Life as a SAHM

While it may seem like adventure and fun all the time around here, it's not really because B has already been working full time for Tin Box. I haven't found a job yet which means I've been spending my days at a stay-at-home-mom. My whole life, I never really thought I would enjoy staying home and not working. I thought that I would need the outside exposure and adult conversation. But now that I'm in it, it's kind of awesome.

Yeah, I certainly miss interacting with people, talking about things other than who likes puppies (FYI, Uncle Craig and Oma do) or the potty chair and oh boy, do I miss time to myself. But this is has been a great opportunity for Kate and I to explore our new city.  So far we've been to the zoo, a baseball game, four parks and the wonderful Fontenelle Forest. An oasis along the Missouri River, it is everything we could possibly want in a nearby nature area--a space dedicated to kids who want to explore, a mile long boardwalk trail and lots and lots of wildlife.

Imagine a little voice whispering, "Mommy, I see a bird."  By bird, she means wild turkey.  No need to whisper sweetheart, but I'm glad you're trying.

 Imagine a little voice yelling, "Mommy! Kate running!"

 Imagine a little voice saying, "Tree is bumpy. Ouch."

 Now imagine silence, because she sort of gets ahead of you here and you have to hunt her down.

The First Bike Ride

Once we all started to feel a bit more settled, we couldn't wait to get out and explore on our bikes. We found a house to rent in Ralston and lucky us, there are two bike paths nearby.  They definitely aren't like what we are used to in Portland (exhibit A, exhibit B) but they are flat and smooth and we sort of love it.

The First Hike

For our first Nebraska hike, we chose a trail at the nearby Hitchcock Nature Preserve. Ok, ok, so our first hike was in Iowa, but we're counting it.  We had a whiney toddler with us so we didn't explore as much as we would have liked, but we saw enough to know that we'll be back.

Omaha

Omaha, Day 2.

Omaha, Day 5.

Things that happened between Day 2 and Day 5:

• I got sick.
• Kate got sick and threw up for four straight hours in the middle of the night.
• I spent three hours at the laundromat.
• Kate pinched her finger in the front door and fell face first into the coffee table. On the same day.
• Bryan got sick.
• The basement flooded after a heavy rain.
• The garage flooded too.
• Kate got sick again.

Let's just say the welcome wagon didn't really arrive at our house until Mother's Day when my parents pulled up with our washer and dryer and made it all better.  There is nothing bubbles on the front porch can't fix.

The Four Day Drive

Day 1.
We pulled out of Portland bright and early on Saturday, May 4th. B, Kate, the coffee plant and I were cozy in the Jeep, followed by Mom in the Focus and Dad in the U-haul truck pulling the trailer. We were quite a caravan. Since it was a clear, sunny morning, we were able to really soak up Portland as we left--the Willamette River, the downtown skyline, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and the stunning views into the Columbia Gorge. It actually was a nice day for a drive.

Our last view of downtown Portland as we drove east across the Marquam Bridge.

 Kate getting her diaper changed at a very scenic rest stop in eastern Oregon.

 All four of us cozy in the Jeep.

 The sky above the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon.

The view from Deadman's Pass east of Pendleton. That white speck is the U-haul and the red speck behind is the Focus.

 Day 2.
We started Day 2 from Boise, ID and again had sunny skies as we cruised through Idaho and into Utah.  Afternoon monsoons greeted us as we drove through the Wasatch in the late afternoon and we made it a short day by stopping for the night in Evanston, WY. It is worth mentioning that Kate only napped for about 90 minutes total on this day. Riding shotgun not only meant you were co-pilot, but also full-time toddler entertainer. Hence, a considerable lack of photos from Day 2.  Whoops.

Caravan Hoybook

 Mom, taking her driving duties very seriously. Or possibly, and more likely, engrossed in her audio book.

Following the "White Rhino" into the Wasatch.

Day 3.
Day 3 was spent driving the length of Wyoming. Big skies, brown hills and interesting sights like windmills on the skyline next to coal plants and the tree rock. We spent part of the drive up on a high plateau at 8,000 feet and continued on downhill into Nebraska and found a hotel in Sidney for the night.

 The only spot of shade during our lunch break in Rawlins, WY.

The infamous Tree Rock in eastern Wyoming.

Snuggled up with all of her friends.

The state line! Look at that big sky.

Day 4.
Nebraska baby! After three days in the car, Kate was pretty much over it so we put The Lorax on repeat on the Kindle and drove fast. We made a quick pit spot to stretch our legs at the Air and Space Museum and then rolled into Omaha around 5pm.

A Great American Road Trip moment: Kate's first Happy Meal.

Organizing rocks at the Air and Space Museum off I-80.

Giving Mom and Dad directions to our new house. Obviously, you go here, take a left, go straight, then over there. Duh.

All in all, we got really lucky and had a great trip.  No flat tires, no break downs, no epic toddler tantrums. The Great Traveling Kate was such a trooper and she got to add a new state to her growing list: Utah. (Can you believe she is up to 8 states already?)

Big thanks to Oma and Papa for we couldn't have done it without them. From helping us pack up the last bits and driving the truck and my car to distracting Kate when we needed a break, they were amazing.  We are so grateful for their love and support.

A Step-by-Step Guide: Volume 4

How to pack a truck for a 1,600 mile moving adventure

Step 1: Pack your stuff.

Step 2: Pick up your fairly large moving truck. Let a certain someone run up and down the ramp about 40 times.

 Step 3: Spend a good portion of the day loading the truck. Be grateful all day for sunny skies.

Step 4: When you get this to spot in the process, stand back and realize, "hmm, it's not all going to fit." Make arrangements to go pick up a moving trailer to pull behind the truck.

 Step 5: Take a break and congratulate yourself on an efficiently packed truck.

Step 6: Turn around and look in the garage. Realize you really aren't done and all of these crazy things have to fit in the moving trailer. Make a mental note not to save chairs for last the next time you move.

Step 7: Stand back and look at the start of your moving caravan. Realize your whole life is in that truck.

 Step 8: Play with a certain someone in the rocks one more time.

 Step 9: Say goodbye to Uncle Craig.

Step 10: Take a family portrait on the front porch and bid a fond farewell to your wonderful home.

Step 11: Get yourself to Nebraska!

Goodbyes

The time had finally come for us to stop denying that we are leaving and start saying goodbye. Yuck, this part is the worst. What makes it double the worst is that it isn't just B and I saying goodbye to our wonderful friends, but little Kate does too.  I know she doesn't really understand what is happening yet, but it makes me tear up all the same.

We started our goodbye process with a party at our house on the 20th. Some of our favorite people and some good food and fun.  I only snapped one photo the entire evening, but I think it is because I was trying to soak up as much of everyone as I could. The highlight of the night was probably our guidebook and map auction, where let me tell you, there was some hot competition!  It was a great way to say goodbye and "see you soon" to Portland and we couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share it with.

The lone party photo:  Beth, Jordan, Ella and Kate.

Next came a series of lunch/happy hour dates with friends, including an awesome day spent with Katie. It really made me reflect on the amazing people that have been part of our lives in Portland. I have to admit, more than once I said to myself, "Are we doing the right thing?"

We saved our hardest goodbyes for our last night so we could prolong it as long as possible. After we had the truck loaded, we met Julia and her girls. Kate will miss these adorable twins so much and B and I will miss our favorite adventure couple. Here's to many more Hoy-Lodge adventures to come!

Getting these girls to sit still for a photo? Impossible.

 Hmm, it seems their mamas are a little better at it.