Saucy Girl
Aug 6th, 2011 by ECM
Life in Chaos
Aug 5th, 2011 by ECM
It was brought to my attention in recent conversations with friends that this blog portrays our life inaccurately. It’s kindof inevitable that the pictures I choose to post or the stories I tell are generally the things I want to remember (and not the disasters I want to forget!). Anybody can seem to have it together with selective blogging. So in the interest of raising the self esteem of all my readers at my own expense, here’s a little tour of the utter chaos that is our home…
This first picture is supposed to be the dining room. We’re still eating on the couch (and sending the kids outside to the kiddie table).
Hurray! I took this one of the kids using the manual settings on my camera like Bethany showed me, because Auto made everything dark. You can actually see the kids…and some of the disaster they’ve wreaked on the family room…
We have enough packing paper for a year’s worth of art projects…normally the type of thing I’d store in the basement. Alternate storage ideas, anyone? I don’t know, I might keep that stack right there and call it modern art.
If I keep the boxes of books stacked up indefinitely, I might forget that one whole wall of our living room is a mirror.
I made my bed before taking this picture. Not that it really contributed to a sense of peace.
And this one is not for the faint of stomach…I believe this was taken after a bunch of scrubbing. This is my shower door. I realize that my life has been very sheltered. I had never before been in a truly filthy house. My horizons are being expanded as my Simple Green is being depleted.
And there you have it. Instead of dealing with all of this while the kids were all down, I ate two bowls of ice cream and uploaded pictures. Just bein’ honest. Don’t you feel better about the state of your home now?
More Pictures from Phoenix
Aug 4th, 2011 by ECM
Our last stop before California was Phoenix, where we got to hang out with the Millers. The kids listened to a lot of books, the grownups had wonderful conversations, and I finally got to spend more than 2 hours in person with Bethany! (It’s funny how well you can feel like you know someone just through the medium of blogs…) When I forget about how horribly Susanna hated the car, I’ll be up for a “short” trip back to AZ to visit again. (It’s funny how 8 hours in the car with three children seems short and manageable after a 16 hour trip.)
The two year olds stayin’ cool with spray bottles, you know…
Listening to a Bible story before bed…I just love the girls’ expressions…
In their Sunday best…
We’re Here
Aug 3rd, 2011 by ECM
We’re here, and our stuff is here. And Derek got the computer up and had the internet installed this morning. I have about 500 pictures on our camera from our trek and about 300 boxes left to unpack. So I’ll try to edit some pictures and get them up whenever I need a break!
Tea with Evangeline
Aug 1st, 2011 by ECM
Stay tuned for more pics from our wonderful time with the Millers in Phoenix, but here’s a quick preview of the girls having a tea party!
Seven Years Ago Today…
Jul 31st, 2011 by ECM
…I said, “I will.” I didn’t really know how many drastic life changes that promise would entail. We’ve had or lost a baby every place we’ve lived. We’ve made and left friends behind. It’s been a lot harder at times than I imagined. But I’m glad I promised, anyway. I could never imagine living this crazy life with anyone else. I love you, Derek, and I’m excited to start our eighth year of marriage and fifth new state with you tomorrow.
Pizza for Breakfast?
Jul 30th, 2011 by ECM
If it’s from Oregano’s, then yes, please!
We Made It to Phoenix
Jul 29th, 2011 by ECM
Susanna was up at 4:30 and the kids at 5:30–Pacific Time will take some getting used to…
Fun times with the Franciscos!
Jul 28th, 2011 by ECM
(Thanks to Christina, who took the good ones!)
sweet Clara
Geneva, the real swimmer!
Proof that all five children did take an afternoon nap–long enough for us to get in two quick games of Attika!
Colorado Springs
Jul 27th, 2011 by ECM
So Derek’s smart phone is cutting off all but the first sentence that I type (hence yesterday’s snafu). Blog posts will likely be shorter until we get our computer hooked up.
We arrived safely in Colorado Springs after 12.5 hours of pretty decent driving. The big kids and Geneva are having a grand old time, starting before dawn this morning! It’s so fun when your kids like your friends’ kids. Pictures to follow…