It's not nearly as much fun

I FINALLY was able to spend the afternoon taking down our Christmas tree and other decorations. Because it causes me to live in chaos, I prefer to wait until I can do it all in one day as opposed to taking a little bit of time here and there. This was the first day I'd really had that opportunity. I'll be honest, I'm exhausted. I also remember, it isn't nearly as much fun to take down all of the decorations as it is to put them up! When I put them up, everyone is anxiously hovering and wanting to help. When I take them down, there is no one around! It's not fun boxing up all the fun memories for another year, but I'm so grateful for the memories!

Where is the snow?

In spite of my new penguin header (I love that there are three of them, just like our house!), there has been no snow here this year. We've had a dusting, and last Monday, the kids' first day back, there was even about an inch. But mostly, we've had temps in the upper 40's and into the 50's. The last two days have been beautiful spring days because there has been no rain, but I still wish we could have some snow! This time last year, we were about to have our 3rd snow day tomorrow, but nothing at all this year. My heating bill appreciates the mild temperatures, but I think everyone would enjoy a snow day!!!!!

????????

The question marks as my title are because I don't even really know what to write about, let alone what to title this post! Life is moving along pretty routinely again, although my wonderful husband still doesn't actually go back to work until Thursday. Otherwise, everything is pretty standard and normal here, and that's the way I like it!!!!

Along with the new year...

...comes our new (to us) vehicle! I had literally dreaded this experience. I knew that the smartest and most practical vehicle for us was a minivan, and I just didn't want another one. I'd had my old one for almost seven years, and had just tired of the whole thing. Yesterday I begrudgingly set out with my husband for a day of car shopping. The first place had nothing, the second place had little more than that. The third place had some good deals, but I still didn't want a minivan. We first test drove a 2008 Honda Pilot. Now I absolutely love the Pilots, but I love the current body style, not the old one. I was excited that it was in our price range, although the cargo space wasn't really what I had hoped for, I didn't love the fact that one of the children had to climb over the middle seat to get to the back, and it had more mileage than I really had hoped. But, it wasn't a minivan and I was excited about that. I told my husband at the end of the test drive that we should probably check out the minivans just because that was what we had planned to do, and just to be certain I really wanted the Pilot. The salesman brought us a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country, and I was in love!!!! I honestly did not think it was possible to get excited about another minivan, but I definitely was! I loved the fact that it was black, I loved the fact that it had more storage/cargo room than I could even dream about, and I loved the fact that it had only 31,000 miles on it! My husband managed to work out the deal and we are now the proud owners. I'm so very grateful that is all done!

New normal for a couple of weeks

We are experiencing a very strange and new "normal" around here this week and next. Although I hadn't expected to work much, so far I've worked two out of three days this week. And my wonderful husband and I thought we would have a new van purchased by now, but needless to say we haven't even been out yet. My husband has been holding down the homefront, and we are just somewhat having trouble adjusting to our "roles" for the next week or so. I do very much appreciate the fact that he is home, and that dinner is cooking by the time I walk in the door. It's a little tough that he doesn't make anything I like to eat, but beggars can't be choosers! He's even been helping out with other household chores, and life is just a little bit easier than it is normally when I have to work. I'm very grateful he's being so helpful!

Back to the routine

It was with heavy eye lids that everyone headed back to school today. It's a little weird having my husband at home, and I'm pretty sure just about the time that I get accustomed to it will be when it's time for him to go back. Everyone was in bed at a completely reasonable time last night, reverting back to bedtimes even a little earlier than normal. But, wake ups were just a little too early this morning for them, and JR in particular is a bit cranky and whiny. I had hoped and prayed for a snow storm that would give us an extra day of break, but it wasn't to be. We have a dusting of snow and nothing more. So what will I be doing with my day? I will be celebrating bowl season and enjoying the football that goes with it! I know there will probably be homework and spelling tests and reading to get done this evening, but until then I shall enjoy the games. And I'm also pretty sure everyone is going to need another early bedtime tonight!

Happy New Year!

Thanks to a touch of the stomach bug, the five of us quietly rang in the new year last night. We had some shrimp cocktail, and the kids toasted the ball dropping with orange soda. They all made it to Midnight, although HT was curled up on my lap by then. I had given my husband dvds of "The Cosby Show" for Christmas, and we watched a few episodes of that followed by a movie. In some ways, I enjoyed it more than going out. We were all comfy in our jammies, and I didn't have to worry about being out on the roads. The kids are pretty tired today, and we are going to have a VERY rough morning tomorrow I think.

I hope everyone has a very blessed 2012 full of much happiness and good health!