Suitcases, Santa & More

Oh. My. Goodness. The last 2 weeks feels like an eternity! E.T.E.R.N.I.T.Y. And just think....we only have about 3 1/2 weeks of living out of suitcases to go! We are so blessed to be able to spend this time visiting friends and family and i don't want to forget that. But DANG! I am so ready to find our next house and make it a home. To settle down and put this away for a while....

I'm going to do my best to sum up everything that has happened over the last couple of weeks but forgive me if this post ends up a lil long!

Last Monday we checked into the hotel that would be home for our last week in Oak Harbor. The "room" was amazing! It was a 2 bedroom suite and was so spacious....which was such a blessing! With the stress and emotion of the move we really enjoyed having room to spread out and relax and unwind each night. The boys had their own bedroom so John and I could still have our time in the evenings and we were able to keep the routine pretty much the same! Another huge blessing in the room.....a laundry room! We were able to do all of our laundry before hitting the road which was so nice!! And the tub in the master bath...check this thing out....need i say more??

Things with the movers went really well! They had everything packed and loaded in 2 days which gave us plenty of time to clean and run last minute errands w/o rushing! We had more offers from friends to help out than we could even use and we are so very grateful to all of them. Last Thursday we turned in the keys to the house. The home that so many memories were made in. The home where our boys grew and learned so much. Where I grew to be the woman, wife, and mother that i am today. Colby went to school for the last time in the school where he attended his first day of kindergarten. It was very hard. Very emotional for me. It seemed all day long there was a continuous stream of memories going thru my mind. Good, bad and everything in between. Then we went and picked Colby up from school and got to stand outside the classroom for the last few minutes of the school day and hear all of his friends saying goodbye. We helped him pack all of his things into his backpack and we walked out while listening to Colby talk of all the special things his teacher and class did for him that day. The one that really touched me the most was that his teacher made time in the day for his classmates to write letters to Colby. Each of them was so special and i know this meant so much to Colby. That evening we had dinner with our closest friends which was such a blessing. It was so hard to say goodbye but such a blessing to have that one last evening with all of them.

Then last Friday we hit the road! Said goodbye to Whidbey Island, WA and all it has meant to us and we said a teary eyed hello to what God has in store for us. The drive was fairly uneventful. We learned that Brayden is not as great a road tripper as Colby but with a little patience and distraction we were able to keep him pretty entertained most of the way. We oohed and aahed at the wonder of God's creation as we made our way south through Washington, Oregon, and California! We got to stay in southern California and have dinner with some wonderful friends who moved a few months ago which was alot of fun! The kids exchanged Christmas gifts and we enjoyed catching up! Finally on Tuesday we crossed the Texas state line!! And the most ironic part of the trip by far is that we drove through several mountain passes in the northern part of our trip and didn't see ANY snow! We drove into Texas and hit a pretty good snow storm. In West Texas. SERIOUSLY?!? We couldn't help but laugh at the irony! And late that night we made it to John's parents house. Exhausted and ready to be out of the car but thankful that we made it safely!

We haven't been back home to visit since we moved to Washington so it is fun to be back and to see what has changed and what hasn't! The boys are thoroughly enjoying being spoiled by Grandma and Papa Culka(as they call them) and Uncle Eric! Poor Uncle Eric lost all rights to privacy or relaxation and gained two little admirer's and tag alongs! The boys just can't get enough of their Eric!

Wednesday night we decided to go to dinner and then come home and open gifts! The boys were sooooo excited and even more so when they came home and found this.....

That's right! A note from Santa's elf Jingles explaining that Grandma and Papa 'Culka had written and asked if Santa could come a little early to their house! The guy in the big red suit couldn't make it as he was busy building toys but he happily sent his best elf Jingles with a little something special!! And what might that little something special be you ask?? It's a......

And oh yes...there has been a lot of wii playing going on!! We LOVE it! Best money spent in a long time!! I can see many family nights spent playing the wii together! Santa also sent a wii fit for Mommy and Daddy which i am really excited about! All of it is great.....i have nothing bad to say about the system so far!

