Festive weekend

We had a great weekend, doing some fun events in our town and in the big city!  Friday night we headed downtown to check out the Christmas walk and tree lighting in our new town.  We had pizza with some friends first and then checked out the parade, live nativity, first candy cane of Christmas to the mayor, and the tree lighting.  The Ellen show featured this event a few years ago.  It was so fun to experience it for the first time ourselves.  Hoping for many more years of celebrations here!  ;)

Justin's dad and stepmom arrived Friday night to check out our new digs.  On Saturday, we packed up the crew and took the train to Chicago for more Christmas festivities.  As soon as we sat down on the train, my mind was flooded with memories.  This was MY family's tradition every year that I can remember.  We would ride the train downtown, see the windows at Marshall Field's, shop, eat at the Walnut Room, and make sure to stock up on Frango mints.  It was pretty exciting to be doing the same thing with my own family many years later.

The girls have been asking to ride the train since we moved here.  So exciting to finally do it!

Our first stop was Macy's Marshall Fields.  

Chicago sign and historic clock!

Chicago at Christmastime is so much fun.  I love that our kids will know that same excitement.   P.S.  When did Claire get so big?!  

The girls loved hearing and seeing the story the windows told!

We headed to Millenium Park after deciding a 3 hour wait at the Walnut Room just wasn't going to cut it.  Maybe next year! :)

Checking out the bean!  Justin's parents had never been to Chicago so it was fun showing them around.

Stop for popcorn!

Sometimes I still can't believe we live in IL again.  There are pretty awesome things about it and also some pretty hard things about it.  But, this weekend definitely did our family good and sharing this tradition with our kids was really special.

Therapy + Settling in

A couple mornings a week, while Emma and Claire are both at school, it's just me and this little man. It's been fun to have some extra quiet!  Char's been going to physical therapy for his curvy spine for the last few weeks.  It has been fascinating to hear what the therapist noticed within minutes of watching him play... he definitely favors using one side and has stronger muscles on that side.  We've been working on exercise (mostly directing his playing) to strengthen the other side.  The great news is that she believes he has what she calls a functional scoliosis, meaning it's totally muscle based and can be corrected with therapy.  She is confident he won't need any type of treatment other than physical therapy.  Yay for that!

Helping mama with some laundry!

Charlie Brown

In other news, we are starting to settle into a daily routine and figure out pick up, drop off, naps, etc..  It feels good to have a better idea of what each day will look like.  Thankful because routine = sanity!

We are also pounding out home projects like it's our job.  In the time we've been here, in addition to unpacking (the WORST), we've painted 2 rooms, completely re-done the half bathroom, installed a new kitchen faucet and light fixtures, painted trim, replaced a door way between our sunroom and family room, cut down trees, and painted a few doors & put new hardware on.  And the kiddos and I are heading to my parents' for the weekend so Justin can get more stuff done.  The list really is overwhelming... paint stairs, paint sunroom, paint dining room, paint kitchen cabinets, rip out some ugly bushes, add shelving in laundry room... and I haven't even ventured upstairs yet!  Good thing we like projects.  ;)  And by we, I mean Justin.  :)

Anyway, that's an update on life around these parts!    

Is there a normal out there?

Balance is such a tricky thing to achieve.  Lately, I've been straight up struggling failing to find balance.  Routine.  Normal.  Even a new normal.  Is it even out there?  I'm beginning to wonder.

We've been in our new house/town/state for six weeks.  We hit the ground running as soon as we landed here.  Doctor appointments, registering for school, unpacking, house projects, new job...it's been exhausting!  Then Claire and Emma both started new schools.  We're trying new churches, meeting new friends, experiencing new things...it's overwhelming to me, to our marriage, to the kids, to our family.  Charlie's nap schedule has been sorely messed up, Claire and Emma have been exhausted and resisting new experiences, Justin and I have not had much opportunity to connect.  Uhhh... I'm tired just blogging about it.

I'm fearful that this is just life with three kids... with two in school... with a baby..  and that it won't ever change or improve.  I'm worried that I'll never open my bible again, connect deeply with friends, or feel caught up.  I'm scared that we won't find a place to feel challenged, friends who will call us out, or people to invite into our mess.

But...even as I sit here, overwhelmed in every single way possible, I'm reminded that the Lord is faithful.  He will continue to write our story for His glory and (please, Lord?) provide life-giving friendships, deep connections, routine, and hopefully some consistency for awhile.

It's not like we've never been in this situation before.  God has brought us through similar valleys and has proven Himself faithful. This move has really just done us in.  Three moves in three years... with two and now three children.  It's just too much.  I can't do it again.  I'm begging the Lord for some quiet years to refresh.  I'm so dry and so empty and so.stinkin.tired.

Who has some encouragement for this exhausted, nomadic family of five?  We need it, peeps.

Home

For the past 14 years, my concept of 'home' has been very vague.  I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but days after I graduated from high school, my parents moved to Iowa for my dad's job.  My siblings both eventually moved out of Illinois (my brother's family is back here now though) and my grandparents have passed away.  So I have never come back to the area as home.  And it hasn't every really felt like home again.

My parents' house in Iowa doesn't exactly feel like home either, since I never lived there expect for a few weeks in college each summer.  And then Justin and I have taken on moving like it's our job, so we've never really established a true home together, either.  It's a weird feeling.  Sometimes it bothers me because I never know how to answer the question, "Where are you from?"  My answer usually is, "How much time do you have?  Want the short or long version?"  In other ways, it's totally okay with me.  After all, I've learned to adapt to lots of new situations, experienced living in many places, and have friends all over the country to go visit!  Plus, how many of you can call your kids 'y'all' in your Chicago accent (which you swear you don't have!), define toboggan, identify cheesy grits, know where to get the best Chicago style pizza, can name all of the exits on Georgia 400 without numbers, and know whether to describe the distance from one location to another in minutes or miles??  Life skills I've picked up along the journey, people!

