From December in Texas....
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| Not feeding the ducks, and feeding himself instead {typical!} |
To December in South Dakota....
To becoming a pro at the bicycle....
Madison Taylore
Carson Benjamin
January 11, 2014
January 8, 2014
the move, and drive, and plane ride
December 2012 - Packing
December 2013 - Packing
Although this has become a yearly tradition, I am pleased to announce my New Years Resolution: I refuse to pack an entire house in December 2014!
Yes, what a relief to get that out and everyone can keep me accountable.
The kids were amazing with yet another transition in their very short lives. Madison enjoyed "forting it" in her bedroom at night and "picnicking it" for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Carson loved all the tunnels and boxes we played with. Especially the ones perfectly packed and ready to be taped. Needless to say I packed a few of the boxes more than twice.
Gary {Ben's dad} and Matt {his brother} flew down to help load the 28 ft truck and then helped drive the vehicles all the way to South Dakota in the very freezing, negative digit temperatures.
I had the joy of flying with 2 children under the age of 3. Yes, I would have chose driving for 22 hours over that but unfortunately Ben would have drowned. As do most dads, I frequently get the "I have no idea what these kids want" look from Ben. Although I seem all knowing, I guess most of the time too.. I just guess correct more times than him.
The trip started off sketchy. We were delayed a day due to the ice storms in Dallas. I was stressed about the trip and just wanted to get it over. Delaying just allowed my anxiety to increase. I wondered what would happen if both children had complete throw down meltdowns. Carson is now at the age where tantrums and "I want that" screams are more common. Madison is 2. Period. Nothing more needs to be said.
We flew out the next day from Houston to Denver {bypassing Dallas completely}. I walked into the place trying to keep from dropping Carson from my left arm and my three bags in my right arm, all while coaching Madison threw the 2 foot isle. Many people put their heads down, refused to make eye contact and pretended to listen to their large headphones while others smiled with the "I know your life is a juggling match GOOD LUCK! and thanks for not sitting next to me!"
The three of us just kept moving and actually had a 3 seat row to ourselves. I envied the guy sitting across from us the whole 2.5 hour trip. He casually read a book and then dozed in and out of a relaxing sleep. I on the other hand was frantically grabbing snacks from one bag, starting a movie with another hand and searching for a inappropriate toy for Carson to chew on with the other...hand...well maybe that was a foot. The envy of the "no kids life" is always a sort lived envy. I vividly remember the days when I was begging Ben to have children. Never would I change my life but having those relaxing alone times sound pretty good in a confined airplane.
We had to literally run from Terminal A to Terminal D. Madison was stuffed in the basket underneath the stroller, Carson was crying because he was in the stroller and I was running as fast as I could to not miss the flight to Rapid City. We had 15 minutes from landing of one plane to the boarding of the next. And do you know I wanted to ride that stupid vehicle that takes people through the airport and I did not pass one!!
We made the connection. WE MADE THE CONNECTION! with literally 1 minute to spare. We had to walk outside in the negative, freezing weather, no one had coats, Carson was screaming, Madison was crying for food and I just wanted to sit and catch my breath. The flight attendant was super sweet and helpful. She gave Madison a candy cane and let me get settled. The flight was a quick one to SD and I was grateful to land, willingly handing the kids to Grandma Stewart.
Our life has been amazing since arriving home. We are grateful to have so many family and friends surrounding us. Wow, we live in Rapid City again! Crazzzzzy!!
December 2013 - Packing
Although this has become a yearly tradition, I am pleased to announce my New Years Resolution: I refuse to pack an entire house in December 2014!
Yes, what a relief to get that out and everyone can keep me accountable.
The kids were amazing with yet another transition in their very short lives. Madison enjoyed "forting it" in her bedroom at night and "picnicking it" for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Carson loved all the tunnels and boxes we played with. Especially the ones perfectly packed and ready to be taped. Needless to say I packed a few of the boxes more than twice.
Gary {Ben's dad} and Matt {his brother} flew down to help load the 28 ft truck and then helped drive the vehicles all the way to South Dakota in the very freezing, negative digit temperatures.
I had the joy of flying with 2 children under the age of 3. Yes, I would have chose driving for 22 hours over that but unfortunately Ben would have drowned. As do most dads, I frequently get the "I have no idea what these kids want" look from Ben. Although I seem all knowing, I guess most of the time too.. I just guess correct more times than him.
The trip started off sketchy. We were delayed a day due to the ice storms in Dallas. I was stressed about the trip and just wanted to get it over. Delaying just allowed my anxiety to increase. I wondered what would happen if both children had complete throw down meltdowns. Carson is now at the age where tantrums and "I want that" screams are more common. Madison is 2. Period. Nothing more needs to be said.
