Moving Parts

We have so many 'moving parts' in this move.  The kids and me flying north, Chris driving up, the two other cars being towed, and everything else packed in a moving truck.  It's been somewhat frustrating waiting around for everything to arrive.  I just want to get organized and settled. I'm excited today will be the day!  

The cars will be delivered to my parent's garage this morning and the moving truck should be arriving at my parents house this morning as well.  Then the challenge of sorting through boxes and bringing the necessities to Boston with us.  For those of you who don't know we will be in a fully furnished apartment there.  It will be a very nice transition.  We will store most of our possessions {For free!  Payment will be in the form of the occasional visit with grandchildren in tow} in my parent's basement until we find a more permanent place to live. Will we ever be anywhere permanently?  'More permanent' is what I will go with for now. 

I think I am just now {beginning} to realize this move is actually happening.   Freak out moment coming soon! 

Very happy to have Chris here.  He had a long drive and, of course, I was worried about him until he pulled in my parent's driveway.  We had a lobster {lobstah} roll, strong beer, and Red Sox shirt waiting for him.  He was exhausted, but very happy.

Christian is a challenge to dress.  As many of you know, he prefers to go pant-less, even if it's cold out.  I'm sure he will appreciate this picture one day, battling the evil villains at Meme and Papa's with his TMNT shell squirt gun. 

I can't get enough of this little girl.  Her smile is too much!

Cuddling up for a show

Time to get ready for moving day part II!  Moving is always a stressful event, but I have to say, the {physical aspect} of this move has been much easier and less stressful than our past moves.  Probably has something to do with the fact that I am not pregnant or in labor {Charlottesville to Charlotte}, or caring for a newborn {Jacksonville to Charlottesville}.  Also, a special thanks to both sets of grandparents, we really couldn't have done it {sanely} without these wonderful people.  Grandma and Grandad chasing after the kids while we finished up our packing in Charlotte and Meme and Papa for their help here.

Thankful for grandparents and their help!

Fall Fun

I remember hating fall as a kid.  I wanted summer to last forever (part of the reason I ended up going to school in Florida).  Swimming in the lake all day, lemonade stands, fishing, boat rides, water-skiing, tubing, sunshine, I could go on all day.  My memories of summer seem like they are out of a book- picture perfect.  I hope my kids can have such wonderful childhood memories one day.  

Fall made me sad.  I hated that everything was dying, the weather was getting colder and colder, and we were stuck in school all day.  Maybe it took me moving away to a place that was filled with sunshine and heat all day everyday to appreciate the beauty of fall.  I love it now.  I love the chilly air and the beautiful foliage (or dying leaves as Chris puts it).  

I am especially enjoying this fall weather with the kiddos.  It's been beautiful.  Chilly and breezy, but the warm sunshine makes it quite pleasant.  Despite both kids having a constant flow of boogers and nasty coughs, they've spent most of the time playing outside since we have arrived.  

Posing for the camera

"Holding hands"

   Looking good in her fall attire    

Enjoying Meme and Papa's beautiful gardens

My little stud-muffin

Lindalee relaxing

I had to include this picture.  It does a good job of summing up the past couple days here.  Bloody boogers covering his nose and a big smile exposing chocolate covered teeth.  Despite "not feeling well" he's pretty happy hanging out at Meme and Papa's house, I'm sure the chocolate doesn't hurt.

Thankful for fall!

Moving Day!

This is how I started my day- while Chris was in Charlotte dealing with the last minute hassles of moving.  Doesn't seem fair. 

 I hated to leave him there to do everything, but he insisted I take off with the kiddos.  I'm sure it was easier without me running around all stressed out, never-mind the kiddos and their chaos.

Feeling very thankful for my wonderful husband.

Apple Picking at Butternut Farm

Since this summer, CJ has been talking about going apple picking and making applesauce "during the month of Halloween" as he puts it.  So what did we do as soon as we got to New Hampshire?  We put on our sweaters and headed for the orchards.  It was a beautiful (brisk!) fall day, and we had a blast. 

Meme moment

They loved the sheep.  CJ kept trying to climb over the fence.

One of my favorite pictures (maybe of all time?).  The kids were so excited to run to the apple trees.  This picture is the definition of 'happiness'.

