Moving is a very interesting process. Each move for us has consisted of three phases.
The first phase in the process is the Cleaning/Selling phase. It consists of going through closets and drawers, totes and boxes looking for items that need to be thrown away or could be sold at the yard sale. Looking at each item asking questions such as- When was the last time I used this? Does this still work? Does this still have all the pieces? Is it still valid (coupons, etc.)? Once you sort through all the places in your house, closet, garage then you look to see what you've accumulated and labeled as "junk" that someone else might find useful and pay you for. Granted, they aren't going to pay you but one-fourth of the price that you paid for it, if you're lucky. However, the yard sale motto is "something is better than nothing".
Once the Cleaning/Selling phase is complete, then you can move on to Packing. This packing phase is typically organized and consists of packing items that you still use but not necessarily on a daily or maybe weekly basis. This is seasonal clothing and holiday decorations. It consists of photo albums, books, pictures, and movies. It is the stuff in the closet that was not deemed junk but remains in the closet. It gets packed neatly in a box. That box is taped and clearly labeled.
However, the closer the moving day comes the quicker you move to the third phase which is PACKING. Now PACKING is different than packing. This is crunch time. Everything must be moved and it must be moved NOW. It does not matter that you are putting books in the same box with your pots and pans. It was all in the kitchen, right? It doesn't matter that part of the box has kids toys and the rest of the box has adult clothing. It all belongs to someone that lives in the house, right? Yep, PACKING is the final phase...the most stressful phase....the phase that almost puts people over the edge and starts them thinking "Why are we moving again?"
Apparently, if I'm typing a blog about moving then I'm obviously in the packing phase and not the PACKING phase. Yes, the boxes I packed last night are taped up, they are like items, and it is clearly labeled. I have about five more weeks to be moved and I'm trying to get things organized and spaced out. I know that the PACKING phase will come but I'm hoping to minimize the effects for me, Jason, and the boys.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Family Weekend
This being our last weekend before football season starts and every Saturday is booked from now until November, we decided to head out for a night and have some family time. It seems that the only time we are able to really have family time is if we get away. So, we loaded up and headed out of town as soon as Jason got off work on Saturday at noon.
The boys were glad to be away and truthfully so was Jason and I. We've basically been going nonstop for weeks now between football practices, Vacation Bible School, church website meetings & Bible studies, school starting back, Fair Board committee, PTO member for the school, work, home, laundry, selling a house, buying land, yard work, getting ready to build a house, planning a move. What is that old saying, "If you want something done, then give it to someone who is busy." Well, that has been our motto lately.
So, we headed out to just have some family time, some fun with each other and to put everything else out of our minds. And we were pretty successful. We made it to Pigeon Forge and went to the Comedy Barn. It's been many years since the last time that Jason and I went there. We really enjoyed it...laughing until it hurt. The boys weren't all that impressed. It is however as I explained to them - sometimes you do things that you don't necessarily enjoy because someone else in the family does enjoy it. Being the parents, we do that often. I think it was good for our kids to do it once for us. They did think it was silly when Jason got picked to go on stage and be part of a skit. (Got that on DVD by the way!).
After the Comedy Barn we went and rode go-carts. That got rained out but the tickets we purchased are good for any day. Perhaps we'll make it back up there this fall and be able to use them then. On to a lovely dinner where we played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games on the Kids menus. We had a great night sleep then up yesterday morning for a day of fun. While Jason and I got ready as well as bags packed up, the boys played their Nintendo DS games. Then on to breakfast and to Splash Country. This is Riley's most favorite place on earth. Yesterday was not the best day to go to Splash Country from a weather perspective. The sun never really did break through the clouds and it didn't get hot temperature wise either. However, from a crowd perspective it was perfect. We were able to go on the rides without hardly any wait in line. We enjoyed time with the boys talking and being silly. I got lots of pictures of them as they played and swam in the water.
We headed back to Sparta and each napped at different times on the way home. And only one fight in the car....towards the end of a trip....over a DS game. I would like to insert that Jonah took his nap after this fight (must have needed it, huh?). We also stopped in Knoxville and ate at the Mellow Mushroom. I'd eaten there once before but none of them had. It wasn't busy and it was something different for us.
The best thing was the time that we enjoyed just the four of us. All in all...a perfect family weekend.
The boys were glad to be away and truthfully so was Jason and I. We've basically been going nonstop for weeks now between football practices, Vacation Bible School, church website meetings & Bible studies, school starting back, Fair Board committee, PTO member for the school, work, home, laundry, selling a house, buying land, yard work, getting ready to build a house, planning a move. What is that old saying, "If you want something done, then give it to someone who is busy." Well, that has been our motto lately.
