Final Days

Our last week there was pretty busy.  Packing up our life and getting ready to start over in a whole new place.

And saying good bye.

These two are only a few days apart.

Aren't they cute?

These two are more than a few days apart, but best friends all the same.

Kindred spirits.  This was a sad good bye indeed.

This had nothing to do with good bye.  This was the last of my countdown chocolates.  Which meant that Blake was coming home to get us and to take us with him.  All together again.

Our awesome babysitter came by.  Bearing gifts, in the form of snacks.  The boys were so excited, they couldn't even smile at the camera.  But, we all loved this sweet babysitter.

And the friends just kept coming.

And coming.

This was Trey's final day at his behavior center (like a preschool and daycare, but with behavior therapy throughout--it was such a great blessing for him and for me).  This is him being his cooperative self for a photo.

And Mr. Jeff.  Trey's behavioral therapist.  I am so grateful for individuals like this and the blessing they are in the lives of children.  Especially when those children are my own.

And that was it.  Then it was time to head off to our new home.

Super Welcome Surprise

My parents had stayed with us for quite a while to help out while Blake was so far away, but eventually, they had to go home and get back to their life.

Fortunately for us, Blake had had enough of being lonely too.  So, he decided to make a quick trip home.  And we decided to keep it a secret from the kids.

It was a most welcome surprise.  He flew in late at night 

So, we made one last trip to the Farmer's Market.  This little lady was pretty happy just to have her daddy around.  And stayed close by his side.

Even when he got to work taking care of the odds and ends that had come up with the home inspection (did I mention we sold the house?  Because we did).

It was hard to say good bye when he had to head back to his new job for the work week, but it was made easier knowing that it would only be one more week until we were all together again--this time for good.

Preschool Graduation

Trey went to a pretty great preschool.  The same that Kayli and Bryce had gone to.  And he got to attend with a couple of his really great friends.

Their graduation program was held at a nearby park.  Naturally, they had to get some playing in first.

They were supposed to be singing songs.  But this is what happens when you're standing next to your best friend while you're supposed to be singing a song.

It was hard to get the whole class to fit in one picture.  I don't know how their teachers handled that many 3-year olds!

Here his cute teachers are.  Usually, I get a pic of my child standing alone with their teachers.  This year, I was not on top of things.

These next few pics just make me happy.

Look how ridiculously stoked they are to be sitting by each other.

I love that smile.

The program itself was pretty dang cute.  As you can imagine a bunch of 3-year olds singing songs would have to be.

Friends and Farewells

So, I had an interesting experience in October that has seriously affected my short-term memory.  And I'm finding it difficult to look at these photos and remember what happened.  So, the next few posts might be a little shorter.

And I'll explain October more when we get there.

What I do know is that we were about to leave behind some awesome friends when we moved.  And we had a party to celebrate.

Oh my goodness, I love these ladies.  I had a rare group of amazing friends.  Aren't they pretty?

I took a few individual close ups.

She's the reason we moved to the North Pole to begin with.  Seriously.  The responsibility is all on her.  And we thank her for it.  For five really fabulous years.

I couldn't get these guys to look at the camera.  But, this little man left behind a couple really good friends, too.

Also excellent at focusing on the camera.

How many people not only have an amazing violin instructor for their children, but are also great friends with them?  I've been so lucky!

This photo just makes me smile.

I miss this face.  And the sweet friend behind it.

This is the best photo I got of Kayli and any of her friends.  Can you find her?

Look at those thighs!

She still has no clue that we've moved or left friends behind.  But she's young enough that she wasn't super attached to any of her friends anyway.

And that's all I remember of the barbecue.

Thanks, Friends, for being such great friends.  For all the fun times, going out to dinner, Girls' weekends, working out together, Movie Nights, letting me cry on your shoulder, laughing until my guts were sore, and taking care of me when I needed it.  I love you and I miss you.  And I'll be forever grateful for you.

Mothers and Stormy Weather

My parents came out to stay with us while Blake was gone for another long stretch at his new job in our new town.

Grandparents are indispensable.

This little man is learning to ride his bike.  With training wheels.  But still!

And April always brings with it some awesome skies, like this one.

Blake sent this for Mother's Day.  Edible Arrangements are seriously some of  my very favorite things in the whole wide world.  This one did not disappoint.

