Does Christmas Break end???

My brain is fried... kids are running a muck....what is it? 2 days till school is back in session?
My kids are the best, they're fun to hang out with, creative, destructive, demanding, mess making... oh wait, did I mention how much I love them??
I love them SO much that I'm buying them new backpacks, new socks, underwear (that's a post for later), and fantastic yummy snacks to pack in their lunches so they can GO BACK TO SCHOOL!

HAHA! I know you're all in a similar state about now. The excitement of the holiday season is gone, the tree has been packed away and the wrapping paper stuffed in the trash. New toys have already lost their interest and fighting has begun.
We're surviving.. hardly .. but we are! And counting down till 6:23 Monday morning when that big yellow bus rattles it's way down the street to whisk my little angels away to the magical land of learning for 8 hours!
I have it all planned out now. I'll walk back home, lie on the couch and nap with my cat. Then, if it tickles my fancy, I'll do the suburban mom thing and go stroll through Target with freshly brewed Starbucks in my hand. Roam the aisles and ravage the clearance sections! Is that pink chevron Sally Hansen manicure stickers for $5? Sure, I'll forget I have them and they will get shoved to the back of the bathroom drawer, but I'm buying them because they're $5 and I'm kid free!
After Target, I'll chicken out of going to the sushi restaurant alone and grab some from the grocery store down the street instead. It's not as good, but I can take it home and eat it in my sweat pants while binge watching Supernatural on Netflix.
Then.. depending on the state of my house.. I may clean up a little, so it doesn't look like I've been a selfish slob ALL day.. or.. I could take another nap. I've been deprived of naps for 14 days. The cat, the couch, and I have a lot of making up to do.

..... 2 more days... 2 more.. I can make it!

Not Compleatly Wordless Wednesday

I hate the word "swag" and all it represents.. I really do.

The school year is well underway and I'm starting to get pretty busy.
I had the oprtunity to volunteer at the school during grandparents week. That was loads of fun! I was able to catch up with the youngest minion for lunch the day I was there. It's so fun seeing him with his little friends.

I've started taking a knitting class on Tuesdays, I've learned a TON from this group of ladies. I'm the youngest in the class by a good 30 years but that makes it fun. I'm learning a lot about the community I live in by just sitting there and listening. I love it!
I got a call yesterday about volunteering at the Fine Arts Center close to Christmas. I think that will be a fabulous as well.

We're gearing up for a weekend at the BEACH! As if the beach wasn't enough, we get to spend time with one of our favorite family members from Texas!! It will be some much needed family time after a stressful few weeks. I can't wait!!

As October creeps up on me I'm making plans to take the kids apple picking for the first time ever. I've wanted to do this forever but lived too far south to find an apple orchard.
October to December is a great time for us. Our community does a lot over the holidays and we have several new traditions of our own to look forward to. Small town living deffinitly has it's charms.
As the leaves start changing I hope to make it out to take a photo tour of sorts to post here. Most of the family hasn't been able to come visit us yet and I would love to give them a photographic grand tour.

That brings you up to date with what's been going on around here :) Happy Fall Y'all!

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Hump Day Folks!!

Wordless Wednesday

My week has made about as much sense as this ...

What happens when you interview your children..

A friend of mine did a neat thing in her blog this past week, she interviewed her daughter. The questions gave my friend a great idea of how her daughter viewed her.
At first I was like, that's a fantastic idea! Then I thought... what if I didn't like the answers I got from my children? I'm constantly worried that I'm not spending enough time with them, I'm not doing the right things in this situation or that. I thought about it all night, then went ahead with the interview. Gavin is 7, Shane is 5, and here is what they said.

What do I like to do?

Gavin: Cuddle me, cook.. I really like your cookies.. ummm.. and read.. a lot.
Shane: Put makeup on!!

What do I not like?

Gavin : Getting in the kid pool.. why don't you like it? Is it because it's cold? Spending money, 'cause you don't buy us stuff!
Shane: Punching!! (We've been having issues with him doing this, it's good to know he's listening!)

What do you wish I would do more often?

Gavin : Give me candy for snacks and stuff!! I LOVE CANDY!
Shane: Get me stuff!!

What do you like best about me?

