Post move update....

So, it's not much of a secret -- we have moved. Somehow we managed to (eventually) gather almost 10 years of memories into the largest truck possible, my Tahoe, pick up(s), and a trailer. It was ridiculous and so overwhelming to me/us. We went through a great time of purging before the move, and are still in that phase post move. There's a good chance the borough isn't fond of our trash loads. But, this too shall pass.

Our new home!

Here is how we are doing, roughly three weeks at our new place:
Shannon - awesome. He has gotten back to cooking normal meals instead of hamburger helper (insert gag face). He has quite a few outdoor (and indoor) projects to work on since the house has been vacant for almost a year. He's enjoying more family time, and less time on the road. We are loving the extra time with him. Plus, with Audrey riding the bus he's able to take her to the bus stop in the mornings if needed.

Audrey - fantastic. She has had to do so much adjusting. New room. New school. New teacher. New friends. Riding the bus for the first time. But, I think she is doing well. I asked her the other day if she was happy .. her reply was a solid YES. She, of course, misses her friends from her old school and street. We just need to make efforts to make plans and play dates.

Landon - That boy. We were preparing ourselves for many restless nights, but he's been a rock star. He's starting to try to form some independence, and it's a challenge. He's done well at going with the flow and we have tried to keep things as much the same as possible. Unfortunately, he has started to have an intolerance to dairy and car rides (insert masked emoji face). I am done with vomit in my car, his car seat, and on him. His car seat is going to get the boot once he has had a settled belly for a couple months. I really hope this goes away around the time of his second birthday...

And, last, as always, is me. I feel such a huge relief that this is done. When we signed at settlement I knew it was time to unload trucks, but it was all going to be okay. We have time to make this place our home. I have been ridiculously stressed out.. I think to the point I may have gone numb and didn't really feel anything. I am very on with my general appointments - eye doctor, dentist, hair, etc.. I haven't had my hair done in a good 6 months. The ONLY appointment I kept and made was for my eye specialist. And I told them to feel special because this was the ONLY appointment I was planning on making. This past week was the first we were able to get back to taking care of myself, my animals, my family, etc. I had taken a week from the cafe (and the good coffee) to take care of my family. So glad that I am at a place where I can do that and it's okay. I was able to get so much DONE. What a relief. We had no idea where to put a lot of our boxes so the ended up in the garage. By the time I went back to work we were able to actually use the garage for a car.

It's been a journey, but the journey of 'moving' is over. We are in the beginning of writing the next chapter about being able to live, love and find a new sense of normal. It feels like home now. We are all doing well, we are happy, healthy, and adjusting. It's also a great feeling to know we can start saying YES to invites now without feeling guilty.

Photos will come of the house. It's still a work in progress with a few boxes remaining. But a LOT less than we had 2 weeks ago :)

Thank you for following me/us on this journey!

House update

(Originally written July 14)

Wow. I am in awe. Tears are in my eyes as I am writing. We have been given an offer, and accepted an offer. We are under contract. I am so thankful. Here is how God works in His timing and so not mine.

Closing date is set for September 27. Granted, that's not BEFORE school starts, however, we also don't have to rush out this week and find a place to put a contract. We have some time to find a place. I will have to drive her to/from school and work out some details, but she can start in Shippensburg. Man. That's going to be some early mornings! But it will be worth it not to pull her out a month after school starts.

The nice thing about us not closing in 30 days is we have more than a week to find a place. We have time, not a lot, but we do have some wiggle room. Not a lot of wiggle room, but we do have the pro of some time.

We have been immersed in praying big prayer at church. What perfect timing! To pray the bigger prayers, pray off the record, pray for the things that scare us. Yup. Perfect to be thinking about selling our home, finding a new place, and creating a small season of change for our family. The last month we have done a lot of big praying. Scary praying. But we have also put action behind our prayers (painting, open house, change in price, etc).

We are thankful. We are at peace with this change.

Now, onto some funny things about this process. It has been stressful, and it has been chaotic, but there are always moments of funny to relieve some of the tension.

This past week we painted, lowered our price, took updated photos, and set up an open house date. With the photos I hid as much as I possibly could. Like, putting dirty dishes in the oven ..... and then forgetting about the plastic dishes until the oven was preheated to 400 degrees. Oops. Well, Landon got a new cup out of the deal! Speaking of hiding things --- it's amazing how much stuff a person can hide in the washer, dryer, oven, closets, under the bed, under the couches... Or forget about said items. Like dirty clothes by the shower as a family is walking into the house for a showing. Yes, that really happened. We had a showing July 13, and the family wanted a second showing July 14, same day as our open house. I cleaned like a mad woman, left the house.... and then realized I had left dirty clothes in the bathroom. Blah. Came running back to hide said clothing in the washing machine. Who cares -- THAT family made the offer! :)

This road has been a road that I wasn't sure would ever come to an end. It has been a journey and we are at the beginning of the next phase of our journey. Thank you for everyone who has followed us to the beginning of the journey! Stay tuned for the next steps. :)

May box!

