Building Lego cars to entertain kids is valuable work around here!

Daddy is still in quite a bit of pain from his knee replacement surgery. Apparently this is normal, just not much fun. He doesn’t allow the pain to make him cranky, though. Many times over the three and a half day visit, my dad said how incredibly glad he was that he married Mom. I heard this all during my growing up years. Even now, as an adult, it makes me feel all safe and secure to know that my parents love each other! Their marriage is a tank that has plowed through battles.

(As an added note: Do not think that just because my dad is in pain, you’re safe to squirt him with a water gun. My oldest child learned that “Papa” absolutely will defend himself in a water fight!)

I got butterflies in my stomach several times as we loaded boxes. I can’t believe we’re really moving HOME!

Mom’s help, of course, was invaluable. She knows where everything goes, she knows never to throw away tiny Lego pieces, she knows not to put all the clothes in the dryer. She must have matched a hundred socks, and she took genuine joy in finding little toy pieces and returning them to their sets. Thanks to her, the nursery is clean, the guest and nursery closets are packed, and the laundry is manageable.

“Unco Wigo,” as the kids call him, swept and mopped the floors, cooked pancakes, and cleaned the kitchen. He lived with us for a couple months last year, so he knows how things are done around here, too. The kids love him – all kids do. I think it’s because he feeds them Oreos. 😉 My husband took him fishing the last morning they were here, and they brought home several trout.

We were able to consolidate, label, and tape up several boxes to be moved into the storage/moving Pod. Many more boxes have been filled and are waiting to be closed and loaded the week before the move.

I’ve been looking forward to this move for so long. But there are some things I’ll miss about this place, too. I’ve compiled a list:

I will not miss: The rocks.
I will miss: The best home-grown carrots I’ve ever tasted.

I will not miss: The kids riding their bikes inside.
I will miss: The huge, tiled great room.

I will not miss: Driving an hour to get where we want to go.
I will miss: The local aquarium.

I will not miss: Being snowed in most of the winter and early spring.
I will miss: The strength of the sun.

I will not miss: May snowfall.
I will miss: Wildflowers and the smell of fresh-cut pine in the fall.

I will not miss: Being so far from family.
I will miss: Having to depend on each other only.

I will not miss: My husband working so much.
I will miss: The hope that all our problems will be solved after the move.

The list could be endless…