Hi-ya!

This is Day 3 of Operation Kick-My-Butt!  On the drive out here my niece and I were talking about how we both wanted to get into better shape and she suggested that we should work out together.  Then she promptly left for California only to return and leave again for Vegas.  Now that she’s home – at least until Friday…. she has been keeping good on her promise.  She shows up at my door every night and drags my sorry butt around the neighborhood.  We’re even throwing in some jogging, lunges and arm and ab work.  By the time I get home I’m either going to be in great shape or dead.

I’m starting to think that my niece should look into getting a job at the fitness center.  She could start with some aerobics classes and work her way up to personal trainer.  I think she’d be good at it.  At least she’s been getting me motivated to sweat!

Boundaries and Momma Bear

I have been back in Phoenix for 2 weeks and 1 day.  It seems like it has been much longer than that.  Maybe because I’ve been gone from home longer… I don’t know.  I have found that I can survive away from my hubby this long but I don’t much like it. 

My hubby and I have a good marriage.  We like to spend time together and we enjoy doing things with each other.  In fact, we met at work and continued to work at the same place for most of our marriage.  We carpooled, spent breaks together and then spent our evening together.  Until recently we had never spent much time apart – just a few days here and there.  When my hubby had to work in N.C. that was the first time we’d spent a week apart – and then we did again, and again, and again.  And I hated it.  I must have a very short term memory because why on earth did I think I could handle 2 months away?!

I have enjoyed spending time with my parents, my sister and my nieces (whenever they stay home long enough to track them down ;) .  My brother is due in next week from China and it will be good to see him too.  He will only be in town for a week before he has to go back.  I haven’t spent much time with friends.  For some it was just a quick hello at church and I was able to spend some time with some of my old small groupers. 

One of the things that I’ve come to realize is that I have learned to set boundaries with my parents.  Actually, I knew that, I just wasn’t sure what that would look like while I was here in their home.  But it’s been good – between me and them.  What I didn’t expect was my reaction when watching my parents and my kids…  Their parenting style is different than mine.  I have sat back and watched them with my kids – even when I don’t agree with how they are handling the situation or how they’re treating my kids.  I didn’t really realize I was doing that until this afternoon.  Now that I’m aware of it… things are going to have to change.

Splash!

I had to pop over quickly to make a note of a momentous day!  My little Beans learned to swim today.  Every summer starts the same – she’s afraid to get splashed, afraid to get her face wet and won’t even think of jumping into the water.  By the end of the summer she’s jumping off of the side of the pool with floaties on her arms.  On occassion she will take off the floaties and attempt to swim from the steps to me – only an arm’s length away. 

Today was only her 3rd or 4th time in the pool this summer but today she had goggles!  Within minutes she was putting her face in the water and soon her whole head.  I suggested she try kicking at the same time to see what would happen.  In no time at all she was buzzing around the steps.  Convincing her to try it without the floaties took a little more coaxing.  Eventually she parted with them and took off like a fish!!

She can swim with her face in the water but does much better with the doggy paddle.  After three laps from the steps to me she announced that she wanted to tell Daddy.  We finished up the phone call and she was back in the pool – swimming all over.  Wow!  It was fun seeing her swim but even more fun to see how proud she was of her newest accomplishment.  Way to go Beans!  I am so proud of you.

Happy Birthday Boy!

Dear Son,

It’s so hard to believe that you are 8 years old today!!  Where did the time go?  You’ve gotten so mature and you’re growing like a weed.  It’s official – you no longer need to sit in a booster seat :)  You will be happy to hear that news. 

In a few days you’ll wrap up 2nd grade and your last year in public school.  You’ve had an awesome teacher this year that has encouraged you to do your very best.  She enrolled you in an after school class that has helped to boost your reading confidence.  In fact, at the last conference she said that you are a strong 2nd grade reader!  You even asked for a book for your birthday this year.  You love the Wimpy Kid series.  You have books 1,2,3 and just got the Do-It-Yourself book for your birthday.  I’m glad that you’ve found something that you enjoy reading.

You still enjoy riding your bike and your mini-bike as well as playing basketball and four square.  Although if you don’t win at four square you’re likely to stomp off and pout.  Gotta work on that kiddo :)  As much as you enjoy being active your favorite passtime is still video games – whether it’s on the Nintendo 64, the Wii or your new DS. 

Your knowledge at church is growing by leaps and bounds too.  You’ve learned all of the Old Testament books and know several verses by heart.  I think you’ve memorized all of our songs too.  Quiet time at home has also been a growing time for you.

Even though you’re getting older you still love to snuggle.  Throughout the day you’ll wrap your arms around me and give me a squeeze.  I cherish each one – not knowing when suddenly you’ll be ‘too cool’ for Mom.  I love you so much!!

Happy Birthday!
Love,
Mom

Changes part deux

Remember this post?  I just went back and re-read it and in light of recent developments it’s quite interesting.

Especially the beginning of this paragraph:
All of these confirmations and yet I feel like I’m sitting here with my fingers in my ears saying “La la la la la I can’t hear you Lord la la la.”  I’m afraid that He’s going to say, “No, you need to stay here.” 

I did have my fingers in my ears.  Up to my knuckles even!  I think a better comparison would be to imagine a child that’s just asked Papa for a cookie and all she heard was ‘Yes’ and went running for the cookie jar instead of hearing the rest of the sentence, “Yes, after dinner.”

