Out of Sorts

So I'm starting to learn a few things about moving now that we've done it twice in a year and a half. There are stages you go through. Initially there's excitment at a new opportunity and being overwhelmed with packing. It's madness to get it all done in time, say goodbye to people you care about, and a place you've grown to love. Then you arrive at your new home, in a new town and it feels like an adventure. You're learning your way around, checking out your kids' new schools, finding the fun places to hang out with the fam like the lakes and parks etc. It's like a working vacation, it's very busy and hectic, but it's in a new place.

And then reality hits and you realize that you're not really connected anywhere yet and you're doing the dailiness of life without community and relationship with others and it feels pretty sad. I miss my family and my neighborhood peeps that I was doing life with. Thank goodness the Lances are here or this stage would be truly unbearable!

I decided to give myself a month to be a hermit and "nest" in our new home and process all this big change we made in our lives. I've reached the halfway mark so I only have two weeks to go till I have to get out there and start meeting people. I know we'll build community again, but I also know that it takes a good amount of time. I feel tired thinking about doing it, but I know it will be good for me.

Trav is flying out today to Riverside for a friend's wedding and I'm really jealous that I don't get to go. I tried to convince myself that driving twenty hours with my three children to spend three days down there would be worth it, but Trav talked me down. I know he's right, but now I have a long weekend ahead with me and the kiddos and it's 100 degrees outside so my options for entertainment seem limited.

By the way, I wear glasses now. I noticed I was furrowing my brows when I read and holding my books up closer, so now I have my JLO's for reading. They were free with my insurance and I didn't care enough to pay more to not have my glasses say JLO on the side. I think they make me look smart.

Words a Mom Should Never Hear

"I'm sorry Mommy!! I just pooped in the bathtub!!!"

I run in a fit of panic into the bathroom to see Davey sitting in the tub with a very stressed expression on his face and a pile of you know what floating next to him.

There was screaming (Davey), dry heaving (me), and excitement (Jonah dancing around me trying to get a good look)

You just aren't prepared really when stuff like this happens, I mean, what is the protocal? I pulled Davey out of the tub, got cleaning gloves, disinfectant, etc etc.
When it was all said and done and Davey was curled up next to me in his jammies, I thought, "I didn't rinse him off or anything". Is that ok? If he was already in sudsy water, even though there's poop in it, is the water still self cleaning? These are the kinds of things I'm left with to think about.

And yes, to my families members privy to my history, I know I did the same thing as a preschooler, but at least mine were "solid". Enough said.

Why my house isn't getting done

Davey and I returned from grocery shopping after dropping P & J off at school today and had the day ahead of us. He's always game for a bike ride, so we took off on the path to Simpson.

We fed tortillas to the geese at the pond. I always wanted a place to feed birds are old bread items and now we have one a five minute ride away! Davey thought it was hilarious when pieces would land on their backs.

We got to visit Trav in his office and see where the magic happens in the spiritual formations department at Simpson. It's such a good fit for him. He's excited to be here, he's starting to find his stride and get started on things. He's in a great place. He took some time out for a bit of play with Davey at Yaks coffeehouse on campus.


It took me about five to six minutes to drink my iced coffee, and it took Davey about thirty to drink his cocoa. The last five were me encouraging him to drink up so we could get going. I'm always in a hurry, want to tackle my "to do" list, get on to the next project, all so I can feel like I have something to show for my day. I've been trying to make a conscious effort to smell the roses with the kids, take our time and not rush, especially when we really don't have somewhere to be, to operate at their speed. It's a gratifying and challenging process for me!

When we got home Davey said in his best three year old lisp, "I had fun riding bikes with you Mama". Totally worth not doing anything on the house today!

Davey's First Day of Preschool

A picture speaks a thousand words. This one pretty much sums up Davey's feelings on starting preschool today. We had some issues over taking toys to school, me not packing the right snack for him (even though he said it was his favorite last night), and I'm pretty sure his back hurt as well. His back hurts when he's thirsty, hungry, in his car seat, asked to pick up a toy, lays down for a nap, or doesn't want to do something.

Since we weren't going to get a happy posed picture, I thought I would just capture us in the reality.

We transitioned from the car onto a school bench with the promise of a story read. He wasn't totally sold yet on being at school, but he was warming to it. It got us that much closer to the classroom.

Ahhh, some interesting toys and manipulatives. Just what we needed to suck him out of his stroller and into a seat. I sat, admired, and affirmed his work.

Done! The deal was sealed and Davey was settled and good to go. He gave me a sweet, confident goodbye and that was it. The teacher said he did great, took turns, was on task, etc. Yay!

He LOVES school. He came home with lots of stories of his day that we celebrated over an icee.
My last baby just started preschool. This is so HUGE!

First Day of School Pics

The kids did awesome their first day of school yesterday! Jonah was fired UP for school. He counted down the minutes till we got in the car, and hammed it up for all of the pictures. Once he got to the playground he slowed up a bit and confessed to being a little "anxious", but he jumped right in once class got started. He loudly told me to "go away!" and grant him some autonomy.
Payton was poised and lovely and just a bit hesitant. I knew to respect her space and asked her if she wanted me to stay on the playground with her till school started and she said yes. I hung back and let her do her thing and made sure to give a casual, quick goodbye when she lined up with her class. I did NOT want to blow her first day of second grade by embarrassing her which having me anywhere near her first grade class seem to do. Seriously, I know my kids love me even though it's not as it seems... Anyhoo, she came home with a big smile and loved everything about her class and teacher.
Unfortunately this morning Jonah was hiding under his bed b/c he did NOT want to go to back to school he just wanted to stay in bed for "23 days". It was touch and go for awhile getting him out the door, Trav came with us again for back up, and of course Jonah did great once he got to class. I actually cried tears of relief. I've been so worried for my little guy to start kindergarten and do well. We'll just take it one day at a time!

Keepin' it Real in Redding

Incase Redding didn't notice, the Osbornes are here, namely Davey. He jumped in right away to establish a name for us in just about every public place we've visited. We've only been here five days and he's pitched a fit @

Raley's Supermarket
Target 2x
Post Office (great acoustics)
Dutch Bros coffee drive thru
Redding Public Library

The Library was my favorite b/c he was screaming at the top of his lungs and kicking the metal pillars in front of the library that gave a nice loud "ting" with each kick. Words were exchanged. He can be pretty gnarley sometimes. Trav says being home all day with Davey is almost like being by myself b/c he's so easy. It's almost the same.

The Move

We made it! We're excited, we love it, we have an amazing peace about being here. We're tired, but there's peace. We have a huge backyard that looks out on to a small collection of cows and horses with Mt. Shasta in the background. So we wake up to the cows mooing over their breakfast each morning. It's surreal. I still can't believe that we live here, this is our life! Two weeks ago I was snuggled in a cottage behind my parents' house and now here we are.

Yesterday, we took a needed break from the unpacking and went to Whiskeytown Lake with the kids for the afternoon and had dinner at Weinerschnitzel (AMAZING). So cool and weird to go to places we used to hang out as dating college students with our three children.

Payton and Jonah start school tomorrow. Payton's a bit nervous, Jonah's totally excited. He'll be going to school all day! I was a bit sad when I learned that, but I'm confidant he's ready and he'll do great. Payton told the principal that she's a "little concerned that her birthday's in a month and it's disturbing b/c she doesn't know anyone yet". She was so sad and articulate. Of course that stinks to have a birthday and not know anyone yet! Of course she'll have five new best friends by the end of this week, but she doesn't know that yet.

We're still in boxes, house is a bit chaotic, but it'll all come together in good time. It will settle in soon that this is all for real!