Fall leaves. Healthy baby. Mexican food. Family time. Hot tub. Pies & fudge.
We are having a fabulous vacation in Carlsbad.
Hunter has been able to meet most of the family and he is such a great baby!!! He happily allows everyone to hold him and has a smile for everyone he meets. Today he met Santa and had his picture taken with him. He grabbed Santa's beard. My sweet five month old looked like a big boy on Santa's lap. It was really cute and we will treasure the picture forever.
Speaking of pictures, my computer has decided it doesn't like to be turned on. So... I do not have the ability to upload photos right now. I have about a million adorable ones that will come soon!
We are throughly enjoying family time-- but part of me really feels in limbo. This is a huge time of transition in our little family. It is so fun to be on the road but I feel ungrounded. I want to enjoy every minute of the next few weeks yet I am looking forward to getting settled in St. Louis.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
2036
We have traveled 2036 miles thus far on our road trip.
The past week has been a blur. The movers came to our house a week ago today and packed up all of our belongings. The next day they took them all away. After cleaning and a few more goodbyes, we officially began The Great Road Trip of 2009.
Our Jeep Liberty, stuffed full of pack n plays, suitcases, diapers, a bumbo, baby Hunter, Josh, & me, made its way first to our first stop in Dallas, Texas. We had 37 hours (total) to get Josh to Dallas for his military test and approximately 1300 miles to go. Woah that was a tough drive. I don't think it would have been as bad if we would have been well rested. Instead we had just packed up our home and been through an emotional set of goodbyes. We were determined, though, and got Josh there in time. After his test we relaxed for a while in Waco, Texas at my University. Common Grounds, Ninfas, Baylor Bears Lady and Joy, and Good Ol' Pat Neff all reminded me of my days at Baylor. It was fun to reminisce and show Josh and Hunter all around. We even got to have coffee with my good friends from Baylor Karen Hall and Courtney Drew. It was a fabulous evening.
The next day we drove to Carlsbad, NM: my home town. That drive was easy comparatively and it was one I have done many, many times. Hunter did great until the last 30 minutes. He screamed and cried and seemed to be saying, "get me out of this car seat NOW!" Can't say that I blame him. I was really ready to be out of my car seat as well! We had dinner with my mom and her husband Glen and my Grandma Mary Pat.
On Saturday my mom threw a party for Hunter. He met a lot of people and we all had a great time. Then Hunter met his Great Aunt Pam and his second cousins Jennifer and Randi.
Since then we have been resting and trying to recoup from what has been a very long few weeks. Josh & I saw New Moon today while my mom watched Hunter. That was a nice break for us and an EXCELLENT movie!
It is a blast to introduce Hunter to everyone. I am so thankful for Josh's time off and our ability to visit friends and family right now. Tomorrow Hunter will meet his Uncle Josh!!! YAY!
The past week has been a blur. The movers came to our house a week ago today and packed up all of our belongings. The next day they took them all away. After cleaning and a few more goodbyes, we officially began The Great Road Trip of 2009.
Our Jeep Liberty, stuffed full of pack n plays, suitcases, diapers, a bumbo, baby Hunter, Josh, & me, made its way first to our first stop in Dallas, Texas. We had 37 hours (total) to get Josh to Dallas for his military test and approximately 1300 miles to go. Woah that was a tough drive. I don't think it would have been as bad if we would have been well rested. Instead we had just packed up our home and been through an emotional set of goodbyes. We were determined, though, and got Josh there in time. After his test we relaxed for a while in Waco, Texas at my University. Common Grounds, Ninfas, Baylor Bears Lady and Joy, and Good Ol' Pat Neff all reminded me of my days at Baylor. It was fun to reminisce and show Josh and Hunter all around. We even got to have coffee with my good friends from Baylor Karen Hall and Courtney Drew. It was a fabulous evening.
The next day we drove to Carlsbad, NM: my home town. That drive was easy comparatively and it was one I have done many, many times. Hunter did great until the last 30 minutes. He screamed and cried and seemed to be saying, "get me out of this car seat NOW!" Can't say that I blame him. I was really ready to be out of my car seat as well! We had dinner with my mom and her husband Glen and my Grandma Mary Pat.
On Saturday my mom threw a party for Hunter. He met a lot of people and we all had a great time. Then Hunter met his Great Aunt Pam and his second cousins Jennifer and Randi.
Since then we have been resting and trying to recoup from what has been a very long few weeks. Josh & I saw New Moon today while my mom watched Hunter. That was a nice break for us and an EXCELLENT movie!
It is a blast to introduce Hunter to everyone. I am so thankful for Josh's time off and our ability to visit friends and family right now. Tomorrow Hunter will meet his Uncle Josh!!! YAY!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Binky Clips
One of my favorite and most needed items for Hunter has been these Binky Clips. My cousin Chris is incredibly talented and makes them. You know how many times I have had to pick up the pacifier, walk it over to the sink and clean it, dry it, and then take it back to my child who thinks his life is ending in the 45 seconds it took me to go through this process? Way too many. But with the binky clip, Hunter's sucking is delayed no more! I just ordered myself two more for our road trip.
I recommend these binky clips as well as all the other awesome products Chris makes. She is having a giveaway right now, so jump on over to her blog and get signed up for your chance at free products!
Halloween Pics
Well, I am only 11 days behind. Here are pics from Hunter's First Halloween! :) We had some friends over for dinner and handed out candy to the neighborhood kids. It was a fun Halloween! And Hunter looked so adorable. During the day he wore a "My First Halloween" outfit that had a cute pumpkin on the rear. In the evening he wore a skeleton costume sent by his Great Aunt Pam. 
