So I intended to post about our new journey in a new place. We relocated to the low country of SC in July 2013. Then from temp housing to our new home, we have now been settled over a year. A YEAR!! I still cant believe it has been that long. I try to stay in daily, if not weekly contact with our dear friends from the upstate. I think the feeling of holding on to what was familiar and routine, was something that has not made this seem like a whole year has passed. So I am going to try to post some of our high points as I remember them.
We spent our first Christmas in our new home. This year was the first time we have had to travel more than 20 min to our parents homes for the Holidays. That added a new juggling aspect. I have a new found understanding for those who have to travel so far for family and go from one house to another in a short time. It also added the element of strategic planning to figuring out when Santa would come to our home, or would he find us at Grandma's and Grandpa's. After some great in depth thought on the matter. We headed to families home for Christmas Eve. And when we arrived home late on Christmas Day, Santa had stopped by while we were gone.
Let me go back a bit and add in that Santa also came to drop a special package a few weeks earlier. Two beautiful St. Bernard puppies. Yes, mommy and daddy had lost their mind and found our family two... not just one....we needed two SAINT BERNARD puppies. A little boy and a little girl. They came from two different litters, and where a month apart. They where under the tree, Charlie, the boy sitting in the little red rocking chair. And Blue, little bitty thing all the way down in the bottom of the big gift bag under the tree. It was the cutest and funniest sight when our three children walked into the room. They saw Charlie, and had no idea Blue was hiding in a bag until she flipped it over and came out!!!! So of course they joined us on the trip to Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas. They loved the cold in the upstate.
Then, we stayed home this year for New Years. It was a great New Year, and we began it with prayer and asking God to show us the plans he has for us in the Low Country.
I will say, finding a church home has been the hardest part of our journey so far. We are still searching. But I know God has a plan.
We even had for the first time an amazing babysitter, that is amazing with all three of our children. So we have been able to go on dates, doctors appointments, and even take one child at a time out for some one on one time. She is has been a God send and truly a blessing.
All three children finished out school year with amazing rewards and honors. Yes even the 3K baby girl. Summer was one adventure after another. The beach was a main stay for us on many days. Some days we would wait on Daddy to get home and go with us, but not always.
We went with our friends and neighbors to the Waterfront Fireworks on July 4th. Which was full of laughs. What better way to watch the all American Fireworks than in the back of a truck with friends.
Then all three children and I headed to the upstate for some much needed friend time. We spent the week of July 13th in the upstate and attending VBS/VBX at our church family from there. I helped out with Arianna's team and the middle grades group. That is an awesome group of children. The middle grades pastor is tailor made for his calling. I cant think of a better person to be in his position. What God is doing through him for that group of children is a true calling and gift.
We were sad to say goodbye, but we had to get back home and get ready for what was coming. Our family reunion at the end of July!!! For the first time since I was in high school, my dads side of the family was getting together. The best part we where doing a low country boil at our home. Tim worked everyday after work and weekends to build and landscape out our back yard. Built the fire pit which I love very much. It has already seen its share of marshmallows. Then we cleaned and cleaned and organized, and cleaned and organized some more. Then threaten the children to mess it up!! lol No but they stayed outside as much as possible!!!!
July 31st, Family arrives in town. We had an awesome dinner at one of my new favorite restaurants. Page's Okra Grill in Mt. Pleasant. I don't think they make anything bad at that place. It was a great night. All the children(cousins, second cousins, third cousins) sat at one table. And all the adults at the other!!! Just to share what I love that restaurant, I had a hamburger with two crab cakes stacked on it, plus the pimento cheese!!!!
Then we headed to the beach with family. Sand, sea air, salt water, football, and a bit of rain. What more could you ask for. After the earlier part of the day spent on one of the many beaches in the lowcountry, we headed back inland a bit to go crabbing. We have made crabbing a huge hobby of ours since moving here. My Aunt and Uncle from my moms side where also able to come up from Flordia with my grandmother. Aunt and Uncle joined us on the pier for crabbing. My dad, sister, brother in law and our children. Had two nets in the water and it was a slow start, but once we started, we quickly filled up the bucket. Then is was time for dinner. Crabs went on ice for the low country boil the next day.
Saturday was finally here. The day we had worked so hard for. I had the best team of helpers and it couldn't have went better. The food cooked up prefect. With the help of my dad and Uncle, running the boil for me and the fryer outside. Then mom and aunt and grandma who came to set up all the chairs and tables and décor. The yard had been over treated for mosquitoes!! And it worked. Just to share a bit of the menu. Low Country boil, tater tots, fried pickles, cole slaw, crab legs, hot dogs and mac and cheese for children, homemade churned ice cream, and cousin brought these delicious huge cupcakes. After everyone ate, the children had about two hours of entertaining everyone. From singing Frozen, 1 Girl Nation, and Kari Jobe, to clogging, and dancing down the yellow brick road in full Dorthoy costume. All the children(except my shy Hunter) joined in the entertaining. Everyone did an amazing job. I will say that I will brag on my oldest girl. She has a beautiful voice that she doesn't share with the public. And for her great grandmother watching, she sang her heart out to "O The Blood" . With many of us in tears!!! It was a great weekend and I truly enjoyed hosting everyone. I think at total we had 25 people!!
Then moving on into August. We laid back and enjoyed the rest of the summer as much as possible. Spent many days on the beach, and lots of late evening fires roasting marshmallows and dancing on the patio!
Then getting ready and settled in for school started. This year, Hunter is in third grade at school. He has an amazing teacher who was an answer to prayer. And this weeks progress report shows his A's and B's. Arianna is in sixth grade. She is loving the homeschool program this year and is getting more and more independent in her work. She also has a progress report of A's and B's. Wynleah was beyond ready for kindergarten, but in public school, and her November birthday she would have been in 4k. So she is also at home daily and sailing through her Kindergarten program with 100%.
On top of the education going extremely well, Hunter sliced open his baby toe and had to have stiches. Which delayed his first practice at soccer. But he is all healed and soccer is active and going. They won their first game 5-0!!
God also provided myself with the opportunity to coach volleyball!! I am loving every minute of it!! Arianna is playing, and as coaching your own child can present some challenges. It has been great to watch her work hard and progress so well. Our team is currently 2-2 in standings. Looking forward to this weeks games.
Tim is busy at work and learning new machines and cutting up with his employees also. He also took on a second job in sales to help out!
So that pretty much brings me up to date. So lets see how well I do with blogging from here out.
I have two Bible studies that I really enjoy and feel called to do. Both are facebook group based. I home that are a helpful tool to moms, and wives. I also hope it will put the desire in other moms and wives to do the same in their homes, churches, communities. As moms, and wives, God wants us to help each other, prayer with and for each other and share any Godly wisdom and support we can to each other.
Blessed beyond Imagination!!
