cookies with cousins

 A few days before Christmas Carol had all the grandies (as she calls them) over to make Christmas cookies to hand out to family & neighbors.

That morning the kitchen was all abuzz with big ones & little ones working together to make delicious masterpieces.

 Jack was very concerned, in the beginning, about how messy & sticky he was getting.

Eventually, he got over it!

 And I will tell you that as they licked the sprinkle containers, I had to giggle.  Their older cousins reprimanded them as all the adults just watched & smiled.

 It was fun to watch the older kids try to teach the younger kids how to do things. It made me realize that it's not just me-- three year olds really are hard to teach!

 But once they get the hang of it, they are excited learners!

I was thinking, this making Christmas cookies looks like a dirty job.

Perhaps next year we should call Mike Rowe?

Happiest Birthday!

 My mom's birthday is the 23rd.  We have always made an effort to have a special party for her since her big day falls so close to Christmas.

 This year Roxanne and I went all out and attempted to get professional pictures of all six of my mom's grandsons. (Five of whom are age three and under...)  It was about how you picture it... One thankfully helpful pre-teen, two sweaty moms, three toddler/pre-schoolers making silly faces, not listening, and two blissfully unaware babies, looking sweet.

We lucked out & got a picture of all six looking at least half decent and my mom says she will treasure it forever. While Roxanne & I swear we will never do pictures indoors with that many little boys again!

All the little boys loved the chocolate cupcakes- who can blame them?

It was a fun party and everyone loved seeing each other- especially Grandma Woo Woo, who got to love on Milo & Wyatt, or "Fat Baby" as she calls him!

Preparation

 

Today Josh and I made one of what will be a few runs to Wal-mart to stock up on items we will need in Alaska.  It's so hard to know how much of certain things I will need from now until May. I'd like to not have to buy a lot of things while we're there since everything costs so much.  

I packed it all up this afternoon and it's ready to be shipped.  We leave in 12 days. The time slipping right past and I am just praying I get everything done.  Including both my to-do list and seeing friends & family one last time.

He's home, we're merry

As I drove to pick Josh up at the airport on Friday, I listened to Mariah Carey belting out all the greatest Christmas hits.  Crossing the Glenn Jackson bridge, with the Columbia River shimmering in the moonlight below, I got a bit nostalgic.  Portland's city lights twinkled in the background as I neared the airport, my anticipation reached an all time high as I followed the "Arrivals" signs & parked the car. All I could think was, "We did it. We made it. And we won't ever have to be apart again."

 

I practically ran to the gate where people stream in, fresh off their flights, reuniting with loved ones.  I stood, wringing my hands, as I watched anxiously for my love to arrive.  Finally I saw him.  Thick ivory waffle knit thermal layered under a plain gray t-shirt, jeans & his huge Alaska boots.  He was here, on solid ground, in front of my very eyes.  Finally he walked through the passage way and I threw my arms around him, his unshaven face scratching mine.

As we started for baggage claim, Josh laced his fingers through mine and I felt like we were in high school again.  I still couldn't believe he had managed to get on a flight and home to me before Christmas after his whole fiasco in Marshall.  

Then yesterday morning when the boys woke up, they tore into our bedroom asking if Daddy was here.  When Logan saw that he was, he threw his arms around Josh's neck and said, "I missed you, Daddy!" 

Then later in the day Jack asked Josh where he was going after naps, and Josh said, "Nowhere." Then Jack asked, "When are you going back to Alaska?"  Josh held his shoulders, looked square into Jack's precious face and told him, "The Alaska house is done, buddy. When I go back to Alaska, you're coming with me."

The look on Jack's face was priceless. He was so thrilled.

So am I.

Josh is home and we are merry!

Home for Christmas

 Pretty lights on the tree,

I'm watching them shine.

You should be here with me...

Baby please come home!

bated breath

I am waiting with breath that is bated to hear back from my beloved. He was supposed to be, at this point in time, in Anchorage about to board a plane headed for PDX. Instead he is on the runway in Marshall with a plane that has a flat tire.

