Showing posts with label the nef's lil sis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the nef's lil sis. Show all posts

Jun 24, 2013

My Post About Being Busy



Good Lord, things have been BUSY. Since I posted that we had found a house, I can't even begin to describe the level of busy-ness I have been operating at. I still could have found time to write, but I honestly was not making it a priority.
My priority has been keeping my sanity.

Part of maintaining my sanity has been "To Do" lists like this one. The week after we moved, I had four pages like this one (front and back). I had to keep everything organized somehow. By now I can't even make a list. It is too overwhelming. Not because there is even MORE stuff to do, but because I already spent all possible energy and used up all of my superwoman brain cells. There is nothing left. I don't know how or when I get a recharge, but I am hoping it is soon...

Here is what we have been up to...


We celebrated Easter. This involved friends and food, presents in Raine's Easter "nest," bubbles, more food (including cupcakes) and more bubbles.



We went back to Illinois for a visit. There was a lot of playing to be had for Raine with his cousins, and then we had our fair share of food and beverages, and lots of time with friends and family.


We packed a lot for our move. We tried to pack a little bit every day. Raine liked to pack and then unpack, pack, unpack, repeat.


We finalized paperwork on the house and made several trips out catch glimpses as it was built.

We had it inspected and then had a new homeowner orientation with the builder.

We signed a lot of paperwork and closed escrow.


Then on Saturday May, 4th, we moved in!!!

We tried our best to help all pets adjust to the new house. This included training Rocco to use a doggie door. We crossed our fingers that he would use it while we were away at work throughout the week, so we wouldn't have to come home to accidents all over the new hardwood floors and carpet. It took about two weeks until I felt completely comfortable leaving him alone. Now he uses that thing like a BOSS.

Hobbes made some surprising trips to the vet, racking up ridiculously large bills. He had two teeth removed and was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. He has to eat expensive prescription food now, of course.

Rocco also has had to have some extra vet visits and tests. Most notably in just the last week, he has developed what we believe is Lymphangieasia, which is causing protein to leak out of his intestines. He started medicine yesterday and I am working from home this week to monitor him until we can get him back to the vet on Thursday and have his blood checked again to see where we are at. If he has stabilized on the medicine, there is hope we will have him around a couple more years (as we will continue to treat it with a prescription diet). If he does not stabilize, we will have to help him get more comfortable and say goodbye in the next two to three weeks. We are stunned and sad and nervous.


Immediately after we moved, we spent a week cleaning the crap out of our condo. (This included Mother's Day. However, before Raine went to the baby-sitter and cleaning commenced, I did get to have a groovy little breakfast en plein air with my boys at Henry's Hot Breakfast. And hubby gave me roses. Sigh.)

After listing the condo, we waited for six agonizing weeks to get tenants. Just as I was about to lose my shit, we found them. I just gave them the keys Monday. HALLELUJAH.

In between all of this, I have tried to attempt to baby step my way into tackling major changes with my daily job and special projects, including the business I want to start. The short of it is that nothing much has changed. ;) I am still at the same day job and it is still very stressful and even less ideal now that I live 30 minutes away. My plans to amp up posting and content of this blog has failed, but I did finally gather together my goodies for my side project, snail says. It is in early prep stages and I will not be formally launching it, or making any sort of announcement, necessarily, when it is up and running. The plan is to leak it on Pinterest eventually, when I reach a certain point in the content level (which I think is scheduled for late August or September). LOL. I wish I could tell you more, other than ... It will basically chronicle Dan and I's love letters and creative tokens of affection during our courtship, which was ten years ago this month. This is the only time I will likely mention this project because I want it to happen in a space exclusive of this blog, with it's own organic possibilities.

And, the business. It is forming. I have a P.O. box, email address, and company name with a blog/web site and Twitter account. It is in such early stages I hesitate to share details but if your really want a peek, you can get a glimpse here.

OH. AND AS IF THIS ALL WASN'T ENOUGH. I have also poorly attempted to be a super sister and super daughter and help and/or stay on top of (at least) my mom's medical progress. More about that at another time, because there really is no simple way to recap that.

ABOVE ALL, THOUGH. 








I have been falling in love with our home and our new town, as well as the greater community and county we now live in. I am beside myself with peace and joy having at last found my elusive Oregon roots. They are reaching deep quickly and finding nourishment here. I look forward to what they produce.

Nov 18, 2012

A Belated Happy Halloween!

