Moving On

We've been in our new place for one week. I survived. I survived the packing, loading, unloading, and unpacking. Do you have any idea how much that whole process of moving goes against my personality? Watching my husband muscle up all our stuff randomly in a large moving truck until it's busting at the seams almost gave me a panic attack. I like order and try to avoid chaos as much as humanly possible (as a mother of 2 boys). Moving is chaos. Anyway, everything went relatively smooth with the closings on Friday. The only real hiccup that weekend came when our first closing wanted to get moved back a few hours. After a mini heart-attack and some threatening negotiating, it all worked out and we closed on both homes 2 hours apart. Before we left for the last time, the four of us walked around our empty house and said good-bye to each room and talked about good memories we have had in each. Such a special place. Good thing home is where the heart is or this could have been a little harder. It takes me a while to make any place feel like mine. My heart is with these three people surrounding me, so no matter what house I'm in, I home.

Everything was going fine after the weekend and we were settling in when the mini nightmare began. Yes, our drama-free closing didn't last. I don't really want to get into all that went down because it's over now and everything is okay, but I'll tell you that until this past Friday (one week after our closing), the house was not officially ours. A few people made huge errors and the house had the potential to go into foreclosure due to a lack of funds on the part of the seller. How this got to our closing table is unreal. But it's over. The house, which I thought was mine (and Fifth-Thirds-ha!) last Friday wasn't actually mine until 3 days ago. Really really frustrating week. This situation, if nothing else, showed me I need to work on trusting God. I didn't handle the situation like I wished I would have. I learned and hopefully grew some. Moving on. I like to pretend it never happened.

Everyone has asked how the boys have done adjusting. I have got to say that I've been completely surprised by how unaffected they seem to be acting. Graham has even made it clear that he does not want to go back to the "old house." Parker as told me many times that he thinks our new house is super cool. So far, all of our neighbors are super sweet and their kids are so friendly to ours. Despite my not-so-social personality, this whole sub-division thing might work out great for the next few years :)

How am I doing? Thanks for asking. Two feelings come to mind: blessed and overwhelmed.  I am thankful for such a nice home and community. I am thankful for a wonderful yard and flat streets to walk/bike on. I am super excited to be 5 minutes from David's work. I love my cabinet space and storage.

However, there are other feelings present too. I don't want anyone to think I'm being ungrateful, but I'm human. This is the overwhelmed part. The inside of this home is rather drab. To say it needs a facelift is an understatement. Yes, I knew that I wasn't buying pretty when we purchased the home, but there are times when each of us feel motivated and confident and then times where we feel a little more overwhelmed. Right now, as I sit starring at boxes, wall paper, icky carpet, and light fixtures from 1994, the task of beautifying my home seems daunting. I want it to feel like home. Like my home. And that is going to take a while. And some money. And lots of patience.

I'll get there. Just not today. I will unload one more box and then take the boys outside to enjoy our beautiful backyard. I will save my money, and as time (and children) permit, I will slowly work on my house to turn it into our home. I actually love doing this kind of stuff, but it's a lot to address a whole house, not just one room. We are in the process of planning out exactly what we want to do and in what order of importance. I'll share our plans soon.

Here's somewhat of a house tour. As we work, I'll continue to update. Remember to look at these photos with potential in mind.

We've already made so many changes. Can't wait to share and get ideas from you all!

a little bit of this and that

We move in 2 days!!!! Last time we moved three years ago, I had a 20 month old and was pregnant. I was tired and nauseous. Not fun. This time is much better in terms of how I feel, but now there are two little boys needing my attention while I am trying to pull off the move-in-one-day event. Needless to say, my house is crazy right now. Parker keeps tabs on any of his toys I pack up like he'll never see the again (some he might not) and Graham keeps asking why I'm packing. Here are two examples of conversations we've had recently:

Graham: Why are you puttin all our stuff in dat box?

Me: Because we are moving on Friday.

Graham: Today is Friday.

Me: No, Graham. Today is Wednesday.

Graham: No it not.

