting over the laptop. LOL. We did set aside some children's DVD's to play for them on the laptop as I am not ashamed to say my kids are addicted to the TV. I also have some activities, books, and toys set aside. Having Mom and Melody here for the majority of the empty house time will certainly help tremendously. I think we are planning a trip to the zoo to help pass the time. I know it is in God's hands and things will be fine but please pray that everything falls into place like it should and he helps ease the anxiety I'm feeling about this whole thing.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Great Wolf Lodge
Just down the road from us, literally about 15 min away, is a large beautiful hotel with giant water slides coming out of it. Since it has been built, it constantly flashes to us from the freeway all the deals and specials and fun it is supposed to have there. We have looked into the price of an overnight stay, wince at that price, and tell ourselves, "Well, maybe some day." That someday finally happened this weekend. Dianne wanted to have one last mini vacation with us and booked a room at the hotel. Right before we left, Dwayne came home with a unexpected bonus check so we were able to help her offset the cost.
We walked into a huge lobby. It was very nice and gorgeous. Huge soaring ceilings, a walkway from another floor crossing in front of us, a giant tree, a huge fireplace with animatronic animals, and two restaurants off to the left. All of this with the first views. Only people who stay overnight at the park get to play in the waterpark and check-in isn't until 4:00. However, you are allowed to come in at 1:00 and let them know you are there and play in the park until your room is available. So Dianne and I loaded the kids into the van with all the stuff we needed for an overnight stay anywhere with toddlers and headed to the hotel with the intention of doing just that. Unfortunately, Dwayne had to work but would join us later. When we got there we lucked out and our room was already available. This was a huge relief for me. I would much rather change into my bathing suit in the privacy of my own room than in a public restroom. After changing we entered the park and looked around. There was a huge fort with bridges and ropes and all kinds of things that sprayed, shot, and dumped water. We also passed a large wave pool. Off in the distance we saw a pool set up for playing some basketball. And soaring high above us were staircases leading to the water slides. Off to the right, we finally found the little kid section and played there for a couple hours. Sam was excited at the idea of going swimming but really really hated get sprayed or wet unexpectedly. He likes to have fun on his own terms. (It sounds an awfully lot like his mom.) Evie was a little daredevil and was climbing on all the things available, sliding down slides, and shooting everything she could. It soon became very apparent that we needed to put a life vest on her because she was so busy it was hard to keep up with her and keep my eye 100% on her. There was also a lot of little kids running around. Without my glasses, I'm pretty blind and it was interesting trying to keep track of which brown haired little girl was mine.
We pulled the kids out in time for a snack and checked out the HUGE arcade on the 2nd floor. I also browsed a little in the beautiful gift shop and ended up getting the kids some more stuffed animals. Like they really needed another one of those. Oh well. Dwayne was able to get off a little early so we grabbed him and went to WalMart for a couple items and then out to dinner. The kids and I had rough night sleeping in the room. There were kids running around in the hall till well after midnight and the room was just too hot for my comfort. Evie woke up several times in the night and Dwayne finally just put her in bed with me and crawled onto the pull-out couch with Sam.
This morning, we went out to a nice breakfast and came back, checked out of the hotel and then went back into the water park for several hours. Even though check-out is 11:00 you are allowed to stay and play in the waterpark the day of departure until it closes at 9:00 at night. You just can't have your things in the room. Evie and I had a hard time being together today. I think it was lack of sleep on both our parts. Once she was with Daddy though things got better. We set the kids up with Grandma and a couple of snacks and Dwayne and I ran to do a couple of the really big slides while we had the chance. Those slides made the whole trip worth it. They were quite fun and they were really what I needed after a frustrating and tiring night. We decided to call it quits around lunch time and headed home. I was so greatful that in this case, home was only 15 minutes away.
The lodge and waterpark is a lot of fun but definately a place I would recommend for kids just a little older than ours. Check out their website at http://www.greatwolf.com/grandmound/waterpark .We had fun but I think we would have had just a tad more fun if I didn't have to keep such a close eye on the little ones and could take advantage of the big rides a little myself.
