Precious Curls

Looking like a scraggly muffin, it was time for a haircut. Thanks to Grandma Ginny, Bryce has a great new do today! Her curls are bouncy, and soft and her new do frames her precious little face. Thanks for making my cute girl even more cute Grandma Ginny.

and the door closed.

Disclaimer: I know that I am an emotional person, but that is completely justified. We have been through so much this last year and I can't wait for brighter days. For the last few months I have been posting on our sad times (and our happy ones), but that is because there are so many. So bare with me a few more days till we have reached the next chapter in our lives.

How do you face another day, another day that you wish you didn't have too? You do it with support from family, and God. Alan and I so wanted to be totally out of our house last night, but that didn't happen. So as we woke this morning, we started to try to figure out what we had to do. The first thing, was get care for Bryce, who? Who was going to take her, care for her and love her because she was away from her Mommy again? Well, were else better than to go to your sister and that is what we did. Before that, we tried to figure out, o.k. I could drop Alan off at this corner by the house, oh yeah, Bryce knows that way, or was it this way. We are so trying to protect her and the Uhaul was at the house and a little cleaning still needed to be done. Each way we worked it, even if we went in shifts, it was not going to work. That is where I said, "we need help, again". Well, family to the rescue, Ann and James cared for our Bryce. Beyond words we can not Thank you enough!

Once again, as Alan and I made that journey to our dream home that was now sold, no words were spoken. Our hearts were heavy, the tears were ready to drop and we had too much to get done. We started with full force and that quickly was over come by tears, tears that made it so hard to work. As Alan went to the storage and I cleaned the last few rooms, the memories of each of those rooms came flooding back. Memories that I will forever cherish, raising my daughter, watching her crawl for the first time, watching her walk and all the special moments that belong to raising a family and more. As, I was letting those emotions get the best of me, Papa Jack and Grandma Ginny called after a long night of helping with the Brown twins and they were on their way. What a huge gift that was again, Thank you so much!!!

As Alan and I closed the door for the final time, we held each other and just had a great cry. We know that things happen for a reason and that we may not see them now. But, with his business suffering the last 2 years, we knew that we had to sell our home. It was the right thing, but not what we wanted. The great part, even with a horrible market, we walked away with money to put down on another home and that is a HUGE blessing. Thanks for all your continuous hard work James. When we get home, the house hunt will begin again.

But for now, Bryce has made herself at home at the Carter Cottage. Papa takes time for all her request and Grandma is meeting every need. There was even a place for her " make make" (which will be in the playroom tomorrow), with a lake front view. Oh, some have not seen the lake...I will share that with you tomorrow (I hope).

Thanks for all your prayers and support, without Family, we could never make it through all of this. Thank you!

Its Almost Over!!!

Have I told you I hate moving? But, it's almost over. After packing like a mad woman yesterday, I could see the finish line. Alan and Papa Jack moved a truck load in the pouring rain and Grandma Ginny watched Bryce. Thanks so much Papa and Momma. Then we spent our first night with Papa and Grandma. What a warm inviting welcome we received. Then it was time for bed, sleep...yeah right! We were so tired, but Bryce was restless (she didn't get a nap and no nap means a rough night) and Alan was snoring. My goodness was there any rest for me, NO!?! Bryce was up at 4:00 talking to me, kissing me, snuggling. I did really enjoy that part, even if I needed the sleep. Then as she always says first thing in the morning and last thing at night, "Read me a book,please"! So that is what we did. Yes I did try to get her to go back to sleep. But, that didn't happen till 7:00, when I hit the shower and put her in bed with Alan. Who needs sleep, it's over rated....OK, I want some anyway.

After a rough night, we started the morning with yummy muffins that Grandma made and we hit the road. Grandma Ginny took care of Bryce for a little while and then Bryce enjoyed a wonderful day with the Baiseri's, Thanks you guys!

Alan and I arrived back at our home without saying a word the entire trip with heavy heart, but we knew that there was work to be done and the movers were coming. We ran around doing all that we could. Then the army showed up...it was a blessing. Grandma Midge, Grandma Ginny, Mike and Audra. I am not one to ever ask for help, I am the helper...not the asker. But, today they offered and I accepted. We could have not done it without the help of everyone. Thank you all for being such great givers and being there. We know that we have so many there for us in so many different ways and we THANK YOU!!! We unfortunately, have just a few more things to wrap up tomorrow. We wanted to be out of there today, but....that's o.k.Tomorrow afternoon, we will be able to say we are done and start packing for Tacoma. YEAH!!!

Since I have not been able to take the time to get Bryce's blog done the last few days, here is a catch up and a few pictures of Bryce from tonight. One thing I am proud of is, I haven't missed a day taking Bryce's picture, even with these crazy days.

See my yummy dinner? Still adorable with watermelon juice dripping down her chin.
Look at those baby blues...but oh so tired!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for us. We fell them, appreciate them and continue to need them. We Love You!!!

Changes

Our hearts are broken, the tears just keep pouring...we want our dogs back. How do we get past this? More tears, lots of hugs and time....but, "I WANT MY DOGS BACK"!!!

We have not faced that conversation with Bryce yet. Every time she mentions them or has wanted to go in the back yard, we quickly redirect her. I guess, I am just being the protective mother again. That is my job, my gosh what a hard one it has been lately with trying to protect her for all the changes. But anything to protect her, that is what I will do.

