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!

Here comes the sun...

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right.-- The Beatles

So much has been going on lately. It's almost too much to take in at once. My sister Anna will be moving with her Josh to Iowa by the end of this month. We are leaving early Monday for Tallahassee we are going to look at apartments Tuesday.... Then we are driving to Mexico Beach. The rates are SUPER CHEAP on this motel I found so... We are going to stay there 3 nights!! I didn't know I was gonna get a vacation out of this trip we were really just planning to go to Tallahassee to look for an apartment. From what I've read there isn't much at Mexico but that's exactly whet we wanted, just a quiet place to enjoy the beach with our family. I'm so excited! I've never even been to Tallahassee actually. I can't wait to see what Jack thinks. He was just 17 months when we went to the beach last time and that was tourist trap crappy Myrtle.

I think the stress of all the change it just wearing me out! I woke up with a migraine yesterday. I haven't had ONE in almost two months which is really good for me. Josh was really sweet about it. I fell back asleep, for two hours and he watched the kiddies. Then I woke up at 1 and still it hadn't let up! So my Mom said she would watch Bella and Jack overnight. Josh drove them over and got me some Advil Migraine which I just started taking a few months ago and so far it really helps!! It was so quiet!! It's just strange to think we will REALLY be on our own,
it's TIME. I can defiantly tell a huge difference in the kids behavior after just spending one night at my Mom's. She pretty much lets them run wild, and they know it's a free for all at Mimi's!! Bella says. "You tell Mimi not to give us candy, and then she gives us even MORE!" Which isn't exactly true but that pretty much sums it up! We are ready to be on our own and have wanted to move for SO long! I think it will really boost my confidence a lot as a Mom to have to do it all myself. If anything my Mom has been way too over involved in the kids lives and it's caused problems. Just because our parenting styles are so COMPLETELY different. And she will also undermined us in front of them which makes Josh livid. But oh well, I know in a few months I'll probably be soooo homesick! But it's time!!! I'm already looking into getting certified as a Doula once we get down there. It's something I wanted for a really long time now. Plus it will put me in touch with other mamas! All good things!!

Graduation Day!!

Well Saturday was Josh's BIG day! Everyone came into town for his graduation. We had lunch with his Mom and mine, and his brother and best friend Derek. Check out the cute cake!


Later on we went out to dinner with Josh's Dad and my Dad and Josh's brother and Derek. It was really great to see everyone and I'm SO proud of him! He's worked so hard! We are making plans to drive down to Tallahassee early next week to try to find an apartment. I think it will really hit me and feel real once we find a place to live. We are going to take the kids and then are going to drive to Mexico Beach and stay for a couple days to make a little mini-vacation out of it. It's gonna be so much fun!! Jack hasn't seen the ocean since he was 17 months and Noah never has! Not that he will remember but I still can't wait!

Also I'm not the only one moving. We found out just yesterday Josh, (My sister's fiance) was offered and really great job in Iowa! Of all places!!They will be moving out there by the end of this month!! Lots of changes going on! I will miss Anna SO much but I know it's a really amazing opportunity for them.