Are We There Yet?

I feel like this title is constantly running through my head.  I hear this repeatedly in the car from the kids and it sums up my life and my thoughts right now.  I feel like we're never "there" yet.  And if we do get "there" we just need to pack up and get to somewhere else.  I would really like to just relax and enjoy "here" right now, but I'm not sure I can wrap my brain around that at this time.  Maybe I should start meditating or take up yoga.  But when would I fit that in?

Last tournament of the summer season

Gracie made the All-Star team through the little league organization here in Columbia.  Nick was an assistant coach and they both went to practice three times weekly for three weeks prior to the state tournament in Concordia, MO.  We drove there and back three days in a row for one game each day.  It's a little ridiculous, if you ask me, but I'm not in charge.  The girls had fun together, though.  It was a double elimination tournament and we lost the first game, won the second, then lost on Sunday afternoon.  It was pretty hot on Sunday, but thankfully our game didn't start until around 6pm.  On Saturday, the game was at 10am, so we had the rest of the afternoon to play at the pool, which we could see from the ballpark!

This is Gracie's All-Star Team.

There were quite a few girls from Ashland on the team, so Gracie got to know some new friends that she will go to school with this fall.  Hopefully this will help the transition a little bit.

Gracie catching in the first game on Friday evening.

Her right arm is exactly where it is supposed to be.  Nick and I made her really uncomfortable when we were working with her at home one night.  He made her stuff her right arm down inside her catching gear so she we keep her hand back.  I guess it worked.  

She really didn't like having to do that.

Practice swing with Nick as the third base coach.

Made it to third!

Nick coaching.

I'm not sure which one I like to watch more.  I'm so glad that he is involved with the kids' activities and that he can help other kids, as well.  He is such a good role model and leader for these kids to look up to.  I hope we can continue to balance everything so he can keep doing what he loves.

Gracie playing third base.  During this game, she had a great double play at third.  This was after she plowed into the pitcher at home plate while baserunning during the previous inning.  I wish I had a picture of that.  Nick sent her home and she dove head first into the pitcher, who was covering home. Unfortunately she was out. She jammed her finger pretty badly, but played the rest of the game.  The coach had to switch her to second base because she couldn't throw the ball very well.  I'm not sure why she went head first, but I'll bet she doesn't try that again for awhile.  Slide feet first, Gracie.  Lessons learned.

Owen was such a trooper this year with Gracie's softball schedule.  For most of the season, there were other little brothers hanging around the ballpark, but the last few games, not so much.  

Don't worry, buddy. Flag football and wrestling are around the corner.

After Gracie's second game, we enjoyed the afternoon at a nearby pool in Concordia for a few hours.  It was a perfect afternoon for some fun swimming and diving.  I think Nick had just as much fun as the kids and there was even a lap lane, so I could swim.  It's been a long time since I've done that!  I only lasted about 15 minutes swimming laps.  That's hard work!

Owen going off the high dive.

Gracie takes her turn.  She wasn't nearly as hesitant as Owen the first time.

After we returned to Columbia the second day, Gracie was asked to spend the night at one of her friends' who was playing on her team.  This was also someone who was in her class at school this past year.  I'm really glad that Gracie is making friends and wanting to do things with them!  I'm not sure if it was a compliment when her dad told me that she ate about 3 pounds of bacon for breakfast the next day, though.  Poor Gracie.  She has such a huge appetite.  

After the loss on Sunday, we returned back to a someone normal week.  No practices or activities.  Just normal work and visits to the Lake to see Grandma and Grandpa.  Gracie and Owen love going to the lake!  They stayed Wednesday through Friday last week!

Owen with Kaia.  She's over 6 weeks old now!

Gracie with Kaia.

Gracie is still not too big for Grandpa Tom's lap.

The past weekend was pretty low key.  Nick worked at opening ceremonies for the Show-Me State Games and Saturday morning the kids went in with him to watch wrestling and some basketball.  I got to buy groceries.  Fun (insert sarcasm).  Gracie was invited by a different friend to spend the night.  I think Gracie has spent more nights away from home than she's actually been here in the past week.  

After working with dad.  Somebody's tired. 

Not Gracie!  She's ready for a sleepover.

Gracie got to help her friend, Brynn, with their pigs that they show at the fair.  Brynn also shows horses.  She's one of the pitchers on Gracie's softball team.

The next day.  Gracie actually asked to take a nap.  I think she stayed up late again.

Who's tired now, Gracie?

Owen's cub scout pack that went camping down near the Lake of the Ozarks this week.  Owen was so excited to go!  He had trouble falling asleep on Saturday night and I'm sure he's exhausted.  They will be done tomorrow and Nick will drop Owen off with my mom before heading home.  I won't see Owen for 4 days!!!

And....the house

They have started the siding on the back of the house.  It's going to look great!

Here is the rest of the siding, sitting in the garage.

Soffit is not done yet, but they have a good start.  

This has to be done before the siding goes on here.

The window has been replaced!

Another picture of the back of the house

The electric and water have been trenched to the other side of the house...

So we can get water to the barn and eventually have electric out there too!

(That pile contains all the posts for the barn, yet to be placed in the ground)

There will eventually be a light fixture up there.  But if you notice, there is nothing to connect it too.  Oops.

I'm not sure what to say about the house.  They are working on running electric to all the outlets and switches.  We haven't heard back from anyone about flooring or cabinetry.  The drywall joint compound is sitting in the basement, but I haven't seen any sheetrock yet.  I have bought some paint, but I'm sure we'll need more.  I'm quite certain we will not be moving in on the date that's in our contract, but we haven't been given another date yet.  Nick has been down a couple more times to keep plugging away at the deck/porch, but it's a lot bigger than our previous deck was.  Apparently, we are older as well, and it takes a little more effort.  I think it's an understatement that I'm starting to get a little anxious and stressed about finishing this.  I'm trying to get 2-3 boxes packed per night here.  I'm also trying to avoid thinking about the fact that there is no fence out there yet and no barn for all of our outside stuff and horses.  Just breathe....right?  There is a plan, even if it is still unknown to me.  "Acceptance is the answer to all my problems today...nothing happens in God's world by mistake."  There is a reason for everything.

DATE NIGHT!

Yep, that's me driving the truck and flat bed with 5 round bales.

Nope, I didn't have to put the truck in reverse.

Nick got to drive the tractor, though.

Nick and I helped Terri, our landlord, bring in some bales from her pasture while the kids were spending the night at the lake.  Sometimes helping other people is a nice break from worrying about your own stuff.  I got to take a 4-wheeler ride with Nick and drive in a tractor with him!  What could be better than that?!