no pics

Geof uses my camera for his job-all day long. He tells me I can use it at night. What? I take pics throughout the day, like this morning- when Dayne and June were as happy as clams riding their bikes on our street after we dropped Cole off from school. Do you know how GREAT it is to have a street to ride our bikes on?(no offense Gma and Gpa, yours was a hill) And to have the sun out every day since we've been here..we've love Richmond weather. I miss my camera. Maybe I'll be a sneaky wife and find a good deal on ebay and buy it without telling Geof. Or, maybe not. Geof. wouldn't think that was funny or cute, no matter how HOT I try to look when he gets home from work (or how nice the meal is). We'll just have to wait and see how this job goes and if he feels sorry enough for me and the fact that I can't snap pics for the blog. For any of you who know Geof., this won't happen-EVER.
The house is coming together, though. So happy, am I! (yoda?). I've put the remaining boxes in the play room and shut the door and it's as if the house is done. So nice. Our friends out here are sooo great. Have I mentioned that before? We have a great kitchen table, an awesome comfy chair with ottoman, a BED! All thanks to them...AND, an offer to help me paint my house! I can't wait. Not that I'm excited to have to move all my furniture around, but it'll be nice to have some color on the walls rather than the colorless (really, there IS no name for what's goin' on) we're dealing with right now.
And Cole's school? So great! The first day I went to pick him up, everyone was so friendly and he already has a playdate set up for today. And I can NOT wait for the pool to open. Now, if I can just read back through this post, and many others I've typed up, and remember how blessed I am, than happy I'll be, forever.

a few promised pics

I talked to my mom and sister today and they insisted I post some pics of the place. I did get an outside pic- nothing too exciting. just an old, brick rancher. Much like some of the places we lived in Provo. The other pics are of our last day in Battle Ground. Geof.'s little bro Brind met us at the park and played away with the kids. They LOVED it! We'll miss you Uncle Brind! I also posted a pic of Cole's most favorite thing about this house-the attic. He's obsessed! He calls it his secret hiding place, of course, and wants Geof. to pull the stairs down every chance he gets. The top 2 pics are of my most recent Goodwill finds. The pictures don't even do them justice, though! The couch is probably at least 50 years old and in brand NEW condition. I'm serious. Geof. even agrees that it's pretty cool. It was made by some high quality furniture manufacturer in North Carolina. Isn't NC known for its furniture...or am I wrong? And the chair is nice and sturdy and I might sand and paint the wood. It'll look fantastic!! Any ideas on what would look good with the gold couch? I have my ideas...

va

We made it to Richmond!! We left Monday night at 10:15 pm, the kids slept about 2 hrs. (I slept a good 45 min.) of that 4 1/2 hr. flight to Atlanta. When we landed, I kind of just sat there. "What do I do?? I have three sleeping kids, a huge double jogging stroller, and 4 bags to try to haul off of here." To my relief came a nice gentlemen to help me with my stroller while another mom stayed with my sleeping kids. They were awake after that and we managed to get to Richmond safely (and thankfully we snagged a 3 1/2 hr. nap shortly after arrived). I love the house. 1500+ sq. footage is more than I've ever had and I can't be happier. Of course, with a home being as old as this one (I think it was built sometime in the 50s), there's a lot of dirt to clean up after...I don't mind MY dirt, but other people's? I'll post pics soon. I've been on a cleaning/unpacking frenzy, had a little meltdown last night.., and should be okay now that I found a fabulous couch and chair at Goodwill and the house is finally feeling like we can LIVE in it. Yippee!! Congrats to my brother in law Adam and sil Mindi for their new little one, Ruby!! Cutest name ever!

Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day. In honor of the day and my geographical location I will post a poem by Edgar Allen Poe former resident of Richmond.

Because I feel that, in the Heavens above,
The angels, whispering to one another,
Can find, among their burning terms of love,
None so devotional as that of "Mother,"
Therefore by that dear name I long have called you.... -(the rest of the poem doesn't apply at this time.)


Though this poem was to his dead wife's mother it still I feel conveys the feelings I have. Those being that Darla is a fantastic mother. One who makes me and the children feel that we always have a home. When I told my dad that I was engaged he asked me what we were going to do. Seeing as we were young with no schooling and no plan. I told him that it did not matter because I was with Darla. As long as I'm with her I'm happy because she's fun to be with. He told me he could not argue with that. Well I stand by that statement made years ago. Darla has made life fun. Though we still don't necessarily have a plan I always enjoy my time with Darla. I am grateful for the way she raises the children, and helps them cope with their troubles. Thank you for putting up with four whiny and high maintenance children. Have a great day.

To you Mothers out there..

Happy Mothers Day to my mom, Beth, my grandma, Millie, my mother in law, Le Anne, and my auntie Renee (who's been a mom to me while living here in Washington). All I can say is it's a MIRACLE you survived it (mothering, I mean). (;

"The Dayne", as Geof. so lovingly refers to her..

Sideways again.., dang it! Sorry! Dayne has the cutest raspy voice in this video. Didn't even realize it until after I watched it. And the song she sings at the end, anyone recognize it?
think, Oklahoma..

spring

Last week we went to a nearby Tulip Festival. It was mostly rainy, but still beautiful. The kids LOVE being with their WA cousins.




We leave Monday night for Richmond. We're flying red eye! Lots cheaper that way..wish me luck. }; Geof. found a home in a good area (a rental)..so we're excited. The kids are very anxious to see Daddy.