Moving On..

Oh my heavens. Moving is not for the faint of heart. This has been the hardest move to date. It has been slow mainly has because of this little lady.

And some to do with it being a house instead of a pea-sized apartment. Either way, it has resulted in about eight days of no internet, little sleep, and us STILL not being moved in.

AHHHH.

Plus, I am still semi-emotionally exhausted from leaving my friends in Little Rock. I am a bundle of joy aren't I? Thankfully there was loads of fun the weekend before the move in the form of Mammaw's birthday party, Steph's baby shower, and Mom's surprise retirement party. Whew. Been trying to keep Amelia entertained while moving--which has required effort from Steph, Mom, Dad, Meme, Pop, and myself. Ross has done most of the work on the house--which will be of no shock to anyone that knows him. Work horse. In his sweet way he tells me taking care of Amelia is just as much work as unloading 573,466 boxes. Pretty close :)

I have no pictures of the festivities above because they are on my laptop, but I will post them soon. Soon is a relative term at this point. We are getting internet at the house today and hopefully moving in and spending the night by this weekend. Can't wait for Amelia to see her new room. This little firecracker will know something is up, ha.

I do have a few swimming and feeding the duck pictures handy...

TRICK

Okay, no shots. Long story, but we didn't get them due to a scheduling error at the doctor. Which means we won't get them until we move. Thanks for the prayers and well-wishes; hold that thought.

I went and heard our associate pastor and his wife speak on Monday night. They shared the journey that they are on as she is battling colon cancer. It was a small group, an intimate setting, and a powerful, truthful testimony. One thing that stood out to me was when Bobby asked, "When was the last time you took your faith out for a walk?" I thought about that phrase all night and on through the week. When was the last time that I prayed for something and believed in God's power? When was the last time that I prayed and felt relief wash over me and just trusted? I usually pray and then ten minutes later am worrying about whatever prayer I just offered up. When I feel convicted about this unbelief, I brush it off and remind myself that this is just how I am. I am a worrier. That's what I do. But, that is not acceptable and I'm done with that feeble excuse. Although the change won't happen overnight, or maybe even within the year, I am going to focus on praying believing or what is the point?

And, on a lighter note...
I watch her like a hawk, but apparently, even hawks have their moments.

Amelia had her last playdate with Owen Monday.
She had her last playdate with Deacon today. Ashley took some cute pictures of us playing today. I was having way too much fun to get out my camera. http://www.babarnard.com/blog/

WAH.

Freezing

Ross had his few days, but back to the kiddo. :)


We went swimming today and the water was frigid. Beyond frigid. I am a wimp, but even to a normal person it would have been quite cold. But, my little water bug loved it.



And loved it.
I put one toe in. This is her "swimming" back to me on the step and finally ready to get out.



Owen got to come by for the afternoon and he was one stylin swimmer.
Here she is on Sunday modeling the dress Aunt Steph made her. She was quite proud of it.She has been very into wearing dresses lately and when you tell her how pretty she is, you get this smug smile. It cracks me up.

Shots tomorrow. We have decided to delay the MMR for a bit longer, but she will get her other 12 month shots. Worried about her of course, but feeling like the timing is good to go ahead and get these and feeling at peace about it. I just hope she doesn't feel yucky afterward.

I wonder...

How it is possible that my mom and dad let Ross and I stay in a motel last night after graduation while they watched Amelia(full night of sleep), I took a huge nap today(two hours), yet, I am still tired tonight? And, cranky. Annoyed, too.

I admit that I never take naps because I wake up so mean. After a big nap I am a beast. But, I shook it off today and played with Amelia after Mom and Dad left and was in a delightful humor as I got ready to watch Survivor. This is where the annoyed part comes in. And although I usually welcome a spirited discussion, if you disagree with me, I don't want to hear it. Russell should have won. Just like he should have won last year. The jury is simply a bunch of babies. If you think he is that mean, vote him out the first chance you get. I do not understand how this group of adults that supposedly have great respect for the game (the game in which you are supposed to OUTWIT others) can then get all moral and not cast a vote for Russell because he is too mean. Seriously? Yes he is mean. But he also gets everyone to do exactly what he says because he is a brilliant game player. At least he got fan favorite, but I was still so mad at the outcome.

I was not happy with the outcome of The Amazing Race either, while I am at it. Grr.

Okay, on to real life. I was thrilled with how graduation went down. We had a brunch that morning and it was just wonderful. Mimi's Cafe had a room for us and it we decorated it and just enjoyed having all the families together.

