in the sunshine state!

After two days in the car, two nights in motels, and a mini-meltdown we finally made our way to Tallahassee. We drove by our new place to check it out late Monday afternoon. The guy that we were sub-leasing from was still packing up stuff so I knew it wouldn't be totally move in ready. Still, I got nervous when we drove up. We ended up waiting around outside for a few minutes before he showed up. There were mini liquor bottles and trash thrown outside next to the door and aluminum foil taped over the window. Then he let us in... there were huge stains all over the carpet, shot glasses on the kitchen counter and it reeked of smoke. At that point I freaked out and couldn't even really take it in. I thought man we have made A huge mistake! This can't be IT!

I was literally holding back tears and then ended up crying on the drive back to the motel. I spent the next day feeling like my dog had died. It sounds SO selfish and spoiled. I feel embarrassed just thinking about it. But it was just nothing how I had pictured it. then I started thinking about how we have SO much. How lucky we are and how very far we have come. I was already home sick and just SO exhausted from driving. Josh's Mom was so nice she even bought us a new vacuum and took all of us out to eat. Still EVERYONE was on edge and moody and there was lots of family drama. There was all this weird tension that had to do with other things not even related to the move. So it just made the whole mood very weird.. But by the time everyone left Thursday it looked awesome! We got out most of the major stains and aired the place out and the kids loved having a house with stairs and a bathroom that they both can share upstairs.
I really love it now. It's silly how attached you can get to the idea of things. I guess after living out in the middle of nowhere in the country any move is going to be a big adjustment. Also, Josh's Step mom was awesome and made beautiful curtains for Bella's room and downstairs. So sweet of her! We are just a couple minutes from Bella's school. We already took the kids out to play on the playground there. And Bella was so excited. I can't believe my baby will be in school in just two weeks!! We are making the most of the next couple weeks, and are going back to Mexico Beach for a couple days tomorrow!

We also went to Lake Ella, and it was really beautiful. The kids loved all the
turtles.

On another note Noah bug is walking!! He officially took his first steps the day after his first Birthday but just yesterday and today is really on the move!