I am holding out hope for a Christmas miracle, but he said all the flights he looked at going from ANC to PDX were full until Christmas Day. So even if he makes it out at this point, gets to Bethel, and finds a connecting flight from Bethel to Anchorage,  it's unlikely he'll get on a plane & make it to us like we had planned.

So tomorrow instead of waking up at 5am to go pick him up at the airport, I will face another day without him. I know I have done this many days now, but somehow, thinking of doing it just one more day feels incredibly daunting.  Perhaps because I had so anticipated his arrival, or perhaps because all three of the children and myself are sick... Who's to say.

But I will be sure to keep you all posted as he makes his way slowly, but surely toward the great northwest.  I can't wait to embrace him once again and watch as the boys are reunited with their Daddy. It's gonna be great!

Santa won't you bring me the one I really need,

Won't you please bring my baby to me?

Alaska House

 This, my friends, is my new abode. I can hardly wait to get there and make my mark on it!

For those who follow Josh's blog, this will be redundant, so feel free to skip it!

Our house is one of a fourplex. They are set up: 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom, 3 bedroom, 2 bedroom

Side by side like townhouses.

 This is the Arctic entry, which, contrary to popular belief is heated. The idea is to keep it warm so the house has a buffer when the outside door is open.  The green door is our outside door.  I am excited to work on making this room functional for our family, adding some purchases from Ikea, I imagine and some kind of weather proof rug that will serve to keep us from slipping & sliding when the snow melts off our gear.

 That door you see there is the front door. And the rest of this room is our teeny tiny living room. And makeshift office.  Terry donated his couch from the old housing to us, and we are very thankful because the other couch only had two cushions.

 I have been really impressed with how nice the furniture looks. This TV stand is no exception.  The empty flooring in this room is just calling for a nice, cozy rug. I can't wait to find the perfect one (with free shipping!) on Amazon.

 Downstairs there is also a full bath, which we are thinking we will use as the boys' bathroom because it is handicap accessible and therefore has more space than the bathroom upstairs.  I was so happy to buy all new towels & shower curtains. After eight years of marriage (and lots of different facial acne creams) mine were worse for wear!

Ahh, and the kitchen. My dreamy little kitchen. That fridge is HUGE, which is good because we won't be doing weekly shopping trips at Winco, and I am loving all the cabinet space. The only thing lacking is counter space, but the kitchen table is humongous, so I think I'll do just fine.  

 I love the flat top stove, as well as the double sink.  The sadness that overwhelms me when I notice no dishwasher is overcome when I see what lies around the corner.

 Beautiful, brand new stackable front loading washer & dryer that Josh claims can dry a load in ONE go! My old dryer always took two runs, and sometimes even took three!

Also notice the extra freezer. Josh tells me it is chock full of meat- moose meat, mostly, as well as some things he ordered with his fellow teachers.

 And our dining room with its table.  It expands to seat eight people, I think, and will be just perfect for meals, pre-school & games.

 

 So along with the arctic entry, living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom & pantry/laundry room the third bedroom is located downstairs.  Right now Josh is filling it up with all the boxes we've sent.

 He knows that if he unpacked them & attempted to assemble the house, I would likely just come in behind him and change it all anyway, so he's decided to save the effort & leave it all to me.

 So that downstairs room will be the boys' playroom since the living room is so small, and the baby still sleeps in our room.

 As you head up the stairs... which are unfortunately wood (insert lots of loud, painful, imaginary stair falling incidences), you will find the other two bedrooms, a bathroom & a large linen closet.

 

 The linen closet is one of the spaces I am most excited about. It will be vital for me to have stockpiles of pert near everything (as Grandpa would say) since we will be in the middle of just about nowhere. This closet, with these lovely shelves, will help me keep that stockpile organized.

 The twins' bedroom was originally going to have bunk beds, but the bunk beds have not been going so well here at Carol & Carl's, so we changed our plans and put their beds side by side.  I can't wait to put their cozy sheets & blankets on their beds and make the room their own.

 The dresser in their room will easily store all their clothes, and is gorgeous.

Their closet will also house many things. I am so excited to have all this space!!!