With all of the changes, we have decided to get away for a few weeks, to process and heal. We will head to Tacoma on Tuesday for 2 weeks. Then when we come home we will start looking for a new house and find Alan a new job. He left his job this week, there is much behind his decision to leave. But the most important was his health and the time he was commuting (more than 4 hours a day (unpaid). So while we are gone, we will hopefully get some rest, my eyes will become less swollen and we will have some wonderful time with Grandpa Ken and Wamma Cathy.

Yesterday, we came across 2 little wind breakers and thought that they would be perfect for our trip, little did we know that we would need them today. What a difference a week makes! Last week we were sweltering in 103' and today we barely hit the low 60's with thunderstorms, rain and wind.

Watch your e-mail for our updated information and if you don't get it, please let me know.

Words

This morning, our daughter made us shed a few more tears. We are all having such a hard time with this move and all the changes going on. As we went out to get a few errands done, Bryce had a few words that made the tears start to drop. While we backed out of the driveway, Bryce said," Goodbye house, goodbye room, goodbye my stuff". Alan and I just kept facing forward as the tears ran down our faces knowing that this was so true. The innocence of her words, yet how powerful they were started our day with heavy hearts.

The other part of our day that made our hearts even more heavy was finding out that "No Kill" shelters, don't just take dogs. They have to be a certain age, that is so wrong, that is so not fair. I have tried so hard to place Hudson and Sage, but we have run into nothing but dead ends and stupid rules. Last night, I decided to call the Animal Hospital for help, and they shared a few shelters with me. But that is where we left messages and the calls came today with the sad news. Tomorrow, we will say our goodbyes to these 2 pups. These two pups that have made us crazy, but been apart of our lives forever. Husdon you will always be the "HERO" dog to us and Grandpa Ken. There really should have been a monument built for you and Grandpa for putting out the fire and saving our block at the old house.

Now on to some fun stuff...

Grandma Ginny put pig tails in Bryce's hair for the first time on Saturday, and I didn't get to see it. But today, I saw it!!! I put pig tails in her hair and she was so cute. I love that she wants to be so girlie....I love having MY little girl.

You are safe, you are loved. We love you BIG Boo boo!!!

Loving on the Brown Boys!

After moving 2 truck loads in 103' degree weather yesterday, we wanted something different for today. So this afternoon, we were going to make that happen. What a treat we had, we went to see the Brown Boy's and of course Kellie and Greg. What a treat for all of us. We (Bryce and I) finally got to see Lawson and see Keaton again. But for Alan it was his first time seeing them both in person. Let me tell you he fell in love right away as we all have. These two little loves are beyond handsome, they are going to melt so many hearts.

Lawson Charles...what a cutie!

Momma Kellie showing Bryce that it was o.k. to give soft kisses to the boys.
Bryce watching the sweet sleeping Lawson. Hi Lawson, I am your cousin Bryce. This is one of my bracelets, do you see it? I am so glad that you are here and most importantly that you are apart of our family, you and Keaton. This was Alan's first time at seeing the boys. He loved meeting them and getting to hold them so much. He is holding Keaton and Bryce loved sharing this moment with him.

Keaton Carter Brown Look, I am holding a baby, a real baby. Look!!!

Sweet kisses for Keaton

Since Bryce was holding a baby, someone had to hold her baby and that ended up being Daddy. It is official, they are already showing off their personalities. Keaton is crying and making sure the world knows that he needs something and Lawson, with a grin is so laid back and going with the flow. They are going to be so much fun to watch growing up. Simply precious!

Look two babies, meet my new cousins. Welcome to the world little ones. Who's who? I know, Keaton and Lawson, my new cousins. Sweet Dreams, little loves.
Look at all those toes in Daddy's hands...a VERY PROUD Daddy!

What a treat I got. Kellie asked me to help give the boys a bath. I really don't know how much help I was, I was so busy taking pictures. But it sure was a fun treat to be asked to help with such an important job. Thanks Kel!

Lawson getting in the tub

Enjoying my bath

How precious, little toes

Life is Good! Sweet little Keaton

Mom, really right now, a bath? I was so cozy.

Are you serious? Really, I was sleeping and maybe I will go back to sleep right about...now.

Feeling cozy after my bath, and of course a choochie helps.

Oh, double the joy!!! Getting my fix, and loving it!
Thanks Greg, Kellie, Lawson and Keaton for letting us share some special time with you today. We will forever cherish these special moments and cherish the special bond we have with all of you. We love you!

Boxes

Well, there are boxes every where. I have tried to contain them to two rooms, but well...

Tonight after Bryce's bath she wanted to check out all the boxes again. I really don't think that she gets this whole thing, in fact I am still so not right with it myself. But it is apart of life and we are a family, we will soon have a new home. We even looked at one with Uncle James today, but it was not our new home... we said,"keep looking".

Tomorrow morning, Alan and I will be putting our life in storage and the moving company will get the heavy stuff next weekend. We will also have to be saying, Good bye to our dogs this week. Hudson is 11 and Sage is almost 6 but we have not found homes for them. I have never had a dog from a baby ( like Hudson, Ann gave him to me at 4 weeks), so this is really going to be hard. As this year has not been hard enough, lets just add a few more things. God only gives us what we can handle and I have already said, "I skip my next turn, but I don't think that He heard me." I guess that I have more to learn...