A Little Perspective

I need to preface this post with some events from the past week.  An old co-worker of mine just went through a personal tragedy that has very much changed my perspective.  Her response has been one of great faith and humble acceptance, challenging me to not take this life that God has blessed me with for granted.   

It's made me cling to these two a bit more as well... 

Nana and Papa flew in on Saturday - which was supposed to be our moving weekend. 

Phoebe has a LOT of physical energy that she needs to burn.  Nana got to participate in that exertion firsthand when we got home!  Where's Nana?

Look at Maverick's latest feat!  He's officially sitting - but still a bit top heavy so we have quite a few topples (thus Ryan positioned and ready just in case).

We had this 25 foot trailer parked in our driveway in hopes that we'd be filling it with furniture.  Since it wasn't meant to be, we stacked as many boxes and totes as we could and took them to our second storage unit.  Nana entertained Phoebe and Maverick while we packed the trailer.

I'm not sure how we ended up with both father-in-laws having such great packing skills,

but we sure are lucky! 

Maverick getting some Nana lovin'!

We celebrated our 7th anniversary on Sunday by having Maverick dedicated at church.  Romantic, right?    It was so meaningful to have our church congregation and some of our family affirm our efforts and come alongside us to raise Maverick to know and love the Lord. 

Afterwards we met up with YiaYia and Papou for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  Phoebe gave her little brother his first taste of whipped cream.  Now if he'd only be that eager to eat oatmeal or carrots...

Along with sitting, he's also discovered that he can get his toes in his mouth.

Nana makes a great horsey!

We spent most of our weekend at storage, packing, unpacking, reorganizing and strategically stacking.  I keep saying that when we finally move into a home, it's going to be like Christmas!  We discovered a tote full of Phoebe's old baby toys and she loved showing them off to Maverick.  We got out this gem and it's been a hit with both kiddos!

Since all our silverware, plates, etc. are packed away, we've been eating off of paper plates and using disposable toddler silverware on our "picnic quilt".  We've also been getting Brutus acclimated to living indoors since he'll be moving into the apartment with us.  We took him to the vet and got him groomed last weekend when we still thought we were moving - he weighed in right under 100 lbs.

Monday morning, bright and early.

Papa made the trek to his beloved Long's for some donuts!  Apparently, Phoebe has graduated from donut holes to chocolate Long John's. 

Phoebe loved having the blow-up mattress in the family room.   Why use it as a bed when it could be a trampoline or a slide when propped up against the ottoman!?

Nana hung out with the kids while I attempted to help Papa make our mess into organized chaos.

Phoebe asked Ryan why he tucked his shirt in when he was getting ready for work Monday morning and we tried to explain the whole purpose of a belt, etc.  In the middle of our work day, she stands up, tucks in her shirt and says, "I look just like Daddy!"

Nana got Phoebe to run all over our backyard in an effort to burn some of that boundless energy.

She was such a good listener while Nana gave her instructions on where to run to (trees, fence, mini-barn, etc.).  I love how she crosses her little arms.

Maverick didn't get as much Nana-time as she'd have liked - Phoebe still has quite a hard time sharing attention.  I can't tell you how many times we heard, "Mommy/Daddy, I want you to hold Maverick..."

Isn't it ironic to see Phoebe, in a sundress, playing in the Fall leaves that are covering our street!?  She got to play with MacKenzie after they raked  up a pile of leaves to jump into.

The warm weather we've been having lately is quickly leaving and Fall temps are coming again just in time for us to move. As long as the rain finishes up before Friday, we'll be ok.  We're hoping to close our part at 10:00 Friday morning, have the final walk-thru at 3:00 and then the buyer will sign his part at 4:00.   If all goes according to plan, we will be out of the house 6:00 on Saturday.  Please pray we actually move this weekend - and more than that, please pray for the Jones family - as they adjust to life without Nate.