Gotta Smile!: The Kids Are Killing Us

April 3 - 8, 2013

Jennifer asked us to come to St Louis to help them settle into their new home a week after they moved in. Since we fly standby we had to get up at 2:30 AM to catch a 6:00 flight out of Tampa. (Ok, we were tired before we got there.) Jen and JAC met us at the airport and we were off to see their new home. They live in Webster Groves, an older section of St Louis. It is so beautiful. Mature trees, rhododendron, dogwood and azalias are in every yard. The flowers were at peak color. Their home is 103 years old. It is spectacular with deep base boards, hardwood floors and cove moldings that are among the most intricate I have seen. They already had the entire interior repainted, the floors refinished and most of the lights replaced before we got there. The furniture was in place, but boxes were everywhere. The boxes contained all of their art work, family pictures, nicknacks and various household items. By the time we left, five days later... all of the art was hung, all of the boxes emptied, lots of cleaning completed, an innumerable number of trips to Lowes, Home Depot, Bed, Bath & Beyond were made and we were exhausted. Actually, we were beyond exhausted. We haven't been this tired since we moved out of our own house last May. Besides getting them settled, we had time to see Christopher's new school, go to his karate class, celebrate Easter and JAC's 3rd birthday, read stories, take nature walks and play. On Easter we caught a 4:00 PM flight to Miami. After a two hour layover, we flew to Tampa. An hour and a half drive to Longboat and it was 1:30 AM when we arrived home. We slept until noon on Monday....Home sweet home! Doing anything with your kids -- even working until you think you will drop -- is about the best time you can have. It's all about building those memories, sharing the laughs and time to talk.
Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!