We walked into a huge lobby. It was very nice and gorgeous. Huge soaring ceilings, a walkway from another floor crossing in front of us, a giant tree, a huge fireplace with animatronic animals, and two restaurants off to the left. All of this with the first views. Only people who stay overnight at the park get to play in the waterpark and check-in isn't until 4:00. However, you are allowed to come in at 1:00 and let them know you are there and play in the park until your room is available. So Dianne and I loaded the kids into the van with all the stuff we needed for an overnight stay anywhere with toddlers and headed to the hotel with the intention of doing just that. Unfortunately, Dwayne had to work but would join us later. When we got there we lucked out and our room was already available. This was a huge relief for me. I would much rather change into my bathing suit in the privacy of my own room than in a public restroom. After changing we entered the park and looked around. There was a huge fort with bridges and ropes and all kinds of things that sprayed, shot, and dumped water. We also passed a large wave pool. Off in the distance we saw a pool set up for playing some basketball. And soaring high above us were staircases leading to the water slides. Off to the right, we finally found the little kid section and played there for a couple hours. Sam was excited at the idea of going swimming but really really hated get sprayed or wet unexpectedly. He likes to have fun on his own terms. (It sounds an awfully lot like his mom.) Evie was a little daredevil and was climbing on all the things available, sliding down slides, and shooting everything she could. It soon became very apparent that we needed to put a life vest on her because she was so busy it was hard to keep up with her and keep my eye 100% on her. There was also a lot of little kids running around. Without my glasses, I'm pretty blind and it was interesting trying to keep track of which brown haired little girl was mine.
We pulled the kids out in time for a snack and checked out the HUGE arcade on the 2nd floor. I also browsed a little in the beautiful gift shop and ended up getting the kids some more stuffed animals. Like they really needed another one of those. Oh well. Dwayne was able to get off a little early so we grabbed him and went to WalMart for a couple items and then out to dinner. The kids and I had rough night sleeping in the room. There were kids running around in the hall till well after midnight and the room was just too hot for my comfort. Evie woke up several times in the night and Dwayne finally just put her in bed with me and crawled onto the pull-out couch with Sam.
This morning, we went out to a nice breakfast and came back, checked out of the hotel and then went back into the water park for several hours. Even though check-out is 11:00 you are allowed to stay and play in the waterpark the day of departure until it closes at 9:00 at night. You just can't have your things in the room. Evie and I had a hard time being together today. I think it was lack of sleep on both our parts. Once she was with Daddy though things got better. We set the kids up with Grandma and a couple of snacks and Dwayne and I ran to do a couple of the really big slides while we had the chance. Those slides made the whole trip worth it. They were quite fun and they were really what I needed after a frustrating and tiring night. We decided to call it quits around lunch time and headed home. I was so greatful that in this case, home was only 15 minutes away.
The lodge and waterpark is a lot of fun but definately a place I would recommend for kids just a little older than ours. Check out their website at http://www.greatwolf.com/grandmound/waterpark .We had fun but I think we would have had just a tad more fun if I didn't have to keep such a close eye on the little ones and could take advantage of the big rides a little myself.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sam's Birthday
We went down to Oregon again this past weekend to throw a joined birthday party for Sam and Aiden and to also say goodbye to all the friends and family we probably won't get to see again for a while. We had quite the turnout so I'm grateful Melody's friend Jennifer allowed us to dominate her house. My mom's house would have been way too small. We kept it pretty simple since we didn't have a lot of money. Everybody was kind enough to bring some finger foods which was perfect and we just did some cupcakes for the cake. I managed to find a pin the tail on the donkey game at Dollar Tree. It was really nice because it used stickers for the tail instead of pins. So even the littlest ones could play.
The Mahar boys dominated the game and won a couple coloring books for prizes.
After the game we did some cake while we waited for the last couple of guests to arrive. Sam totally understood the whole birthday thing this year and was so joyous when we were singing to him. It was so beautiful to see.
After cake we opened presents. With Evie's help of course.
Finally the last couple of guests arrived and we could do the pinata. I managed to find a small one at WalMart for only $10. But nobody could break it. It was really stirdy. Dwayne finally had to step on it to break it open. I had a bag full of toys and candy that wouldn't fit into my tiny little pinata. You got to love the dollar store! Here is Kristopher with his family looking on giving it a good swing.
Evie, of course, couldn't be left out.
The Mahar boys dominated the game and won a couple coloring books for prizes.
After the game we did some cake while we waited for the last couple of guests to arrive. Sam totally understood the whole birthday thing this year and was so joyous when we were singing to him. It was so beautiful to see.
After cake we opened presents. With Evie's help of course.
Finally the last couple of guests arrived and we could do the pinata. I managed to find a small one at WalMart for only $10. But nobody could break it. It was really stirdy. Dwayne finally had to step on it to break it open. I had a bag full of toys and candy that wouldn't fit into my tiny little pinata. You got to love the dollar store! Here is Kristopher with his family looking on giving it a good swing.
