November was our most bittersweet month of the year, maybe ever. We moved from our first home together after living there for almost 10 years. In this house we have:
-come home from our honeymoon
-adopted 2 fur babies
-accepted and ended job positions
-entertained family and friends
-enjoyed many snow days
-brought home 3 children
-cried
-laughed
-yelled
-prayed
-grown up
It literally took a village for us to grow in the ways we have this past almost 10 years. That very same village showed up for us during this time of transition and it felt seamless! We moved over Thanksgiving break in two parts: one part was moving all our color-coded boxes (hehe) where friends showed up on a Sunday morning and helped us cart them to the new home; the second part was having a moving company move all the "big stuff".
THEN, our family came up and stayed with us over Thanksgiving break to help us manage the children, unpack, set up, hang things on walls, decorate, etc. We went non-stop for about 4 days straight and then all of a sudden, we had a home that was ready! Thank you SO much to everyone that helped. We couldn't have done it without you!!
The volume isn't working on our desktop so I'm not really sure what happens in this video but it looked like a good one to share. Baby Anna!
I'm always a sucker for school pictures...
Look at that sweet and sour patch baby!
My little man
Another Saturday, another Wake Forest Football game
As a part of my job, I get to support and coach kindergarten teachers at 8 different schools. On this day, I got to model some questioning strategies and then a follow-up activity where students illustrated their favorite part and then got in order from beginning to end of the story WITHOUT talking. It was so refreshing for me to be in front of a class again and we had the best time. Thanks, Ms. G!
Another painting class with some kindergarten folks!
A morning at the Children's Museum is a good morning.
These people are like family to us! They were a big help during the move, hosting their house for a babysitter to watch all 5 kids on our moving day. They were one of many friends that carried boxes and loaded up their car to move things to the new home. Then, when it was all said and done, we swung by Lowe's Foods to visit the beer den and grocery shop!
Speaking of family...this family right here will be greatly missed. We have lived next door to the Cloers since we moved to Winston! We have had SO many good memories, been through some tough times, dark times, and lots of snow days in that cul de sac. We got to have one last get together has neighbors but hope to get together soon! Love y'all!
One peek into the new home!
This playground is within walking distance from our new home!
Pepere and Uncle Linton helping to fix something during the move.
We had a Bojangles turkey, some sides family members graciously brought, and ate on paper plates for Thanksgiving Day. We weren't all dolled up, forget to take a family picture, but still snapped a celebratory champagne toast moment. While this Thanksgiving wasn't like others we still felt completely at home and supported from our family. That's what Thanksgiving is all about: family.
Jimmy and I made a big boo boo. We miscommunicated (we're getting pretty good at that) and realized neither of us were going to be able to attend Grace's last performance at her school before she'd be moving to a new school (after Christmas break). We talked through it with her and told her that both mommy and daddy work and that not everyone's parent could be there. I asked her if there was someone else that she'd like to invite and without hesitation she said, "Ms. Katryn!" Katryn is our babysitter of 3 years at this point, of whom we love...she's more like family. I texted Katryn and she was so excited to be able to come. She sent us this picture where she not only showed up for Grace but brought her special flowers. I teared up for sure. There's nothing like someone else loving your child well. Thank you!!
Let's end this episode with a moment of reality. Wesley was crying one afternoon (I've mentioned he's sensitive and that's something I love about him albeit frustrating at times) and when the whole story came out, we realized Grace had started a "tally chart" of which family members annoy her. Yep. Laugh, go ahead. We did, but much later. We are all sinful and try to remember that in moments like this where we, as parents, were so disappointed. It provided a good opportunity to talk about what the bible says about keeping a record of wrongs and why keeping a tally chart like this was so hurtful to someone that loves Grace very much, her little brother.
The days are long but the years are short, right? :) Parenting is refining and I'm trying to learn to embrace all of the moments.
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