Tomorrow, John's mom is throwing a huge party and has invited all of the extended family and John's friends! We are expecting about 75 people!! There will be a bouncy house for the kiddos to play in, lots of food, and lots of catching up! It should be a good time...we are looking forward to it! I'll do my best to snap a few pictures and post them in the next few days!!

And thats about it for now! It was tough to try to remember and write all that the last two weeks has held! Thank you all for your sweet comments and patience while my posting has been so unpredictable!!

Quick Update

We made it!! Over 2500 miles and 4 days in a car together and we actually still pretty much like each other!! We made it to John's parents house in small town Texas late last night and have spent today just relaxing! We are going to dinner tonight and opening presents when we get home. I have lots of pictures to share and i have a usb cable to use now, so i'm hoping to find time in the next couple of days to share pictures and write more! Hugs!

My Heart Hurts

Words fail me. My heart is broken. Into a million pieces. There are sisters that are by birth and then there are sisters that God blesses you with along the journey of life. I said goodbye to two of those sisters tonight....two amazing women that God brought into my life a few years ago. We have been through one of the most unthinkable, heart breaking and gut wrenching tragedies together. We have experienced the high of absolute joy and happiness together. We've cried. We've laughed. We've loved each other's children and watched them grow. And we've done it all together. And while my head knows that this isn't goodbye forever, only for now.....my heart isn't there yet. The goodbye hurts. So bad.

Sarah and Crystal~ Thank you. I am so very grateful for the last 3 years. For the memories, the heartache, the laughter, the tears, the joy. For the beginning of a lifetime of friendship. The two of you are a such a blessing to me and to my family. I am a better wife, mother and woman because of my friendship with you. I love you and will miss you more than you know. New York City or Bust ladies.......2010!!!!!

For all of my wonderful bloggy friends.......my amazing friend Sarah has started a blog and you have to head over and show her some bloggy love!! I still don't know how to do that whole click here and it will link to something else trick (if anyone wants to help a sista out let me know!) but you can find her at Every Which Way but Home on my blog list to the right!! Shower her with a great big welcome to the blogosphere!! Hope everyone is having a fantastic week and i will be back soon with updates!! Atleast written updates...i kinda accidentally let the movers pack my usb cable so pictures will have to wait until i can get a new one. I miss keeping up w/ everyone and hope to be back in the saddle again soon!

Not. Cool.

Soooo....it's 5:45am. I've got about 26 hours until the movers get here. And i'm awake. Because i have so much to do you ask?? Nope! Because the anxiousness is getting the best of me maybe?? Not so much. Oh yeah....its because we woke up to the lovely sound of my poor baby boy retching by the side of our bed. Brayden is sick. GREAT....just lovely. Soooo trying right now to keep a positive outlook on this whole thing and if he was going to get sick I am glad that it is now and not on the road. But other than that....the timing is HORRIBLE. And now i am just praying that if anyone in the house is going to get it that it happens soon. And that it will be a short lived virus. So if anyone can spare some extra prayers for us we would sure appreciate it. Prayer for quick healing for lil man and prayer that maybe just maybe the rest of us can avoid getting it at all! I know God will get me through this....i'm just so overwhelmed that it sure feels like alot to bear right now. And i'm so thankful that i have this forum to vent a little so that these words don't spill out to John or the boys. So that i can get this off of my chest and go back to being the best mommy and wife i can. I do indeed have so very much to be thankful for and this too shall pass.

My plan was to do progress in pictures where tonight i would post before pictures and then each evening of the mover being here i would post pictures of the progress. So.....i'm going to do my best to stick to my plan. If that doesn't happen i will post once we are done with movers and cleaning and give everyone the low down! I pray everyone is have a great Thanksgiving weekend!!

A little of this and A little of that....

