Transition

We are almost completely settled in our new home in Bakersfield. There are only a few pictures left to be hung and one room that is waiting to be painted (Della's room). So far, we have been enjoying our time here although I am getting a little tired of this hot weather. The next week is projected to have highs in the upper nineties. I am ready for some cooler nights, that is for sure. We'll be able to use the pool for a while longer though! One unique thing about this area, is that we are able to plant fall vegetable gardens so I have been planning mine out. I am hoping to do broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peas, lettuces, radishes, and beets. September is the time to plant but I still need to get the garden beds tilled with the added compost and fertilizer. We'll see if it gets done before the baby arrives. Della is quite excited to welcome her baby sister into the world. Every morning she wants to "see" her baby sister and give her a hug and a kiss. As you can see at the very end of the video, she knows that her sister is coming on her birthday and everyone knows that chocolate cake comes with birthdays. Ever since Della was born, Derek has been putting all his pocket change into her piggy bank and every so often there is paper money included. Della loves to help in this process and it has made an impact! We recently withdrew some money to have on hand for an emergency fund and I had placed it in my bible for temporary safe keeping. Della found it and Derek found her with the money laid out on the table in front of her but the amount was $100 short... We looked high and low and eventually asked Della where it was. She told us it was in her piggy bank so we checked, and sure enough, she had figured out how to get paper money in her piggy bank! She's bound to be a saver! Since we have been home more, Della and Dutch have become the best of friends. There is a definite hierarchy in the family with Dad and Mom on top, then Della, and finally Dutch. Della drags Dutch around the house by his collar and loves to chase him around her room or our room with her stroller and thinks it is so funny when he jumps up on the bed to escape her. There have been a few times when she gets a little too bossy with him and we have been working with her on being kind and gentle. He is such a good sport and I think he actually enjoys playing with her. He loves laying by her bed during story time and normally in the evenings will lay by her door before we get into bed. Her vocabulary continues to grow and now she is gaining very adult sounding voice inflections and compassion and concern too. This morning I sneezed in my bedroom before getting her out of her room and when she heard me sneeze, she said "bless you, honey". Very sweet. Another time, I had just taken some cold medicine and Della came up to me and asked "Mommy, do you feel better?" Derek's job has been keeping him very busy and on the road a lot. I think he has been enjoying it though. I started attending a women's bible study at a nearby church last week and met a few young moms. Della really looks forward to nursery there (even though she says it is too hot in the video). The downside of nursery (as was with daycare) kids are exposed to lots of fun viruses so the whole family is currently sick with a cold... bummer. I have been staying busy being a stay at home mom/wife. There are definitely some days where my patience runs low at the end but mostly I like it. I have been learning about growing flowers in an area this hot and baking and cooking quite a bit. I did interview for a couple jobs to start during tax season. I was offered a position at both firms but the one I accepted with allow me to work as much as I want from home. I am hoping to do 2-3 days per week during tax season and then 2 days per week during the off-season. The great thing about this job, is that the 2-3 days are not set so I can work 2 days while the girls are in preschool/daycare and then the third day I can piece together during the evening or on weekend when Derek is home. I really am excited about this opportunity. It will also give Della the chance to start a preschool here. We are hoping to find a daycare that is transitional into a preschool so the baby and Della can go to the same place. I am making it a goal to post a blog at least 2 times per month to keep everyone updated! It has been a while!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRP8OEkg5y4