As Fall Arrives

Fall is here... as of tomorrow, officially.

It sure doesn't feel like the fall we're used to.. and that is FINE by us!

We've been enjoying the warm and sunshine and I have not stopped to say "Wow its Hot!" At all.. I remember where we came from.

Samantha had a half day last week, and this is how she wanted to spend the extra time, at the beach of course! Andrew is SOOOO happy when she is with us. When its just him and I, it isn't nearly as much fun as having big sister there too. They come up with all sorts of hilarious games, and they swim together ..Below I think they were jumping off a sand bar and they probably did this 40 times at least.

Even though its still 90 and sunny, I felt the urge to bake.

I used Trader Joe's pumpkin bread mix and turned them into cupcakes and mini pumpkins.

 

These two are already thinking about Halloween time.

Andrew keeps saying he wants to be a Bat or a Ghost.

Samantha wants to be some kind of Monster High girl. The name changes every day.

 

Running has never been more beautiful.

Living on a golf course and running past the open scenery just never gets old. The Carolina pine trees are so pretty and that distinct smell - one I remember the first time I flew here to meet Mathew.. I think of that every time I get a hint of the pine smell.

Pumpkin all things... all day.

 

I tried a new granola recipe and it was pretty good. Since it had the word PUMPKIN in it..thats what really motivated me to make it.. I'll be honest.

Ive come across the cutest beachy coastal thrift stores here, its the thrill of the hunt that draws me in. Ive found so many cute DIY project bases, cute decorations and vintage items on the cheap! And Andrew loves going too... he appreciates the need to browse and take our time

Sunday Funday last weekend at the beach.

It was so calm and relaxing ... and the water was so calm.

Today.... theres a hurricane heading our way, but last weekend it was gorgeous.

I went on baking up a storm in the air conditioning.

I made my FIRST ever pecan pie in mini mason jars

Omg. I had never had a pecan pie ever before this ... and it might be my new favorite pie and favorite way to eat pie. Theres only one more left and Im hoarding it in the fridge for an appropriate time.

 

I've falled up the house a little bit, and now tomorrow being October 1st - I feel like I need to incorporate a lot of Halloween into it

I couldn't resist this adorable garland



It doesnt really feel like fall outside yet... But inside we have the pumpkin and apple candles on rotation, and everything decorated for the harvest 

Life by the Beach



This is our new spot after dinner some nights.

The beach is about 10 minutes away, and if Andrew has napped that day.. we most likely head down for a swim. The ocean has been so so warm, bath water.

 

This one is for sure a water baby.

Born here, she heard the waves while in utero as we would walk this beach nightly right up until I delivered her. She loves jumping over the waves, boogie boarding and just sitting at the foot of the tide. I have trouble getting her to leave some days. 

This one..

The first encounter with a wave tossing him under water was dramatic.

We had to leave the beach that day after he went under.

But every time since then, he gets it.

He goes under and maybe coughs.. salt water in the eyes, and he wipes them clean by himself.

We're getting there.

Big sis and I are always praising him when he gets  thrown under or nearly drowns.. saying "good boy!" haha. He'll get there. 

My nightly runs aren't as sweaty and soggy as I imagined.

The heat really hasn't affected me. Its so quiet and breezy just off the intercoastal where we live. I stumbled across this amazing scene on my run last week and had to stop. It was so beautiful.

We've been exploring our little town, and Samantha and I found a cute little pottery place that I think we might have to go back to soon. I have my mug obsessed eye on this one in the picture below.

I got myself a library card, and the kids and I have been going and checking out movies and books. I got one for myself and was feeling very Carrie Bradshaw the other night while I was laying in bed with my library book - The Skinnytaste Cookbook. - I tell ya.. I am hooked. I love just about every recipe in this cookbook, and I've already made a few and have tomorrow's dinner planned out from it as well. What a great way to try before you buy a cookbook. This library thing is quite practical and cute if I do say so ... 

I don't take the kids to the beach every day.... so last week we did a few fun things.. and I needed go into town to World Market - and we stopped by B&N after. The kids were hooked on the nooks. Santa may have to put two of these on his list this year ...

One more amazing thing about living on the Atlantic, is the opportunity to have this type of colossal shrimp for dinner on any given day. 

I made shrimp and grits with these guys.

