We're BAAAACK!

Here it goes. My first post from NH. After skipping all of July and most of August I am finally physically able to blog and catch up on our summer adventures since we left Buffalo.

If you have wondered what cliff we fell off. . . here's the story. I was on the road for a whole month hopping here and there around the west coast, finally culminating in a 20 hour drive with my children to Sioux Falls, SD on August 1st where my husband flew to meet me and saved me from enduring another 25 hours on my own on the road. We arrived in NH on August 1st but up until last Friday had no land line for internet or phone connection. I didn't mind so much, because who had the time anyway?

The 20 hour drive I took on my own was something I will always be proud of. It was very liberating to find out I was capable. And Honestly?  I could've done the whole 45 without him. I called Brent after about 15 hours somewhere in WY and told him so. But by then we are so anxious to get the family back together, he came anyway.

I don't know how the rest of you feel about driving 45 hours with five kids on your own but it was enough of a concern to feel me with constant dread and reduce me to tears several times during the first 2 weeks of our trip out west.  When Brent flew back to NH and left me behind with a van and children that in WA,  it hit me hard that I was REALLY going to have to do this thing.  I was terrified. Once over the phone I told Brent that it was like my Mt. Everest. I really wanted to climb it to prove to myself (and him) that I could.  But with narcolepsy, it was like I had a broken leg and no matter how bad I wanted to climb this mountain I just wasn't physically able.  So, he flew back to meet me. Somehow he couldn't break down and fly all the way to Washington. I was 10 minutes from Iowa when he finally hopped in beside me.

Driving across the country without him was very liberating. Maybe it wasn't such a Mt. Everest after all. I would do it again no problem. So much for the broken leg.

Since then we moved into our big blue house (on our own in one day with Brent and his girls as moving crew. Even the piano was safely brought in though we opted to leave it right inside the back door as we knew we would never get it up the stairs.)

And we sealed the deal on the dental practice purchase.

It was in need of some serious TLC.  We were pretty sure no one would ever find a dental practice in the jungle.

                               So Team Casper was called out in full force.

Even Caroline got to work. She was our most willing helper by far. The whole time she was there she is right by your side, begging for new jobs and reminding you with a smile, " Mom, I love to work!"

We had more than the jungle outside to attack. This was AFTER the Dr. had cleaned up his desk on his last day.

We had lots of galloping horse stencils to paint over.

There wasn't even a computer in the office. 

Kennon or Savannah entered names in while the Dr. and his wife did the painting, decorating and organizing. The other preteen babysitter stayed home and watched kids. Though I loved working at the office full time, it was tough in other ways. Marcus is no longer what I would call potty trained, taking any naps or listening to a thing I say. We were seriously working around the clock for the last week and half while his new staff enjoyed a scheduled vacation. As we left the office on Saturday at midnight, we could hardly believe we had pulled it off and things would be ready for Monday morning.  We had to hold off refinishing the hardwood floors,  are still waiting for upholstery for some ripped dental chairs, and haven't begun organizing the mess upstairs, but we are very happy with the office transformation already.

Before and After shots are in the works. Still trying to decide if it looks good enough without the refinshed floors and red upholstery we have ordered for it's debut on the blog. Plus, it was too late on Saturday when we finished.

As far as New Hampshire, did we luck out or what? We spent so many hours researching towns looking for our ideal location and folks I am pretty sure This is the Place. It seems to be everything we were looking for. I've told several people that my rental house is in the sacred grove. I hope that's not sacreligious. But see for yourself.

This is off my back porch. We are definitely out in the woods. Besides that we are a short walk to the bay. From there you can hop in your boat, mooring for $150 a season, and head right out to the open seas. As soon as we have time and money that is seriously on the agenda. I think we will start small. Maybe a couple kayaks.

But first things first. So far my husband hasn't made a dime as a dentist. And he also hasn't done any dentistry since May.

Today was the big day. First day at his new office. Good Luck Dr. C! Team Casper is home cheering for you. . and crossing our fingers.