When it rains, it pours

It looks like will be having our first out of town visitor....his name is 

GUSTAV!

So, today while we are out looking at open houses, we will stop to pick up some hurricane supplies. According to my friend, Jennifer, milk duds are a vital necessity.

So Sad

We did not get the house.  I cannot even tell y'all how sad I am. I have spent the morning crying.  This house was perfect for us in every way.  My children despise their school so I was going to move them to the public school here.  This house actually backs up to the backyard of some good friends of ours. It is in the best neighborhood...one that is very hard to get into. This neighborhood is one that is really a small community within a big city .  This house was exactly my style (and I can be just a little picky).  In fact, 11 years ago Dave and I thought about building a house.  I took photos of a house almost exactly like this one and I have carried those photos around for 11 years.  I based the french doors in our VA house on this house.  I literally have carried this house around in my heart and my mind for many, many years.  I was actually amazed when I saw it on the market.  I took it as a sign.  I know everybody says that it just wasn't meant to be but I am having a hard time seeing how or why this would not be meant for us.

We did everything we could but another family outbid us. We had no idea what they were bidding but we have a feeling they knew what we were bidding. Their agent was a colleague of the seller's agent (in the same office).

Anyway, thanks for all the prayers and good wishes. Unfortunately, I have seen everything else on the market and nothing else compares right now. So, not sure what we will do. This was my dream house....

Kate Update

UPDATE:

Another family made a better offer on the house we are trying to get.  PLEASE pray that we can counter offer and get this house if it is meant to be.  It is a house that I have a special attachment to for reasons I will explain later.  The market is HOT here and it looks like it could be a bidding war:(

My little Kate is developing so quickly and I have not written down her milestones in a long time. I want to be able to look back and remember what she was doing at 2:

~As I write this, she is standing on the chair (behind my back) massaging my shoulders.  What a sweetie!

~She has been counting to 20 for several months now and she loves to count as she goes up or down stairs.

~Kate loves to sing. She mostly sings a cappella in the car. She sings her ABC's, Old McDonald, Twinkle, Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Row your boat, five little monkeys sitting in the tree,  Ring around the rosie and more.  She has the cutest voice.  It is kind of deep and throaty when she sings.

~Kate is speaking is sentences (sometimes full, sometimes fragments).  She is quiet when she first meets people though.

~ Not only does Kate know her shapes and colors like a champ but she also can identify letters. She can point to letters  (in a book, on a  label, the keyboard) and tell you which letter it is.  She began doing this on a play dough label before she was 2 and it astonished me.  Many kids can say their ABC's but few can identify them at this age. I am not bragging here.....I give complete credit to an excellent show on PBS called, "Super Why."  If you want your children to pick up some pre-reading skills, it is a FABULOUS show. Kate watches it while I shower.  I've never been a big fan of TV for little ones but this is good. 

~Kate always asks to "draw on paper."  She makes millions of "o's and circles."  She can spend 30 minutes making o's.  I showed her how to write the letters of her name and she tries to imitate.  I think she'll be doing it very soon.

~When I am on the computer, Kate comes and grabs my arm and says, "Come on, Mom!" in the most happy and energetic way.  She wants me off the computer and with her.  I always oblige.

~She still tells us she is happy out of the blue.  She'll be sitting on the couch and she'll say "Happy, Mama."

~She loves dresses, ponytails and "beeewtiful bracelets."  She wants to wear them everyday.

~She also loves brushing her hair, having her hair brushed and brushing others hair (even Daddy's).

~Kate says, DEEEEE-lecious after pretend sampling her tea and cupcakes. (Target has this adorable pretend cupcake kit for $14.99 right now--not on-line though)

~Kate LOVES all animals.  She especially loves dogs and "kitty cats."  She will approach any dog  or cat we encounter (although I have taught her to wait while Mom asks if it is a friendly dog).  I cannot pull her away from animals we see throughout the day.

~Kate observes everything.  Yesterday, I could not find the rice milk in our apartment. I had no clue where Dave had put it and I thought I had looked everywhere.  I said, "Kate, where is that Rice Milk?"  She opened a cabinet and said, "Right here, Mama." Yikes.  I didn't even think she was listening.

~Generally, Kate is happy and sweet but she can THROW A FIT!  The other day, I took the kids to our newcity library to get cards and check out books.  Miss Kate did not sleep at naptime and she threw a vicious screaming fit in the middle of our new library. Many people were giving us the "stink-eye" and I could not drag her out with an armful of books.  Both boys were loaded up with books too.  Finally, Will took mine and I got her out.