So, we headed out to just have some family time, some fun with each other and to put everything else out of our minds. And we were pretty successful. We made it to Pigeon Forge and went to the Comedy Barn. It's been many years since the last time that Jason and I went there. We really enjoyed it...laughing until it hurt. The boys weren't all that impressed. It is however as I explained to them - sometimes you do things that you don't necessarily enjoy because someone else in the family does enjoy it. Being the parents, we do that often. I think it was good for our kids to do it once for us. They did think it was silly when Jason got picked to go on stage and be part of a skit. (Got that on DVD by the way!).
After the Comedy Barn we went and rode go-carts. That got rained out but the tickets we purchased are good for any day. Perhaps we'll make it back up there this fall and be able to use them then. On to a lovely dinner where we played Tic-Tac-Toe and other games on the Kids menus. We had a great night sleep then up yesterday morning for a day of fun. While Jason and I got ready as well as bags packed up, the boys played their Nintendo DS games. Then on to breakfast and to Splash Country. This is Riley's most favorite place on earth. Yesterday was not the best day to go to Splash Country from a weather perspective. The sun never really did break through the clouds and it didn't get hot temperature wise either. However, from a crowd perspective it was perfect. We were able to go on the rides without hardly any wait in line. We enjoyed time with the boys talking and being silly. I got lots of pictures of them as they played and swam in the water.
We headed back to Sparta and each napped at different times on the way home. And only one fight in the car....towards the end of a trip....over a DS game. I would like to insert that Jonah took his nap after this fight (must have needed it, huh?). We also stopped in Knoxville and ate at the Mellow Mushroom. I'd eaten there once before but none of them had. It wasn't busy and it was something different for us.
The best thing was the time that we enjoyed just the four of us. All in all...a perfect family weekend.
Growing
My boys are growing. Literally. And I don't mean just growing up as in Riley starting Kindergarten and Jonah going into the first grade. I mean physically they are growing. And I am seeing signs of it everywhere. Personally, I am just not that happy about it either.
The other morning, Riley was reaching up to a shelf in the bathroom for the toothpaste. I was about to say the words, "Wait a minute and I'll help you" when I realized that Riley was reaching the toothpaste without standing on his toes and leaning. He could reach it by himself.
While shopping for some new school clothes, we bought Jonah a shirt and shorts outfit in a bigger size. I was sure that it would be too big and he would wear it next summer. I was wrong. He wore it last week to school and it fit just fine.
The other morning, Riley was reaching up to a shelf in the bathroom for the toothpaste. I was about to say the words, "Wait a minute and I'll help you" when I realized that Riley was reaching the toothpaste without standing on his toes and leaning. He could reach it by himself.
While shopping for some new school clothes, we bought Jonah a shirt and shorts outfit in a bigger size. I was sure that it would be too big and he would wear it next summer. I was wrong. He wore it last week to school and it fit just fine.
Last weekend while we were at Splash Country Jonah was able to go on two rides that he's not been able to ride before because he wasn't tall enough. And on the tube ride he was tall enough to ride by himself. He even carried his own tube while in line. While Jason and Jonah stopped for a snack, Riley and I went down the Lazy River. He splashed and swam around me. Then he decided to get in a tube and float a little while. He pulled himself in the tube all on his own and laid across it. Then we floated along the river.
Wow.....how did they grow so fast??? And when???
I can only imagine how much they are going to grow this next year!!!
Wow.....how did they grow so fast??? And when???
I can only imagine how much they are going to grow this next year!!!
First Warriors Game
Well, the first Warrior game was last Friday night. And boy were we ready for it! We've been eagerly reading the newspaper all during the off season workouts, the scrimmages, the football camps, etc. to find out how the team was doing. However, the first game is a big test.
Jason, the boys, and I loaded up for dinner at El Tapatio and then off to the first game of the season. Excitement filled the air. We all had on maroon and gray clothing, our Warrior stadium seats, and our parking pass & season passes. We are true Warrior fans! Made it to the stadium about 10 minutes before kick off and was able to talk to some friends. When we walked through the gate, we were handed a card roster along with a full season schedule that was made by a local bank. Very nice. This I can keep up with until I know which number goes with which name.