Me: Whatever

Graham: Was dat Pawpaw on da phone?

Me: Yes. He's might come to help us move.

Graham: Cus Pawpaw is strong and he can lift the house.

Me: No, Graham. We aren't moving the house. We are moving ourselves and stuff to a new house.  

Graham: today?

Me: No, Graham, on Friday.

Graham: Today is Friday.

Me: No, Graham. Today is Wednesday.

Graham: No it not.

Me: Whatever

You get the point. Graham never (ever ever ever ever ever) stops talking and asking questions. Right now, he's struggling with the concept of a new house. He'll learn soon. On Friday.

Switching topics. Last week, we headed to Miami, Florida for one of my lifelong friend's wedding. Sheena Howell, the beautiful bride, and I have been friends for 24 years. That's rare and really special.

 We drove all the way from Charleston to Miami in one day. Sixteen hours to be exact. Long daddy time in a car. It was actually not too bad. Without the children in tow, the car was quiet and spacious. I even crawled in the back for a nap at one point. Do you remember when we use to be able to do that? Amazing. David and I talked without interruption and really worked out a few little marital issues. Yeah, we still have a few of those :) I think every couple should be forced to take a 16 hour car ride together. You are able to communicate without distractions. I think we only had one argument the whole way down. Score. It was so nice to have time to ourselves. Sometimes I forget how much fun David is and how much fun I can be ;) We felt like we were 18 again...free of responsibility. Kind of nice to have a little break from real life.

The weekend through my iPhone lens.

 Pitt stop on the way down.

 Brunch with the girls on Friday.

 Rehearsal dinner. Yum.

 Two crazy kids. Still in love :) I know it may sounds weird, but I kind if feel like we are celebrating our marriage a little bit when we go to other people's weddings. I don't know why, but it just brings up the memories and the fact that we are stronger than ever 8 years into it.

Getting all gussied up.

 Stunning bride, huh?

 Her dress was phenomenal.

 A little sweaty after getting our dance on.

 

After the hairpins came out. 

The wedding was gorgeous and Bobby and Sheena are the perfect couple. The whole entire weekend was a blast. I discovered that I wish I were born Persian. Bobby's family really knows how to have a party! So much fun. Thanks Sheena and Bobby for such a fabulous weekend! I am so happy for both of you. Can't wait to see you again. 

Next time I post something, it'll be from my new house! Woo-hoo! Back to packing. Blah.

Our Last Visitors

Yes, the Dunn family still exists. I just haven't been in a blogging mood. It's been so pretty outside the past few weeks and we've had a lot going on. We finally set a closing date on our new home...17 days and counting. Eeeek! 

Some of my favorite memories made in this house over the past 3 years have been when we have had visitors. I just loving having guests. This past weekend, we had our last guests in this home. My cousin Amber asked if she could visit for part of their spring break and I jumped on the opportunity. Amber and I are the same age and developed a relationship while growing up. We lived in different states, but our parents found ways to get us together during many summer vacations. Now, we are both married with two children each. 

Amber, her husband Jon, and two sweet girls arrived on Saturday and stayed until Monday morning. We had such a great time! It's so nice to spend time with other couples who have young children. There's a certain "ease" to the time spent together despite any wild moments created by our untamed children. Their oldest girl is a year younger than Parker and their littlest is 6 months younger than Graham. It was hilarious watching them all interact. Parker was smitten by Audrey and we found the girl version of Graham in their youngest, Josie. It was crazy how alike they are.

I'm not going to lie. I've got girl fever. How could I not after this much cuteness? Honestly, because Amber's girls have so much life and energy, they didn't seem that much different than my boys.  Where I saw most of the contrast between our little people came in the form of their excitement. My boys yell and jump up and down when they get excited. Audrey and Josie squeal and get giddy. Just like me!!! I hope I am blessed some day with a little girl, but if not, I'll thank God for my sweet boys and make sure I get my girly fix with these two. I can't wait until we can get our families together again. Thanks so much Degitz family for including us on your spring break fun!