Goodbye House

Goodbye House.

Thank you for the memories.

The Little Mother Who Couldn't

Today at church, I went to class with 3 kids straggling along behind me.

Lorelai had a green colored runny nose,

preventing her from attending nursery.

Ephraim had been asked to leave class because he couldn't

sit still (incidentally, his teacher is Mystery Man).

And, of course, Jane was with us.

The four of us sat down near the back of the room,

right next to one of my favorite friends, Carla.

I leaned over to her and mentioned my tag-alongs:

"I must look really funny with all these kids in the adult class.

I feel like the mom who can't..." and I paused, trying to find the words.

Carla said it like only a really good friend can,

causing me to laugh to myself for the rest of the day:

"Like the Little Mother Who Couldn't."

That's me.
And I'm OK with that.

Sometimes there's so much you can't do,

that you just have to laugh. And laugh. And laugh.

Oh, the movies I could make or the books I could write about

this roller coaster called life.

I'm happy to finally have a title.

It's one to mull over again and again, savoring it on the tongue.

Or a great first line for a new 12 step program for moms:

"Hello, everyone. My name is Jen,

a.k.a. The Little Mother Who Couldn't,

and I confess that I can't do it all."

What a relief to have that out in the open! If any of you were under the mistaken impression that I'm good at everything, it's simply not true.

For example, I can't sew. Hate it!

And I yell too much.

I'm also not very good at smiling. Trying to improve. If you ever thought I looked grumpy, I might have been, but it's more likely I was just thinking. I have the unfortunate habit of frowning when I think. And the other unfortunate habit of thinking too much.

This train of thought brings me to another can't.

This week, I can't move,

at least not alone.

No way, no how.

Too many kids, too much stuff, too little sleep.

So this

Little Mother Who Couldn't

asked for help.

So many people have responded with offers

to watch kids, to move furniture, to clean, and so on,

that I have been humbled.

Humility is a funny thing.

When you come face to face with your

utter weakness and reliance on others,

you simultaneously come face to face with

POWER.

The power of Goodness.

The power of Love.

The power of God.

And with the Power of God, manifested

through the love and service of good friends,

I can.

They say Love can move Mountains.

Now I know Love can move Me.

Thank you for your help, and love, everyone!

Reflections on Moving

We're moving in 13 days.

During the 2 weeks MM was out of town, I didn't pack. Not even one box. Taking care of 5 kids was enough for me.

But now I may be starting to panic. Which is motivating. No more procrastination.

My panic has increased enough to motivate me to:
-fill out a change of address form for the US Postal Service.
-schedule a moving truck from U-Haul.
-ask some friends to help me clean this house for its new owner, Jessica.
-set up a 4 full days of childcare for our kids during the week we move. THANK YOU in advance everyone!

I've thought about calling everyone and cancelling. I shouldn't need help, right? I hate to impose. It makes me worry. I worry people don't really want to help. Or that they're too busy. Or that our kids might overwhelm them. BUT, the fact is, I absolutely can't pull off this move without help.

I'm normally not such a weak person. I think 5 kids combined with MM's 2 week trip AND the move has done me in. I'm not in the looney bin yet, but if I push myself much harder, you never know... :)

Kudos to all of you who can handle large families, careers, helping everyone, etc. and doing it with a smile. You amaze me!

Thank goodness Mystery Man is awesome and said he'd do all the packing.

OK, I promise to at least unpack.

And, to everyone who has offered to help: I owe you! Bring your kids over as soon as we're settled. We'll have plenty of room to play!

I do want to add that I feel very blessed that the whole house purchase and house sale went so smoothly and quickly. When we toured the new house for the first time, MM and I both had a strong feeling it was the right house for us. It felt like HOME. It made me think of the countryside where I grew up. My mind was flooded with memories of my childhood: my Grandpa's love of trees, my mom's flower beds, my Grandma Joanne's delicious little smokies sausages served with grape juice, romping outdoors with cousins and brothers, etc etc etc. Mystery Man loved it too! How could a house we haven't lived in yet evoke so many happy memories of childhood and family? I can't wait to create new memories there.

Now, for those of you who asked, here are some photos of our new HOME:

Freaking Out

I'm beginning to understand a new facet of Jane's personality. While she is content and calm most of the time (especially at home), she tends to lose her cool for loud noises, bath time, and anything mildly new or startling. The biggest culprit of her anxiety right now: church! Every time we enter the church building, Jane loses it and cries inconsolably. I don't know if it's the fluorescent lights, the noise, a funny smell (put on your deodorant already, people! JK). I was starting to think this was my "golden opportunity" and I'd just head home for a nap each Sunday while the rest of the family stayed at church. BUT, last Sunday after Jane screamed a full hour, I figured something out: when I strapped Jane into her carseat and limited what she could see, she calmed down immediately. So, I'm starting to think Jane might be a "slow-to-warm-up" type of child, one who is unsure of new things. I think she'll grow out of it with time and experience. Especially with parents like MM and me.

A freaked-out, "are-you-sure-about-this?" moment in the bath.

Looks Like...

It's a fact: Jane looks like Silas.

Comments welcome...

Cuteness

It's...

The Jane-meister.

Jane-a-rooter.

Jane-to-the-Rescue!

It's a Bird, It's a Plane...

"It's Silas Mike!"
(superhero name created by Silas himself)

Or, as I like to say, "It's Underwear Man!"

In any case,

this amazing superhero has

ninja-like agility,

herculean strength,

and

a GREAT sense of style!