Still Alive

I haven't updated for a while because I was busy just keeping my head above water. The beginning of February inspired me to try new things, and remember what it was like to just have fun.

We went to the newly remodeled Idaho State Museum on first Thursday, when admission was free. I was amazed at the changes they've made. The whole thing is so much more interactive and hands-on. We spent an easy two hours enjoying the exhibits. Ethan didn't come with us, as he wanted to attend the art museum with his friends. So we grabbed the three remaining kids and a friend of Libby's and went without him.

They explored the train.

While Michael pushed the buttons that made the animal noises. I didn't get pictures of all the activities, but it was amazing. I'm thinking about going back, but it's also really expensive on every other day of the month.

I also decided to try to do more art projects with my little kids, in order to bring some spark back to our school days. I don't know why paint stresses me out so bad, but it does. I breathed deeply, got some canvasses out (yay Dollar Tree), pulled out the masking tape and we did some art.

An hour later we had finished our art, the kitchen was still standing, and life was good.

Some days are just for reading with the dog.

Mornings are still dark, but Michael found some beauty. He snapped this picture on his way home from walking Libby to the bus stop, because she doesn't like the aforementioned dark.

February is a long month, full of cloudy skies and mud. While it will never be my favorite month, I'm trying hard to keep us busy and happy. And I keep reminding myself that Spring will come.

New Year's

Ethan went to a dance on New Year's Eve, leaving the five of us at home. We watched a few movies, ate some junk food, and just hung out. Close to midnight we frantically looked for a New Year's countdown, couldn't find one, and missed midnight by a minute. The confetti cannons were still just as loud and messy and the cider was as sweet at 12:01.

So much confetti.

Days worth of confetti.

Confetti angels worth of confetti.

Never going to find it all, confetti. Two dollars per cannon, five cannons needed. Huge mess. Completely worth it.

Happy New Year.

Cheers.

Burns

After eight months in hospitals, rehab, and assisted living, my dad put his foot down. He is going home.  He still has almost no mobility from the waist down, so his children scurried up to Burns, Oregon where he has lived for the last two decades in an apartment attached to his rock and gem shop.  

We spent a weekend rearranging and tossing old items so Dad could access his home in his wheelchair. My brother basically gutted the bathroom and moved a wall so Dad can get in his bathroom. We moved kitchen cupboards, arranged cabinets, hauled stones, and moved furniture. It was a long weekend, but we accomplished a lot.

We still need to widen doorways and install ramps before he heads home, but we are making progress!

The front of his shop.

Doorways are still way too narrow.

After three days of solid labor, we were gifted with a sunset on the way home. The one thing I miss about living in the desert is the sunsets. Amazing!