For good.

I should be madly packing right now. There is so much to do, but somehow I can't bring myself to do it. I've become uncomfortably accustomed to this organized chaos, this limbo we've been living in for nearly a year. So much change has happened in the past 4 years, it's feels almost expected now. And here I am faced with something that should, by all accounts, be permanent. Forever. For good. 

I better get used to standing still for a while. Why does that make me uneasy?

But really, it is for good. Of course, I love our new house. We conducted it ourselves, top to bottom. It's been such a long time coming, I'm both happy and melancholy that it's coming to an end. To sound trite, it's like I felt at the end of "The Return of the King" - that sinking feeling of magic ending, yet beginning still.

In the meantime, real life is happening and growing and changing all around me, for good as well.

There's this little man, who has my heart...

Kaden and Jak

Oh what trouble these two are going to make someday soon!

And then there's this one, who is the definition of Trouble lately... :)

Carrying around her pony...

This hat is STOOpid mom

That tiny disappearing-lips smile gets me every time!

Kaden's first "real" food - yogurt!

And now, gratuitous close-ups of Kaden eating food!!

I just had to...

I love them...

Ryan puttin' up the mailbox

I'll take that

I got this, mom

We got some beautiful weather this week. I rallied the troops out of our winter glum and headed to the park. Anika was, of course, game. We'd all been cooped up too long inside the walls of our townhouse's first floor. I think she ran the entire way, with me striding quickly behind to keep up.

Boing! Can we go now?!?!

That's Anika, waaaaaay up there.

And this little guy just chillaxed the entire time

Spring is just around the corner, at least it seemed this week. 'Twas an enjoyable foretaste. 

And now, go get ready, Meg.

Urp.

January 18, 2011

Dear Fellow Parents of Small, Vomiting Children,

I would like to extend a hearty thanks for finally inducting me into your club. The membership gifts of washcloths, bleach, and extra mattress protector are both thoughtful and handy.

I apologize for not being more sympathetic earlier to your plight. After recently experiencing small children vomiting, all the while vomiting myself, I can now fully understand your hardship. Also, I now understand how simple my life of diaper changes, feedings, laundry, meals, and other household monotonies really was. These are all much easier to do while not vomiting. A life lesson learned!

Also, I'd like to defer my dues for at least a few years. 

With sincerest empathy,

Meagan Johanson

Stay-at-Home Mom

cc: Fellow Parents of Small Children with Diarrhea

Progress!

Well, it looks like we've got about one month to go until we'll be moving into our new house. I've been meaning to post some photos of the progress, if just for my own digital scrapbook. So here we go, here's a walk-through. I'm so incredibly proud of this house! We are almost done.

Our front door. Fireplace doesn't have the stone work up yet. I love the skylight! Had to protest the designer for a 4x4, rather than 2x4. I'm so glad I did. It brings in so much light, facing the southeast.

View in from front door

View into the kitchen/dining room

Pass through view into the kitchen. Cabinetry is alder with cedar stain. 

Laundry room. White slot on the bottom left is the toe kick drawer where Grizly's dog bowl will be kept.

Laundry chute :D

The study, painted red.  I had to have at least one red room!

Future window seat home.

Basement rec. room

My hobby room! Mwahahahaha. Can't wait to fill this with ribbons and wrapping paper.

Kaden's room

Anika's room

Kid's bath detail - the bottom drawer has heavy duty glides and a sliding top, so it works as a step stool for the kids too.

Master bedroom

View from the bedroom

Master bathroom

Shower detail

Shower niches and window

On the stairs platform. Glad we decided to expose the Glulam beam. I like the look. The tiny window on the left was our builder's idea. One of the worker's suggested a stained glass hanging for it.

And just because, here's a few photos from Kaden's 6-month checkup. He's such a happy guy!

We're starting to pack up boxes and get ready to move! Can't wait...