March 17th

Just wanted to give a quick update on the house situation. We now close on March 17th despite the bank wanting to move it back a few weeks, then up a few weeks, then immediately. I haven't been to the house in awhile but we should be back tonight and/or tomorrow and I'll take some better pictures and get them posted.

We have spent some time looking at carpet, mudroom ideas, and other things we plan on improving in the house. If anyone has any great ideas, suggestions, pictures (especially of mudrooms) please forward them on! I am very overwhelmed with the prospect of all the new improvements. I'm afraid I'll do it all wrong and tacky. Sarah P. I wish you lived around the corner again. You helped me though decorating my kitchen and playroom which were the only rooms I ever really decorated in my last house. You have beautiful ideas and taste and an eye for decorating.

We plan on improving the upstairs right away before moving in. Even though it will be a money crunch, we figure it will be best in the long run to just do it now. We will do the downstairs later. Our realtor recommend our backyard neighbor and he is overseeing all the improvements.

Our rental house is on the market and I have to say I'm really, really, really annoyed about having to show my house. It is so much stress to get the house clean and ready to show. We did it on Saturday and I feel like it is a BIG inconvenience to leave my house so Jake can show it. Also, because we are moving I stopped keeping my closets organized because I figured it would all have to be packed up before too long. So now I feel weird having people look into my messy closets and pantry. Part of me feels like Jake should give us a break on the rent or be willing to end our lease early if we have to show it. What do you think is reasonable. The stress from showing our MN house is still fresh and I really don't feel up to doing it again so someone else can sell their house.

I guess my blogging time is over because Ben won't stop climbing on me and grabbing the mouse.

Wall Drug, South Dakota

On our drive from Minnesota to Idaho, we stopped at one the of ultimate in tourist traps: Wall Drug, South Dakota. It was a quaint stop full of overpriced souvenirs and tempting treats, even on old fashioned soda counter. Out back they have a fun place for kids to play and parents to take several dozen pictures. Here are a few shots assembled in my first Pisaca collage. I'm glad that drive is over.

Moving Days

It is never fun to move but this time was so much easier in so many ways. Mainly, we had Mayflower do the packing, loading, and unloading. I have always done this myself and I am so glad I didn't have to this time.

The Mayflower guys came on Wednesday, July 18th and spent the day packing our belongings. Before they came, I had everything clean and ready. They came about 8:00 and most of the packing was done by 12:30. Wow! About 7 guys, mostly teenagers, packed and they did are really great job (nothing was broken in the move). They said it was one of the easiest jobs they have done because I had it all ready. One guy was so nice to Sam and let him be a "helper". Sam LOVED it! Brad was able to be home and he kept the kids out of the way (kind of) while I tried to do some cleaning. Later that afternoon, a few guys came back to do the inventory. That took as long as the packing.

On Friday morning the truck came. It was strange to see a huge semi parked in front of my house. Please note that it was already half full of someone else's belongings. I know I have a lot of stuff but not that much.About six guys removed everything from the house and piled it in my driveway. As my neighbor, Marin, put it, it looked like my driveway threw up.

I was interested to see how they organized this task (it is the insane organizer in me). They sorted everything in the driveway-furniture, boxes, plastic bins, large bulky items, etc. They then loaded things and utilized every inch of space in the moving van from floor to ceiling.

Sarah P., and Hillary C., so graciously took my kids for the entire day (Brad had to work.) It was a lifesaver! It would have been so difficult to keep them out of the way while the movers were in and out of the house. Not to mention that everything was packed so they would have nothing to do.

While the movers worked, I cleaned the entire house and got ready for our two and a half day drive. It is surprising how much dust and dirt are hiding behind furniture.

The movers left around 4:00 pm (I can't really remember exactly). I had the house clean and the minivan loaded for the trip. I went to pick up the kids and Brad from work (we had his car moved). The kids wanted to come back and say good bye to the house. I think it was strange for them to see it completely empty. They were so young when we moved in.

