Hoorah for Routine!

Well, it was difficult at times, but the Isaksen troops survived a 17 day Christmas break...that was all 7 of us together 24/7. Some moments were delicious, fun, exciting, while others are not blogworthy (lol). My kids and I thrive on routine. So, it was nice to get back to it today. The plan is to homeschool everyone through the end of the year once we get moved back to Oregon ((7 weeks and counting)). However, during the break we homeschooled everyday. I don't know how I ever managed to homeschool everyone before? It was CRAZY! Everytime I sat to read or give instructions, Joe decided it was time to scream loud enough that I couldn't possibly read over him. Because of the sleep problems I have, nap time for them is nap time for me. I just don't have the stamina to stay awake during that 1-2 hour period. I would love to have that time to exercise when I get my energy back. Anyway, I just don't know I managed before and I'm not sure how I will manage after the move. The only thing I can think of is to have loads of faith, prayer, and look for ideas to occupy them all. The thing is, I feel strongly about homeschool and I feel like that is what our kids are supposed to be doing. Burn out is likely though. Here in Iowa, the kids don't have a nice yard to play outside in (who would want to play in this freezing weather anyway). Once we get moved I am praying for a nice back yard that is fenced in. Oregon has beautiful weather year round. This could be the answer to my insanity. It would be SO nice to say "Okay...go out and play while I....". Also, I am seriously considering the "community closet" thing like the Duggars use. I don't mind tossing loads of laundry in..the tricky part is dividing it all into drawers and closets upstairs. It would be SO nice just to pull it out of the dryer and seperate it in a laundry room thingy. I got behind on laundry during vacation and am still catching up. Anyone else feel this pain? Hahaha! We are going to Iowa City this afternoon to get the U-haul decals off the truck we bought for the move. Yes..did anyone know that you can practically buy a moving truck for around the same price as renting one to drive accross the country?

Sleep Study

Some of you have been wondering why I would need a sleep study done. Is it snoring, sleep apnea, or am I desperate to get some "me time". Well, I have to admit I really enjoyed being tucked in by the nurse. She was so nice. We are ruling out apnea, I don't snore...Drew doesn't know since I'm left trying to fall asleep...he falls asleep 30 secs after his head hits the pillow. I'm tired a lot! Jeesh...could it possibly be the 5 small kids thing?? I don't know. I have been on Ambien for some time and my doc wanted a sleep study done to rule some things out.
It was slippery freezing rain to get there. They hooked many wired to my head, legs, back, and shoulders ((many, many wires)). I went to lay down...it was strange knowing someone was watching me sleep and listening to me. Crazy! I thought I would just go right to sleep...but it was the usual 1-2 hours thing. Once I fell asleep I had some very strange dreams...
1. The wires became living beings and tried to attack me...so I yelled for the nurse to save me ((she told me just to call out loud for her should I need anything at all))
2. From there I ran around the hospital searching for my nurse and threatening to sue the hospital since she wasn't there to save me.
3. Then I took hostages
4. Somehow I teleported to the hospital nursery where I was being asked which baby I wanted to adopt...this one or that one, or both. My heart was melting as I looked at the beautiful babies who needed a family
5. then I teleported to a bench somewhere...and Erin Kelly was sitting there and telling me how awesome it is to adopt babies ((she is so sweet))
6. Then I was back in the nursery trying to decided what to do when hospital security came and told me the nursery was for authorized personel only.
7. Just then I was in Meg and D.J.s art class trying to pick up their work and talk with their teacher.

That is all I remember. I was awake at 4am to go to the bathroom. It was then I wish I was dreaming when I saw what I looked like in all those wires...
At am the nurse woke me up and started taking patches off various places ((ouch))! Then I ventured home on slippery roads in the cold..only to realize I was locked out of the house. Dang! So, I called Drew's cell...voice mail. Called home...voice mail..dang! Then I saw Cali ((our super dog)). She must have had a sense I was home. She raced down the stairs and barked until Drew woke up to let me in. I spent the rest of today in a fog...tired from my dreamland adventures. I must wait now 2 weeks for the results.