Yeah, I was disobedient in not listening to the rest of what God had to say about our move.  It’s not time yet.  We will not be loading up a moving truck next weekend.  In fact, we’re not sure when we’ll be doing that.  Perhaps two more years. 

Last Thursday our move was heavy on my heart and I spent the day off and on in prayer.  By the time my hubby came home I knew that we needed to wait on the move.  As soon as I told him what was on my mind he started crying.  He said that he had also been in prayer and that God told him I would tell him we needed to wait to move.  Such confirmation!!  That afternoon we went in to see our pastor (also my boss and good friend) to let him know what was going on.  After some discussion he told us that he had also been praying for us and that the impression he kept getting from God was ‘Slow’.  Another confirmation that things were going too quickly and we needed to slow down and listen to God.

I am eager to be in Phoenix but more eager to follow His will.  I know that friends and family will be disappointed but I am hoping that they will be encouraged in their faith (Rom. 1:12) through our obedience and faith. 

Next weekend my niece will be flying in to town and she and I and the kids will be driving to Phoenix for an extended vacation.  As of right now we don’t have any firm plans for how long we will stay but I can say it will be longer than a week or two.  I am looking forward to spending time with my friends and family!!

Storytelling

Beans reminded me this morning that I needed to finish telling her the story of “Jack and the Beanstalk”.  I had started telling her the story Friday morning while we were waiting for the bus.  She was enthralled with the giant beanstalk that grew up through the clouds.  Jack had just spotted the giant’s house when the bus pulled up.  She was eager to hear what he would find. 

She was eating her cereal while I continued the story this morning.  When the giant appeared on the scene she slipped out of her seat into the safety of my arms.  Her eyes were wide with terror and her arms wrapped around me when we got to “Fee Fi Fo Fum”…  I tried hard not to chuckle at how serious she was and how much she was enjoying this simple story. 

As the giant chased Jack down the beanstalk she stopped putting on her jacket (yes, we’re still wearing jackets here) and froze.  That brief moment – that pause between the giant coming and Jack using his axe – that moment of uncertainty…..  I would have loved to have captured her look on film.  I know that someday – probably soon – she won’t believe in giants thundering around in the clouds or mermaids or fairies.  But right now she does.  And it’s beautiful.

Taking a break

I’ve been busy packing and doing all of those things you have to do when preparing for a move.  No need to go into detail – they’re not very thrilling to do much less read about someone else doing them.  Just know that I am busy. 

I took a break and sat down at my kitchen table.  While looking out the back window I realized how much I’m going to miss that view.

Green! The real green - not the fake desert green.

Apprehensive

In less than a month I could be back in Phoenix.  The last time we drove cross country my biggest concern was the actual drive.  This time it’s more about the landing.  I am eager to see my family and my friends but at the same time I’m a little wary.  I don’t want to “pick up where we left off” so to speak.  Two years isn’t a huge amount of time but it’s enough for people to grow and to change.  I’m already seeing signs that my family wants to put me in the same role – this is who you are and how we expect you to act.  Am I prepared to stand up for myself?

What about my friendships?  I think the easy part will be the comfort, the hard part will be the two years of different experiences.  That and them getting used to my name ;)  I have used a nickname, Andi, since elementary school but during college I began to prefer my full name, Andrea.  I used my full name at school and at work but stayed Andi to friends and family.  When we moved here it was the perfect opportunity to start using my full name.  My hubby has already told me he can’t wait to switch back to Andi.  Really?  Do I have to? 

Totally random things to be thinking about when I have so many other things to focus on.  Perhaps it’s just my way of distracting myself from all the stress.

Newer isn’t always better

Our newest car has been giving us fits as of late.  We had a meeting at church Sunday afternoon and when we got in the car and turned the key…. it turned over a few times and died.  No amount of prodding, stomping on the gas, poking under the hood, or threats could get it started.  She was put into timeout and told to think about her recent behavior.

That worked.  For about a day.

Monday morning she started right up and I was able to drive her home where she promptly started pouting again.  My hubby tried every trick he knew and checked every gadget.  Finally he cleaned some gizzywich and she started right up.  Several times.

He was feeling quite sure of himself so he insisted we take the car out.  Even though I had an appointment to keep.  I’m sure you’ve already figured it out… We stopped at Arby’s (where they are now serving wonderful blackberry iced tea) and when we piled back in the car and turned the key… dead as a doornail.

Argh!  and &#$^&@&*($ car! and death stares to my hubby! 

I called my private taxi company, a.k.a. kaypanda, and she came to my rescue for the 2nd time in one week.  Bless her! 

My hubby is now sitting in the parking lot waiting for the tow truck to arrive.  Soooooo glad we have roadside!  Now I just need to get a pest control service…. As I was typing this I heard very loud crunching coming from my pantry.  Sigh….. (and EW!)

Packing

Whew!  Now that’s out of the way I can whine about how tired I am of packing!

Actually, it’s going quite smoothly.  My hubby brings home a carload of boxes every night and the next morning I pack them up.  I have most of the living room packed… only a shelf or two of books left.  We got smart this time and we’re using the small boxes that copy paper comes in to load up my book collection.  I tend to just put them all in one big box and then it takes two men to carry the box.  I’ve also tackled the kids’ craft cabinet and most of my scrapbooking/stamping supplies. 

I’m praying that things continue to flow smoothly during this entire process.  We still have unknowns with my hubby’s job and with what our living situation will be when we arrive in Phoenix.  One step at a time… I’m doing what I can and that… is packing.