Imagine This - It's COLD here in Ohio!

Winter has finally arrived, snow. Feezing temps. Blowing snow. Bitter bitter cold mornings where the bed is so cozy and warm it is hard to get up at the alarm. AMEN to Saturdays and sleeping in. (If the kids will let us)

Things we still need to do here -
First up - SLEDDING. Just not when the snow is blowing- that's just miserable.

So much to do, so little time. Not really on the time, but it was flowing.
Rock and Roll hall of fame. Johnson Farm. Amish Country. Museums, Zoo, Beaches (obviously when the sun decides to play nice again)
I LOVE it here so far.
Time has flown by and the people here are A M A Z I N G!!
I love our home, our ward - It is going to take a lot of convincing to get me to move ever again. Or for a Very Very Very long time. I just finished giving away most of our moving boxes in hopes that it means we are in deed here to stay.

Here's a little about our Ohio home this winter through pictures. This snow isn't bad, this is typical. Wanna come live here? :) Love and miss you all!

Aly and Chandler waiting for the school bus with at least 4 or 5 inches of snow. School would have been closed in Washington - Not here, this was nothing.

Icicle's on our house. These are the baby ones. The big ones can go from roof to foundation- So Crazy!

Cory's car- somewhere under all that snow.

And we enjoy all of this from the inside comfort of our home. There is no better way :)

My little claim to fame, kind of :)

During our short 5 month stay in Wisconsin, we had the privilege of getting to know many wonderful people. I was blessed even more to become friends with a very talented clothing maker, Natalie. She sells her own brand of Japanese inspired clothing called Koolmono. She does AMAZING work and I admired it the entire time we lived there.

She asked me just before we moved if I would be willing to take pictures of her daughter modeling some of the clothing to post on her ETSY store. I of course agreed because I LOVE taking pictures and I will never pass up that opportunity.

When she arrived that beautiful fall morning for pictures, she came with a couple of different outfits and asked if Kady would be willing to model some too.

Kady was delighted to wear them and the pictures were adorable. When we were all done, Natalie payed me with one of her outfits. (A payment, I still believe I got the better deal on.)

Kady wore it for the next three days straight before I was able to get her to wear something else. She now will bring it to me weekly to wear. So adorable, comfortable and colorful! The fabric is stunning and if I HAD paid for it, I still would have gotten the better deal!! AMAZING!

So, now that you know how we met- lets jump forward to this past week when Stephanie Nielson from NieNie Dialogues did one of her blog posts on Homemade Christmas.
Natalie had sent Nie some Christmas PJ's for each of her kids. Nie LOVED them and included them as "...the CUTEST and I mean, cutest! Pj's in history."
The picture that Stephanie used to show the pj's was one that I had taken for Natalie and that is now on Natalie's ETSY store for Koolmono and it was Kady modeling the Christmas PJ's!

My little girl was on NieNie!! I so love it and I am so happy for Natalie and the success that I am sure she will see from this. So my little claim to fame with a picture of my daughter on a well known inspirational blog!

Here are some of the pictures I took for Natalie and her clothes. To see her store, go HERE. To become a fan on Facebook, go HERE.

This is the picture on NieNie

Spencer in a fun, sure to inspire the "inner Ninja" Boys PJ set

I Absolutely LOVED this dress! Kady was at first a little less thrilled

Once she warmed up, she began to like it too.

But she still Liked the PJ's MORE! :)

a little bit of this and that, yada, yada, yada

Okay, lets see if I can collect all of my thoughts and write them in any kind of an order that will flow, let alone make sense.

This past week was a celebration of Thanksgiving. We have SOOOOOOO many things to be thankful for, where do I even begin.....

We were blessed with a two week visit from my mom. We shared a wonderful meal and spent time together, that I would extend to months if I could. We spent a couple of days just exploring Cleveland, and I am now fully aware of the areas, I am NEVER aloud to travel again. We also spent days discovering the beautiful things about this city, especially the history in Kirtland.

We found a Jo-Ann's, bought fabric and patterns and re-ignited my fire and desire to sew. We discovered several parks, that Chandler did NOT want to go to, but enjoyed EVERY minute of each of them.

We have also learned that deer, LOVE to wander through our yard. This is so delightful and I get excited every time I see them pass through. Yesterday, there were 4 together, so Awesome!
I have learned that my van does NOT fit in the garage- apparently two car, actually meant, small compact cars and use the other side for storage. :) lesson learned- and the passenger side of the van is once again- tainted with more love.

