January Recap

We've had a busy January at the Scheutzow Ranch. We:

• transitioned Merit to a toddler bed
• got new bedroom furniture
• set up a new bedroom for Merit
• had 2 cars in the shop 3 times
• made vacation plans
• visited a new community group
• spent time with friends
• kept up with our usual things: soccer, midwife appts, work, biking, etc
• reorganized the basement
• had family visit from out of town (twice)
• ..... I am sure there is more that I cannot remember....

In the first week of February, we've:

• taken the car back to the shop
• moved Merit to his new bedroom
• had the furnace break and fixed
• had our first major experiences with teething-induced sickness (let's just say the nice version includes vomit. and diarrhea leaking while at a restaurant, new outfit necessary

This weekend we are celebrating my lovely Mother-in-Love! Today is her birthday! We're having a party.

Under the Dust

We're still here.... under the dust. Not only the cyber dust on this little blog, but the literal dust in all our house too. Not only have we been sick, we've been busy.

One or both of us have been out of town the past couple weekends, and we have another jam-packed wedding weekend ahead of us. Combine that with not feeling well, plus the basics of unpacking, cleaning, grocery, doing laundry, working full time, planning, repacking, and heading back out of town again in 4 days, and then doing it again and again.

I know, I know, no one wants to read a post full of excuses. And no one is going to come back to read post after post about how we haven't found time to post. It's kinda blog-lame, and I'm sorry.

So, here's a snapshot of other things we haven't been doing:

-the desk calendar is still turned to August. Although, it's been covered with stuff since then, so we haven't really noticed.
-all my houseplants are thirsty and drooping
-we slept between blankets for at least 4 days because we [first] didn't have any clean sheets and [the last 2 days] we were too tired to get the clean sheets from the basement and put them on by the time we remembered it needed to be done.
-the lawn hasn't been mowed in about 2 weeks
-we have been rewashing and reusing one sippy cup for over a week while the others sit waiting for attention in the sink
-let's not even start about the house cleaning...

I have been so thankful we use cloth diapers during this time! Some people might think these are the times when it would be easiest to use disposables for a while until things get back to normal. However, we have come so close to using up all the diapers, I'm not sure how that would work with disposables... I'm actually pretty sure there would be some sort of diaper panic/disaster added to that list. I guess it's different if it's a NEED, but I am so glad I don't need to leave the house to get more diapers, or worry about forgetting them or having enough.

Here are some happier things we've been up to:

We sold our Aveo for a Camry Wagon - this is still bittersweet for me, but a good move financially and spacially

Ok, this was more than 3 weeks ago, but it was a beautiful day at the park

Merit pet a fish for the first time - he loved them!

And he hung out with his Uncle Mike. Literally.

My wonderful husband got me flowers

Josh and Merit went for a hike while I was out of town. And supposedly did a lot of rough-housing

I had a great weekend celebrating my soon-to-be sister-in-law Michelle with her bridesmaids. She's marrying my brother-in-law this weekend and I am so excited for them!!

Photo cred: Claire Campbell/random lady

Autumn List

I guess it's time to blog about something substantial. Something other than cloth diapers?

Summer is coming to a close. I have to admit, I am almost glad. I have never felt this way before, it's pretty weird. Usually, I adore the heat, the long days, the adventures, the fellowship. I'm not discounting any of that, but this year has been different. For one, it's the first time that I wanted to do more than lay around outside. I wanted to take the kids out and play, but it has been almost too hot for that [emphasis on almost because you still won't find me complaining about summer]. Our long days and adventures seem to be more busy and less restful than in the past. Sure, our time is full of good things, but I'm looking forward to a slower season.

I'm looking forward to having the windows open, lower electric bills, snuggling into jackets/hoodies/blankets, having more fires, having a school routine with the kids, less obligations.

This week has been ideal. The windows have been open all the time. It is cold at night, requiring extra blankets and extra snuggling. The sun is still shining bright and hot during the day, but it seems like the thickness in the air has finally blown away. It's breezier. It's great.

o.k., o.k. The weather really isn't more substantial than cloth diapers. You must forgive me, I'm not really feeling any creative juices right now.

 The end of summer does have me thinking about all that I'd like to do before it gets cold again, though. Want a peek?

+Go to Young's Dairy
+Go apple picking [and make lots of apple pie & applesauce]
+Go to Cedar Point
+Visit a different metro-park every weekend we're in town
+See a drive-in movie
+Take a family walk 2-3 times a week
+Take the kids to the historical farm
+Have fall bon-fires whenever we can
+Replace our garage door

Speaking of lists, I also have a 101 in 1001 list going. I started it in the new year, but I haven't exactly reached 101 goals yet. Any suggestions to add to either list?