Waka! Waka! Waka!

My good friend Kate had come back to the United States after three years in Niger. We had been emailing back and forth about what her plans would be for her and her husband, David. She had thrown around a few ideas before they decided that Tuscon, AZ would be their new home for a while. (Pause) Okay so I was ecstatic because then they would be driving through New Mexico and that meant they would come to visit us! So trying to contain my excitement for this fabulous news we continued our emails. When they'd be leaving? how long it would take? where would they stop along the way? how long would they stay with us? what were the plans when they arrived at our house? I couldn't know enough, it was too much anticipation to not know.

So they drove through, stayed at our house for a few days and at some point I mentioned going to a music festival the following summer. Of course, as I am always on the look out for upcoming festivals I had found one that was reasonably priced and just about the right time of summer, the beginning of June. "Okay, so I have this awesome idea! We should save up money and buy tickets to Wakarusa! We can car pool up there, it's only 15 hours. We can split the drive. 7 and 1/2 hours one day, or even 10, then we can stay the night somewhere, and drive the rest of the way! The line up is killer (as I ramble on about who will be there, many of who she didn't know, as she'd been gone for a while)" Pause. A look of sure excitement and a huge grin told a story of the future. "Yeah!" she turned to translate to David. He had a big smile on his "Yeah, this sounds good!" It was set. It could not be denied that this was something we had to do together.

Being obsessive compulsive has not always been a part of my life, but some might argue that in one way or another I have been this way whether I like to admit it. Whatever the case may be, I am this way now. I can always know however, that no matter how obsessive I may be, I can always count on my obsessive compulsive friends to keep me on the straight and narrow with just a little bit of motivation. I obsessively packed everything we could possibly need from little baggies of citronella wrist bands to rid ourselves of mosquitoes, sunblock to rid ourselves of too much sun, and various miscellaneous items that may come in handy. All individually packaged and neatly labeled for our convenience.

At no point have I ever thought that my love for music and the festivals that are born by it would fade. Life has flown by and now it seems that our "availability" has lessened. Nonetheless, we still enjoy and will jump at any opportunity to attend some type of live music show or festival. Stuffed in a car for over 15 hours on our way to Kansas was an adventure! Four adults, one toddler and a whole lotta stuff that "may just be" necessary filled our car. We planned to leave early on the Tuesday morning before the the festival began and drive for 2 days to arrive there in the evening the day before the festival. This would ensure a good spot in line the day the gates actually opened...and of course a good camping spot would naturally come with.

The morning came so fast. As early of a riser as I am, I don't think I was quite prepared to wake up this early and head to the venue after a long night of excitement and planning in the hotel room with Kate, David, Jess and Scott (some of Kate's friends who met us there from Connecticut). Erik and I were just happy that Esau had given us an extra hour of sleep, which was going to be extremely important over the course of the following four days. We all jumped in our cars loosely packed from the night before. Esau strapped in his food filled car seat, scarfing down a quick snack, which in no way resembled a breakfast...we headed to the venue, somewhere about 3 miles down the road from our hotel. Amazingly we drove right up to the checkpoint, and were directed to the first camp ground open by volunteers wearing construction orange and yellow vests holding the pointers you see directing airplanes. We drove right in with no hassles, no problems, and jumping out of our skin right to our suggested camp site.

Car by car the lot filled up. Tent by tent the camp ground expanded. We set up camp and decided that 7am was pretty early to be completely finished with everything for us to be ready for the four days to come. Walking around and taking in all that was going around us was our choice. The smell of breakfast cooking just up around the corner came to abuse our olfactory nerves as we walked down the already beaten path made by all of the early birds. So we had a plan...cook some breakfast, then head out to the lake. What could be better than a mid morning swim with a full belly?

The walk to the lake was just long enough to start sweating and digest some of our breakfast. By this time, many had the same idea, sitting by the shore, artificially blowing up their rafts and giant play toys for the water. Men screaming like hyienas as they entered the water to shockingly awaken themselves from the early morning. Women slowly slinking into the water like snakes, cautiously entering after seeing the reaction of the men....smart thinkers I must say. Children running down the hill and belly flopping into the water with no hesitation. The uninhibited ways of the child inspire us to have no fear for the unknown. Esau joining in and making a break for the water's edge...he's much more cautious than the average child, he stops short of entering the water...looking around to see what everyone else is doing and wondering why they're acting so funny, contorting and sqirmming about as they enter the water. He's smarter than most, this water is TOO cold, even for the tips of his toes!

