11

11 is the number of months we have been calling Raleigh home. And we like it, the vibe and the whole city in general just seem to suit us. And now that we've closed on our forever home, we are ready to lay down our roots. To make this city, ours.

I am now only blogging once a month. I have lost the oomph to keep it up and keep up with all things social media. I remember when Twitter was my vice and now I rarely go and visit and when I do I never find anything that I missed. Though there are people I miss but they too have moved on and I am sure not missing me. I think social media is sort of fickle that way...

I've gone back and forth with possibly saying good bye to this little spot on the internet and maybe starting fresh. After having my first child and finding the "mommy bloggers" I went all gung-ho with it and really feel like I'm more lost than I was before. I was never really looking to make money from this or any blog really and I think I got wrapped up in all the excitement of things that were happening for other bloggers. They were attending a slew of conferences and I thought I should be too. They were getting invited to cool events and I thought, why not me too? The difference? They were working hard for those opportunities and branding themselves and their blogs. They were/are turning their blogs into businesses. I was just following along, thinking I needed to do the same. Only I didn't. And I haven't.

So that is where I am. Do I keep going and just change the name of this blog, along with the url or do I being anew? I've had this blog for 5 years and already changed the name once. I know that I don't want to let it go completely but is starting fresh the way to go? Just when I thought I had the answers...

30

That is just about how many days before we have a permanent residence in Raleigh. The first time Hubby and I looked for a house...I didn't step foot in it until we were married and on our honeymoon. I saw pictures and if I remember correctly, I found it online and he went to see it and next thing I knew he was buying us a house. This was all before kids and after living in apartments, living with crazy roommates and in shoeboxes (long story for another post) and so my requirements were minimal. I didn't know enough about Georgia and was ready to get my suburban swerve on and so we did.


This time around I once again found the house online and because of the market here, didn't waste any time doing a neighborhood drive-by. That proved to meet our basic requirements and so I followed up with our agent to see it ASAP. I poured over the pictures, trying to look for things that were missing and really just trying to get a feel for the house before we went to walk inside. A picture is worth a 1000 words but in real estate I find that a picture leaves out 1000 words. We had learned this lesson in several of the previous homes before this one.

When we finally made it inside and I was able to look around...the home struck me. I could suddenly see myself there and that had never happened with any of the other homes we had seen. We had actually fallen in love with another home but for one thing or another it wasn't meant to be. And when it became obvious that it wasn't, I was let down but not as much as I should have been.

But this home? I was very nervous it would be snatched up because walking through it has given me a sense of belonging. For whatever reason, it is where we are meant to be. And we can't wait!

Anyone want to lend me their interior design skills?

2

Earlier this month we celebrated Teagan's 2nd birthday. When she woke up I whispered to her that it was indeed her birthday and was presented with a big grin.

I'm not sure if she truly gets what a birthday is but she was happy to tell us she was two. It seems as if overnight she is talking and not just in one or two word sentences but full sentences. She definitely is getting her point across when she tells you something!

Daddy wasn't home to celebrate with us but man, we are grateful for things like Skype and Facetime. Technology has come such a long and while some people think we are all too connected, I appreciate being able to share moments. She is always happy to see her Daddy! And yes, he is already wrapped around her little finger. But I suppose that is how Daddy and their little girls are meant to be.

I opted for cupcakes for our celebration because having a whole cake is too tempting for this Mommy. I have rarely met a cake I didn't like. Plus with cupcakes, everyone gets a pretty decent piece and no one is fighting for more icing or corner pieces!

The highlight for our little TT was getting her very own special delivery! The look on her face was priceless when she realized the balloons and stuffed elephant were for her...because it was her birthday! She immediately exclaimed "I love him" and wrapped her arms around the elephant.








Two years seems to have flown by and yet sometimes I forget she is two and can talk and walk and have a tantrum like no other. Don't worry...she doesn't let this mom forget for very long. Actually, neither one of them do. They are little partners in crime and I hope they always are!

4

And just like that little man has turned 4. Oh boy he couldn't wait for his birthday and every day asked when it would get here and why he has to wait so long. Thankfully he hasn't asked about turning 5 yet...