Shane: When you cook me dinner!!
Gavin: It's true, I like that too! I like it when you cuddle me and we go to the zoo.. the zoo is awesome.

So there you have it. It's really funny to see how much they pay attention and what they observe about me. I love them dearly and fell so blessed to be their Mom!

First Day of School!

For the first time ever... I have two children in school all day! They both went to preK but they were dismissed at 11:30.  I had about three hours to myself those days. This.... is different.
  After walking the kids in the hubby and I made a B line to Starbucks!!

What's a kid free day without a shot of espresso?! The sad thing about having so much early morning free time, NOTHING IS OPEN!!
My kids have to be at school before 7:45, most of the really fun shops don't open till 9 or 10. We twiddled our thumbs at Starbucks for a bit and decided to go to Target.
Why Target?? Why not! If you don't have kids you don't understand the awesomeness of wandering up and down every isle, looking at everything without a child begging for a toy (just a $5 toy mom PLEEEASE!)
or popcorn, candy, or begging to leave because it's just too BORING.
I did have a purpose, besides killing time, for going there. I needed hooks to hang the boy's backpacks on at home. We cruised electronics, meandered through toys, and giggled at harlequin novel titles in books. Then... these happened

   Hiphopsicles... it worries me that these exist. Why.. just... why? So tacky.
We made our way over to the back to school area. I wanted to survey the destruction after the storm that was school shopping. I really should have taken pictures.. the carnage was amazing. It looked a bit like the grocery store scene in Zombieland when Columbus meets Wichita. I was almost expecting to have to smash a remaining zombie with a banjo (because I carry one around for just such an occasion!) Folders everywhere, backpacks strewn about the aisles, pencil pouches scattered through the main aisle like slippery little land mines. It was crazy! I feel really sorry for the employees that have to straighten it all back up.

   After Target I really wanted to go to my favorite used book store, BUT we learned they changed their hours and aren't open on Mondays anymore.. booo! SO we went to Books-a-Million where I discovered I need this...Everyone needs a 'Nuns Having Fun' calendar!  I didn't buy it but did expand my personal library a bit. It's impossible for me to go into a book store and come out empty handed.  Yes, yes I know, I have a kindle, but there's just something about a real book that I can't quit them. I'm a closet book sniffer too.. I loooove the smell of a book. The older the better. Old books just have this amazing aroma! I'm sure there are meetings someplace for people like me.. Book Sniffers Anonymous. "Hi, my name is Sam.. It's been three weeks since my last book sniff. I had a close call when I drove past the library but my resolve kept me on the straight and narrow" LOL

Ok.. back to my kid free day..

We went home after BAM,  it was raining so no zoo. We were going to take stroll through the zoo to look at what animals WE wanted to look at!

The house was so very quiet. It's strange. I didn't realize how much noise the one remaining boy made last year. Oh well. the cats got lots of attention.. I think they are going to be 500% spoiled after this school year. My sweet, snaggle toothed, Cleopatra is the worlds best attention whore. She cant' help it. I think it's in her DNA. 

The rest of the day wasted away by making lunch and wandering around the house aimlessly till time to go sit in line to pick the kids up. This stay at home alone stuff is going to take some getting used to. I'm sure I can find ways to keep myself busy, it's like there's so much I want to do but I'm not sure where to start! Exciting stuff is in store.. or you will see posts about massive crafting/pintrest fails.  Time will tell!

So it's been a year already...

So as of August 8th.. we will have been in South Carolina one whole year. As of August 15th we will have been in our house a whole year. Time flies when you're having fun I guess.
Loading up that morning... everything we owned in a uhaul and a destination 800+ miles away from everything and everyone I've ever known, was tough.  It's also been one of the best things our family could have ever done.

