The Move: 7 Years at 7 Melrose

The week of April 14th was a busy one.  If there is a way to make moving easy we have not figured it out!?

This picture above was made after church on our last Sunday in our house...The house Crosby came home to when he was born...the house where Alexee celebrated her first birthday...the house where we sat on Rhett's bed as he prayed to ask Jesus into his heart.  Sweet family memories were made here, and we're thankful for each one.

And we were extremely blessed to have such wonderful neighbors for seven years.  The kids always had great friends to play with, and I had friends to visit with while the kids played.  We carpooled to school and birthday parties and enjoyed Christmas brunches, sledding, summer picnics, kickball games, etc.  Sweet friendships were made here, and we're thankful for each one of those too.

A few "lasts"...

Last night in the house.  They were all sleeping in Rhett's room because I had packed all the bedding from the other two beds. 

Last night to put the kids' clothes at the top of the stairs for school the following day.  I always did them in this order, and they usually got dressed in this little spot.

Last day of school morning carpool.  I should have waited and asked Nate and Natalie to be in the picture too!  It was so nice getting to share the driving with Jennifer!

Four guys from the moving company came over on Monday afternoon to pack the kitchen.  We used Two Men and a Truck, and they were great!  So nice, professional, careful with our furniture--I'd definitely recommend them.  My friend Laura had the kids over to have snacks and play after school while the packers were there--that was such a huge help.  Then my friend Emily was so sweet to bring us this wonderful dinner...French Dip sandwiches, fries, fresh fruit and strawberry cake--it was all delicious and so very appreciated!  Thank you, ladies!!  

The movers were back on Tuesday morning to load everything on the (2) trucks.  It took from 10:00-5:00...it was a long day for everyone.  I had been doing okay up until then, but Tuesday was tough.  I cried off and on all day.  That nervous, unsettled feeling kicked in.  The kids were all at school most of the day, but they were home in time to watch the trucks drive away.  Lane and I had been taking turns driving things over to the apartment on Tuesday, I picked the kids up from school then Lane and Rhett went to the office to do pre-close on the house.  When they got back and the movers were gone we all went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner.  We were all so tired, but after dinner we had to go back to the house to get one more load of things for the apartment before taking the kids there for bed.  L stayed with the kids while I went back to clean the floors and showers, then I stayed with the kids while he went back to load my car with the things we wanted to personally move on Wednesday (the kids' portraits, mostly.)

*****

So I left at 5:15 Wednesday morning to go meet the movers at the new house.  My Mom met me there.  It was so great having her with me--she was such a huge help, and I was so thankful to get to spend the day with her.   (Lane stayed here for a work meeting, and he got the kids to/from school, guitar lesson, took them out to eat a lot...and unpacked things at the apartment.  Getting through the week was a team effort!)

We found a welcome gift on our front step when we got there--so sweet!  An OBU friend (wife of one of Lane's future co-workers) and her friend (who lives on our street!) had dropped it by.  Loved that!  

The redbud and dogwood trees happened to be in bloom in our yard.  What a beautiful spring welcome!  Dogwoods have always been one of my favorites.

I'm glad Mom remembered to snap some pictures:

Mom washed lots of dishes and helped me get the kitchen organized.  That evening we went to eat at Panera and made a trip to Wal-Mart for a few supplies.

I stayed Wednesday and Thursday nights and unpacked as much as I could.  Dad came up after work on Thursday and took me to dinner and helped me hook up the dryer and turn the dining room table around.

There is still a LOT to do, but it was a good start.  It was nice to have a few days to focus on unpacking, but I was so happy to get back home to these three...plus Lane, Bogart and Joey!

April Activities

Brief summary of a few things going on in April, pre-move:  

Alexee was invited to M's 7th birthday party at the bowling alley, and Rhett was invited to go along and hang out with L--they both had a great time!   (Love the giant sunglasses as party favors!)

C & K spent the night (K also went to the bowling party--I took the girls and Rhett while Crosby played at C's house until we got home from the party...then they had a sleepover at our house.  They were super sweet!)

Lane worked that Friday night shift so he picked up Krispy Kreme donuts on his way home Saturday morning.  Fun memories made!

The boys had their annual well-child check-ups with Dr. B (and I didn't cry this time!).  Thankful for wild, healthy kids!  Crosby had to briefly go with the nurse to a separate room for the Kindergarten vision and hearing screening.  Can't believe he's this old! 

There was also a LOT of packing to do in April...and Crosby and I rented a rug cleaner at Home Depot one day and cleaned rugs for the move.

We were so happy to get to keep JHB for a few hours one Sunday afternoon!  Oh my goodness, he is just PRECIOUS!  The kids were very interested in making him laugh, holding him, showing him toys, giving him his bottle, etc.  He took a long nap and woke up happy and ready to play.  We'll sure miss getting to spend time with him when we move.

He slept in his Pack & Play in C's room.  I went in to check on him several times--look how cute!!

And we've had more soccer games!  We snapped a team picture after one game--such a cute group.  I've enjoyed watching Crosby play, and he has had a lot of fun.

Catch up: Spring Break 2014

What a crazy month it has been!  I haven't had time to post, but I'm going to try to catch up.  We moved out of our house and into an apartment on April 15--that has kept us busy.  

Lane had a vacation week the same time as the kids' spring break back in March so we made another U-Haul trip to our new place in MO.  We left Monday morning in three vehicles:  the moving truck, my car and Lane's parents' car.  His parents made the trip with us to see the new house for the first time, then we all went back to Flippin to spend a few days at the river.  

Bobba & Grammy's first visit!  So glad you came with us!

The weather was chilly and the water was high, but we still loved our time together and away from the daily routine.  The cold didn't seem to bother the kids--they played outside anyway.

They are growing up too fast.  They've all changed so much lately.  

Rhett 10, Alexee 7, Crosby 5

We also celebrated Crosby's birthday while we were there--he had a lot of fun!  We built a campfire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and my Mom and Grandparents joined us for dinner and cake (Dad was out of town--we missed him!)

 There is something so relaxing about sitting by a fire.  

 Happy 5th Birthday, Crosby Grant.  You are JOY every day!  We love you so very very much!

 With Grandparents and Great-Grandparents

Thank you, Mo, for making the delicious red velvet cake (C's request!)

 FIVE...Cannot believe it.

Crosby, you are sweet, smart, energetic, thoughtful and have such a fun sense of humor.  You love dressing up in super-hero costumes, playing fire-fighters, building Legos, playing with cars/motorcycles/helicopters/bulldozers, kicking a soccer ball, watching Power Rangers and eating granola bars.  You like to do things to make us all laugh, which we love.  You have always been such an easy, happy, joyful child.  What a blessing you are to us!

 Lane and his Dad enjoying the rocking chairs and the fire.

 The kids having popsicles for breakfast.

Building forts, playing games and hanging out with Bogart.  :)

 Fresh homemade bread that Grandmother brought to C's birthday dinner.  YUM!

 So proud of his new tow truck!

 We enjoyed the time spent with my Grandparents--always so nice to get to visit with them.

We went to dinner at Yoshi's on Wednesday night--the kids love eating there.  The waiters sang and brought C a piece of birthday cheesecake.

Truly blessed.