Awana Grand Prix

This afternoon, we had our Awana Grand Prix at church.  This year, because we have been so focused on remodeling and moving, we haven't had the time to put in the boys cars as in years past.  Landon always wants to order the block instead of having it already cut out, but this year, I really should have picked one already cut out.  Landon started working on the cars yesterday, but didn't have any tools because we are in a absolute mess in our new house.  Actually, to be able to find socks and underwear for church today was like finding a treasure.  We will get settled hopefully this week:) 

Anyway, he sent me to Wal-Mart to get a Dremil tool (whatever that is??) but it had to be charged and he couldn't cut it out until today.  So, he was a bit pressed for time to get two cars cut out, painted, with weights and wheels.  It was one of those kind of afternoons where it is best to stay away.  He was trying to use some kind of saw that wasn't the proper one to use and Logan's car was launched across the garage and hit the wall.  I was frantically trying to call people from Gum Springs and First Baptist because we had no extras at our church, but I couldn't get anyone.  He made it work somehow. 

Check out Lucas' hair.  He had a visit from the hair fairy during naptime.

Needless to say, we were just glad to have cars there to race.  Neither of them placed, but I was just
hoping they would win at least one race.  I almost gave them a talk on the way to be happy for others because I didn't think their car would do very well.  haha.

Sparks boys

Design Judges deliberate...tough decisions.

Jason Riley keeping it straight.

It came down to brother and sister...Nathaniel and Marissa Randolph.

Marissa was the champion.

Design winners...Colin Riley (3rd), Koby Jones (2nd), and Ashlynn Phillips (1st)

Cubbies Race...Lucas thought this would never get here.  He couldn't wait to race his car and get a trophy!!

Cousins compete...

Ella was the Cubbies Champion.

The two winners!

This is an impossible group shot to get everyone smiling:)

 They didn't place, but they each won three races.  They had a blast and look forward to it every year.  Maybe next year we will work on their cars in advance:)

I just love the Awana program because they learn so many bible verses at such a young age and will hide those in their hearts for a lifetime.  It helps me learn them too as I teach them to my children. 

Check out these videos that Tricia Frasier, our fearless leader,  put together.  I promise it will make you smile. 

Awana Video #1             Awana Video #2             Awana Video #3



Remember

I know that all my posts are about this, but it has consumed all my time for the last two months.  We finished up the last load and pulled out of the driveway this evening for the last time as it being our house.  I have been an emotional basket case on and off all day.  Part of it is due to the fact that I am completely physically and emotionally drained, and the other part is just nostalgic.  I didn't realize I would be so affected by moving.

I don't do well with change...of any kind really.  When I was pregnant with Lucas, I really wanted to get a van but we were in the middle of moving from our other house.  We went to trade it and the guy drove off to test our Envoy out for a trade amount...I sat there and cried as I watched him drive it off.  Landon looked at me and said "Isn't this what you wanted?  I am so confused."  My poor husband.  I love him so.  We kept it for a year longer and then got a van.  It was just too much change at once to handle.  (Stupid, I know!)

Anyway, today there was SO much left to pack and move.  I honestly didn't know if we were ever going to get finished.  We got the downstairs emptied and cleaned, and while everyone was away, I just sat on the steps and glanced over the empty room and had my first of several meltdowns for the day.

  
Remember the scene from You've Got Mail when she cleaned out adorable children's bookstore Shop Around the Corner.  She glanced back as she was locking it for the last time and had flashbacks of when she was younger dancing around the shop with her mother.  I had one of those moments when it finally sunk in and I glanced over the empty room and all sorts of memories flooded my mind. 

The two rooms that I put off until the end were the boys rooms.  We worked on Logan's room and that's when another episode hit me.  So much of their childhood was wrapped up in these rooms and it was about too much to bear.  I didn't even do Lucas' room, I don't think I could have.  There's is just something about taking down a nursery that gets me.  I know has long outgrown it, but it has been on hold.  I had to just get out of the house for a few minutes.