My trunk the morning we left

 I really think we are a closer knit family. Coming all this way with no one but each other to cling to has really been a good thing for us. Gavin matured a LOT. He had a rough few weeks, we all did, but he came out of it with a better understanding of emotions and how to communicate what he feels. I learned how to be a better Mom and that it's ok to be a friend too when the situation calls for it.
Shane is so easy going he didn't have too many issues with all the changes. His one challenge, that I didn't see coming, was church. Gav was excited to go and try new churches and find a new place to get settled in to. Shane... not so much, he even told me he wanted HIS church at our old house! I thought about it and well, Beech Street was the only church he ever knew. He was still in an infant carrier and taking bottles when we started going there. He was there every Sunday and Wednesday and then went to preschool there too. It was where his friends were. Shane has found his groove at Friendship and I'm glad.
We've all found our place out here and it's been a wonderful thing. We've made memories and new traditions. Discovered new places and continue to soak up all of the history there is out here. I absolutely love the museums, historical sites, plantations, state parks... all of it! Not to mention... the beach. I don't think I could ever live far from the ocean again.
I love South Carolina with all that I am and I love it for what it's done for us.  Here's to many more years to come!

How it looked our first day in our house!

Guest post... sort of.

I have a friends and family who have served or are serving in the military. All different branches, all different wars. It's hard for someone to wrap their head around what really happens to those in war. We're shown things on the news.. well some of you may, I don't watch the news. But even that is filtered, we're shown what they want us to see.
This post is almost a year old, but still holds great relevance as to what's going on and what is happening. This post is graphic in nature and language, but it's truthfulness is dumbfounding.
I don't know that 'dumbfounding' is the right word to use but it's all I've got.
Read if you want.. or don't.. it's your choice, but please say a prayer for the guys serving our country. 


http://deadspin.com/5882921/twenty-citizens-worth-of-blood-flowed-through-him-a-medic-confronts-the-open-wounds-of-afghanistan?tag=dr-watts

Things I have learned

 Finding doctors/pediatricians in a new town is hard!

Exploring beyond your comfort zone is great fun.

I make wrong turns, even when TomTom is yelling at me to turn the other way.

Finding a church to call home is crucial, getting involved is even more important.

Going to the movies alone because you haven't found a sitter yet isn't as weird as expected. It is a little weird not having someone to keep an eye on my purse when I have to pee an hour and a half in but that's about it.

Shopping for a kitchen table sucks! I'm a cheapskate but I want a well made table.. is that too much to ask?

Never underestimate the power of new fingernail polish :)

Email and Facebook are great, but a handwritten note is better. I've discovered this from moving. I keep pretty note cards and stamps handy and I've written more in the past 6 months than I think I have in my whole life.

Living someplace where domino's delivers to your door is dangerous to your waistline.

 The local grocer carrying gelato is equally as dangerous.

Don't buy dark furniture unless you like to dust.. yes it looks chic and fashionable but it's a pain to keep wiping it down with pledge.

Along those same lines.. white carpet was NOT made for people with kids.

 Write in a journal every day.. morning and night, believe me.. you always have thoughts that are worth writing down.

The jokes on Popsicle sticks are terrible.

Living someplace where they have a festival for every little thing is grand! I'm currently waiting on the South Carolina Cornbread Festival, The Elgin Podunk Festival, and the Sparkelberry Fair (and yes Sparkelberry is all one word for this!)

That's all I have... till next time :) 

Just Call Me Elmer.. as in the glue

We had a great visit with my In laws over the weekend. It was nice to have some family here for a little while.We stayed busy shopping, visiting, and what my husbands family does best, EATING! My Mother in law is a great cook and I was happy to hand over my kitchen to her for a few meals. I'm still greedily eating leftovers.
I had a bit of a sad yesterday after they left. Having them here made me realize how much I miss my own family. I did get to facetime with my parents yesterday, skype with my sister last week. It's just not the same.
I knew it wouldn't be but I was hoping it would hold me over till I can get home this coming summer. I try not to think about all of the things I'm missing but sometimes it catches up with me. I even miss my parents dog LOL, that may sound silly but Ruth is a pretty awesome dog ^_^

Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with South Carolina! I don't think I would move back to Arkansas if we won the lottery and could go back! LOL I would just hop on a plane more often!

I'm holding it together pretty well out here. I'm proud of myself :)
I'm looking forward to the holidays, I know you would think that it's going to be really hard, and it may be, but I'm going to focus on my little family and make it the best holiday season we've ever had. I'm excited ^_^

Ok that's all I've got.. I just had to, not really vent, just put my feelings out there.

Love to all who read :)

Content With Life

Have I mentioned how much I love living here? My husband is home more... he's not as stressed. Our oldest is loving school, the youngest is just loving life. It's been grand.

