gettin' a move on

We're moving.

Just down the road about seven minutes not that we've clocked it or anything.

We've been looking for a place to buy but just haven't had peace about it (not to mention haven't found anything we just love) so after much prayer we've decided to rent for a couple of years and just take some deep breaths and not stress so much about "the next step."

The relief I feel in my heart when I know 100% that we're doing what God has led us to is incredible. I swear it's the best feeling in the world! (Because it is.)

This week has been spent packing and cleaning and, oh yeah, trying to get my kids recovered from Strep (that they have for the THIRD time in 8 weeks). We're going the natural route this time - all out crunchy - and it's working (!!!) but it's time consuming, especially on top of everything else. It's actually been so bad that after simply showering for the first time since Saturday and putting on pants with a button and zipper, Natalie walks in the room and goes, "Wow Mom, you look so pretty!"(Thankyouverymuch. Ahem.)

So there you have it. Consider yourself officially updated on our current crazy with more crazy to come soon, I'm sure. :)

lately

My parents offered to have the kids for three days this past weekend so Jeff and I (obviously!) said, "YES!" and took off.

The first night, after finishing the closing for the sale of our house we've had rented the past 2 1/2 years (the house sold after being on the market for SEVEN DAYS - God is big, you guys!), we went out for sushi and then headed for the coast. Aaahhh, sweet relaxation! The next morning we slept in, sipped on coffee and then went in search of garage sales, because obviously.

We eventually made our way to town where we met up with our friends for dinner and a movie (Beppe and Gianni's - YUM!!!) and headed back to our house (my parents had taken the kids to the coast for the night so we still had the place to ourselves). It was such a relaxing and fun weekend.

Then the kids got back.

Carter had, apparently, been throwing up all weekend and had a sore throat so as soon as they pulled in the driveway I had him shower and change his clothes and I took him to urgent care where they confirmed that he had strep throat.

Then this morning, Natalie woke up with the same symptoms so I took her in and STREP. AGAIN.

Natalie had it 6 weeks ago, then Jack had it, then Carter...and now Natalie again (Lord help us!).

So, all that to say: Jeff and I had a fabulous weekend followed by a huge dose of reality. I'm glad I had all that time to connect with my husband and just enjoy being in the company of each other before getting sucked dry by illness imbedded in my children.

Oh, and also...

Tonight Carter and Jack were fighting.

It went like this:

Carter: "I'm way older than you."

Jack: "So what. I'll probably live a lot longer."

Carter: "I doubt it. You'll probably get in a car accident."

Not even kidding. 

I need them to feel better for their own good (and mine!)!

it overflows

My older kids laughing hysterically outside as they play basketball on the patio together.

My husband driving up the driveway from work.

My toddler saying, "Mama?"

All of my favorite sounds at once.

Right now my cup overflows.

my time

I went away for 3 days.

It was so so (sooooooooo times a million squared to the bazillionth power) good.

I called home the first night and my husband was pulling Fischer out of the bathtub, the older kids had already showered and brushed their teeth and they were all looking forward to snuggling up on our bed and watching Seven Brides For Seven Brothers together.

My husband had it all under control. He's such an amazing Dad and our kids just adore him. They looked forward to the weekend with him and it did not disappoint.

Knowing the home front was on the down low, I was able to relax and enjoy the time with some of my closest friends. There were 8 of us there (plus one baby - not mine) and it was just...easy. We had a delicious meal on Friday night at an ocean front restaurant and then on Saturday we had coffee (oh the coffee - YUM!) while we second-hand-store shopped to our heart's content. Maria and I ran on both Saturday and Sunday mornings on the beach (a first for me!) and it was amazing.  We stayed up late (I guess technically it would be "early" since it was that late both nights) playing cards, talking, laughing (oh the laughing!) and just being...us.

Sunday we slept in and made breakfast in the beach house and then packed up and headed home mid-afternoon. The time away was refreshing. I got out a lot of words. I'm a word person (I have found that this is a nice way of saying "I always have something to say") and just being able to be me the whole weekend (and not a wife, not a mother, not a daughter - just Karey) was appreciated in a way I've never really appreciated it before.

I came home to a clean house, clean kids, a hot-as-all-get-out husband and just drank in the memories as I shared the weekend happenings with Jeff all the while enjoying the faces of the sweet mini-people I missed while I was gone.

Life is back to "normal" around here but I feel a bit lighter (not physically, believe me) because of the blessing of the time. It was good. Really really.

{Oh, and side note to keep it real: I found out (later) that when I called Jeff and things were calm cool and collected while he was bathing our kids and settling in for the night on Friday he didn't mention that they were all getting baths because one of them didn't flush the toilet after going youknowwhatnumber and the baby was using the toilet as an experiment bowl and his arm/hand as a stirring stick and literally got crap everywhere. So, there's also that. But my husband is still the total bomb because he didn't make one mention of it while I was gone - he just wanted me to enjoy my time and he took care of it all. Bless that man.}