Us.

Us.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FC!!

A Letter To My Daughter:

Felicity Catherine, how is it possible that one whole year ago you were born? Because of you, this past year has been so full of wonder, and blessings, and love. God worked a true miracle inside of me when He gave you to us. I do not take that blessing lightly and am humbled at the huge responsibility He has given your father and I as your earthly parents. Never forget how loved you are, my precious daughter. You were perfectly made - just as God desired. God tells us that you are wonderful and you truly are sweet FC!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalms 139:14, NIV

This year we celebrated your birthday a bit differently than I had originally imagined - but it was still perfect. Perfect because you were with us. We love you FC!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!
Lesson Learned: Open the packaging before the gift is given. Sheesh!
 
I'm one today?!?






Don't even think about taking my cake from me!
 
YUMM!


 
 
The balloon was an unintentional gift - sadly, she loves it way more than the musical toys we got for her. HA!



What an Adventure!

April 11, 2013 our adventure to Texas became very real. The packers showed up on our front doorstep in Marietta around 9:30 a.m. and literally took over our home. Thankfully my wonderful mother was there to take FC to a nearby hotel for the day; she needed to be nowhere near all that chaos! Our home was packed in less than 8 hours! My brother, Matt, drove over from Huntsville to be John's traveling buddy and "spotter" for the long 850++ mile drive to Texas. Friday morning we all awoke tired from all the preparation and excitement, but beyond ready to get the trip started. John and Matt hitched the Green Machine to the back of John's U-Haul and loaded up all of our unpackable/unmovable items - including Annie and Murphy. As usual, Murphy was thrilled to be on another road trip and Annie was ready for it to be over!

By the grace of God, all of our issues the cropped up over the two days of packing and loading were fairly resolved by Friday night. Our friends and neighbors stepped in to help me in John's absence several times over the course of the day - I really couldn't have done it without them! Saturday was a bittersweet day spent with my mom and FC. We ate lunch one last time at our favorite French patisserie on the square in Marietta and then headed off to our hotel near the airport. Mom saw FC and I off at the airport early the next morning and then my mommy autopilot kicked in. FC and I seamlessly made it through security (Pretty funny and reassuring to see how quickly people jumped in to help a big pregnant woman and her 11 month old!). We easily navigated our way to our gate. It helps that I have a child who LOVES to people watch. She is my "nosey Nadine" and I just love her to bits. FC had a blast cruising the terminal and saying hello to EVERYONE. She had a fantastic flight - thanks to much prayer, rotating bags of new toys and gadgets, and two big cookies that Mommy managed to make last for over an hour.

We are now trying to get settled into our new life here. We are currently in a very tiny one bedroom apartment (less than 650 square feet) and after a little self-advocating John was able to secure us a 2 bedroom just one street over. Felicity and I both have met our new doctors. Her and I are interviewing a new babysitter for her this week and are having a good time learning the "lay of the land".

Our home in Marietta went to settlement this week (Praise the LORD!) and the process towards home purchase in Texas is moving smoothly. We are schedule to go to settlement the end of May, but won't be moving until June 15 thanks to some unfortunate leasing terms in our agreement with the corporate housing.

Please be praying for us! Pray that my doctor can provide Baby Boy and I with the care that we need. Pray for FC as we move, yet again. I think it will be fine, but I think I am more weary of the transitions than anyone else. Pray for John and I - we are doing well with all the stress, but I also know that our relationship is somewhere the Devil likes to play. Finally, pray for friends! I am hoping to meet with a mommy group at church next week.


Mommy's little helper - She is so much fun these days! And super active....whew!


The cars rode with all of our home goods on the big truck. Kinda wild!

FC had fun following the movers around - and climbing the mountains of moving blankets.

Despite our grossness, I couldn't resist a picture to mark this stage in our adventure - knowing what was happening at this point in the day I am amazed by the genuine smiles on John and I's face.

FC was very concerned about her puppies (or dah's as she calls them).

One of Mommy's little tricks to keep baby content - straws!

Monday, April 8, 2013

As this chapter in our life closes...

Our last month in Georgia has literally passed me by. I have been so busy thanks to frequent home showings, conference calls with moving and relocation associates, chasing after a very active and very mobile 11 month old, and preparing our home for a major move. Most recently John and I took a 10 day trip to Texas to prepare our little family a home in our new state. I found my new OB, toured our temporary living assignment (a tiny 1 bedroom apartment), ate our way through the surrounding towns of Grapevine, Southlake, and Roanoke, and looked for a new home to buy. I wish I could say I completely enjoyed my first trip away from FC, but to be honest...after the second day I was desperate to see her and those sparkling blue eyes. But, there was much to be done - and I think we made great progress.

On the current home front, our house is under contract. Please be praying for the home inspection tomorrow. Perform well dear home!! We have also put down a contract on a home in TX. Buying/selling homes can be very stressful for any family - throw a hormonal pregnant woman into the mix and things are just that much more exciting.

FC is handling all these changes fairly well. I'm curious to see how she'll do while we're in temporary living. Pray for her as well as us. Pray that her mommy and daddy know what she needs to make this transition an easy one. Pray that we'll comfort her when and how she needs comforted, but push her when is necessary as well. John and I have worked together well - but all that stands in front of us can be so overwhelming. I just remind myself in those faithless moments that God ordained this move for us. He has chosen our place and will make the path we need.

So, we'll keep calling this our first Great Adventure as a family. Hopefully I can managed to take enough pictures despite all this activity to accurately capture this time in our life.

I love the story our pictures can tell...

Daddy and FC playing in the rocks just before we left for TX.

Helping Mommy pack!

Snuggling with Nana. So blessed to have family that will care as much for my baby as I do!

My little one loves a tight squeeze - she managed this all by herself.

Despite having TOO much to do at home, Mommy made time for some outdoor fun on the square in Marietta. Oh how we will miss this place!

She climbed in all by herself and was very proud of it!

No artsy photos for Mom. All she wanted to do was pick and eat the flowers.

Then she wandered away as if I were invisible. Ha!

My first Easter.

What do I do with that?!?