Made it!

Just a quick update to say we made it into Denver Thursday night alive and well! No internet yet but we'll have it soon (currently posting from a student union where we're meeting for church this morning--Kaitlyn got fussy during Sunday School so I'm out here with her. Do you still go to Heaven if you blog during church????)

Anyway I'll share more about our trip and the new digs soon. Life is overwhelming and busy and it feels as if we have a million things to do. Maybe that's because we do! :)

Parting thoughts

It's our last night in California. Tomorrow it's Las Vegas, then Wednesday night Utah, Thursday night Denver.

Our house closed today, so we now officially own a home in Denver.

We literally had too much stuff for our huge, biggest-size-they-rent Penske truck.

I've said so many difficult goodbyes and it's really, really hard. Everything hit tonight and I feel so sad.

I'm looking around my empty home and thinking about bringing Anna home from the hospital, such new parents!, bringing Yosef and Biniam home from Africa, what an amazing time!, and Kaitlyn home from the hospital, to find Grandma and the oldest three kids out on the lawn waving excitedly, welcoming home their baby sister.

I'm excited about our adventure, but tonight I feel worn out, stressed out, and emotionally drained. And wondering how on earth I'll survive without my friends, family, and Santa Maria G3. Wednesday nights just won't be the same.

I'll post pics and some stories from some of the amazing times and people we've been blessed with over the past week or so once we're in Denver. But for now I'm off to finish up some packing. Thanks so much to the Gibsons, Chad, Micah, Rebekah and my mom and dad for their amazing help today.

Talk to you soon!

Wanna buy my furniture? (*for the locals)

We have some furniture that we don't necessarily want to take to Denver. Our entertainment center, couches, and bedroom set. (Okay I guess that's just about ALL our furniture!) ANYway, if someone might be interested in purchasing any of these items, email me or leave a comment and I'll contact you with the price. All furniture comes from a pet-free and smoke-free home. :)

(And look at what a DORK I am taking the picture of the dresser while talking on the phone!)

Yesterday

First church, then Kevin's parents (who are in town) came over for the afternoon and played with the kids while I packed.

I'm going to miss our Sundays at Grace Church! We've been there for close to 10 years--starting the beginning of college, and now WE have kids in Sunday School there. So many wonderful times, dear friends, amazing support, especially as we were adopting our sons. Saying goodbye is really hard!

Why people with square pants shouldn't cook

Last night, middle of the night, I am awakened to Anna screaming and crying...

Me: Anna, are you okay? What happened?

Her: I had a bad dream!!!

Me: What was it about? Tell me about it.

Her: (Tearfully) Sponge-Bob burned the potato salad!

Good read

Erin is an amazing mom to 11 children, 8 of which are transracially adopted. She had this amazing post on her blog that I just had to share.

Kids and Moms (and Dads)

Adios, Santa Maria

Stuff I'll miss:

--China Wok (got us through many a birthday, anniversary, and Valentine's Day...when you have four small kids, inexpensive Chinese take-out is the way to go!)

--Andy, Jeannett and Henry Gibson (dear friends, wonderful people with huge hearts, keep you laughing, have always been there for us. Oh how I'll miss them!)

--Our little street and house (so many memories...good thing we're not selling, otherwise I'd be a bigger basketcase than I already am...I brought all four of my babies home to this house, people!)

Stuff I WON'T miss:

--Round-a-bouts (does ANYone besides me know how to use these?!)

--WalMart (good for some high blood-pressure and all-around general rage)

--FoodMaxx on Sunday nights (see above)

--Pediatrician's office (waiting 2 hours for your SCHEDULED appointment with twin 2 year olds...never being able to get in...good times)

Sounds about right

Said by Anna:

Mommy makes breakfast, and Daddy types. And Mommy packs.

We have a WALKER!

Yep, this afternoon my baby girl took HER VERY FIRST STEPS! I'm so proud!