Monday, April 27, 2020

News!

Remember a few posts back when I had a picture of Jon in a suit getting ready for a zoom-type interview? Welllllll (drumroll please!) Jon was offered a promotion! As of May first, he is the Texas Forest Service's newest Department Head! He will soon be in charge of central Texas opperations, which requires a move to the Austin area. I am super proud of Jon and all his hard work. This next step will be great for his carear, the forest service and would it be too much to say the state of Texas?

Surprisingly, the boys are so excited about moving; they see it all as one big, new adventure. We put our house on the market recently and have had a few showings, although the market in Lubbock has slowed since the pandamic. We are hoping it sells soon, but honestly, who knows how long it could take. I'm a planner by nature and the opposite of a procrasinator, so I'm trying hard to live in the moment without over-thinking everything. Wish me luck! ;)

Here's some of the goings-on around here from the last week or so.

Sous chef Nolan helping to make pull apart rolls. 


Why?!?? I can't leave my phone unattended for a minute! 

This is a picture of the construction crew that is expanding our closed school. If this doesn't qualify for irony, it for sure qualifies as very bizarre.  

Ollie getting a boost for dunking.  

Nolan found a laptop case for his broken computer.  

Jon has been trying out different locals for his home office. I think this has been his favorite so far.  


We've been trying to make Macarons! This has been our most sucessful batch thus far.  


Park time 

Ollie has started to collect football cards. Keep that in mind if you are looking for a random gift or future stocking stuffer.  

Meet Nolan's buddy, Sluggie.  

Geocaching with dad. 



Plumbing drama: the alley hole. 
Wouldn't you know it, some of our toliets/showers backed up. Uggggg! We've decided that our house loves us and is trying to sabbatoge us so we can't move. Sheesh. What a toxic relationship. 

First, we had a plumber come and dig a much smaller (but still significant!) hole in our backyard and charge us a cool grand for his work before deciding the problem was on the city side of things. The city fixed whatever blockage was going on and we can flush our toilets again, hallelujah. The hole is still there, but I'm guessing work will be finished up today. 

Ok people! That's all I've got for now! 

Friday, April 17, 2020

Colorful Quarantine

That is a pleasing alliteration, although what follows would be a poor definition of quarantine. 
Stimulating social distancing perhaps? Or maybe forget the alliteration and I could title this just-get-us-the-heck-out-of-the-house? That about sums it up.

We drove up to Amarillo for an afternoon of spray painting at Cadillac Ranch. Our friends Jennifer and Jessica drove their car up as well, they get all the photo cred. 





Ollie working on a masterpiece. 
Unfortunately Nolan's little hands weren't strong enough to operate a spray paint can, so he just ran around and requested we write his name over and over.   


His literal name is "2nd amendment cowboy". 
It's times like these that make me embarrassed to be a Texan. 

Practicing driving the Caddy's.  

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Sandwich Saturday

Get it? Stuck between Good Friday and Easter? Haha.. uh.. yeah. Okay, okay. Not my best joke.

After the weekend we are headed into Monday: Week 5 of staying home. If it were the summer we would be gearing up for fourth of July, and probably would already have a summer trip under our belts. That is really blowing my mind. We have definitely settled into a new rhythm and life feels much calmer because of it.

While I'm not a big fan of social distancing and covid as a whole, there have been some really great moments for our family. Jon has a smaller work-load and travel schedule than I have seen in years. Seth is truly thriving, to the point where I am starting to wonder about looking into some kind of online school for next fall. I have been so much more intentional with my kids and as a sweet result feel closer to all three of them. Entertainment has gotten more creative or gone outside.

Ollie and I had a virtual Ticket to Ride game with Eli and Alexa. Eli won-ug! We will get him next time!


And Seth is officially 11 and a half! Happy haffie, Seth! 

Happy Easter Eve Everyone! 

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Home!

Pictures from the periods when I can't find my phone. (Ahem, Nolan!)


Did Jon's birthday even happen if I didn't record it?!
(Apparently I've really let myself go during quarantine if I can't even be bothered to correct the orientation of this picture.)

Pre-birthday Cookie Cake! 

Yule log bday cake

Water balloon brigade


walk/hike no. 317



Distance learning with music activities 

Jon interviewed for a new position within TFS. The bright spot in all of this for us is having Jon home. No travel for the interview, no travel period. 

Sweet kid left me some notes. And rocks in my pillow case. 


At least the weather has been nice some days! 

Forester in training?