Our Own Drum Beat

I've figured a couple of things out since our move.....we march to the beat of our own drum.

Before I get too deep into this thought....let me just say....I'm writing this for myself. I want to get these thoughts out and be able to come back to them when I need a little reminder.

Let me step back.....

A couple of weeks ago, we met another family who had just moved to NJ. We have several things in common....kids the same ages, adoption, moved from house to apartment, homeschoolers, several other things. We have been thrilled to hang out with them and to find new friends. Ross and Sam have been having a blast with them. They had been missing home and making new friends was a great distraction.

We started fast and furious....we would get an early morning call and we would start the day at the playground with them....which would turn into going back to one of our apartments....which would end up being an all day playdate. Everyone was happy....including the moms. After a week, I started realizing that we were hanging out almost every day....all day. My house was starting to suffer.....dinners were suffering..my energy level was suffering. Our new friends are very nice....very fun....and very active. What I finally realized is that we like fun , but we have to keep it in balance. We love getting out...playing....going to the playground...but we also need to re-charge by chilling at home. Plus...and this is a giant plus....even though we are relaxed in our home school routine...we still have a routine. I still have subjects and text that I want to work through. Our schooling was definitely taking a back seat to playdates.  I also started noticing that in the past week the boys have been bickering more often....they are clearly worn out.

So, my big epiphany is that we cannot do too much in one day. Meeting at the park for 1-2 hours is great, but marathon playdates are not. A couple of days a week is nice, every day is a bit too much. Maybe the beat of our drum is at a slower pace.....other people's drums may beat a bit faster. There is nothing wrong with either beat....they are just different. My second big epiphany is that I need to stop conforming to other people's drums....I need to do what works best for us. Often times, the fact that we do less means we will spend many days hanging out as a trio...or foursome if G is home. That is my third epiphany......family time is precious!! I moved here with the thought that we would do a few things differently....one being that we would spend more time as a family. That was happening at first, but things were slowly changing.

 This little post is about me getting a grip on our routine and realizing what is best for us....and getting our beat back to our rhythm. I feel like people are doing so many activities these days, people are on the go .....it just plain tuckers me out. My favorite days are days where there is nothing on the calendar...open and free.

Today, there is something on the calendar.....Ross has an appointment with a NJ endocrinologist.

Random Happenings :)

I cannot  believe how long it's been since I've been able to sit down and write. The weather has been so nice...which helps get us out more. We are really enjoying NJ. It's such a beautiful state and so much to do. The boys are doing a little lacrosse clinic....just to get to know the game. The coaches are really nice...it's been a fun way to get to know the town a bit more.

Grandma and Papa (G's parents) came to visit for a few days. We packed so much into the few days that

they were here.....including....boat rides, various shopping trips, diner dining(NJ is known for their fabulous dining) and after driving by G's office we made a spontaneous drive into Manhattan. It took us about 20 minutes to get there....never mind the crazy tunnel traffic. We witnessed some mayhem between 2 angry drivers and experienced true NYC traffic jams.

Not knowing that we were going to drive into NYC....I drank a huge bottle of iced tea and failed to make

a potty stop before hitting the tunnel and traffic. We were fortunate to find a quick parking spot on a side street that was very close to Central Park. Just so you know...the zoo cafe in Central Park only has 2 bathrooms.  There was a line out the door....oh my word...that felt like the longest wait ev-er! On to a subject with less TMI....the boys made themselves comfortable in front of a park juggler. They thought he was hilarious.

Since it was close to 90 degrees.....a little ice cream was very refreshing.We then decided to climb some huge rocks that were in the middle of the park....walked around a bit more....and then decided to drive back home.

That evening.....G and I were able to go out for a nice little date night. Since moving...we

have not been out alone. We had a great dinner and then went out for a huge ice cream concoction. It was a very nice weekend.

*I'm very excited.....we are planning to go visit a very dear blog friend and her family. Being the sweet gal that she is....she invited us to celebrate her son's birthday with them this weekend. We can't wait to meet her and her family!

Shorty McShorty , some Puffy Eyes and More

The boys have started a once a week homechool soccer class. The coaches are wonderful, the park is beautiful and the boys love it. They seem to care less about making new friends and are all about the game. They get right out there and start doing the drills. It's extra nice that it meets during the week....during the day. We have to drive about 30 minutes to get there, but it seems worth it.

I've met a few other homeschool moms while there, but no real connections. One mom....a fellow adoptive mom who is in her 60's has been very outgoing and kind to me. The first time we went, I left feeling encouraged and hopeful. I met a couple of moms....one was very chatty...which made it really nice and easy. This second time we went...I left not feeling as encouraged. The chatty mom was not there....my older friend was, but the other moms kept to their cliques.  It made me miss my girlfriends. Later that day...I had an epiphany......I'm not there for me, I'm there for the boys. Not going to go into my full thought right now, but it's all good.  The bad part.....Ross has horrible allergies and the park was making him feel awful. The poor guy, his eyes swelled so fast and furious....red and itchy. He was having so much fun, he did not want to leave. It was a tough call....the class only lasted an hour. We stayed.

