BitterSweet

I just tucked my three little ones in bed for what is the last time in the only home they have ever known. The movers will be here on Thursday morning, and early next week we fly to Phoenix. I guess I'm feeling a little sad.

We moved into this house exactly nine years ago, in July of 2000. It was the biggest house that I had ever lived in, the first two-story, the first home that I owned, and almost too good to be true. Even so, it was supposed to be a temporary home, a two year pitstop, while we built our "real" home on some land that we had purchased in Bulverde. But while we were busy making those plans real life happened, and the dream house was set aside. The land was sold. The house plan books put away and forgotten.

Our "roomy house for three" became "comfortable for four," when G was born. T followed a year later, making it a bit tight, and finally M came along. Our house is now bursting at the seams with all of us. It is, after all, only a 3 bedroom home. And do I have to spell it out? There are SIX of us! We really need to get out of here.

I've been dreaming of getting out of this house for eons, but for the last few days, as I've packed and organized for the move, I'm feeling nostalgic. My oldest daughter has gone to school with the same kids since 1st grade. The other three have never lived anywhere else. And my youngest child was born right here, in my bedroom, with an amazing midwife and my best friend Carrie at my side. I think that single event has tied me to this house more than any other. Weird, considering I have absolutely no similar feelings for the hospitals where my other children were born.

This is turning out to be harder than I planned. What if I don't like Phoenix? What if I can't make any friends, or if the kids can't? What if there are bugs or snakes or scorpions or some other gawd-awful creatures in our new house? I worry that I won't have a neighbor to borrow things from, like I have in my next-door-neighbor Cindy. Or someone to call to watch my kids for a few minutes, like I have in Ashley, Judy, or Cindy. What if there aren't any kids on our new street, and the neighbors don't like for my kids to play outside on their bikes? What if...

I have worse fears, but I can't voice them (knock on wood for even thinking them).

Change is just so scary. But at the bottom of everything, I know that this is a good move for us, for our family. I'm super excited about our new house, and looking forward to cutting a new path in my jello.

And of course I know that we can always come back home if we don't like it there.

The pictures below are random images from the past few years. I'm looking forward to getting more, during the next few.

I ♥ Feet

The image below is my entry for the I ♥ Faces contest, which this week is focused on feet!



Yes, you've seen this one before, but its one of my favorites, and I thought it might do for the contest. I encourage everyone to check out I ♥ Faces , and start entering images. You don't have to be a pro, ya know!

Love this!

My friend April sent this to me tonight in an email. I almost forwarded it to my friends, but the list got too long so I'm sharing it here:

45 lessons life taught me (Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio)

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written." "My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Happy Independance Day!

We had an All-American kinda day yesterday, starting with a Red, White and Blue parade, then swimming and a backyard BBQ, and ending with watermellon and sparklers. Perfect in every way.






How was yours?