Ross looked so handsome in his cap, gown, and hood. He said, "I am walking on cloud nine million." So many people sent their congratulations and it is a wonderful feeling to know that so many are proud of my man.
Adam had a dinner after graduation and we were all invited and it was just more food and fellowship---which you can't beat. A wonderful weekend- truly. I cannot believe the four years have come to an end. I am trying my best to look forward to the new chapter, but it is proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Big Things

Oh my at the bigness around here.

#1- Coat Burning. Ross got to burn his short, dorky white coat to make room for his real doctor coat. Yahoo.

#2- Good-Bye Book Club. The girls had a good bye party for me at The House and it was a blast. They gave me a book of poetry that they all signed and we ate and played The Game of Things and laughed and laughed. This group of ladies has been such a blessing to me and we have read so many interesting books. I will greatly miss them. So, Amy, Jamie, Ingrid, Shanna, and Darcy--thanks for all the discussions about literature, life, and love.

#3- Amelia's first babysitter. Ashley, Bryan, and Deacon came over and watched Amelia for Big Thing #4 and I was apprehensive at first. I had no idea how she would do at bedtime without me to rock her to sleep. Well, she did wonderfully. Ashley said she rocked her right to sleep with no fussing and when we came home she was asleep in her Pack N Play. WOW. Thanks to Ashley for the text updates and allowing my family to enjoy Ross's Honor's Ceremony.

#4- Ross's Honors Convocation/Hooding. Ross received his Doctoral Hood tonight and I was so very proud of him. It was quite emotional as I realized that this is it. He has done it. What a man.
#5- Graduation. Tomorrow. The big of the big.

Happy Birthday Gampy

Can't wait to see you tomorrow when you come down!! Thanks for always playing with me and using such funny voices :)
The other day we went and walked the Big Dam Bridge and it was a perfect, beautiful morning. It is a neat trail and Amelia loved waving to all the other walkers. She even tried to say bicycle when we passed several bikers.
It has been great having Ross to do stuff with us every day. I know he loves soaking up this time with Amelia. He had his coat burning last night and said goodbye to his "short, not really a doctor" coat. Tomorrow is his honors convocation hooding and then graduation. WOW.

Well..

Amelia Claire melts my heart. The blonde hair, blue eyes, big pearly whites---it's too much.

Melt.

Things We Will Miss--Part Three

New Life Church Friends
We've met some amazing people here in Little Rock, and three couples that were our small group leaders have become a group that I will miss. Desperately. They had dinner for us last night (yum) at the Barnard's and we had a great time. It was the last time we will all be together here in LR and I just tried to soak it all in. There was baseball, golf, sliding, swinging, and lots of running around.

We tried to get a picture of the kids in order of age. On the slide.. We are geniuses. It was a fun attempt and I will miss these sweet kiddos.

Three Presents

Amelia gave me a beautiful key necklace this morning (check on whimsical necklace!!!!) and I love it. She also gave me a card she colored and Ross gave me a sweet card as well.


Then, at church she had a successful nursery visit. She played with the kids and was not even ready to go when I picked her up. This was a fabulous present and although it was largely to do with Ashley being in the nursery, I was still so proud of her. We even got to pose by the water fountain at church--which she loves. The water was spraying us everywhere, thus the awkward pose of my body.



This pretty much sums us up. Me being crazy and her being intrigued.

The third present was unwelcome and not appreciated, but it was given anyway. I tried not to accept it. Amelia decided that after ten minutes of sleep, her nap was over. Mind you, she almost always sleeps at least two hours. She might not be a great eater or even that great of a sleeper at night, but she does nap. But today, she chose not to do so. The end.

I was really sad this morning on the way to church because this is the FIRST Mother's Day that I haven't been with my mom. Wahhh. We have been driving a lot and have a lot more driving back and forth to do, so Mom said just stay put and she would see me at Ross's graduation. So, I was regretting staying and feeling upset and as I am sitting in church I had this weird experience. I flashed back to a pregnant me sitting in New Life praying for my baby each Sunday that we were there. And I was overcome with emotion to know that I was now sitting in New Life on Mother's Day with a healthy and vibrant fourteen month old. You see, I am never at my Little Rock church on big events because we always go home to be with family. SO, the Lord orchestrated this special moment for me at my own church that I have experienced life changes at. And although I miss my mom today, I am grateful for the tons of time I get to spend with her and I am grateful for my church.



I love you Mom. I know I wasn't the calmest kid and that this mouth has been smart since it was five. BUT, you persisted as the most patient and encouraging person that has ever been in my life and as I am on this journey of motherhood, I am searching for the path that very much resembles yours. One of love and laughter--one of encouraging and extra-miling--one of caring and concern. Thanks to the moon and back.

