One month in PA

We arrived exactly one month ago. It's been a whirlwind month... trying to get to know the area, unpacking all the boxes (well, almost all the boxes) and settling in to the new place, getting Steve started at his new residency, taking on some home-improvement projects....

I feel like the biggest challenge of this move has been trying to keep from feeling guilty about the kids. The subject of moving has been all we've dealt with since May (the cleaning out and packing up, the moving, and the getting settled) and here we are almost in August. I feel like Sarah and Grant have really felt the impact of the change more than I would have liked. I have felt guilty on multiple occasions because of the busy-ness of all this moving situation. But at least they have each other. They really are best little friends. They play so well together and they just love each other. I am so grateful for Sarah's active imagination that creates game after game after game for those two. And I'm so grateful that Grant loves to play Sarah's games. If I can't be there for them as much as I want to this summer while moving and settling in.....at least they have each other. At least they have each other. Steve was asking me how they're adjusting and I feel like they're doing great. Of course, they have friends they miss dearly in Michigan; but because they have each other, they're doing great. They've made a few friends here and for that I'm grateful, but I'm most grateful that they do depend on each other, that they mostly want to be with each other. There is a special bond between siblings and I hope they will always remain close. I hope they will always want to be friends. At bedtime sometimes we play the "I love you because...." game. Grant almost always starts with "I love Sarah because she's a good soccer player." We all laugh and then Sarah takes a turn. It usually goes back and forth a few times and I'm so touched that my kids notice the good things in others and that they're not afraid to say it. I hope this stays with them as they get older too.

On a personal note, I think a lot about growing our family. I feel like I should because two kids just isn't "enough"...but I also really like the groove that we're in right now. Everyone kind of has their role. Steve is the fun dad who comes home tired but ready for a good wrestle before bed. I'm the busy mom who feeds the kids fruit at every meal and is always trying to figure out a better system for my life. Sarah is the stylish five-year-old with an imagination as big as her heart. Grant is all boy who loves showing off his muscles, driving cars, but has a soft spot in his heart for his mama. I just feel like we have a really good thing going right now. It's not that I don't want any more kids, it's just that I want to make sure I experience this stage and love it as much as I should. So I guess that's it....I guess I'm so busy trying to improve my life and home and systems that I'm almost missing out on this very special stage of our family. So, what's the answer? Simplify. Don't get caught up in the meaningless details. Involve myself in my children's life more. Involve them in mine. Don't miss out on this stage. It's too important. I love my Sarah and Grant. They are wonderful and so much more than I ever thought children could be.

This post went in a completely different direction than I was expecting....but that's the way it goes, I guess. So there you have it. We've been in PA for one month. I know how to get to five grocery stores, Wal-Mart, the hospital, the city pool, the church, and Home Depot. We live in a townhouse with pink walls, but it's a perfect fit for our small family. Our neighbors are great....even invited us to a pool party yesterday. So far we like it here and we're looking forward to the next three (maybe four) years. As stressful as moving is, I enjoy the starting over in a new place. I like that it brings our family together. I know we'll always have each other and that makes me happy.

Here's an example of the pink paint....lucky, I know.

The twins are here!

Annie and Ryan's twins arrived early this morning at 1:36. Annie went in to the hospital last night around 9:30 and because of her pre-eclampsia the doctor decided to go ahead with a C-section. Alexander was born first at 1:36, weighing 6 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 inches long. Nicholas came next at 1:39, weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz and 19 inches long. Mom, Sarah and I went after church to meet the boys and they are absolutely adorable! Here are a few pictures of them at about 13 hours old....

Nicholas, one proud daddy, Alexander

Alexander, Granny, Nicholas

Nicholas

Nicholas

Alexander

Nicholas

Alexander
Alexander and Nicholas
Alexander and Nicholas

Family sleepover

As I cuddled with the kids in my bed tonight I thought, " I don't want to forget this night." I love that they want to cuddle with me. I love the way they mold to my body. I love the way they calm down when I run my finger down their forehead and nose (it was Steve's trick to get them to sleep as babies). I love that they love to hear stories of when they were "little". I love that Sarah said on many occasions tonight, "this is the very best date ever!" I love it when I do take a moment to slow down and enjoy them. Tonight was one of those and I don't want to forget it. I love that Steve is up there right now in bed with two kids who adore him, that he's not going to get a good night's sleep but he's up there anyway because he loves to make things special and fun for them.

