The Next Level

Jillian has become a super swimmer. She absolutely adores swimming and tries so hard with each new skill. Daily after lessons she asks "Did I make it to the next level?" I foresee swim team in her future.

4th of July

We were in town for the actual 4th. Mia chose to participate in the Lenexa Parade with her acrobats studio. She was nervous at first, but ended up doing acrobats down the street. She is a treat.

 We packed all day and had a little dinner. I even made a tablecloth, thank you Pinterest.

It's moving day, it's moving day........

This is a long and crazy post.

August 14, 2002. My first day of in service for my very first teaching job. Brad had asked me to come over to his new house that night to help him clean. He was closing on his 1st house that day. After in service I went over to the new place. When I pulled up he came outside and walked me in.The house was in its' 1978 glory, with a Costco sized package of Bounty paper towels sitting there in the entry way. I can see it clearly. On top of the paper towels was a card with my name on it. I opened it and it was a housing warming card. The words said "Welcome to Your New Home." only the "y" in "your" was crossed out making it say "our." I was confused and even more confused when I look over and Brad is on his knee with a stunning diamond staring up at me. What the???? Long story short, we got engaged in this house and I am going to miss it! Brad is a frugal person, but obviously spent some money that day.

We wanted to move for various reasons, mainly a bit more space, more privacy in our backyard, and some general updates that we didn't want to invest in this house. We have spent a lot of time, money, sweat and tears updating this house to make it ours. It is cozy and us. It sold in less than 48 hours to the first couple who looked at it. The morning of the first showing we stopped at Sonic and I sat there and cried and cried. Why? I knew it was a young, childless couple buying it and I was just so happy for them. If they have half as many wonderful memories as we have had here than they will be so lucky. We got engaged here, came here after our wedding, brought our beautiful babies home here. They both walked their first steps on this carpet (which by the way the new people are tearing out) and swang their little hearts out on our tree swings. We have painted every bit of walls here, redid all the floors, new siding, roof, driveway, landscaping, and it is hard to leave.

About the carpet, I can see Brad with his Spot Shot scrubbing any little stain out of our carpet. "Stace, put more Spot Shot on the grocery list, we are out!" he would yell as he scrubbed. We didn't wear our shoes on the carpet and our girls are well trained machines about food/drink ONLY IN THE KITCHEN!!!! It is white and looks pretty stinkin' good for being 9 years old. Oh well, it is their house now.

The girls aren't really emotional about it, trust me I am handling that for all of us. When asked what they thought about moving Mia said "How will me make the new house smell like our old house?" and Jilli said "I think Mom will bawl her eyes out." Mia is a deep thinker, Jilli is a smarta$#.

We aren't moving far, even my Sonic is still on my route to work. Speaking of Sonic, they provided me with many boxes and even asked if I was still going to come there. I laughed and told them that was the plan.

God has blessed us beyond words with the happy and sad times within the walls of this house. We are lucky. Even though I am awfully sad, I know that we will make many more memories in our new home. We will paint and make it ours. The girls will probably catch a lot of fish in our pond and walk down the staircase in their prom dresses. To comfort Mia I am sure it will eventually start to smell like us. Jilli is right, I will cry.I told Brad that after the movers are gone I want just him and me to come back and walk through it empty. Maybe another diamond? That might be pushing it, but I am sure he can swing another package of paper towels.

The Lake

We have been to the lake several times this summer, the girls and I stayed for 10 days straight in June. I hope to do that each summer with the girls. We hope Brad can stay next year, much more fun with that guy around. We haven't been as much because we are moving and that packing business takes up some time.

 We tried out a new restaraunt which had an old west theme.

 Canoe rides were new this summer.

 Paddle boat and Sea Doo rides with Grandma and Grandpa are always a hit.

 A little tubing and I of course did a lot of suntanning. :)

 Low country boil to celebrate the 4th.

The girls are little lake go getters and enjoy themselves immensely.