So thankful...

Too much to name. Too many blessings to count. 

All Things New Again

We are slowing adjusting to our new life in our new town! Actually it doesn't feel too different since this has been our stomping ground for the last 10 years. Now we are just right in the heart of it.

Maeve actually put it into perspective for us when she observed, "So the only thing new is our house. Everything else is old!" She just about summed it up pretty accurately. 

Some of the "new" things we are loving are our neighborhood sidewalks. Pearl feels feisty as she parades around while Cam and Maeve pedal around on their bikes. We love our new drive to school. It takes approximately 2 minutes for us to arrive on campus. We love our front door friends as people always had to come to our less than picturesque garage before. Now I can close that puppy down and welcome my guests to the proper location. We love our neat and tidy basement and our organized closets. We vow to keep them that way! We love our new comfy couch which was long over due. We love our new location to the places we frequent a whole lot. We are just a stone's throw to church, a few miles away from the Childs, and super close to Butler's crossing or Epps Bridge.

And through all the changes, we have felt God's guidance and touch on even the tiniest of details. We have so much to be thankful for this year.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” 

Lamentations 3:22-24

The Patch

We couldn't wait to pick out a pumpkin with the cutest pumpkins in the patch! Love these three little pumpkins! 

The Boot

Our last night in our house was filled with boxes- lots of boxes- and a small moving crew who had to help get the giant armoir out. Our strongest friends and family came to help. Maeve was excited to have AB in our nearly empty house. They were running around and Maeve hurt her foot. She kind of skidded on the floor, but didn't skid smoothly. As soon as she hurt it, she knew it was bad. She didn't cry but she hobbled over to me and asked, "Mama, do you still have your crunches? I need them." 

I didn't think much about it until we were enjoying our last bath in the big bathtub. The entire time she was bathing, she kept one hand on her hurting foot. Then she wokeup crying with it the next morning. It was swollen and bruised at this point too. Uh oh.

We decided she should stay home. Tony was already scheduled to stay at home anyway to supervise/assist the movers. Luckily Moo was able to come get the injured girl out of the way. She textedme while I was an hour away at a training, that Maeve wouldn't walk on her foot. She even forfeited outside time! I assured Moo I would take her for an x-Ray as soon as I got back that afternoon. Moo didn't think that she needed to wait, so in all of her grandmother glory, she took her to get it x-rayed. I texted the insurance card and waited anxiously to hear from them.

Buckle fracture! is what her text read! I was a basket case at that point. Not only had I left my husband with the moving responsibilities, but I had also left my broken baby! Extreme mama guilt washed over me. It was a huge distraction to an already emotional day, however. 

The boot has not slowed her down in the least. She even perfected the booted skip! Our three week basement stay will also be booted. 

Home Is Where the Heart Is

On September 25th, we got the call that our house had sold. It was late that Thursday night, but right on time. If it had been later even by the next morning, we may not have been able to put a contract on the new house we had our eye on. We came upon this house right at about the finishing time but were still able to pick out some of the final finishes. We actually did this the next Monday after putting a contract on it the Friday before. We also got a timeframe for moving out of two weeks! Needless to say, our lives have been a whirlwind since then. 

We sat the kids down and told them that it was official after months of talking in "ifs" - If someone buys our house....If we move...If we live somewhere else...

Cam had two questions: "Would Santa still visit us?" "Will our new house have grass?" Luckily we could answer yes to both of those! Maeve didn't have an immediate reaction, but then went into the mode of asking, "Will we take this with us?" pointing to a picture. Or "How about this?" as she runs her fingers over the bannister.

We began the process of packing, and I am not sure this is a process I ever want to undertake again. I really didn't know where to begin. We started that Sunday with the kitchen. After 26 boxes and several loads to Goodwill, we knew this task was even greater than we imagined it would be. Why had I not prepared over the summer when I had the time and the energy?  Each night I conquered one more small task, saving some of the major things for the weekend- like the closets. Cam and Maeve's weren't too bad since I have to reconfigure theirs each season, but mine and Tony's were quite a different story. We weeded out a lot! We also had to think about what we would need during our basement stay. So some were boxed up while others were put in the "take with us to Nonna and Pops" pile. And then there was the closet in the extra bedroom- aye, yiy, yiy! My poor sister staged an intervention as I let go of ribbons and bows from our wedding and tons of "I might need that one day stuff!"And let's not forget the attic and the basement and any other possible places I could stuff something. It is amazing that we ever made it out alive! (Or by our deadline!)  