Rainy Days

I have to admit that when I hear people say that Indiana is in a drought, I really have to chuckle to myself...they don't even know. While driving down 46 dead trees line the road and hang solemly over and draping the edges with sad lament. Every house here typically has a lush green lawn big enough for any family large or small. Recently the lawns have been looking brown and sad. It has been over a month since we've mowed...no need, the water is so scarce that the lawn doesn't even grow. This certainly is a change from what we're used to in New Mexico. Most homes have either a decorative rock lawn with desert plants to frame the property, or dirt. It's fairly simple.

We have recently been blessed with 4 days of rain. Yesterday being the rainiest, along with thunderstorms throughout the night and into today. It has been a nice change from the usual scorching hot weather with 90% humidity. Esau has thoroughly enjoyed the rain...playing in the puddles with his never before used rain boots. Luckily for him our driveway has nice areas that collect the rain water...perfect for puddle stomping!

"Summer time, and the livin' is easy..."

It has been exactly one month and six days since we moved to the midwest. It's official here, it's summer time. We have been enjoying the heat, bringing back memories of our beloved southwest (minus the humidity). I was actually surprised to walk out of a building yesterday and have my glasses fog to point where I had to wipe them off with my shirt! WOW! SPICY! So amidst the humid heat we have managed to make the most of it by basking in the sun, half naked, by the pool! Yippie! "Summer time and the livin' is easy...," humming to myself.

Of course grandma and grandpa had to be in on the fun! Really, now what kind of fun could we have without them?! Grandpa took Esau on the slide and boy, he couldn't get enough of it. As soon as they landed in the pool, Esau would turn around and point, "eehhh! eehhh! eehhh!" he would say...implying that going again is really what he was trying to say. I think he was wore out after about ten trips down the slide...what a trooper! (grandpa that is)

Family has been so fun to have around. Esau has just been loving having tons of great cousins, aunts, uncles, great grandmas, great grandpas, grandmas, grandpas, second cousins, the list goes on...


We spent one afternoon celebrating Grandma Barbs 65th birthday! We partied it up at the park! I happily made a gluten free cherry pie, and spicy new mexican salsa (most are used to Picante around here, phewy!)

Potluck parties are so much fun, especially when there's so much good food and family around. Kellie knows all about this! Esau's great uncle, can't get enough of him (well he is such a ham, metaphorically of course). Helping grandma Barb blow out the candles and being thrown into the air was his all time favorite at the party, plus being loved and cuddled by his big cousins, who just absolutely adore him too!



How could you not love such a grin?!

Catfish John

Enjoying Life

I got a big hug and an energetic "mom" from Esau today. It was such a great feeling to know that I am so lucky and in so many ways. I am blessed to have such a smart, adorable, absoultely squeezable, fun, agreeable and overall wonderful child. I am also lucky to have a husband who is very tolerant, sensitive and understanding. We really are lucky! I feel that we have worked hard for the things that we have and live comfortably without feeling like our lives are over done. Although times can sometimes be trying just as it is for everyone, it's great knowing that everything will be fine in the whole scheme of things.



I am excited to have found a few moms who seem like-minded and fun to hang out with while enjoying our children together. I was able to spend some time at the library yesterday, which was very impressive. I was amazed to see that the entire first floor was dedicated to kids, including an enclosed toddler room, with books, toys, arts & crafts, puzzles, and more. We have visited our neighborhood park, where Esau has made several friends, including local wildlife and friendly roaming house pets. Our yard is pranced through daily by deer and we have even been blessed with some scat on the porch. That's my naturalist side coming out :)



Erik has been working towards finding work and I am about to embark on a coaching experience. Never thought of myself as a coach, but am finding that it suits me fairly well (so far). Esau is having fun just being a toddler and enjoying himself by pulling Zoe around and giving Eve several hugs throughout the day. He found some toys at yard sales and flea markets that he could just not live without and has been engulfed in the fascination of blocks, chalk, and puzzles.



We have added a happy garden gnome, thanks to our good friend Haley! How happy he is to be hanging out around the abundant poison ivy, something I never missed while living in New Mexico.

So many things are different here, the people, the scenery,the town, its neighborhood...it's amazing. I have been enjoying the cooler weather, light breeze (not blow your hair off, 70 mph winds), the green grass and muture trees that are everywhere you look. I definitely miss, however the view of the Organs, the massive landscape and orchards of pecans. Missing friends are a given...obviously.

Who would have ever thought I would one day be drying Esau's diapers by a fan in the window, instead of on a clothesline (which are few and far between in these parts). I guess the humidity would just keep them damp, rather than drying them. Amazing! I forgot what it was like living with 90-100% humidity at practically all times of the summer.