House....bikes....dirt.....spit-up....smiles.....

So far, things are in line to start digging for the new house on Monday. We are still dealing with the bank and the state on the extra chunk of land we are buying. I think things should work out alright in the end. It is hard to believe that we are to this point. It is pretty exciting, but scary at the same time. Our building staked the house out and we were able to see how it will sit on the lot....we have a HUGE lot (because we really have 1 lot plus 2/3 of another) and we will definitely need a riding lawn mower! The boys are going to have a ton of room to run and play and it will be so much fun for them. Hopefully the weather cooperates this spring and they can get a lot done.

Looking at our land from the cul-de-sac...



At the top of the property looking down...you can see the yellow flags in the distance...that is the outline of the house.

Things are going well for us in Clarksville. The kids are not missing out on any attention...there is always someone around for them. Tonight the boys rode their bikes up and down the sidewalk. Evan is doing a great job on his bike without training wheels. He learned how to use his brakes and can now stop without putting his feet down and dragging them. By the time the night was over, he also learned to start all by himself. He surprised himself and us! He is doing great and will be on his own riding everywhere in no time!

Isaac played in the dirt with a stick most of the time. He is such a boy...sticks and dirt and worms and he is one happy camper. He also loves to climb onto the roof of Ben's car and jump off the back. I wonder if we will make it through the summer with no broken bones? His cat-like agility scares me at times! I love how Evan and Isaac are so different from each other.

Eli is still his happy self. He tried pears the other night and is loving them! He is still spitting up a bit at night. We decided to cut his medicine down to 2x a day instead of 4x. It seems to be going alright during the day, but at night he tends to still spit a lot. It seems that he is slowing outgrowing it. At least he is happy. He must be teething or something though, he is one juicy mess! If it isn't spit-up all over his shirt, he has drool everywhere! He has been sleeping really good at night, thankfully! I was afraid he was getting used to sleeping with us since we moved here. It must have just been when he was sick. It is so hard to believe that he is 7 months old this week!

Finally...

Eli finally slept through the night last night. This is the first time since we got to Clarksville a week ago. For some reason, he had been waking up in the middle of the night and wanting to sleep with us. He has been sick and not eating, so we are pretty sure that is why. He hasn't been eating very well either...only 2-3 ounces at a time. I think he is finally feeling better too...he has eaten 3 6oz bottles so far today without fighting us. The last week, we have had to practically hold him down and force feed him. Today went much better and he seems like he is back to his normal, happy self.

On the other hand, it must be Isaac's turn to be sick. Last night he threw up in the middle of the night. He hasn't eaten much and hasn't really acted like himself the past two days. He seemed a bit better today so hopefully he won't get any worse. This past week has been NUTS! I hope things slow down soon.

We are looking forward to summer. I can't believe that May is this week! Our last day of school with kids is May 27th. It seems amazing that we have survived all that has happened this year. Hope we survive these next few weeks. It will be very busy. Ben is finishing up his grad class through UNI. He has two papers to write. His last night of class is Tuesday. I have to write a few papers and finish up my portfolio so I can graduate on May 18th. These three years of grad school have gone so fast. It seems like not that long ago I was trying to figure out if I should sign up for grad school, and now I am graduating (if I get my assignments done, that is!) I am SOOOO ready to be done. I don't think it has really hit me yet...probably will in June when I don't have to go to Storm Lake for 4 weeks. Speaking of grad school...I have to get going on my papers. Enough procrastinating.

Spring...was here

Spring was here yesterday. It is gone now...supposed to get cold again. The boys took advantage of the nice weather and got outside last night. Eli loves the breeze...he crinkles his forehead up and opens his mouth and licks his lips. Must feel funny on his face. The boys rode bikes last night. Evan is doing pretty well on his bike without training wheels. He is getting more confident and picked up where he left off last summer...he still doesn't know how to use the breaks but he is excited to practice when he can. Isaac can pedel his little bike so well this year too.

