Pictures of You

Alright I admit it. Sometimes, I am less than perfect. Sometimes, I don't do things that I know I should simply because the very idea of it is exhausting. Case in point, last week's trip to Pryor.

We were there for five days and throughout that week I believe I pulled out the camera twice. Yes, twice...for a total of 18 pictures. And that isn't even the worst part of it.

Our trip happened to coincide with a very important birthday. Asher's great-great-great Aunt Mattie turned 100 on July 7th which meant that there was even more extended family around than usual. Some of these family members we haven't seen in over six years! Did I take the opportunity to click lasting memories of everyone together or did I leave my husband's ridiculously bulky and socially awkward camera in the car? Bet you can guess the answer to that.

Elijah was non too pleased when I got home with "No photographs!!? You were there for a week, how could you have NOT taken pictures? What were you doing? I cannot believe we didn't get a single shot of Asher and Mattie at her birthday celebration..." I'm sure he could have gone on had I not cut him off with my remarkably well thought out excuse reason.

You see, about four or five years ago I had requested a new SMALL camera that would fit in my purse or pocket so that I could take snapshots without the hassle of lugging around his monstrosity. (I mean seriously, it is damn near impossible to carry his camera around my neck while holding Amelia and trying to Asher from rolling around all over the floor EVERYWHERE WE GO!) I researched what cameras I was interested in and even found some that came in very cute colors. He went out to make the purchase and came back with a bulky Kodak that could barely fit in my hand much less my pocket. At this point I would like to point out that we don't even use that stupid camera any more.

The camera situation isn't a problem when we are all together, or even if Elijah takes the kids somewhere alone, although recently he has taken a lot of potentially awesome shots on his iPhone which I believe, aside from Facebook, does us no good. He is an excellent photographer and has a stash of various "artsy" cameras that he always has handy. He usually take the pictures while I wrangle the kids. It's a system that works perfectly as long as both of us are present. Unfortunately this last week he was absent and it shows on our memory card. I did get a few shots though, and since you took the time to wade through this verbose post, I will reward you with the best ones.

Sombody's Watching Me

As I mentioned in my previous post, the kids and I spent last week in Oklahoma. Taking this trip was a big step for me. It has always seemed overwhelming for me to take Asher on trips alone. I remember, when he was much younger, how nervous I felt about taking him to the mall or park without Elijah. Add Amelia to the equation and it's an understatement to say that my panic level was unbearably high. It was a blessing that both children slept until almost 0900 giving me a chance to have a private, non rushed shower, and a full cup of coffee in peace.

Once they were up, I settled them in for breakfast and began to pack the last items into the car. While arranging Amelia's diaper bag in the back seat I noticed some movement. I froze and start quietly backing away. The car is loaded with stuff and I could only imagine what could be hiding between the snack basket and DVD player. (I'm starting to rethink the wisdom of watching that Animal Planet special on Burmese Pythons in Florida.) As I'm moving away, I catch a glimpse of a small grey lizard darting over the backseat.

At that point, I do what any normal girl would do: I call for a boy. Unfortunately, at six, Asher doesn't quite understand that boys are supposed to catch all the creepy crawling things while girls are only expected squeal and scream and generally make the process more difficult. He has no interest in crawling around the car trying to catch a lizard. He makes a few halfhearted attempts to find it and then suggests that we call Elijah.

I make the call, trying not to freak Elijah out. I mean, I'd hate for him to worry about his unbalanced, panic stricken wife taking his two darling children on a 450 mile road trip. I calmly ask what I assumed to be all the right questions.

"Will it bite me?"
"Can I scare it out of the car with a loud noise?"
"Where do YOU think it might be hiding?"
"Asher thinks you should come home, can you?"

Our attempts at flushing out the lizard were unsuccessful. I finally gave up and got everyone situated in the car. I drove those 450 miles in abject terror that at any moment our little stowaway was going to crawl up my skirt. Obviously, we made the trips there and back safely but we still haven't found that little bastard.

All Aboard for Oklahoma

I have next week off so I'm loading up the kids and heading out to visit our family in Oklahoma. Elijah has to work so he will be looking after Chester and puttering around the house in the evenings missing us desperately.

I hope to have something interesting to say when I get back next week but don't hold your breath. I'll probably just end up whining about how whiney the kids were. Gee Marina, I wonder where they get it from.

In My House

I really enjoyed Open House. It was light, easy reading with an even, steady pace. I would definitely be interested in reading some of Elizabeth Berg's other works.

This is a story about a woman whose husband has decided to leave her. They have a middle-school aged son and in order to support herself and keep their home, she decides to rent out rooms. This book is sweet. It explores the main character's transformation from a passive, sacrificing wife to an assertive, independent woman. There's nothing surprising or spectacular about the story, but sometimes that's just what I need. I enjoyed it and if you're in the mood for something light with an predictably sweet ending, you will enjoy it as well.

Home

Well, it happened this past Monday. We finally sold our home in Moore, Oklahoma.

Due to the drawn out drama that lead up to the closing, I was more relieved than sad to have that whole ordeal behind us. There was far more uncertainty in the process than I was comfortable with. However, in the end, and after two contract extensions, the original buyers were able to fund their loan and we are no longer paying for two homes.

Phew!

Now that the papers are signed and the funds wired to our bank, I feel like I can actually take some time to reflect on the five years that we spent in our second home. A little stroll down memory lane, if you will.

Initially, I was sad about selling the house. I wasn't sad about moving but I was sad about leaving our lovely home. I fell in love with that house the moment I set foot in it. I remember our first night there, laying on a blow up mattress because our furniture hadn't yet arrived, listening to the sound of train whistles blowing in the distance. While I didn't love everything about the structure of the house, (I thought the master bathroom was ridiculously small and I hated that we had to walk halfway across the house to get to the nearest restroom while watching a movie in the living room), I did however, love the life we shared together these past five years.

And so, to commemorate our years spent in our Oklahoma home, I put together this wonderfully sappy slideshow. Enjoy!