It seems like only yesterday

We finally have an internet connection at the new house!

And I am feeling so overwhelmed thinking of updating on the past month and a half. Let's do the quick version. After selling the house, the kids and I moved into a hotel for 2 weeks while Keith worked in Arkansas. We took a 4-day weekend trip home to look at houses mid-February, and found one we liked. Our offer was accepted, and we closed on March 5. My last official day of work was March 2. We've been in the new house now for a couple of weeks, and we absolutely love it. We love this town (or village, as it were). We love the house, the neighborhood, pretty much everything. And I could not be happier staying at home with the kids.

One of the biggest changes I've seen since being here is in Ari. He's still our wild child, no doubt about that, but I think I was really underestimating how unhappy he was at school in Tennessee. He was kind of freaked out, I'm sure, by living in an empty house, Daddy in another state, then moving into a hotel. And he was not happy at school. All of these changes were making him unbearable - he was always in trouble, at home, at school. But he just seems like a different child now. He is so loving, and he tells me several times a day, "I love you, Mommy. I love everybody!" I am so glad to be here with him, right now.

Owen is also enjoying being home. He is so fun to hang out with. He is smart as can be. He and I have discussed sending him to kindergarten, and we both agree that we want to homeschool. I can't imagine sending him away all day right now, just as he's really coming into his own, so interesting to be around. I would miss him! I think we've pretty much made the decision to keep him home, and while I'm overwhelmed at the moment, I'm also excited. I can't wait to start organizing!

Eva is also doing quite well being home with me all the time. She adjusted beautifully to the new house. The biggest change for her, besides a parade of new people, is that we've taken away her binky. This is new, just a few days old, but it has been a very difficult struggle for her. She will not nap, just screams, and screams at bedtime. She used to go down with absolutely no struggle. But we are staying strong, and helping her through - she did much better tonight than last night. She is working hard to say new words, and she is navigating the stairs, both up and down, all alone.

Some things I've done since staying home that I never did in Nashville: mopped the floor, baked bread or homemade dessert almost every day, park and/or library almost every day. I love the domesticity of it all! And I love being with the kids more. Granted, I'm not with them every second of the day - they play downstairs a lot while I cook or clean or fold laundry upstairs. But we are together so much more than before, and we are all happier.

Not to even mention how much I am enjoying our church, my best friend, and my family being nearby. I get so happy whenever we hang out with the Yus - watching their girls is really a joy for me. It's pretty incredible how special your best friends' kids are.

So that's the update. We're absolutely in love with this area and our house. We are (mostly) enjoying each other's company. My kids are getting along, eating healthier, and sleeping great, and seeing them thrive is most important to me. Owen even asked me to find him a soccer team to play on, and I know that's something special! He must be feeling really secure and confident, because he would have never asked me that before.

Now that I have an internet connection, I will try to post more regularly. I enjoyed the break, but it's time to get back on the wagon. And, the best news is that I don't have to post from work anymore! I am officially retired! And LO IT WAS A HAPPY DAY.