Before We Left

The week before we left was super duper crazy.  CRAZY!  Jack and Sage had a terrible stomach flu, well, still have residual problems with it, Charly developed a rash (it turns out that she is allergic to penicillin, just like me), and every moment Joel was home he was finishing a major project – the master bath.  I did use the bathtub once, and it was heavenly.  It is a HUGE tub, you can completely stretch out and have water up to your chin.  Ahhhh.  It is a shame we didn’t have it sooner.  Hopefully the new owners will appreciate it.  We hired a contractor to finish some outside projects, including painting the siding. 

I didn’t have much time to get ready with all three kids having a really tough time, so I didn’t finish the kitchen curtains :(   Oh well.  Bill and Katherine are super stars with all their help cleaning, supervising the packers, touch up painting – thank you seems to fall short in expressing our gratitude and how much work they have been doing. 

Here are some pictures of the bathroom.  I’ll blog soon about how we are doing in our hotel room in Fresno. 

    

House Hunting Trip

Last week Joel, Charlotte and I went to Fresno for a house hunt. We came back empty handed - well, one possibility that we are going to look at again. We do now that we want at least 1 acre and to be at most 30 mins away from Joel's work. When not looking at houses, we didn't get to see much of the town....We came back with both of Charly's ear drums ruptured, and was so sick that she had cold sores all over her face and discharge behind her ear, and I had bronchitis, so now that we are both drugged up, life is good :)

This is the very first time that I have ever left Jack and Sage. I wasn't as nervous about it as I thought I was going to be. It was easy because we left them with Bill and Katherine, so no biggie there. Plus Jack had been sick, so I was ready for a break. Before I left I wrote Katherine a note similar to this (and I thought I'd write down just for memory's sake - Sage is such a princess, it sure makes me laugh):

Schedule:

Wake up, eat breakfast (The kid wake up on their own and play until I wake up. If they are up before 6:00, they need to go back to bed)

9:30/10 snack

11:30/12 lunch and scripture study (10 verses plus explanation)

nap/quiet time

5:00 dinner

7/7:30 bedtime

Nap/Bedtime

Sage wears pullups and pjs (she refuses to sleep in day clothes for her nap)

Sage gets 2 books if she keeps her underwear dry; Jack gets one for quiet time, and 2 for bedtime - and yes, the books can't be shared.

Sage likes to be dragged by her feet or on a blanket to her bedroom and then lifted up into bed, usually sitting on Jack's head while being lifted. She is very particular in what she wants. She is sure to let you know what she feels like for the day.

Jack needs to go potty before bed.

Sage's toothbrush is pink, Jack's is blue/green

Jack can read books to himself in his bed while Sage is being put down.

At night time, they each get to say their own personal prayers.

Sage picks out a song, usually Noah was a prophet. Jack gets his own song.

Sage wants a drink in bed, and is particular about where the cup goes after she drinks - either on her nightstand or on the kitchen counter. She is sure to let you know what she wants.

Hugs and kissess have to be blown at the door, and it is VERY IMPORTANT you don't forget these. Sage will scream and cry and Jack will come out and get them later.

Jack has night terrors if he is overstimulated or falls asleep in his bed while waiting for you to put Sage down and misses his song/hugs and kissess. Don't worry, tuck him back to bed.

Before going to bed, you can put food and drink out in the hallway by their doors to snack on before you wake up in the morning. If not, they are more likely to go to your room and wake you up saying they are so hungry.

Good luck!