Impromptu Sleepover

I checked on the kids tonight before I went to bed and this is what I found:

We're going to Penn State!

Steve signed the contract and I faxed it off this morning. We are officially going to Penn State for Steve to do an anesthesia residency. We are really excited and feel so blessed to have this opportunity. Steve was offered a PGY2 spot out of the match (which means he won't lose a year by repeating his internship) and starts in July 2011. We'll be moving to Hershey, PA. All I remember about Hershey is the free chocolate at the end of the tour and that the light posts have kisses as the lanterns. I'm sure there's a lot more to it than that and we are all really excited to know we have a job. I'm really so proud of Steve that he was offered a spot outside the match....these opportunities don't come around very much at all. He must have made a really great impression. The people at Penn State called Steve on the afternoon of his interview as he was driving back to Michigan. I'm just so proud of him!

I don't know if I'm ready for this

As I was picking up Sarah today from preschool she was bubbling with excitement and whispered that she wanted to tell me something. I asked what it was, but she told me to wait until we get to the car. When we were in the car, I asked again what she wanted to tell me. She became a bit shy and said that she'd tell me when we get home. Finally we were home and I was more than a bit curious about what she wanted to tell me. So she sat down right in front of me and started to giggle and smile.

Then she began saying something like this, "today I was at school....and I held hands with Kenny....and we were running....and I said 'why are you going so fast, Kenny?'...and I liked holding his hand....and....and I think....I think (a little giggle and a big smile).....I think I'm in love!....Oh!....but I'm not exactly sure....maybe I'll have to figure it out...maybe tomorrow at the apple orchard."

Trying not to sound too alarmed, but wanting more information I asked her how she felt when she held Kenny's hand. Her answer was priceless: "I felt kind of silly inside. Oh!"

I guess we'll see how it goes tomorrow....

Potty Training

We (and I mean WE: Grant, Sarah, & I) are potty training today. Grant gets an M&M every time he goes. Sarah gets an M&M every time she helps Grant go. And I get to watch it all go down. Grant refuses to wear any clothes when he wears "big boy underwear." Apparently, his Woody vest and cowboy boots don't count as clothes. He squeals like a girl every time he's successful and he's doing great. Hopefully this time it will stick!(Sorry for the poor quality photo. I had the settings wrong on my camera.)

Lady Fingers

Sarah loves lady fingers.
Grant will only eat them if I call them soldier lady fingers.

You are good at doing hard things.

For a while I've been telling Sarah that she is good at doing hard things. I want her to know that life has challenges, but that she has the ability to face them and figure them out. She recently has started piano lessons and I find myself saying "you are good at doing hard things" a lot as she figures out where her fingers go and how to read the notes. I must be saying it a lot because the other day Sarah came to me with a book of paper dolls that had to be cut out. I had been avoiding the book for weeks because I knew it would take me hours to cut all the dolls, hats, dresses, etc. out. But then Sarah brought me a pair of scissors, rubbed my arm, looked in my eyes, and said, "Mama, you are good at doing hard things. I know you can cut these out." How could I say no to that?

Butterbug

Grant has always loved giving and receiving butterfly kisses. About a week ago as I was tucking him in at night he kept saying something I couldn't understand. He kept saying, "Butterbug. Butterbug." He could tell I obviously had no idea what he was talking about and so he kept explaining, "On my eyes....on my cheek." Then I realized he wanted a butterfly kiss. Now we all call it a butterbug.

Independance Day

We went to Greenfield Village for the 4th of July this year. We brought a picnic dinner, laid out a blanket and enjoyed a relaxing night together. The Detroit Symphony Orchestra played a variety of patriotic music and it was such a unique way to remember our country's history. One of the most poignant moments of the night for me was when the conductor invited each different branch of the military stand up while the orchestra played its theme. It was really touching to see all those who have actively fought for and given their time for the freedoms that we all enjoy. There was one gentleman who was in the Air Force standing about 15 feet from our family. I loved watching his face as his theme was played. He was full of humility and pride....an interesting and appropriate emotion. When it got dark, the orchestra played all the classic patriotic songs as an incredible fireworks show went off. It truly was a night to remember.

California

Utah