My pretty girl <3

Playing in the peach orchard

LL's attempt to 'tackle" CJ

LL loved picking up the apples from the ground and 'trying' them.  She's the second child, so it's okay, right?  Slugs are a type of protein!

CJ wasn't feeling well, but he sure was a trooper!

It was a fun first day in New England, helping to take my mind off from everything that's been going on.  Thanks, Meme, for keeping us busy!

Transition

Right now the kids and I are in NH staying at my parent's house while Chris finishes work and packing up the house.  (I leave him with the fun part).  It was really (really, really) hard leaving Charlotte.  WAY harder than I ever thought it would be.  Moving there was rough, especially in the beginning.  Thankfully, God put some angels in place to make our time in Charlotte not only bearable, but a complete pleasure, and really (really, really) hard to leave.

I'm slightly embarrassed to share this picture, especially as my first picture on the blog (not the best Baker Family photo).  Chris had the kids and luggage in the car and was waiting for my emotional self to say "good-bye" to our house.  I ran to the car and made him get the kids unbuckled (he was in a rush to get to work, I'm lucky he has patience) so we could all take one last family picture in front of the house.  This stupid house.  I'll never forget when we came to look at it (after I insisted on it being the only house we look at because it was a 'good deal').  We pulled in and Chris said, "Are you sure you want to go inside?".  It was SO ugly. But cheap and in a great location with a lot of potential.  Not only was it the house we ended up buying and bringing our baby girl home from the hospital to, but an ugly "old man" house we turned into (what I think) a beautiful home.  We have a lot of wonderful memories there, I will miss that place.  

I feel like I'm in some sort of weird dream.  This whole thing just feels like a typical Meme-Papa visit: kids and I flying up solo, waiting for Chris to come for the weekend, then all heading back to Charlotte.  It's not.  We won't be flying home, we will be driving.  An hour and a half from where I am right now.  Where I (and most of my family) grew up.  Chris keeps asking if I'm excited.  I feel like I disappoint him with my answer.  I'm not excited, yet, it doesn't seem real.  

Moving north is a dream come true.  I've been in the south for almost 12 (wonderful) years and always dreamed of going "home", especially once the kiddos came along.  The "Perfect Storm" that allowed for this move came years sooner than I had imagined.  As I sit here waiting for Chris to arrive, for our cars to be delivered, and all of our other stuff, it's slowing sinking in.  I anticipate a true 'freak out' moment sometime next week when I realize what is actually happening.   Watch out!

The Baker Act

I've been contemplating a blog for awhile now, but have come up with a lot of excuses.  With our "big move"  I am even more motivated to find a way to stay connected with friends and family without posting my entire life on facebook.  So here it is:  The Baker Act.  

One of my most frequent excuses to myself was that I couldn't think of a catchy name like every other blogger.  I tried numerous combinations of 'cute' phrases that contained 'Baker'.  I wanted to project a 'cute' persona, post cute pictures, talk about cute things.  Well... My life isn't always cute. 

I am blessed BEYOND measure, but approximately 25% of the time (on a good day), I am on the verge of losing my marbles.  People say to me, "You seem so relaxed" HA HA HA!  I guess I do a good job of faking it.  Some days, I would love to just run away and hide.  Check myself into a hotel, order room service with a bottle of wine, pass out, and stay in bed the whole next day.  That's where I came up with The Baker Act.  

I learned of this amazing law when I was in OT school at UF.  I remember it well, probably due to the fact that my studly boyfriend's (at the time, now super studly husband) last name was Baker.  Back to the law... It's  a Florida law that allows mentally ill people to be committed to a mental health facility for 72 hours, against the will of the mentally ill person.  

I'm insane, commit me, please!  PLEASE!

I absolutely love my life.  But some days, I would happily (and very willingly) be committed.  Up to 72 hours of no laundry, no dishes, no whining, no screaming, no pulling at my clothes, no messes, no rushing, no demands.  Seventy-two hours of quiet, solo bathroom breaks, eating an entire meal without interruption, time to simply think, or sleep, or do nothing.  Doesn't matter where I am, that sounds like a dream! 

BUT... I guarantee after two minutes of being 'committed' I would be in tears.  Missing the chaos, the demands of my truly amazing little family.  

There it is, and here I go! 

Disclaimer: English was always my least favorite subject.  I am a terrible speller, pretty bad with grammar, and very insecure with anything to do with writing.   If you read this or anything else I write, I'm sorry.