Star Lake

Bedtime stories with Uncle Rob- (Bloody Bones)

A real bedtime story with Uncle Matt

Chloe, Aunt Emily and Alyssa

Ella, Honey and Ethan

Alyssa

Chloe and Uncle Timmy

Maggie, E, and Uncle Rob

Uncle Rob and Uncle Ranger Steve

missing Emily...

E, Steve and Max

Star Lake

Ella, Bean and Olivia- the girls

Es and Chloe- the girls part II

Doing what Uncle Mikes do best.

Declan's Duck he caught two weeks ago. His name is Jig...it is still in his poor neck.

The Schwalm Clan

The originals

Sisters

The ladies of the house.

Giving Steve a ride into town

The Pernot tent before the torrential downpour/ADK storm.

For Grandma Schwalm

Today I ran into the bathroom while the children were ALL occupied with a toy. No sooner had I heard the door click to indicate it had closed that I heard a knock. Do you know what my Thomas asked me after his third attempt to get in the bathroom with me? 

"Hey mom? Is that you in there? What are you doing?"

We live in three rooms, Grandma. Three. Two bedrooms and a main living area...And he wanted to know what I was doing in the bathroom. 

The answer? I was running away. 

Things aren't working out so well with the house situation. We can't seem to find a home that Matt and I both agree on. So we found one that we both dislike but will be just fine to raise our crazy brood. It will be a lot of work for Matt, but at least we will be together. 

I think a lot about the sacrifices you had to make while Grandpa was serving the country. My struggles are nothing compared to that. You inspire me. 

I think a lot about your favorite prayer for serenity. "Lord, grant me the serenity accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

There has been so much over the past year that I could not change. As a  Schwalm woman, I always had the courage to change the things I could...but not always the wisdom to know when my courage needed to give way to serenity. 

So here I am, your namesake, asking for your prayers and love. And keep laughing  with me, because I need to keep a good sense of humor. I fail so much more when I take myself too seriously. 

I love you, Grandma. You are with me everyday, in my heart. And your Schwalm spark is in each one of these little souls that I feed, change, clothe, bathe...

Saying Goodbye

We cried a little and spent as much time with our families as we could before we left. We really didn't realize how close we really were in Syracuse...

 

Because both families came to visit within the week!

 

 

 

 

 

Maine

The weekend before Matt started his new position in the 'Cuse, we vacationed with the Pernots in Maine. It was an awesome weekend, and the children had a fantastic time on the beach.

Week One

We are here. 

The children slept for almost the entire trip, making it easier for me to drive without a co-pilot...or five. 

We met Matt at the hotel and Joseph, in his very Joseph way, said "welcome home!"

They wasted no time getting our things unpacked to reclaim the cart in the grand tradition of pushing eachother around in vacation. 

My kitchen is truly complete. Fully furnished...and even has a dishwasher!!!!!

This is our meal schedule. Breakfast is included in our stay, seven days a week. Dinner is included on three nights a week, with a special Customer Appreciation Dinner every Monday. So.... Four nights a week with no cooking!!!!

The laundry facilities are two rooms down from our suite and are complimentary. I just have to bring my own detergent. 

Esther has been most patient with our transition. She is cutting three teeth at the moment and trying to walk...so I am going to cut her really-ultra-bad sleeping habits at the hotel some slack. 

These guys have been sleeping really well!!!!

Hotels are notorious for having more pillows than we have heads to lay upon them. The children were not disappointed here. They spent the first morning making pillow forts/nests. 

Nathan has been really wonderful here and is doing a great job potty training! He will be the first of the three birthdays we will celebrate in temporary living. 

Thomas christened temp living by jumping off the couch, jedi style, head-first, into the wall. This child has more bruises and bumps and cuts...

We have a pool. Now I need sixteen hands and four hundred flotation devices. 

Busy Days

The children have been so patient with all the upheaval over the past month. Tomorrow we begin our newest adventure in temporary living so we can be closer to Matt. I will try to document as much as I can because I know how quickly this time will go by. Trying to enjoy each moment.