I'm too excited to sleep!

Well, kinda! I get to pick Jeremy up from the airport tomorrow evening! Three cheers, please!

True, I just saw him about a week and a half ago, but, darn, I am ready to see him again! The kids are super excited, too. Major told his teacher today that Daddy was coming home on Thursday. She said "Oh, he's coming tomorrow?" Major kept saying, bless his heart, no THURSDAY! As long as Thursday is tomorrow, he can keep saying it that way.

We will be having Christmas Eve breakfast with Jeremy's grandmother (the kids' great-Grandmother) on Friday and at some point we will make it back home for Santa's visit.

I have got to figure out how all this elf stuff is going to work with spending a night away from home...creative placement, I guess!

So, tomorrow night, I'll be one happy girl!


(And in case you were wondering, two mice have been caught. Yuck-o!)

I got nothing...

but a mouse.

Yeah, and I don't do mice. Or bugs. And knowing I have either one creeping around, gives me the heebie jeebies, especially when Jeremy isn't around!

I was going to get something from our freezer in the garage Sunday afternoon when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. That was all it took for me to run in the house. Eww! The remainder of the evening we went out through the front door and opened the garage with the "clicker." I am terrified of those things getting in the house. The guy next door was outside and I asked if he had any mouse traps. Unfortunately, he didn't, but he came over and looked around. Of course, they didn't move any more. Then, at separate times, Ella Grace and Major came to me and said "There's a man, want to ask him?" Ask him what I would say. "Ask him if he has any mousetraps!" Yes, there would be a random guy walking his dog or running and I guess they thought we just carry traps in our pockets. Too funny!

So, before church we ran to the store, grabbed a pack of mousetraps and got them set before we left for church. Let's just say Monday morning, one of my traps had some luck in the night.

A Party-ing weekend

Saturday, I was either brave or crazy. The plan was to attend two birthday parties: 10:00 at our church (over at 11:30), return home and be at the second by 1:30. Did I survive?

The first party was Cooper's 3rd birthday. With a John Deere theme, they had a bouncy house and slide set up in our CAC (Christian Activity Center).

This is Ella Grace and her friends Ellie and Sadie Kate (sisters).

Ella Grace in the bouncy house.

and Major.

I love his cheesy little grin!

Ella Grace and Ellie

Afterwards we went back home. I had the kids just have quiet time playing. The ended up in Major's room and that was fine. I knew that a nap was impossible for either of them. While they played I worked on our annual Christmas letter - printing, stuffing, addressing and stamping. I also wrapped Ethan's gift, last minute of course.

And at party number 2 we celebrated Ethan's 5th birthday. It was obviously a bowling party. As we were walking in the door, I realized Ella Grace didn't have the gift. So, we trudged across the parking lot to the car to discover - the gift had been left at home! I felt awful. There is no worse feeling than arriving and not having a gift. Like we went for a "free date". I apologized to the mother and let her know we would get it to her at school one morning or to her work on Tuesday.

This is Kylie, Ella Grace's friend.

The kids were so funny - they all grabbed a ball and huddled near the lane 'til it was their turn.

This is such a cute picture.

Major, just hangin' out, waiting on a ball.

and taking his turn.

Ethan got shy, started crying and his mom asked Ella Grace to blow out the candles. I was really nervous because she had a peppermint in her mouth and I just KNEW it would end up on the cake. I would have been mortified at that point.

But, it didn't and for that I am thankful!

I was brave again tonight and took both kids in the sanctuary to enjoy our Christmas musical tonight. On the ride home Major said the singing was not good. I asked why and Ella Grace chimed in with because they didn't sing Rudolph, Frosty or jingle bells. I guess I need to work on this...

Five for Friday

What a week. Just a quick recap:

1. I don't like being sick. And I don't like my little ducklings being sick either. When all of us are sick at the same time, it's hard. And despite having medicine there's not much else you can do but put everything else aside and just love on 'em. And that's enough.
2. We watched Ramona and Beezus Wednesday afternoon, as soon as it came out of the mailbox. It was great. I cried. Ella Grace fell asleep on me.
3. My kids are funny. From me overhearing Ella Grace say "Major, am I cute? Am I fashionable?" to her telling him he doesn't "have to say 'all things'" and Major thinking him doing a "fine job" of cleaning his room will help him have "sweet dreams" sometimes I can't help but grin.
4. We named our elf today - "Chuluota Toot-toot" (the first word is chew-lee-oat-uh, and Ella Grace would say "like a train says toot-toot " for the second). Creative, huh?
5. What would I do without friends sometimes? Whether loaning me Polar Express or calling to check on us 'cause we missed church and bringing us dinner. I can't wait to find our new church in Florida and get settled!
   

