She's 4...

Okay, so it's been a while - again - since I've been here.  It's still crazy living in transition and out of boxes & suitcases.  And it's been a crazy, up & down week.  More than I can go into right here, right now.  My heart is full and heavy at the same time - and I just don't have the mindset to begin to share where I've been the last few days in the midst of tragedy.

But, why I'm here...my little girl is not so little any more.  She's 4!!!  I almost can't believe it - it seems like it was just a few months ago that I was holding her teeny tiny little body in my arms, trying not to break her little legs as I put them into footed sleepers that were meant to fit dolls.  That less-than-5-pound little miracle is now a beautiful, smart, 'big' girl of 4.  Someone pinch me...

I've spent the last few days hugging my kids a little tighter, holding them a little longer, and dropping whatever I'm doing just to love them a little better.  I encourage you to do the same - it shouldn't take tragedy in our lives to make us realize that these are the things that matter.  

Standing in the firm grip of my God-

cv

Sorry mom...

Okay, so it's been more than a month since I've been here.  Since my mom is probably the only one that reads this, I'm sorry mom....

We've been a little preoccupied with the move and our 'adventure' house.  Just to update you - we moved out of the old house with anticipation of what lies ahead, mingled with sadness of leaving a place we loved.  My kids came home from the hospital to that house.  My husband built the swingset in the back yard single-handedly.  We celebrated half of the years we've been married in that house.  We welcomed so many friends and family there....it's weird to think that we might never set foot in that house again.  

I left good good friends in that neighborhood.  I know, they are still good friends no matter where we are, but it was SO easy to run across the street to grab some chocolate chips or children's motrin - and to have the same requested of me.  To watch each other's kids on a whim, and gather in one backyard after the next on summer afternoons as the kids ran around.  

Good memories there.  Great memories.

Now, on to new memories...

The first of which has been the past few weeks in our 'adventure' house!  We are staying in a house that God provided in an amazing way - the thought of staying in a hotel room for a month with all 4 of us sharing a room makes me break out in a sweat.  We are blessed to be staying in an actual house - 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, and a laundry room!  Nicole gets it and thinks it's a fun adventure.  I think Kyle just thinks we're on vacation.  He's a little confused when we head back over to the old neighborhood to play with friends, then have to get back in the car to get 'home'.  We're looking forward to the new house being done and ready for us at the very end of May.

I have a few pictures coming your way as soon as I can load them into the computer - some fun things that we've met and found around this house - it's in an old neighborhood with an awesome yard - which means all kinds of critters.  So stay tuned...

cv