What, Where, When?

We'll be moving after 5 good years in Tennessee. I'm excited for the move, but it is such a weird feeling not knowing what my husband's new job will be (cross-training), where we will be moving or when.

Even though we don't have a set time-frame, I'm working on decluttering and reorganizing the house, so that when we do have to put it up for sale, it'll be (more) ready to show.

Something I've realized about the kids' toys: they just empty the toy boxes (esp. J) for no reason and make huge messes on the floor. It is super annoying to have to pick up block upon block and lego upon lego. It's even more annoying to train and supervise the kids to do it! The worst part is that they don't even play with the blocks or legos. They just use them to make messes! If the toys were being used in a creative fashion in play, then the messes would be tolerated and training the kids to pick them up would be less annoying. But since they are not used, I find no reason why not to store them in a bin when not in use. That way, if the kids want to make messes, at least it will be with toys they play with!!! I've already stored away the puzzles (pieces, pieces, everywhere!) and books that are for when they are older.

I will still get the blocks/legos or puzzles out when we all want to play with them and then I'll make sure we all help clean up. But for unsupervised play, they'll be out of sight, out of mind.

In this way, I'm decluttering/reorganizing and I'm saving a wee bit of sanity (which will be sorely needed coming moving time, I'm sure!)

Back to thoughts on the move: I've begun to think about not only the how's and what's of moving, but also about closure. My friendships will change, not end, necessarily, just change; I've seen this already with friends who've moved before us. I want to take time with my friends to think through what we've experienced together, what we've learned from one another, etc.

Also, I want to remember all the events that took place while here and consider the significance of each. Where does this time in Tennnessee fit in the timeline of my life?

What was God teaching me through these times? Did I learn? Did I grow? How?

Closure not only includes considering the past, but also looking forward to the future. What do I expect things to be like in our new place? What are my goals? Have they changed at all?

I don't think closure is a process that ends when we leave Tennessee; I think it continues for a while (it took me a few years to make closure on our time in Korea)...but it all starts now.

Exciting, huh?

V is Three

This was the first kid birthday we didn't celebrate with a huge party with five thousand of our best friends. I had a baby shower to help coordinate and attend 4 days after getting back from NY. V's birthday was 2 days later. So, no party. But it was a precious family time, for sure.

V was tickled pink by her birthday cupcakes with sprinkles!!! She also enjoyed the strawberries we bought at the commissary earlier that evening.

The whole evening was relaxed and fun. Is there any kind of evening that can't be bettered by family, chocolate cupcakes, and a video camera?

V received a Peter Rabbit book, which I got on clearance; a Disney princess camera that had those little movie still frames (or whatever you call them) when you looked in it, which I got for free from a friend having a yard sale; and an aquarium purse, with wee sea creatures inside, which we bought at the aquarium in South Carolina.

She was pleased as punch with her three little gifts and carried them everywhere for the next week. It's amazing how happy children are, even (especially?) in the absence of excess.

V, my firstborn girl, my drama queen...articulate, surprisingly gentle and kind (at unexpected times), a beautiful little girl.

I'm so thankful for her!

Christmas in Northern New York

Highlights of Christmas

(I believe they are okay to recount until the end of January; after that, I would've missed the boat.)

1. V called my mom "my mom" or "mom-mom". This is because I told her that grandma is my mom. It was the cutest thing ever!






2. H learned to navigate stairs and it was (of course) very difficult to keep her away from them. (We don't have stairs in our house.) Also, she was intensely interested in the cats and would pursue them even after being swiped by them.







3. J loves to go to Grandma's house because she makes waffles with butter. He also likes her home-made bread with butter. Any complex carb with butter is appreciated, in fact!!!



(No pic, bummer!)


4. We had a visit by my dear friend and her hubby. I call her Master Chef because she directed all us sous-chefs in making a delicious Korean meal. More friends from our time in Korea joined us for the meal.





5. My sis and her boyfriend came to visit, too! He made an absolutely delightful buche de noel. We used it as a birthday cake for Grandma, V, and Grandpa, all with January birthdays!





6. and, of course, there was the playing in snow!!!






7. Then there was the flight back home with the girls...another story completely...ha!!!



Hope your Christmasses were just as bright!!!