From the time we began considering leaving our custom-built, forever home, we prayed for just the right people to come along and want it. We didn't want just anyone to have our home; the one we drew up the plans for, spent endless hours building and working to complete it, brought our babies home to. We didn't have an abundance of lookers- a couple every couple of months. We knew when a certain family asked to come back again, it must really be serious. We actually met them and their sweet one year old and felt like this may be the hand-picked couple God had in mind. And it was! I don't think they could be more perfect! I know they will continue to pour themselves into that home and make it all that we imagined it could be. The movers came the 10th. We took out the final things on the 12th. They moved in on the 13th. And we officially signed it over to them on the 15th. 

We moved into a temporary basement abode with Nonna and Pop. It is fully equipped with a kitchen an even a washer and dryer, so no one can really feel sorry for us at all. It is quite cozy and very convenient if you run out of a kitchen  essential or if you need for your kids to hitch a ride to school! 

That Sunday night after we had said our official goodbyes to 535, I laid my weary head down for a much needed rest. My eyes popped open when I realized that I had forgotten something- the kids' fish! Both of them! Luckily the new owner and I had become Facebook friends. I sent her an SOS declaring my motherhood failure. I had to go back one last time to retrieve our pets- Crunchy Bacon and Bob Emily. To our disappointment, they are hearty little things and were fine even after days of neglect. I guess I will have to find a place for them in the new house. 

The ones I worried the most about- Cam and Maeve- haven't missed a beat. Of course living with your grandparents is just grand! I don't think they miss the only home they have ever known a bit! It just proves that home truly is wherever your heart is. 

Wiped Out

No. I am not referring to the wipe out I had on Hillary's last step. The one that took the beautiful tan skin off of my knee forever. Wiped out is how August leaves us feeling. We are wiped out from early mornings that school requires. Wiped out from all the extra tears Maeve has shed during her transition to big school. Wiped out from the hot football practices and Saturday morning games. Wiped out from weekend grocery shopping, from paper grading, homework, folder signing, and lunch packing. If we remembered what Augusts were like each year, we would rip it from our yearly calendar altogether. 

This year we have an extra factor contributing to our wipe outs- house hunting. Our house is officially under contract, which means we are searching for our next home. I think we have riden through each nook and crany and reviewed all the online pictures. Phew! This week, we will start actually visiting some houses. I am hoping for a Griswald moment where the light will be shining down and we will just know.  

Here's to getting used to our new routine! September has got to be smoother. 

M is for Maeve

 In just a few short hours, another school year will begin. This one is different from any other. This year I don't have to cart my little ones off to separate places. For three years now, I have had Cam as my morning companion on the short drive to school. This year my backseat will have both of my babies headed to school with me. I have joked that we will all be in one place, if we can get there! 

As much as I am excited about us all being under the same roof during our school days, I am sad about losing my baby. Kindergarten brings a whole new status- Big girl. Old. Growing up. Big school. School aged children. The beginning of her educational career. 

I am nervous for her as she is leaving the tiny security of her preschool. The one she has been to since the toddler room. She is coming to a place where she has no friends. She is leaving the safety of her automatic friend, Anna Belle, whom she has had in class with her for the last two years. She won't get to enjoy a slow-paced morning routine with her Moo where she was able to ease into the day. She will literally have to wake up ready this year. 

As much as I worried about her beginning and how I wanted it to be a smooth transition, I should have known He would work it all out for us. Just a couple of days before starting, my friend and team teacher was offered to go to kindergarten. When she called to ask me to help her think of pros and cons, the only pro I could think of was that Maeve could have the very best kindergarten teacher. As sad as it is to lose her being my right-hand girl in third grade, I find great comfort in knowing my baby will be safe and secure in Ms. Laura's classroom. After all, I have trusted her to give my third graders their reading instruction for the past three years. I can surely trust her to lay a firm foundation for my Maeve- one that is not only strong in academics but in friendship and in confidence. There is no better place she could be in the whole wide world! 

Thank you, Lord, for knowing just what this mama needed. Being where my children are- this is exactly what I thought of when choosing my teaching career. I failed to realize how hard it would be to be apart from them for the first five years. But, that time is finished and here we are together. Right where I pictured us to be. 

Fireworks. Fun. Family. Friends. Funnel Cake- The Fabulous Fourth

We were home for the 4th this year. We are usually on a beach somewhere. We enjoyed a relaxing and restful day by the pool, ribs on the grill, and fireworks with friends and family. So thankful for our freedom! 

