Laboring

No, I am not in labor, however my physical and emotional pain is close. We are in our new house after taking 6 days to move out of our old house. We finished at 2:30 AM the day before we closed. I was so tired that it was difficult to sleep. I have never been that exhausted. We moved in to fumes from hardwood floors, paint and dry wall sanding mess, lots of bugs and cob webs, and toilets that would only flush with the help of a plunger - yuck! Have I said I really love this house? Although it is not everything it should be right now, it is going to be great.

Fortunately, the house has a finished basement and the 7 of us camped out. (I was able to wash it down with Clorox before we set up camp and we have not seen a live scorpion since three weeks ago - toxic bug killing spray helped). Without a kitchen, I have become quite creative with a toaster. We have created great memories is such a short time - big highs and low lows. I believe the lowest moment was when one of the workers called the fire department because of some unknown fumes. That resulted in a verbal confrontation between the plumber and the painter - the painter claiming he was NOT USING OIL PAINT! I have discovered that unless there is a contractor over the project, the different subs are less than friendly with one another. My children's knowledge of words has also been expanded due to some interesting bumper stickers UGHHHH. The fire trucks did leave and it was decided that the fumes were from the floors or perhaps the bug killer combined with the floor fumes which had been trapped inside the non-venting hot water heater closet. Oh did I mention that for 5 days we showered with less than luke warm water. It is getting better every day and oh how I loved my hot bath tonight. God's provision has been so real and evident despite the lack of comfort.

I AM SO THANKFUL FOR OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!! We would not have made it without them. At the time of greatest need someone would step in or show up to help. Witht eh exception of some large furniture, we moved ourselves.

Skip's mother helped us with the small ones towards the end of the move. Such a HUGE HUGE blessing. My mother came to help as soon as we were able to move furniture onto the floors - I have never had enough nerve to ask her if I was adopted. I should though because I do not have anything close to her stamina, energy, patience and organization skills. She had us all going from sun-up until 10:30 each night and amazingly we ate a hot meal EVERY NIGHT! We are almost out of boxes!!!!!! I just have my office and kitchen boxes left to unpack - oh and boxes of toys that I cannot bring myself to open . Hopefully this weekend our kitchen will be finished.

The emotional aspect of life right now;
My dearest friend is moving to Nashville. This all came about during the frantic packing of our house. I have been in denial over her move. Her husband has already accepted a job so she has been here alone with her children. I wanted her to sell her house soon, but I thought it would take at least a month, which would be just enough time for it all to sink in. She sold her house in less than a week! She is the friend I touch base with at least every two days, she knows all of my issues - and accepts me, she is the one I call first, she has always lived less than a minute away, she is not afraid to tell me the truth when I need to hear it, she has held my hand through times when I could not see beyond the pain, she is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met - and very humble - she knows everything! and the dearest thing about her is she has taught me so much about the love of Christ because she lives it. She was the friend who helped me accept the fact that I do not fit in the box - and that is okay. This is the amazing thing, I have had many friends call me and express that She is the same friend to them as she is to me. I am going to miss her!!