Catching up

When the process of us moving to OH first started back in April when John accepted the new job, I told myself "I'll have plenty of time to blog while I'm home with the boys until I find a job." When we hit August, I said "How have I not managed to update the blog in the two months since we've been here when I haven't been working?" And today I"m saying "Has it really been 5 weeks since my last post (and do I really not have a job yet)?" as well as "I can't believe it's been almost 3.5 months since we moved!"

I started this blog knowing that it would be a great way to keep everyone up to date with what is going on in our lives since we have friends and family spread out across the country and to allow myself to do some form of writing on a regular basis. In fact, the very first post on this blog was from our trip to Gulf Shores in June of 2012 to give everyone a way of knowing what was happening with us at the beach each day. When we moved just a year later, I had grand plans (in my head, of course) that I would keep up with this more regularly and become more creative with it. And, really, after 10 years of working at the same company and many, many weeks over the last 3 years working 50-60 hours a week, I wanted that "me" time that didn't involve falling into bed and having no energy to do anything else because I was so mentally exhausted. Now, I sit and wonder where all the time has gone since we've been here because I've definitely had that "me" time, but I haven't used it here like I thought I would.

So, what have we been up to that I haven't been posting once a week (at a minimum) like I told myself I would? Here's a list for you:
1. First and foremost, I've been doing stuff with my kids. There are a few local community parks that we would go to in the mornings to be out of the house, away from electronics and giving them space to run out some of that endless energy they always seem to have.
2. We purchased a membership to Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, which the kids absolutely loved. We tried to go every other Wednesday and would spend 3-4 hours there. The weeks we didn't go, they kept asking why we weren't, so I guess it was money well spent! As part of the membership, we are also able to visit Fort Ancient and SunWatch Indian Village and we went to each once over the summer, as well.
3. Running. Yes, you read that right. Running. If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that the words "Sabrina" and "running" would be said in the same sentence and actually mean exercise rather than just going to the store, I would have laughed in their face. Now, we're researching 5K's to do this fall. We're working out of the training program found in this book and it's worked out great for us. 
4. We've made 2 trips north to see my family. The first trip was to go camping at the lake with my dad and to see my newest niece at the beginning of July and the second trip was in August for my oldest niece's 14th birthday. It's nice to be able to see them by only having a 4 hour drive to make instead of 12!
5. Reading. Lots and lots of reading. We went to one of the local libraries to get library cards and the kids have been tearing thru the books they get there. Added bonus - digital books that can be borrowed to read on my Kindle. I've been adding lots of books to my "wishlist" for the loans, many thanks in part to the great reviews that I read by Kindle Gal and the girls on the Kindles & Wine book blog as well as a few others that I check periodically for different recommendations.
6. School. The boys had a longer summer break because of the move. They were done with school in Memphis a week before the kids here in OH were done and the schools in Memphis went back 3 weeks before they started here. We've now officially completed 3 weeks in the new schools and the kids are liking it so far. And, not only did my kids get to start in a new school this year, but it's also the first year that they have ever ridden a school bus to get to and from school each day.
7. Soccer. We signed them both up for a fall league shortly after we got here and practices started in August. They've each had 2 games so far and we have 7 more to go, with possible tournament games afterwards depending on how the season goes.
8. Cub Scouts. This one is the newest of the list. Alex has said he doesn't want to play soccer again after this season and that he was really interested in joining Scouts. We sat him down and had a big talk about this and the commitment it means and he never wavered from wanting to do it. So, he's now officially a Bear Scout and has his first Pack meeting next Thursday.
9. Most of all, the boys were able to spend the summer being kids. When we weren't out at Boonshoft or one of the parks, they were actually outside playing and making friends in the neighborhood. There are a ton more kids here for them to play with than they had in our old neighborhood, so it was nice for them to actually know other people their ages before school started.

So, what's next for us? I'm not sure yet. We have soccer and Cub Scouts and then who knows what will come next? And, hopefully, I'll have a job before long. While I loved being home with the kids over the summer, now (and I can't believe I'm saying this), I'm actually starting to miss working. The ideal solution would be to find a company that would allow me to work from home at least part time so that I could still be here when they get off the bus in the afternoons. But, I know that I would be extremely lucky to be able to find something that would allow that. For now, I'll be happy with whatever I can find and we'll just keep on enjoying life here in Ohio.

Busy summer

Well, it's been 2 months since the big move and my last blog post. I can't believe how fast the time has gone. Also hard to believe? Had we stayed in Memphis, the boys would have started the new school year yesterday. Instead, I took them with me this morning to drop off the registration paperwork for them to attend Springboro schools, which start on August 26.

We've been busy this summer. I decided to spend a little extra money to get a membership to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and we've made the drive there several times so far. Well worth the money spent on it! Bonus point - they have a small zoo, so the kids get to visit the meerkats....

.... after they put themselves in jail.

We also made the drive out to Fort Ancient one Friday with Andy, David and Jessie. After walking around the museum area, we drove out and had a picnic lunch before making the mile hike along one of the trails. This was the view from the south overlook at the end of the trail:

And this was the kids, taking a break while enjoying the view from the south overlook:

The boys and I also drove up to see my family for a few days and to go to the lake with my dad and stepmom. This was the view of the lake Monday morning after I got back to the campsite from my run for the day:

I love how the sun rays are coming down between the clouds in this one. So peaceful - especially since it wasn't even 8:00 and the kids were still asleep in the camper. Later that morning, my dad fired up the boat and took the boys and I out on the lake so they could go fishing. They were happy little clams, having Grandpa Joe all to themselves.

Later that afternoon, my niece and nephew arrived and we got to watch my niece be the "bow fisher queen" that she is fishing off the dock at night trying to catch some carp.

All in all, we've had a great summer. The boys have been making friends in the neighborhood, so while I'm still looking for a job here, it's nice to not be working right now so that they can actually be out playing during the day rather than being cooped up in the house.

Adventures in moving

Oh, what a crazy, busy, stressful 2 months we've had. John left the morning of April 22 to fly to OH and start the new job while the boys and I stayed in Memphis so they could finish out the school year and I could keep working for a few more weeks. 

Here's my advice: never, EVER think that 7 weeks is plenty of time to get your house packed up while you are working full time and have turned in your notice to work up until the day before you will be packing up the moving truck. Up until the last few nights, I knew I needed help but stupidly did not ask for it. And there's only so much help an 11 and 8 year old can give when you are putting 95% of your belongings into storage for 4-6 months and you need to make sure boxes that need to stay with you are appropriately marked. Here's what the truck looked like after we got everything in that was going on it:

Anyway, we are all in one place after being apart for 5 1/2 weeks except for a couple weekends where John drove home. It still doesn't feel real to me that this area will be our new "home," but I'm guessing that feeling will hit with full force as soon as I find a job to start working again and the kids start school in the fall. It was really weird to leave our house in Memphis and see it as empty as the day we bought it 11 years ago.

I do know one thing after all this is said and done: I have some of the best friends a girl could ask for. Everything that got done in order for this move to happen would never have happened if it weren't for them. I  will miss them all dearly and can't wait for us to have our own place so that they can come visit.