Things We Will Miss-- Part Two

Target.
I realize Springfield has a Target, but it will take about 20 minutes to get there as opposed to the five it takes now. I realize this does not sound like a big deal-even as I type it- but it is to me. And it is to Buzzy. Today she got these window stick ons from Target at the Dollar Spot. Those genius rows of things for only a dollar. They provided her with quite a bit of fun.

However, in the toddler moment that she has often, she decided to try and eat one of them right in the middle of playing. And that ended that.

Zoo.
Again, Springfield has a zoo and this list is losing its zeal, but let me explain. I will miss our zoo. I will miss the sporadic animal sightings. I will miss the ghetto locale. I will miss the rude ladies who make me throw out my Dr. Pepper only so I can smirk and fish another one out of the diaper bag upon entrance. I will miss this being the first zoo Amelia ever went to. You know--those kind of misses. We went Tuesday and the weather was beautiful.

Our Apartment.
I am happy to own a house and very grateful that we do given our umm current financial situation. But we brought Amelia home here. And since Amelia has a peculiar way of sitting on laps, it is here that Ross has finally mastered the art of reading upside down and I am so proud of him. (given, there are very few words per page, but my soon to be DOCTORATE DEGREE husband, has struggled with this task)
Sapville. Must go re-read my post about being ready to move to Springfield.

Imagine...

Amelia plays pretend a lot of the day. It is getting really fun to play these games with her (sometimes we play them a loooooong time) and while we were at Gammy and Gampy's she was quite fond of this empty baby food jar and measuring spoon. She would stir up the "food."



Then she would feed Malcom and Ally. Apparently they were very hungry because this went on for quite a while.
Then, it hit her that I was probably starving and I ate a ridiculous amount of baby food, as did Amelia. Her personality is so cute, and as much as I would like to say that she is just a mini-me, (not sure why I would wish that on anyone, but you know..) she actually has a lot of Ross-like qualities as well. It is fun to watch her become someone with a preference and someone that tries to make decisions. Actually she has had a preference since she came out of the womb, but that's neither here nor there. I love this last page in one of her bedtime stories:

I love you like the moon loves the stars. I love everything you'll be, and everything you are.

I literally tear up on that page every single time. It is the most precious book.

I also tear up from laughter when I am at a restaurant with Derek and the waiter is not American. Chinese food is the best because he really gets into character, but we ate Mexican last Sunday and it was quite entertaining. A little back-info: Derek always orders in the accent of the waiter or waitress. He can't help it and usually gets embarrassed, but it is so hilarious. Our waiter had a heavy accent and Derek ordered with a heavy accent as well. This photo was right when Derek realized he had done it yet again while asking for a refill.

For Mother's Day I would like a new pair of TOMS, a new necklace of the whimsical sort, a new fabric necklace from Etsy, a new pair of jeans, and/or several new t-shirts and tanktops.

I would even settle for a Sonic giftcard to purchase many Vanilla Dr. Peppers or a trip to the tropics with my husband. This will carry over and become my birthday and Christmas list, so have no fear...you will see it again :)

First Springfield Friends

We went out to eat Mexican on Friday night with Shelby (works at Cox and will be over Ross) his wife Emily (has been beyond sweet to me and made me quite excited to move to Springfield) and their son Asher (so cute and I can't wait for Amelia to meet him). It was a great dinner just to talk about moving and the hospital and workload and fun things for Amelia to do when we get moved in (Emily stays home too and is pregnant with her second).


Then we went to this delicious ice cream shop that was so cute and had the BEST ice cream ever. They paid for our meal and our ice cream and just really blessed us that night--we left with a great feeling about moving. Emily called me the next morning and said Asher woke up asking to meet Amelia that day. She will be mesmerized with his "big boy" ways.

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I have no transition to this story, but it is worth sharing. Amelia Claire finally got to wear her farm boots and walk in the creek with her Pa. I was a nervous wreck as they walked across (and back across and back across) because the water was rushing a little bit, but she acted like it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her.


Oh, and just for kicks, did I mention that we now have these?
Yep, keys to our house. That we own. That's all.

Whew

You've missed me? That's so sweet.

We closed on the house! Its ours--we have the keys--we painted some rooms--we cleaned it top to bottom--we've showed it off---its ours! I am excited and pleased that the closing went so well and I can't wait to get some furniture in it. These last few days have been a blur, but a wonderful blur.

The house excitement aside, Amelia had a blast with all the attention that she received this past week. Thanks to everyone for investing so much time, energy, and love into our daughter. She went to bed early tonight because she was so worn out with all the playing and fun. Now, that in no way will guarantee that she will sleep well, but she did go to bed early. I have a lot more to report, but for now, just some pictures because I am going to bed early too.

More to come. And a special story about this little guy...