Journal: We are home

Out my window: Dark and cold. Snow is falling on the gigantic pine trees in my yard.

Clothing myself in: Jeans, The Hawk In Paris t-shirt, pink hoodie.

Around the house: Kitchen cleaned, mostly organized, main floor bathroom scrupulously cleaned, master bathroom cleaned and organized, seasonal decorations and keepsake tubs put in storage. Clothes put away in dressers and closets.  A fair amount of boxes still left in the basement.  I am a fairly efficient unpacker, but trying to decide where to put things is tricky. What works in one house doesn't necessarily work in another and there isn't necessarily an equivalent space for things in each home. It is fine though- I have time to figure it all out.

The kiddos: Adjusting. They have played with toys that have been packed away with enthusiasm, explored our property a bit, read books.  It certainly isn't easy, but they are very good kids, and they have taken it all in stride. Adelle and George sharing a room has been going well so far- bedtime was my main worry, but he goes to sleep while she reads with Issy and then she goes in. Painless, so far. We are unpacking this week and then back to school next week.

In the kitchen: Easy meals planned this week while the unpacking is in full force- chili, biscuits and gravy, roast. Isabelle and I made peanut butter granola today. Made the house smell heavenly!

Crafting: Not yet. I can at least see the large wicker basket that holds all my yarn though, so that is a start!

Bringing me joy: I had the opportunity to see a lot of friends and family when we were in Wichita, which is always so lovely.  Stories, laughing, baby snuggling, long talks. Pulling up to the new house, Joe on the porch to greet us, fire in the wood stove will be a memory I forever cherish. Sunshine through big windows. Cleaning and putting our things away and making this house our home.

Thinking about: It is hard to believe that we are here. It is this beautiful blend of free will and our choosing to set this in motion and God's guidance. At the end of this post in June of 2013, I mentioned us talking at dinner that night about homeschooling and moving back to the mountains.  And last April, things started happening in our lives that allowed that to happen. The last 10 months- from our decision to try to move back to the mountains, to being here, have at times felt like an eternity, but in hindsight seem so short.

But truly, things have happened in God's good timing. From this house not being available when we were under the first contract in Wisconsin, to eventually settling on the house in Idaho and then losing the contract in Wisconsin and eventually losing the contract on the house in Idaho and having nothing at all. But, because things all work when they need to, we got an offer on the Wisconsin house and this house was available and with a motivated seller. It truly was an answer to our prayers. After we went house- hunting in August and had three very different choices, our prayer was for roadblocks if we were not pursuing the right thing. I had no idea at the time that the first no on this home wasn't so much a no, as a "not yet".

So here we are, ready to begin this chapter in our adventure.  I am so grateful for the previous chapters- we couldn't be who we are as individuals and as a family without them.  I know that there will be hard days ahead, missing our friends and community and things yet unknown.  But I know that we are where we need to be right now. What more can you ask for?

A few more Disney pictures

 We were taking a train ride to another part of the park in Animal Kingdom.  I like it when everyone is sitting and all lined up neat and tidy. Adelle didn't know I was taking a picture.

 Space Tiger and Snow Queen. Face painting was very popular

 Liam wanted one too. 

 Waiting for the parade. Joe has some pictures of the parade on his blog.

 Swimming was very popular. Adelle even told me it was her dream come true!

She slept about half of the plane ride home on my lap.  

Journal: Disney edition

Out my window: Dark. 14 degrees and snowy

Clothing myself in: Jeans and my new Mickey Mouse hoodie.  It's pink and retro and fun :)

Life with kids: Sooooo, starting in August? i think, Dad Marney hatched a plan bring all the kids, their spouses, and the grandkids to Disney World to surprise Mama Marney.  So we met up with them the first night and  it worked! I think she really couldn't believe all the grandkids were running up to hug her :)

We got to take the kids to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.  I would like to say that George turned some sort of personality corner on this trip and behaved really excellently. But not really. He was very much himself- boisterous, exuberant, mischievous, opinionated, and intense.  He really loved the roller coasters.   From what I could tell, I think his favorite was Splash Mountain. He was very brave about trying new things and seemed enjoy most of it. He got to meet Lightening McQueen and Mater. I liked to look over at him when we were riding the big ones to see the glee on his face.

Adelle got to meet Elsa and Anna, do a Frozen sing along with them, and see them in the parade. She even had "Frozen" themed face paint during the parade and Elsa caught her eye, indicated to her face paint and gave her a thumbs up.  She was over the moon.  She was not without her meltdowns (getting a single stroller instead of a double was a grievous offense) but she bounced back just fine.

Liam got picked to be part the Monster's Inc Laugh Floor show.  He was hilarious! They couldn't have picked a better kid.  He loved Everest Expedition at Animal Kingdom and actually, he was really just quite taken with the Animal Kingdom as we suspected he would be.  He was very excited that he earned 15 of 31 badges for the Wilderness Explorers.

My Isabelle and Isaac didn't meet a roller coaster they didn't love. They take after their Grandma Sullivan that way.  I also got to take them to the pool at the resort a couple times which was a big hit.

Thinking about: After that very magical week, we resume life- packing! Finishing up the last few lessons.  We are almost there!

Pictures to share: They are just camera pics, but at least they are something.

 My girls on the Merry- Go- Round at the Magic Kingdom

 Issy, Isaac and Liam at the Swiss Family Robinson replica set.

 Adelle admiring her Elsa doll.

 Marneys and Littons at Epcot

 Epcot was a late night after a pretty tiring day. For the first time in memory, George gave up and went to sleep. It's one for the record books, folks.

 The Little Mermaid show we saw at Hollywood Studios. It was one of my favorites.

 Face paint!

 Very intent drawing while waiting for lunch.

 This was a highlight. But then he wanted to climb into Mater and I had to explain it didn't work like that.

 Adelle at the Frozen sing-along. Euphoria would be accurate.

 Matching shirts!

 We got to go on a Safari in Animal Kingdom. This guy started running in circles, it was pretty impressive. And it made me hope I am never chased by a rhino.

 Alligator. Or crocodile? Why can I never remember the difference? Crocodile, I think.

 Just a little fella.

He was big and handsome.

There are more, but I'll never finish this post if I don't just do it, so hopefully I'll upload more later.