He had asked for balloons for his birthday one random day in December or January and I wanted to be sure he had them. Nothing like sending Tim out the night before to corral a bunch of balloons and crepe paper. But like a great Daddy, he did. And we tied balloons from Spencer's room all the way down the hall and into the playroom. We cut the crepe in streamers and placed those on his door and on the playroom door. He woke up and was so excited. I hope he is always so excited by his special day.

It is at these ages that their birthdays are simple. And while it would be fun to throw a big bash every year, I am happy to keep it small and special. He asked for a chocolate cake and was happy to have us make it and him decorate it.

He's four and so proud

Him and his cake

We ended up taking the family to the circus for his birthday which was a throwback to my own childhood. I remember going quite often and loving it. I was always enthralled by the lion and tiger tamers. And even back then I wondered about the big cats and the cages they traveled and lived. But that's for another post. Both kids seemed to enjoy the show and the food and the expensive trinkets.

Ringling Brothers & Barnum Bailey Circus

Enjoying the show

It seems like it truly was just yesterday that I was pregnant with Spencer and yet somehow 4 years have passed. If I blink too quickly he will be in college or engaged.

9

Last week the Husband and I celebrated 9 years of marriage but to top that off we have been together since 2000. That is a very long time and some days it seems like we just got married and others it amazes me that is has been that long. When I look at my husband, I know that I am truly lucky. I have a very good man because not only does he put up with me, but he makes me a better person because of it. And he's one heck of a Daddy too. It makes my heart sing to see these two munchkins of ours run to him in sheer excitement when he comes home after 4 days. It is a true blessing and one I hope to never take for granted.

In this age of instant gratification and reality TV, it seems that the institute of marriage is taken lightly. As if it is disposable when the true reality is that is a constant work in progress. It's about compromise and listening to each other. Some folks just want the wedding and then are overwhelmed when they realize the real work is the marriage. All the pomp and circumstance? Is just that, pomp and circumstance.

So after 9 years I should have some good advice, right? I will give you the advice that works for us:

1. Never say something you can't take back, especially in the heat of the moment. Words can hurt and will last longer than you think.
2. Do initiate the hanky-panky. Just trust me on this one...
3. Be a good listener and don't interrupt. Sometimes you may have to remind your significant other of this...
4. It's okay to go to bed angry but not too angry. If you are that seething...get it out and get to a point where you feel okay to sleep.
5. Let your kids see you hug, kiss, cuddle and say I love you. Remember, you are their first teachers about love.

I'm sure if I think really hard I could come up with more but instead I will leave you with a few pictures...which I realized could be called...disappearing eyebrows..sheesh...

Happy Anniversary to us! (just realized 2011 is actually 2010! oops)

6

That's right, December marked our sixth month here in North Carolina. And it is beginning to feel more comfortable. Though I will be over the moon ecstatic when we finally get into a house that is truly ours. But aside from that I think things are falling into a groove that is comfortable for all of us.

New Year's came and went without much fanfare and just as last year was a big year for us, looks like this year will also be big. Maybe big isn't the right word...full is a better word. We are now amping up our search for a home to buy and it's not as easy as it might seem. Tim and I go back and forth when trying to decide about long term. The only factor that is constant is that we know we want to stay in North Carolina. Do we stay where we are, do we move closer to the airport? Do we venture further from both (like we did in Georgia) and get more house for our money? And then there are the things we need in a house versus want. Those seem to change depending on the house we look at! Today we love a big yard and then tomorrow we don't. But in the end, I think we will both know when we have found our house...because it will just feel right.

And while we have a house search going on I would love to say that I found my niche and am surrounded by wonderful new friends for the kids and myself. But it hasn't happened. I was all gung-ho when we got here and then I began to doubt myself and how involved I really want to be. Call it a midlife crisis (40 is slowly creeping closer) or a motherhood rut. I've made a few friends but the reality is that they all have their own friends and it's hard being the new gal and wondering where and how to fit yourself in. So I'm back to the drawing board with that one. It really is hard to make new and good friends as you get older. Ugh!

12

Here is a look at the kids in the last 12 months. I am amazed at how T has morphed from an infant a toddler seemingly overnight. And Spencer is quite the little man. I sometimes picture them as teens and then adults and then I stop myself...because right here and right now? They are perfect and time is moving at just the right speed.

12

 

 

Happy New Year to all. May 2013 be all you want it to be and more!