Working out Life

Well, it's officially announced and out in the world now. The Roberts family is moving to Texas! We are so excited and are embracing the move with open arms. There are SO many details and things that need to be worked out. As the Dallas realtor told me the other day, when one eats an elephant...one does it one bite at a time! And that's how we are getting it all done...one thing at a time! Our house is up for sale and we are hoping it won't take too too long to sell. As soon as that elephant is out of the way, we can choose a new one in Dallas and start working out all of the logistics of moving. In the meantime, the kids and I are chilling at the beach this summer. And can I just say...THIS is the life. I slip out each morning about 7:30 a.m. because that's when I wake up, and I hit the beach for a 5 1/2 mile walk in the sand. It's a GREAT workout. Then I come home, brew up some coffee and a simple breakfast of oatmeal or toast and eggs and we decide what we will do with the day. The decision process usually goes something like..."should we go to the beach, and then the pool? Or the pool and then the beach?" There are tons and tons of kids here and we seem to find friends wherever we are. We generally spend two to three hours on the beach, then grab some sandwiches for lunch. We might read for an hour or so and chill, then hit the pool for an afternoon swim. Then everyone grabs hot showers and we grill up something yummy for dinner. Then there is always lots of bike and scoooter riding with the hundred other kids that are here in the park. Then, around 10 p.m. each night they all beg to bed since they are so tired. And we sleep like the dead...only to wake up and do it all over again. Life is GOOD on the beach. I have gotten more reading done in the past 10 days than I have in probably a whole year. It's been divine. Lots of playing and relaxing and relaxing and playing. And it's SO much easier having the kids here than at home. The house is staying nice and clean for the realtors to show it...I LOVE that little detail. That in and of itself is a just a huge relief and is saving me tons and tons of stress. I AM missing my gym time...not that I'm not getting exercise. But I do miss the friends there and the push I get from them to go that extra mile. And I miss having my hubby around all week. He's there working in Tucson while I frolic on the beach. Life hardly seems fair that way. I would feel really REALLY guilty about it if our house were not on the market. That is the one solace of thought that I have. It is much better for us to be here as far as keeping the house neat and clean!!!

Our Max will turn 13 tomorrow. Our first teenager! WOW!!! Where did 13 years go? It's so hard to believe we've had him for that long! Ben will be hot on his heels. I'm kind of glad we have a few years break before Clara hits her teenage years...although she often times acts like a bratty teen now. We did most of our birthday celebrating this weekend for our Max. While Chris was here we took Max to see the new Transformers movie and then out for pizza...his favorite (wonder where he gets that?!). Then this morning we took him out to breakfast and had the most delicious cinnamon rolls ever!!! I got him the video game he has been hot after for a couple of months. And I look forward to a nice, quiet, peaceful day of relaxing tomorrow with my new teenager!

I guess that's all the real update for now. Just taking in the sand and the surf and enjoying this fantastic life. What blessings have been bestowed on our family. God has been so amazingly generous with us. Life is good.

Figuring Out Life

Okay...the same situation that had the biggest smile on my face EVER last Tuesday night has my tummy rather upset and unsettled tonight. SO much to be doing...and yet...none of it can be done. So many details to wade through...and yet not one teensy step can be taken. Sigh....it's enough to make a girl crazy! I am SO not a woman of patience. I want to be. i wish that I was. Truly I do. But when God was handing out patience....I think I must have been in the boob line...again! Because Lord knows I've got PLENTY of those! But very little or no patience. Sigh. It makes life quite difficult at times like this. Ten million thoughts swirling through my brain are challenging my sleep patterns right now. And I'm not so good without sleep! Chris is in Tucson now....he had to go back to work. And I am here on the beach in San Diego with the kids enjoying a bit of paradise. And it truly is dreamy and wonderful. There is honestly not ONE thing I have to be doing right now. The greatest challenge in my life right now will be rounding up some quarters so that I can do some laundry later this week....and that's about it! Quite a change from the life routine I am accustomed to running! I have to say that it is a real relief to have stepped away from the photography business for a while. And a huge relief to have stepped away from Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep and all of my duties as a coordinator...THAT is a huge relief. And I am so enjoying watching my children play day in and day out in the sun and sand all day. They fight so much less when they are away from the t.v.s and video games. They are borderline delightful at times like this! And I needed to see them be delightful. After this school year with Max...it's been a tough one for sure....it's nice to be delighted when watching them. And Ben....what a sweetheart he can be. So sweet with his sister and so helpful here...he's a dream kid. And Max is just easier to take all around right now. He's fun and witty and keeps me entertained. Clara chats at me almost constantly....some things never change! But she's pretty busy here and I'm not her sole source of entertainment most of the time...and that's so nice. I need to relax and enjoy my time here in paradise for sure. I am quite certain that I will not be here again...at least no time soon! Still...it's hard to just relax and stop the thoughts that are swimming so crazily through my head right now. On the one hand I want to freeze time and my life as I know it exactly the way it is. On the other..I am very frustrated that I cannot plunge headlong into my new life and start making decisions and committments....It's making me crazy. The division. As I sit here tonight I am so thankful for my very level headed hubby who is taking this all in stride. Who is so patiently putting up with his neurotic wife who wants all the answers YESTERDAY. Did I mention that I am not overly gifted in the patience department?! Sigh***** Life may not be moving along exactly as I thought or planned...but it's my life...and I'm thankful for it and for the opportunities that have come our way. Lord, please grant me the patience now to DEAL with it!!!! And like...NOW! Amen.