LAST DAY…

• So today is the last day in our home.
• Our perfect little home that has been so good to us. It may have felt small at times, but it was ours.
• We moved in when Mia was 8 months old. We brought Landen home from the hospital to our little home.
• The girls have shared a bedroom for 4 years.
• Landen and Mia both learned to walk here.
• Kalea attended started elementary school here.
• Christian worked at GSK, I worked 2 different jobs at 2 different times, and then finally became a stay at home mom.
• Christian taught the girls how to play kickball in our back yard.
• The kids have played countless hours in our backyard.
• Every Friday was Pizza and Movie night.
• Christian laid our hardwoods, painted every room, laid tile, and worked countless hours in the yard.
• I cooked hundreds (if not thousands) of meals in the kitchen, woke up with sleepless babies, wiped away tears, and gave as many hugs and kisses I could fit in a day… all in this home.
• We’ve celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, 5 Christmas’, and many get-togethers here.

If you can’t tell, we will sorely miss this house. It wasn’t just a house, it was our home. The memories are never lost and a new adventure is about to begin. I have mixed emotions. I am mourning the foundation of stability we have built upon this place for our children. I am mourning the fact that I am moving so far from such dear friends that I cherish and will miss. I am mourning so many things right now. But I am also celebrating. I am celebrating new beginnings and dreams coming true. I am celebrating my amazing husband who has worked so hard for us and now I feel like I can give back to him in a way that is uniquely ours. I am celebrating that we are about to bring a new child in our home, sent directly from heaven. I know she will bring us all a sense of calm and a sense of “family” during this trying time of adjustments. I am celebrating that even though I am leaving my home, that my home is where my children are. Where they bring me the most joy and happiness a person could ever ask for. So even though I am in mourning for this place, I am also celebrating. And I recognize where each and every one of my blessings comes from. And I am thankful.

 

THE OBVIOUS

My good friend Leah asked me the other day, “So what else is going on besides the obvious.” I had to laugh and realize how obvious our topsy turvy lives have become. We have become so consumed with it that it must just look like a whirlwind to everyone else. I figure that I can finally take the time, sit down, and let everyone else partake of this chaos and what’s been going on.

So we put our house on the market back in March. We listed it sort of high,but still lower than the rest of the neighborhood. We got one or two listings. So we lowered it. When we lowered it, a miraculous thing happened, we’d get more showings! Just last weekend we got our first offer. It took some negotiating, but we were both able to be happy with the asking price. Now the real work begins though. We close on July 13th which means we’ll probably have a little “fix it” projects that they’ll want and then of course the moving part. Did I mention that I will be ZERO help lifting couches, tables, chairs, etc because I’m 33 weeks pregnant? My Hercules type strength will be have to be reserved for another time.

We will also be flying out for my brother Lane’s wedding in Utah in the next 2 weeks. I have very adventurous doctors who are ok with me flying out at 35 weeks and flying back at 36 weeks especially since I tend to have my babies early (38-39 weeks). So we will see…. I’m just hoping not to have a Utah baby. OH, and before all this we will be moved out of our house and moved in with my parents new house (yes, they just bought a new house too). When we get back from the Utah festivities we will hopefully be settled (until mid August) and be ready for the new baby…. who, by-the-way, will be named Alana Hazel Simpson. I’m really excited that the kids will have (hopefully) a month to get to know their new little sister before school starts.

I have already enrolled Kalea and Mia into their new school in Chapel Hill. We’re really excited for them to be attending this particular school because it has very high EOG scores and we have heard nothing but good things about Chapel Hill schools. The only downside (for me) is that it starts at 7:40 am. Yes… STARTS at 7:40 am. This is going to KILL ME (especially with a newborn and since I am NOT a morning person). So now the debate… bus or carpool, bus or carpool? We’ll see.

We move into our apartment in mid August…. the exact same day that Lane and Steph are having their wedding reception in NC. I think they hate me. Moving, plus newborn, plus wedding reception may end up in craziness, but we’re used that by now… right? The kids will have to adjust to a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment. 1100 square feet. It’ll be tight but I know we can do it. It’ll only be for 4 years. I’m actually excited about it. It’s a small sacrifice to make for Christian to be able to achieve a dream he’s wanted for years. It’s like a new adventure for us. And lately, everyday has become an adventure with us.

WEDDING TIME!

So as if we weren’t busy enough Lane decides to go and ruin everything with his happiness! Just kidding!! But in case you didn’t know, Lane and his soon to be wife, Steph, will be getting married July 1st and we couldn’t be more excited and happy for them! The kids are especially excited to go out to Utah. They have NO IDEA how long it’s going to take. Kalea even asked if “when we move to Chapel Hill, will be be closer to Utah?” Ummm… technically yes, but not really. Steph and Lane are doing vintage style wedding reception which I know will be absolutely GORGEOUS. We really are so excited to have Steph in our family and are even happier that Lane has found someone who can put up with him. She may not know what she’s getting herself into with this family though. Christian was cracking me up saying he was going to put on his best “redneck” voice and even paint his front tooth black. I think he should wear a pair of overalls without a t-shirt underneath to complete it. And then to really scare them, let them all know he’s going to be a doctor at Doctor School. Be afraid… This should be fun.

~*CONGRATULATIONS LANE AND STEPHANIE*~

MIA’S PRESCHOOL GRADUATION

Mia has been going to Jones Dairy Elementary and taking their Ready To Learn class. This class has been a HEAVEN SENT for her. She has become more confident and less clingy with me. She REALLY loves Ms. Jennifer who takes all of the children under her wing and makes them feel so special. She was able to attend her Kindergarten Readiness class to which showed them the types of things they will be doing in Kindergarten. She loved it and was ready to keep on going. Mia has really grown up before my eyes in so many ways. She is still my “mama’s girl”, but is ready to start school in August and take on a new chapter in her life. We love you Mia!!

{In line with the rest of the Graduates}

{Performing a “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” song they had been practicing}

{Receiving her Certificate and a bag of goodies for graduating!}

{So PROUD of our sweet girl! – Landen was at a friends (he can be a bit of a terror in open spaces and too much freedom)}