I have struggled getting the kids registered for school in a timely manner. They (the school district) just like to take their time, and the paperwork.... HOLY batman!! there is a lot of paperwork, Then I had to swear to an oath and sign in front of a notary, just to have them even registered. After all that- it will still take them 3 days to determine when the kids will start school. I have the luckiest children alive. No school in November except for about 10 days.

Don't even get me started about the things needed to register your car here. Since my van was purchased by my mother, you would have to give the BMV your first born, all of your mental ability to understand their process and then just give up and license your car in Washington. Haha- that's the truth. Well, most of it.
Again, the paperwork, the notary, and nothing was in one location. You have to pick up the forms from one, take your car to be inspected by another, go back to the first one, pay some money, then go to another location and finish. I am tired just thinking about it. And if you think that any of these locations are close to where I live, or even to each other, again, I will just laugh.
It must have been someones evil plan to mess with people in a way that makes absolutely no sense. Call it a governmental agency and Wala! you would have yourself your own DMV.

All kidding aside, I really do like it here. We have lived here Two weeks and it is so great!!! The ward is just fantastic, the house is wonderful, the ........ ya, that might be it- but I LOVE it!! no sarcasm there. seriously :)_

So in amongst our crazy, busy, no routine, need a routine, but still don't have one lives- we're good. Looking forward to the Christmas Holiday season. Reminding the children of the true meaning and sharing new traditions with them, in a new home, in a new city, far far away from the rest of those that we love and miss so dearly.

oHIooooo!!

We made it. We survived another move, despite my believing that TWO (big) moves in a 5 month period could be a breaking point for some. We survived. BUT not without the love and support of our friends and family. Being a part for 6 weeks, was definitely a trial. Two days later, Cory was in a car accident and suffered a concussion, which is still affecting him. I took him to the ER today to get checked out. He will recover, but it could be a long one.

We went to church in our ward today for the first time. It was nice. It felt so good, and welcoming. I am happy here already.

I am also learning to not see so much difference. I am not a racist, but I have also never been the minority. My first trip out to the grocery store was a shock. It was me and the white security guard in the entire store in amongst a sea of African Americans. I have to admit, I was uncomfortable, but only because I have never been that kind of minority before. Being the only woman, the only Mormon, the only mom with 4 kids, that is the kind of stuff I am used to. Being the only white person, was sadly a little bit of an awakening for me.
I have started to feel better about it now. There are a lot of really nice people around here- We live just outside the city limits of Cleveland, so there is still a lot of "inner city" attitude, and I struggle to understand what they are saying to me at times, but I am sure that with time, I will also get used to that too.

Tomorrow I sign the kids up in school here. I decided that with all the changes, they needed some time to get back into what would be their new routine, they will go back to school after the Thanksgiving Holiday and hopefully it will be an easy transition as the other kids are coming back from a holiday too and it will hopefully make it easier.

We have been blessed with Grandma Wise for the next two weeks. We couldn't be happier, we love having her here and taking her around to get to know this place. We are planning on going to Kirkland this next weekend to see the temple and the museum of church history, this will be a lot of fun.

I know that we are blessed to be here and I am thankful for the blessings we have received, We thank all of our friends and family, you have been amazing!!!

Next update with pictures - I promise! :)

Moving on...... Again.

Apparently Wisconsin, was only ever going to be our temporary summer home. We didn't have the ability to know this. Unpacked from our Iowa move to live here for awhile, only to feel as though the rug has been pulled out from under us. But in a good way.
This is not the End, It is the beginning. The beginning to more stabilty, not just for the boys, but for our entire family. Wishing for the strength to get through this move as I have not planned it. It is out of our control, flying at the speed of light. So many things racing in my head. It's hard to leave something when I feel so unfinished.
I know what it takes to move on. I know what it feels like to leave this all behind.
soon I will be sitting in an empty room trying to remember all the good things we had here. A little part of me wishing it wasn't so. A little part of me wanting to hold on to what I could never really have for long. Change is always hard, but even more so when you don't know what is on the other side. The unknown. How will our life in Ohio be better? Or just be different? so much wondering so, that I have taken every ounce of faith and put my trust in our Savior Jesus Christ to stand steady and take his hand as he leads us. To a place we know nothing about, but a place that is waiting for us.

The hardest part of ending this, is the starting over again. This is not the end. This is just the beginning. The beginning to something better, more permanent. More..... At least I hope. I need.

I need the strength to move on. To do this all over again. I know this is meant to be and the Howerton's will cease to be the wanderer's for a little while.

To those I have met along the way. I thank you. For your Love and service. Your friendship and your kind words pushing me through each day, Especially when the covers in my bed seemed a better place for me -it was each of you that have pulled me back out and made me smile.

