7 Quick Takes - "Country Fresh"

1) Being outside at our new house is so incredibly peaceful.

Peter and I on a bedtime walk.

I cannot even begin to describe how good it felt tonight. Granted, it is that perfect time of year. In the evening, once it cools down, it is absolutely gorgeous outside. The bugs are not out yet. It is so calm. The birds sing. The quiet sets. It is very well with my soul.

2) We finally maybe figured out a flooring solution.

So we have these nice thick AWESOME martial arts mats that we brought to use as our floor. But the dirt we dragged in on our shoes and feet was tearing them up. So after much struggle and strife, the final product is the martial arts mats covered in vinyl tablecloths, duct taped together and tucked around the sides. Then we have a ton of smaller cheap foam mats from Amazon on top. But they were so cheap, they were not staying together with our regular use. So I went back through and duct taped the seams (on the bottom) and then taped the edge along the kitchen for good measure. It is day one of being mostly done (as my plan shifted a little on how things were going to come together so we need just a few more -- I ordered them, though) and we are praying this holds up. It has been such a pain. And we had to cut the cheap mats on the end -- well, I had to cut them, Gordie was busy with "real work" and I am not good at that kind of stuff. But it looks pretty decent now and feels good on the feet. Plus the new cheap mats take the dirt much better. They just keep it on top so we can sweep it off. It was causing divots in the martial arts mats.

Not quite done here, apparently I forgot to snap a photo of the completely finished project. Maybe another day.

Notice the tablecloth peaking out? Getting creative here.

3) I didn't realize moving changes everything.

We took a brief hiatus from our house in Hays for a year earlier on in our marriage (while Gordie tested out the Air Force). Other than that, this is the first time we have actually MOVED. I was not expecting the mental and emotional insanity that would come with it. Everything in my life has been taken and turned on it's side. It is such an odd feeling. It is a great chance to really ask why this or that is important to me and sort out how it is going to work in our "new life" or if it is going to be revamped or replaced. And I mean, everything is sorted -- not just our stuff, but our activities, our time, our habits, the way we do things. It's crazy.

My computer is full of pictures like this. I just can't get over this view. Still marveling that it's ours. It is so peaceful. The picture doesn't do it justice. The feel here. It's just awesome.

4) Tying into point three, I will add that taking naps and regular bedtimes from my children has caused strain on all of us.

I have tried to get Zipporah to nap. And for a while I was successful. But now, she just obediently lays in her bed and watches her siblings. And Peter will eventually crash, but I can't lay him down in our bedroom, as we have no pen to keep him contained, unless he is dead asleep (which happens maybe a third of the time). Often now I just wait and let him sleep in the car, but his naps are much shorter and not as sound there.

5) Bedtime is a challenge.

With the kids sleeping in the main room, things MUST be cleaned up before there is room for beds and such. There is just no way to "leave it" and go to bed. That is taking some adjustment and definitely setting us back some.

Plus, with so much light, so late, the kids are not ready to settled, although they are definitely tired. We are all trying to learn patience and calm together, but many days there are more tears and screaming than I care to admit.

6) We had our first severe thunderstorm a few days ago.

It was actually really cool. I think it only rained, but it was SO LOUD on our metal building. And the rain came in sheets against the patio doors. It almost felt like we were on a ship at sea. It was oddly calming to me. The kids kind of went crazy, but not too bad. And it didn't last long.

7) Ticks.

Both Miriam and Zipporah had swollen lymph nodes on their heads from tick bites. They did a full round of antibiotics and now we are watching to see if the nodes continue to shrink or show signs of further infection.

We are hopeful though, as we sprayed around the house with a tick repellent and it seems to be keeping them off the screens, at least. We also purchased some Permethrin to put on our clothes and some safe for skin application. That stuff appears to be working well. The "thistle crew" (aka the kids we sent out to dig up thistles) came back relatively unscathed by the little blood suckers.

We have regular store-bought "OFF" with DEET on standby and I have an essential oil blend that we use some, too. We are well armed now, if nothing else. And, we have picked up a riding lawn mower (thank you, God for hooking us up, yet again), so Gordie hopes to mow a nice big space around the house. Then we will probably do a treatment on that area, as well.

In Conclusion:

(Since this is my blog, I can do what I want, like make another point, but not really call it a point. 😊) It feels like things are starting to come together. It has been a long difficult road out here. But thanks to the generosity of many with their time, talent, and treasure (and especially all the blood, sweat and tears of my dear hubby) it has come together for us to have this amazing new home. And we are really starting to settle in. It's not all roses (actually, I don't have any of those out here, yet 😄) but there have been some moments of real bliss. And the promise of more. We are incredibly blessed. And incredibly grateful to all who have helped us along the way. All I can say is that God is so good. And my heart is most full tonight.