Not sure if I made the right call.....being a mom is full of moment by moment decisions. His eyes were so puffy. I gave him his allergy med...plus....I ran out to Whole Foods to see what they suggested. I purchased something called Camu?? I think. It's supposed to be super high in C and like a superfruit. They also suggested that we put Chamomile tea bags on his eyes....we did.

I think they helped. He went to bed shortly after. Oh my, what a long night it was. When his allergies are flaring up and I know he will have a long hard night....especially with breathing.....I have him sleep with me (G goes in with Sam). We were up all night long......he was sneezing, coughing, nebulizing, and more. By morning....he was much better.....and I was the one needing the tea bags.

                                           (Shorty McShorty AKA Frump... in need of makeup and sleep)

Puffy eyes. Oh yeah....I had another hair cut. I edited this to say......it wasn't the cut I was hoping for. It'll grow. Actually, it's really easy so that's a plus. I think I'll like it more in a month or two. G likes it . I called him as I was leaving the salon (he was in the town with the boys) and said "I'm feeling really fragile, don't look shocked when you see me." Thankfully, he said all the right things. I'm going to let it grow for a couple of months and then find someone else to traumatize me give me a new style. New city....new hair.

Oh....while I've got you.....I'm thinking of starting another blog and make it public. I feel bad that everyone has to check in instead of my posts showing up on google reader. I know it's a pain. In fact, my mom and G don't even read anymore because they would have to sign in and all. It's too complicated when they are at work. Anyway. What do you think? Would it make it easier? I would start a new blog and keep things anonymous (so I wouldn't worry about that other person finding it)  On that same note....I'm finding that I'm blogging less and less. How about you?

Latest Adventure: The good , the bad and the ugly

The good......we decided to visit a new town on Sunday. It reminded me a lot of our hometown with all it's cute shops and quiet streets....I especially loved this condo building  and it's beautiful windows.

These apartments were across from the diner where we ate. For about 5 minutes we discussed the idea of renting an apartment in this charming town...above a shop. We could walk to everything.....there was a Trader Joe's behind this building. Probably not the most practical idea for us....I'm guessing it might grow old fast. Though, maybe renting a house or condo might work?? It's fun to think we are moving again....crazy....but fun.

We played some football in this park(in the same town)....the cutest little boy asked if he could play with us. I went over and chatted with his abuela....that is we tried chatting. She spoke only Spanish and I spoke severely broken Spanish. It was slightly comical. She ended up calling the boys mom on the phone. All I heard was "Americana" and then she handed me the phone. I found out that the boy had just moved to the area and was lonely...it turns out his mom is a realtor. Interesting...maybe she'll find us our next home? :)

It was a full day....in that same charming town we found a lake where you could rent pedal boats. I just love that town!! The boys had a blast....we all did.

The bad......after we ended our fun day we walked back to our car. There waiting for us was a parking ticket.

We want to go to court and argue the ticket. We were parked where the black pickup is now parked (I warned the driver). There were no "parking prohibited" signs...I just don't get it. Very frustrating.

The ugly.....a couple weeks earlier, I walked out to my car to find it had been hit. Someone hit my car
and drove away. Ugh. I'm not having very good luck with my car in NJ.

Not so pretty.

Easter Weekend: Random Pictures and Ramblings

Gosh, where have the days gone? I'm finding myself online less...and less. It's a bit intentional and a bit unintentional. I'm really trying to let this move deeply sink in. Not sure if that makes sense, but it's been hard for me to really accept that we actually live in NJ. That we have actually moved, that our house is actually for sale. Strange, but true. I'm trying to embrace it all....I think. I'll keep you posted ;)

We took a quick trip back home....staying with my parents for a couple of days and then on to Syracuse for Easter with my brother/family. I only managed to take a few random pictures.

A really cool fact....my girlfriends parents grew up in our current town. I chatted with her mom about the best grocery stores and about the area. Very helpful, indeed.

Great grandma turned 96 a few days earlier. We surprised her with a visit.

Great Uncle Dick and Grandma amused us with some stilt walking.

They made these stilts when they were children....they are still kept in Great Grandma's garage.

Our traditional Easter egg hunt at Uncle Robbie's and Aunt Kathy's.

The picture is blurry....but there is a duck couple in the photo. They arrive at my parent's pool each spring. Year after year. I love 'em.   It was a quick trip....so many pictures not taken. I had a nice lunch with my oldest girlfriends while G and the boys visited with some other friends. Fast paced and bittersweet. We knew it would come to an end soon....the boys were SO sad leaving. I'm thankful that as soon as we crossed the NJ border they started saying "I kinda like our home in NJ." "I'm sad and happy at the same time". Just what I was thinking.