Evie, of course, couldn't be left out.After the pinata broke, the party broke up pretty quickly. It was short and sweet but I'm so grateful I got to see everyone one last time. The kids had a wonderful time and everyone was so gracious.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Finally Some Progress
I finally feel like we are making progress on this whole move. This morning we received the money we were supposed to for misc. fees, etc. so we can turn in our application for the apartment. I also received a phone call from the moving company. After talking to the gentlemen, I feel much more confident about the move and allowing them to pack for me. I might as well take advantage of the professionals since Dwayne's company is paying for it right? I'll probably continue to do some on my own but the majority is going to be in their capable hands. It looks like we are going to travel out on the 25th with an arrival estimate of Wed. the 27th. We only have to travel a minumum of 500 miles a day so I'm going to take advantage of that and take our time considering we have two small children. The moving company will be meeting me this Thurs to give an estimate on the house and take a look at what it will all entail. I can hardly believe that we are only going to be here a couple more weeks. This whole thing is happening way too fast.
Since we are moving forward pretty confidently, I posted our place on Craigslist today to try and find renters. Our landlord will only let us out of our lease if we do the advertising and legwork in trying to find a new renter. I've already received two calls and this is the first day. I'm praying really hard that we will find a renter quickly and that will be one less thing on our plate.
Since we are moving forward pretty confidently, I posted our place on Craigslist today to try and find renters. Our landlord will only let us out of our lease if we do the advertising and legwork in trying to find a new renter. I've already received two calls and this is the first day. I'm praying really hard that we will find a renter quickly and that will be one less thing on our plate.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hurry Up and Wait
Well, we are at a waiting phase again. I thought with all my new found information that I was happy to receive would actually mean progress towards our moving adventure. Well, that hasn't necessarily been the case. I did have someone to contact but they went on vacation for Christmas. So I decided to wait and take Christmas week off too. It was nice to not stress about the move for a few days and visit with family. Early this week I contacted who I needed too to get some money transferred to us for fees etc so we can get our apartment application turned in. At this point we don't even have the place for sure yet. We just found a place we would like to live. He also said he would contact the moving company and we should hear from them soon so that we can start that process as well. By Wednesday, I hadn't seen any money or heard from the moving company. I contacted John again and he said it should be early this week that I see both things happening. So it has been a waiting game for pretty much two weeks. It is driving me crazy because now that it is January I can see the clock ticking. Feb. 1st will be here before we know it and we are not ready. I haven't even really started packing because the moving company is supposed to help me with that. I don't know what that entails, what to expect, etc. I'm waiting to hear from them to get that started. On the plus side, my last day of work was Dec. 30th. I finally feel like I can get stuff done around the house that has been neglected and then I get sick with some sort of viral thing. I'm feeling back to myself today but Dwayne has been hit. I really really hope the kids don't get it.
In other news, I got a food dehydrator and apple slicer/corer for Christmas. Let's just say I have been enjoying myself immensly making dried apple slices for snacking and storing. Evie loves them as much as me and eats them no problem. Sam emphatically informs me that he does NOT like old apples and could he please have a new one? I know he likes them just fine but I think it is the texture that is getting to him. I'll keep working on him. I can't wait until we are settled into our new place. One of the first things I'm gonna try is to make some jerky.
Also, just a reminder to everyone, that we are having a combined birthday party for Sam/Aiden as well as a goodbye to everyone this coming Saturday the 9th at 1:00. Melody has the address of her friend who has offered her home for this use. Call me or her if you don't have it already. It will be a potluck type thing for snack or drink items only. We aren't doing a full meal deal. Just finger and snack foods. We will provide a pinata, cake, and a couple of games for the kids. Call or facebook me if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you there!
In other news, I got a food dehydrator and apple slicer/corer for Christmas. Let's just say I have been enjoying myself immensly making dried apple slices for snacking and storing. Evie loves them as much as me and eats them no problem. Sam emphatically informs me that he does NOT like old apples and could he please have a new one? I know he likes them just fine but I think it is the texture that is getting to him. I'll keep working on him. I can't wait until we are settled into our new place. One of the first things I'm gonna try is to make some jerky.
Also, just a reminder to everyone, that we are having a combined birthday party for Sam/Aiden as well as a goodbye to everyone this coming Saturday the 9th at 1:00. Melody has the address of her friend who has offered her home for this use. Call me or her if you don't have it already. It will be a potluck type thing for snack or drink items only. We aren't doing a full meal deal. Just finger and snack foods. We will provide a pinata, cake, and a couple of games for the kids. Call or facebook me if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to seeing you there!
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