Where did June go? I'm not even sure. For some reason, I've missed the entire month on my calendar, which sadly leaves all of those Waldo characters unfound. That's a shame.
To say that we have been busy is an understatement of great proportions. I find myself giggling from time to time just thinking about what we've done in the past month and what we have yet to do. And it's not a fun giggle that releases tension and therefore helps you carry on with your day. It's definitely the kind of giggle that comes right before you completely lose any remnant of sanity that you had somehow retained up until this point.
By the end of May, we had finally started to get things done in preparation of our impending move. We had lined up someone to come take the pool, we (Paul) had taped the entire basement and started painting, we had booked flights, scheduled movers. We were on a roll. July 5th was coming fast and hard, and we were doing a pretty good job of keeping up. But then.... *sigh*... we got the call.
Paul's father passed away at the end of May, and four hours after we heard the news we were backing out of the driveway with four weeks worth of 'stuff' jammed in the trunk, along with the dog who was on her way to a friends house for the month. The next two weeks were messy and sad and everything else you would expect at that particular point in someone's life. We struggled to keep a balance of normalcy for the kids, as well as getting things taken care of for Paul's family. In the midst of all that, we celebrated Eli's first birthday, the third birthday we've celebrated for the kids in Michigan. So, that makes all of them. It ended up being a breath of fresh air, a night in a gorgeous park surround by family, celebrating life.
Since we already had our vacation planned for the last week in June, we stayed in Michigan until it was time to leave to avoid 2 extra days of driving. At the last minute, we decided to cut out early and spend two nights in Chicago and take the kids to Shed Aquarium. It was fun, although I feel as if we will get more out of it when the kids are older. Most of the time was spent chasing Alex around and taking her up and down and up and down and up and down the stairs.
From there we drove to the farm that my mother grew up on in Minnesota. It was so nice to be back there, showing Paul that part of my history, walking the kids around the grounds that I used to traipse as a child. It was so cathartic, exactly what my heart needed. To reconnect with that part of my family and to be able to spend so much time talking with my Grandma and hearing all of the stories that she has to tell. Plans were made for our return whenever we can manage. I would so love to make that a regular stop. It had been too long.
After a few days there, we all jumped back into the car and headed to the resort. We were the first to arrive, quickly followed by various family members. The week was spent not doing much of anything, which was exactly what we all needed. I am 100% positive that this trip was divinely timed.
Finally, we headed out, stopping for one night in Minneapolis to take the kids to the Mall of America, and finally getting back home, four weeks after we left.
And now, with flights rescheduled, movers rescheduled, painting stalled, and laundry coming out of my ears, we have until July 29th to get ready. Our house gets packed on the 22nd, and then it will be hotel-life for us until we ship out. We've done so much hotel-ing in the past month that this part no longer makes me nervous. The kids are adaptable, and are used to all of use being crammed in one room. (I can't TELL you how great it was have a room to ourselves again when we got home! We've been sharing our room with either one or both kids this whole time!)
My head sort of feels like everything in it has gone to mush and just slops around inside as I whip it around trying to find what needs doing next. But it will be done soon. Like... in September when we finally settle in a house in England. Soon enough.
That being said, anyone have any good books they are reading that can be read and enjoyed by a brain that's gone a bit numb? Nothing too heavy, but interesting enough to hold my attention? :)
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