A Girls Weekend and more

Because our husbands are the best in the world....I was lucky enough to have Denise visit for the weekend.  Dave and Denise secretly planned this as a birthday surprise for me. Denise flew in Thursday night and we went out for a great dinner. I introduced her to a little bit of the local cuisine while we drank some wine and caught up.

Then on Friday, Dave took over kid duty (Denise's husband took care of her five children all weekend! Thank you Jeff). Denise and I shopped and ate and I showed her around Houston a little bit. In the afternoon, we checked into this FABULOUSLY unique boutique hotel.

We were greeted by a dozen valets and champagne upon arrival. We checked in and rushed off to the spa for a massage.  Then we relaxed in the steam room and got ready to go out to dinner. As we wandered through the hotel, we noticed some very provocative art work and photography.  It was very edgy!  We had so many good laughs over the decor and art.  I truly have never stayed anywhere like this before. It was a bit over the top. Denise scored us some more champagne and then we headed out to dinner.

Saturday morning we lounged around the hotel in our PJ's drinking coffee and talking for hours. Then we met a friend of mine for lunch at one of my favorite Houston restaurants, Ousie's. Saturday afternoon was spent shopping some more (I bought a GREAT rug for Dave's office). We wandered around antique stores and bought some hair clippies for Maggie. Saturday night we all (Denise and my family) went to a favorite local Mexican restaurant. Then Denise flew home this morning.  Her visit was exactly what I needed to get out of the little rut I was in! We had so much fun just talking and hanging out.  Denise and I could talk forever.  We have so much in common and I simply adore her.  Thank you Denise for flying in for some fun girl time!  You are a very special friend.  Stay Za Za!  Thank you so much Dave for arranging this to cheer me up.  I love you.

Here is a slide show.  The photos are not very sharp in the slideshow for some reason.

On another note, several people asked me why we moved here (and so quickly).  It is a long story but basically, my husband loves to move (this is our 5th house in 13 years of marriage). Whereas, I like to stay put.  He grew up moving from country to country as his Dad was in the oil business. Dave has both oil and moving in his blood. In fact,  moving to Virginia 4 years ago was completely his idea.  I did not want to go there. However, after designing and building our house from scratch, getting the kids into a great school, meeting friends and finding a good church, I finally felt settled there.  Not surprisingly, Dave was ready to move again.  He would broach the subject all the time and I always changed the subject. We really had no plans of leaving Virginia (at least I didn't). Then, he was suddenly offered a great career opportunity (oil) and it just seemed too good to turn down.  He was not loving his job in Virginia and he really wanted this.  So, I acquiesced. We did not have to move (as a few of you have asked) but my husband was not really happy where we were and I had been happy here before, so I figured it would all work out. This week, I have truly turned a corner. Showing Denise around Houston made me realize all the great things this city has to offer. I am also starting to like our house more and more....

We had a contract on our old house and it fell through this week. The buyers did not get their financing. We were lucky enough to have an immediate back up offer though...so keep your fingers crossed that it goes through! Also, the boys begin at a new school tomorrow.  If you could say a quick prayer that goes well...I would so appreciate it! Harry is doing MUCH better. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement.

HELP!

Today is Dave's Birthday!  Happy birthday, honey. You are the best hubby and Dad and I love you! Unfortunately, there are no cards or gifts or celebrations planned for today (yet...I will get some somehow).  I am a terrible wife.  Between hurricanes, strep throat, a car accident, a husband being out of town for week while I had a sinus infection and pneumonia and a move, I almost forgot.  Luckily, I realized the date 2 days ago and I did make him his favorite lasagna (gluten free but delicious) for dinner last night.

(Isn't my new oven pretty?)

 Which was a challenge considering our kitchen looks like this......

I need HELP!  I feel overwhelmed.  It is so hard to live with 3 kids while you unpack.  They still have school (we could not find their uniforms for today) and soccer (and it is our turn to bring drinks tonight) and sleepovers.  The house is a total mess and we still have to get our things from the apartment as well.  If there was ever a time I wish I had a magic wand, this is it.  We own WAY too much stuff. There are boxes and paper and stuff everywhere.

