About August...

Holy Crap.  That was a crazy month.

1. We went to the pool nearly every day.
2. We sold our house.
3. We moved.  Into a temporary rental.
4. There is a baby busting out of my belly.
5. We got all set for school

1.  This one is self explanatory.  I am huge.  It is hot.  The kids get bored.  There is only one solution. Bless that swimming pool.  Linley passed the swim test this summer and was able to go off all the slides and diving board with Ryder and their friends.  Which left only Tessa and I to play with our friends in the baby pool.  It made for a pretty perfect daily experience.

2.  We put the house on the market in April.  We got an offer 5 days later.  We turned it down.  Then we got more offers.  And went under contract.  Then it fell through.  We had some serious "trust in God" moments.  And let expectations go.  Agreeing we would take the house off and relist in February if something didn't stick by August.  Naturally, we got two offers that weekend (God rocks!!).  And one stuck.  So out we are.  Moving two weeks before I am expected to expel a child out of my body was awesome.  It actually wasn't completely awful.  Or not completely more awful than any other move.  I spent a couple weeks purging every inch of the house (a perfect job for a crazy OCD nester), then my parents flew in to help with the big stuff.  And help they did.  Troopers those two are.  They were amazing.  So amazing we canceled having the Elders Quorum come help us...keeping all my pretty pieces....pretty.  Who knew a 61 year old man was capable of so much (of course, the handsome hubs wasn't too shabby either.  But we've all seen his guns.  This was to be expected).

3.  The building of our new home, which was supposed to be finished in October, then December, is now shooting for a completion date of April, or May, or The Second Coming...who knows??  Point is, with the house sold, we needed new living quarters.  In another major "trust in God" moment (there was a definite theme to August), we found someone who was willing to rent to us on a temporary basis.  We began our search in Berkeley Heights, where the house is being built, and found a perfect option. Then when we were ready to sign the contract, it had rented that morning.  Depression.  So we moved our search back to Summit, where there were a couple options willing to rent to us.  Two were a decent size, but old and dingy and dirty, and one was teensy tiny, but pristine.  We felt strongly about the itty bitty place.  Which was crazy because it made so little sense.  But one night after we signed the contract, Allen went over to the owner to spend some time chatting about her home.  She was widowed a few years ago, and has been plagued with various misfortunes since.  At the end of the conversation, it became apparent that this home was where we were suppose to be, not because it was perfect for us, but because it was necessary for her.  Rad lesson in how sometimes we are used as tender mercies for others.
We are settled and cozy and happy.  We'll be even happier when we're living in 4 times the square footage.  But who's counting??

4.  This chick is due to be born tomorrow.  That will not happen.  Oh rebellion.  Already.  A full-on move and I am still at a zero.  Cement cervix.  But I won't complain.  Much.  The extra time to get the kids settled in school and a routine going is appreciated.  And Tessa and I are enjoying having the days (all two of them thus far) to ourselves.  And is one ever ready to parent four freaking kids???

5.  School shopping was completed.  Online.  Obviously.  Who goes inside stores anymore??  School supply shopping was completed.  In person.  I guess I still frequent stores.  Or at least Target.  Appointments galore were attended.  Eye glasses, well-checks, teeth, and baby docs.  We smooshed them all in.  Before baby was born.  Someone come pat me on the back.

And that was August.  Ridiculously busy with fun and craziness and chaos and preparing for this next chapter that is already being written.