Home!!!!

We officially have a new home! Yay! It’s been so busy here with unpacking and sorting. Stephen and Caleb definitely don’t help this process!=) I am proud to say, though, that all the boxes were unpacked, and our stuff in place before we had been in our house for an entire week. I’m not sure if I should pat myself on the back for that or fuss because I am such an OCD perfectionist! Regardless, it’s done! There are still some things that we need to purchase. Every house is so different and has different “needs.” There are also no pictures hung yet, but that will come. I don’t want to rush so much that I don’t love where everything is put. It’s been great going through the boxes of our stuff that we haven’t seen in almost a year. I’ve gotten rid of lots (all over again!). Truthfully, it’s also been kind of emotional. I’ve found so many things that have overwhelmed me with memories. For example, I found my devotional diary from 2007 in the bottom of a box. I flipped it over to August 27 (the day we had the wreck) and read what I had learned in my quiet time that morning. We had no idea what lay ahead less than 12 hours later. Even in what I wrote, I could see again how God was preparing us. Seeing the next couples weeks of that journal empty brought me to tears. God taught me so many things; growth that could never possibly be journaled. I also found lots of stuff from the Grove and Union Grove. Jeremy and I have laughed at pictures of the students and reminisced of so many fun times. We still miss these kids more than they will ever know. Speaking of them, I am so proud that the guys won the soccer State Championship on Saturday! Way to go guys!=) Stephen and Caleb are adjusting to our new home very well. Caleb loves sleeping in his own room (as opposed to a closet!), and Stephen is excited that we painted his new room the same Carolina blue color as his old room in Winston. The boys have a huge playroom, and we spend lots of our time in there. We have lots of room to grow if God ever leads us that way!=) I’ve experienced a lot of closure with this move also. It’s been kinda weird “making” a new home and “saying goodbye” to the one we built and loved. God has reminded me over and over, though, that His plans are perfect. I know we are in His will, and that this is the home He’d have us raise the boys in (unless, of course, His will again takes us somewhere else). So, with all that said, here are some pictures of our new home (sorry there aren't a bunch...my time is so limited right now) Enjoy!=)

Stephen and Caleb packed up and ready to move!=)


Our room


Stephen's room


Caleb's room


The outside

Our Trip to Disney!

First off, forgive my delay in posting about our much anticipated Disney trip. We closed on our new home on Wednesday, and things have been crazy to say the least. I'll post more about that at another time and hopefully include some interior pictures of the house.
Back to Disney...it was awesome! To avoid sounding overly dramatic, I will just say that it was better than we could have anticipated! Stephen and Caleb loved every minute of it! I could go on and on about it, but I'll post some pictures and let them do the talking! Great memories!...

Caleb fell asleep in his stroller almost every day. He always sucks on his silly blanket to fall asleep!=)

The boys and Goofy at an awesome breakfast in Africa at Animal Kingdom. For all you Disney lovers (and planners), we rode Kilamanjaro Safari when it opened at 9 (Jeremy grabbed 3 fastpasses while the boys and I got in line). We had this breakfast at 9:30. We then rode Kilmanjaro again using our fastpasses after breakfast. It was great both times!

Stephen and Daisy.

Stephen and Mickey (in his safari outfit).

Our family with Safari Donald at the Tusker House breakfast again!

Stephen and the classic Mickey icecream!

Stephen and Rafiki at Animal Kingdom (Is that how you spell his name?)

Stephen was determined to see a gorilla at Animal Kingdom. We looked and looked and finally found this gorilla exhibit on the Pagani Forest Trail. The gorilla in this picture became our favorite. Stephen and I watched him forever. I think gorillas are so amazing (Stephen gets it from me!). When we got ready to leave (after much coaxing by Jeremy!), the gorilla...forgive me for sounding gross...bent over and pooped. Stephen thought this was so hilarious. Then, believe it or not, he turned around...and again, forgive me sounding gross, the gorilla ate it! Stephen absolutely died laughing! It was disgusting to everyone else! The reason I write all this is because if you ask Stephen what his favorite part of Disney was he will undoubtedly say, "Watching the gorilla eat his poop." And to think, we spent all that money and went to Disney for THAT!=)

Waiting to rush into Animal Kingdom with the crowds.

Stephen and Goofy!

Donald and the boys!

Cute Minnie and the boys!

Mickey Mouse himself (as the chef who cooked our food). I think Caleb was copying Mickey in this picture!

Since it's almost Caleb's first birthday, a couple of the restaurants celebrated with him by giving him a special pin and cupcake. You can see Stephen's hand grabbing the cupcake and Caleb's the pin!=)

Stephen and Chip and Dale outside the Magic Kingdom.

Stephen and Pluto at Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary. This was a great breakfast!

Caleb and Tigger at the Crystal Palace at the Magic Kingdom.

Jeremy and Eeyore.

Caleb could not stop touching the characters when they came to our table. He especially loved Pooh! He was so big and fluffy!=)

Stephen and Piglet.

Me and Caleb riding the carousel in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

Stephen playing at Pooh's Playful Spot at the Magic Kingdom.

Main Street at the Magic Kingdom at night.

The castle at night.

I love this picture of Stephen on the "tree slide" at Magic Kingdom.

Stephen "driving" his first racecar at the Tomorrowland Speedway.

The decorations at the Magic Kingdom entrance. We got to each park so early that we were able to take some pictures and enjoy the "park opening" shows.

We ordered a "Mickey basket" that included cookies, an autograph book and pen, and mouse ears for Stephen before we got there. He was so excited to see them waiting for him on the bed!

So cute!!!

Stephen and Caleb ready to head out to the park bright and early!

Stephen and June at the Play-n-dine at Hollywood Studios.

Stephen and Leo.

Some friends of ours were also at Disney when we were. We caught up with them several times, and Stephen loved it. He and Brenden are becoming good buddies!=)

Waiting for the bus one morning.

Stephen loved playing at the Honey I Shunk the Kids playground.

Hollywood Studios when it first opened one morning.

While I requested the "Hoops Hotel" at the All-Star Sports Resorts, we were put in the tennis section. It was really cute, though. Stephen loved running around on the pretend tennis court right outside our room! Staying on property was great. It was like you never "left" Disney when you were there!





On the airplane waiting to take off.

You'll notice that there were pictures of all the parks but Epcot. We did go there, but my camera was dead. I did take lots of videos, though, and will post them once I learn how!=) We had such a great time (and believe it or not we weren't completely worn out when we got home)! I can't praise the Lord enough for giving our family the chance to take this trip! He has blessed tremendously!