Today is a new day, a better day. One I hope to keep for a while. Change can be good, especially when you least expect it.

Moving on.....Again.

A life changer, like no other

It is with sweet and sincere Love that I recall the moments from 9 years ago today.

I became a Mother for the first time. I held a sweet little boy, all wrinkled and puffy, but beautiful.
A Little person that would swallow all of my selfishness, all of my pride, and stole my heart.

To say that the past 9 years have been full of challenges, is honestly a little bit of an understatement. But I wouldn't change a thing. This little boy has taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
When I desired to be a mother, I would imagine a sweet, soft spoken little boy with the ability to capture your smile, by showing you his. I imagined a child that would be well behaved and well mannered, all reflections of how he was raised.
I instead was shaken, with a child that would only confuse us. A child that literally cried for the first 9 months of his life. A child that would teach me more about being a mother without even saying a word. There is no manual, No text book about all that you are capable of. But We write that book every day. With your first social accomplishments, your first sarcastic comments, your first success, your first understanding of what a "gray" area in your black and white world is.

Chandler Maguire Howerton. A child with labels to some, with talents for others, but perfect to us. Your growth in this world is beyond words. To know of your struggles and to see your progress is the most precious and rewarding gift to a parent.
Our beautiful son, you may not be perfect, but to us, you are. All of your little quirks, all that you have learned. you teach us how to be better every day. You are an amazing child. Your love may not always be unconditional, but ours in return always will be.

9 years ago today, We were blessed with an angel. One that would change our lives forever. One that would not change our desire for more beautiful children. One that would make us better people, better parents, better companions.

Chandler, through all of your personal challenges, all of your struggles in this world, One thing I desire most for you to know, is how much you are loved. You have brought so much happiness and joy to our lives. Our Father in Heaven surely knew that you would be well taken care of here. With parents that love you, would walk to the end of the Earth for you, would sacrifice everything for you. While we know you are only able to desire perfection, for us, we gleam with pure joy when you make progress. It isn't always easy to live in our world, one that is confusing, and full of "gray" areas. But as your parents, we will always be here to hold your hand, love you, walk you through your black and white world, all the while showing you how "gray" can be okay.

Happy Birthday Chandler. Your life will always be one of satisfaction and success for us, one that overcomes so many challenges each day. One of pure and unconditional love. The best gift, our Father in Heaven would ever send. A beautiful child, with potentials beyond our imaginations, with love bigger than your heart and with a spirit stronger than most grown men.

May you continue to grow into an outstanding young man. One with many accomplishments and success. Have a life that will always be filled with love and support.
You are an amazing son. An outstanding brother, and example. Thank you for choosing our family. We are so very blessed to have you as our son!
Many blessings and wishes of happiness throughout your life- our desire for you.
We love you!

Back to school! Music to my ears.....

School is finally back in session and it has been a glorious two weeks so far. The school district had moved both the boys to an elementary school out of our boundaries, (yet closer to our home) for the support services available there. I was pleased that they were actually concerned that the boys would not get the aides and services they needed if they went to the elementary school we are in the boundaries for.
The only problem with this, was that we had to write a letter to the superintendent to get him to approve a boundary exception for Aly. Thankfully, since the school district made the changes for the boys and while we agree with them, we did not ask for those and that alone helped Aly's exception get approved. So all three of the older kids are all going to the same school. I transport them every day, like I am used to anyway, and they have been busy making new friends.

The support staff at the school is absolutely fantastic! They actually listened to us, and for the first time in 3 years- Chan started school in his general education classroom instead of a behavior disorder room. It is amazing that we had such a hard time getting his old school to listen to us- absolutely NO problems and we're two weeks in. Shocker! Maybe we actually know what we are talking about. Autism spectrum disorders are NOT a behavior disorder! Finally- a place we can make some progress.

I have thoroughly enjoyed getting back to routine and my house has never been a happier place. Order, and a routine- this must be a record!

Noosh started preschool for the third year this year. I feel bad for the little guy. He still has two more years to go before he even starts Kindergarten. He's either going to be the smartest kindergartener or sick and tired of school before it even starts for most. He is enjoying the fact that he gets to ride a bus home, and I enjoy the fact that he can't figure out the carseat belt even more! My mornings are productive and life seems to be settling down.

The weather has changed drastically here. We're getting cold! last night was 40 degrees. A stark difference from the 90's and high humidity we've been enjoying. No more wearing shorts until October, summer clothes are going to get packed in the next couple of weeks and out come the jackets and long sleeves.

Still missing all of my Iowa friends and my family in the Northwest. **longdistancehugs**