28 Nov 2015 (343 days after The Day)

Today was another relaxing day except for the fact that I was sick.  We looked at some neighborhoods where homes were for sale and then the kids all went with Samantha's mom to see a movie.  They all enjoyed that.  My kids all have come to me at different times sad about Jan.  The changes are big.  The changes are real.  They are all dealing with things in their own way.  On a fun side they all went sledding in the backyard today.  That was a fun experience for them all.  They all were smiling and having a blast.  Claire cheered them on from the window inside.  We all were laughing both inside and out.  Today was a pizza day for dinner.  I had chicken noodle soup.  I just don't feel well.

Oh... and another note - Samantha is an amazing cook.  Seriously.  Like she cooks stuff you would eat in a restaurant.  I feel very blessed.  She is not only a good cook but an amazing mom.  There is nothing she cannot do it seems.  I'm sure Jan is smiling at how good of a mom she is to the kids.  Like I said - I feel very blessed.

27 Nov 2015 (342 days after The Day)

The day after Thanksgiving - My illness is getting worse I think.  I just feel sick to my stomach and have a fever.  I am ready to be back to myself.  I just feel like sleeping.  Samantha's father picked up the kids and took them sight seeing and then to lunch.  It was a nice break for them and us.  My kids are missing Jan.  It is true.  A new home... new town... new friends... Getting acclimated is going to take a moment but we are making progress.

26 Nov 2015 (341 days after The Day)

Thanksgiving Day.  It is the first Thanksgiving without Jan and in a weird way I feel like she is still around.  I made pancakes for the kids and afterwards Samantha was busy cooking.  We went to her sister's home that afternoon and had a good time meeting the family.  Good food and activities.  We all played the pie in the face game.  It was seriously funny.  Everyone had a good time. 

25 Nov 2015 (340 days after The Day)

The day before Thanksgiving.  You could say this was a slow day at work.  That was a blessing because it enabled me to catch up on things.  Because our things will be delivered so late I am without a shirt, tie, and shoes for church.  Samantha took me to some stores shopping as we both tried to avoid the black Friday crowds.  After a few stops I emerged with what I needed. 

I've been battling a cold since I got here and that doesn't help me get acclimated.  It is supposed to snow later in the week.  The kids are excited.  We have a busy day tomorrow and a welcomed break from work.

24 Nov 2015 (339 days after The Day)

The days at work seem to fly by as I find myself in one meeting after another.  After a day filled with meetings I had another meeting with a Montessori school local to the town which I now live.  It is different.  I suppose I am trying to find what Jan had in our home and I don't think I will.  I will find parts of what we had but not everything.  I will need to learn to let go.  The last Montessori school Ammon was in was a school that Jan and I both investigated when she focused on healing and turned schooling over to someone else.  It was easy to have Ammon go there because in a way I felt Jan approved.  Now - I am blending my children with my spouses children and striving to align our beliefs on education.  It is a different approach and one that I believe we are both striving to support each other on.  It is difficult.

23 Nov 2015 (338 days after The Day)

Well - today was the first day back to work.  Telecommuting.  That was a weird concept but I was amazed at all I was able to get done.  I think that was because it was just uninterrupted time and my plate was overflowing with tasks.  Dinner was great.  We need a bigger table to fit all 9 of us.  Samantha really does have to cook for an army.  It is good being in a family again.  We are all trying to figure things out but the spirit in the home is positive.  Very positive.

22 Nov 2015 (337 days after The Day)

After a hearty breakfast we hit the road again.  A short day today - only four hours.  The scenery was beautiful.  Snow on the ground in the shaded parts and snow on the mountain tops.  We arrived exhausted.  Our minivan I think was relieved that the trip was over.  Our kids greeted us at the door and helped us get unloaded.  The dry ice kept the milk frozen the entire way.  That was the best $27 I have ever spent.  With a need to go to the store looming Samantha put together a lunch for all 9 of us.  It was the best home-cooked meal.  Perhaps because it was the first.  We ate dinner at Samantha's parents home and later retired to bed - exhausted.