Moving week

Austin climbed into my bed earlier in the week and I don't even mind it. I love watching him sleep and cuddling him like crazy. He talks all the time about his next birthday when he'll be 5 and I tell him that I'm never going to let him go to sleep so he won't grow any older! 

Since Eli was sick last Thursday and missed school, he came home Monday after school with all the cute Mother's Day gifts for me. These little poems made me instantly cry as we waited in the carpool lane. 

Our packers came on Wednesday and packed the whole day and evening. We were able to sleep in our beds until Friday when our truck was loaded. It was a tender mercy for sure because I thought we'd be out of our beds when the packers started on Wednesday. The sister missionaries came over for Jimmy John sandwiches and we ate outside. It was a lovely evening. I woke up on Thursday morning and threw up - I'm positive it was food poisoning. :(

 Here is Eleanor after her last nap in her crib in this house!

Thursday after picking up Eli, we drove up to Denver. We drove by the temple and said goodbye, since I don't know if we'll get to visit it again before we move.

My friend Tiff invited us over for dinner and s'mores. I love that these boys are such great friends that they think they're cousins!

Tiff, Kelsey and Becky were the nice friends I met in Chicago in the single's branch. I'm so grateful for their friendship!!

Friday morning the truck arrived. The boys had a blast playing with the moving boxes that filled up the house. The semi took up the entire cul-de-sac. I worried that the neighbors would be annoyed, but for the most part, they were very understanding. 

Our entertainment for the day included playing outside at the park, watching movies and watching the movers load the truck. The workers were here until about 7 pm. It was a LONG day and we were all ready to crash into our sleeping bags and air mattresses. We're camping out at the house for the next several days and it's been kind of fun! Can you spy the cute little boys in the window?! 

Eleanor seriously loves dogs. She had the best time playing with our neighbor Deb's dogs through the window. :)

On Saturday we went to a graduation party to celebrate the seniors from our ward who finished High School. I loved seeing family friends we've met during the past 4 years we've lived in the Gleneagle Ward. One friend made me instantly start bawling as she said, "I know why you're going to move around a lot - the world needs your light and goodness." I always feel like I can do better, and then a comment like that leaves me in tears.  I hope I can live up to that in Kansas City! 

And here we are! Our last Sunday before Aaron joins us at church again! Yay! He graduates this week and we're soooo excited the end is finally here. The kids have enjoyed playing in an empty house.

Eleanor played with this boaster seat for a while. I love watching my kids play.

The toughest week!!!!

On Sunday evening, we heard a knock at the door and there was a plate of cookies and this kind note from our neighbors. They're members of the ward, but they're not active. I've been the ministering sister/visiting teacher to the mother for years and I've wondered if I'm making a difference. She has canceled on our visits. She doesn't answer the door. I just drop things off at her door and text her. Sometimes she replies. Sometimes she doesn't. It's been an interesting relationship. Anyway, this kind note reminded me to keep trying with people, even when we wonder if we're connecting with them. It's exhausting and sometimes I've wanted to just give up, but this note was a learning experience for me.

On Monday, Austin woke up saying his tummy hurt. He rested on the couch and I thought he'd be fine. He didn't eat much of anything and after I bought him a frosty, he threw it up. He had the flu. :( He was sick for two days and finally started feeling better on Wednesday. I was grateful because my friends planned a going away party and we were all able to go! I sure love these friends. 

Wednesday night, Eli woke up and threw up all night. He was the next one with the flu. We had tons of popsicles. Eleanor was happy about that.

We watched tons of tv and rested. I finally told the kids that we needed some sunshine and to get our blood pumping. It had been cold for several days so when the sun came out, we decided to go outside. Friday evening, I thought Eli would be fine. I was getting ready to leave the kids with a babysitter and Eli threw up AGAIN!! My plans changed and I stayed home. Saturday, I started feeling sick and we stayed home AGAIN all day. We were struggling to get better. 

