We Made It!...

     Well, it's been a while since I've been able to do anything but unpack, but...we made it...and with a little over 4 weeks to spare.  I woke up this morning, and for the first time in months...had nothing hanging over my head...nothing that HAD to get done.  Granted, we still have PLENTY to do, but at least for now, this place is "livable".  I've had a lot of help, and am very grateful for everyone taking time away from their own busy schedules to jump in and help with this monster of a move!  When something like this goes on in your life...ya really find out who you can depend on.  

  Right now, my Lilee Boo is still...    

  It's just me and my...(decaf, that is)...

And with nothing on the schedule...I decided to dust off my camera and snap a few pics of our new 

house. Keep in mind, it's still a work in progress. So don't pay any attention to any boxes you might see 

in the background.

    Rec Room... not finished, but it'll do for now.

   Dining Room...

       Media Room... This will be where I'll be sending the MEN to do whatever it is they do during football season.  You can't see it from this picture but off to the right, there is a "husband insisted, not so fabulous part of the room".  Brian had only one request during this entire process...he wanted to get another flat screen and have a room where he didn't have to share the TV or watch cartoons.  What is it about a man and the TV?  (It's like they puff out their chests like a big giant ape and grunt...insisting on their own space in the house.)  I said, "Fine...but it still has to be pretty.  I'm not into the "man-cave" look."  I think it's kind-of funny that he's forgotten one thing...once Braxton (a.k.a., screaming baby) gets here, there won't be much time for lounging around watching ESPN all day.  (But I think I'll let him figure that out.)

    The media room is Max's favorite room as well.  I guess it really is a "man thing". 

   Master Bedroom... So far, my favorite room in the house.  

No kids, eating, drinking, jumping around or playing.  

Just peace.  

   Ok, Lilee's awake and ready to start the day.  Only time for a few more pics from this weekend.

   

    Back Yard... 

With the deck and yard, there's plenty of room for all the fam to hang out!  

Which is exactly what we did this weekend...

  

    Boys...

    Give 'em a big yard to play in (and a football) = game time!...

    Even the girls wanted in on the action...

    While the big girls relaxed and enjoyed the weather...

    Lilee, Baby E, and Abby having fun...

    Ok, this just isn't fair.  Wanna know how to make a pregnant girl feel like a RHINOSAURUS?

  Put her between two skinny-minnies!

    Gram and Baby E...

    Yes... I know, I know!  Someone should submit this girl's photo to Victoria Secret's Spring Swimwear Edition!

I mean, look at that thing!  And before you ask...YES, I feel like I'm about to pop!  I can no longer squeeeeze my wedding rings onto my finger, and my toes look like little pudgy sausages.  But...only a little over 4 weeks to go.

    On that note...I think I'll wrap this up.  Going to work a little on Baby Braxton's room.  I'll be posting pics of the kids room once there finished.

"Re-purpose"...

Busy, busy, busy...
Too busy to take any pictures, too busy to go outside and play with Lilee, too busy to even cook a decent dinner, too busy to sit down as a family to actually eat dinner...too busy to, well...you get the idea.  All we've done for the past few weeks is pack, plan, and pick out.  (Pick out) that is, stuff for the new house.  I've looked at paint swatches, kids bedroom furniture and bedding, baby bedding,  refrigerators, and all things electronic till I'm blue in the face...and for the first time in my life, I can't make a decision on ANYTHING!
As of right now, we've got until this upcoming Wednesday to be out of our house.  And I think I've gotten myself in a bit of a pickle...
Because I just haaaaaad to have the entire house freshly painted, the painters probably won't be finished by the time we move in.  And because I can't be in a house full of paint fumes, I guess I'll be camping out at Grams house until all the painting is finished.
(*NOTE... A 7 1/2 month pregnant woman should NEVER have to make this many decisions at once!  And to top it all off...I'm supposed to be nesting...not having to making bigger messes while looking at piles and piles of boxes!)
But in saying all that...
...isn't it funny how easy it is to become so distracted, so wrapped up in what you've got going on...that you forget to take time out for what's really important?
...(sigh)...
 Time to "re-purpose"...and re-prioritize, trying not to loose focus of what's most important.  

Baby Braxton's 1st Pics...

Our sweet boy being shy...
trying to cover his face with his foot.

Cute little piggy (aka...foot)

Proud Big Sis!

I got to see his little face just in time.  Right about the time I feel like I might loose my mind because...
...we're closing on our current house and our new house next week, but can't move in until the painters are completely finished, trying to finish up all the packing by this week end, school starting next week, and I think the summer heat is about to make me go into labor. Whew!
These pictures were just enough to make me stop, take a deep breath, and remind myself of what's to come.

The Simple Things...

Somebody help!...

The box bandit is stealing the boxes faster than I can pack stuff in them. With a room full of toys...why are the simplest things the most fun?

Who Needs The Beach To Have Fun?...

So...we decided to cancel our trip to the beach this year.  It just would've been too much trying to get ready to close on the sale of our house along with closing on the new house, packing, etc.  But...we still wanted as close to a vacation as we could get...at least for the kids.  

Brian still took the week off so we could enjoy time together (even in the midst of all the madness)...and with no set plans...we ended up having a blast.  Surprisingly...even without the beach!  

We packed a picnic...

...and the kids looooved it! (why didn't I think of this sooner?)

Hunter...chowin' down

Then played a little baseball...

...and of course, played a little soccer as well.

Got reeeeally hot...and needed a little rest.  Ahhhhhh...

The next day...

Kanawha State Forest

Lilee showing her muscles...

Mama showing her uhhhh...non-muscles.

Awww...my Lilee Boo bringing me flowers.

Daddy and his girl...

Yep...we're all a bunch of goofys!

Of course...Lilee ended up getting the dirtiest of all!

Then a quick stop to pick up some dinner

My Yummy

"Maw and Paw" making sure the maters are ripe.

Lilee's pooped...let's go home

We did a bunch of other stuff as well.  And at the end of the week...Mommy and Daddy were totally wiped out.  Today... Baby Braxton, Lilee and I are taking it easy...and wishing Hunter and Daddy were here with us. 
I did learn one very important lesson this week...
...I learned that just being with the ones that you love...is enough.  Beach or no beach.