 The upstairs bathroom will be ours and can I just say that having multiple toilets for my multiples will be really nice?

 Ahh, and the master bedroom.  

I am very excited for this new open, airy room.  Josh moved the original couch into our room so that we can read bedtime stories to Logan & Jack in there, and also so I can feed Wyatt more comfortably.  I think it will be very cozy to have in there.

 And the best part of my new room? That gorgeous, empty bookshelf beckoning me to fill it with books.

I am so excited for our blank slate to be filled soon with wonderful memories of our family together again!

Last Day

 Wednesday was the boys' last day of school. (We go bowling tomorrow, but we won't go to their classroom ever again!) So I brought my camera with me.

 Here they are with their best buddy Tyler.  What I loved about Tyler was that he asked the boys who they were. "Are you Logan or Jack?" each time he addressed them, so he could get it right. I think that is so amazing for how young they are!

I had to capture them running to their classroom for the last time.  Everyday I would feel so bad for the teachers who worked off this hallway, because it seriously sounded like stampeding elephants every time we entered the building!

I am starting to have moments where I can't believe I am leaving this place that I call home.  Like yesterday I saw Mason, Orion, Juli & Scott for the last time before I go.  There have been a few things like that lately, where I know that it's the last time I will do something, or see someone.  Like yesterday walking with Christine behind our herd of boys, laughing as they made a mad dash for class. It's making this seem pretty real, that's for darn sure.

little moments with jack

My Jack Jack

 I have to admit to you that I started this Little Moments blog over six weeks ago. So this is a vast collection of adorable moments with my little Jack Jack. Enjoy!

For Christmas Josh ordered a train table. We can't wait till they see it!

In the car the other day Jack was freaking out and then he told himself, "Deep breaths, deep breaths." I don't know where he got this, but I thought it was adorable!

Wyatt, Logan & Mason

The other day he told me that when he is a grown up he is going to take care of Mason & Orion (who my mom baby-sits) and he would let them walk up & flip over just like Papa does for him.  And he also told me that he will still be Jack, just as a grown up.

Logan, enjoying a cookie & Jack, finishing his peaches

 A few weeks back Jack asked me, "What's that smell? Is it a fart?" And when I said yes to him, he started laughing so hard! Logan joined him giggling, and their laughter made my heart smile.  Already they are such little boys. Laughing about farts.

The boys absolutely love bath time. They love to bathe alone, just the two of them, or with Wyatt. They like to help me wash his belly & his piggies. And they love to pour the water onto him.  And when they bathe alone, they like to have water gun fights.  The boys have always loved playing with water, and it seems that love is only growing. I think baths will be a great way to pass the time in Marshall.

Jack & Logan, waiting for their recital to begin...

The other day on the drive home from pre-school Jack told me he had "cudia's" all over his hands.  I looked back at him, and there, on his chubby fingers, were a million scribbles of purple marker.  "What are they?" I asked him again. "Cudia's. Kuh-dee-uhh. You know... Like Dallas?"

"Oh! Tattoos? Tattoos like Dallas?"

"Yeah. Cudia's."

It was a super cute conversation. My little brother (Dallas, 22) has lots of tattoos and the boys think they are neat. But after this cute conversation I had to explain to Jack that in our house we don't allow tattoos and he won't ever be allowed to get them while he lives with Daddy.  Not sure if he understood, but I tried.

Dimply Jack

Tuesday when they came home from Aunt Julie's, they told me me saw the ambulances & two crashed cars!  They were so excited about the crashed cars. I think they thought that only happened on TV!

Just Jack

Jack has been telling me that he wants to go on a date with Nanny. He always changes the destination. Sometimes it's the movie theater, sometimes McDonald's. But it's always with my mom.  I think it's so tender.

Handsome Logan

Jack also has plans for a family expansion. he told me I should have 4 more children and that he wants to steal Milo, my sister's son.  He's such a crack up.