And...we're sick!

Yuck-o! The kids had been coughing some while I was away, a little bit of a fever here and there. As Monday evening got here, I was even feeling rough. I did make it out of bed Tuesday and we all got dressed and to our proper places. As soon as the doctor's office opened, though, I had their phone ringing. Afternoon appointment for all three of us.

So our diagnosis (I don't know how to say that plural): strep for me, very near croup for Major, and a very bad cold/cough combo for Ella Grace (which could turn in to croup). By the time we left there I was feeling awful. Not to mention having to go in the grocery store to have prescriptions filled. We did manage to pick up a few things like extra soup, orange juice, some meat for chili, etc.

Tuesday night the kids and I dozed on/off until about 7:00 pm! Ella Grace & I managed to get out of bed and I made soup for me and a pizza for her. Bless her heart she couldn't even make it off the couch. I finally woke Major up and he ate a good two bowls of soup and then told me he was ready for bed. It was an up/down kind of night - bathroom breaks, coughing spells, and requests for drinks of water. But, we made it through and got up about 7:00 this morning.

Ella Grace finally ate something this evening (chili) and she did make a happy bowl! (she ate it all) yea! But, I can tell she is still feeling pretty bad. Hopefully, tomorrow will do the trick and we'll be set for Friday. If not, we will definitely take another day to make us feel better.

And...I'm back

Oh, that trip was way too short for me! No troubles at all from leaving BHM to arriving at BWI. I caught the shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and me and my luggage made it just fine. I had some supper cooking when Jeremy got "home", too.

Saturday we drove to Baltimore. We saw the stadium where the Ravens play,
and Camden Yards which was just right there on top of the stadium.
I had even found a place online that I thought would just be the coolest - it was called Lexington Market. The way I read the information I was expecting local vendors selling neat things they had made, restaurants, etc...maybe something similar to Underground Atlanta. So, we parked in the deck ($3 for up to an hour, etc.), found the stairway to get across (Jeremy commented very quickly that it smelled like urine) and we made it inside where we were looking over the market.
Hmmm? At this point, I do very clearly remember Jeremy saying it smelled yummy (the food cooking) and we continued on...It was totally not was I was expecting. I don't think I could have purchased one thing in there. Raw meats of all kinds (chicken liver, ox tail, ground beef, fish, etc.), vendors selling prepared food...I think I can sum it up in one word -

NASTY!

We left very quickly!

Next we visited the Inner Harbor, toured the USS Constellation and had a great time. Jeremy bought for the kids these little popper things. He had no idea what they were. I showed him and I think he that it was the awesomest thing every and now the kids cannot pop them enough!

Sunday we visited one of the malls and ate at a place called Stoney River Legendary Steaks. It was very, very good. And then today, I had to make the trip home.

I won't lie, I shed a few tears in the airport. However, I was entertained by several things:

1. The young lady doing some extreme stretching before boarding the plane. I mean full front lunges, hands against the wall, head bent over with hair falling down. Pretty serious.
2. The little (old) lady wearing her hot pink neck pillow while boarding the plane.
3. The little boy being drawn in to a political cartoon from the Washington Post that was right at his level while waiting on his dad to find a seat.
4. The businessman who couldn't seem to find a place for his hat (which continued to fall out each time he closed the overhead compartment). When finally made the hat stay his coat seemed to continue to prevent him from getting the compartment closed.

Oh, I guess it is the little things that get you by when traveling alone.

I'm l-e-a-v-i-n-g on a jet plane

Kind of. I am so, so excited. I am flying later today up to Maryland to visit Jeremy!! Yippee! I haven't physically seen him since he left on November 15th. It's been a little while. Thank goodness for Skype. Ella Grace, Major and I are able to visit with him almost every night, and that has been absolutely wonderful!

We have a few fun things we want to do while I'm there; otherwise, we hope to just catch up! It's been very different not having him here to come home to and such. However, I think God has granted us the strength to make it through this time.

Long weekend for me = short work weeks (which totally rocks!) Four days this week, four days next week, 1/2 day off the following week, then Christmas break! Yea!

Happy Weekend all! Much love from the friendly blue skies!

House Progress (Post 1)

We have been making big strides on getting prepared for the move. Our house was put on the market in late June. Jeremy and I made a trip to Florida the very first of July. While we were there we received the first offer on our house. After a very drawn out process, lots of frustration, and a bad real estate agent, our home did sell to the couple that made this initial offer. We closed on the house in September and moved into a rental house owned by a couple we go to church with. What a blessing it has been to have this home. It is perfect for the kids and me; not much of a yard to maintain, lots of people surrounding us (and friendly to make it even better!), closer in to work and school. Definitely another sign from God that we are in His will.