Amy Mulder Photography
We were lucky to spend Halloween with our family while we were in Illinois. The 26th, Raine went to a Halloween party with JD, and then on Halloween he did some trick-or-treating with Logan and Lexi. Here are a few pics. Many more can be found here. ;-)

Updating his Facebook status before going to the party. :-)
JD as the cutest Stay Puft Marshmallow Man ever!
Raine moved on to pajamas but still kept playing at the party. There were so many toys!
Ready to trick-or-treat on Gillman. ;-)


Little Lexi Bee

Logan Mario Brother

Candy!
Cruising Gillman!

Trick-Or-Treat!
Raine was easily distracted by pumpkins, his new most favorite thing ever.
Sorting all the loot!

Aug 2, 2012

Happy 2nd Birthday Alexis!

Happy Birthday, Girlfriend!
Grandpa just sent me this photo of our beautiful little niece who turns TWO today! I can hardly believe it. When we saw her last, she was six months younger, but wow, what a difference those months can make! She doesn't look like a baby anymore...She looks so tall and grown up! I suppose this is the point where she starts entering the "terrible twos" but I don't really know if that is a real stage kids go through or just myth. I DO know that my sister has mentioned Lexi's occasional little attitude, but she's bound to have a little sass with her sweetness, right? (I mean, if she is going to be anything like her mama! LOL.)

January 2012 - The last time we saw her!
It is really fun to watch her change as she grows knowing that she is only one year ahead of Raine. It is like a little preview of what I can expect! (I also think she is old enough that I can stop referring to her as "The Nef's Lil Sis.") We are hoping to Skype with the family tonight and see her and Logan. We don't do it nearly enough. Rachel and I have this fabulous technology so that we can see each other's kids whenever we want despite the fact that we live so far apart, and we rarely use it! I guess we are a LITTLE preoccupied though with our kids, households, jobs, etc. So I am very much looking forward to our next reunion in October. Can't wait to give this little girl a hug. Also in the meantime, we shipped a present for her party on Saturday. AND HOW MUCH FUN IS IT TO SHOP FOR A LITTLE GIRL. ;)

Apr 3, 2012

Random Photo Luv

Taken by Rachel: Tom, Alexis, & Logan on vacation in Florida ;)

Dec 30, 2011

The Nef and Lil Sis: Holiday 2011

Remember how super cute they were last year when they glammed up? This year it is out of control. I mean, shut. the. front. door. Rachel! OMG. That dress on Lexi?! And Logan with the hat!? Ha ha. I LUV IT.








(And I need to get better about sharing photos of them on here because the last time was probably over 6 months ago and they are growing so super quick! I can't wait to give them big hugs next month!)

May 18, 2011

Looking Forward to Seeing My Family


I was going through some files and found this photo of Lexi that my sister sent (or was it Tom's sister?) It is a few months old...Lexi is much bigger now with long hair in pigtails, crawling and standing. This will always probably be one of my favorite photos though. I LOVE it. She is so adorable. I like that is taken from an aerial view of such a sweet moment where she is just hanging out with her big bro and daddy. ;-) Only a few more days until I get to see them! Rachel said Logan keeps saying "Uncle Dan and Aunt Eeah!" (He isn't using L's yet...LOL. I don't care. He can call me whatever he wants!) I just can't wait to hug these little munchkins....

Mar 25, 2011

Alexis' Six Month Photos!






My sister just uploaded these to Facebook and I had to steal them and share them here. :) I got her that little outfit for Christmas, thinking ahead to Spring. The matching shoes are the best. I can't believe she is already six months old! Time is going so fast! And she will be 1 year old just a few weeks before Blasty is born! :)

Mar 3, 2011

Little Swimmers

I can't believe how fast these two are growing!!!

Feb 15, 2011

the nef and lil sis glam up for christmas:

kiddos

most recent photo of the nef's lil sis:

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it is ridiculous how much she looks like her cutey mama when she was a wee one!

(super cute yellow onesie with a patchwork and button mouse from auntie loola. :)

Feb 13, 2011

logan and lexi:

logan and lexi

the nef has a lil' sis!!!

Alexis 2

*~* alexis allyn mccaw *~*

born the 2nd of august 2010

6 lbs 13 oz and 19 inches


lil sis munchkin looks just like rach when she was born, with the trademark black hair! :) more photos to come...i'm anxiously waiting...