I'm on a diet

Things are not pretty here at the Javadi abode...

Cyrus is in Texas.

I am on a diet.

Neither of those things bode well for me. Cyrus is my friend and my entertainment as well as my sanity. Food is also my friend and entertainment and sanity. I love that stuff (Cyrus and food I mean).

But, Cyrus' job here was awful for him and the muffin top on the top of my jeans was awful for me so now I am off to a brave new world of managing five kiddos solo, watching John Stewart solo AND passing up peanut butter cookies and not pulling out the kitchenaid every time I am bored.

My resolve is set. I am not only going to do it all kids wise, I am going to be thin in the process... now if Pioneer Woman will stop posting things like this...



Now where is that kitchenaid.......

What we've been doing...

I never blog. Partly because of facebook, partly because we have been BUSY BUSY BUSY doing all the stuff we couldn't do when we were fixing this old house!!

We hiked out to the bar and there was this huge pile of the prettiest rocks you've ever seen!! As Sam would say, "It was wowser!" And beautiful!!! The beach was beautiful and full of treasures. Just the kind of place our kiddos LOVE.









Grace particularly loves the beach. Sand is her favorite.




She takes after Hannah...and Sam...and Katie...and Carolyn...







There was a little house built in the sand. All the kids got in it at once but Sam stuck his head in the way and we couldn't get a picture of everyone. That boy loves to have his picture taken!!!



Dad said not to get wet since we were headed to a parade right after the beach. Grace is not a good listener.



We also hiked out to the two lighthouses that are on the bar. It was beautiful!!! Plus it was a jolly good time!







One thing about Astoria (besides that it is cold and rains a lot) is that almost everywhere you go, there is a fabulous view. This is what it looked like from the trail!! FABULOUS.





Lighthouse #1=easy hike. Cyrus wears the baby carrier.





The kids climbed all over the lighthouse. And up any tree they could find. That's just what they do.




Sometimes when we hike Sam just sits on the path or sometimes he decides to hop like a frog. He always adds dimension to our activities. Grace just runs!!!!






Lighthouse #2=much harder hike. I wear the baby backpack.

So today was a day I have been dreading/anticipating for months. I took Cyrus to the airport to fly to his new job in Texas. Last night he gave each of the kids a father's blessing and we all cried. Now he is off.

But I am staying here with the kids.

See, people in our new little town don't rent unless they live in trailers. That wasn't for us, so we tried to buy a house... but there is the problem with getting a home loan--our credit is fixed but banks don't loan to people who are changing states and bosses and don't have solid income verification (pay stubs) anymore--good for the long term economy, bad for us. So by the time we can get approved for a loan, find a house, make an offer and close, it will be October or so. So the kids and I will be hanging here in Astoria a few more months. I love this place, but would rather say good bye to it than to Cyrus.

So that is that part we have been dreading. But I am so happy for Cyrus. His job here was so hard for him. Leaving that job was like a weight lifted off him. I am excited to see how it all comes out!!!