So, back to my story. In August we made another trip down to Florida and actually picked out a lot and have begun to build. What?! I know, I know. Very crazy.

Here is our lot:

Here is what our house will look like (same color and all):
We will let these folks keep their car, though.

And the happy couple that have just begun the process to purchase their second home.

Another home with the same floorplan as ours.

These next pictures are of the progress building:

From November 13 -

Preparing the lot.

Then, these were from December 1 -

WOW!
Whoo-hoo!

And then I just got this picture Tuesday. Isn't this amazing?
December 7 -

The anticipated completion date as of now is February.

Another traveling holiday weekend (Labor Day)

(You'll have to plug this in from back in September, but it goes along with my recent posts on our relocation.)

SO, flashback to September, if you will...

After my boss letting me take my lunch at the end of the day, the kids and I headed to my parents on Thursday afternoon/evening September 2. For the second time in a row, we were caught in traffic. Unlike the first time where my dad was traveling home from work at the same time, we weren't able to avoid this one. It took us about 45 minutes to go about 8 miles. It was terrible! But, the kids were SO good! We sang and talked, and they played. It wasn't until we had been in the traffic for about 15 minutes did they ask to watch Looney Tunes.

My in-laws picked Ella Grace and Major up after dinner, and Mom and I got the rest of the things packed up to travel. We got on the road about 5:15 am on Friday (9/3) and made it to Florida in about 8.5 hours. Since we had some extra time before Jeremy would be there (he had been in south Georgia training), I decided to go tour a daycare Jeremy & I found out about after our last trip (the weekend of July 4th). We toured that, then we drove through the neighborhood we were looking at finding a home in. We ran by the bank and then went to a daycare Jeremy & I had toured. Afterwards we headed across town to our cousin's (Bonnie & John) where we were staying.

John cooked us a FABULOUS steak! Yumm! And not long after, my sweet husband arrived! Yea! We helped Bonnie do some things for a gathering she was having at her house on Labor Day, then headed to bed.

Saturday morning, after a quick breakfast, we headed out and met someone about a house. After walking through a house, looking at a couple of lots and going over our laundry list of wants. We took a break for lunch, then went back and signed a contract! Wow! The house is going to be great. we are so excited about it all - the options we were able to get, the price, etc. We know it is going to all work out great.

Saturday night was the Alabama v San Jose game. We found a local UA alumni chapter that was gathering to meet the game (which was on PPV). We had an awesome time. We met several people from our hometown, one even that went to school with us!, and I even won two door prizes. After the BIG WIN, Jeremy and I met my cousin Tammy and her husband Chris to hangout for a bit. It was a late night, definitely not something I am used to doing!

We slept late the next morning and then headed back to Alabama. Mom and I got the kids as soon as we got back and were so very glad to see them. I think the feeling was mutual!

It was a great weekend, lots accomplished!

Santa pictures and Nana's birthday dinner

Saturday was quite a busy day for us. Pop and Nana were keeping Ella Grace & Major for me (since Thursday) because I had to work Saturday morning. As soon as my work shift ended I headed northeast. Saturday was also Nana's birthday. I met Pop, Nana, my sisters Janie & Lori, Ella Grace & Major at Granny's house. Aunt Mimi (Debbie, my mom's younger sister) was also there visiting from SC.

After visiting for just a short time and singing Happy Birthday to Nana, the kids and I headed to the mall to visit Santa, Janie & Lori headed to Mee Maw's for a quick visit. With me coaching them on, the kids changed clothes in nothing close to record time. We rushed in to get in line. I guess we waited for about 30 minutes to see Santa.

Posing in front of the poinsettias as we get closer and closer.

I cannot believe how much he has grown since last Christmas.

She was certainly in a picture mood.

Now, we must pause here.

Ella Grace has had quite the history with Santa. At this point, I'm starting to get pretty nervous about how the next 20 minutes are going to unfold. Yes, you say, but a visit with Santa only lasts a few minutes. Well, the 20 minutes for me also includes calming a child down.

Here, you will see Ella Grace with Santa just before her first birthday.


No, not a happy camper.

What about just before her 2nd birthday?

That would be a negative.

And before her third?

Oh! Hey, Mom! Thanks for joining the picture to make sure Santa isn't mean and scary! ha!

