Finally "home-ish"

Jan 14 2012

We are so amazed that Southeastern has furnished apts that you can rent.  It was so nice to have a place that was familiar to us (because it was in the same complex we lived in while we were here) and just let the kids loose.  

It honestly felt good to step inside Flaherty Farms again.  We have such great memories here, and wonderful friends from this part of our life.  

Luke made himself quite at home even though he was still in utero when we moved away. 

This is what he did while we unpacked part of the car.

Our first meal, Mexican for us, and mac and cheese for the boys.  Then off to bed. 

Our morning started of sunny and dryer weather was near. 

He played a while and then headed to Northwake our body away from body (church). 

Driving Rain

Jan 11 2013 

This is how the day started off.  Pouring rain.  Between trying to help the kids be quiet so Daddy could concentrate, and helping them stay asleep when they napped, I read a little, snacked a little, and talked with my honey.

My snack of choice, Dehydrated okra, and this great book. 

And this is how the drive ended.  An hour to go (for today at least) and it is still raining.  

We had some happy boys when we finally got out of the car and to the hotel.  Noah settled on the couch for some football, and Luke just ran around stretching his legs.  

Knowing we would do another 6 hours tomorrow we headed to the local mall and found this.  

Noah was so happy.  And wanted to ride all night.  

Sweet time

Jan 8- 9 2013

Made some memories before we left as we met our families to have meals.  I was really amazed at how good the boys did while we ate.  Maybe we have turned a corner and we really can sit with others and have a meal and a little conversation. 

Tuesday night we had Mexican.

 Wednesday we had Mazzios. And this was super easy with the boys. 

I just love this pic with Noah's arms around Babu and Grana. 

And this was our last day at home with Mimi.  Watching movies in our Pj's all day long.  While Daddy and Momma packed up the car.  

Christmas Tree Burning

Jan 7 2013

When I married Drew, with all the changes and new traditions you take on in your new extended family.  I looked forward to this one every year with out fail.  David always took the kids out and burned the Christmas tree every year.  

 We have kept it going and this year we shared it with our friends JD, and Tricia, and our boys.  

 This tree was really dead and it didn't take long to go up.  

 Noah hardly took his eyes off of it.  

Last Small Group

Jan 6 2013

Tonight was our last night as official members of this small group.  We love the hearts you see in this picture and they truly take on the obedience to love one another in Christ, bearing burdens, and being the body.  We are blessed to have these wonderful couples in our lives.  

We had such a great time of prayer and time in the Word.  We pray that they will continue on encouraging each other in the faith and considering each other more important than themselves. Sharpening each other, sharing the gospel, and spreading vision, and interceeding for one another.  

So great that our kids get the bonus of having sweet friends.  More to come, but we are missing sweet little Joshua in this pic. 

Date Day

Jan 4 2013

This was the beginning of my sweet almost 24 hour day with my honey.  

Love that he planned the whole thing and surprised me.  

-We went to shop, and he picked me out perfume.

-picked up smoothie king

-headed to shop more at Buffalo Peak

-stopped by the apple store

-dropped our bags off at the hotel and got ready for dinner

-Went to Sombra (a great new mexican place in Madison)

-Dessert at Gigi's cupcakes

-Then to the movies for Parental Guidance (such a funny movie)

-The next morning it was just nice to sit and have breakfast and conversation all while taking a break from shoveling food in little mouths, cleaning up messes, and having the remnants of banana and oatmeal whipped all over my shirt from said breakfast. 

But I sure did miss my boys.  

18 months old

Jan 4 2013

Before we moved on and began our new journey in life, I thought I would finish out taking pics of Luke monthly.  So this will be the last month (at a year and a half) we watch him grow.  

This is my laid back getting slightly more spunky as the weeks go on.  He is pretty rough and learns and mimics everything that brother Noah does (which is scary in itself).

-He is so loving and still loves to cuddle and to rock before bedtime. 

-He is such a talker,  I bet his vocabulary has more than a hundred words.  

-My eater, he is always hungry and can always put down one more "cookie."

-I tend to baby Luke more than I did Noah, but it is just so easy. 

-He has recently become a pretty good car traveler. 

-He loves music and loves to dance.

-He is a pretty good waker upper. Seems to be happy in the mornings.

-Loves to cheese now.

-He loves to read the "bible" (any book he picks up he calls a bible).

-Loves to open and shut doors.

-Loves to play peek a boo.

-Loves "suga."

I love my boys new robes,  the look like little gentlemen.

-Loves to have tickle time.

-Loves bath time, and playing pirates.

-And this will be one of my favorite memories.  Before we finished putting all our stuff in storage and headed to VA, I took 

Christmas with Ali

Jan 3 2013

Our celebrating Christmas with Ali.  We were so glad she was home.

The boys sure did miss Aunt Ali. 

They were so excited to see her and basically drug her around the house playing.  

Luke opening his very own train set.

Noah's pretty much a pro at opening gifts.  

And this was Momma's favorite gift.  

Viola.

Luke loved the mat and all the cars. 

Noah still is enthralled with all the trains. 

New Years Eve

Dec 31 2012

Our New Years Eve was spent with great friends.  Loving sharing in stories and their lives that we have missed out on.  

These guys together means constant conversation.

 And these ladies have more in common with me, and live stage than most at this point.  They are a wealth of knowledge.  Loved my time with them.  

And yes we are all old and tired. We left around 11:00 o'clock and where in bed before 12:00.

Uncle J's send off

Dec 30 2012

So at the moment I type this Jeremy should have landed on the other side of the world.  He is off on a 6 week of so excursion/school trip.  I was a little sad knowing this was the last time I would see him until he comes to visit us once we move but know our world traveling family would be just fine and relish the next time we do meet.  

The boys have had such a fun time playing and getting time with their Uncle.  

J and Mom and Dad.

Here is Luke snuggling with his uncle J. 

The boys "helping" Grana cook lunch.

And the rest of these are pics of my boys and J since he has been home.  

RACK

Dec 28 2012

The garbage run after Christmas came around on the rainiest and coldest day.  So Grana let Noah help give the Waste Management workers hot chocolate and homemade Christmas Candy. 

His first R-random A-act of C-Christmas K-kindness.

He was so excited and to thank him, they blew the horn on the truck.  He just laughed and laughed.  I loved seeing Noah learn to think of others.  Thanks Grana.