I'm lovin' it!

Hello!

I feel so disconnected from the world right now. My cell doesn't work at the new house (ok, it does if I am halfway down the driveway with one arm in the air, my left foot out and wearing blue ... other than that ... nothing!) I haven't watched the news in days and I have no internet! I am going crazy. We did get Dish set up on Tuesday and the DSL (I know ... movin' on up!) should be connected by Monday. Thank heavens.

I will post pictures as soon as we are up and running computer wise. We are loving the house. I was able to decorate a little yesterday (ok, Brody and Steph did most of it) but it looks great. It truly feels like home. Now, if we could just unload the other house!

Ok, off to another fun evening of class!
Love to all,
Carrie

Lots of catching up

Hello. Sorry it's been awhile --- a lot has happened in the last week. Here we go ...

Thursday, July 17th - We closed on our new house! A few little glitches (my driver's license was expired! OOPS) but other than that we now own two homes. EEK!
Same day about 11:15 pm - My dad calls to ask me to take him to the ER. He was having numbness in his left arm and hand. It was later confirmed that he had suffered a stroke earlier in the evening. I don't know all the technical stuff, but he is home and in great spirits. He is slowly regaining the use of his left hand. He begins therapy this week with the hopes that he is back to full usage by Christmas or sooner! Please keep him in your prayers.
Saturday, July 19th - We were supposed to head out to Missouri for my grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. Mom was already out there and dad insisted that she stayed since it was her parent's. Marcus and I debated on going, but when we knew for sure that dad was doing great and in good hands with my bro-in-law, Nick (he's a dr.) we decided to head out for the festivities. I am so glad we did.
Sunday, July 20th - Sunday all day was the big celebration for my grandparent's. I will post pics later (using dial-up and would be up for hours for one picture!). Lots of people came to celebrate with our family. Good times.
Monday, July 21 & 22 - We headed to Branson with Gma and Gpa, Aunt Deb, Nathan and the boys. We had fun, but we were worn out! I will give details with the pictures I post in a day or two.
July 23 - Headed home. Took 10 hours and Mommy is tired!
July 24th ... WE START MOVING! Marcus and I will be boxes things all day tomorrow and loaded the Uhaul in the evening. We hope to pull out for our new address on Friday morning! I'll keep you posted!

Love,
Carrie

Almost time!

I finally can say with 99% confidence that we are closing on our new house tomorrow (Thursday) at 1 pm. I am taking the entire day off so that we can take the boys to the house and to their new daycare. Let's pray all goes well! OH ... and we still have that other house if anyone is interested! HINT HINT! We did lower the price last week.

Aiden story alert! This morning when I told Aiden that it was just one more day until we had our new house he sat down on the couch and took a deep breath. He finally turned to me and asked, "Are we taking our stuff from our old house to our new house?" I assured him that we were to which he replied, "Well, we'd better get it loaded into the Tahoe before tomorrow!" I hugged him and explained that Daddy and I would be doing so while he was still on vacation. He looked and me and said, "That's good because I was worried." Another crisis averted! WHEW!

Happy 30th Birthday Marcus!

I love you! Let's see if I can come up with 30 reasons why:
*Your laugh *Your eyes *The way your hand seems to swallow mine when you reach for it *You think I'm funny *You're a wonderful daddy *Your honesty *Your organization! *Your determination *Your strength *Your cooking *Your cleaning perfection *Your forgiveness *You warm my feet at night *Yet don't get angry when I tell you to stop touching me at the same time! *The way your hair is never wet (always makes me smile) *The way you love your family *The way the boys get when they see you walk in from a long week at work! *That after that long week one of the first things you do is kiss me *Your kisses *When you wrap your arm around me at church *When you hid your watch from me during church (I am just counting minutes until nap time) *You allow me to sleep even when it's a beautiful day out because you know that means more to me than nature! *The way you know me more than I know myself *The way you support me in all I do *The way you do not worry about anything and always calm my worries *The way you've grown in Christ *The way you look when holding a baby *Your quietness *Your peacefulness *The way it is so easy to think of 30 plus reasons I love you!! I love everything about you Marcus!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Weekend Update

Took the boys to see "Wall-E" on Friday night. Strange movie ... no talking until about an hour into it. Just wasn't my fav, but Aiden seemed to enjoy it (Logan fell asleep).

Saturday I decided to appear as the AU Raven at the Lapel Village Fair. Ok, HOT is an understatement! I had to stop a few times in order to chug some water (which meant removing my 'head' and thus freaking some children out ... oops!) I was so proud of the fact that I made it through the parade without passing out and even was able to walk around as a civilian for about an hour afterwards. Well ... I spoke to soon. I was to meet my parents, sister and bro-in-law for dinner. Driving towards the restaurant I felt very tired. I had the boys with me so I made them continue to talk with me. We made it into the restaurant and I had Mom get me some water while we waited for a table. The second I took a drink I was just sure I was going to get sick so I ran into the bathroom. As soon as I came out of the stall I knew I was going to pass out. Mom had come into the room at that point, but I had her lead me out (I did NOT want to pass out on the bathroom floor of a restaurant!) So, I passed out in front of the enterances to the men's and women's bathrooms! I AM A NERD! Nick (Dr. Koontz that is) came over and checked my pulse and got some ice bags. He also made me chug some water. I laid there for what seemed like hours (probably more like 20 minutes) and then felt much better. Even stayed for dinner! I left with a horrible headache, but was able to head to bed early which was nice.

Sunday was spent staring at my computer hoping a paper would write itself. That didn't happen. I am beyond stressed with school, last week of work, closing on the new house, moving, vacation ... could I add anything else on the plate!?!?! Some prayers would be awesome this week!

Blah

I wish I could tell you that we have an official closing date, but we don't.
I wish I could tell you that we are all packed and ready to move, but we don't.
I wish I could tell you that our old house has sold, but it hasn't.
I wish I could tell you that I am totally ready to leave AU and Alex, but I'm not.

I can tell you that I am excited about learning our new town and making new friends.
I can tell you that I am going to miss my friends here and will pray for them daily (I mean I know they will need extra prayers to fill the void of losing us! HA!)
I can tell you that I know that God has made this path for us and will trust in Him to help us through the transition.
And I can tell you that I know I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me ... even pack, clean and move!

Some More 4th of July Photos

Who's kid is this anyway!?

The other night I was doing something that was apparently bothering Aiden. To inform of this he tells me, "Mom, you are driving me up to my nuts!" I was a bit shocked so I asked him to explain what he meant. He replied, "You know. When you make me crazy." Ahhhh ... he's combining 'driving me nuts and driving me up the wall' both sayings he hears often. HAHAHA!

But if you think about it, I wasn't really bothering him that much since he only stands about 47 inches which would make his well, parts, only be roughly 30 some inches high!

I am sick, sick, sick! I know.

Happy Birthday Jill!

Now who could that be dressed as the raven? Great President Morrison impression!