~Kate still likes Dave and I to feed her warm milk in a sippy cup (as though we were giving her a bottle with eye contact) every morning and evening.  Then she likes me to hold her chest to chest while I tickle her back.  It is such a relaxing and bonding time for us.

~When Kate says goodbye to someone, she says, "Bye, bye, see you soon."

~She love calling people on  the cell phone and she now has pretend conversations.  It is so fun to here her talking to no one.

~She loves to take care of her babydolls (feed, change, rock, diaper).  She is an excellent Mommy.

~Kate still tells me about 20 times a day..."I want to go home, Mama."

You are my little angel, Kate and I am so glad you came into our lives. I love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean.

P.S. We made an offer on a house yesterday and we expect to hear a counter offer today.  I think it will be a long weekend of negotiations.  I will keep you updated and I will post a photo if we reach an agreement. 

Thankful Thursday

Please keep Robin's, adorable son, Emanuiel (pictured above with his sister) in your prayers today as he undergoes surgery to repair his cleft palate.  It is so difficult to see your child be wheeled off into surgery.  Stop by Robin's blog and let her know you are thinking of their family today.

I need to focus on the things I am thankful for:

~  My sweet blog friend Jennifer sent me these awesome little Lily sandals just a day or two before we moved.  She knew that I wear the sample size and sent me the cutest pair.  I was so surprised and so thrilled.  Here is a photo:

(Staci I know you are laughing at this picture of my feet;)

~My friend, Lauren's Mom also sent me an adorable gift just days before we moved.  She has started a business called Personally Gifted and she sent me this ladybug toy bin to store Kate's toys in.  I love it.  It folds flat for easy travel and it holds a good amount of toys.  We are using it here in our tiny apartment for Kate's toys.  Thank you for your sweet gift. Go over and see what else she has.

~Heather also sent us a thoughtful note and gift for our new home but it is packed so I don't have a photo but trust me it is perfect!  Thank you Heather!

~Thank you for all of the advice and insight regarding the water and snacks at school.  Y'all have been so helpful.  I did call the principal and I will let you know what happens.  I am on a mission.  I have found all sorts of initiatives for water in school and research citing better behavioral and academic outcomes from well hydrated students.  Thank you Moms and teachers.  You rock!  I have so much respect for you teachers out there.  I know what a hard job you have.  In my opinion, Moms and teachers have the most important jobs on earth!

~Thank you also for all of the advice and cheerleading and prayers for our adjustment here. Each comment and e-mail has helped in some way. Thank you to all of the friends (and my sweet sister) who called to check on me the moment they read my post.  I did not realize it sounded that sad.  I am blessed by beautiful friendships. 

~I am thankful that we have found two houses we really like and I think we will be making an offer tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.  The market here is actually going UP instead of down like the rest of the country---just our luck!

~I am thankful for my husband.  He is the glue holding our family together right now. 

Okay, so just when I was feeling all sorry for myself because the kiddos are really struggling, I got the amazing e-mail below. 

Hi Kim. Not sure if you remember me... we just met once at a craft day for the Moms club. Anyway, we talked a lot about adoption. My husband and I had been discussing adoption but he was very hesitant to do international (financial reasons primarily). I had kind of laid off and decided not to push it. Well, after talking to you that day I realized it was really what my heart wanted me to do! After casually mentioning it to my husband a few more times we finally had some in depth discussions and he came around! We are just starting our paperchase! I'm VERY excited, but quite anxious because it seems so overwhelming. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you... I am a believer in fate and as cheesy as it sounds think that I met you at the right time. The influence of seeing you and your daughter has gotten us to this point! Thank you!

I must tell you that although I do remember meeting this woman, I had NO idea that our conversation had any impact. I am so overjoyed that she and her husband and their children will welcome an adopted child into their loving home.  Another reason I am so thankful for her e-mail is that it came at the perfect time.  I was really questioning our move here and wondering if we had made a mistake.  She reminded me that things happen for a reason.  God has a plan. We don't always know what it is.  But He brought us here for a reason and I just need to have faith.
 

School Daze

I know this is a terrible photo (the lighting NOT the adorable subjects!) but we were in the parking garage and running late.

