A New Background

A friend of mine said after seeing a couple pictures on Instagram/Facebook, "I am going to have to get used to this new background of yours."  Kind of a fun way to think of it!  So here are some pretty normal images with our new background...

Benjamin's new normal is conquering the hearth.  Everyday.  Lots of times per day.  There is no way to stop it; I need to teach him to get off it smartly and hope this need to conquer the hearth goes away soon.  He will normally wait to make sure I am watching him, and then proudly smile at me when he gets up there.

Not just a little excited, 

Super excited that he is sitting on the hearth!  Clapping for his victory!

I couldn't not stop grinning when I walked into the family room to see Anna-Kate watching her show like this.  She looks so big

and so little at the same time.  And, this gives you a better glimpse into my favorite room in the house.  Begging for some up-to-date love, but such an awesome room!

My favorite spot in the house, however, is at the kitchen table.  I sit here while the kids are at nap time, enjoying the sunshine coming in the window and looking out over our yard.  This beautiful yard!  Will is so energized about having a yard!  I have day dreams of a vegetable garden along the back fence (including lots of watermelons :), maybe even a row of sunflowers back there too!  

Anna-Kate felt so special that we let her eat ice cream after bath time in the backyard while Will was mowing the grass.  You can also see one of Anna-Kate's favorite "treasures" that came with the house:  sea shells!  Random, but totally treasure to her!

Tired after a couple weeks of moving, overwhelmed at still so much to be unpacked and projects to be started,

but definitely thankful for this blessing

Glimpses

This is the last picture we took of Camden Park.  We moved in when this little girl was 3 weeks old and moved out 6 weeks before her 4th birthday.  The quality is not great, but I am so glad we got this image. 

And now for 2 weeks we have been owners of our new [old] home.  We closed on Wed, 2 weeks ago, and then the movers moved us in the next morning.  (Yay for movers!)

This shows off two things:

1 - My dad came for several days to help us with the small projects that always show up as you move into a new home.  This was Will and Dad in the middle of hanging blinds.  All our new windows, only one set had blinds on them. 

2 - To get to my half-bath downstairs, you have to go through my laundry room. The good thing is that there is closed cabinetry above the washer/dryer.  That will help me keep things tidy for guests, hopefully.  

This sweet little "helper" is showing off another reality of our new house.  Wood paneling from floor to ceiling.  I will admit readily, though, this room is my favorite in the house!  It has a fireplace and built-in shelves.  Yay for the lay out! and deep breath for the updating to come!

I kept saying as we were moving in that I needed the kids' rooms and the kitchen functional  to be a sane woman.  So, in our third day of being here, I attacked the kids' rooms. This is the very little touch of cute that has happened in this house.  While getting Benjamin's books out, I went ahead and put them on his dresser. (for now, eliminating the dresser-top changing pad) 

Look at that!  I am obsessed with these see-sawing bookends that Aunt Bonnie gave Benjamin!

And, the reason my sanity is only half there...

Your eyes are not deceiving you.  That is a hole in my ceiling.  A hole in my basement ceiling, caused by the plumber, who put 4 other holes in my house, in order to fix the leak that showed up 4 days into owning our new home.  Adds character to the house and to the story of how we moved in.  Or, at least that will be what I say a few months from now.  For now, I say, that hole is why my kitchen is yet to be unpacked and why my wanting order self is trying to remain sane.

Tonight, the kitchen.  Tomorrow, sanity. 

And this image is how I leave you.  Even with the crazy leak that forced us to stay somewhere else for more than a week, we are so happy about our house.  We are ready for a few smooth-running days, and a few less boxes to walk around.  But, we are excited about our new house!  We have met our first neighbor.  We have waved to many more.  We have lots of plans for cute-ness (and Young House Love style blog posts) to come.  Tonight we will repeat this image.  Will will mow the lawn, while I enjoy the hum of the mower from inside as I unpack and organize our kitchen.

Last Night

3 years, 10 months ago, we moved into our first home with our 3 week old baby girl!

Tonight we will sleep our last night in this home.  Will and I have enjoyed being sentimental about this home that we have loved! Truly loved.  But, even more than being sentimental, 

we have been packing!

and packing

and packing

We have not been without helpers.

Helper #1

"No, Mommy, you can't pack that.  I need to be Minnie for nap time."

Helper #2

 One of the most fun things about moving is day dreaming about what that home will look like.  Over the last week or two we have wandered into a furniture store or two, just enjoying some daydreams.  

Anna-Kate saw this and said,

"Look!  That bed is just my size!  I love it!  I will have this one at my new house."

Anna-Kate, sweetie, just daydreaming, no purchasing!

And, when you move, there always needs to be a baby in the box!

A Couple Classic Moments

 My hands in raw chicken, I hear the sound that every mom fears....the bathroom door being pushed open and the shuffling of crawling knees.  Do I wash my hands or wrap up this chicken prep real quick?  I chose to finish my chicken prep

and then to no surprise of mine

this classic image was what I found

Benjamin in a happy place

Is something wrong?

Look!  My plunder from my victory!

Who can resist a bean-covered baby?!

Love.it.

Easter Morning

The moving season has brought with it some stress, surprise surprise.  Easter was a beautiful reminder of Christ.  A time of worship that refreshed my spirit.  Sharing the good news of Jesus and His Love for us with our 4 year old Sunday School kids.  I hope the Joy of the Good News, the Peace of Jesus and the Hope of His sacrifice rang in your hearts this Easter.  

The tradition of Easter baskets (the tiny basket is because AK insisted we should have something out just in case)

an excited Anna-Kate, though, she did inform us that she did not get a unicorn.  Uumm, sorry, haha!

 AK taking charge of showing Benjamin his basket.  She picked up his book and said, "I wish I had duck feet! I love this!"  Either she is a genius and can already read, or her preschool teacher has read this one to her.  

Benjamin's morning face and the handsome man in my life

Happy Easter from our family!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Easter Summary

We are moving in 7 days.  That's right, 7.  Whoa!  As you can imagine, Easter lasted only a few hours for us and blogging is being squeezed in.  But, the Easter we did have was wonderful!

Back in September, Anna-Kate's teacher asked us to sign up to help with a party for the year.  I chose Easter.  Great idea in September, bad timing in moving season!  It was fun to see my girl in her preschool element!

decorating their Easter bags for egg hunting

Natalie, absolutely loving her visit to preschool!

Benjamin, already finding friends

the highlight of the morning, the egg hunt!

Then it is back to the classroom

and time for snack!  

 A short glimpse into Anna-Kate's world but quite enjoyed!

Saturday we got to enjoy an Easter day with the Simmons.   The kids loved getting to hide eggs!  And, we all enjoyed an Easter feast!

AK asked me for days if it was time to hunt eggs.  She was quite happy

These cousin-besties!  This was probably the best picture of the day!

 Because, well, you can imagine that getting 5 kids to sit still and smile toward the camera is quite the task.   

That's right, I slept through the egg hunt and I am ready for my snack, but I am cute!

The next set of cousin-besties!