The mayhem, the mayhem! There’s nothing like three bedrooms piled into the middle of a small livingroom, kitchen and diningroom. In the process of all of this I am running HG all around kingdom come to volleyball camp. NONE OF YOUR WARNED ME! None of you told me that life would be chaotic with a tween. No one said that her schedule would dictate my sanity. I feel as if I have lived in our car. If I have to eat one more on the run meal I will choke! I have to get better prepared.
Unfortunately, with everything else in chaos, Ithink that I will just have to relish in the thought that by Sunday we can start moving back in. HAPPY THOUGHTS. HAPPY THOUGHTS.

It seems amazing to me that one year ago today we were in Russia. Also one year ago today we got the report that our home was flooded. Next week will be the end to that era when we finally put in the last of the flooring. We will finish putting in the hardwood floors this next week.
I feel somewhat nostalgic that our house after being through such turmoil is almost to the point of being done. I told HH that I didn’t want to remodel that kitchen for another year at least. I just want a break from projects and start to live again in our home.
I still am looking for shoes. I can’t seem to find size 11 that works. Ihad a gaggle of shoes and now I have 3 pair. I have money to buy more but can not seem to find what I want. *sigh You would think it would be easier right?
I am thankful today for the new floor going in this week. After a year of hardwork to put it all back together again I just want to hear,”Welcome home Hula family!”

Tonight I was given a gift that some might strage. My mother took me aside and handed me a brown paper bag. She told me that inside it was a gift like no other. I was not to look at it until I got home.
Inside there was a plant. It looked like it probably had been a lilac plant which are one of my favorites. I then saw in the bottom a little note. It took me off guard to see not my mothers handwriting but one I did not recognize. As I opened it the paper cracked with age. I started to read.

“Dear Emma, Please find inside a slip of the old country. Mama and I want you to have a piece of home. This is a piece of the lilac bushes that sits on the property of the big house in Neuchatel. This we give you as a wedding gift carrying on the tradition that was started when your mother and I married and came to the United States. You plant it where your heart is and watch it grow along with your family. We love you and will miss you as we are returning home. God be with you and your life that you are beginning with Milton. May He grant you many happy years as man and wife with many children. Papa and Mama”
They did have many happy years and 4 boys, one of which is my father.
I appreciate the gift of havinga piece of my heritage. Even though it may be in the form of a plant, it is a plant that is over 100 years old. I hope I don’t kill it.