And Just Like That.....My Life is Back

It's officially over. We are moved. The house deal closed without a hitch. We are getting more settled everyday in our new house. We have "hung out our sign." The Baum's are back in business.
The highlight of the stressful moving day is the reason for this awful picture being included in this post. The crutches are GONE! It couldn't have happened on a better day. Jace is now in a walking cast and is still gimping about but SO much more in the ball game. He couldn't move heavy furniture, so we hired movers this time (best decision ever). The best part is he can now carry his own plate to the sink and he can haul little children around again. SO glad you're back, Babe! Oh, how we missed you!Our best substitute plumber/dad/handyman/entertainer/mover is gone. Taft left to California the morning after the big move. Always a sad day at the Baums'. My children are having Nintendo DS withdrawls and Jace wonders around like a lost puppy dog. These shoes are all he left with us. Taft- just know Noah's bed is always open and your seat beside Jace in the plumbing truck will be kept warm for you. We owe you big time. Come back soon!These pictures are for my sister Addie only. She hasn't been sleeping at night wondering where in the world the Baums now lay their heads. Addie- this is my new kitchen and Macy's sweet bedroom with her private balconey ("for the last time Mom, it's a porch"). I'll spare you all the entire house picture tour but as you can see, it is a really nice house. We feel so blessed that is worked out for us. Big thanks to Melissa and Ira. We love our new home.

Are you wondering why this picture is included? Well, after only 2 days of living on this tile, I came to the conclusion that I hate my wood floor in my old house. I knew it wasn't my favorite and was a lot of work (ok, consumed my life kind of work) but I had no idea. Never again will I install 2,500 sq. feet of really dark wood floor. Will someone please remind me of all these lessons I've learned next time around?

OK, Ezra and the dogreally love each other. Could spend all day in this position. OK, maybe just Ezra could.

The dog is kind enough to share her food with Ezra. All day. Every day.

This is the response I get when I knock the dog food out of his hand and swipe it out of his mouth. It is not a quick recovery either. The kid can't help himself, he loves the dog food. I told Jace it is too bad that the dog food isn't good for his health because that would be the best way to feed a 17 month old - leave a bowl on the porch and let the kid help himself all day long.

Daisy the cow's new home (and our one remaining chicken). We are glad she could join us. The 1st time Ezra woke up from his nap at the rental and looked out his bedroom window, he questioned me, "Moo? Moo?" I had to tell him the cow would be residing on the side of this house and not in front of his bedroom window anymore. Kirsten said we had better get that cow on some pasture before someone calls CPS for animals. I guess she thinks the pen is too small. She's probably right.
And this is what it all came down to. This is what I got out of the deal.....a packet of papers and a big, fat check. Was it worth it? I still can't say. But I'm relieved to be breathing deep again, thrilled to be taking naps with Noah again, happy to be going back to aeorbics, and loving knowing where the TV remote/hammer/Macy's socks/ect. are again. Just so glad it's all over. Oh, wait. That's right. We've just begun....again.