I'll be honest, we have had so much stuff going on between Open House, cleaning, working, preschool, T-Ball, etc., etc., etc., that I had the pleasant surprise of just finding my box one day instead of stalking the tracking for it. So, while Landon is half asleep (boo to preschool jacking with any morning naps. Granted, the boy is also almost 17 months old and probably getting ready to transition into one nap versus two. Ugh.)

PEN!!! I'm a sucker for a great pen. I like pens that have a bold look to them, but also smooth. The fine tip Sharpie markers are some of my favorite --- but they can smear. This one doesn't. I do wish it was blue or black (I'm not a huge fan of various shades of ink. Messes with my eyes.) but the slight tinge of purple is a welcome change for me. Plus, it came with a coupon -- win-win!

Blush - Cargo -- it states it's waterproof... I don't live at the beach, or have a pool, but I do sweat. Oh, and cry. I've been emotional lately. It's almost like there is a little too much on my plate. Shocker. Oops. Sorry. Blush. I like the color! It's so nice for my skin tone! Just adds a slight pop of color and a little bit of shimmer. Totally recommend!

Toothpaste. Odd addition, but this also came the day after I bought a tube. Can you say a day late and a dollar short!? Oh well. It's minty and great, but I'm cheap. I'm not paying $10 for toothpaste unless it whitens, brightens, and tons my abs.

Hair Product! Miss Jessie's Jelly Soft Curls is a great product. It's light, but also seems to give some hold to my hair. I like when my hair has some gentle wave to it! The sample was HUGE too (twss) so I've been able to try it out for over a week. Huge plus! 

Moisturizer. Well, I had a blonde moment! I thought this was straight sunscreen and I don't do well in the sun. I burn. No, I usually turn fiery red and am miserable for days. Oh the sunburns... *shivers* So, I'm going to try this out today! Ha. Sounds like it has some great benefits to it .. cucumber, soothe and tone skin, and SPF 30. Granted, if you live in my neck of the woods it feels like winter has returned in May. Hello, Memorial Day? I'll bring my parka! 


While I have you -----

We are still sitting and waiting for an offer on our house. It's been frustrating having two open houses and NOTHING materializing from either. We have so much drive by traffic, but the showings are so sporadic it's disheartening. It will happen. Preschool just ended, T-Ball has another two weeks but then I'm ready to be moving ahead. But if you or someone you know is considering a move to PA, think of our home. Email me for details.

Have a great day folks and Happy Memorial Day to you and yours!

God Will Lift Up Your Head.

I have enjoyed listing to Jars of Clay for years. Many times during their musical career, the lyrics have touched my heart, made me cry, encouraged me, became my song... the list could go on. I've blogged about their music before. I've also included these lyrics in another blog. Ironic that in two of the lowest times in the past two years I have blogged about timing, not having control, just waiting. The first time was when I was going through the process of two miscarriages, now as we are in the limbo state of selling our home, buying/relocating to a new home.
 
This may be redundant to post the lyrics since the video also includes the lyrics, but... I think there's something powerful about just reading the words.

So, for today, whatever YOU may be going through, this is for you (speaking to myself as well). Words of encouragement, hope, joy, comfort and peace.

God Will Lift Up Your Head

Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up, God will lift up, lift up your head

God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
Lift up your head

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong

God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
Lift up your head

Through waves and clouds and storms, He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy

God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head

Writer: MASON, STEPHEN DANIEL / LOWELL, CHARLIE / HASELTINE, DAN / ODMARK, MATT / DP,
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Limbo...

First, I don't do well with change. I like the same, the normal, the predictable. Second, I don't like not knowing what is coming, or not having a date attached. Third, I'm ready to finish one chapter in our lives, and start another. 

That being said ..... We had an open house this past weekend. I knew it was okay to be disappointed, when my realtor was ALSO disappointed. Blah. I know this process of moving is just that -- a process. In my/our own (and extremely humble opinion!) we have a beautiful, well-maintained home in a great location. The only downfall of our place is there is no basement, crawlspace, yes, but no basement. (Maybe I should post some photos of the pond that happens next to us when we have crazy amounts of rain... and THAT'S why there is no basement.) However, there is a TON of storage elsewhere. Why in the world do I feel the need to justify my own home? Blah. 

We have some interest, but no offers. We have placed offers, but I am so curious to know what it feels like to read and receive an offer. We know what it's like to be disappointed with a counter offer... but we haven't had the opportunity to make a counter, or flat out accept an offer. 

I'll be honest - I'm frustrated. I thought this was going to be easier. A dear friend reminded me that the right family may not be looking just yet, or just haven't made an appointment to see our home. I'm being selfish and expecting this to happen in MY time. Hey, Bran --- it's not going to.. 

God.. May all things work together and fit together so perfectly that we know it's from You. Place the perfect family into our path and show us the perfect next home for our family. For the billionth time, or so it seems to me, I give this to You. I just realized how impatient I can be, Lord.. I have in my heart that I hope to have the process complete by the time Audrey goes to Kindergarten... it's not even summer yet. Spring is still blooming - as are Your blessings and provisions for us. Thank You for that reminder. As the trees bud, and flowers start to blossom, I am reminded that You are in control. It was the spring time we let go of getting pregnant and now we have the blessing of Landon in our lives and home. I thank You for the opportunities we have been blessed with. Thank You. Your perfect timing, Lord, not our impatient timing. Amen.

