Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Up and Down

The Up and Down in our lives...

Life is so full and busy for us lately. I haven't made my computer time a priority since having Laren gone, I have felt a greater pull to be with my kids - wherever they are - even if it's in the other/same room! I have a whole new appreciation for single Mom's.

The Ups: Listening to General Conference
Watching Kayla play Volleyball
Saying prayers and reading scriptures with my kids

Listening to my Girls practice their piano
Playing in the yard with Tyler
Reading to Rilyn and Tyler

Watching Kyle be a great big brother, to Tyler
My morning walks and talks with Tara
My personal nightly scripture study in "The Book of Mormon Made Easier" (I still
highly recommend this book - it keeps my mind engaged in what I'm reading!)

Following the Presidential Election (just a little hobby of mine)
Going to Kayla's Choir Concert
Making Cards for my Card Group

The Downs: Missing Laren
Getting the kids to do their homework, reading done, etc...
Cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning

Breaking up sibling squabbles - 'nuff said!
Figuring out little things that Laren has always done - like changing the battery
out on smoke alarm after it beeped all through the night (and we didn't have any extra 9 volts). Those things are tricky to change, at least in our house (no laughing! I'm being serious here!!)

Having to attend parent-teacher conferences by myself
No back and foot massages, ala Laren
Less sleep

13 comments:

Bethany and Terry said...

Good to hear from you. We are in the house we bought in April. It just took us months of work before moving in.

We moved the begining of September and we love it and the ward. There are 963 people in our wee town and we LOVE it.

So friendly and quiet. It's a great place.

You look great and so do your kids. Sorry you're without a hubby. Hope the rest of the week goes well. It will be fun to keep tabs on you. Where are you guys now?

Anyway, great blog. Fun to be in touch. If you're ever this way you guys have a place to stay.

Hollie said...

You have so many more positives than negatives. You are a much stronger person then me! Hang in there and keep up the awesome work. It was hard for me when we moved and Travis was gone for two weeks. I only had one kid to deal with. I can't imagine what you are going through.

Julie said...

Just don't get too used to him being gone....then it gets harder when he's home and messes up the routine ;)

Greg moved to Houston three months before the kids and I did. It's frustrating at times, but you'll have to take some time to "enjoy" some alone time when the kids go to bed.

Unknown said...

I miss ya, Kari! It is goot to hear an update from you. Hang in there. I can hardly imagine holding it together without my DH ... and I totally sympathize on the smoke alarm battery problem!

Denise said...

Hey, no laughing here. Smoke alarms are of the debil. Those suckers are hard to change! Hard to get the cover off, hard to pull the battery out, all the while beeping at about 1000 decibels in your ear at 3:00 a.m. And that's if you can reach the dang thing to begin with. I totally hear ya, there are some things that are just husband jobs, lol!

I hope you are able to join him soon. Any interest in your house?

Mary said...

You're amazing Kari... only someone like you could hold down the fort and still have such a long list of positives.

Angela said...

Kari, I love that your positive list was longer than your negative list--that just shows what a wonderful person you are! I really enjoyed Elder Wirthlin's comments at Gen Conf: "Come what may...and love it". What a great example you are of that! {{hugs}}

Carolee said...

Sounds like life is pretty crazy right now but its amazing what you can accomplish when you go into survival mode:) When do you get to all be together again? Hopefully soon!!

donna said...

it is hard to be the only parent in the house.. But hopefully your house will sell soon and you will all be back as a family......



Thanks for the updated...

Krista said...

It is great to list out the positives and see there are so many more than the negatives. But I know how hard it must be to keep your house clean for viewings at any moment and to mediate with kids. I, too, marvel at single mothers!

Unknown said...

I can only imagine how hard it is with our your hubs around. Hang in there!! I am impressed you are still staying so positive. And I feel your pain about the smoke alarm I have had that happen a few times. So annoying!

Unknown said...

I'd say you're making great use of the "us" and not getting too "down." Great attitude during this stressful time!

Anna Winn and Family said...

I'd love to have tips on how to keep my sanity! When do you get to be with Laren? Are you staying until the house sells? I'll try to find you on Sunday to get any pointers you have - SERIOUSLY! This will be the third time we've lived apart. I'm biting my fingernails hoping that the market swings back up - or at least gets a little better. :)