Isaac had his preschool visit. He was nervous. When we were driving to the school, he said "know why I'm nervous (omit the r)? So I don't cry." He was afraid he would be sad....he was really concerned about Evan not being there with him. As ornry as he is, and as tough as he seems, he really is shy....until he warms up that is! When I picked him up he was sitting on the carpet, just as he was supposed to be! His teachers said he did really well. He didn't have a painting like the other kids had. His teacher said he didn't want to paint. He told me in the car that he didn't want to paint "so it would be quicker" Not sure what that means. Either he was playing and didn't want to stop, or he was ready to go home and thought that if he didn't paint I would be there sooner. Who knows. One thing about Isaac is that things are done on his terms and time...not necessarily when you want him to. It was a relief to know that he did well today.

Here are some pictures from the last few days.....

Eli's first time in an outside swing. He laughed and laughed!!

We have this picture from when Ben and I moved in 7 years ago...and now the reason why we are moving out....TOO SMALL!!

Life

So far, things have been going well. The boys are finally starting to feel better. Eli still isn't sleeping very good, but hopefully he will start sleeping through the night soon! He isn't 100% back to normal, but he is getting there. He is starting to be his old smiley self. Evan and Isaac are adjusting well.

Ben and I took Monday off to close on the house. After all the mess with the closing, we are finally done. We have the check in the bank, so there is no looking back. We are starting to get settled in at Bob and Rhonda's. The room is a MESS but I think after another weekend, we should be able to get things more organized. We are ready for life to slow down for a bit. The end of the school year is always crazy, so it may not calm down for a while. It is hard to believe it is the end of April already. Time sure flies....especially when you are having as much fun as we have been having.

Things seem to be going alright with the new house. We are trying to get some land back from the state, so that is kind of tricky and holding things up a bit. We are anxious to get started. It sounds like as soon as we get the state stuff squared away, we can break ground - things are ready as soon as next week. Hopefully the state can pull their end of the deal and move things along. 

It is so fun to think about the future...we try to focus on that when things are really stressful and it feels like we can't handle it. Hopefully this will all be worth it....we sure think it will!

Isaac funny:

On Sunday, Bob and Isaac were going to go to the cemeteries to pick up wreaths from this winter. Isaac was very confused as to what a cemetery was. He started in with his 100 questions.

Isaac:  Where we going, Gampa?

Bob: To the cemetery to pick up wreaths.

Isaac: What's a cemetery?

Bob: It's where you go when you die.

Isaac: Are we going to see dead people? 

Bob: No, you can't see them.

Isaac: (very curious at this point) Are they inbizable? (invisible)

Bob: No. When you die, you are buried under ground.

Isaac: Gampa, do I need my shovel?

What a confusing thing for a 3 year old. Bob said they discussed things for the next 2 hours that they were gone...He is so curious and we try to be as honest as we can. Sometimes the wheels in his brain just turn and turn...and he is very persistent in getting the answers that he needs. 

Isaac has his preschool visit tomorrow. He spends about 2 hours there. I am feeling very anxious about the whole thing. Isaac is so different from Evan. We understand him. I just hope that his teachers understand him too. He can be so stubborn and has a hard time playing with friends. He is such a sweetheart, but sometimes just says things that could get him in trouble...we understand that about him. He is such a handful at times, but yet so lovable! I hope that he enjoys school and starts feeling more like being a "student". He is so stubborn when it comes to writing and letters, he is almost 4 years old and yet, we don't even know if he is right handed or left handed! He just won't hold a pencil for us and the more we want him to, the  more he DOES NOT want to. One thing that we understand about Isaac is that he will do things when ISAAC is ready to do things...not when mom or dad want him to! He is so imaginative and so creative. He is such a unique kid. I hope he does well tomorrow. I just don't see how this is possible that he is already going to preschool! 

