We have not fallen off the face of the continent. Rather, we are smack dab in the middle of North America in mid-Missouri in my home town. Our days have been filled with walks, trips to the park and store, loving on our dog (who is quickly deteriorating from diabetes and old age), and generally relaxing, enjoying our free time. My kids love being at both their grandparents’ houses (Adam’s folks and mine), and always expect fun things to happen. Visits from cousins, new shows (The Andy Griffith Show is my Dad’s favorite, and now Emma and Owen’s favorite), new snacks, new places to play hide-and-seek, all the things that are fun about a grandparent’s house.

And now, the newness and fun-ness has worn off. We have had a few harder days with Emma, disobeying just slightly, a few sassy comments, that sort of thing. But tonight was the meltdown I knew was coming. Of course, her crying upset Owen so he couldn’t go to sleep when he was really ready. The result: Owen walked out after being in bed for half and hour, on the verge of tears because he “really misses New York.” I’ve been wondering when this would all come to a head. It’s inevitable, and we’ve moved enough to know it’s rough on the kids. I’m so ready to be in a place longer than 18 months.

We have not fallen off the face of the continent. Rather, we are smack dab in the middle of North America in mid-Missouri in my home town. Our days have been filled with walks, trips to the park and store, loving on our dog (who is quickly deteriorating from diabetes and old age), and generally relaxing, enjoying our free time. My kids love being at both their grandparents’ houses (Adam’s folks and mine), and always expect fun things to happen. Visits from cousins, new shows (The Andy Griffith Show is my Dad’s favorite, and now Emma and Owen’s favorite), new snacks, new places to play hide-and-seek, all the things that are fun about a grandparent’s house.

And now, the newness and fun-ness has worn off. We have had a few harder days with Emma, disobeying just slightly, a few sassy comments, that sort of thing. But tonight was the meltdown I knew was coming. Of course, her crying upset Owen so he couldn’t go to sleep when he was really ready. The result: Owen walked out after being in bed for half and hour, on the verge of tears because he “really misses New York.” I’ve been wondering when this would all come to a head. It’s inevitable, and we’ve moved enough to know it’s rough on the kids. I’m so ready to be in a place longer than 18 months.

We have not fallen off the face of the continent. Rather, we are smack dab in the middle of North America in mid-Missouri in my home town. Our days have been filled with walks, trips to the park and store, loving on our dog (who is quickly deteriorating from diabetes and old age), and generally relaxing, enjoying our free time. My kids love being at both their grandparents’ houses (Adam’s folks and mine), and always expect fun things to happen. Visits from cousins, new shows (The Andy Griffith Show is my Dad’s favorite, and now Emma and Owen’s favorite), new snacks, new places to play hide-and-seek, all the things that are fun about a grandparent’s house.

And now, the newness and fun-ness has worn off. We have had a few harder days with Emma, disobeying just slightly, a few sassy comments, that sort of thing. But tonight was the meltdown I knew was coming. Of course, her crying upset Owen so he couldn’t go to sleep when he was really ready. The result: Owen walked out after being in bed for half and hour, on the verge of tears because he “really misses New York.” I’ve been wondering when this would all come to a head. It’s inevitable, and we’ve moved enough to know it’s rough on the kids. I’m so ready to be in a place longer than 18 months.

I love you Emma, Owen and Addison!!

(And, as a side note, everyone has said that Addison looked cute in the before and after shots in the previous post. And I need to say that I will always think my kids are beautiful, no matter what they look like. I did not mean to come off sounding like I am concerned with looks. It’s true, he is adorable no matter what. And that smile–too cute! But honestly? That first haircut was the pits. Fortunately, I can now look back and laugh. Or at least chuckle. A bit.)

I love you Emma, Owen and Addison!!

(And, as a side note, everyone has said that Addison looked cute in the before and after shots in the previous post. And I need to say that I will always think my kids are beautiful, no matter what they look like. I did not mean to come off sounding like I am concerned with looks. It’s true, he is adorable no matter what. And that smile–too cute! But honestly? That first haircut was the pits. Fortunately, I can now look back and laugh. Or at least chuckle. A bit.)