So, now you see why my heart is racing and my palms are beginning to sweat. Major has been such a trooper, but sis, not so big on anything dressed up - Dora, Chick-fil-A cows, Curious George and the man in the yellow hat, Mr. Potato Head.

Okay. Now it's our turn...

P-E-R-F-E-C-T!

What was her secret? On the way to meet everyone for dinner Ella Grace said Aunt Lo-Lo told her something that helped - "just think about sitting on Pop's lap." Yeah. That was all it took.

Major said he told Santa he wanted a toolbox, a new wagon and a new house.

Ella Grace said she wanted a Bible. Santa told her that he has a big, black Bible!

We had a family dinner at an old favorite, Silvertron's on Southside. I remember going there many, many times as a young 'un. Eating fried cheese, fried mushrooms and fajitas. So, that's exactly what I had that night! And it was still delish!

And who can resist trying a lemon?

Major, though, opted for the lettuce leaf off someone's plate. Ella Grace lovingly referred to him as a "garbage goat." I admit, I have called him a goat, but never a garbage goat. Wat to go Ella Grace!
And here's a great family shot.

L-R: me, Ella Grace, Lori, Major, Nana, Janie and Pop

Happy Birthday, Nana/Nanny!

June 21, 2010

What a day! Not only is this my sister's birthday, but now it also holds another special memory for us! Jeremy has always wanted to work in federal law enforcement. However, his poor eyesight kept him from applying and being able to do what he has always wanted to do. So, during fall 2008 we began talking about it and I encouraged him to have Lasik . After investigating it (no punn intended), I went with Jeremy while he had the surgery on Thursday, December 18. We (okay, maybe just I) was a little nervous about this because my older sister was getting married two days later. The surgery went wonderfully, though. Jeremy was able to submit an application with a couple of federal agencies in January. Needless to say, we waited. And waited. And waited. It seemed like everytime one of the processes started moving along we would hit a brick wall and do the whole waiting thing all over again. Throughout the process we prayed so hard. We prayed that our will would change however it needed to to meet God's. We prayed that we would make the right decisions. We prayed that it would happen in God's timing, not ours, if anything did happen. We prayed for patience. We just prayed, and we prayed hard! It SO did not happen in our timing! But, you know what? We could not have picked a better time. During all of the waiting I was able to basically get my master's degree (I started the summer of 2008, just before we decided to commit to this). I remember June 21. It had been a pretty good day at work. I had my regular bi-weekly meeting with my supervisor and his other direct reports. I came out and started working again, right at the end of the day. I checked my cell phone to find Jeremy had attempted to call me several times. I called him back, but he did not answer. I had a short voicemail and email - call me ASAP. I just KNEW what was going on. I continued with my work and told one of my staff members that Jeremy was likely coming up. And he did! Goodness, I don't know if I have ever seen that boy so excited (of course, other than when our babies were born!). But professionally, never. So, with a few choices of location, we were able to make a decision and it has been confirmed to us 100 times over! Our big news...we are moving to Florida in just a few short months (or sooner)! During this process I have learned, no matter what, God will continue to teach me whatever I think I have already learned. My lesson this time was patience. When Jeremy would get a call or an email, the process would move along. I just knew I had learned the lesson He laid before me and then wham!, that brick wall I mentioned would come from no where. Patience was drilled to me over and over and over. I have learned the importance of praying without ceasing. I have learned how bittersweet it is to tell your family and friends you are moving. I have learned that when I think I am strong, I am so very weak. I have learned where my strength does come from. As we begin this new journey or chapter or book, please keep my family in your prayers. We are extremely excited and ready for this to begin!

Five for Friday

1. I watched Letters to God last night. Coupled with reading about little Nella here, I've reached my tear quota for the month.
2. Some "mommy time" helps me be a better mommy. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for keeping them for me for a couple of nights!
3. I have got to sit down and write my Christmas letter!
4. Zoolight Safari doesn't start until next weekend...little bummed!
5. I haven't worked an entire week at work in at least three works...trying to keep that going through December! No, really, doctor's appointments, Thanksgiving, Thursday night football games are all included in that.

Happy weekend, y'all!

It's coming...

I've been eluding to changes for several, several months...probably about five and a half to be exact.

It's something that we've prayed for for many, many months.

We've prepared for it.

It's emotional.

It's exciting.

It's a blessing.

A dream-come-true.

It's big for our family.

It makes me thankful.

And sad.

Bittersweet.

A little nervous to be honest.

But, it's a bigger plan than we could have made for ourselves.

The changes will be shared soon.

Yahweh, Yahweh...
Great is your glory when you go before me
Oh, we sing...
Holy, Holy...
Your ways are lovely. So high above me.
Yahweh

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