We had some friends visit us last week, it was so much fun seeing them and catching up.

 We sill have a few boxes scattered around, nothing major, we're almost 100% unpacked.  I've found doctors and dentists for the kids, the settling in process is going well.

The fair is a few weeks away and I'm really looking forward to going!
We missed our fair back home last year, everyone was sick. The one here is huge! I can't wait to eat all sorts of fried things on sticks.
The Carolina Renaissance Faire starts in October too, we're planning on going but not dressing up. Kind of a bummer but it's easier with the kids if I don't have a costume wrestle with.

So many things to do out here! There's a local farmer's market every Tuesday afternoon. The kids and I went a few weeks ago and had a great time. Lots of great produce, snacks, and horrible entertainment.
  It really was hysterical. This poor guy had a keyboard and a karaoke machine. It was terrible and awesome all at the same time.

We've found a gaming group and I found a knitting guild. I plan to visit the library this week and see what programs they offer.
It's just so much fun living out here.

I do miss my family and friends back home. I really wish I could go home for just a weekend, watch my nephews play football and march in the band. I think that's what's getting to me most right now.
My oldest misses a few of his friends and teachers from home too.
   It was funny, when he told me that he missed his teacher from last year he assured me that he LOVES his new big boy school, he'd just like to see her. Such a sweetie.


Thanks to everyone for your emails, texts, and prayers. We love you  guys!
It's pretty awesome to know how many people care about us ^_^

It's time for me to go find some breakfast and get my day started , Thanks for reading!


 

Settling In

We passed this sign at about 1am when we FINALLY made it here

I fall a little more in love with our house each day.
It's still a sea of boxes, even though we have unpacked almost every room. We ordered an entertainment center and are at kind of a stand still till it's delivered.

So far, my first experience of living in a neighborhood is ok. I love being close to everything, school, grocery shopping, restaurants. My youngest is THRILLED that we live so close to a Michael's craft store, so funny!
Being close to the beach is my new favorite thing!   ^_^
I'm a very private person when it comes to being at home, I'm having to get used to having people so close. It's a bit socially awkward to me to be out in the back yard playing with the boys and see the neighbors out. I wave but in my head I'm thinking, should I go say hi? strike up a conversation? We've introduced ourselves, is that it?  Yea.. it weirds me out a little.

I think we are all adjusting well. I'm ready for things to come together and be rid of these boxes.
It's a holiday weekend this week so maybe we can sort out a bit more.
I plan to start visiting churches next Sunday. I made a list, there's one here in town, the rest are a little further toward Columbia. It will be nice to meet people and find a church home we all like.

I can't wait to have family come visit! That's the only thing that would make this place absolute heaven.
The people are amazingly nice and helpful. You can't call someone to ask about trash or phone service without getting their life story.. and that is no exaggeration. We now know all about the family of a lady who works at the local garbage service. It's pretty funny!

I think we're all going to like it  here.... it can be home :)

I'm Washing Plasticware...

This is just for you my dear Aunt ;)

Ahh hotel living... SUCKS! I love my family but I am so ready to have my own space. Everyone have a room, cook my own food, not pay $2 a load to do laundry (that's $2 to wash $2 to dry!) Ugh! I'm also looking forward to not fighting old ladies for the ONLY washer and dryer this 6 floor hotel has. It was rather comical when Hubby went down stairs for something and saw the washer was free. He busted into the room Washer's free! GO! GO!

I did go to walmart today and buy some lunch meat and good things to eat rather than going out for lunch and dinner today. Sooo tired of eating out..

As far as we know we are still closing on Wednesday. Our mortgage guy isn't telling us much other than " We're on time for closing!!" and a swift hang up. Not a friendly fellow but oh well, we won't have to deal with him again after we close.

The cats and kids seem to like hotel life pretty well. the oldest kiddo is tired of eating out all of the time, as am I. Baby boy is happy as a lark and LOVES the decorative bowls that have fruit in them sitting everywhere. He has to grab an apple or banana every time he passes one.

The kids and I did venture out on our own last night. Hubby reported to work last night and that left us to go after our own dinner. I was in the wrong lane and ended up on the freeway, I got off at the next exit where we found a cracker barrel. I had planned to eat at the mall but cracker barrel was there and the boys were thrilled. I did manage to find my way back to the street the hotel is on without getting back on the freeway! Go me! We also went to Books a Million before we headed back. I love how we are in the middle of everything.

