New Trails/I want my sisters

Well, the move is complete.  That is to say we have cleaned out and locked the doors behind us and are now fully living in the new house.  The house still feels very much in disarray and chaotic but I am trying my best not too complain for the things I want to complain about are mostly just blessings.  For example:  my kitchen is too big so I was unable to finish painting my cabinets before we moved in and I have no idea now when I will actually get the doors painted and put on; I have too many possessions to be able to unpack and organize in a timely manner; etc.   I do not complain but I have allowed myself to feel the stress quite a bit and do not enjoy living in a chaotic environment.  But that's okay.  I know we'll get it taken care of.  I just prefer it to be sooner than later.  But life continues on and I don't have the luxury to dedicate a lot of time to unpacking, organizing or decorating.  I still have to make three meals per day and clean and do laundry and homeschool Addie and change 12 diapers and help with homework and read books and bathe babies and all of the regular things I do each day.  If I just had my mom and sisters here to take the kids or help me for a couple of days I could get it done.  But that is not to in the cards so I will just be patient and slowly plug away at it. 

Because I have been so spoiled to live near my sisters and parents all my life, I have been a bit of a baby and shed tears more than once about how hard this has been to do alone.  Today, however, I went for a run after getting Andre and Grace off to school.  It was so lovely and it felt sooo easy to run (normally I'm pushing 24 lb Lila and 33 lb Miles in a 20?lb stroller).  I had my phone with me because Jason might leave before I got back and Addie would be in charge.  Luckily the only texts I got from her were to ask if she could open the turkey lunch meat.  I decided to take some photos with my phone.  Sorry for the poor quality.  Anywho...I haven't had much time for exercise or exploring but have discovered the path I am quite sure I will usually run on.  Whenever I find a cool place to run I automatically think of my sisters.  I'm not sure why.  I guess because they all like to exercise outside and we used to do a lot of walking and/or running together.  I'm hoping some day my sisters will come visit me here and we will go running (or leisurely walking) together.  As you leave my house, you'll turn right:

At the intersection, if you turn right you'll head in the direction of Aaron and Allie's house:

 But for running, we'll turn left:

 We'll stay on the sidewalk just until it gets to that little curve you see above and then we'll turn down through the trees:

 We'll cross Woods Lane and then go through some more trees:

 And we'll admire the lovely landscaped backyards:

 And then we'll keep running until we go across this bridge:

 Then we'll look out and see the little lake:

 And you'll comment about how awesome it feels to run on this grassy path because it is just the right amount  of soft and firm to not hurt at all.

 And I'll tell you to watch out for horse poop because there are horse stables nearby.

 Maybe we'll see this cute little Mallard couple with their baby:

 And this Mallard couple and their baby:

 Then we'll say, "Hey!  There is OUR mom duck!  Its Sharon duck with her ELEVEN babies!"  Seriously?  Yes!  There are really ELEVEN ducklings.  And I've seen them all with this same mama several times.  The other mallard families have one each or there is one that has three ducklings.  This brave Sharon mama duck has eleven.  And we'll say, "Good for you, Sharon duck!  Thank goodness for you!  Good job!"

 Then we'll continue past the lake and go up behind some more lovely houses:

 And through these lovely woods:

 Until we get to the park.  Then we'll probably stop.  But maybe I'll be in better shape and we'll explore some more trails.

 But since we'll probably stop, I will turn you to the left and say, "Hey, look through those trees and you can see the kids new elementary school."

Then we'll turn around and run back along the lake:

 And I'll point out this house that we considered buying but didn't because it was full of wallpaper, had carpeted bathrooms, and Kathy was worried that the kids would climb over the fence and drown (and it was out of our price range. Ha! :) :

 As we get back on my street, you'll see my van and know that we're almost home:

 And I'll say, "Isn't this a lovely home?  I am so happy here!"  And then I'll pause and feel all ambivalent again--excited and peaceful and melancholy all at once--because I never want to move again and I just want to be able to know that we are planting our roots here and that this is the house my kids will always be able to call home but then part of me thinks, "Wait!  But this lovely house and neighborhood is in Texas.  If I stay here forever...then...that means I'm not at home in Utah."

 Then we'll probably come in through the back door and we'll find this little one playing Jenga with himself:

 And these two little girls who will be so happy to see you:

Won't that be a fun time?  Yes.  Yes it will.  Please come!!!