AI

Amelia. Relax. Vacation. One week. Family. Fun. Beach. Sand. Umbrellas. Umbrella hammer. Chairs. Toys. Corn hole. Jumping waves. Booshing. Sipping. Snacking. Kayaking. Fishing. Crab hunting. Eating early. The Surf. Tasty's. Sliders. The Salty Pelican. Moon River. Shopping. Twisted Sisters. Reading. Relaxing. Balcony sitting. Rainbow spotting. Wishful thinking. Daydreaming. Reminiscing  Memories. 

Our Precious Pearl

Empty is what our home has been for the last five months without our CoCo Bean. No one greets us when we arrive. No one scratches at the door. No one chases away the creepy crawlers of our wilderness estate. No one snores beside our bed. No one cleans up the crumbs. No one is there for us to rush home to.

Until now. As of our anniversary, we are now a proud family of a little puppy named Pearl. And as orchestrated asPearl's  story sounds, it really did all come together without the scheming of my dog-lover heart. 

One summer day we met Tony for lunch. While we were out, we ran a few errands. I had a giftcard to Simply Southern that I wanted to use. I bargained with Cam and Maeve that if they would let me peacefully shop in that store then we could go down to Petland when I was done. Petland is a big treat for them. In fact, I cannot recall ever taking them in there myself. They have been with a grandparent because grandparents do that sort of thing. It usually pulls on my heart strings too much for me to go there. But in we went after I had satisfyingly found a new trendy shirt for myself. 

Low and behold, the tiniest dachshund puppy was in there waiting for us to come catch a glimpse of him. I didn't point him out to them, but they were drawn to his long-ness I suppose. A long dog is what they have had their whole lives. I tried to distract them from the dog area by pointing out ferrets and birds and even mice; but there they stood glued to the glass in front of that tiny pup. Nothing would do. We had to get him out and pet him in one of their little family holding cells. Cam asked, "Mom, if this dog is $5 can we get him?" I informed him that there was no way the dog would be only $5, but we would ask about the price and that no matter what it was, we couldn't just buy the dog today. Getting a dog is a big decision and it requires the whole family being on board. I was estimating the price of the pup to range between $300 and $600. Boy was I off- the worker informed us that this puppy was 9 weeks old and was $1399!!!! I had no idea of the inflation costs of puppies. For one thing I had never purchased a puppy. My Butch was from Santa in 1984, and CoCo was a less fortunate whose first family was giving him away in 2001. 

I picked my jaw up off the floor and I informed the girl that we were ready for her to put the pricey pup back in his kennel. (Heaven forbid we hurt this thing- it had all of the sudden turned in to me letting my children play with expensive pieces in a China or Chrystal shop! Put this pup up before we have to pay for it!) We left disheartened that we weren't bringing home something to help fill up all the empty spaces in our home. I told them that we would get a puppy one day, but this one was too expensive. Besides, we couldn't get it and then leave for vacation a week later. It just wasn't the right time.

I wasn't prepared for what Cam and Maeve did upon arriving back at home. They rushed upstairs and began to pool all their money - from their wallets and piggy banks. It was about an hour process of hearing them interact. Cam was counting all the money for them while Maeve was busy assisting. She got him whatever he needed- pencil, paper, a bag, etc. They finally came downstairs with all their earthly belongings counted and combined. They had $262.34. A bit short of the cost of the puppy. But Maeve had a plan of how they could add to their collection. She said they could sell lemonade and Moo could help them make it because she made the best lemonade. It took all I had in me not to call Petland and tell them to hold that puppy for us. It is so hard not to give your children the desires of their heart. They were truly head over heels with this puppy and were willing to sacrifice all they had to have it for their own.

When Tony got home, I filled him in on our afternoon adventures and promised him that I had no preconceived intentions when I took them there. He could see that his family had fallen fast and that getting a puppy for us was inevitable. He too was shocked at the price tag of a dog. We had obviously not shopped for a puppy, ever, and had no idea of their price range.

Back in early May, my friend and coworker had asked me if I was ready for a puppy. She knew of someone who was giving away free puppies. At the time we calculated the time when those puppies would be ready and it was just about the time we would be heading out for our annual Amelia Island trip. So that was excuse #1 for me to back peddle and resist the urge to commit to one of these free puppies in need. We couldn't possiby get one and then leave home. My friend was relentless. She even offered to puppy sit while we were away if I would go ahead and confirm my desire for one of the girls in this litter. She, an animal extraordinaire and former dachshund owner, knew how much our family needed one of these sweet ones after our tremendous loss.  I actually had not thought too much about this offer other than when my friend sent me adorable puppy pictures and now again when I realized what a tremendous deal I was passing up! 