Happenings

Well, Christmas has come and gone. We are keeping up some of the decorations in hopes someone will find them charming and buy this house :-) Kids had a good Christmas. After having a little celebration at home, we headed out to the Stocks house in Montgomery, IL. The kids played well together and Drew and I enjoyed company. We have been laying low since. Still recovering from head colds/flu stuff. Drew is checking on moving trucks this next week. We are going to spend time going thru stuff in the basement and packing non essential items. Hopefully when it comes time to move out, it will be in an organized fashion. We cannot wait to get home to be near loved ones, family, friends, and beautiful green landscapes. Our lives have changed significantly since we last lived in Oregon. I am looking forward to settling down though. Tonight I get to experience a sleep study. I have been battleing insomnia and fatigue for way too long. The doc doesn't want to keep giving me sleep aides w/out a sleep study. I wonder if I'm fatigued from just dealing with the kids or there is another problem. Guess it doesn't hurt to get more information. Drew is doing well. He took D.J. shooting today with our friend, Ben. They all had a blast. Homeschool is going quite well. ALayna has taken a liking to reading. So far I LOVE a becka. Thanks to Ebay...I can afford it. Lol! Well, merry Chritmas and Happy New Year to all.

Move Coming Up Sooooon!

It's hard to believe that it's almost time for us to pack up and head to Oregon. Honestly, I am truly looking forward to the changes. Drew wants to go to bed now...so I will post a little later.

December Already?

I'm just wondering where November went? I knew it was going to fly though with eerything going on. I'm afraid December is much the same as it is a very fast paced month. We've been doing pretty good around here. Drew is working towards his black belt in ATA ((I'm wishing I could be getting mine...but I know I need to let my back heal)). We had a laid back Thanksgiving as most of us were sick with a cold, ear infection, or flu. This week though everyone seems to be bouncing back. We had some pics taken at Sears. They are okay. Drew is going to edit these pics a little when he has more time. These are raw images off of the CD.

Computer Time

It has been a while since I've had time to post here...with Daddy home...we have been busy! I am SO happy that Drew is home safe and sound and that he also had a great trip. It was a lot of fun to hear all about it and to see the trinkets he brought back. A lot has been going on, unfortunately not with the sale of our house. No lookers. On Monday we plan to put it on the FSBO sites and start praying harder. Kids have been pretty good. I got to go to Meg and D.J.'s schoool this morning and have breakfast with them :-). Alayna has had a great week. She has enjoyed all the trips to Good Will and other 2nd hand stores in search for snowpants, boots, ect. I do believe we have stuff for each kid now. We are happy to have Andrew staying with us now....the kids are certainly excited each morning to find out he slept over. Alayna's b-day is on Sunday evening...it's all about tinker bell. Should be fun. I promise africa pics soon. maybe even this post.

4 Days to Go!

10 days down and 4 to go until my wonderful husband and best friend return home. It has been a crazy couple a days around the Isaksen Clan. Joe came down with an ear infection Friday and ran 103+ temps all day. I was able to get him into the doctor late in the afternoon. He is better now that he is on antibiotics...however my lovely little boy refused to nap for the first time ever. He usually whimpers for a few seconds or minutes just after I close the door...then all will be quiet and he will sleep for 1 to 2 hours. This has been our routine for at least the past year. Today he jumped in his crib, played for a while, attempted to climb out, and screamed. I kept checking on him every so often and after about 45 minutes just gave up. I had a lovely episode as well on Thursday and ALMOST ended up with a D&C on Friday morning. After more evaluation I got hormones instead of surgery...phew! Only, these hormones make me cry at dumb commercials and be overly sensitive. Last week was the Primary program...I am glad it is over. The kids all did a fantastic job! Now we get to do fun songs and relax for a few months. This Sunday we are playing hot potato. It will be wrapped in layers of foil with songs under each layer. Should be fun! My Sewing machine broke tonight!!! Now what? The motor doesn't want to move my presser foot...it just revs. I am supposed to make 3 nursing covers for different peoples! Ugh! I guess I will have to wait until Mr. Fix It gets home. He is really good at figuring out these kinds of things. I guess I will just veg for the rest of the night. Happy extra hour of sleep to everyone....hope Joe sleeps past 5 am though!