First Night and days...

Our first night in our new house.
Papa D helping Deveraux with a pot holder craft.

We were anxious to get all that paint tape off!Many shared meals, Tia was wonderful to cook for us!This was a p.j. day! Tia and I had some great talks inbetween our tasks.

One of our mottos:"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Deveraux had completed this art project in Sunday school and Tia would wear it when we really needed it.

The kids love the great climbing tree in our front yard, we have since learned from our neigbors who now have grandchildren, that their children climbed the tree when they were little.

Our first walking trip to the town of Carmel, it was fun and exciting to know we are so close to town!

Moving In

We had most of the painting completed, just some touch up that Tia helped us finish. We also had a few days remaining at the hotel so we could work during the days and "crash" in the evening!

Unpacking a kitchen once again! And trying to make it all fit!

This is the big tree in our front yard, the kids were so good about playing while we worked inside. It was so wonderful to see them creating a place of play!

This is how we would feel at the end of the day! We started a little weary coming out of our painting phase, there was still a lot of work to do and I really wanted to finish by the time Andrew's parent's were to leave. So we just kept on going!

Moving Day

So this was our moving truck, our container all the way from Maui! It is pretty wild just knowing the miles across the ocean all of our things traveled, it was all there! We found out the morning our truck was to arrive on our street that Carmel has strict rules about large trucks down small streets so we were told that we had to contact the fire department.

The truck kept trying to back into our new street but could not make the turn...ahh moving adventures! So we decided to use our car to unload our things from the truck and then drive the car up to the house and unload.

Here is the Carmel Fire Department, Anderson was very glad to see them and they were really kind and we were do glad they did not tell us that our huge truck had to leave the street.

I had Bobo on my back for the moving process

Our new street is Pine Ridge Way 3 NE, (this means the house is the 3rd house) the houses in Carmel by the Sea do not have addresses in them so everyone has to have a PO Box. I was told it was started as a Bohemian colony and they wanted everyone to meet at the post office as a gathering place. So we will gather at the post office!

We met met by such kindness of a stranger, now a neighbor. He just pulled up his car and had us start loading it.

Thanks Tia and Papa D! Everyone was so great!

Our big truck left a little tree damage

We were so relieved and glad we had all of our things!! With the help of Papa D, Tia, an agent at Drew's work, the truck driver, Deveraux, and our new neighbor we were ready to set up a house!

17 Years!!!

This is how we celebrated our 17 years of marriage. Taking a few pictures in our hotel room, marked by a kiss, with our children and my in laws! Hair was done by me (with paint drops) and ready for a "night in" with sweats! We did get to go out a couple weeks later for a great morning job in Carmel ending at the ocean on a blue sky day! Humor aside, I was a little bummed, I have a great love for "marking the moment". But sometimes that need/desire can get in the way of the moment. Celebrations are like a good cherry on top and much needed but I know the relationship is not defined by the celebration.

I would not chose to be with another on this journey, adventure after adventure with this man who keeps it interesting! I was thinking about Andrew and I feel in my life he stands in the gap for me. What a gift as a woman "traversing" through this world and a picture of what God does for us. It is at the doctors office, the property management office, buying a car, taking care of our family and providing for our needs and beyond..He stands in the gap, I guess that is one of the reasons I can follow him across the country. I also love the way Andrew loves our children. He lets them be them, he shows them great affection and delights in them and he reaches out to them continually.

Andrew, how blessed we are are for 17 years together and I still love to see you walk through that door and I long to just hang out with you and there is still more to discover about you. Here is to our next adventure! I love you!

Marriage, up down and all around! It can be difficult at times and I have learned that this garden of marriage does not tend itself, it must be tended. I am hopeful for this new season in new land for God to move in new ways in our union!

Did someone say Paint?

Okay, so I was not planning on painting pretty much the entire inside of our new rental home. As all good "over your head" projects start...a suggestion is made which leads to some processing and before you know it you are at Home Depot picking out several colors feeling totally inspired until your husband says, I thought we were just touching up the white on the walls?? We did do a little more than white, thanks to my kind husband, who knows me. The first night my mother in law, Tera and I showed up at our new house knowing we only had a few days to complete the task before the furniture and people (us) arrived, we knew we had to move. I have only one house painting in my past when I helped my mom but that did not provide any memory. I had gathered a few ideas from my family and Tera and we just plunged in, laughing and knowing we were in a little over our head.

We ended up painting the living room, both bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, doors, and bathroom.

My sweet Tera worked so hard. One night after staying at the house until around 2:00am, she told me she could barely move, now that is love!

My sweet husband got in on the action as he was our tallest "worker" to reach the high walls in our bedroom. His ingenuity in using the trash can is just one of the reasons I married him!!

Even sweet Anderson got in on the action, of course he wasn't complaining!

Sweet Deveraux was so good about just hanging out with us while we worked, busying herself and helping us. Andrew was great as he would try and keep Anderson with him out or at the hotel while we tried to get it all done!

Deveraux found a little bench at a flea market that she was able to paint! She is wearing her Maui attire (panties)!

I truly felt inspired. I would go to bed so tired but so stimulated with creativity. I received my answer to prayer that I would feel inspired by this home. This was the first home we have lived in that I chose the wall colors, very fun! Polished Pewter, Dove White, Artic Blue, Barely Lilac...yummy colors. Paint is amazing for a room, I highly recommend it!!

Thank you to my sweet family, each one...Andrew, Deveraux, Anderson, Dale, and Tera.... who loved me enough to help me complete this task and carry out my vision. It is so good this side of heaven to receive such gifts!

Papa D and Tia arrive!

So we were so blessed that Papa D and Tia (Andrew's parents came for almost three weeks to help us move into our home. Little did we know how much work would be involved for all of us! But we painted, moved, and settled in by the time they departed. They graciously gave so much of their time, energy, and love!! We all grew closer as we rolled up our sleeves and dove in the house!! Thank you sweet family....we love you!

The kids so enjoyed their Papa D and Tia!

The day Papa D and Tia arrived, Bobo tripped at Andrew's work and hit the stone fireplace. Mama said no to getting a stich after the Dr. said they would strap Anderson down to the table and "he wouldn't remember anything." Nope, we all need a little scars in life!