It has been a month...

It has been a month since we moved. While it has gotten easier with each passing day to call this our home, I wonder how long it takes for it to really feel like home. The 3 things I love most in the world are here with me, Jeremy, Carson, and Maisy, but part of me longs for home.

I have loved being able to hang out with Sarah often and reconnecting with Ellie. It is amazing how time and space can pass between friends, but you pick right up where you left off. Their friendship has been a true source of comfort for me. I am so excited to experience all that the city has to offer. I made a list from the Visitor's Guide the other day of 42 things I want to do with the kids. It is amazing all the cool museums and activities in the area. I am hopeful that a job awaits me here and anxious to begin. In many ways moving offers you a chance to start over. By physically leaving your comfort zone, you can recreate yourself, leaving old routines behind. I hope to find a more confident, assertive version of myself here.

The one thing I miss the most about home, other than the countless family and friends we left behind, has to be the comfort I felt there. From knowing my way around town to knowing someone that loved us was less than 5 minutes away, I miss that comfort. I miss the comfort of knowing my expectations, as a mother, wife, and teacher. I am navigating unfamiliar water in all of those areas...stay at home mom, unemployed wife, and job seeking teacher. Even though I didn't always know it, I was comfortable with who I was and where I was.

I know we made the right decision. I can already tell our family is closer. While the kids are no angels, they are becoming good friends. Really playing together, because on cold days, that is all there is to play with. Jeremy is much more involved with the weekend routines, which is nice. I look forward to his arrival home from work more than ever. We are also becoming more dependent on each other, with no parents here to bail us out. I guess we are grown-ups after all.

A month into this adventure and I am thankful to have had it. We are together, healthy, and happy, which is all that truly matters. While we miss the comforts of home, family, and friends, we are figuring out who we really are, as individuals, parents, and a family.

So, if you are in need of a weekend trip, come check out how we do things on the other side of the state. We'd love to have you!

The Dirtiest Kid at the Park and Other Random Stuff

What a beautiful day! In February, 60 degrees is a true gift from above. It is finally melting the last of the 9 inches of snow that have lingered around for over a week. So, needless to say everything is a soupy mess. We did manage to make it to the park for a picnic this afternoon, along with the rest of the stay-at-home moms. It was very crowded, but fun. I did manage to have the dirtiest kid at the park though. It wasn't Carson. Maisy was covered and had to change her clothes. It wasn't even intentional, and sure didn't slow her down. My fancy little Princess loves to get dirty!

The "Mom Tooth"
Maison proudly announced to the family that she has a "Mom tooth". She showed us the Mom tooth and told us how she was getting more, now that she was three. Then she looked at Carson and said, "Do you wish you had a Mom tooth like me?" A huge argument ensued. But, Maisy still claims she has a Mom tooth.

Carson has been obsessed with the "Miracle on the Hudson". Today he was reenacting it in a mud puddle at the park. Shouting about the geese in the engine of the plane as it was landing on the water. People really thought he was odd. I prefer creative.

On a sweeter note, we went to a pet store the other day and my little animal lovers got to hold an 8 week old Boston Terrier. She was so sweet and tiny. Carson, who really doesn't like any animal, but Aspen, fell in love with her. He held her and had the sweetest look on his face as he watched her sleep on his lap. It was a really sweet experience for all of us. Maison held her too and really like it.

Maison Loves...

• Lip Gloss!!!!
• Gum
• Lucky Charms
• Dancing
• Jewelry
• Cinderella
• Logan Boenker
• Being fancy
• Coyotes
• Babies
• Nana and Pa
• Mimi and Poppa
• Shopping
• Water Horse
• Candy
• Popsicles
• Fixing hair
• High heels
• Playing house
• Over the Steamy Swamp
• "Everything that is girly"
• Easter
• Popcorn

Carson Loves...

• MU Tigers


• Pizza


• Jeremy Maclin


• Playing "rough"


• Spaghetti


• His newborn "Jacob"


• Trace Adkins CD


• Football


• Seashells


• Mac-n-cheese


• Legos


• Crusoe


• Indian Outlaw-Tim McGraw


• Greenwood


• Playing in the dirt


• Snow


• Spongebob Squarepants


• Airplanes


• Staying home


• McDonalds


• Wii


• All sports!


• His family


• Hide and Seek

For all our fans...

If you have noticed an increase in fuzzy photos or a decline in the amount of pictures on the blog, it is because my digital camera has broken. I have been taking pictures with our camcorder, that has no flash. Please contact my husband about the urgency of buying a new camera.

My pleas have not been enough.

I need your help.

Thank you!