Moving

Well, we are moving today. It seems that we have picked the hottest, most humid day of the year so far. It is brutal! We have two teens helping load a big UHaul truck and we all are hauling things into it, into the van, and up the stairs to the apartment. Whew!

We are watching the kids and each other for signs of being too hot--certainly don't want anyone to get sick from the heat.

We are also looking forward to Friday--because today is moving, tomorrow is cleaning the house and moving some things to the basement at the new house, and Friday is NO MOVING! Sleeping in--that's all that is on the schedule for the morning. After lunch Friday, we'll be off to my family reunion in TN. Really looking forward to that--my folks, two brothers and 3 nieces will be there.

Adorable!

Luci all ready for church. She's wearing one of the dresses from China. J.T. loves her!
Peek-a-Boo!

Bowing in Prayer

Luci has learned to bow when we ask the blessing for our food. It is so sweet to see! Next, we are going to work on closing those eyes.

Lori's Outfit

Lori, do you recognize this cute outfit? You gave it to Luci in September, just after she came home. It fits now!! It's a size 6-9 months. Thank you for this sweet little set.

Tangle

This is not sideways! The kids were wrassling (the Southern way of saying wrestling), all getting along, and this was the result. There are 3 kids in the picture. From the bottom up: Bryan, J.T. and Luci.

I am in the middle of packing, checking email, doing the dishes, making supper, taking photographs and adding to the blog. Luci just came up to me with a box of macaroni and cheese--I think she's hungry. I guess I better get off of here and finish supper before she starts chewing on the baseboards!

Going Off-Line Soon

Sometime next week we will have the satellite dish for our internet moved to the new property. I don't think I'll be able to post on the blog until we get into our new house. so if things here sloooow down, don't be surprised.

I plan on getting the boys' schoolwork started up in July (do you hear the moaning?) . It sounds early, but we've been out for summer break since the first week of May. We'll manage to keep busy.

Be sure to come back in late August or early September to catch up! (I may have withdrawal symptoms....)

Water Bottles

Specialty water for the reunion.

Family Reunion Cake

I plan on taking this cake to our family reunion. It has all natural colors in the frosting, and I am not sure that I like it. John said it looks really good. I guess it's ok--now that it is not next to the Wilton Cake Decorating book picture. Opinions are requested. Be honest.

Packing

They'll never find me in here. Packing is hard work?

This is fun!

Favorite Toys

Luci models the latest in summer hats.Now it doubles as a face mask.
Need a place to sit? Take off the hat.
Momma, nothing is safe now! I'm creative and I'm a climber.

Pwetty! Pwetty!

Today Luci and I did something really girly, something John would not let me do with the boys (ok, so I never tried this with the boys, I am not that nutty). We painted our toenails! Luci wore her sandals to church today and showed everyone. She even thought the toes tasted better with the polish on them. Hmm, I've got to try that.....

Two Different Kinds of Love

One there were two women
Who never knew each other;
One you do not remember,
The other you call Mother.

Two different lives,
Shaped to make your one,
One became your guiding star
The other became your sun.

The first one gave you life
And the second taught you to live it,
The first gave you a need for love,
The second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality,
The other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent,
The other gave you an aim.

One gave you emotions,
The other calmed you fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.

One sought for you a home
That she could not provide,
The other prayed for a child,
And her hopes were not denied.

And now you ask me
Through your tears,
The age- old question,
Unanswered through the years.

Heredity or environment,
Which are you a product of?
Neither my darling, neither.
Just two different kinds of love.

-- Author Unknown

Finally!

Luci finally said "Love you" to me--in sign language.
She kept on saying it to everyone else in the house, but not to me. I think Luci associates it with "good-bye," as in "I love you, good-bye," which we say every time Daddy walks out the door. I taught her sign language, crossing her arms in a hug and then pointing to me. Here is her version.

Children's Museum

We had a Families with Children from China playdate today. There were just two families there, one of them was us! We met at the Children's Museum. The kids had fun. I got a family pass today, so we can go back throughout the year. Luci plays in the water feature while Bryan and J.T. build a house.
Bryan and J.T. work in the locks to move water traffic along the canal.
Luci tries to enter the toddler area, and sees two FCC girls through the window.
I can't explain this one.
J.T. hamming it up.

House Update

This is what I saw today--looks more like a house. Don't you think one of those boards on the roof/ceiling looks out of whack? I couldn't get any closer than this because a big semi trailer from Home Depot was in the way, delivering a load of cement blocks for the retaining wall that will go on the right side of the house (as you are looking at it). I took this from the road while sitting in the van.

Making Daddy's Birthday Cake

J.T. mixed and baked the cake.

He did a fine job of cracking eggs and measuring all by himself.

Luci helped out in her own way.

Luci, we need the bowl!

The finished product.

I did all the icing. Do you recognize the Eskimo Pie? It's John's favorite. He always asks for this particular cake.

Who Is Writing This Blog?

Ha! It's me! I bet you thought my mommy was the author.

Roof, Roof!

This is the side view from the road, going west.

We will be on another hill, but it is still not as hilly as where we are now.

I was surprised at how BIG the house looks. I guess I also had the camera slanted kinda funny--the trees really are straight up, not slanted like they appear in the picture. I was leaning out the van window.

View from the driveway.

It was a nice surprise this morning to drive up and actually see progress. It really looks like a house now. An hour later, the guys were starting to put the plywood up on the roof!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

Dentist Visit

We went to the dentist today, and this was the result.