{day 1}

we made it.
The kids are not sure what to do with themselves with an empty house & not a toy in sight. We sort-a beat the moving truck here.













want the truth?

truth is.... this is exactly what we prayed soo incredibly hard for.
we wanted this. & still do 100%!! But I feel overwhelmed. I feel like a little fish is such a gigantic pond. The city is big & the people seem--well better than me. I know-silly. right?! Adults dont think that way! geesh! Its just the way I feel. I keep reminding myself that come sunday we will meet people at church & the neighbors we have met so far are just as nice as can be with children too. I am not meaning to sound ungrateful, I realize how blessed we are to live in the part of the city that we do, & so darn near the temple too--I get to pass it anytime I go out to the store. I guess what it boils down to for me is---I miss my simple town & my fabulous relationships made there. I am pretty good at being happy anywhere...so I just need to give it time. I know I will have a tear free day soon! Im sure of it!

{Night-night}

{Where is Britt?}

Today we had a birthday bash for Britton & our little buddy Ellis at the Sowby's home. With the movers coming in just 3 days we opted to keep it simple. Taralyn & I thought a pizzaria inspired party would be fun. We had table cloths, pizzas, cupcakes, salads, treats & mustaches. The kids got good & dirty in the yard with griends. I had my camera in tow, but could barely catch my birthday boy in a still moment. he was a busy boy who wouldnt sit still for a second. I felt like I was yelling for him all night. "Britt time for Pizza!" "Britt time to blow out the candles!" "Britt time to open gifts!" "Britt where are you??" Ugh. That boy sure is a sweet heart, but is always on the go go go! I had to spend the earlier part of the day convincing him that he wanted to wait for his "blue birthday" as he calls. We will do a nice blue cake for the big boy when we get to Texas. I blame Thomas the tank engine for Britts obsesion with all things blue!

Our friends trying to look like Italians named Mario...

{Opah & T}

My father has been in North Carolina helping my grandmother care for my grandfather. My mother was there for a bit, now my dad is there, & next week my aunt will fly in to care for him. Since my father was just 4 hours away he drove to Tennessee today to attend Tre's Kindergarten graduation. We rarely see my Dad without my Mom, so we missed her tons, but had the best time with him! The boys made him read every book we own & played checkers. My father was a gigantic help with Madds during the 2 hour long graduation ceremony. We had some good laughs & enjoyed the visit & the cake too!
Im beyond depreszsed that T will be at school all day next year! No more lunches with all my kidd-os during the week. It breaks my heart. People say once they hit 1
st grade you should just say goodbye. Im not ready for that. I love my T.

(My husband is H-O-T-T hott! keep your hands to yourselves ladies! he is all mine!)

{a hard goodbye}

The Whitings have been our friends from the get go here. I was dreading this day, but it was inevitable. We met by the river in Knoxville. Ate outside then took a stroll. Hugged goodbye--oddly enough tearless...until tonight when it hit me.
No more pretty Tamsyn visits. No more cute kailyn smiles (although she did ask me to send her princess cards by mail. & I will!) No more admiring Jovies gorgeous hair.
No more toothy grins from baby Boone. No more funny business like growing rat tails from jeremy. This part is just no fun. We did have a good last night together though. sunburns & all...

{lucky me}

{Fits}

being little can be hard!

{No more pencils...}

Thank goodness for Amanda, she totaly pulled through for me & let me borrow her camera for the day. My new one had not yet arrived...& I was not about to miss T's last day with the cute kids he has been friends with for years. I owe her BIG time!

***********

T's very last day ever at his school was today. His friends all colored him goodbye pictures & his teacher was weepy. It has been a wonderful 3 1/2 years at GCS. They have loved Tre to bits & have taught him how to be a good student & classmate. I can already hear the teachers in Texas raving about how well prtepared T is for 1st grade. I am grateful for the oppurtunity we had to send T to such a fantastic little school.

Because it was the last day, Bryce's father, Jeff, once again brought his old yellow limo out of the garage to drive the kids to Dairy Queen to get cones. Its fun to watch Tre with his buddies. The boys were fighting over who was to stand next to my boy. Pretty funny. (yeah. I brag. sorry!)
After Ice cream cones Tre ditched me & the siblings & went to Bryce's house for a pool party with just Rod. Rod reported that T did not even acknowledge his dad. He was a social kid just having fun with the friends. One mom even told me that her daghter had prayed a week or so ago that Tre would not have to go to Texas. I know Tre will miss the friends he made at school.
























Summer vacation will start of busy, but once we make our way to Texas we hope to slow things down & make the most of each day off from school!