Well, the first day of school was not so great.  The kids said it was way more strict than their last school (which was perfect by the way). They said they just sat at desks and did work. I think they are used to engaging teachers and a little more hands on learning.  I am hoping they were doing some beginning of the year assessment type stuff and it is not like this all the time. They did seem to make some friends though.  So, that is good. They said the second day was a little better and today there is a doughnut party for Harry and a pizza party for Will (to welcome new students)  They are not really allowed to eat doughnuts and pizza but I am going to let them today.  I am sure we will have some tummy troubles later.

Let me get some input here...are your kids allowed to drink water throughout the day? At our former school, the kids kept a water bottle on their desks and drank throughout the day (which is actually good for learning). However, at the current school they are only allowed to drink during lunch and one other time. Will gets dehydrated very easlily (like me) and needs to drink frequently.  I am concerned. Also, there is no snack.  They go 5 hours between breakfast and lunch without a snack.  Again, maybe this is normal but at their previous school they had a mid morning snack. Often they worked as they ate a healthy snack.  Poor Harry has recess in a courtyard with no grass. All of this information did not cheer me up about our new city.  In fact, I cried my little eyes out to Dave the other night.  I got it all out and I have a better attitude now:)

I am so grateful for all of the kind messages and thoughts you all left. I truly cannot thank you enough! They literally got me through the day yesterday!!!! I know this will pass. I already have some playdates in the works for the boys and me and Kate. I received so many uplifting e-mails as well.  I will try to respond to them all but it might take me a while.

Oh and I apologize for being such a lame blog reader and commenter lately. I miss catching up with everyone but I have very little computer time.  We are all sharing one laptop and this apartment is not "Kate-proofed" at all. Also, I am spending most of my free time looking for a house:)  I will catch up with y'all as soon as I can.  

I have very touching e-mail to share tomorrow regarding international adoption....so check back.  Don't forget to let me know in the comments if your children have snack and water at school.   I  want to know the "norm" before I approach the school. Thanks.

P.S.  Go check out the GREAT shoe give away at my friend's blog, Classy Chaos.

This is hard.

I am posting this photo from the beach to try to cheer myself up and remember happier times:)

I always try so hard to be positive and I really think that a lot of life is the way you look at things. I know I am fortunate.  I have a great little family.  My husband has a job and I get to stay at home with the peanuts.  But I am not going to lie...this move has been HARD.  Have I mentioned before that I don't do well with change?

Will is getting migraines.

Harry is not happy here at all and misses his friends.  He is really acting out.

Kate keeps saying, "too hot" and "I want to go home."

I took Kate to the park this morning hoping to meet a Mom friend or two.  The park was filled with nannies and me.  The Moms seemed to be playing tennis across the street (and I am sure some were at work too).  I am not judging...just disappointed.  I did strike up a lovely conversation with one of the nannies.  She slipped me her number as we left.  I wonder if that was why she talked to me?

Then we went for groceries which spilled all over the parking garage as I tried to lug a tired 2 year old and several bags on the long haul to our apartment.  Some OJ was lost in the spill:(

Life with a dog in an city apartment on the second floor is VERY challenging. We actually thought Scout was sick (not eating or drinking and very lethargic) but the vet said she is reacting to the move too!  Even dogs don't like change!

I miss my house and my easy little life.

I have lived in a big city before but for the last 4 years we have lived in a sleepy little college town.  I have not readjusted to BIG city life yet.  I am still acting like a small town gal.  I hope it all comes back to me.  I am in culture shock.

The boys are at their first day of school today.  The "interview" was interesting and I want to post about it but not right now.  Dave is at his first day of work.  I hope they are all having a good day.

I have fallen in love with two houses but they are priced a bit too high so I am still looking.

Okay...sorry for the downer post but I needed to vent and I want to look back and remember things how they really were...HARD!

Goodbye Virginia...Hello Newcity!

This is the beautiful view I had every time I drove into my neighborhood in Virginia!

We have said our final farewells and we have left Virginia. We are now in a two bedroom corporate apartment in our new city (it is tight with 3 peanuts and a dog) until we find a house. Our trip here was very long but we had fun. The kids did great in the car and so did Scout. I learned that I need to add some more songs to my Ip*d. I got very bored on such a long drive with my meager selection.

It was our first time traveling with a dog and we had to stay in "dog friendly hotels." Let's just say that my favorite hotels are not "dog friendly." Also, Will is very allergic to dogs. Scout is hypoallergenic but poor Will had major allergy symptoms from the other pets in the hotels.