So far, so good....I think

So, moving day/weekend has proved to be quite an adventure in itself. Start with

Day 1 - Friday. I get a call from daycare at 3:15....Eli has a temp...it is 104.5! He has been sick since Wednesday, but instead of getting better with antibiotics...he is only getting worse. So, I leave school a few minutes early and go to pick him up. The original plan was to have "movie night" with the boys one last time in our house. Instead, the boys have movie night and Mommy deals with a sick, crabby baby while trying to do the laundry that hasn't been done all week. It is important to get the laundry done because the washer is being moved in the morning.

Day 1 1/2 - Eli decides that tonight is not a good night to sleep in his room for one last time. He did that last night. Instead, he decides that he will spend his last night in bed with Mommy and Daddy...fever and all!

Day 2 - Josh is at our house at 8:00 a.m. The exact time that Ben tells him we are going to start. Poor Josh, instead of moving us at 8:00, he gets to witness the chaos...an hour of me trying to get the boys ready, fed and myself ready...all while Eli has a fever and is crabbier than ever. I take the boys to Clarksville and they get to see their "new" room. It has a pirate ship and a treasure chest...no not really, just a black trunk and a double bed. They are pumped! And jumping off the walls, bed and ceiling. It is going to be a long day for Grandma I'm afraid. Ben, Bob and Josh try to move stuff into Clarksville, all while Isaac is underfoot. Disaster waiting to happen. Day 2 continues into night.....We get the kids to bed finally. I go to check on them at 9...all seems fine. The room smells kind of weird, but I don't see anything out of sorts (in the dark) so I shut the door and go back downstairs. Fast forward 3 hours. Eli is still awake, it is midnight. He is crying and hungry. He can't eat his bottle because he nose is stuffed up. He has a fever. Ben is doing his best to calm him down. I go to check on the boys. This time the room smells really bad when I open the door. Evan sits up in bed and I notice something on his face. He sits up in bed and is mumbling something so I come closer to the bed, just to notice what the smell is. He has thrown up in bed quite some time ago. Apparently he never woke up...it has been a long day. As if that isn't bad enough....Isaac is laying in it. You have got to be kidding me...any thing else ??? I don't know where anything is at so I have to wake up Rhonda for help...

Day 2 1/2 - Eli still can't breath out his nose and decides he will sleep with Mommy and Daddy again.

Day 3 - Moving day. Mom and Dad bring up the truck. Brent and David bring the manpower....It is a LOOOOOOONNNNGGG day of packing and moving.

This truly is the beginning of an adventure. I hope we can remember to enjoy the experience!

Thank you Mom and Dad and Bob and Rhonda and brothers. We couldn't have done this without you....We are so lucky have such great family and so much help with this. I don't know where we would be. Not sure if we can ever repay you.

I can't do this...

Seriously, I don't think I can do this. Not only are we trying to pack up and leave the place we call home, the older boys are orenry as ever and Eli is sick. Today daycare called to tell me that his fever was 104.5!!!! WHAT the heck? He is on antibiotics from when I took him to the doctor the other day. The doctor said there is a virus going around and one of the things is a very high fever. I would guess that is what Eli is fighting. Poor baby, and poor mommy and daddy...

Just have to brag...

We got this email from Evan's kindergarten teacher today....

Hi!

Just had to touch base and tell you what DARLING pictures of Eli!  I'm glad I got to see them.

Evan is just doing his very best each and every day.  He is such a mature, responsible young man!  As a kindergarten teacher, I have become pretty good at guessing birthdays.  Had I not known Evan's is yet to come, I would have labeled him a "fall birthday" because of the maturity I see from him consistently in the classroom.

It is neat to see the reading finally clicking for him!  I'm sure you are noticing progress at home, as well.

I wanted him to take a couple books home to share with you yesterday- but he told me, "No, I want to keep them at school and practice them til they are PERFECT.  Then I'll take them home.

Socially, Evan is also excelling.  The neat thing I see is that even though he has a lot of friends, I see him make the effort to seek out those who need a friend and be theirs.  For example, today, David was NOT having a good day.  Evan said at pick-up time, which was one of the times things weren't going well, "Here, David, Why don't you come help me pick these up?"  He also chose David in a game.(David had been picked last the previous game.)