When I pulled myself together, I came back home.  When I pulled up, I started tearing up again because there were so many vehicles in the driveway and road that I didn't even have room to park.  I was overwhelmed with all the people who came to help us move.  I was so thankful for family and friends who pulled together to help us in our time of need.  We really couldn't have done it without all the help, and to say thank you doesn't even come close to expressing my true feelings of appreciation and thankfulness.

We had the carpets cleaned...they look like new.

For the new homeowners.

Now on to the next hurdle...to unpack and organize...and finish painting:)  I don't think I will be moving again.  I can't handle it emotionally.  haha.  I will post pictures of the new house soon.

Goodbye Sunrise Ridge

It is bittersweet to leave our home on Sunrise Ridge that we built and have lived in for three and a half years.

We sold our house on Madison Avenue in the spring of 2006.  I was pregnant with Lucas so we were quickly growing out of that house.  I was looking forward to having a little more space.  While we built, we lived in my aunt Della Mae's house because she had just moved into Assisted Living in Life Care. 

We were thankful to have a place to stay and the best part...it was free!  However, I didn't enjoy living here because it felt strange to me since Della Mae wasn't there.   I had spent so much time here with her, and it was a sad daily reminder that it wouldn't be the same anymore.  It felt like I was misplaced, without a home, for a whole year.  Also, Lucas was born while we lived here, and he didn't have a nursery.  Needless to say, I was anxious to move into our new home. 

For those that have built a house know that it can be a very stressful process.  The decisions to be made can be overwhelming, especially for someone who can be really indecisive at times.  Here are a few pictures along the way...

Landon and Mike Watson deciding where to build on the lot.



Logan is helping them out.

Digging the basement.

Here come our Superior Walls.

It was quite a process.

I experienced some physical problems during this time.  One night at Della Mae's house, I was having strange tingling sensations on my face in different spots.  It was really annoying and it went on for a little while.  It happened a few other times so, I decided to just look it up online to see what it could possibly be.  In my horror, I had come to the conclusion that it must be MS (Multiple Sclerosis).  After all, my aunt also has this, so it must be in my genetic makeup.  It was a troubling few days thinking of all that this would do to me and how I might be in a wheelchair soon.  Landon told me I was overreacting a bit, but I was convinced that this was my fate.  I went to the doctor and after blood work, Dr. Griffin informed me that it was just stress.  What a relief!!  :)  I don't recommend looking up your symptoms on the computer...it can get you all worked up for nothing.  haha.

I am not the only one who has come up with MS as a self-diagnosis.  I found out a few years later that Landon's cousin Natalie had done the same thing. 

She tried to get up one time and her legs were numb.   She did the same thing and looked up what could be causing this...she too determined that it must be MS.  It turns out that she had something minor wrong with her back. 

Anyway, back to the house...building can be stressful:)  We moved into our new home in July of 2007.  We didn't have our hot water turned on but I was so ready to move, I didn't care.  Besides it was so hot I thought that a cold shower might feel good.  Boy, was I wrong!  I will never do that again, I don't care how anxious I am about it. 

Finally moving in!

Logan finding the stud to hang up pictures.

Logan loved his new bed!

Lucas wasn't sure about his.

Here is a tour of our home...

I am really going to miss my bathtub:(

I made the curtains in the three following rooms...

We were on hold to redo the nursery to a big boy room because the house was for sale.  They really just shared Logan's room anyway for the last year or so.  They are going to share rooms in the new house.

This is the main reason why we picked this house plan because we loved the way the bathrooms connected the two bedrooms.  They each had their own sink and closet and they shared the toilet and shower.

Downstairs...

We have had many gatherings to celebrate holidays, birthdays, wedding and baby showers.

We have made many wonderful memories in this home and it is a little sad to leave, but I know the new homeowners will love this home and make it their own.  In the process we have made new friends.  They even helped us move this weekend.

Micah and Gretchen

and their four children...