Where does the time go?

I have thought about this year for a long time now. You know, the year when all your children are in school and there are several hours a week where you are childless. Well, let me tell you, it is not at all what I thought it would be. I imagined myself accomplishing so much more than I have in these last few months. I imagined that by now, the fifth month of having alone time in my own house, that Katie's first year scrapbook would be done, every room and every closest would be organized, every picture would be hung, more posts would be posted on my blog, and possibly, the couch would have been laid on and a novel started and finished in one day. None of that has exactly happened. In fact, I think I have blogged less this year than any other year! My days with the girls in school seemed to be filled with errands and more errands and laundry and cleaning and more laundry. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy going to the grocery store alone. And I also enjoy running in and out of a store without having to unbuckle and buckle someone else. My house is getting cleaned quicker and more often than ever before. And I am not singing the Dora theme song while I clean. I am actually cleaning to the sounds of my choice! But it is so different....it doesn't feel or sound right. How and when did I get here? This morning, Katie buttoned and zipped her jeans all by herself. And this was not the first day....she's actually been doing that for a while now. How come it seems like so long ago that I have changed a diaper, tried to figure out what my child was trying to tell me, dealt with tantrums or looked frantically for that pacifier? All of my children speak in complete sentences. They dress themselves.  They tell me what is wrong or what hurts. They spend time in their rooms playing by themselves. And they go to school.....all of them! Where does the time go? How did I get here so quickly? I  miss my babies!

Happy New Year!

(Alli and her BFF Paige)

Here's to a new year filled with good health, happiness.........and more blogging!!

Happy Birthday Tori!

It is hard to believe that my second baby girl is FIVE! My-Oh-My time flies when you have kids!

Tori celebrated her birthday last weekend with her friends at The Little Gym. It was a great party. She had tons of fun playing with old and new friends.

Tori's sisters surprised her with her very own fish. Alli had been saying for the last couple of months that she wanted to get Tori a fish for her birthday. She picked out a beautiful red Beta for her sister. Katie wasn't let in on the process until right before we gave it to Tori. She is horrible at keeping a secret!

 

We surprised Tori with an American Girl doll. She was so excited to get her very first AG doll!

Victoria Grace- Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl!

A Morning Surprise

This morning we woke up to snow! I'm so glad we had time to get out in it before Alli had to be in school. And I'm so glad I held on to those snow boots!

What a great way to start off our day!

Back to Blogging

After being in our new home now for about three weeks, I am finally feeling pretty settled! Every box in the house has been unpacked and closets are now getting organized. The garage will get unpacked this weekend and all will be done!

I have to admit, I LOVE being here! Pete says I am on a Texas high! It just feels really good to be here. Familiarity is comforting and makes me happy! The first week we were here, I think we ate Mexican food at least four times. And the girls have already had more than enough Chic-fil-A.

The girls are in full swing of things at school. Alli has her first field trip this week. And Tori and Katie have a preschool Thanksgiving show next week.

Halloween was a lot of fun. We met up with some neighbors and ran into a few 2nd grade girls that Alli had already met. She was in her happy place!

Last week we celebrated my 35th birthday.......now that just sounds weird! Thirty five!

 

Alli's second first day of second grade. (And there is that Texas flag! I love it!)

Tori and Katie (not wanting her picture taken) before school on School Spirit Day.

 

My little Butterfly, Cheetah Girl, and Judy Jetson.

 

 

 

On my birthday with my girlies and

my awesome husband!

The Count Down

In just six days we will be making our way down to Texas for good. We will be leaving New Jersey, the place we have called home for the last two years. It has been a lot of fun for the whole family. We came here with the attitude of it being a big family adventure. And what a great adventure it was! We have experienced many things, things that we would not have done living in Texas. I look back on the past two years and am very thankful for our time here. I have always wanted to live in a state where I could experience seasons. I thought it would happen after college, before marriage or before kids, but it was so much better this way. I love that my girls will have memories of snow (maybe only through pictures for Katie). I love that we saw a bear walk through our front yard! (and I say love because we are all safe inside looking out the window!) I love that the girls have seen the trees turn from green to red, orange and yellow. And that they got to burry themselves in the leaves when they fell from the trees. And I love that we were able to drive to very cool places like New York City, West Point, Philadelphia and  Washington DC.