I know I should not be blogging but to tell you the truth my hands are swollen from unpacking and my legs ache.  I need a distraction.  If anybody wants to come help me with either unpacking, cleaning or keeping Kate out of the paper and boxes, please come!  I hope you all had a great weekend.  

P.S. I am not the worst wife.  I will salvage Dave's birthday somehow.  We actually decided to postpone the celebration due all that we have going on.

A little laughter

Cartoon by Dave Shelton at www.daveshelton.com

I am really excited to close on our house tomorrow.  I am so busy sorting out paint colors (it is being painted right now) ordering fabric and window treatments and getting our stuff together. Friday is moving day.  I know that I will be overwhelmed unpacking and getting organized so I might not have time to create posts for a little while.  However, I got an idea from Sippycups that I might "borrow."  There are so many blogs out there and I have discovered a whole new treasure trove that are not on my side bar. They are mostly photography or decorating blogs but there are some Mom ones too.  So, In lieu of posting about my own life next week, I will post a link so you can discover someone new. Because we all need to spend more time on the blogs, right?  

Today, I decided to share some places that made me laugh.

So today, let me introduce you to Happy Meals and Happy Hour.

I just stumbled across this blog the other day when I was sick in bed reading blogs for hours (Sunday--no good TV).  I laughed SO hard. Go back and read some of the old posts if you have time.  Sue is really funny. (I had to come back to tell you my favorite recent posts here are Waiting Room time suck, Halloween 101, and the Cleaning Ladies).  Be ready to laugh! You are going to want to be her friend because she is so darned funny!  I know I do.

Also, there is a very funny video here at Mom 101.

Go down one post. I am still undecided about who to vote for so I could laugh at it (and LAUGH I did) but there were some in my little family that did not think it was funny. I'm just saying...

There are some days that I feel like I am not doing this stay at home Mom things as well as I'd like to.  I love to cook and nest and decorate for Halloween and I cannot really do that in our little apartment very well.  I stumbled across this  video though and it made me laugh out loud. Even Martha has bad days...

P.S.  Just because I link to someone does NOT mean that I endorse or approve of their religious, political, parenting or decorating views.  This is for entertainment purposes only.

Another P.S.  Is it bad that I am letting Kate eat goldfish (a breakfast appetizer?) and watch Diego (she seems to have developed a rather unhealthy crush on the young man) so I can post this and pack?  Wait...don't answer that!

Decorating advice?

I don't usually ask for decorating advice because I am so opinionated (read stubborn) in this area that I am usually not interested in other opinions.  I like what I like.  However, I find myself questioning one decision. We are having the interior of our new house painted next week right before we move in.  I have picked all of my colors but one thing is causing me doubt.

In the great room, there are some built-ins (by the fireplace) that are very dark wood. They are very pretty but I was planning on painting them white.  All of the upholstered furniture for that room is ivory and the walls will be a soft antique white.  The painter, builder and some others (maybe Dave) seem to think I should not paint the wood. Here is a photo.  What do you think? Paint or no paint?

This is not our furniture...just a staging of the house but our rug and furniture is actually quite similar.

Photography Blog and New house!

Upstairs Hall

We got the house!  Well, we don't close for a few weeks and we need to do inspections etc...But the above photos are of what ought to be the new Peanut home. This is a brand new house.  The reason it is furnished in these images is that it was "staged" for a photo shoot and showcase. Dave and I are not feeling too excited yet.  I think we have had such a challenging time finding something that we are wary.  The real estate market here is the only one in the US that is actually thriving and booming.  Prices are super high and the market is very competitive in the areas we want to live in. We were not prepared for that.  It took us a long time to realize how little we would actually get here for our money (in town).  We are all excited to settle in here and make this house our home.  Thanks for all your your good wishes and prayers.

Since we moved, I have not really been taking any photos.  I really love photography and I want to improve.  I plan to take some classes and to concentrate more on technique and editing.  So, I have started a photography blog.  I am such a novice. I know that. Most people who have photography blogs are actually photographers who display their techniques and talent. That is obviously not my purpose.  I want to track my progress and I would love kind and helpful hints.  I hope to look back and see the improvements that I make over time.  I also think it will force me to take chances in my photography and to take more photos.  So take a peek here.  I am having a header made soon.  I cannot use my blog making software on my Mac (lumapix).  I need to learn how to make them in Photoshop now.