Our final walk through was yesterday too. It was the first time the boys had been in the house. They LOVED it. They were running up and down the hall and in and out of each other's rooms. Gavin had to check out the bathroom. Shane had to use it but the water isn't on, SO he christened the back yard!

We drove my soon to be kindergartener by his new school while we were out there. He was pretty impressed. Open house and Meet the Teacher are next week!

Over all things are going well, We may need to go visit the Zoo or something in the next day or so to keep us from going stir crazy! Well... that and I just want to go to the zoo ;)

Love to all and I'll update again soon!

Greetings From South Carolina

I'm so glad that drive is over! I will never NEVER drive all of that in one day ever again. Everyone did great, we couldn't have asked for a better trip.
It was also the hardest trip I've ever had to make. I knew saying goodbye to my family and friends was going to be hard but I never dreamed it would have been as hard as it was. I don't know how many times between Texarkana and Shreveport that I wanted to turn around and go back to the only home I've ever known. I cried, I prayed, this is honestly the hardest thing I have ever done.
Once I made it out of Shreveport, and out of anything familiar to me, it got better. It was really need watching the landscape change from state to state. The kids thought the Mississippi river, and the bridge we crossed it on, was AMAZING! We passed farms in Alabama and my youngest told me how he is going to be a farmer when he's a grown up, he made sure to stress the fact that he didn't have time to be a farmer right now. Being 4 takes up so much time you know! I was pretty awesome driving past Olympic Village in Atlanta, GA. Driving in Atlanta isn't a pleasant experience, I feel almost invincible now! Driving in 6 lanes of traffic while it's raining off and on, lightening EVERYWHERE, yea like I said, INVINCIBLE!
By the time we crossed over into South Carolina we were running on fumes. I've never been so exhausted. The kids were fighting with each other, the cats were waking up, it was terrible!!
Everyone was happy to be in our hotel room. The cats were THRILLED to be out of their crates and have a space to terrorize. The kids wanted a soft bed about as much as we did.
So thankful to everyone for the prayers for safe travels, we couldn't have asked for a smoother trip. Now the count down begins till move in day!

Packing Day 1

Wanna know what I hate more than house hunting? Packing a Uhaul!!
Thank God for great friends and family for help! My parents watched the boys for us while we started the painful process of loading the truck. This is going to be an interesting process!
We were able to get TONS done today. We are currently on a late night run to Walmart for more tape and tie downs for the appliances.
I'm really happy with our progress today. We are sweaty, exhausted and stinky! I can't wait for a hot shower, some icy hot on my back and a soft bed!

Catch Up Time

The kids have hijacked my computer so I haven't been able to post anything. I do have the app on my phone but when you have a lot to type.. that screen is just too little!!

So 2 weeks ago I was able to accompany my husband to SC to go house hunting. I thought it would be fun... yea so not!! There were a few houses out realtor took us through where I wanted to ask her.. umm really? We're not the fixer upper type of people. Anyway, we looked at several, the one I had my heart almost set on was TERRIBLE. It was beautiful on the outside but the inside layout made no sense what so ever. Living space was so small, kitchen was minuscule, and the Washer/Dryer hookups were in the guest bathroom! Like I said... pretty bad. I was so upset by the time we took a break for lunch that I was about in tears.
Our realtor was able to make a new list of houses to look at when we were done and we set off with renewed hope. The first house we looked at that afternoon was IT. The outside was pretty, inside was perfect, we LOVED it. And within 4 hours the process to make it ours was underway.
We will find out Friday if we will be able to close early, please pray that we can. My husband and I both have had dreams that we were able to close on the 10th. It would be really awesome if that were to happen!
Once I got home the packing frenzy began. We had gotten quiet a bit done before I left for SC so that was a great help. My Aunt came out a few times to help pack and just for company. I feel really blessed to have had that opportunity and those fun memories, she passed away of a sudden heart attack last week. We spent the day together on Monday, she passed on Tuesday. Totally unreal, it's still hard to wrap my head around it. Other than the packing we did on Monday, I did nothing last week. I don't think I could have packed if I had tried. The hubs was able to come home, he was working in SC, I'm still so very thankful for that. It would have been hard without him.
SO this brings us to the present. I'm so tired of packing that I'm just throwing everything in sight into a box and labeling a random room to put it in. It's going to make unpacking interesting but at least it's in a box! We leave one week from today. I can't wait to have the moving process behind us!

Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare for our journey. Also pray that we will have a safe trip!!
Thank you to everyone who has offered to help. Please don't take my declining your offer personal, our family and my husband's employer have been taking wonderful care of us! We love you all and thank you so much for offering your time.

Sad news

The house we wanted sold  :(
We have made a list of others we want to look at while we are there .. Please PLEASE PRAY that none of them sell before we get a chance to look at them! Our options are limited as is our time. If you don't pray please send NO SELL vibes LOL anything!
There is one both of us really like that is in a beautiful neighborhood. It's the first one on our list that we want to see. *fingers crossed*

On another note a group of family and friends were a HUGE HUGE help yesterday.
Not only are we packing our house up but we have a good size storage building out in wake village we had to go through! We sorted and trashed and gave away tons of stuff. I know I didn't do near as much as the rest of you stayed and did, the kids got cranky in the car. That's what they get for refusing to put clothes and shoes on.. they had to stay in the car (running with the AC blasting, I'm not a cruel mom!)
Anyways, a BIG thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who helped and took things!

Eric and I have gotten tons boxed up and his friend came over yesterday to help get our old couch and broken down recliner out of the house. He even found some treasures he wanted from our back yard! ^_^

Have I mentioned that moving is a pain??  It's great because it's forcing us to throw out or donate all of this stuff, but it's a pain non the less.

Back to packing I guess.....

Packing causes me to speak Klingon...

                                                                                                                         6/27/2012
...and tape guns require a masters in mechanical engineering to operate.
I swear if Eric insults my intelligence because of my lack of box taping skills I'm going to throw something at him!
The packing process is in full swing and over all tonight's packing, sorting, and trashing has been pretty entertaining.
 Eric has gone through his clothes and modeled the things that he still had that are 3 sizes too small, he still had clothes from HIGH SCHOOL!!
I think I had shoes and scarves from at least 3 different fashion eras.
I'm surprised that I only have 5 boxes of books. Eric says that doesn't count the ones in storage, I refuse to think about that at this point! ^_^ Shelves are cleared, closets are being emptied, and it's still a bit surreal. 

I've always wanted the chance to move across the country. I don't know how many nights Eric and I have laid in bed and asked each other, ' If we could pick up and move anywhere in the US where would you want to go?'  We've said, Dallas or Houston, or maybe someplace between both of our parents.
This is a little farther from my family but closer to his. The Putman's live in Pennsylvania, they will be about 8 to our north.

Eric and I fly out in a week and a half to go house hunting, should be fun. I really hope the one we want is as great on the inside as the pictures show it to be.
So much to do and such little time. I refuse to stress, things are going well thus far, I hope and pray the smooth sailing continues!

Time to go to bed and try not to dream of boxes and sharpie markers like I did last night.

SO much STUFF

                                                                                                                                       6-22-2012
The process has started. We had a dumpster delivered to help with purging, boxes have been ordered, the clean out has begun.

We moved the boys into the same room. I'm using my youngest son's room for sorting and storing what we are already packing.
At first the oldest wasn't too thrilled with the idea of having a room mate, he likes his quiet time. I have assured him that once we are moved he will have his own room again, that seems to help. Their first night together was last night and it went very well! They have been inseparable today! It's been fabulous! I have been able to get more sorting and clearing out done because they are playing so well together. Maybe we should have done this a long time ago!

One funny thing about moving is you find all of those things you didn't think you still had. I found boxes of the boys baby clothes. I have found homes for it all thank goodness. It's been fun sorting through it and seeing all of the tiny things. NO, it has not given me baby fever in the least, it's just been a nice trip down memory lane.

The kids are not happy to have me going through their toys. I have picked out the preschool toys and found a home for them. Now to find time for a delivery day!

I'm so not looking forward to going though my closet ... it's kind of a catch all. Ugh. I'm very thankful to have that dumpster outside!! LOL I have a feeling lots more than my hubby thinks is going to find it's way in there!