I love Jay

I have a lot of catching up to do on the blog, but we are mostly unpacked and finally got the computer hooked up, so stay tuned. I also have some great pictures to share taken by the fabulous Katie Meehan during our last few hours in Winter Garden. This is one of them!

Couldn't let today go by without making a quick post to wish Jay a Happy Anniversary! Who knew that 11 years later we would be back in Anderson, and I would be dropping Brooks off at pre-school in the same church that we got married. We have come full circle. I wouldn't change a thing about the past 11 years and am more thankful each and every day for the wonderful husband that God has blessed me with.

We are here!

We are officiallly residents of Anderson, SC now! Miles hasn't completely accepted this fact because he continues to ask to go "home" even though we are home. At times when we pull in the driveway to our new house he starts crying and saying "no, mommy - home!". I hope he figures it out soon!
Elle had a great first week of school! She loves her teacher and has already made some friends. We are so proud of her and the way she has handled the transition!
Brooks and Elle started soccer this week. What better way to jump right in and meet friends! Their first game is tonight, and I hope to get some good pictures.
Brooks and I hope to visit some preschool classrooms later this week and make a decision as to where he will finish out the school year. I also have a job interview the first of next week to nail down work plans for myself and will then decide where the best place for Miles will be. Everything is falling into place and we couldn't be happier with our new home! Still lots to do, but so exciting! I will share some pictures of the house as soon as we can see around the boxes.
Stay tuned...

Happy Birthday Miles!

I can't believe that our "baby" turned 2 today! Times certainly flies. Miles is such a joy. I am counting my blessings (all three of them) today! Happy Birthday Miles!

Pony Rides

One of the kids' favorite things to do is to go to Fort Wilderness at Disney and ride the ponies. So, we decided to take advantage of Disney while we can and spent a day riding ponies and the monorail through the Disney resorts. Who needs to go into the parks for fun? Thankfully my kids are easily entertained for free outside of Disney! Here are a few shots from our day.

Goodbyes

I hate saying Goodbye!! And this has been the longest drawn out goodbye ever. I wouldn't change it for the world, but man has it been hard. First, we had a wonderful going away party for Jay with some of our closest friends last Friday night. Jay left for Anderson early Sunday morning, so we said more goodbyes. Last night some of my oldest (meaning I have known them the longest, not old!) friends in Orlando had a going away party for me at another friend's house. More goodbyes... This Friday will be my last day of work - more goodbyes. And the next week will be the last of everything else. We close on our house on the 18th and head to South Carolina. Don't get me wrong...I really am excited about the move and know that it is the right decision, but it doesn't make the goodbyes any easier! The picture above is a group of ladies that I met shortly after we moved to Orlando. Elle was 2, and I was pregnant with Brooks. We used to get together with the kids at least a couple of times a week. As the kids got older and then started school, we saw each other less but have always gotten together once a month for a "Mom's Night Out". This was my last, but I will definitely look forward to visiting often!

Where's Miles??

Miles has a very strange habit of putting his blanket (aka his "night night") completely over his head when napping in the car. He has done it as long as I can remember. I guess it's his way of blocking out the other four of us and getting some peace and quiet. I have snapped some pictures with my phone over the past year on road trips and was just laughing as I scrolled through them. Thought I would share...

A glimpse at what we've been up to...

2011 Blog Revival

For those of you who are still checking this blog occasionally for updates (if there are any left), I am happy to announce that I am back!!! I have allowed myself to get distracted with the craziness of our daily life this past year and have been terrible (understatement, I know!) about updating the blog. I can't make up for lost time, but I can vow from here on out to do my very best to make a post at least weekly....baby steps! I hope you'll give me a chance to redeem myself!

Important things to know about us:

Miles - almost 2 and the life of the party. He is a bundle of joy and has a temper (I mean...determination) that will either serve him well or get him in lots of trouble. That is yet to be determined. He is talking more each day and learning his colors. He loves school and adores his big brother and sister.

Brooks - turned 5 in October and still loves sports. He played soccer and flag football this fall/winter and continues to skateboard. He got to go see Tony Hawk skate at an expo in Orlando not long ago and loved it! Brooks has really excelled in school this year. He is excellent in Math and is probably going to outsmart his Mom in a few years. He will also outgrow me sooner than later. He is almost as tall as Elle and isn't even in Kindergarten yet!

Elle - will be 8 this spring. Where does time go? She asked when she was 5 to go see the Statue of Liberty for her birthday and in a passing comment (with the intention of brushing the idea off) told her that we would do that when she was 8. I never brought it up again. Well....guess who hasn't forgotten!! We will be taking a Mother/Daughter trip to the big apple this year to visit Lady Liberty and the American Girl Store. I am as excited as she is. Elle has taken gymnastics this year and continues to excell is swimming. She is a sweet big sister and a HUGE help! Elle loves second grade and makes us proud each day.

Meg and Jay - Well, in case you haven't heard....we are moving to South Carolina! Jay took a job working for a company that manages the VA Nursing Home in Anderson, SC where my entire family lives. Will will move in February. Despite our LOVE for Winter Garden, our great jobs, and our dear friends...it was an opportunity that we didn't think that we could pass up. We know that it is the right decision for our family at this time. And the Lord is taking care of the details. Amazingly...we have bought a beautiful home in Anderson for a great deal, and managed to sell our house in Florida during the worst housing crisis in history. We are excited about this new chapter and look forward to updating you all along the way.