Update

I wasn't going to post today because quite frankly, it was been a hard couple of days again.  I like to be positive but I am also honest. A few people e-mailed me asking for updates on the houses and school situation so here it my update:

~ Harry is REALLY struggling with his new school.  My sweet happy Harry is not sweet and happy these days. Please keep him in your prayers.  It is breaking my heart.

~I met with the principal (we had a great meeting) and the boys are allowed water now.  They are considering a snack since Will goes almost 6 HOURS between breakfast and lunch!

~ Kate and I had our second day of pre-school and she did better.  I was even able to leave for about 45 minutes at the end.  When I came back, she ran happily to me.  I said, "See Kate Mommy always comes back for you."  She said, "thank you Mommy" about 4 times.  I plan to stay as long as she needs me tomorrow too.

~We were about to make an offer on the "old house" on Monday. Dave had even signed the papers but I just could not do it.  Something in my gut was stopping me.  It is a gorgeous house. It doesn't make practical sense for our family because there is no breakfast room, no attic or basement to store Christmas decorations and all of our stuff, no place for our computers...etc. But it wasn't any of those reasons.  My gut just said no.  Dave and I have been married for almost 13 years and this will be our 5th house purchase.  I absolutely KNEW each of the other houses were the right ones at the right times.  I did not feel that this time.  Still waiting....

~I joined a book club.  Think I can read Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility by tonight?   Would anyone share some cliff notes?

~As we drive around "newcity" the boys point out the various houses they would like to buy.  Now, none of these are for sale (and likely not in our price range either) but I snap photos because I think their tastes are interesting.

Will likes this one because it looks like a castle.

 Both of the boys LOVE  this house!

Harry LOVES very geometric, modern houses.  He calls them "modern day houses."  We are looking for just the right one to photograph for him. 

This one is right around the corner from their school (so I pass it everyday) and I think it is beautiful.  Although, I would never want to call it "home."

"Our" first day of School

The original title of this post was "Kate's 1st Day" but since I stayed at pre-school with her the whole time.....I changed it. I never thought I would be one of those mothers that stayed at school with my child;)

Kate was accepted at the Montessori school that Harry previously attended in Virginia and we had planned to begin this Fall.  When we decided to move, I applied to a school here that I knew of.  Kate was on the waiting list which was fine with me.  I figured we would get settled and when there was an opening, we would try it out.  Well, the other day, I stopped by the school to get some forms and they invited Kate into the classroom.  She LOVED it.  She said, "Mama, I like that school, friends." When they offered her a spot on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I said sure.  Both the boys went 2 days at this age and they loved it. She is very inquisitive and I thought this would give her a chance to socialize with children her age.

Well, Miss Kate loved it as long as I was in the room (that is why I got so many photos).  If I even went near my purse or looked as though I was leaving she wrapped herself around my body and screamed!  So, I stayed.  Luckily, the school has a loving "phase in" transition where parents are welcome to stay the whole time for the first few weeks.  As you can see, Kate mopped and played in the kitchen, she had music class and went on the playground.  She even ate lunch, read books and painted.  In fact, her beautiful schoolhouse dress is covered in paint (as are my nice clothes).  Lesson learned...I need to buy Kate some"school clothes."  The teacher said to me, "Oh, don't send her in anything you care about."  Inside I was thinking..."oh, you don't know me....I don't buy clothes for Kate if I don't love them!"  Luckily, I am the queen of stain removal. 

I will say this, pre-school is exhausting!  I would much rather be at home with Kate than there.  But I will keep going until she is comfortable.

Now, I know you all want a house update....

We still have not decided.  THANK YOU for all of the comments and insights.  Each one made me think and consider new things.  I truly mean that. In fact, that is what I am thankful for today! We were supposed to meet with the builder on the new house this morning to see if we could make some cosmetic changes to the exterior but I had to stay with Kate.  I flip flop back and forth. No one loves an old house like I do.  I am just not sure about not having a breakfast room (or table) and not having some practical living space.  It is not a really small house, it just lacks some practical spaces. And while I would love to overlook that, I despise chaos and clutter.  Also, eating in the formal dining room might be nice but it might get really old.  

