Tick Tock

Would it be so terrible if I said outloud that I was wishing for school to start. Sooner than later....

There are four kids here. F..O..U..R!!!!! I am outnumbered 12 hours a day by 3, I have no say (according to them) and the best part of my day, is when they are finally asleep.

We have good days, and we have some fun, but since Chandler is 8 (almost 9), he keeps telling me he is too old to do any of the stuff that the younger kids are doing, and the younger kids are too little to do any of the big stuff he would like to do. I just can't win. It's not for lack of trying, I am being told, it's just because I'm the mom and I just don't get it.

Okay Summer, time to shine down on me a little and throw me a bone.

Jelly Belly Family fun!

There is a Jelly Belly Warehouse just 40 minutes from our house. While it is not as cool as the Factory in California, it was a lot of fun. They take you on a little tour in a Jelly Belly train around the warehouse and show you through videos how Jelly Belly came to be and how they are made. Chan and Aly really enjoyed it, while Kady and Spencer enjoyed the train ride and all the goodies in the store, it was just great fun to get out and do something fun.

We're going to be buying our zoo pass and childrens museum pass this week and honestly I think I am more excited than the kids are. We are finally starting to get all settled in and it's time to make summer fun! It also means more reasons to take more pictures, although I am pretty sure I don't need a reason to take a picture, it's fun to have such a great excuse!!

our home in Wisconsin

"the Boys" playing soccer in the backyard.


"the Girls" enjoying some QT on the front lawn


Kady walkin along the front walk looking East on our street. (wearing Aly's BIG girl sandals:)


The front of our house


Spencer walking along the bike path at the park. Our neighborhood comes right up against the park :)


If you look behind Cute little Spencer and beyond the baseball diamond you can see the stairwell that takes you back to our house. So Awesome to be so close.


And, how could I forget this great picture of Chandler sporting his Wave gear!!


I've been meaning to show everyone our new house. It is so very green here, We absolutely love it, although after the recent Tornado activity, we would love it if the city we lived in actually had warning sirens. So instead we will just rely on our weather radios during these horrific Thunder storms. Not a lot of sleep this last week because of the weather, but I am sure that in time we will get used to it.

Feeling really blessed with all we have and grateful for our family and friends

Today, I Miss.....

My friends and Therapist the most!!!

I have no problem sharing that today has been one of those days. I wake up to Thursday to find out it is actually Friday. Not such a bad thing, but I have been living my whole week one day behind and I am racking my brain trying to figure out where I lost a day. I wonder what day I missed? I am hoping I was sleeping that day because I really needed it.......

Our first week in Wisconsin

Whew! We made it and in one piece. Sort of. Moving day was not without incident, but with the help of some pretty amazing people, we made it through. I would be lying if I didn't tell you there was a lot of praying, holding my breath and faith. There was an accident with the auto transport (thank goodness for the optional insurance), the 26 foot moving truck got stuck in the back yard, we tried to tow it out with a mini van- but yep, a totally loaded down half semi wasn't going to budge. Luckily our neighbor noticed our efforts and offered to pull us out with his suburban.

The week has gone by fairly quickly. I was able to get the three older children registered for school this next fall, apply for medical insurance, change our address with some important places, get lost twice, find the mall and find a grocery store I can drive to without getting lost :)

This last weekend, we journeyed into downtown Milwaukee. we had to avoid the waterfront because the air show was happening down there and the traffic was crazy. But it was nice to see buildings taller than 4 stories and drive for twenty minutes and not be in corn country. Me and Milwaukee are going to get a long just fine.

As far as friends for the kids- well, they are not lacking. Our neighborhood is chalked full of them and it is amazing how putting up ones trampoline becomes a magnet for the neighborhood. Our doorbell is promptly rang at 8am every morning and we are telling them they have to leave at bedtime. Friends for me on the other hand, not going to be as fluid. This may take some time, but at least the kids aren't telling me they are bored every day and you just can't put a price on that!

Grandma is rumored to make an appearance here soon and we couldn't be more excited. Actually I am pretty sure I am more excited than the kids- but we are hoping to have some fun while she visits. It will be nice to have an adult to talk with.

So, here we are. Settling in, and trying to find a routine. Getting used to the different weather in June, and the house is great. There is a play room- need I say more?

Saying goodbye to mine

Today it hit me.

Tomorrow is my last full day in Iowa.

Tomorrow is the day that I will go to bed for the last time in this home.

As I walk through the empty rooms in our home, it has easily become more and more aware that we are not staying. A Home that has been so good to us. A State that has offered so many benefits for our children and a ward full of people that I love. Friends I have made that I intend to keep for life. Today my heart is a little more sad as I realize that although I have been busy and preoccupied, I need not say goodbye, but rather, until next time.

While we have an obvious distaste for Iowa, there have been some great moments too. We will forever remember this place. Kady was born here! Iowa will always own a piece of the Howerton life map. Not our favorite place by any means. I keep telling people we are city people and while D-Port has been that City for many people, to us it is a small town. I need tall buildings in my world. The smell of traffic sitting on the freeway in the summer (and yes it has a smell) is something I desire. I am excited to open this new chapter in our life, in a new city with so many things to do. We are excited that the Jelly Belly factory is just south of us, we are excited that the zoo is rated in the top 10 of the nation. That a quick 40 minute drive and we'll be at the Wisconsin Dells. I am excited that the city sits on Lake Michigan. giving us the appeal of an ocean, without the coastal weather of the Northwest. I am excited to claim a city that has both an NBA and MLB team. Although they are not very good, at least we have one! No more tractors driving down the road, a less inhabitants of May flies, and not as many (if any) Tornado sirens.

While we have lived and had a wonderful home in Iowa. It never felt like home.

So I walk through the empty rooms and remember the good times, our friends and this time that will forever be "when the Howertons lived in Iowa"

So now I say, until next time, with a deep love for each of you, your friendship, your support and of course your babies :)

Saying goodbye to their friends

Before we leave Iowa in the next 3 days, I agreed to give the kids a final play date with their closest friends. Knowing that our house would not be any fun, we took it to the park and invited their friends from school. An ice filled cooler full of Popsicles and we were good to go! The weather was beautiful, sunny, warm and we kept it in the shade.

Goodbye Iowa childhood friends, where their personalities were allowed to shine through. Where they learned to trust others their own age, and where friendship built a cornerstone in their lives.

Two and a half years building our lives here, we now begin to say goodbye.....

Goodbye Josie, BFF #1- It's been fun!

Goodbye Michael- you're # ONE!!

Goodbye Olivia, Chan's first crush!

This group of boys is always a great rush!!

Goodbye Mason, we're cool like that!

Goodbye Gwen, you're one cool cat.

Goodbye Martha, you're real sweet

Goodbye Ellie! Aly's BFF #2, so sad to leave.

Goodbye Will. Spencer's main accomplice you will always be!