If one goes we all go.....

Its almost a week later and I am finally making time to write and remember this morning and it still brings me to tears.  (I am sitting here with a dish towel to my face...imagine)  We told each other the SAME day that we were moving - Dawn to somewhere in Ashburn and us to CT - no matter where we were headed we learned to appreciate every day of being right across the street.  Our signs went up within days of each other.  Neighbors stopped by saying - if one leaves - I guess the other one should too.  

I could not imagine walking out my door without Dawn there.  We were so often the only ones outside with our kids almost every day - through countless snow days (I will never forget the look we would give each other after bundling the kids up with the 14th snow day under our belt....)  She was the first one to friend me - She is SUCH a wonderful friend.  I wish I could stay longer just to be there for her during her house and life transition.  I hate to be the first one to leave.  Never imagined a close friend being so close.

Nick and Aidan were in school together (same class too!) from the moment we started life in Ashburn (at Open Arms).  They were in the same kindergarten class and again in First grade.  I doing think either child really understands how different life will be for both of them next year.  They challenge each other in SO many ways.

Shane and Evan started life in preschool this year at Open Arms.  Dawn and I literally shared it together almost as much as the kids did.

These 3 ladies together surely define that life is better together.  Dawn I knew since the moment I arrive and Megan I recently grew so very close to in such a short period of time.  I am forever certain God deliberately put in her my path - over and over again until we truly became soul sisters.  I love her for so many reasons.

Here is just a of them

I have never seen 2 year olds this close - the greeting that Nony and Drew Dude give each other every time is TRULY heartwarming and I am crushed that I never captured it on video - but it captured my heart.  Dont you just wish that every time you saw your best friend you would go shouting their name and running into their arms - guess we should take a tip or 2 from them - 

o.k. so I guess this is it.

Yup Drew - i hear ya

alright - lets Drive - I had the girl car, Me, Pauli and Josey the fish

Chris had the mini with all the boys, toys and music and movies...  The sign ahead says storms coming...  Boy did they ever.  It lit up the sky as we drove into the night.

we stopped once after 6 hours of driving (hit a bit of holiday traffic)  Chris's cell phone ran out of batteries 45 minute into the trip - makes for great convoy communication!!  By the time I finally signaled to head off the highway it was pouring rain.  Pauli would have rather stayed in the car.

Here are the boys at Taco bell with some of their favorite toys for Megan's bag of tricks.

We made it to CT by 10:30 - the boys were sleeping, it was major lighting and Pauli and I were singing VERY loud in our car - My folks tracked our progress the whole way and welcomed us with open arms and umbrellas on that late night - added bonus - My cousin Matt and his family were there too!!  Instant fun!!

The adventure truly continues.

the week full of 'lasts'

So hear is the crummy yet heartwarming part of moving - the week of lasts - yes I will be back to visit but it will never be this easy or this wonderful again - so time to soak it in and etch it in your brain forever.

I love my gym - Seriously - I love my gym - I could walk to it, the kids loved the kids club and everyone there was super friendly.  This was my chance to teach body pump to my Monday afternoon crew.  I had prizes put together for the ladies that knew me well enough to guess the music (and knock out the most push ups) and Juli and Fritzy took the time to make me feel so treasured with the writings, balloons, and cupcakes - yup - cup cakes - we earned it right?  Megan brought a sports shirt that all the folks signed as well - such a thought for gesture and true treasure.  I was crying before class and cried after, but proud to say I made it though.  I remember joining the gym and seeing the stage and HUGE room wondering if I would ever teach so that folks would like me - guess it was o.k.!

Juli - my boss lady (I call her that) was a great friend and I truly loved her as an instructor as well.  I took her class Tuesday morning and will miss her sarcasm energy and how it made ME feel.

This group of ladies were journey partners that I met through our womens retreat and we have continued to grow and enrich each other in our faith.  For some reason during time with these soulful ladies tear just flow as heartfelt experiences are shared.  I am truly blessed to have them in my life. The sail boat and gift of your friendship is more than I could ever imagine.

An honorary book club night -wish I had more time with these ladies (and more time to read).  We went out for ladies night and did a final stop at half priced margarita's.

So the last walk -

and one final pool night - These boys were in the water for 10 minutes - tops

becuase these clouds came in bringing the lifeguard clearing thunder....  We had to go home and finish our dinner there.

Megan and I left our wonderful husbands with the kids as we strolled out to one more drinks in the driveway with the neighbors - Thank you Dawn, Megan, Johanna, April and Amy - I loved how easy it was to walk out my door and find friends to have a beer or glass of wine with.  The emotions I carried with this week were just incredible.  I am so proud of the life we built and friendships we made over 2 1/2 short years.  I am happy for every moment that I made time or connected with all these wonderful families.

These guys weren't enjoying beer - but just a good time - on top of the air hockey table - love it

A night all together

The Saturday of Red White and Bram - our final Bram party.  Teresa lovingly hosted a beautiful pre-party at her home as keystone farewell to our family.  It was exactly 2 years ago that our family met her family at this very festival evening - the rest is history right?!

Look at these beautiful ladies who touched our lives in so many ways - 

mostly because they had all these boys - seriously, all boys (and 1 girl who was in the bathroom at the time - figures right?) - you will get tired of counting...

lots of this kind of thing going on at a house of boys...

a rootbeer float cheers after I talked way too much about why I love them all (the ladies I mean - ok - the boys too!)

Teresa put so much thought and love into some decoration that I will now treasure.

A Virginia mat and photo of her and I at the 10 miler finish line

Thank you wonderful lady

we had such a wonderful night - this is were I bought breakfast - kind of a flop - I don't recommend it - too authentic Mexican

We were the only ones up in the morning

Party is over and now its time to LOAD THE POD!  I was trying to inspire Chris who was having a slower time waking up - we were paying a few high school kids $100 to move the big stuff.  Gotta make the most of it!