Holy cow. Been busy!

So, I just realized it's been almost a month since my last blog. Needless to say, things have been busy! My part time barista job is going well! I enjoy being able to get out of the house for a little bit, make money for our family... Plus, it also gives me, and my kiddos, a break from one another. I love them, but we certainly do appreciate each other when we are apart. I'm feeling much more comfortable completing the tasks at hand which is good! Still learning, and slow, but I think I'm doing well...?? Hopefully!

House --- We've had some interest, nothing uber serious, yet... I feel like we are in a hurry up and wait phase of selling. There is an interested family that is also selling their home, so we will see. We have seen quite a few homes in our new area that we can cross off our list of potential future homes. But, as of right now, it's okay. We don't have any time restrictions to force us into a place. We have had quite a bit of interest in the past month.. We are just waiting for an offer to begin seriously looking for our next place.

My blessings

Kiddos. Oh dear. They are ridiculous :) Audrey has a date for Kindergarten registration (seriously, when did THAT happen?!) and I know she will do amazing. If she is able to focus on the task at hand. She's doing very well in preschool and she loves it. This girl loves her toys. And she loves to line things up and have elaborate stories.  However, she doesn't always clean up as she should. So, every item I have picked up goes into a bin and she can earn as many back in a day as she wants through picking a task, helping out around the house, being kind, or because she's just been a good kid for that moment.

Did I mention she turned 5!?

Her task - clean under the couch. She took it up a notch and vacuumed almost 2 rooms.

Landon. OMG. This boy. He's a hoot. And, if he could, I think he would be able to eat his sister under the table. He is learning and using signs! It's been amazing watching and hearing his vocabulary grow. He can sign please, more, thank you... He loves 'ba' <-- banana and will eat an entire one to himself. He has no interest in walking, but he can crawl in a hurry to get what he wants!

Bath Time!

Digging in the girly toys

Did this yesterday. I am sore today! LOVE IT!

The other thing I have picked up, again, is working out. Jeans I bought a few months ago are tight, and I hate it. I hate feeling limited in my clothes that I am comfortable wearing. I want to wear the trendy, cute items. So, I have joined Planet Fitness and I am also trying to be more aware of what I am eating, what I give my kiddos to eat, and how much water I drink. I follow other moms who have lost crazy amounts of weight and realize there is NO REASON why I can't do it too. That being said, my first goal is to loose 25 pounds by June 1. I want to be at least 50 pounds lighter by the time another baby comes into our lives. A dear friend has started a support group on facebook and it's been so encouraging to hear how others are DOING IT. Making a change, eating well, seeing differences in their bodies. I really do need to take some dreaded before photos, and measurements, so I can see where I was and how far I have come. (Note to self. Add that to the To Do list!)

Black sparkly headband

In all this chaos, I still make time for yarn. Love my yarn time. A chance for me to relax and unwind.. I seem to be on a bit of an animal streak -- snake scarf, monkey hat, frog hat.. I just realized that! HA!! But, I've also made headbands, fingerless mittens, and working on a blanket for Landon. And, yes, that blanket may end up being huge because IT'S THAT SOFT AND I WANT IT! We'll see. It may happen. 

Snake scarf

Monkey hat.

Gloves I almost kept for myself! :)

Gray headband with flower pin

So, here's what's going on...

1. We are planning to move. We are planning to make a move about 30 minutes away from our current location. It will be closer to my husband's job. I feel weird putting we are moving to THIS town on my blog.. so if you really want to know, email me. 
2. Our home has signage, a listing, and ready to be viewed by potential buyers. It's weird seeing our home with photos of our stuff for others to see. I know it's a good thing for us as a family, but it's been an emotional week for me. I feel like the sign in our front yard is staring at me. If you know someone looking for a home, let me know. It may be a match!
3. I have picked up a part time job. I'm a barista. Never thought I would say those words!!! It's been an experience learning how to use an espresso machine, but I may have to buy one now. Slightly addicted to it. That may go on my Christmas list this year. Or, I'll put back money and buy it for myself.
4. We have found a home we L-O-V-E. It's in a new development, price is negotiable, and it has a lot of what we would want or need to have the potential to stay as our kiddos grow up. We could see ourselves there. And it felt like home. Very similar feeling we got when we saw our current home almost 10 years ago.
5. And now, we wait. We are, who am I kidding, SHANNON, is talking to lenders about a loan. I'm waiting to get the call about potential buyers and scoop up everyone and get out for a bit. In my spare time (I know, laugh. Spare time, what's that?) I am trying to finish up our painting, and box up the items we probably won't be using the next couple of months. Granted, some of those items may be getting boxed up and going to GoodWill, but it's going to be a process. 

This has been an emotional change for us. This home is where Shannon and I started our marriage, became a family, and then grew as a family. We really do love it here, but we both feel like it's the right thing to do for our family.