Evan is a gem!!!!

Two more days...

I can't believe it. We only have two more nights in our home. The home that we brought all three of our babies home from the hospital in...the home that we have made so many memories - first as a family of two, then three, then four and now a family of five. There have been many tears and many moments of uncontrollable laughter, suppers together and movie nights on the living room floor. A home is just a material thing...we get to take all the memories with us, but yet, this is so hard. We know that we will make so many more memories in the place we will call our home in a few months. I don't think the boys really understand, we are never coming back here. They understand we are moving and see that are things are packed up, but I don't think they truly understand. I don't think it has really hit us yet.

There is so much stress right now. There are moments that I can barely stand it...I am on the verge of losing my mind.....We have to pack, Eli is sick, the boys are CRAZY wild, I have to finish up my grad school portfolio so I can graduate and we still have to work full time. I hope that we can make it through this. It has been so hard to not get down about things. We are having some trouble with the land we are trying to buy (long story...the state owns part of it and they are dragging their feet selling it back). Ben and I are both down, and at each others' throats. We are trying to enjoy life, but it is very difficult right now. Hopefully, soon, we can see that it is all worth the stress we are going through.

Update...

It has been a long time since I have been on here. There has been a lot going on lately...

On March 19th, I had surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy. Yep, that's right...pregnancy. Talk about a major SHOCK!! Ben and I were quite shocked when the emergency room doctor told us that. Apparently they do a pregnancy test before doing x-rays at the hospital. We could not believe it, but also knew it was not good. I was have extreme stomach pains. The next day, I went into surgery to remove my left tube. The mass was 8 cm. and the doctor said that I was very lucky that it did not burst. Things are fine now. It was a wave of emotions going from not wanting to be pregnant to finding out something was wrong and battling the guilt of thinking anything different. We are dealing with the loss and we are thankful that things worked out without major complications. We know that the time was not right for us to add a member to our family at this time. I still have a healthy right tube, so if someday we feel brave (or crazy) enough to try to a fourth boy...or a sister, we still should be able to.

We sold our house and are closing on April 21st. We will begin building our new one around that time also and hopefully be done before we go back to school in August. In the meantime, we are putting our belongings in storage and moving in to Clarksville with Ben's folks. It will be a trying time for everyone involved. We are trying to focus on the outcome of all of this and tell ourselves that it will all be worth it! We are excited to have a new home, and know it is time to move on, as we have totally outgrown our little "starter" home. We are all sad to leave. The other night the boys and I were packing up some things in the toy room. Evan's eyes were starting to tear up, and he didn't want me to see him. I asked him what was wrong and he started crying. He said he was sad to leave. That, of course, made me cry. Since I was crying, Isaac started crying because I was sad. Pretty soon, all three of us were in the middle of the toy room crying. It is going to be hard to leave the house that holds so many memories for us. We know that we will have many more great times in our new home.

Isaac funny....
The other night he was going down the stairs and with every stair, he said "Sh*t" I told him he couldn't say that because it was naughty. His response: "Big people can say sh*t so I can say sh*t" I didn't have much of an argument. :)

Eli is 6 months old already. He has quite the personality. He loves to interact with people and it seems as if he tries to communicate with everyone. He loves to make eye contact with you and then laugh! He is so funny. His appointment went well and he survived shots. In fact, he let out one loud yelp when he had his shots and then smiled. The nurses were amazed. He weighed 16 lbs. 5 oz. and was 28 1/2 inches. That was the 25% for weight and the 90% for height. He is not spitting up nearly as much as he was. In fact, we were supposed to have an appointment in Iowa City on the 18th with a specialist but just cancelled because things are going much better with him. He still spits but not nearly as much as before. He is starting to eat solid foods and has decided that he hates peas. He gagged when he ate them! I have never seen a 6th month old gag over food he doesn't like! It was pretty funny.

And here is a picture that Brent made from pictures I had taken. Isn't it ~AWESOME~