Saturday evening I called some friends from the ward and they came and gave Eli a blessing. I was sure we'd all be better on Sunday morning. I woke up on Sunday and I felt sick. We were dressed for church on Mother's Day and when it was time to go, I didn't have the strength and health to go. Eli still didn't feel well so we stayed home from church. I think this was the first time we've missed church when Aaron's been gone. 

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FINALLY on Sunday afternoon, we felt alive again. We even went on a walk!

The boys helped with dinner. It was the best Mother's Day gift.

We even went to the base to run around the B-52.

I woke up on Monday and still felt sick. It was a ROUGH week. I couldn't believe we were so close to the end of Aaron being home and we were all so sick. It was a memorable Mother's Day for sure. I'm grateful we finally all got better. At the beginning of the month, I fasted for patience in my mothering. I know this month has a lot of changes for our family and I wanted to be extra patient with my children during this time. And then we were all sick. :( Few. I'm glad the week is over!

Eli's birthday week!

Monday: We ran to the mall after school and said hi to the cute puppies. Eleanor loves walking around and I can see it in her eyes that she can't wait to run.

Tuesday: Eli woke up and was excited to be 6!! It was a happy day. I get so emotional when my children have a birthday. I looked through pictures of the day Eli was born and I'll never forget holding him for the first time. Eli ran downstairs and wanted to open up his presents. 

Captain Crunch, a new watch, a remote control car and a book were his gifts this year!

It snowed on his birthday!! 

We went to the Y and swam together and then played basketball in the gym.

We ran home and had lunch before rushing off to take Eli to school. He had a music performance and Austin, Eleanor and I enjoyed watching his little class sing. One of the songs was "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." I cried as I thought about my Eli. He is a bright light to all those around him. Several of the parents told me how said their child is sad to hear Eli is moving. It was sweet. After the concert, we went outside and enjoyed recess with Eli's class.

We went back to the classroom and heard his class sing to him! 

After school, Eli decorated his birthday cake while wearing his birthday hat.

The Green's joined us for a pizza dinner and then we got Thai ice cream for dessert.

It was a happy birthday indeed! Eli missed his dad being with us, but thanks to FaceTime, Aaron was able to chat with Eli on his birthday!

Wednesday: We had the Mill kids over while Krissi went to a viewing. Eleanor loves playing with other girls. 

Austin and I have been playing Go Fish in the afternoons while Eleanor naps and Eli is at school. He's gotten so great at recognizing his numbers. It's fun to play this little game with him. I love our one on one time together. Austin got his 4 year old shots this week and he keeps asking when it's his turn for kindergarten. I keep telling him I'm never going to let him go to school!! 

Thursday night I was able to attend the temple. I was so emotional as I know it may be a while before I'm back to worship at the Denver temple. I've felt so close to my grandparents and I've walked the halls and thought about them serving in the temple. One of my childhood memories of my grandparents will always been visiting them in Denver at their condo when they would serve in the temple. Aaron and I were also sealed at this temple after his graduation. 

Friday: We met Alex and her family in Castle Rock and went hiking and played at the park together. Eleanor and I got sunburned! Oops.

We ended our time together with delicious ice cream.

Friday evening Eli's school had an art show. I loved meeting his art teacher and seeing all the art in the hallways. Eli picked this picture of the gold fish to display in the show.

We went around to see the other art projects including these shoe designs by the 6th graders. 

Eli's school is having a Mother's Day tea party this week and Eli was so excited to give me this invitation. 

It's MAY! This is a big month for us - we're excited to head to Maryland for Aaron's graduation and for Aaron to be finished with training. We'll then close on our house May 29 and head for Kansas City. We've been busy trying to get a home from a distance - we had an inspection on a home on Monday but after getting the results back, we decided to walk away from the home. We have an inspection on another house tomorrow that's 3 minutes from the temple and church! We're thrilled about the location and we'll see how everything goes. I shared in my testimony today that when Aaron and I were in Kansas City, our relator drove us by the temple and I immediately felt peace that we'll be lead to where we are supposed to be. I know that to be true!