Moving day!!!!

Wow! We did it! This morning with the help of a faithful few we loaded up the 16 foot moving van ( it ALL fit, after weeks of me laying in bed at night, imagining all kinds of scenarios in which we stood sadly by most of our furniture as we chose between Christmas ornaments and scooters while our kids cried, et cetera, et cetera...) and cleaned up the apartment in a mere four hours!! It was an answer to many prayers!

The rest of the day was spent at Mom and Dad's, relaxing and trying not to start crying for fear we may never stop. 

Many wonderful people made this last week very special to each one of our family members, and I will always think fondly of this bittersweet time in our lives.

My alarm is set for 4:45 a.m. at which time I will begin my day of driving the van towards our fist stop, the Red Roof Inn in Cleveland. John will follow in the moving van.

Bible School, here we come!!!

Besties

Sigh.

Laurie and I went out tonight to celebrate our friendship, where it's been and where it's going-

We had a wonderful time, with lots of laughter and also a few tears (more tears later when I was driving home, not paying attention, and got pulled over by an unsuspecting police officer when I ran a red light! As soon as he asked what I was doing and I started to tell him I am moving and just had to say good-bye to my best friend, I started BAWLING. Like a baby.)

We started the night at Jared's, where Laurie got a pandora bracelet and we got matching beads, hit the photo booth at the mall which was totally broken so we had to sit on the floor, after which we went to the Olive Garden where we were waited on by one of John's former co-workers, then we wound he evening down by getting some groceries for Laurie's vacation at the only store still open... Walmart.

Laurie is my sister. I love her.

Maddy's day out

My friend Maddy recently turned 13 and for her birthday I wanted to take her to Boston; when Katy turned 13 I took her and four friends to Beantown for the day, I thought Maddy would like it too. Turns out, I was right!! I asked her to take pictures throughout the day so I could dedicate an entire blog post to her first time in the big city. Here's what we ended up with:

He got one!

This morning we went to the West's house - my kids LOVE it there because there is all kinds of fun stuff to do outside. Zach was hoping to find a snake and although Brianna was the one to catch it, Zach was able to spend the morning holding it etc.

Last day of school

It was rather a hectic day, up at 4 a.m. to bring John to the airport for his job hunting trip out to Michigan, then home o get the kids ready for their last day of school, coffee with Laurie and then Rilla and I joining the 3rd grade for a day of fun at one of the teacher's summer home. I did grab a nap later in the day while Rilla did the same; Zach is having his sleepover at Nana and Grandpa's house; took Gabe and Rilla to the park after dinner where they found a nice playmate from Gabe's school. Zero packing accomplished  today. 

Momday

Once again Laurie and I tried diligently to complete at least one conversation (sentence,even!) while our two girls fought with each other, ate,  yelled, ate some more, hit each other, pulled hair, and ate some more. Strangely, they are a million times worse when together, so once Laurie and I can take no more and are having visions of either the beach or only children, we call it a day and look forward to next Monday!

Date night!!

Spent the night in Manchvegas:0). Very romantic!

Moving along

Time marches on as we prepare for our big move; it's hard to tell if I am way ahead of the game, way behind the eight ball, or right on target with all the moving/sorting/throwing away/ packing. I guess only time will tell.

The boys are sleeping at Wash's house, Rilla is at Nana and Bapa's and Katy is sleeping at Julia's house after they head out for a rollicking night of square dancing fun. AND I didn't have to work. All of this adds up to only one thing... Date Night!!

After some chores/projects/and other responsibly spent time! 

Guess what we did today?