kindness...

I heard once that a little bit of kindness goes a long way. Some people may think, wow your neighbor brought you some chocolate sauce big deal! Here's the deal...she was in her 80's. I had a very sweet and kind Grandmother in her 80's that could have probably made some killer chocolate sauce. The trouble is that Grams just didn't like to leave the kitchen table. The world was one big scary place and it was much easier to sit at the table and look at it go by from the big window in the kitchen. I thought of how sweet it was that this lady, who has trouble walking, made her way over through tree roots, long grass, my darn cat who protects me by rubbing on stranger's legs. (I suppose he thinks if he makes them feel uncomfortable enough with his advances they will just leave.) She didn't though, she climbed all the brick steps to my front door. What a sweet lady and yes a little kindness has gone a long way. 

I have used the sauce for bribery every evening. We have gotten homework done on time, cleaned our plates and cleared our dishes. All for chocolate sauce.  After the kids go to bed I sit on the couch and warm a little up in a bowl. It is delicious and helps me think about something good, really good for a few minutes. I don't think about how much I miss my sister, my niece and my nephew. I don't think about my sweet friend who is watching her 4 month old's heart slowly fail. I don't think about how hard it is to start all over. Yes there is so many positive things about change and new experiences but gardens do not grow instantly. They need some rain and will experience a few storms and have unwelcome weedy friends. This post is not very sunshine-y. It's my storm cloud this week. Today I'm thankful for chocolate sauce, the courage and strength in people that inspire me and I'm thankful for my children...warts and all.  I will kiss them good night with a renewed gratitude and determination to be the kindness I see all around me.

homemade chocolate sauce from Ruby

Home Sweet Home

 I took advantage of a quiet Sunday evening and captured some images of our new stomping grounds. The first shot of the house is going to be used as my 'before' image. I plan on doing some serious pruning and possibly even some tree cutting. I know we are just leasing this lovely home but the plants are way too over grown. I will channel my inner Edward Scissorhands and it will be awesome. 
The kids are loving the giant, quiet cul de sac. I guess all the other neighbors are older/empty nesters so we have the run of the place. It is a little lonely for me...super missing my neighbors and our Sunday night potlucks. 

 The images of the deck are around the back of the house. If you can tell in one of the photos there is a hot tub. The home owners said they have never used it and we do not plan to either. ewww. She said I could sell it so I'm anxious to get rid of that death trap and re-design that area into an outdoor eating space. Can't wait! I've already purchased some citronella candles.
I had to include a picture of Snowbud. This is one extraordinary cat. He flew all the way across the country with us and so far has not acted like anything is out of the normal. He is back to catching mice and keeping up after Chance. I should have named him "Nanny". He is a good cat.

Our driveway is lined with Crape Myrtle trees. I'm not sure exactly how you spell that...hope I got it right. Anyway, they are so pretty and add so much color to the property. I have two big white ones outside the master bathroom window. It makes the entire room seem so pretty. The shower is a giant glass box which Ellie and I refer to as the 'shower show'. Enter the bathroom at your own risk if you hear the water running. However it is nice to shower with a beautiful view out the window!
What you cannot see in these photos is all the bugs. Holy Crap! It is a bugs paradise. Tate has been collecting all kinds of bug skins/skeletons/etc.

 Bleh.
Ty has been collecting a series of bites all over his body. The poor thing has them all over his neck and face. Ugh. The bugs are HUGE and the spiders are everywhere. I wish cats ate bugs. Maybe we need a pet lizard. Anyway, the silver lining is that the backyard lights up every evening with fireflies. It is magical. I am so glad my kids have gotten to experience this. Fireflies and warm summer nights. I think we will learn to love it...spiders and all.

Chance living the good life now that he is all alone with Mom during the day. Here he is at his choice for lunch. 

Here are the boys peeking through the blinds at Ellie attending her first ballet class at a new studio. I thought this was pretty darn cute. 

Here is Ellie after dance at Tate's baseball practice which took me 45 minutes to find but in actuality is only about 15 minutes from our house. I was in tears but what is new. By the way...he made it. 

So here's the thing...people keep asking me for pictures of North Carolina but so far I really do not have any. Here is what I have so far. ( because this is my life to date) Ellie started at a new ballet school which took some time and lots of driving around on my part. We needed to find a classical ballet school but it seems the style of classical ballet in these parts is quite different than in the NW. After initial reluctance on her part we decided being well versed in all types of ballet was a good thing. 
Tate started playing in the minor league. This is good for Tate. He loves baseball and enjoys the game. On the sidelines his younger brother's are learning about fire ant hills, red dirt... which also makes red mud :( and the necessity for bug spray. 
This next weekend we are planning on packing up the car and heading to the beach. We have gotten some good recommendations for places to see and visit so hopefully more interesting photos will be on their way. Until then, I need to unpack a few boxes in my room and finish painting Ellie's room. I feel bad she is still completely in boxes because we are transforming her room into a yellow and turquoise pre-teen dream. Yes pictures to follow of course! Stay tuned...

So we have gotten a lot done since Friday! My mom helped me get the kitchen and laundry room totally set, so now the house feels like home. I have some walls to paint and rooms to decorate and still plenty of boxes to unpack! One of these days I am going to wake up and realize I'm in a different state and far from home. Right now it all feels pretty normal, there are a lot of trees and kids are still screaming. Thinking I might feel quite different when Mom goes home. Isn't there a saying, Home is where  your mom is??? Wish me luck.

most random house quirk, motion light in the bathroom...Ty yells get me out of here during one of his longer stays! 

First breakfast one our first morning...donuts.

Furniture placement...all crazy at first

Loving these built in's in the office!

A front room is a first for us...this has all changed around now. 

Big Bugs live here! Ellie made a fast friend in the backyard. 

The Big Day - July 8th 2012

Saying good bye to our favorite girls...

Anxiously awaiting the plane ride

 The day finally came to move our physical bodies to Raleigh NC. We watched our belongings leave on a truck, then we watched Rob drive away, mostly we watched all our left overs walk away at the garage sales as we cleaned up the last items in Sherwood for weeks. The  were busy and fun but today was the day! The boys were so excited to ride on an airplane...a first for all three. It almost took away the sting of saying good bye to Georgia...their favorite 3 year old in the "werld". I'm grateful they built such a strong connection that will stay with them forever. We can't wait until the next time we see her.

After 10 hours of flying and 3 stops..We made it at 12AM 

The first visit to our new home for the kids! 

Today we had the entire truck unloaded into the new house and then went school shopping! Thank the Lord for Super Target! I never guessed the kids would be preparing for their first day of school while sleeping at the Hilton Garden Inn. But we did it. Backpacks are packed, kids are sleeping and by the grace of God I will be able to wake them up and have them to school on time. I can't wait to share pictures of them at their new school. I'm so excited for them to make some new friends right away and start feeling normal again. Wakefield Elementary ready or not...here come the Bacon kids.