Resolved
My project a few days ago was to paint the shutters. Repairing and replacing the shutters was one of the terms of the buyers of our house. I have wanted to repair and replace them ever since I moved into this house. It was nice to finally get the project done.
There are so many projects I have wanted to get done and this move is actually making me do some of them. Josh & I have tackled our entire attic storage in the past two days. We have cleaned out closets, drawers, and hidden cubbies that had become dumping grounds. We have repaired crown molding, fixed leaks, and returned items lent to us. We have had a yard sale, donated items to Goodwill, and given a lot of things away. We still have more things to go through, but we are getting there.
We have only lived in this house for 18 months but you would think we had been here for 18 years. It was bad. I am resolving now that we are not going to live this way anymore. I want to have a system. To be organized. Is it really possible? Or will I get to my new place and put off projects again?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Ratified & Satisfied
The Lord has answered our prayers. Right when I was about to burst from being wound so tight, He parted the Housing Market and gave us an offer so we could walk on dry land to St. Louis. Not that we are really going to be walking. But you get what I mean.
We received an offer on our house Sunday when we got home from church. It was on the low end of a fair offer, and we countered back at the very tip top of the high end of a fair offer. We bought this house when the market was much better, even though that was just 18 months ago. We pretty much needed God to move the Rocky Mountains in order for us to walk away without maxing out every credit card we own. We knew we were asking a lot. And when they countered we countered right back.
They finally agreed to give us what we asked for... if we give them our couches. And our shower curtains. Oh and the two framed pictures I have on the wall in my bathroom. Weird. But whatever. We said if that is really what is going to make this house sell, we will give you our couches. (I just had to look up sale vs. sell. I have been messing that up a lot lately, and maybe I still chose the wrong one???) I am sure they have couches in St. Louis.
So now it is on to inspections and appraisals and loan approval letters. We feel a huge sense of relief-- God has provided what we need. My mother-in-law told Josh & me a few weeks ago that God is usually the God of the last minute. That has certainly proven true in this case. We are leaving town in 12 days. This offer came right in time for me to be able to use my real estate license and get all the business settled before leaving town.
All praise must go to God. He is the only One that could have gotten us an offer this fast, this high, with these terms in this market. He is good. I wish I would have stressed less and trusted that God would make it all happen in His timing. I wasted a lot of hours these past few weeks worrying.
Now we can say Hoorrraayyy!!! We are moving to St. Louis with no home in Virginia Beach!!!
We received an offer on our house Sunday when we got home from church. It was on the low end of a fair offer, and we countered back at the very tip top of the high end of a fair offer. We bought this house when the market was much better, even though that was just 18 months ago. We pretty much needed God to move the Rocky Mountains in order for us to walk away without maxing out every credit card we own. We knew we were asking a lot. And when they countered we countered right back.
They finally agreed to give us what we asked for... if we give them our couches. And our shower curtains. Oh and the two framed pictures I have on the wall in my bathroom. Weird. But whatever. We said if that is really what is going to make this house sell, we will give you our couches. (I just had to look up sale vs. sell. I have been messing that up a lot lately, and maybe I still chose the wrong one???) I am sure they have couches in St. Louis.
So now it is on to inspections and appraisals and loan approval letters. We feel a huge sense of relief-- God has provided what we need. My mother-in-law told Josh & me a few weeks ago that God is usually the God of the last minute. That has certainly proven true in this case. We are leaving town in 12 days. This offer came right in time for me to be able to use my real estate license and get all the business settled before leaving town.
All praise must go to God. He is the only One that could have gotten us an offer this fast, this high, with these terms in this market. He is good. I wish I would have stressed less and trusted that God would make it all happen in His timing. I wasted a lot of hours these past few weeks worrying.
Now we can say Hoorrraayyy!!! We are moving to St. Louis with no home in Virginia Beach!!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
20 weeks of Hunter
So I am feeling a little sentimental. My baby is 20 weeks old. I enjoy (most) every minute I get with my darling boy and cannot wait to hear what thoughts go through his mind. Tonight as I was putting him down to sleep he was laughing and smiling and soooooo happy. It was adorable. He has had a rough couple of days with his teeth. So seeing him happy was quite the treat.
(Side note: we think his insides are feeling better. He hasn't had a high fever in the past few days and his cries seem to all be focused on his mouth. Thanks for all your prayers and concern. We are still diligently giving him his meds and will find a new doc when we get to St. Louis to continue the testing on our baby. We are confident that things are good now!)
In honor of Hunter's 20th week, I have decided to post a picture from every week of his life. Overkill? Maybe. But I have some gooooood photos. I'm excited to share them. Here they are in order from 2 days old to 20 weeks. (except for week 10, when I had no camera. You can see the vast improvement in the photos when we got our new DSLR!)
(Side note: we think his insides are feeling better. He hasn't had a high fever in the past few days and his cries seem to all be focused on his mouth. Thanks for all your prayers and concern. We are still diligently giving him his meds and will find a new doc when we get to St. Louis to continue the testing on our baby. We are confident that things are good now!)
In honor of Hunter's 20th week, I have decided to post a picture from every week of his life. Overkill? Maybe. But I have some gooooood photos. I'm excited to share them. Here they are in order from 2 days old to 20 weeks. (except for week 10, when I had no camera. You can see the vast improvement in the photos when we got our new DSLR!)
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