We are finally home and people keep asking if we are getting settled in. To me the term "settled in" infers a slow progression, so I wouldn't quite call it "settling in." More like...jumping in full speed ahead without your gear attached, but with a smile on your face and just enjoying the ride. Shall I attempt to sum up life since China in one sentence? One long run-on sentence. The first week was getting over jetlag, followed by packing to go to California, boxes from China arrived the night before we left, drive to Texas, pop two tires, pick up Emily and Desi in Arizona, a fun week in California, back to Arizona and Texas, a crazy impromptu decision to go back to California for three more weeks, long drive home in 3 days, got chickens back, attempt to clean and de-clutter portions of house while planning for school, baby in full toddler mode, writing class, try to enjoy last bits of summer and garden, reorganize and catalouge home library, field trip, yardwork, sleepovers, several wood-working projects, called as Young Women's President, start school a week early, have friends for Chinese dinner, get caught up on immunizations for Seth, new tires on van, birthday parties, Labor Day, soccer, crafting, weaning baby, games, books, training meeting, library, scrapbooking, paper mache, sewing lessons, cooking with kids, husband to China, new battery in van, glasses for girls, project presentations, dance, art, drama, workshops, piano, tutoring, teaching "little friend school," presentation on China at library, husband called into the Bishopric! What? I mean, why not...when you are this busy, what's one more thing, right?
Now, just for me so I don't forget (and I can erase the whiteboard to start a new month) and I might actually go back someday and add pictures, here is the day by day schedule of the last month:
Wed. August 7 - home, enjoying chickens, Seth explores house, learns to climb ladder to bunkbed
Mon. August 12 - kids make cookies and popsicles while I plan for school, organize home library
Fri. August 16 - boys on campout, girls night out - progressive milkshakes
Sun. August 18 - dessert at Smith's house
Mon. August 19 - Jared starts writing week, field trip to Radford theater, watch "Planes"
Tues. August 20 - Hung up timeline in hall, family pictures included
Wed. August 21 - Meeting about history group schedule, girls stay and bake cookies, Scouts/Activity Days, interview with Bishop to receive calling
Fri. August 23 - Spaghetti dinner for Luke
Sat. August 24 - housework, Picnic with girls in backyard, Chris finishes necklace racks, help with chicken coop, Sterling's circus birthday party
Sun. August 25 - called to be Young Women's President, make scrapbook for Emily
Mon. August 26 - start school, in charge of History kick-off 1850-1900 America
Tues. August 27 - started great grandmother's journal, Seth to dr. for 6 immunizations, Clarissa starts tutoring, meet with Julie about YW, Chinese dinner with Brames
Wed. August 28 - Seth is 15 months, working on weaning, Babysitting kits for YW
Fri. August 30 - Pres. mtg at church
Sat. August 31 - housework, clean basement, Jared and Chris help Nancy move, Bill and Laura come
Sun. September 1 - Fast Sunday, taught combined lesson on Fasting, make picture book for Alex
Mon. September 2 - Labor Day, with grandma, girls and Morgans at Claytor Lake, Chris work on coop
Tues. September 3 - Indian history activity, tutoring, Jared starts soccer, Seth has fever
Wed. September 4 - Pres. mtg at church, Amber starts dance, kite activity for YW, blessing for Seth
Thurs. September 5 - first "Little Friend School" letter I, Jared starts piano, tutoring, girls start dance, soccer, home with Seth and Amber
Fri. September 6 - apple dolls, dried apples, string popcorn, Seth has measles rash
Sat. September 7 - Auxiliary training, soccer, Seth still has rash
Sun. September 8 - Ward council mtg (missionary goals), lesson on language, Class Pres. mtg, work on Tuckers scrapbook
Mon. September 9 - sewing doll clothes, Jared starts art, project presentations - John Deere, Yellowstone, Early American dolls, The Apple Doll, work on Tuckers scrapbook
Tues. September 10 - work on China pictures, Jared starts drama, tutoring, soccer, buy food for Chinese friends
Wed. September 11 - Chris leaves for China, plan kids schedules, Pres. mtg, dance, joint YM/YW service scavenger hunt
Thurs. September 12 - Little Friend School letter C, workshop, Krystal starts piano, tutoring, dance, soccer, Henrietta missing
Fri. September 13 - China presentation at library, Chris extended call to Bishopric
Sat. September 14 - soccer, Primary fair, fall festival at Belmont Christian, new battery for van, order glasses for girls
Sun. September 15 - Chris called to be Bishop, home teachers, read Little Britches