I see how much more we all bicker in this small apartment and that makes me nervous.  Hands down...I would buy the old house if we were a family of four but that third child adds a lot of stuff and need for space.  I am anti-McMansions and feel very conflicted. I have prayed about it and this morning before I even opened my eyes, I prayed again.  I saw and heard one word, "wait."  So that is what we will do for now...wait.  We might lose one or both of the houses by doing so but I would second guess myself too much if we made an offer right now.

And just to show you some of the "old" house details that the builder put into the "new house"...here is some eye candy.

This is the upstairs hallway. Isn't it beautiful?

P.S.--the new house is completely new and has never been lived in.  It was furnished for staging and a showcase of homes. And for you Kimi---the photos in the last post are in this order..."old house " kitchen is first and "new house" kitchen is second.  I am not sure if people were confused.

Old or new---that is the question.

This is more for me to sort out my own feelings but I know some of my friends (and readers) like houses and decorating as much as I do.  I have found two more houses that I really like (one just came on the market).  I REALLY like them both.  They are on the same street and they are the same price.  One is new and one is old.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE old houses.  We lived in an old house before we moved to Virginia and I loved it.  This old house has been lovingly restored and tastefully updated adding a beautiful white marble master bathroom and HUGE walk in master closet with built in dressers and shoe cubbies.  It has a gorgeous backyard with an incredibly landscaped garden.  The grass is some exotic variety that is heat and drought resistant and it looks like a putting green.  It is cushy to walk on.  Although Dave claims you need a special lawnmower to cut it?  This house is so charming with leaded glass interior transoms and an old quaint corner sink in the powder room.  The problem is....we have gotten used to living in a new house (built to look old though).  We are now accustomed to large closets and bathrooms all around.  We have had a walk out terrace with a guest room and play room and office. We are used to a lot of space.  This old house is charming and beautiful but it is essentailly 3 bedrooms and there is no playroom or study.  They call a narrow attic room a 4th bedroom and Will wants to live there but there is no closet and it would be very tight. Since it is an attic with slanted walls, there is no way to add a closet.  And since this house is at the tippity top of our price range, we cannot do an addition anytime soon. I know, I know....we don't really need all that space but we sure have gotten used to it.  As much as I love this house, I worry that we will feel crowded as the kids get older and we will have no room for guests.  

This is the kitchen of the old house.  It has been recently renovated.  I did not take the photos.  I copied them from the listing, hence the blurriness.

Okay, now onto the new house.  This house is craftsman style (which has never been my favorite) and so the outside is not my style.  BUT the inside is stunningly beautiful. The entry and upstairs hallways are really wide with incredible millwork you usually see in older homes. They are wide enough for substantial furniture and upstairs there is a built in reading/window bench. There is a beautiful study and fabulous kitchen (very similar to my current one).  The kids bedrooms are big and their bathrooms are beautiful (white marble again).  The floors are wide plank dark hickory.  There is a little "homework" area  with two built in desks and a small mudroom.  There is even an elevator shaft should we need one down the road.  This house has a "media room" or playroom too.  It is a big house but it feels cozy and warm.  Oh what to do?  I think we will make an offer on one of these houses.  I just don't know whether to follow my heart or my practical side....I think if we had two kids, I would definitely buy the older house but I think with 3 kids (and Scout) we need the space.  I feel lucky that after my last disappointment, I have found two houses to get excited about but I cannot make a decision....HELP!  Dave likes them both too.

This is the kitchen of the new house.  It reminds me of my last kitchen.  Again the photo is not great but the best I could copy.

  P.S.  The boys had a good day at school today AND there are BIG things happening for Miss Kate this week too;)  More soon.

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....

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.

Parting is such sweet sorrow....

I will warn you this post is long and mushy...

Sunday we had an open house (62 people came!) and Denise kindly agreed to let our family hang out at their house for a few hours.  We knew it might be one of our last visits for a very long time.  Denise bought Kate and Maggie these matching outfits in China and we had planned to take their photos together this Fall.  However, we had to move that up a bit.  We had the nicest time with Denise's family.  They are GOOD people and we are just sad that we did not know them for our whole four years here.