I am so completely overwhelmed right now that trying to compose a typical post is beyond me. But i want to post and i can't begin to tell you how many times i've thought over the last couple of weeks "oh i want to post about this" or "aahhh that would be a great post" and yet here we are. No posts about any of it and one chica doing my best to keep my head above water and take things one day at a time. So here it goes....a random list of things that have been going on around here!



*we sold hubby's truck. A true blessing and answer to prayer. Also a very real lesson about who's in control and it ain't me! It happened so much faster than we ever dreamed it would! Hubby listed it late one night and THE NEXT morning we got a call from someone who was pre approved and wanted to see it asap. To make a long story short it was a hectic two days of rearranging schedules, ferry rides back and forth, talking to the bank and so on and 48 hours after listing it we were down to one car. Isn't that just like God??!! Only He could have orchestrated every detail to work out as perfectly as it did. And He taught me a lesson....things didn't go the way I had planned but He was faithful to provide! We are so very blessed!



*i faced one of my biggest fears in life this week. and it wasn't pretty. but i did it. i went to the dentist. my heart rate just doubled because i typed that word. thats how much i dislike the dentist. i broke my jaw my senior year of high school and ever since then i have a definite dentist phobia. but i went and what should have been 1 regular visit turned into 3 visits with a total of 12 injections in my mouth over two days and alot of soreness. i knew i needed a cleaning...i had no idea what i was in for. but its done for now atleast. and guess what...i get to go to the dentist every 4 months instead of 6. FABULOUS. Just fabulous. it could be worse though right. it could be worse and maybe if i keep telling myself that i'll eventually believe it. and one last thought on this one....don't ya think w/ all the technology we have now that they could make dental torture tools silent????? i mean is that really too much to ask??



*have i mentioned that i am embarking on a cross country move in 21 days?? 21 DAYS!!! i have a list that is like 2 1/2 pages long full of things that need to be done in the next 16 days before the movers get here. Oh my goodness......all i can do is crack up. because if i didn't crack up i would either scream or cry and i'm not too fond of either of those options. so i randomly laugh out loud when i begin to think of all that needs to be done. and try to be mindful of the fact that God is so good. And he has been so incredibly faithful through this so far and He will continue to be. Why is it so difficult sometimes to just rest peacefully in knowing that He has prepared the way and will continue to provide?

*i have a hubby who is beyond amazing. i don't know that i've ever been more grateful for him than i am right now. he is always ready and willing to do whatever needs to be done to help me out. he has been so incredibly supportive, loving and helpful and there just aren't words to truly say how thankful i am. my hubby rocks!

*today when i really really should have been cleaning my house or doing one of the millions of things on "the list"...i wasn't. I gave into my 3 year old's request for me to "just yay(lay) on the cowsh(couch) and watch docor sooosss(dr suess) wif me". It was just what i needed! A little cuddle time with my lil man.......it was the most worthwhile messy house i've had in a while!

*Colby is at a sleep over tonight. it blows my mind that i have a child old enough to be reading chapter books and going to sleep overs. where does the time go??

*i have a Stampin Up! event tomorrow morning that i haven't gotten the food for or designed the project i am supposed to be bringing! So i guess i should go now so that i can go to the store and get the fruit tray and get home and design something! And maybe even get some sleep before i have to be there in the morning!!

So there ya have it.....random and unorganized thoughts from yours truly!

To sum it up....my life is crazy right now. But regardless of how crazy or hard it has been i am blessed beyond measure. I have so very much to be grateful for and i am doing my best to remain mindful of this wonderful fact and not get too wrapped up in stress and discouragement. No doubt my presence here will be unpredictable but i will write as much i can find time to!

Breaking News.....

HAVE YOU HEARD THAT....

