The Temperature is "Overwhelmed."

I knew I would have a ton to do this week, but add in the unexpected to-do's and the never-ending jet lag, and this week has been a loooooooong one.  I did manage to get the cars insured and one car registered, bills paid, shepherd the girls through TB tests so they could then be registered for school, get groceries (several times!), deal with the taxes, and also fit in some happy reunions.  I have definitely felt exhausted and overwhelmed by it all.  Today has seemed better- I slept more last night than any night previous, and it was sleep that happened at night, then today has been a little less harried. 

Part of what has overwhelmed me is the amount of stuff we have!  I am not a hoarder, and Bruce would contend that I'm the opposite of one.  Even so, when I packed up the house, I sent a truckload to the DI.  I felt like I had really narrowed down our possessions.  After living with much less, though, as I have unpacked I have found myself thinking, "Why in the world did I save this?"  I have filled another 4 or 5 garbage bags with stuff bound for the DI.  I haven't managed to muster the stamina to deal with the girls' toys.  I just moved most of them down to the basement and then started to pretend they don't exist.  It's working so far. 

Kate and Kiki's clothes have been another issue- it's still a little chilly here, and not only has Kate outgrown her "warm clothes", but Kiki has ALSO outgrown Kate's warm clothes.  I pray it warms up soon because we are set for summerwear!

We've squeezed in visits to our favorite haunts with favorite people: Mi Ranchito, Taco Amigo, Simply Splendid, Chik-fil-A, Target, Zupa's, and the mall. 

Taco Amigo, our pleasure in your delights hasn't waned in the slightest.

Enjoying cake balls.

After a brief weather honeymoon, Old Man Winter cruelly struck us on Friday morning.  Kiki shrieked in delight and put on socks and flip flops so she could play outside.  She wore herself out.

Thankfully, I had a new pair of green jeans to cheer me up on the snowy day.
Cathy, you will be begging to borrow these next March.

Being stuck at home Friday morning put me in the mood to deal with my messy, messy kitchen.  I located the counters for the first time since we came home.

Serious excavation was required.

Here is what has really amazed me about life back in America:
1) My Samsungs- How did I ever forget how much easier laundry is when you have a washer that can hold 15 bath towels?!?!?  I spent the last 6 months doing laundry non-stop because my washer and dryer were tiny and took forever to wash or dry a load. 
2) Food tastes so good to us!  Kiki ate an entire container of cottage cheese the first night we were home.  We have loved eating blueberries, deli turkey, string cheeses, milk, good bread, Greek yogurt, and for me, Crystal Light. 
3) Driving is just okay.  I thought I would LOVE being at the wheel again, but I'm sick of it already and parking is a pain in the rear.  Also, I had been behind the wheel less than 24 hours before someone nearly sideswiped me pulling the old "Swing left, turn right" that Utahns are famous for.
4) I miss my Phriends a lot.  It's been pretty hard to be away from them, but it has been tempered by the many happy reunions we've had.  We feel like we've been showered with love this week.

A few miscellaneous items...

Kate's friend Taia was baptized today.
It was a great day and we were so happy to get to be there.

Yay for my kitchen!  These pies encompass so many things I love...the working oven, the space to roll out the pies, my home bottled cherries, and the lard. 

Jack delivered Bruce's birthday present- 3 or 4 tons of mulch.  It was too expensive to mail.