Kate and Maggie had a BLAST running around in circles and collapsing on the floor (collage above). They kept running and running.  Finally as we were saying goodbye, Maggie fell asleep in Denise's arms.

Denise, I am so glad that we have shared part of this journey together and I know we will share more. I am honored that I was able to be at the airport when you came home with Maggie.  I will always feel that connection.

(terrible photo--taken on a ledge with a timer very late at night)

Then last night, my MOPS table gave me a little going away party.  It was so special. Julie Anne made these pink and green monogrammed cookies.  Think they know me well?  Lauren made my favorite sausage balls--YUMMY!  All of the food was delicious! They gave me all sorts of meaningful gifts.  The most memorable gifts were what they all shared.  Each woman spoke about some way I had touched their life.  I was equally embarrassed and grateful to hear what they had to say.  We rarely get to know the impact we have in another's life so I treasure the sentiments they shared last night.  Thank you Clare, Melissa, Lauren, Heather, Julie Anne and Linda.  Your friendship helped me through a challenging year.  Each one of you was an answered prayer. Melissa, we missed you last night!

And finally, the boys had their last Judo session here.  Sensei promoted them again due to their excellent progress and their last tournament.  I am so proud of them!!!

Moving On...

We are moving.  My husband was offered a great career opportunity in a city far away and we have decided to move very quickly.  I am sad.  I really like it where we live.  Our children are in a great school and we live in a very family oriented neighborhood.  It is beautiful where we live and the area is steeped in American history.  I will miss the good friends I have made in the four years we have lived here.  I will miss having four rather mild seasons.  And because I am human and flawed, I will desperately miss our home.  I know that we are not supposed to be attached to material things.  I know that this is not how God wants me to be but I must confess that I love our home.  I am working on this.  I am praying about it and trying to let go.  The truth is, I feel as though I will be leaving a part of our family behind. 

It is in this house we waited for Kate.  It is this home that we brought her into.  As I look around and get it ready to sell, I am flooded with memories.  I have memories of designing each room and choosing each finish.  I have memories of our first Christmas party here (even though we had only lived here a few months at the time).  I remember when Dave and I were trying to figure out where the best place for our Christmas tree would be.  I remember the boys spending all of their free time playing at the creek behind our house for months after we moved in.  I remember wanting a front porch swing for years and finally getting it just a few months ago. We have used it daily since then.  I remember Easter dinners and lunches with girlfriends. I remember Kate's first footsteps and so much laughter here. I get so attached to the memories a house holds.

I know that houses are just things and that we ought not cling to material things but I am trying to work through this.  I am human and obviously this is a weakness of mine.  Maybe God is trying to teach me a lesson here.  My wise friend Staci tells me that I need to admit my feelings and work through them rather than ignore them.  I agree.

I want to thank everyone for their immensely kind comments and e-mails and postings on their blogs.  I was overwhelmed to say the least with the response from people when I closed our blog.  I will not go into details as to why I shut it down so quickly but I will say this...I received over 300 (I stopped counting) e-mails and messages from people who shared incredibly kind and supportive words.  Blogger only allows you to invite 100 people to a private  blog.  So, I simply did not blog for a while.  I could not limit the blog to 100 people as our Christmas card list is bigger than that.  Thank you to those of you who posted pearls as a little nod to us here at 3 peanuts.  It made me smile each time I saw that.  Thank you Lynn for starting it.

The break came at a really good time for me.  Our family has been extremely busy. We were traveling, trying to make this big decision, and I have been very ill.  I spent 6 hours in the ER yesterday.  I have a severe sinus infection and bronchitis and I was completely dehydrated and needed 3 liters of IV fluids and medication as I have just not been getting better.  I am sure it is worse due to stress.  

The next few months are going to be very busy and chaotic so my blogging will likely be sporadic.  I apologize to any of our friends who are finding out about our move from reading this.  I have not had a voice for a week now and have been too sick to call people.  We have tried to tell as many people as we could but this all happened very quickly.

I will probably post some of the things we have been doing lately because as I always say, this is our family scrapbook.