So, like the thrifty teacher I am who will go to any means necessary to give her children what they want and swoop in on what was now the deal of the summer, I sent my friend a message. I asked her if she knew if the free puppy offer was still available. I thought it was a long shot, but I just had to know before my children spent the rest of their summer earning money to fund their puppypalooza infatuation. My friend was out of town but promised she would find out the current status of the free puppies and be in touch. 

By Sunday, I was antsy but still no clarification on the puppy status. Monday, June 16th, which also happens to be our wedding anniversary, I was out doing a little birthday shopping and make-up delivering. I got the call from my friend while in a Christian bookstore (coincidence- I think not)! She sent me a message with two pictures of two dachshund puppies. The first picture was of the back of a dapple dachshund which I coined the polka-dotted puppy. Then she sent me a picture of a sweet face of a Black and Tan, long-haired girl, whom I lovingly termed Pearl- PolkaDot and Pearl. I thought it was a good fit for the sister duo. As I am marveling over the pictures, my friend asks, "Which one?" As in'"Which one do you want?" Eeek! Could it be possible? Can this unbelievable deal still be available? I haven't cleared it with Tony! We leave for the beach on Saturday! In a moment of boldness that rarely comes to me coupled with a natural weakness to a black dachshund face, I texted her back, "I like the black one." A couple of minutes later, my phone rang. It was my friend. "She's in my car," she calmly stated like she was driving the getaway car of a bank robbing sting! 

My heart leaped out of my chest! Had I really just agreed to adopt a puppy without the backing and blessing from my whole family like I had lectured Cam that we would have to do? The words I said to him echoed in my head, "Getting a puppy is a big responsibility; one that the whole family has to be involved in." I guess I ate those words. I shreiked in happiness, excitement, and panic with my friend. I told her our anniversary plans were to see a movie and have dinner as a family of four. If I got the ok from Tony, we would be by the pick up our anniversary surprise after that! 

Gulp. Now I had to break the news to Tony. Well, of all days, he couldn't be upset with me on our anniversary (Coincidence- I think not)! The owner of the store had overheard my conversation. She agreed with me that this was the perfect day to adopt a puppy after I filled her in on the details. I casually came in and announced to him, away from the earshot of the children that I had found my anniversary present. He looked puzzled but then I showed him the picture of Pearl. He grinned and grimaced all at the same time. I filled him in on what had taken place then reminded him of the price tag on this pup- $FREE!!!! That coupled with the special date got him. Hook. Line and sinker. He never said yes but he never said no. Him driving us to my friend's house to pick up our surprise anniversary present will be looked back upon as one of the moments I loved him most! 

When we drove up in her yard, she and her daughter were waiting with our puppy whom they had been taking care of all day. Cam and Maeve didn't quite respond the way I expected them too. They were more stunned than excited to see the puppy that I referred to as ours. They couldn't believe that we had surprised them with her. They also couldn't believe that she was free and they didn't have to fork over their pooled life's savings! 

As we drove away with our puppy present, we discussed names. My friend had been calling her Pearl all day and said that she was sure she was responding to it already. No one else could think of a better suited name, so we rode away with our Pearl Girl and were just in awe at her tiny-ness, her puppy-ness, and the fact that she was ours. I looked up the meaning of the name Pearl, and it definitely fit- "precious thing." She was a precious childhood wish. A precious present that we will cherish each anniversary. A precious healing ointment to help all of us completely heal from the loss of our old, tried and true CoCo. Our Precious Puppy Pearl.

Summer- Ahhh!

There is no possible way for me to put into words how much I love my summers. I depend on my summers. I live for my summers. Summers are quite possibly the number one perk of my profession. 

Unless you are a teacher, you don't fully understand how taxing each day of the school year can be. The constant state of being "on" is purely exhausting. Once the school year begins, the work week is nearly 24/7 as you are always thinking about how to tweak your instruction to meet the needs of your fresh group of learners- their needs, their parents needs, and the needs of the administration. Teachers are at the beck and call of whoever needs them.

So for the few weeks of summer, I get to focus on my needs- what needs to be done around the house after a school year of neglect, what I need to do to make me feel better and live more healthy, what I need to do with my children that I don't get to do during the year, what book I need to read, what movie I need to watch, what hobby I need to investigate, what friend I need to reach out to, what latest teaching trend I need to investigate. As you can see, the list is really endless. And, no, it won't all get taken care of before the school year pace picks up again, but a girl can dream.