I love this one of Jack

 At my mom's two weeks ago I gave him a bite of my ice cream and he said, "Give me a bigger bite, mom. I want a freeze cold!" I had to think for a minute... "You mean a brain freeze?" We all started cracking up. Then when I gave him the bigger bite of ice cream, he faked like he had a brain freeze, touching his forehead and going, "Oh! Oh!" It was hilarious!

Cheese face Jack!

He also told me recently that he is ready and wants to live in Alaska. When I asked him why he said, "When we live in Alaska, then you won't be sad because we'll be with Daddy." He is so perceptive.

Logan at pre-school

Sometimes when I can't find the boys I ask them if they're being naughty.  Jack usually marches over to where I am and tells me, "I am'nt being naughty, mommy. I am'nt."

This is what we found in Grandma's purse, courtesy of Logan Henry

I asked the boys recently, "What would you do with lots of money?"

Logan's answer was to work. I told him he was spending too much time with his Papa Carl who works a lot.  Jack told me he'd buy lots of toys!

And speaking of Papa Carl, one of my favorite sounds in the morning is that of four little feet running down the hallway to hug & kiss papa good-bye. It's so precious.

We found this frog as well...

The other day Jack was sitting at the kitchen table eating when he told me he loves me & Logan.

Usually the other one will say, "Don't say that!" and get embarrassed. But this day Logan replied, "I love you, too, Jackie." Melted me. Right into a puddle.

Jack on the left & Logan on the right, at their recital

The boys had their Christmas recital at pre-school two weeks ago and the boys were adorable. They just stood on stage like two deer caught in headlights, scanning the crowd, looking for a familiar face.  Then they caught sight of my mom, ran off the stage and hugged her. It was so adorable! Luckily their song was over!

Logan, Teacher Tasha & Jack

Wednesday when I picked the boys up from school (their last day) Jack walked over to me and showed me his empty book bag. I told him he couldn't pick a book because that was his last day, and we wouldn't be coming back.  

Logan, Teacher Katie & Jack

 He immediately started crying and buried his head in my legs. Teacher Katie took Wyatt so I could comfort Jack.  When I told him again that school was all done he asked why. I told him we are moving to Alaska, so we can't go to pre-school anymore. And then he asked, "What's in Alaska?" To which I replied, "Your Daddy." I found myself tearing up right along with him. Those two ladies in the Sunshine class have made my life here without Josh manageable. Having a chance, three times a week, to only care for Wyatt & get done what needs to get done, was amazing.  And they really loved my boys.  To me, that means the world.  Thank you, girls. We will miss you.

Tantrum Logan

Every time we drive by the airport or see an airplane, the boys think Josh is on the airplane or in the airport. I have to explain that the plane he got on took him far away to Alaska and he's not back yet.  Then today on the way to their doctor appointment Jack asked if Daddy was going to be there. (He's always been at all of their doctor appointments.) And I had to tell him that, no, daddy wasn't going to be there. That Nanny would be there. Then he said, "So you are going to take care of me?" 

Little bit o rage

 It's so hard. Just when I think they are starting to understand the idea that Josh is gone, but he'll be home soon, they go back to not getting it.

Full on tantrum body...

Last night I got the chance to talk to Krista, a fellow teacher's wife, who is also at home (for her that's in Billings, Montana) with their small children, waiting for Joe to come and get them after Christmas. It was so lovely to talk to another mommy who is going through the same thing.  

Whoo! He was MAD!

She talked about how many "sleeps" it was until Joe gets home.  I told her about the boys' countdown chain and how Logan ripped three off one day, in hopes that doing so would bring Josh home quicker.  The two of us can't wait for our families to be reunited and for our kids to have their Daddies back, as it should be.

I had hoped taking pictures would distract him, but he didn't slow down one iota.

 The boys behavior with Josh's continued absence seems to ebb and flow. For a while there Jack was really the angry, tantruming one. And now it seems that Jack is better whereas Logan can't be told no without a good seven minute freak-out.  Getting out of the house and being more strict about their bedtime schedule seems to help with their emotions, but I think mostly they just need their Daddy here. And I can't blame them. I feel like I need their Daddy here, too! 

So, Daddy, if you are reading this: 

Hurry home! 

We need you! 

We miss you! 

We love you!