Though I love that we were able to enjoy all of these things, I never felt at home here. Things are just different....it is hard to explain. Maybe it is an unexplainable feeling. A feeling of home that your insides just yearn for. And for me, the yearning never went away. It is not one of those feelings that left me sad and unable to get from one day to the next. It's just there. Some days it is stronger than others. And some days I barely noticed it, if at all.

People like what they like and they like what they are use to. For example, I recently had a conversation with a woman who visited San Antonio for her sons boot camp graduation. She said she rented a car but gave up trying to drive around because the highways were so confusing. WHAT!?! YOU THINK TEXAS HIGHWAYS ARE CONFUSING? I couldn't believe it. Because I love Texas highways. They are so not confusing! And we have access roads! If you miss your exit, no biggie. Take the next one and turn around. Can you do that in Jersey? Never! Because there are no such things as access roads. Another example, a conversation with another mom. She says, "You mean you put eggs in a tortilla? And it is a what? A breakfast taco? Sounds interesting...." From the look on her face, it looked as if it sounded more disgusting than interesting. But what Texan doesn't love breakfast tacos? I guess I just like what I like because that is what I am use to.

Goodbyes are never easy. Especially when it is, most likely, forever. My hardest goodbyes will be to my closest friends here. They were my saving grace. God just happened to plant the three of us, all new to the area, in the same Bible study small group. They have blessed me tremendously. And have made my life in Jersey all the more better. I will also miss our church. That is probably the place that felt most like home. Even though, I must admit, I wasn't sure what kind of church we would find here. But God Bless Jersey! There are Christians here! (Just Kidding!)

Top 10 things I will miss (not including friends- that is a given!)

1. Fall - it is the most beautiful time of the year here in Jersey. I was so anxious my first Fall here. I spent every morning studying the trees, watching and waiting for the change in colors.
2. Our yard - we have a great big yard with these unbelievably tall trees, these huge rocks for the girls to climb, and the beautiful pond that Pete built. We have wild fruits and veggies that grow in our yard. We have bunnies and chipmunks every where. Dixie is going to be so bored in Texas. She will not have any little critters to torture chase!
3. Proximity - I already mentioned this, but I love that we could drive to such cool places in just a small amount of time.
4. Alli's school - I really like Alli's school. I love that it is so small. There are only 3 classes in each grade level. And she has had wonderful teachers. Her current teacher is throwing her a Goodbye Party! She is so sweet to do that!
5. Gas pumpers - this has been very enjoyable! I haven't had to pump my own gas in over two years!
6. Shoprite - this is my local grocery store. I wont miss the grocery store itself, but I will miss being able to shop from home for just $10 an order! I have been grocery shopping from the comfort of my home for about two years. I never had any problems with my order - it was the best!
7. Our neighborhood - we live in a great little neighborhood. There are 17 homes in the hood and everyone knows everyone. Everyone knows everyone's kids and even their dogs. It has been great.
8. No sales tax - I love not having to pay sales tax on clothes and shoes!
9. Strombolis - I never had a stromboli until I moved to Jersey. I am glad I waited to indulge because I am sure it would not have been as good.
10. Cool summer nights - need I say more? Who doesn't love a cool night after a nice hot day?

Happy October

The Pumpkin Patch

Alli had her class bear, LDC, for the weekend

Oktoberfest with our friends who live right next door.....for the next two weeks

A little German music

Pete joins the band

Face Painting

Bouncy House for our little ones

And Rock Climbing for our big girl

Look at her all the way at the top!

She is so proud- and so were we.

A little dancing with their friends

Katie and her boyfriend

We'll miss our neighbors!