So Long, Farewell, auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye!

Today, December 30, 2010, is officially the last day we own a "house in the country." And to be honest, I'm relieved. We tried; albeit it was for less than a year but we tried. We are absolutely certain that country-livin' isn't for us. It's a square peg, round hole issue. The critters, the power outages, the ridiculous garbage pick up fees...

Using a power of attorney for Donald, I signed our home away to wonderful new owners. Gary & Julie are going to finish what we started on our project house and probably make it 100x better!

This whole relocation to Florida has happened so quickly. All things have fallen into place so perfectly. It's almost been an out-of-body experience in the sense that I'm not sure I'm really absorbing what all is going on. I'm going through the motions but can't digest it all just yet. I don't know much but I do know that this decision, bathed in much prayer, seems to be confirmed over and over by our gracious God. When my doubts pile up, He gives me yet another reminder that this is indeed His will for our lives.

I have much, much more to blog about this experience and will save that for a time when my thoughts are a bit more collected. At any rate, right now we are mortgage free and lovin' the freedom that comes along with that!

Just the Girls

Most of my nearest and dearest met up for dinner at Marlo's for one last girl's night with me. As usual, we had good food and even better conversation. We knew it was time to go when the server started blowing candles out on the other tables. I think I could have sat and soaked everyone up for hours. I can't imagine when/if I'll ever be able to find such an amazing group of friends. Laura provided the night's entertainment by bringing a box of old pictures & Amanda brought a note I wrote her in elementary school; both tangible evidences of life long friendships that are absolute treasures. I'm sure gonna miss these girls!

Serious, but oh-so-pretty faces

Silly, but STILL oh-so-pretty faces!

Christmas 2010

Happy 4th Birthday Coco!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL

Opening gifts @ Grammy & Namps before the parade

Wow. It doesn't seem possible that our precious December flower is actually turning 4. My 4th birthday is my first real memory. The party at the park, Tinkerbell doll and Strawberry Shortcake big wheel are all such vivid pictures in my mind. It puts the parenting pressure on: anything we do now she may very well remember!! Ha!

Seriously, like I'm sure I will each birthday, I feel like we were bringing her home from the hospital just yesterday. We were prepared to bundle her up but the weather was crazy - 65 degrees and sunny when we came home. This 4th birthday is a lot different. It is FREEZING outside! Crazy Tennessee winter weather makes me happy to be moving to Florida.

Speaking of, Daddy came home from Florida just for the holiday of Coco's birthday. He wouldn't dare miss seeing his girl on her day. His weekend home started the birthday festivities and they didn't stop for a full week: a party at school, the Christmas parade and last but certainly not least the big hoorah at Pump It Up!

Her cute class: Miss Joy's Little Lambs!

Coco sliding with her favorite person, Luke Acree; these 2 could find real trouble together!

Mommy, Coco & Grammy
@ her school party

Coco, this is for you:

At 4 years old you are super smart and have the mouth and attitude to go along with it. We never know what you might say: it may make us laugh or it may land you in time out. You are full of personality and life! Anything with a princess on it is your favorite and you love to play dress up in Momma's shoes. You can't stand to wear pants or tights and prefer to wear just your undies around the house. (Daddy says this has to stop!) Your teacher says you have an innate ability to learn and we pray that we can guide you to grow up according to God's plan. There is never a dull moment when you are around - you are and always will be my precious angel!!

Packing Party!

Amanda, Kate, Sara, Laura, me, Amber

THE MAD PACKERS!

Some very dear friends came over to help me pack tonight. Kate, the ring leader and organizer of the event, asked me if I would be interested in having a packing party. My response was this: "Ordinarily I would insist not, but I'm desperate, so yes!" The amount of boxes and stuff we packed away in just a few short hours was amazing! But, what's even more amazing, is that these precious women, whom I'm lucky enough to call friends, took time away from their families and busy December schedules to show me love. That is amazing and THAT I will never forget.

When I put Coco to bed, she chose a story that I was surprised I had actually never read. It was a Snow White book and it nearly made me cry. The very last page of the story read: "Being a good friend sometimes means letting your friends go...and then having them come back for lots and lots of visits!"

Tiffany does NOT like her picture made so I was so happy she let me take this!

Two minutes earlier, Kress said she wasn't photogenic. I think this is proof to the contrary!

Amber refused to smile; she did give me some less than G rated hand motions after I took this. LOL! I wish I could have caught that Kodak moment!

Is Kate really packing or just catching up on current events?

A Pumpkin and a proud Momma

We gave Coco a book for her 2nd birthday entitled "Different Like Coco." It's a pint-sized version of the biography of Coco Chanel. The book is adorable and I love the moral of the story: always dare to be different. This has been our prayer for Coco ever since. We recognize that she oftentimes does not go with the flow and follow the crowd; this, to us, is a wonderful trait. It is admittedly a difficult personality to guide & instruct but we embrace it all the same. I was reminded of all of this when I went to her Thanksgiving party at school. Each student got to take the pumpkin home he/she had chosen at the Pumpkin Patch back in October. I went to get Coco's from the room and saw a row of beautiful pumpkins! Some really big, some really small, all of them orange...except for one. There was one white pumpkin in the bunch. I asked Miss Joy which was Coco's and she knew exactly what one: the white one. Miss Joy said Coco hunted and searched all over the patch for the perect one. My insides fluttered and I was instantly such a proud momma over this silly little pumpkin!