 

It was from the Skinnytaste Cookbook (of course) and it was my first time making grits. I tried to convince Sam that grits tastes like mac and cheese... she wasn't buying it...

 



We're finally coming into our little routine after being here a month.

Next week our big girl goes off to school and the routine will change a bit.

No more snoozing in summer days. But its a good thing.

Im afraid she gets a little frayed some days. School will be awesome for her... um, and me too...

One on one time with my lil hunk is the best, and Im looking forward to it. a lot.

 



One Week to Go

In one week from now (evening) we (the kids and I) will have said goodbye to our house, our neighborhood, our village, our lives in the north east. We are going to begin our journey by staying in Ohio for a few days while Daddy and his friend pack up, clean up and close up our house. 

We decided it would be easier to remove the kids... rather than us sleeping on the couches in our last night at the house. 

I've been preparing them here and there. 

This week we did a lot of fun things. Im trying to keep our routine normal. I cant sit in the house and pack boxes and organize while they are around.. Its near impossible most days.

We did some crafts at the park (below) We are constantly outside. I cant get them to come in sometimes. Thats a good sign for moving south.

And during the evenings.. thats when I usually get more packing, and moving done.

We've been at it for a while, so its mostly last minute things that I've been procrastinating doing. 

Samantha is ready and I am so proud of her. She has been totally on board with moving and big changes coming. She came into the kitchen like this, and said "Mom, Im ready to move to North Carolina"... my heart almost melted. She brightens my days and continues to amaze me. And she's gonna be six in 3 days.. 6. Someone hold me.

There's been a little cold front here .. so swimming has been out of the question this week. So instead we have been running errands, picking out some birthday goodies with some of her gift cards she received, and more parks and playdates. 

We started moving boxes and totes into the garage, just so I could feel like I am making some progress, and so we can breathe in here. The truck comes next week, so I am trying to be as ready as we can be. 

We have parties to go to the next two days in a row, and then Sam turns 6 on Sunday so technically another party that day too.. I dont want her to feel slighted, so Im doing all the fancy birthday stuff I normally do every year. She deserves it, my sweet girl.

The days are going by soooo fast and I just hope

 I have enough time to remember to do everything before next week.

So at night I sit here with my cheese tray and my thoughts and document what this crazy wonderful life is like right now. The end result is going to be worth all this weirdness around here. Bare cupboards, walls, empty shelves, almost no toys, all my favorite things packed away, pre-packed wardrobe for the next two weeks plus, eating what we have in the refrigerator, deciding what to keep and what to toss, saying goodbye to friends and family, .... Carolina awaits, and I know we cant wait either.

Lately Round Here

Every time I sit down after the kids are in bed, I have found it so hard to make time to blog.

I'd much rather watch some Sex and the City reruns, or surf pinterest ... or just veg out and not think.

My brain knows that we have a very busy couple weeks ahead, and lately I just feel drained.. and run down.. and nothing happened yet!

Anyways.. I'm making a conscious effort to document life around here so we can look back and not wonder, but know how we did it during these days. 

A few weeks ago Samantha had her zoo field trip which I was happy to be able to go on.

It was the last field trip of the year. 

There are boxes filling half of our dining room. Some are up to the ceiling. 

The walls, shelves, closets and most cabinets are bare..

And there are still so many things to pack.

I've been lighting a lot of candles, drinking coffee and surrounding myself with pretty flowers.

Im anxious to make the house were temporarily renting in NC a home. 

Last weekend I snuck away to Cleveland to see my girls.

We laughed so hard I cried a few times, and almost peed my pants. 

Yeah, those kind of girls ...where you can pick up where you left off... talk about anything with, and never have enough time together. It was just what the doctor ordered.
I love you girls!!!!

Back home too soon, and onto the next order of business. 

 Before we move, Im hosting a 6th Monster High birthday party for Samantha. 

There will hopefully be not a cloud in the sky that day, otherwise we'll be eating pizza and cupcakes around moving boxes on the hardwood floors.. ha!

Thankfully.. with all the daily errands and packing... This guy .. as crazy as he looks is an angel when we shop. And even though this is how we started our Monday this week.. bright and early at 730am.. 

He allows me to even make it to home goods and anthro for my favorite candles..
He stands in line like a little gentleman, and loves watching people and picking out things with me. 

I think this must be me "nesting"? for our southern home?

Samantha had her end of the year Kindergarten program this week.