Jason and I made our way up to our seats. This was the first game that we let both Jonah and Riley go down to another area of the bleachers and sit with some of their friends. Luckily they were in our section just at the bottom. They kept coming up to see us to ask to go to the bathroom, to get something from the concessions, etc. We did have one minor incident. Riley picked up a bottle of the body paint on his way to the concession stand and got it all over the side of his game jersey. So, we had to take off his game jersey and wash it out in the sink. I was so aggravated that he picked up trash off the ground. Why would you pick up trash? Did not get a satisfactory answer on this. Thank goodness that he had on another shirt underneath the jersey. And thank God that the paint came off the jersey. And of course you know that the only time that the Warriors scored, Riley and I were just coming out from under the grandstands. We missed it. Oh well....they will score again this season.
It was showing rain on the radar and the wind was picking up so Riley and I headed to the Tahoe during the third quarter. I had not packed ponchos or an umbrella and was not in the mood to get wet. We listened to the game on the radio and Riley played the Nintendo DS. Jason and Jonah endured and it ended up just barely sprinkling. The location of our parking spot was enough that I could still see the scoreboard and part of the field. I will have to say that the radio announcers did a great job with the game.
This game was the first chance to see what the new head coach and his staff had been working on with the team. Definitely caught glimpses of greatness! I believe it is going to be a good season and we'll watch some exciting games. Go Warriors!!!
Jason, the boys, and I loaded up for dinner at El Tapatio and then off to the first game of the season. Excitement filled the air. We all had on maroon and gray clothing, our Warrior stadium seats, and our parking pass & season passes. We are true Warrior fans! Made it to the stadium about 10 minutes before kick off and was able to talk to some friends. When we walked through the gate, we were handed a card roster along with a full season schedule that was made by a local bank. Very nice. This I can keep up with until I know which number goes with which name.
Jason and I made our way up to our seats. This was the first game that we let both Jonah and Riley go down to another area of the bleachers and sit with some of their friends. Luckily they were in our section just at the bottom. They kept coming up to see us to ask to go to the bathroom, to get something from the concessions, etc. We did have one minor incident. Riley picked up a bottle of the body paint on his way to the concession stand and got it all over the side of his game jersey. So, we had to take off his game jersey and wash it out in the sink. I was so aggravated that he picked up trash off the ground. Why would you pick up trash? Did not get a satisfactory answer on this. Thank goodness that he had on another shirt underneath the jersey. And thank God that the paint came off the jersey. And of course you know that the only time that the Warriors scored, Riley and I were just coming out from under the grandstands. We missed it. Oh well....they will score again this season.
It was showing rain on the radar and the wind was picking up so Riley and I headed to the Tahoe during the third quarter. I had not packed ponchos or an umbrella and was not in the mood to get wet. We listened to the game on the radio and Riley played the Nintendo DS. Jason and Jonah endured and it ended up just barely sprinkling. The location of our parking spot was enough that I could still see the scoreboard and part of the field. I will have to say that the radio announcers did a great job with the game.
This game was the first chance to see what the new head coach and his staff had been working on with the team. Definitely caught glimpses of greatness! I believe it is going to be a good season and we'll watch some exciting games. Go Warriors!!!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The First Days of School
It's really amazing how less than one week of school and already my boys seem to have grown up so much! First grade and Kindergarten....how can that make such an impact in just a matter of a few days? However, in this short amount of time they seemed to have just "grown up".
Jonah is reading things all of the time, everywhere - signs and papers. And this morning I asked him to write "cheese" on our shopping list. He is quite responsible and very naturally falls into the "big brother" role now that Riley is at school. I was so happy when I pulled up the other day to pick them both up and they were playing together....by choice. Of course they were digging in the dirt but that is completely besides the point.
And Riley....I think he's grown two inches taller in the past week. He already is "getting" school - where to go, when to go, etc. By the second day he told Jason that he didn't have to walk him down to class from the cafeteria. He knew where it was and could go alone. And he is up pretty much first every morning and ready quickly and that has never happened.
As we drove home yesterday afternoon the boys were falling over each other to talk about their day. I learned this, we did this, I made that, we read this, we counted, we played, etc. I hope this enthusiasm continues. Of course the best parts of the day still revolve around recess, lunch and snack time. Jonah thinks that is funny that his teacher posts what they did each day on a webpage. But it makes for more detailed conversations we have about what he is learning and the activities they are doing.
We enjoy packing lunches together in the morning - choosing snacks and drinks, talking about the upcoming day. Thankfully the boys' schedules are similar this year - PE, Library, and Music are all on the same days just different times. This will be a great source of help to mom and dad to make sure tennis shoes are worn on PE days and books are returned to the Library on Wednesday.
We need all of the help we can get.
