Fall 2016

Walking with "Notch", the neighborhood cat

Fall--- Did Fall end?  Are we already in Winter?  I don't remember.  I keep procrastinating posting, because I think I need to upload a picture or video, and by doing so I am letting the memories of my children slip away...

It is 5am.  Michael oh so kindly woke me up a couple of hours ago because he felt too hot in bed.  It's got to be mid 60s up in his little nook and he is roasting in a light blanket. Sometimes I think of moving to Arizona, but Michael may not survive there!

Last night we had the missionaries over for dinner.  I realized that although it is extra work to feed people, it was so nice to have the missionaries bring in their wonderful spirit.  The children feel it, I hope!

That's right, I'm starting to feed people in this shoebox of a house.  I decided I just need to get gutsy and do it.  Because a part of me is dying!  And I don't want to have the mindset of "when I have a bigger house, then I'll..."

The housing market is a beast and it's consuming me.  In some ways its been good.  Dan and I are finally sitting down and contemplating where we want to be in life.  Are we making our life journey too complicated?  Maybe...

I just hope with all of these experiences, our children are experiencing a good childhood and are happy.

I haven't posted about school.  School started back in September!  Elena is in 1st grade and Michael is in preschool!  Dan takes them both (and Elsa our neighbor) to Arbor Heights Elementary at 7:55am and I pick them both up at 2:05pm.  Preschool has been so so good for Michael.  He enjoys the interaction with peers and he is excited for school daily.  And his speech is improving!

It's been really nice with just Cora and Charlie at home.  Cora just likes to pick up random things around the house, uses her imagination, and tinkers.  She's a pretty low maintenance kid and she is happy.  HOWEVER!  She had become a thumb sucker and only started after Charlie was born.  Is she self soothing because momma is more occupied with baby?

Dan and I started taking turns having one on one time with a kid on Tuesdays.  Often I feel like we are just herding cattle and it's so nice to have these little dates.  We started in November and so far it's been ice cream dates.  Doesn't seem to get old for the kids. Ha!

Last but not least, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Portland with the Foulgers.  Gma Sue flew in from Idaho.  We ate, rode a train, and ate some more!  The kids played with their distant cousins and had a great time.