Tuesday, July 7, 2015

THE MOVE

I love this picture!
  We count moving as a
blessing and a privilege --but, it
was hard! God does not give you more than
 you can handle.  When your plate is full and
you aren't sure how you will meet deadlines 
and get it all done HE gives you strength,
endurance and help from others. It was 
amazing to have friends and family help
us in the midst of their own busyness.  Jesus
shows himself in a tangible way through others
and that is what carries us through.
He always has it under control!
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT
WITHOUT HIS GUIDANCE  AND
 ALL THE HELP!!
We had planned on staying in our rental home 1 
more year--but, the owners of the home wanted 
to take advantage of the market and sell the
house.  So, they gave us a month's notice before
it went on the market.  It went on the market and
showed 13 times in 5 days before it sold.  
After seeing just 5 houses we found one
that was great for us!  We had a gap
of 2 weeks from the time we had to be
out and the time we could move in....so,
friends and family were SO KIND to open
up their homes and let us in!!
We said goodbye to Grayson Circle and
welcomed the adventure.
 We pulled into the Sulka's driveway and
they had a sign in their garage that said
"Crim Parking Only"
...they seriously were going to park
outside and have us park in the garage!
 The Sulka Family would even put the
Ritz Carlton's customer service to same...
They went over and beyond to make
us feel welcome!
Each night after dinner the kiddos
enjoyed a dance party and jumping in
the bounce house!
 Ethan, Faith, Milla and Emily
 We seriously couldn't believe how they
kept such order and organization in their home
yet had such a laid back atmosphere!
We told them not to worry about food
for us...but Katie said that Jeffery's love language
is "feeding people"...and she was right...
they made us paninis, tacos, hamburgers,
and "to go" cinnamon toast sticks!!!
 Ethan giving Cole some advice
Game Night
Not only did they let us stay...they helped us
move out, helped clean our house, packed 
boxes, let us store things at their house and
helped us move in! 
We left the Sulka's and met the Bastow's
and Kelley's at the pool for some fun.
The Bastows also let us keep a bunch of our
delicate things in their basement for 2 weeks so
they wouldn't get broken in the storage unit
or the POD...which they helped unload and load!
Heather also gave the girls rides to 
Gymnastics and tennis when I was packing.
Next Stop was The Hershey household.  They
were so sweet to open their doors to us on one
of their busiest weeks of the year...the last week
of school.  Derrick was the assistant principal
at a school and was moving schools to be the
Principal next year...and Adrienne was helping
put on a community outreach event that week too!
so, they had a lot going
on...but still they make time and room for us!
They both have hearts to help and give!
Pool Time...
Faith, Milla, Elise and Annie
 Older sisters
 younger sisters
Group Shot!
Crims and Hersheys
we got to enjoy fun meals, strawberries from
the garden, the pool, the fire pit with smores...
 we were sad that we left town before their
annual cornhole tournament.
 Next Stop...The Pepper's home in
Chattanooga!!.....look at that view!!
this is just 2 blocks from their house--
they can see for miles and miles
 "Look! We found a turtle!"
Samuel and Milla
Lily and Faith
Cole
* Mil and Lan*
We ate tons of good food...
Lana is known for her awesome
breakfasts! We get use to cereal
and granola bars--so, her delicious
morning meals are always such a treat!
 The battery died and the older 2
talked the younger 2 into pushing!!
  There are SO many fun things to do at
their house...dirt bikes, tree swing,
soccer goal, fire pit, smores, truck rides,
swimming, just breathing in the fresh
air and the freedom of the land on
the mountain!
 On our way to and from Chattanooga we got
to stop in Cartersville to see my Dad and
Grandma.  Milla and Faith look forward to
the traditions they have there of eating
ice cream with oreos, seeing the cats and dog
and swinging on the neighbor's playset.
My Dad also came over and helped us
move in!
 Next Stop....Aunt Kelli, Uncle Brian and Lydia's!
The visit started off just right with a dance
party and keyboard karaoke....and when you
start off with a bang you must continue every
night!!
 Cousins!! Lydia, Milla, Cole and Faith!
It was fun just to have time to play and
not be in a rush to be anywhere.  We had
lots of time outside...riding bikes, pulling
wagons, playing "school" and going to the pool!
Aunt Kelli was brave enough to watch the
whole bunch while we closed on the house!
 Milla decided to make some artwork for
the men collecting the trash and for the
mail carrier!
 "Cool Cole" before the haircut
 "Clean Cut Cole" after the haircut...still cool :)
Next Stop...Mimi and Papa Ray's house...
They actually let us stay twice during our 
time.  We got to play, watch movies,
go out to eat, looks at lots of old pictures of
Brandon growing up, and the kiddos loved
playing with Brandon and Kelli's old toys. 
They let us do lots of loads or laundry and 
get caught up! Such a help!
 Got to stop by Christian and Becky's
to see baby Lauren!
...one last visit to their house before their big move!

Mom and Cappie so kindly let Hank stay with 
them for 2 weeks.  There was so much moving
around that Hank was happy to go to their
house, the "Bluebird" to relax
It was "Spring Break" for Hank!
He LOVED getting to run and
take lots of walks!
CLOSING
with our sweet
Real Estate Agent
 Madonna Decker...
she took us under her wing
and found us a great house!
 We got to move in!!! Yay!
...but just us for the first week..
no furniture yet
 Not only did Ms. White let us come over
to her house every time the other house
was being shown....she let us eat dinner
at her house many times the week
we weren't able to use our kitchen yet.
Here she is serving up a yummy
Chocolate Eclair dessert!
What a blessing it was to have her as a
neighbor for almost 3 years!
Rather than having Bible Study, Brandon's
small group helped load up the POD...
Chad, Gabe, Brandon, Jeffery and Greg
 Jeffery, Brian and Derrick came over
early on a Saturday morning to help
us move in.  PIANOS are HEAVY!
They said before you tell someone you
can help them move ask them if they
have a piano!
 Gran Mum came up and took
the kiddos to Catch Air, a birthday
party and the pool while we moved in!!
 with the help of SO MANY....
WE MADE IT!!
On our new front steps! YAY!
 Milla showing what most of the rooms look
like so far...a painting construction zone...
but it is exciting to check off each project and
see it all coming together.
Brandon knows how to do everything...and if he
doesn't he just watches a youtube video on it
and figures it out.  He's incredible!
 Faith
 Cole
in the midst of the whirl wind
time just flew by...
I was putting Cole in the car yesterday
and I just looked at him and
HE GREW UP!!!

Preschool Commencement & Gymnastics Jubilee


Milla's last day of school
standing by her friends Madison,
Katy Rae and Peyton.
At her class party she
got the "sweet and sassy" award!
Faith and Milla walking into Preschool
graduation!
Milla saying farewell to the car line drop off
circle....and Faith saying Hello!...she will start
this Fall. 
Milla in line for her diploma
Milla's awesome teachers...
Mrs. Ballisty and Mrs. Fitzgerald
Proud Parents of our little Graduate...
Kindergarten here she comes!
Papa Ray and Mimi got to come!
Goodbye First Baptist Cumming
Weekday Preschool!!
Faith's class at the end of the year
Gymnastics Jubilee
(she is on the far left)
bashful little gymnast
Milla and her friend Marley
Cole loves the attention of the mom's in the
gymnastics stands...here he is with
Miss Liz and Miss Heather
Faith's favorite thing....her PINK BLANKET!
Milla's mother's day tea
Visit from Gran Mum