RoundUp

It's been crazy around here the last couple of weeks and I've been exhausted by day's end each day.  I keep thinking I should blog and update everyone on how things are going but it never seems to get done. But here I am, trying to make up for lost time.  In no particular order, the goings on around here include:

• Scot has a new job. It's not everything we were hoping for but it's a start.  We had initially thought it would be a long term contract (up to 12 months) but when he went to the interview it turned out to be 3 to 4 months duration.  However, the pay is good enough that we can afford to pay COBRA and keep up with our bills so he took the job.  They were very enthusiastic about his skill set so we're hoping it leads to something else.  In the meantime, he is continuing to look for more permanent work.
• The kids seem to be getting back on track after the incredible stress of the last month.  Sometimes Liam is so resilient it shocks me and other times he's so fragile I wonder what I should do to help him through.  The routine of school seems to be helping.  He's only got one month of first grade left, though.  WOW!
• Jamie is VERY, VERY THREE right now, thankyouverymuch, and I would like to exchange him for a less cranky model.  Although, given his start in this world, what did I expect?  Anyway, as expected, three is proving very challenging and not being in daycare has exacerbated that.  The kid is BORED.  We're working on getting him started back into daycare and I *hope* that he'll start next week or the week after.  For the time being we can afford it and I shudder to think what the summer will be like if I can't separate the kids every now and then.  He needs it, I need it, we ALL need it.  So, daycare it is.
• For almost as long as he could talk, Liam has been catching kisses I blow at him.  I'll blow him a kiss to say goodbye or goodnight and he'll clap a hand to his cheek and say "GOT IT!" then blow one at me and expect the same.  It's a little ritual we have.  Now, Jamie has started to do it. I put him down for a nap today and he blew me a kiss so I blew him one.  "Got it!" he answered.  And this is why we put up with him.
• Last, we have woodpeckers.  Not in or on the house but in the backyard.  I've been seeing either a hairy or a downy woodpecker for the last couple of years (I can't tell which it is) but today I saw a pileated one. They're really BIG! Much bigger than songbirds.  And because I now have a long lens for my camera and can take pictures out the back door from my couch, I have photos!

Hairy or Downy Woodpecker. Vote for your choice!

Pileated Woodpecker

So, that's life in our house right now.  Honestly, I'm really grateful we've landed in this spot so quickly. I don't think Scot nor I felt as though a single month without work was even in the cards. And yet, 4 weeks later, he's working again. I hope that means full time permanent work is around the corner.