Year in Review - Mid Year Edition

January:

• January saw the beginning of the craziness.  We knew we were moving.  We just didn't know where.  The countdown was on and we had about six months to finish everything we needed to finish before Moving Day.  Michael also started an intense travel schedule again in January.  I had only one class for the Spring semester and absolutely no motivation to work on it.

February/ March:

• While Michael was traveling, we received word that our orders had come in.  He had been interviewed by a unit in Florida and it looked as though that would be where we would be heading.  Instead, we ended up going in the opposite direction! Alaska would be our new home for a few years at least. The Overseas Screening was supposed to be completed within ten (10) days of the receipt of orders.  Michael arrived back home ten days after he received the orders so we tried to finish the screening as quickly as we could.  A round of doctor appointments and dentist visits later and we handed everything in.  We were then told that the paperwork was incomplete as it needed signatures on another form in the packet.  I went back to the doctors and the dentist for signatures.  As my doctor was only part time, it ended up being a week before we were able to send the packet back in.  Again we were told it was missing a signature.  (and we were told the forms were self-explanatory - I disagree) Since it was again my doctor who needed to sign, it took almost another week to return the forms.  By this time we were into the middle of March.  

April:

• By the time April rolled around, we were beginning to get concerned about whether or not we were approved to move to Alaska.  We discovered the official approval came on March 29th.  We were going to Alaska!  Almost immediately I began to wonder if we made a mistake or if this was truly where God wanted us.  After all, we'd hit nothing but roadblocks up until this point.  At the end of the month, we began the process of setting up our household goods shipment. 

May:

• I finally finished my class.  It took a lot of work but it was mostly because I was so focused on trying to sort out all the details for the move that I didn't want to waste time on classwork.  I still passed with an 'A', but just barely.
• We took a short trip to Florida to visit family before we moved to Alaska.  It was a sweet time and we really enjoyed being able to see not only Michael's family, but part of my family as well.  We may not be officially related to the McQuearys, but they are officially part of our family. The girls had a great time playing with their cousins and all of us enjoyed celebrating lots of birthdays. 

June:

• June is where things really got interesting.  The girls finished their last week of school while the movers packed and loaded our belongings.  On June 8, we headed out of the Houston area.  I'll be writing more detailed posts about our trip.  Stay tuned for some beautiful scenery!!

Another Birthday!

Mr McQ, who has been a wonderful part of our lives, has a birthday today.  Last time we discussed birthdays, I believe he was turning 47.  Not sure what number it will be today. 

So many of my good childhood memories include the McQs.  From boating to borrowing an absolutely amazing camera to just stopping by to chat.  They have been and continue to be great friends.

I am so blessed to have them as a part of my life AND that my children also know, and love, them as well. 

So, happy birthday Mr McQ and a belated happy birthday to Mrs McQ.  We love you very much!

Of Girls, Grownups, and Get togethers

N decided that Miss E needed to be a present for her birthday! N set the bag up very carefully, filled the bottom with paper and placed Miss E inside. Here Miss E is working her way out of the bag.
N opening her gift from Grammy. Her first question was if she could use the backpack for school. She was disappointed when I told her no.

Miss E dug into her carrot cake. She didn't care much for the icing, but the cake was gone in no time!

Who can resist a face like this one?? I think somebody was ready for CAKE!

Getting in on the action! Just look at that grin!

The kids got to have a water balloon fight because N wanted party games and I only know girly party games... Besides, who doesn't love a good water balloon fight?

The kids did get a little bit wet while I was filling the water balloons. But most of that is from balloons being pitched.

First Day of Kindergarten!! I don't think she was too excited. Now though, she asks me if she can walk to her class all by herself. I let her because I want her to be excited about going instead of having a screaming fit because I want to walk with her.

4th grade already! Where has the time gone?? My baby is 10 and my newborn is 1. She has really enjoyed the school here. Most especially the fact that they do not change classes.

Miss Bri & Miss E before we moved. Miss Bri is a very sweet young lady who loved our children and they loved her back!

Miss Jenny & Miss Jessie. (Jenny is on the right) These 2 are the daughters of my friend Cathy who died in April. These are also 2 special gals!

I hope you have enjoyed these as I wade through the backlog of photos.

3 weeks

The goodbyes begin.

I think I will need LOTS of chocolate to make it through. And maybe an industrial size box of tissues.

Mother's Day

I woke up this morning fighting to stay asleep. Instead, I was feeding Miss E by 6:30 am.

I called my mom and had a nice chat with her before I ate breakfast and went to church.

Today's sermon was on marriage. One comment that stood out from the sermon is that marriage is like a crucible. Michael & I just looked at each other and laughed! We have shared many trying times over the last month with differences on housekeeping and moving among other things.

We came home and ate lunch. Well, I ate lunch, put Miss E to bed, told the other girls they could fix their own food and went to take a nap.

I was awakened moments after laying down by girls with questions. And then a few minutes later by the phone ringing. And then by Michael's phone ringing. And ringing. And ringing. And then by my phone again. At that time, I put the phone on silent and proceeded to drift gently off to sleep again.

Only to be awakened by Miss E screaming to eat again. Eventually I gave up on trying to nap.

Michael & I had agreed that we would go to town today to look for a bicycle for me. But, he finally returned the call from our friend who called and called and called.

Brent & his daughter were in Wilmington and wanted to stop in to see us. They could be here in an hour and a half.

Not too much panic on my part because I have been working to keep the house (at least the living room, dining room & kitchen) neater. I put the girls to work while I fed Miss E and things were done in about 25 minutes. (would have been faster if one young girl had decided to return after she put each item away)

Then came the real moment of panic! Brent likes my sweet tea and I WAS OUT OF TEA BAGS!!! Oh NO!! Not to worry, I had one cup of tea left in the pitcher and if they stayed for dinner, I could send the guys out to get more tea.

Brent & his daughter agreed to stay for a while and the girls have been playing well together. The big boys have also played well together. ;D

We had a pleasant dinner together and plenty of tea.

Now I need to wash Michael's uniform for tomorrow...

Hope your day went how you planned!