settling in

Apparently, moving is tiring for the whole family.  Ned fell asleep on our office chair on Saturday afternoon - it doesn't look very comfortable to me, but he seemed happy there.  We're settling into our new place, still swimming in a sea of boxes, but starting to make our way out of the mess.  I did have a couple "What have I done?" moments after we moved in.  The toilets and faucets and lights are all working now and hopefully I won't have anymore.  I also had not realized how dirty the "new" place was or had assumed that it would be cleaned before we moved in, but it wasn't and we have had to do a lot of cleaning and still have quite a bit more to do (anyone know an easy way to clean linoleum that has dirt stuck in all of its little divots?).  I'm hoping that by the end of this week I'll be ready to start on some of my projects and re-open my store.

I never got around to another post before the move because the boys are having a harder time adjusting than I anticipated.  The other times we have moved, they were both very young and it didn't really seem to phase them.  Their anxiety started about a week before we actually moved as they saw everything going into boxes and has just started to ease up.  Ned especially has reacted by clinging to his blankie that he had finally given up except for bedtime, asking for his binky (which he has been denied), and needing lots of extra patience.  I'm glad Peter has a few months to adjust to being here before he has to go to a new school too. 

Here are the things we are loving about the new place:
    -waking up to chirping birds and hearing them all day long.  I don't think I ever mentioned that our last place was right next to the freeway - no birds there!  I'll never live next to the freeway again.
    -the yard. The boys are constantly asking to go outside and loving every minute of it out there.  Even Ryan was surprised by how much he enjoyed mowing the lawn with our new electric mower.  We keep saying, "You get the smell of grass, without the gas!"  I have planted our vegetables that we started a little while back and I hope to get a few more this week.
    -our new ward at church.  Everyone has been super friendly, warm, and helpful. 
    -watching the price of gas go up and not having a heart attack.  Ryan just had to pump up the tires on his bike (that he hadn't rode for 2.5 years) and it was ready to go for the 1 mile ride to work.  Hooray for that!

Comments

[Beth]

Moving *is* stressful but it seems like you are looking at the bright side!

[Cayenne]

A one mile commute on a bike? That is heaven! I have been thinking about you a lot, wondering how you are doing. I hope the boys calm down and settle in quickly. I am so happy for you--the birds, the yard, no more freeway noise, even the paneling. =)

[Karen]

I'm excited for you guys!
Call when you are coming this way. And I'll have to plan a trip out your way.

[Sarah]

Sometimes a magic eraser will clean that lino. But, more often than not, I can never get it clean again.

[angela]

Yeah magic eraser is what came to my mind. Good luck recovering with the move. The boys will adapt. It will feel like two steps forward and one step back for a while but you'll find ways to help them cope and feel secure. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

[Missy]

So glad you guys are starting to settle in. I've been waiting for a post to hear how you're doing. Our rental was SO filthy when we moved in too, but I was lucky and had my mom come help for a day or two. It grosses me out that people can just live like that.
Good luck with everything. That yard will be great especially this summer!

[Emily]

Ditto on the magic eraser. Glad you guys are getting settled. I'm sure the boys will adjust soon.. it's hard for everyone when you move.

[Machelle]

I buy this stuff at family dollar called oxy something. It comes in a tub. One scoop with water and one cup of bleach. It foams up and then just wipes things really easy. It will leave a little dust film which isnt bad and then just mop again with clear water. No scrubbing needed. I love that stuff and it's great for white socks too. (my neighbor told me her grandma does this) It really works.Im glad your new ward is nice. It should be that way!!!

[Phoebe]

I'm glad it was a good move!

[heidi]

i am so glad you guys are settling in. i've been out of the blog thing for awhile. it has been great reading and seeing what you have been up to!

[julia]

cutest picture ever!!!

[Lani]

Oh, Ned is so cute! That stinks though that the place wasn't clean--I would have had a meltdown! It sounds like you are doing really well though and I'm glad you like your new place. I hope the boys settle in soon! We moved when Forrest was about 2 1/2 and the night after we hauled everything into the new place he said in a wavering voice, "Mom, I want to go home now." Broke my heart! So I totally understand. The yard is sure to help :)

[Mary]

More Magic Eraser love. But be aware that it is a microabrasive sponge so it can take off any shiny coating on the flooring.

And I love the playroom! You did such a great job with it. I'm sure the rest of the house will come together as nicely, too.