DEANNA & JESSE BROKE UP?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Oh my goodness....i'm so in shock right now. A couple of months ago i wouldn't have been surprised but she had me sold on the whole relationship. CRAZY! Anyway....i really don't even have time to be finding out about anyone's break up but i couldn't help but post. So sad for Jesse. I have no idea how to do links and all of that so i can't help ya out and tell you exactly where to go but google it for the whole story! I'm hoping to have time for a "real" post soon.....hope everyone is having a good week! And please do comment w/ your thoughts.....are you surprised? Not so much?? Can't wait to hear what all of you think!

Fall Fun

Fall is by far my favorite time of year. I love everything about it....the cooler temperatures, the colors, smells, activities, foods......i L.O.V.E. fall! We've been busy enjoying lots of fall activities this year as a family so i thought i would share a few of them today!

We made time to carve one of our pumpkins one night last week. The boys were so excited and then they spent the whole time cutting up the pieces of the pumpkin that were going to go in the trash! But they had fun and every once in a while would glance up to see how the carving was going!

The pta at Colby's school holds a fall festival every year with games and candy and fun giveaways. We have attended every year and it is always so fun to see all of the kids and to watch Colby interact with his school friends! We didn't win anything in the giveaways this year but they boys had a blast and left with tons of candy!

Colby & friends!

Colby doing the bean bag toss!

Daddy and Brayden taking a break from all the action!

And then on Sunday we headed to the south end of the island with some friends to the M Bar C ranch. It was gorgeous and alot of fun. The ranch holds camps to benefit children with various disabilities so the money spent went to a great cause and we had such a good time! We played games, went on a hayride, picked a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and had a good 'ole ranch style dinner!

The boys w/ the pumpkin they chose

Isn't it beautiful?

The kids thought this sign was great!

On the hayride wagon

cute rocking horses

Colby playing a little twister

So, fall is my favorite season and these are a few of the things we've been doing to enjoy it! What is your favorite season?? And what sorts of things do you do to enjoy that season??

Another one bites the dust.....

This last weekend Colby played in his last soccer game here. He has played 6 seasons while we have lived here. All with the same coaches. This soccer league has been a huge part of our lives while here. Two of my very best friends i met the first season of soccer and they have become like sisters to me. My eyes fill with tears as i write this knowing that its over.....as of 5pm on Saturday that part of our lives was over. That realization has hit me harder than i expected it to. And it has hit Colby pretty hard as well. But he played amazing and we couldn't be prouder of how hard he has worked and how much he has grown in discipline, sportsmanship, and game play.

Here is a picture of our lil man at the end of his 1st season.....soooo stinkin' cute!! =)

And here are a few from this season!!

(Colby is #7!)

These 3 have played together all 6 seasons!

We will always have such fond memories from our time on the soccer field here on Whidbey Island. And while i know there will be soccer wherever we go it just doesn't make it any easier to bid farewell to a part of our lives we've truly come to cherish. To all of those who have touched our lives the last 6 seasons...(you know who you are)....Thank you just doesn't seem like enough. Tears stream down my face as i type....there just aren't words to tell you how much each of you has meant to us as a family. You will all be so very missed. Good luck in seasons to come!

(why can't crying just burn like massive amounts of fat??!! i'd be one skinny chica i swear!) ;)

Campout....kind of....

Tonight while the boys were in the shower, Daddy was busy setting up a surprise for them! He moved some furniture around in Brayden's room and set up a tent for them!! They were so excited....they loved it! They love to sleep together but when they do it takes an average of an hour to an hour and a half longer for them to actually go to sleep so we only allow it on friday and saturday nights. They talk and laugh and we absolutely love to listen to them! Here are a few pictures we took while hanging out w/ them in their tent before bed!

Silly Boys

The whole family!

All ready for sleepy time!

While it might not be a real campout, it's close enough for us!! These two lil guys are so much fun! Hope ya'll are having a wonderful weekend!!

Punkin' Patch

Sunday after a wonderful message at church we headed out to the local punkin' patch so the boys could pick pumpkins for carving later this week! We had a great time being together and watching the boys together!

This is one of our favorite things to do as a family each fall! What are some of your favorite fall family traditions??