Whirlwind couple of weeks! part 1: graduation & houses

These last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of excitement! Stephen submitted his dissertation, walked at graduation and defended his dissertation. "His name is Docta Jones, doll!" These past 5 years of his PhD program have been pretty definitive--the highlights being the births of Trevor and Ruth and the low times being the deaths of both my grandma and mom. We've made lifelong friends and know that the Lord has been watching out for us--as have both of our families--we couldn't have done this without you!!!

Stephen's parents came out for graduation, and stayed a few extra days to watch the boys while Stephen, Elise, Ruth and I went house hunting in Wyoming. While they were here they also finished various projects so we could list our house to sell the day they left. I think we all might have a bit of the crazy bug!!

We listed our MN house on Thursday afternoon, had 7 or showings that day, along with two offers. Gene and Ann left that night, dropping the boys off with my visiting teacher, Judy. Friday (while we were still in WY), we had around 12 more showings on the house, so Judy just kept the boys at her house all day. In fact, we got home around 4:30, got Sammy packed for his choir tour and spent the rest of the evening at Judy's--dinner and a movie while people were perusing our house.

Earlier on Friday our Realtor posted to have "last and best" offers in by 9 a.m. Saturday morning, since we already had multiple offers. That caused offer #2 to up the offer by 5k, and we got one more offer after that. Right about 48 hours after listing the house we had our counter offer signed by the buyers. WOW!!

While all that craziness was going on back home, Stephen, the girls and I found a house in Laramie! It's located on 17 acres just a few miles outside of town. Say what?!?! There is a lawn area, green house, garden, barn w/ outside pen area for animals, a pond, and lots and lots of trees. Walking on the property I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. It's at the end of a private road, so there is literally no traffic. It is still and quiet and I can't wait to look at the stars this summer!

Elise's original choreography piece

Dedicated to Grammy

My Mother's Day gift to all women

Quite a few years ago I noticed that every time my birthday or Mother's Day rolled around I would be extra grumpy. Upon analyzing the reason behind this (something Stephen taught me to do), I realized that I was grumpy because not everything was focused on me me me. I thought the world should revolve around ME for a day, but inevitably I would have to change a poopy diaper and do dishes and other mundane household chores.

So I decided that instead of wanting everything to be about ME, I would just be happy to be alive. Just be happy to be a mother. Just be happy to have a mother. Just be happy in my life.

That slight shift in attitude has made my birthdays and Mother's Days some of the most joyful days of the year. While I clean up throw up I think "it's my birthday!!!" and am just happy. What is happening outside me doesn't phase me, because it's my special day!

One more thought before my special present for mothers everywhere...sometimes at the end of the day I'll look at the tabs I have open in Chrome--it gives me a snapshot of what the kids and I talked about and learned throughout the day. For example, at this second I have a font page open (working on a yearbook for our homeschool co-op), "how to buy a house by owner", zillow (looking at houses), and gmail.

And now to my gift:

Chances are high that if you stop by to visit unannounced, my front room will look something like this. (Unless my 12-year-old daughter is in charge of the front room for the week. Then it is pretty clean most always. But this week it was the 9-year-old boy's responsibility.)

Anyhow, my gift is the gift of imperfection. Of answering the question "how do you do it all?" with the truth: I don't. I don't even try anymore. It's too stressful and not worth it. I choose carefully what to do, because frankly, I don't have time to do everything. So I don't. And I'm okay with that.

I don't love that my front room is so messy--in fact, sometimes it really gets to me, and nobody does anything or goes anywhere until it is clean enough to vacuum. At the same time, I can look at it and feel very loved!

~My visiting teacher hemmed my sheer curtains, brought them back yesterday and helped me hang them.
~The dining room chair is in the room because I have 4 amazing piano students, but couldn't put it away after lessons because my husband and my VTer's husband were putting in a new kitchen floor.
~I have clean, (mostly) folded laundry all over because I have six amazing kids, clothing & bedding & everything we need for them, and a husband who helps me fold everything.
~The stripey blanket (that I made with the help of friends and an awesome mom) is on the floor because Mason was playing with Ruth last night.
~Our maps (that Stephen framed for me) are off the wall because we had the walls painted recently.
~[out of picture] Mason's stereo is on the floor (and the disco ball on the wall) because the kids love to have dance parties in the living room.
~My star quilt (that my mom made) is on the floor by the laptop because Stephen and I watched a movie last night after a long day of work (instead of cleaning up the room).
~[out of picture] A plant is wilting--a plant that my brother- and sister-in-law sent me 4 months ago after my mom passed away.
~Mason's piano books are spread all over because he loves to play the piano.
~I have two stain-free onesies for Ruth because of the glorious sunshiney day we had yesterday.

How can I complain about anything?

Today is a wonderful, wonderful day. Just because it is. Not because of gifts or recognition or perfection, but because of hugs and family and imperfection.

Happy Mother's Day!

A woodchuck in a hurry

A couple of years ago my large homeschooling family met another large homeschooling family and we just clicked. One evening we were hanging out together and I heard the dad, Jason, singing,

Horsey, horsey, on your way,
We've been together for many a day,
So let your tail go swoosh and your wheels go round,
Giddy-up, we're homeward bound.

And then part two:

I like to take my horse and buggy,
As we go traveling through the town.
I like to hear old Dobbin's clip-clop,
I like to feel the wheels go round.

I haven't ever met anyone in my entire life (outside of my family) who knew that song (I do remember teaching it to Stephen when we were engaged). From that moment on, I knew the Foutz family was pretty amazingly special.

Fast forward a couple of years to 3 weeks ago. We recently acquired the book Cars and Trucks and Things That Go by Richard Scarry--a book that I grew up reading and loving. I was reading it to Trevor when I came across the following picture:

Now, I have used the phrase "there goes a woodchuck in a hurry" for all of my life, never knowing where the phrase originated. I googled it. Nothing. Surely this was a common phrase? Suddenly I was struck with the possibility that perhaps all those times I used it around my friends they had no idea what I was talking about.

So I consulted the ultimate authority: my dad. Here's our conversation (via text):

Me: Where did the phrase "woodchuck in a hurry" come from?
Dad: Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go - remember Gold Bug?

I plan on continuing to use the phrase, and one day I just know I'll meet someone who knows what I'm talking about. I'll know we were meant to be friends, just like with the Foutz family.

Taking time for bubbles

Today Elise was cleaning the kitchen & dining room while listening to "Emma" on the phone. I was also staying busy cleaning up in the kitchen (I ask my kids every day why I have to make food for them again, when I just cooked yesterday!). At one point I looked up and saw Elise on the back deck blowing bubbles. My first thought was, "She needs to finish cleaning before she plays!", followed quickly by, "She needs a break sometimes", followed by, "What would I do in a 5-minute break?"

Even almost-13-year-olds need a break!

To be quite honest, I couldn't think of anything that I absolutely love to do that relaxes me...until I remembered that I have been dying to blog for quite a while now. I write down funny quotes or stories or thoughts that I have in my planner, but I simply haven't had time to type them up. Well, no more. I need my 5-minute bubble breaks! And 5 minutes over time = a happy me. And that is something we all pray for!