Jonah is reading things all of the time, everywhere - signs and papers. And this morning I asked him to write "cheese" on our shopping list. He is quite responsible and very naturally falls into the "big brother" role now that Riley is at school. I was so happy when I pulled up the other day to pick them both up and they were playing together....by choice. Of course they were digging in the dirt but that is completely besides the point.
And Riley....I think he's grown two inches taller in the past week. He already is "getting" school - where to go, when to go, etc. By the second day he told Jason that he didn't have to walk him down to class from the cafeteria. He knew where it was and could go alone. And he is up pretty much first every morning and ready quickly and that has never happened.
As we drove home yesterday afternoon the boys were falling over each other to talk about their day. I learned this, we did this, I made that, we read this, we counted, we played, etc. I hope this enthusiasm continues. Of course the best parts of the day still revolve around recess, lunch and snack time. Jonah thinks that is funny that his teacher posts what they did each day on a webpage. But it makes for more detailed conversations we have about what he is learning and the activities they are doing.
We enjoy packing lunches together in the morning - choosing snacks and drinks, talking about the upcoming day. Thankfully the boys' schedules are similar this year - PE, Library, and Music are all on the same days just different times. This will be a great source of help to mom and dad to make sure tennis shoes are worn on PE days and books are returned to the Library on Wednesday.
We need all of the help we can get.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Quotes
Quotes.... I love quotes. I love finding a good quote. It is like finding a treasure. And it is amazing the places you can find them. I have found great quotes on Starbucks cups and in the newspaper. I have found great quotes at the bottom of emails and in the newspaper. I have found great quotes in books and in magazines, even Sports Illustrated. And since joining Twitter, I have read some of the most amazing quotes. Some of them are from my favorite authors and some are from the motivational quotes that I follow.
Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Worship is focusing my attention on God, expressing my affection to God, using my abilities for God and placing my trust in God. - Rick Warren
The church needs fewer commentators and more innovators. fewer critics and more creators. fewer imitators and more dreamers - Mark Batterson
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris
Not to forgive is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die. - Nelson Mandela
You never know how much you believe in the strength of the rope until you're hanging by it over a cliff. - C.S. Lewis
God created us for excellency, not mediocrity. (I Cor 15:58). - Joyce Meyer
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
No one would ever have crossed the ocean if it were possible to get off a ship in the middle of a storm. - Charles F. Kettering
When we compare ourselves with someone else, we can never measure up because we compare our insides with their outsides. - Unknown
The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We must stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life. - C.S. Lewis
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie ten Boom
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Theresa
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still posses. - Martin Luther
The thing that makes a quote great is if it inspires you, motivates you, makes you think. Not all quotes are great. Some I have read just make me scratch my head and wonder, "Why did they say that?" and "Why did someone write it down?". However, good quotes roll around and around in my head and give me reason to do some self-examination. Or it may be the encouragement I need to continue moving forward in spite of a situation or how things look at the moment. Or it may make me smile and realize how much I have to be thankful for.
Don't you just love a good quote?
Here are a few of my favorites right now:
Worship is focusing my attention on God, expressing my affection to God, using my abilities for God and placing my trust in God. - Rick Warren
The church needs fewer commentators and more innovators. fewer critics and more creators. fewer imitators and more dreamers - Mark Batterson
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future. - Kathleen Norris
Not to forgive is like drinking a glass of poison and waiting for your enemies to die. - Nelson Mandela
You never know how much you believe in the strength of the rope until you're hanging by it over a cliff. - C.S. Lewis
God created us for excellency, not mediocrity. (I Cor 15:58). - Joyce Meyer
Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
No one would ever have crossed the ocean if it were possible to get off a ship in the middle of a storm. - Charles F. Kettering
When we compare ourselves with someone else, we can never measure up because we compare our insides with their outsides. - Unknown
The best effect of fine persons is felt after we have left their presence. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
We must stop regarding unpleasant or unexpected things as interruptions of real life. The truth is that interruptions are real life. - C.S. Lewis
Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see. - Corrie ten Boom
If you judge people, you have no time to love them. - Mother Theresa
I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still posses. - Martin Luther
The thing that makes a quote great is if it inspires you, motivates you, makes you think. Not all quotes are great. Some I have read just make me scratch my head and wonder, "Why did they say that?" and "Why did someone write it down?". However, good quotes roll around and around in my head and give me reason to do some self-examination. Or it may be the encouragement I need to continue moving forward in spite of a situation or how things look at the moment. Or it may make me smile and realize how much I have to be thankful for.
Don't you just love a good quote?
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