She and her classmates sang us a few songs, and then they presented a slide show of memories which had me holding back tears. I cant believe first grade is upon us.. wow..

Soooo... Im getting ready for her birthday party this weekend.

I love putting together the little swag bags for the kids

I made homemade lip gloss this week

And I tested out a new cake recipe and technique.

It turned out pretty good... and the colors even stayed this awesome after baking!

I needed to test it out (and eat it) before I serve people, right?

So back to feeling tired... so so tired and I dont know why.

Im taking my Vitamins! I am running... hmmm...

I think my brain is SO incredibly overwhelmed and moving at light speed trying to gather everything for the close of the school year in 3 days, gifts for the teachers and bus drivers, Sam's party and all that comes with it.. including my attempt at a DIY Pinata...& Oh yea.. MOVING! 

I went for a run today and it felt good, but I really had to push myself. It was a hard run.. and it was my usual route.. nothing more challenging about it..

Hopefully when we finally get settled in Carolina I will get my old self and old energy back.

The next few weeks may be hard on everyone, but Im trying to think of the end result. This is what we have been praying for and wishing for, and talking about for years, and dreaming and pleading "please let something happen!" well I can only speak for myself.. ha. 

Anyways.. The kids dont seem to phased by any of  the packing or anything. 

Samantha hasnt really asked a lot of questions. She knows what the plan is, and I think she's pretty excited. She remembers visiting the "beach" and is looking forward to going back and meeting new friends. 

Andrew knows we are moving.. I think. He and I always talk about how we are going to visit Ohio first and our kitty.. and then drive for a long time to move to the beach. He sees boxes everywhere and Im starting to tell him "in a few weeks we're gonna live in a new house!" 

Nothing will prepare them until we are actually in the moment of things. 

And I have no doubt it will be an adjustment for everyone.

Hopefully knowing that we are 1 mile from the ocean will make the transition a little more smooth.

We shall see ...

For Sale and SOLD !!!

Soooo. March was the last time I blogged.

But for good reason. 

We had a ton going on (behind the scenes)

It was stressful, scary, emotionally draining, nerve wracking, prayer-filled, exciting, and many more emotions that I cant think of but there were many more.

Since just after we came to Buffalo nearly 5.5 years ago.. we quickly scheduled a vacation to NC during our second year here. We missed it. We took Sam down in 2010. She loved the beach and we realized we missed it too. 

After Andrew arrived on the scene in 2012... we went back again for a visit in 2013. 

We actually stayed in our old condo complex.. so it was like living there again for a few days.

This time .. coming home ... I remember was hard. Something didnt feel right about leaving and I remember telling Mathew.. I dont think I want to visit again.. Its too hard.. I want to go back.

So we went through two miserable and frigid, neverending winters here... and we tried to ask for a transfer and prayed and prayed something would happen.

There was no hope in sight.. but again.. Its not MY plan... It was GOD's. As soon as I let go and prayed about what we wanted... and REALLY learned how to pray deeply and the right way... things began to happen. It was amazing.

Long story short.. we put our house up for sale May 11th.

It sold after 1 day of showings.

I sought out advice from a friend of mine on staging the house.. 

She pointed me in the right direction and gave me some amazing ideas.

Thank you Lis! 

I really got into it... Made this little arrangement with twine and yarn balls.. 

And a few trips to Homegoods much to my husband's dismay (at the time)... NOT NOW! hahaha

The house was looking amazing.

And thankfully with 2 little ones.. we only had to keep it clean for 1-2 days! 

We had 12 people total after 2 days of viewings .. and we had 4 offers to review that Monday after the weekend was over. My jaw literally dropped as we were reviewing offers and letters from interested buyers.

I quickly reminded my husband that the Homegoods adventures were for a good cause at this point.

So here we are entering June, 

and things have moved very quickly and smoothly so far (fingers crossed)

Its surreal seeing a sold sign on our front lawn.

The dining room is quickly filling up with boxes.. and I'd say about 1/3 of the house is packed.. minus big furniture and some toys.

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I am really trying to be organized and label each box with contents & labels.

But as I posted this picture below on instagram yesterday... I said... I know at the end it will be a big cluster of every last plate, towel, pen, toy and other stuff thrown into boxes as we clear out 

We are super excited and I will write more later as for how the kids are handling the news, where we are going to live and the big move date .. Were about 5-6 weeks away from it...