One day on our road trip, we visited a state park and had a picnic (it is a challenge to eat healthy and gluten free on the road). While I was getting food at the grocery store for the picnic, Dave and Harry found incredible fossils in the grass beside the store. They are such awesome geologists!

Our family in the car. Kate finally got the hang on the headphones a little bit.

See, I was so bored on the drove, I had to practice my photography;)

Looking for fossils. Harry hit the jackpot!

Taking a break from the car....Monkeying around!

Along our way, I thought we might pass by Jennifer's house. We got in touch at the last minute (when I was about an hour away--thanks for your help Denise) and she graciously welcomed us into her beautiful home. We hit it off immediately. She is so sweet and kind and she has the most welcoming Southern accent you have ever heard. She is gorgeous too! Jennifer let my kids play nerf guns in her house...she totally rocks! I am so glad we met and I look forward to spending more time with her and her family. Thank you Jennifer!

Thank you to everyone who has wished us well on our move. We still have a lot ahead of us. The boys school "interview" is tomorrow. I really have felt all the prayers and good wishes.

Are we finished yet Mom?

Dave will kill me if he sees me blogging...we leave in 2 days and I am TOTALLY procrastinating on packing but I love the expressions on the boys faces here:)

A day at the Beach

Lil Miss Kate Emerson Ru sashays down to the beach!

Thank you for the beautiful suit, Di!

Harry and Kate dig for shells at the water's edge.

Found one

What should I do now?

let me think....

I could try to keep up with those boys.

No...they are out too deep for me!

I'll just chase the birds for a while.

The other night Dave and the boys went for a little swim after the storm.  Apparently a SHARK was swimming with Harry.  By all accounts it was just a few feet away from him. YIKES!

Cousin Ashton and his family prefer the pool while we spend most of our day at the beach, so that is why he is not in my beach photos.  I will post some evening and pool photos of him soon:)

A few people have asked recently what type of camera I use. I have a post labeled on the sidebar that talks a little about my camera...but I use a Nikon D-80.  I think the D-40X is also a great camera if you do not want to shoot manually much or change lenses. My sister has it and her photos are great and it is half the price of the D-80.

People also asked about editing---- I do not really do any editing of my photos right now because I do not have time and I don't really know how to use Photoshop quickly. I used to LOVE Picassa when I had a PC but it does not work on the Mac.  So, 99% of my photos are straight out of the camera.  I will occasionally lighten a photo if it is dark or crop it in IPhoto.  Mostly, I am too lazy to spend time on them now.

I am trying to organize my photos now (on vacation) while Kate naps everyday because we move next week and I will be busy with other things for a while:)  If anyone has any great tips for quick Photoshop learning and editing...I am all ears.

Early morning photo shoot

Every year my family dreads it but every year I make them do it.  I usually bribe them into two photo shoots. Dave is my most excellent assistant.  He carries shoes and children and lenses. He makes silly faces and potty humor behind my back to try to get them to laugh. I like to shoot at dusk but due to rain and dinners out...we decided to try an early morning shoot.  I am not thrilled with them but I know I am super picky about my photos (and everything else these days).  I am still going to make them do this again tomorrow at sunset:)

Harry looks so tired to me.

He takes my breath away sometimes.  Such a cutie!

The sun came up way too quickly and the sun was WAY too bright.  I do better at sunset.

Running from the waves...

I bought this dress last Spring and Kate never wore it until this morning.  I saved it all summer long for these photos (silly me).  I LOVE it and I need to have her wear it some more before summer is over.

Love her dainty little hand in this one:)

This Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for my wonderful family.  Everyone is going through their own little issues right now (growing pains that I'll blog about later) but we are working together as a family.  I am thankful for my patient and helpful husband and my three salty peanuts!  I am also thankful for all of your kind wishes and prayers.

Kate's dress is made by Baby Velani and I purchased it at Animal Crackers Boutique in Richmond, Virginia (someone asked).

Good morning Jellyfish!

Time for my morning beach jog.

Here I come , Will!

Look what I caught, Mom!

A baby crab!

Teamwork

Harry and Cousin Ashton

We are having a good time but this is not our best beach vacation.  We have had a day and a half of really heavy rain. I definitely have not gotten as many good photos as last year. Also, I think Dave and I are pretty stressed about returning home and moving in a few short days.  It is hard to relax when we have so much ahead of us.  One nice part of this trip is that my sister and her family have joined us.  We are really enjoying their company.  Cousin Ashton and Harry are having a fantastic time together.  Miss Kate loves the beach.  She calls it "the sandbox."