New Experiences in a New City...

While glancing through my blog, I realized it has been awhile since I have written a general update with pictures...sorry! While you may have better things to do, the mother in me chooses to think that pictures of my kid are worth your time. So, here goes.....

We've been in Kentucky for about 3 to 4 weeks. In one way it seems like we have been here longer than that, but in another way it shocked me to realize it has been that long. Johanna has adjusted well. She still gets confused sometimes and things we can just go see people who live up in Wooster, but for the most part she just says, "Wooster is far far away mommy." She still talks about her old house, but she really likes her new house. I think she really likes her new room. She never has any trouble adjusting to sleeping here (Thank God). Moving has taken it's tole on me, but I am recovering (I know most of you have been there). We are heading back up to Wooster for Thanksgiving week. Jo and I are heading up early to finish up work at the old house.

One of the great things about Lexington is that it has a lot more activities and things to do since it is a bigger city. Our first weekend here we went with my friend E an her daughter A to an early learners book club. It was very well done with activities, crafts, good stories, snacks and each child got to take one of the books they read home with them. It was kind of like an extended story-time from Wooster (with snacks!). We have had fun discovering new restaurants, and getting to hang out with great friends we normally don't get to see very often!

Firsts for Johanna:

My friend E and I took our girls to the ballet for the first time! It was so cute! It was 75 minutes which made me a little nervous, but it was very colorful and kid friendly. We had fun getting ready together. We played beauty parlor- did nails and hair. I LOVE having a girl who loves that stuff and still enjoys playing in the mud.....that's my kinda girl!

This was taken right after we got ready. Not sure what that face is, but she likes to make strange faces for pictures. Awesome.

Love those blue eyes (and my blue hair!!)

All ready in her nice coat!

The girls getting ready for the show to start at the Opera House. When it stated they both went "woooooooooow!" So worth it!

Last weekend my mom came down to visit for the weekend. It was GREAT. I got to take her to some of my favorite places, and Jo loved having her Gagi around. While my mom was here, we took Jo (only with two other friends and their 4 kids!) to see Aladdin back at the Opera House. This was her first play. The performance was great. Jo did pretty well. She had a few moments toward the end of the show when she wanted to go home because I remembered to bring her a snack, but I forgot her cup (mom of the year here). All the other kids were drinking and Jo just gobbled her PB crackers and then didn't have a drink. I felt bad. Oh well, it helped her build character.

The kids waiting for the show to start.

Jo and I at the show.

Just a pic I wanted to add. This was taken in October at my Grandpa's Birthday Party in Michigan.

That is just a small snapshot of what we have been doing since we left good ol' Wooster, Ohio. I wish I had time to write more, but I am off to a play-date at a local pottery place. Pictures to come!

Spirit of the Season

We will pause from our regularly scheduled blogging of complaints and frustration for this important announcement:

I cannot believe that it is almost the middle of November. This is my absolute favorite time of year for so many reasons.

1) LOVE the weather! It was warm today (mid 70's) but beautiful. Jo got to play with friends in the leaves all afternoon....one of the greatest joys of being a kid!

2) Thanksgiving is one of my two favorite holidays (bet you'd never guess the other). Even though my life has plenty of challenges (that you hear all about on this blog), I have MUCH to be thankful for. I am very blessed. Plus, I make a really mean pumpkin pie.

3) I LOVE shopping on Black Friday. It was a family tradition growing up. I have a lot of fond memories with my family going out in the middle of the night to get in line. We would always celebrate our savings (and survival) over breakfast. The beauty of black Friday is that you can get all your Christmas shopping done by 8 a.m.!! Did I mention that it's AWESOME!

4) I love fall food. You might ask, "What is fall food?" I am talking fall veggies like butternut and acorn squash. I especially love that it starts feeling like "soup weather." I love me a good soup. My dad's recipe for butternut squash soup is the best. Yummo! I think I know one of the things I am making for dinner next week.

5) It is the beginning of a really fun (and crazy busy) time of year. I especially love watching Jo celebrate the holidays (minus the bratty consumer moments). Children can have such beautiful hearts. Plus, tis the season for baking, and we all know how I feel about that :-)

6) I heart coffee everyday of the year. However, it seems especially enjoyable to me on a crisp fall day...sitting outside in my jammies enjoying the crisp cool air and a hot steamy cup-o-joe. Ahhhhh....

Those are just a few of the reasons why I really cherish this time of year.

I am sure we will return to the regular scheduled programming soon ;-)

I'm back....sort of

I would like to welcome myself back to the world of blogging. I am sure that my absence was more painful for me than anyone else! I always forget how much blogging helps me process and deal with different areas in my life. Plus, this is WAY cheaper than seeing my shrink every day.

I am officially a Kentuckian. The move that got in put in motion over 8 months ago has finally happened. I still haven't sold the house up in Wooster, and I am thinking of renting it. A decision will have to be made within the next few weeks.

For those of you who know me well (I apologize in advance), you know that I do not do well when I feel like things are out of control. So, moving isn't exactly a picnic for me. I should be a pro by now with this being our ninth move. I will say that I am a pretty darn good packer. The house got packed up in 3 days (minus Jo). We drove down and unloaded on Friday (the 22nd), and I was unpacked by Tuesday night. So, I think you can safely assume how I spent most of my time in between. A big thank you to everyone who helped me during this process :-)

I did get out for some fun. I took Jo to an Early Learners Book Club on Sat. morning with my friend Erin and her daughter Annabelle. Then, I had lunch at a great place called Doodles with Erika and her three kiddos. Johanna loves having so many built-in playmates down here already!

I headed back up to Wooster on Wednesday to pack up a few little last minute things in our old basement and organize the storage unit. Plus, we had tickets to two football games over the weekend. I had a blast getting to visit some great people who I miss dearly already. We returned to KY last night. I am ready to do a whole lot of NOTHING. Unfortunately, there is a bathroom to be painted and some new boxes to unpack. I have three letters for you- UGH.

I am glad to be back. I don't feel like myself yet. I don't normally complain. However, a new top ten list might help me feel better. I'm a little grumpy, so this is your warning that it might not be suitable for children or adults who don't get sarcasm.

Top Ten Things for me To $itch about:

1. Moving- need I say more

2. I'm sick- could be from Jo....or the half tub of cookie dough I ate last night.

3. My hair has been a real pain in the butt- I blame this on the change of weather and water, but it still sucks.

4. I'm tired- thank God the coffee pot got unpacked last week.

5. I miss people- nothing nice to put next to this

6. I need to shower and my bathroom got torn apart while I was gone....and not finished.

7. I reiterate everything that goes with #1

8. I feel a headache coming on, and I am out of Migraine medicine....and I don't have a doctor here yet.

9. My house is a mess

10. I don't feel like doing anything and that stresses me out.

So, sorry I am not my usual chipper self. But, sometimes life stinks (in which case you should read this). Cuteness to come- Johanna was the most adorable bumble bee for Halloween! I am going to go unpack my boots.....for some reason that makes me happy :-)