Please, where are the other kids?

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I promise, I did not teach her to pose like that (the red outfit). But somehow, I think I would feel better if she had actually learned that from me. Today, we spent part of the day upstairs just playing. The play room has not been assembled into anything that looks like Pottery Barn and I guess probably never will, but it drives me a bit crazy that the toys are just everywhere. The good news is that we know no one, so I don’t have to worry about having my house “put together”. Anyway, we were upstairs and with all the toys out, Megan was occupied for a good hour. Meanwhile, Alyssa was playing dress-up. I couldn’t help but photograph this and I think the picture says enough. I think she is getting bored of just hanging out with me and actually said she is ready for school now. I think they hit an age where they are just better off away from you for several hours a day. I swear we bought this house because the neighborhood was full of kids, but I haven’t met any yet. Megan on the other hand is just content chewing on all Alyssa’s toys.

Other than this silliest we are good. Surprisingly not too lonely yet. I guess it just feels like all our friends are on vacation or something. Soon it will hit that they are not coming back.

Thank you

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Those words really do not do justice to my feelings about my mom and dad moving us to our new home. My dad did everything from painting, to ceiling fans, the fort, installing baby gates, to even watering the grass until our sprinklers are set up. My mom did things like help with the girls, go to the store, cook dinner, point out why the ceiling fans weren’t working, unloading and organizing the kitchen items, and play as much as the girls would allow. I know that many people would have gone with us and helped us move in had we asked. And I wish we could have shared this experience with others too, but there is just something about a girl’s mom helping her get her house in order. It meant so much to me to have the two of them here with us and I know the good-bye may have been harder, but it was worth it. Thank you mom and dad, for loving us, supporting us and taking care of us when we need it. I love you.

Good-byes

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A few of our good-byes

We have had a most of our final good-byes. Though I always heard it is not good-bye with friends but just “see you later.” We have been showered with love and tears over the last few days. While I don’t like good-byes, sometimes you never know what you mean to someone until you see them tear up with that last hug. Thank you to all my dear friends who have loved me, supported me, grieved with me and rejoiced with me. I will miss each of you.

I will offically be offline Tuesday and will reconnect from Spring Hill, TN.

NICU Waiting Room

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This has been 2+ years in the making. After Noah died, April, my sister-in-law, had this idea to create a better space for those who spend so much time in the TCH waiting room. In Noah’s memory, she collected $7,855 to put toward a renovation project for the waiting room. Thanks to April’s perseverance, this room was finally completed.

We had a small unveiling today with our family, some of Terry’s co-workers and even one of Noah’s nurses. It was very special to see so many people paying tribute to Noah.

New chairs were purchased and the room was arranged in a way that allows families to be more comfortable during their time in this room. The best part was that artwork was done by a group of 6th graders to remember Noah’s life. No doubt, our balloon tradition was passed on to them, because the theme of each piece was balloons. It is awesome. I spoke with one of Noah’s head nurses. She was in charge of his care the whole week. I thanked her for being there, thinking that she probably didn’t remember us but was just nice enough to attend when invited. However, she said that she would not have missed it. She remembers Noah, the events of that week, remembers his bedside and caring for him. I am continually amazed at how God touched lives in so many different ways through Noah’s life.

We were given balloons to release when we left, and God used something as simple as that to paint a picture for me. As we released them, the balloons did not drift up in the sky like normal, but climbed up the side of the building. Passing every floor, as if to give each child a sign of hope and peace as they looked out a window. Once they balloons made their way to the very top of the building, they were released from the vacuum and they floated into the sky. Like they covered the building of sick children with love then drifted up to heaven.

If you ever find yourself at Texas Children’s please make your way to the NICU waiting room on the 4th floor and see this room dedicated to our son.

To Abilene

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Alyssa and I went to Abilene for the weekend. I thought it would be fun for us to do it alone and give her and Blakely some good girl time. Some good roadtrip pics of us together would have been nice, but I just got some of the kids. Plus a photo of Alyssa in the back staring at the DVD isn’t that exciting. They had a good weekend together – trampoline-ing, digging in the dirt, princess playing (whatever that is), shopping and every breakfast, lunch, snack, rest time and dinner for 2 days. My girls are so lucky to have cousins that they know and love. I hope that they will always be this connected.

Playing and maybe some packing

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So yesterday it hit me that we are about 2 weeks out. At least 2 weeks before I need to be packed up. We have to be out of the house Aug 1st and the girls and I fly to Nashville the 2nd. Ethan is driving. So I guess I should start some serious packing. But we can still enjoy some playtime too!

Playing

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Some serious housework.

And then playtime

I don’t know what we are supposed to be doing at this point, but we are not doing it. People think we are busy and our lives are getting hectic. Maybe they are supposed to be, but we are ignoring it. Papers are signed and dates are set to move August 1, but other than that we are just playing. We have collected a lot of boxes, does that count? I am sure the following weeks will be busy, but for now we are just enjoying each other.

God’s Timing

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There is really no other way to describe it. Ethan and I left town last Friday with no showings on the house. It had been on the market about a week, but no traffic yet. By the time we landed in Houston on Sunday, we had 6 showings and one full price offer. Full price is the kicker. Who goes in and offers full price from the start? With a contract in hand for a buyer, we called our agent in Nashville and submitted an offer on a house that we had found. Let me say that again, we found a house in one weekend. Just how does that work? Only by the hand of God.

Tonight I sit here. Relieved that this part is over. Contracts are signed and we enter into the pending stage. When Ethan told me the sellers in Nashville had accepted our offer, he commented on my lack of enthusiasm. Truthfully, I guess I didn’t know how to react. I was glad we got the house we both liked, but I guess it was a lot of reality hitting too. We are scheduled to close on both houses by Aug. 2 and probably move the first week of August. Does anyone else feel this is coming quick??