When we found out we were moving back to Chicagoland, I had mixed feelings.  I was excited, since it was going to be so.much.closer to family.  But it also felt weird to me to be coming back to the area where I grew up.  When we shared the news on Facebook, many people responded with, "Congrats, and welcome home!!"  That was SO weird to me.  Chicago definitely did NOT feel like my home.  Aside from one year after graduating from college, I haven't lived here since I was 18.  And I can count the number of times I've visited on two hands.  Not.home.  But, some weird things have happened during this first week as an IL resident.

First weird thing:  I ran into someone I knew from college at the grocery store.
Second weird thing:  my brother came over for dinner on a random weeknight.
Third weird thing:  I went to a friend from high school's baby shower.

Those are things that happen to people who live near home.  They run into people they know, have family over on a whim, and see old friends they've known since fifth grade.

I have to say, I am super surprised by this, but I am feeling just a tiny bit like I'm back home.          

On the move

I can't believe we are busy unpacking...for the third year in a row.  But, here we are!  Slowly but surely getting settled.

We said 'goodbye' and a massive 'THANK YOU' to my parents on Monday morning and headed east!  I can't believe they put up with us for two months... they were so gracious!  We're going to miss seeing them everyday.  Good thing we are only a few hours apart now.    

After a smooth closing, we finally got to drive to our new home!  

New house family selfie!

The kids wasted no time getting their bikes out and playing at the park... which happens to be right behind our house!  Score.

I hope to never see one of these trucks again for a very.very.long.time.  Have I mentioned how NOT FUN moving is??

We found this waiting for us in the refrigerator from the sellers!  

The movers were an hour and a half late, but by midnight, every last box was finally unloaded and Justin and I got to enjoy a celebratory beverage before falling into bed!

Ugh.. moving!

A friend took the kids for the day on Wednesday so I could unpack and my parents arrived on Thursday for some more reinforcement.  We have accomplished a lot and I'm starting to feel a little less scattered.

Hoping to stay put for awhile now!  Come visit, friends!

Update on life in IA!

I'm a totally lame blogger right now.  I don't know what it is lately (I'll blame it on our homelessness) but I just can't get back into the groove right now.  Instead I'll leave you with some pictures of what we've been up to over the last few weeks.

The kiddos had a super fun week of VBS with some friends.

Charlie's been his usual super chill self.

We've played a little soccer.

We love the free splash pads all over town.

We're soaking up fun times with our cuzzies!

Savoring this summer before we send C Bear off to KINDERGARTEN.  

Lego building with Grammy!

So fun spotting Herky all over the place in Iowa City!  (The first time we saw one, Emma exclaimed, "Look Mom!  Turkey!")

We love free fun!

and free face painting!

We are staying busy, reenergizing with time with family and friends, looking forward to our new house, missing our GA friends, and enjoying our last two weeks here.  Then we're headed to what is rumored to be the best family camp around.  (Each family is assigned a high school helper to help with your kids for the entire week.  I hear it's amazing!  You should all come with us next year.)  And then it'll be time to move in!  That's all for now!   

Hello Iowa!

We are officially moved into my parents' house (no big deal.. just five extra people in your house for a couple of months..)  ;)

We've caught up with cousins, friends, grandparents.  We've taken a trip to Chicago.  We looked at 20 houses. We found a house, made an offer, and now we have a contract.  We close July 28th.  Whirl.wind.  Now that the major hurdle of finding a house is done, we are hoping to enjoy our time in Iowa, see lots of old friends, soak up time with family, and just relax before life gets crazy again.

Charlie got to meet his big boy cousins!

Sister + Char Char sandwich

Claire Bear and Leemo had no trouble catching up

Emma and Nora 

Char Char meeting Molly

Sooo fun getting time with our besties

Fun at the farmers market

Making gummy bear popsicles with Grammy

The girls are doing a princess dance camp this week

 Looking forward to catching up with more friends and family in the coming weeks.  Feels good to be home.

Goodbye ATL

We officially said goodbye to Atlanta last week.  The goodbye was so bittersweet.

It was a super busy and stressful week sprinkled with some sweet times with good friends.  I am so thankful for the years spent in Atlanta.

The girls just loved our neighbor Mira.  She will be so missed.  Look at the adorable dresses she bought them as a goodbye gift!

Sweet community group friends.  They hosted a goodbye cookout for us.. so great getting a chance to reflect on our time together over the last year.

Loading the truck.  Thankful for friends who helped with that DREADFUL task.

Last breakfast in our house!  And yep, it's McDonalds.  ;)  Don't judge...  gotta do what you gotta do.

All loaded and ready to be picked up and taken to IL!

Our last dinner in GA was spent with our neighbors.  I'm going to miss Katie and her family so much.  BUT, we have big plans... see you in Michigan for couples' weekend, Katie! :)

We spent many hours over the last year wrangling these kiddos and doing our best to chat over the chaos. 

Goodbye sweet home.

Closing on the house. Crazy fun story.. these are friends from our church and we are thrilled that they are the ones who bought our house.  

On the road!  

After a stop in Nashville, we made it to Iowa where we'll be staying with my parents' until we find a home.  Justin, Charlie, and I are currently in Chicago land, looking at homes and hoping to find and put in an offer on a house this week.

What a whirlwind!  Still kind of can't believe this is all happening.  Thankful God writes these stories... if it was up to us, I really believe our stories would be so much less rich and lacking the lessons He wants to teach us.