So 4 years and 1 month after we moved to Minnesota, we had to say goodbye to our friends, neighbors, and lovely city. We were off to experience our next chapter in life. It has been 15 years in coming and we are excited and nervous about what the future holds for us in Idaho!

Last Few Days in Minnesota

It has been soooo long since I felt I had a minute to blog. So I'm going to sneak in a quick (yeah right-it just keeps going and going) post while Emily and Sam are playing nicely together (how long will that last?) and Ben is asleep (please sleep little baby!).

I reviewed the pictures I took over our last few days in Minnesota and I thought I would post them along with a brief explanation.

We decided it was not worth moving our trampoline and swing set to our new house. So we gave them to our friends Hillary and Mark for their little guy Blake. Mark came and took down the trampoline and swing set (Thank you Mark!). The kids were not as upset as I thought they might be. Here is the big dirt spot where the trampoline killed all the grass underneath it.

Here is Emily and Sam swinging before Mark came to dismantle the swing set. I forced them to go outside for "one last swing." Ignore the super long grass-it rained a lot and I was unable to mow it for awhile. For pictures of the swing set and trampoline's new home click here.
We have always love "park day" during the summer. Moms and kids from church gathered at local parks and played and snacked every Tuesday morning. We were usually the first to arrive and the last to leave. Here are Ben, Ann B., Joy M., Sarah P., Lori L., and Janus W. I should have taken more pictures, but I was still in denial that this was my last chance.
Here is Emily with friends (I have no idea why she is scowling). Tessa P., Madison L., Emily, Alexis W., Ella F. I'm so glad she had a chance to play with her friends one last time.
I could not help including a picture of how Ben spends "Park Day". Here he is with a bag of pretzels. He usually eats non stop while the kids play. I guess everyone has their own definition of fun!When we are not playing outside, Emily is great at coming up with fun things to do inside. Here is Emily and Alyssa M. (across the street neighbor) dancing.

Our friends have been such an important part of our lives while we have lived in Minnesota. Our friends are like family to us and we have shared so many memories with them. I was so fortunate that Hillary C. and Sarah P. were willing to watch my kids while the movers were at our house, not just because I needed the kids out of the way, but as chance for Emily and Sam to play with them one last time before we moved.

Here is Emily and Tessa. Such pretty girls!Here are handsome Abel and Sam. Of course, we had to have the silly pose picture! Sarah, why didn't I take a picture of the two of us?
It was so hard to say goodbye to my friends. Thank you Hillary for emailing me these pictures. Look at us with our cute baby boys (Jared and Ben)! Sam with his good buddy Blake.There was a slide that belonged to the swing set we gave to Blake and his family. (Brad never attached it in our yard-long story). I'm glad Sam got a chance to use it and that Mark attached it for Blake. I'm so glad that Emily, Sam, and Ben had a great last day in Minnesota playing with their friends.Stay tuned for the moving pictures.

Still No Stuff

Our stuff was supposed to have arrived by today but it is sitting in Pocatello because their is no moving crew available to unload it. Can I say how annoyed I am! I am going bonkers living at my MIL's house. I just want to get moved in!

I'm sick of transitions. I'm sick of living out of a suitcase. I'm sick of waiting for my stuff. I'm disappointed with the moving company. I have had to call and find out what is happening. No one bothered to even call me to let me know it would arrive late. I had to do all the calling. We aren't even sure when Brad's car will be arriving. So frustrating.

A bright side to all of this is my sister and her husband, Vicki and James, are coming tonight to help with everything. So now at least someone will be around to keep the kids out of the way so I can deal with the movers and tell them where to go (oops-I mean where to put things). My mom and dad are coming Saturday afternoon to help as well and Mom will be staying until Wednesday. So maybe I'll be feeling better soon. Take a deep breath Jenni - in, out, in, out.