The joys of moving...

Ah the joys of moving - let me count them all......  Such a stress on a relationship and I TOTALLY understand why some folks NEVER do it - I have NO IDEA why we choose to do it so often and never seem to get better at it....

Its Friday night - our POD is here and time to load up - so where does Chris want to start?  With our breakfast table of course...

Of course I would prefer him to put some of this stuff in the POD - 

I lose - got to go upstairs and read the book Wonder (which if you haven't picked it up - do it - a heart warming story of a boy entering 5th grade - it was exactly what I needed to remove myself form the move...thank you Megan!)

Onto packing (see how quickly my attention gets diverted - its a blessing and a curse 

This guy is TRULY amazing.  Here is the empty POD on a Saturday morning - He single handely filled it to 70%! 

Guess where I went - yup, we were the FIRST ones at the pool.  Something about that beautiful blue water undisturbed - thank you lifeguards for opening the doors for us. 

So here is the POD full!!  I even hid a few items in there that Chris thought we needed to 'get rid of' bet you look forward to finding them=)! 

giggle and not so giggle VBS video too

Now that I have you laughing - lets move to the not so funny photo - 

Yup - he is stuck - 

he opted to fall asleep on the way to VBS pick up - 5 minutes  - By the time we made it home he had ZERO interest in sleeping and his disagreeing words made mom nutzo - I went up 10 times hoping to quell his demands - so finally I gave up.  Nick came down 15 minutes later after his quiet time was over and told me Drew's leg was caught - hmmm  maybe that was fueling the crying...  So I went up there with Nick (who couldn't stop laughing at the situation) and tried to pry his leg out (to get more screaming...)  we opted for cooking spray and it came out.  WE finally got him to sleep in time to have to wake him up to teach at the gym...  I got a bit of satisfaction waking him back up - but during the short ride to the gym....

All this togetherness really is grand - 

That night I honestly just prayed for a better solution to the VBS pick up and yes, prayers get answered.  Tuesday morning at 11:30 as i am about to pack up bring Drew to Megan's (as she so wonderfully offered to have him and NOT let him fall asleep in my car)  and grab the boys I get a knock on my door - 

seriously,

 a knock on my door - its Jenny Nyce - 

I girl I am just getting to know who is moving this week too (she gave us the POD idea)  she was going to pick up her son at VBS and since her other 2 boys were home with her father she offer to grab Shane and Nick - Prayers answered with tears in my eyes.  We talked about Nick's family password and he was excited to go home with her.  Her kind gesture truly resonated with me as I was happy to pick her son up the next 2 days when SHE really needed it - thank you god for helping us work that out - 

On the up side - a week at VBS was AWESOME for the boys =)  Marlena does an amazing job of putting together such an memorable week.  The boys LOVED singing the songs and still do..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtrOn1xMpOU

Summer time

Summer time and the living is easy - So easy that when you get banned from keeping your brother up at night you head to the couch - imagine how he felt the next morning???  I moved him back to bed to alleviate the nick ache!!

Nick performed his first solo mission of Sunscreen delivery to Megan - it was super cute watching him head out by himself - but when he got back he told me a few kids offered him a ride (on their bikes)  he said 'no'  test passed!!  Go big guy

This is us headed to the pool - o.k. not the pool, but imagine all these sprinklers waylaying us from the pool??  Can you pick out 3 orange shirts?

This was at the dog park - guess anyone is free to pee here...

Virginia Bucket list items

As the movning date neaers its time to knock some things off our bucket list

1 - A camping trip to Luray caverns

2 - A weekend away with our treasured friends the Wilts

Yeah!

We dressed the boys in Italia swag - which sadly didn't help the team pass their group - bummer of a loss - but we tried...

Here is cabin one with the Leadbetters

Cabin 2 with the Wilts (and a photo bomb from Drew)

The cabins were simple a simple one room design - so with Pauli is was close quarters - Bunk bed for the boys, pack an play for drew and dog bed for Pauli.  No potty - unless you consider nature - which, my boys surely do!

A wonderful first night fire - 

That night the boys had a truly wonderful time running through the trails chasing after fireflies - nothing additional needed - it was true heart warming joy to just watch them enjoy the evening together - Kerry, Chris, Megan and I were thankful to enjoy an evening together too...

We corralled them back and yes, it was as chaotic as this photo shows...

After a night of cozy sleeping we were thankful when DREW slept past 7 - amazing!!  

We headed out to Luray caverns for some under ground exploration.  Megan and Nolan baled last minute as the possible close quarters and grouchy 2 year old might not be a good combo - after 5 minutes in the car Nolan was snoozing away - smart momma!!  

But in a cave not so far away - Nick LOVED the exploration and took TONS of photos.

After this photo he asked for the camera

he snapped over 100 photos (amen for digital)  here are some of our favorites.

The reflecting pool within the cave.

A stalactite (holding tite to the ceiling)

Can anyone see the dog in this photo?  His head is to the left - 2 legs and a bushy tail

Family photo op

more Nick captured artistry

The had an organ in the cave that made music striking the stalactites with a rubber mallet - creative aye?  Can't say I recognized the tune.

the famous cave 'fried egg'

After our cave dwelling we headed out to Kerry's Alma mater JMU - to let the boys run a bit (always about the running)  than as the rain started we hunker down with some drinks - 

and the soccer game!!  Go Germany!!

on another planet - mini put!  Hole in one - or 10 - but who's counting??

Thanks Wilts for being so adventurous and joining us for a weekend away - it felt so good to be with you guys.  It was an added bonus to be away from all the boxes, packing and responsibility too -