Neither did my cute kids, who had Grandpa help them prepare a breakfast in bed.

And some cute cards.

Aren't I lucky?!

I'm not going to lie--these were pretty tasty.  The cake was lemon, if I remember correctly.  And the raspberries were an excellent companion.

I just love this little face so much.

Speaking of stormy skies...

Mother's Day brought a tornado watch with it.  And this is how we observed it.

We've come a long way in five years.

Random

Things I am so sad to have left behind:

The kids got to do one final violin recital.  Blake even was home for it, awesomely enough.

I got horrible pictures of it.  But, they did great.

And we miss their teacher so incredibly much!!!!

And this best friend.

You can guess how many conversations we have about him, on an on-going basis.  We miss you, Dane!

And this is our peace lily.  I bought it a few months after we moved to Nebraska.  And this is the first, and only, time that it bloomed.  How crazy is that?!  I just had to document it.

More Exhibition of Talent From My Very Talented Children

I'm not going to lie, being a single mom was rough.  I gained so much respect for women who actually are single mothers.

But, we had several good moments, as well.

Such as, the day I walked into the kitchen and found Trey.  Cutting along the dotted lines of his homework very well.

While wearing disguise glasses.  Big nose and all.

I love it.

And then there was the annual Mayor's Run.  They both wanted to run with their own age group.

And with me.

So, I ran a mile with Kayli (after leaving Bryce in the hands of a mother I'd never met, but who was the mother of a boy Bryce said was in his class--desperate times, desperate measures, you know).  And then I sprinted across the field, somewhat relieved to find that Bryce was at the starting line, under the watchful care of the mother.

And then I ran the mile with Bryce.  Relieved to find Kayli at the finish, standing exactly where I left her with repeated commands to stay.

They both did great.  I'm so happy that they enjoy running.  Especially since it is one of my favorite things in the whole world.

Unfortunately, I clearly was struggling with taking this selfie.

But, I did say this post was an exhibition of my children's talents.  Not mine.

The Commencement of A Couple of Really Sad Things

Right at the beginning of April, we got some really exciting/sad/adventurous/scary news.

Blake got a new job.

Two states away.    

Like any pregnant couple, we didn't announce our move until we were safely into the second trimester.                                
           

That included the kids.

Kayli and Bryce were fairly excited about it because it meant being close to grandparents and cousins.  And aunts and uncles, too.

And, honestly, I don't think the reality of this move has yet to fully sink in for Trey.  He has finally stopped talking about 'when we go back to our old house'.  And he did explain to me why his best friend can't move here--because his house isn't old enough yet.  So, maybe he's beginning to get it.

And Lanaya was really irate about the whole thing.  We thought we were going to have to call it all off.

But then she found out she could still wear her favorite boots where we were headed and all was right in the world again.

What does the text of this post have to do with the pictures?

 This was the last time they all got to play at this park together.  Today's pictures featured the game "Monster".  Too complex for me to explain here.  But the kids love it.  Blake and I have also been privileged to enjoy many meals and treats here, comprised exclusively of very local ingredients.  Mostly wood chips, accompanied by the occasional dried leaf.

We once met a family here with four children the same ages as ours, named either the exact same name, or eerily similar.  So weird.

I watched three of my toddlers make sand mountains using their bodies as a retaining wall, resulting in sandy diapers.

Once we saw two turtles heading up the hill and postulated for a while on how/why they had wandered so far from the creek.  And then I think Blake reminded me there was a pond near by.

And one time I saw a guy lean over while pushing his daughter on a swing only to reveal the gun he was packing in his jeans.

We'll miss you, Little Park.

That wasn't the only thing we were about to miss.

No, the answer is not chocolate.

Especially because I didn't even ask a question.

Regardless of questions asked, or not, Blake was the answer.  At my insistence, the kids and I were going to stay behind to finish up school and a specialized behavior program Trey was doing.  While Blake started his new job.  Four weeks before we would join him.

Four weeks to sell a house, pack it up, and coordinate a move.  All while being a single mom and preparing myself to say good bye to so much that I love.

(Since I'm the author of this blog, we're not mentioning Blake being out on his own (although living with a kind and generous brother--he's just not me), starting a new job, meeting a new boss, new coworkers, missing the rest of his family desperately, and having to go to a Nickel Creek Concert.)