We flew out the next day from Houston to Denver {bypassing Dallas completely}. I walked into the place trying to keep from dropping Carson from my left arm and my three bags in my right arm, all while coaching Madison threw the 2 foot isle. Many people put their heads down, refused to make eye contact and pretended to listen to their large headphones while others smiled with the "I know your life is a juggling match GOOD LUCK! and thanks for not sitting next to me!"
The three of us just kept moving and actually had a 3 seat row to ourselves. I envied the guy sitting across from us the whole 2.5 hour trip. He casually read a book and then dozed in and out of a relaxing sleep. I on the other hand was frantically grabbing snacks from one bag, starting a movie with another hand and searching for a inappropriate toy for Carson to chew on with the other...hand...well maybe that was a foot. The envy of the "no kids life" is always a sort lived envy. I vividly remember the days when I was begging Ben to have children. Never would I change my life but having those relaxing alone times sound pretty good in a confined airplane.
We had to literally run from Terminal A to Terminal D. Madison was stuffed in the basket underneath the stroller, Carson was crying because he was in the stroller and I was running as fast as I could to not miss the flight to Rapid City. We had 15 minutes from landing of one plane to the boarding of the next. And do you know I wanted to ride that stupid vehicle that takes people through the airport and I did not pass one!!
We made the connection. WE MADE THE CONNECTION! with literally 1 minute to spare. We had to walk outside in the negative, freezing weather, no one had coats, Carson was screaming, Madison was crying for food and I just wanted to sit and catch my breath. The flight attendant was super sweet and helpful. She gave Madison a candy cane and let me get settled. The flight was a quick one to SD and I was grateful to land, willingly handing the kids to Grandma Stewart.
Our life has been amazing since arriving home. We are grateful to have so many family and friends surrounding us. Wow, we live in Rapid City again! Crazzzzzy!!
January 6, 2014
goodbye texas
Living in Texas was the best and worst experience of our lives.
The best parts for me:
I met wonderful people who poured their generous hearts onto our family.
I feel more cultured. Moving from South Dakota to Colorado the environment and people were very similar. Texas is much different. Although the small Katy suburb was similar, the larger Houston area was completely different. From the underlying "know it all" Texan to the very diverse culture, where I do not understand one person, are just a few of the differences. I loved this experience.
The activities. You could NEVER say you were bored or did not have something to do. From the zoo, to the museums, to the play areas, the options were endless.
The worst parts:
My poor husband. This was the worst, most stressful, least rewarding year of his life. Watching that struggle was heartbreaking.
The drive time to anything. You were guaranteed a solid 30 minute drive to the nearby stuff and a hefty hour to the other activities.
Traffic and crowds. EVERY. SINGLE. PLACE. Never the solitude of the Rocky Mountains or the free flowing, clear rivers of the Black Hills.
Our life would not be were we are, sitting in Rapid City, SD without Texas. We had to make hard decisions. We had to make a choice. A change had to be made.
Saying good bye was not easy {well, it was for Ben} and I miss a great group of woman who became my second family there.
Our good bye party was adorable and amazing and so so sweet!
The best parts for me:
I met wonderful people who poured their generous hearts onto our family.
I feel more cultured. Moving from South Dakota to Colorado the environment and people were very similar. Texas is much different. Although the small Katy suburb was similar, the larger Houston area was completely different. From the underlying "know it all" Texan to the very diverse culture, where I do not understand one person, are just a few of the differences. I loved this experience.
The activities. You could NEVER say you were bored or did not have something to do. From the zoo, to the museums, to the play areas, the options were endless.
The worst parts:
My poor husband. This was the worst, most stressful, least rewarding year of his life. Watching that struggle was heartbreaking.
The drive time to anything. You were guaranteed a solid 30 minute drive to the nearby stuff and a hefty hour to the other activities.
Traffic and crowds. EVERY. SINGLE. PLACE. Never the solitude of the Rocky Mountains or the free flowing, clear rivers of the Black Hills.
Our life would not be were we are, sitting in Rapid City, SD without Texas. We had to make hard decisions. We had to make a choice. A change had to be made.
Saying good bye was not easy {well, it was for Ben} and I miss a great group of woman who became my second family there.
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| Bunco Ladies |
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| Houston Zoo Lights (We were all sweating that night and it was NOVEMBER!) |
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| Houston Zoo Lights |
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| Best Friend Abby |
Our good bye party was adorable and amazing and so so sweet!
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| A cowboy theme could not be more appropriate |
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