June + The Story of Our Move

What a summer it has been! It all started with moving back in June...

The process of selling our home in Fort Worth and buying in Midlothian was not an entirely smooth one.  We were blessed to sell very quickly, with the best of ten offers in the first weekend on the market coming in well over our asking price.  We also found a new home that we loved, and our offer was accepted after a little negotiating.  But we hit a bump in the road when our buyer switched lenders half way through the process.  Necessary files were not received by the new bank in time to make our original May closing date.  Since the purchase of our new house was contingent on the sale of our old house, we were delayed on both the selling and buying end.  It was a very stressful delay, to say the least.  It wouldn't have been a huge problem for us, since we planned to stay in our home and lease back until school was out anyway.  But the sellers of our new home…how should I say it…were not so understanding.  I know it was inconvenient for them (us too!) but each time we had to delay closing due to our buyer's bank not being ready, the sellers got more and more upset.  They demanded we pay more and more earnest money, closing costs, even a personal check for their "pain and suffering." They threatened to back out of the contract and put the house back on the market.  Luckily we had amazing realtors who did everything they could to smooth things out.  The second week in June we finally closed on both houses!! If I never have to go through that process again, I'll be happy!

The rest of June was kind of a blur of moving and unpacking and getting settled in to our new space. We are really loving it here in the small town of Midlothian.  We have met more neighbors already in the first few months than we did the entire 8 years in Fort Worth.  It's a very friendly, tight-knit community. And the elementary school is literally across the street…no more driving an hour round trip to and from the school!

Some photos from the craziness of the month of June:

On the last day of school, the younger kids were in Plano for a sleep-over so I took the older boys to NRH2O and out for ice cream to celebrate the end of the school year. Jon and Boston have been friends since Kindergarten.  We have carpooled since first grade, and I watched him after school last year until his mom got off work.  He's like one of my boys!

Like I mentioned before, closing on our house was pushed back several times.  But we never had a firm date until the day before it happened.  We were supposed to go to Mississippi in early June with my family, but since we were on "stand-by" on the house, we couldn't go.  So we spent some time at Mom and Dad's house for a little distraction.  

Boston got to go to scout camp with his buddies the week we were closing/packing/moving.

The day we closed on the new house, Hudson got sick.  He had a fever for a few days and then got a few spots/sores on his hands and feet.  I think he had a very mild case of Hand Foot and Mouth. It had been going around our circle of friends, but luckily he didn't get it very bad at all. 

Finally in the new house!! The thing I love most about this house is all the light and open space.

There were a lot of picnics those first few days!

And several trips to Home Depot as well...

Father's Day:



Hudson turned four! I wrote this on Instagram on his birthday: My Hudsy boy is 4 whole years old! There have been several little moments the last few weeks--whispered "I love you"s and thumbs ups and sneaks into my bedroom at night for one more hug and kiss on the lips--that have made me just tearful with gratitude that I am his mom. He pines for the attention of his older brothers; both loves and barely tolerates his little sister. He loves dinosaurs and cars. He is always the last to fall asleep and the first to wake up. I still refer to him and Avery as "the babies" although somehow he has turned 4. Happy birthday to my independent, shy, stubborn and unbelievably sweet Hudson!

The last weekend in June, Erin and Jeff went to Philadelphia for a wedding, so we got to have the Nydegger kiddos for a few days.  Having eight children under the age of nine for the weekend was LOUD and crazy and fun! Breakfast for ten coming right up...

When it got too wild inside, we spent time outside with water balloons, the slip-n-slide, and our neighborhood pool.

Jamie took the older boys to a Shelby car show on Saturday.  I stayed home and made cookies with the little ones.

I almost didn't want to give this one back!! I could keep Miss Emery Jane forever.  

It really was a good weekend and everything went smoothly, until Sunday afternoon when both little girls were tired and sad at the same time and just wanted me. So we just had a nice cuddle on the couch until everyone felt better! 

Boston's Special Day

Today was the big day Boston has been preparing for and anticipating for many months now! His Baptism Day.  

In the Mormon faith, we believe that the Lord has revealed that eight years old is the age of accountability--when children are old enough to have an understanding of right and wrong, and are now responsible for their own actions.  They are old enough to make the decision of whether or not to be baptized.  If they choose to be baptized, they make covenants (promises) to God to take the name of Christ upon them, to keep His commandments, and to love and serve Him.  When we do our best to keep our covenants, Heavenly Father promises to give us the Holy Ghost to comfort and guide us, as well as forgiveness for our sins when we repent, and eternal life with Him after we die.   

Boston was obviously raised in the church and has a solid foundation and a budding testimony of gospel principles.  But still over the past few months and weeks leading up to his baptism, I started to wonder if I have prepared him enough.  Does he know everything he's "supposed" to know?? I found myself making mental lists of things I still need to teach him.

Then as I was studying, I realized something that had never occurred to me before.  Baptism is not for those who have a fully-developed testimony of the gospel! Whether talking about an eight-year-old or an adult convert to the Church, baptism is not the step that comes after you have learned everything you're supposed to learn about the gospel.  It is, of course, really just the first step! It is the first opportunity for them to exercise faith and make a commitment to learning and living the gospel.  

We are so happy that Boston has taken this important step! He has faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and knows They will guide him as he continues on this path of seeking truth.  

Pictures from his special day:

Boston said his favorite part of his day was having so many family and friends come to support him.  He invited his school teacher from last year, as well as his best friend and his family, and they all came! 

Boston and Mrs. LeBlanc

Boston is so handsome, like his Daddy!

Mawmaw and Grandpa

Manny and Papa

So glad Jackson could be here with us.  He's next in a few months!

All the family from the Lightsey side

All the family from the Walker side

Best buddy from school,  Jon

There were also so many families from our ward that came to support Bossy: current and past Primary teachers, classmates, and dear friends.  After the baptism we had a lunch with many of our family and friends, and then took much-needed naps! Hosting drains me, but I am so grateful for the memories we made today.  Now I am left with that after-Christmas feeling...we have been looking forward to this day for so long, it's a little sad that it's over! 

I can't believe my Boston is old enough to be baptized.  I remember when he was a baby, I couldn't even imagine him being eight years old! I'm so grateful for him and his example.  He is so brave and kind.  And I couldn't ask for anything more.  

Pumpkin Patch and Costumes

We got such a treat on Wednesday. Our favorite cousins came to town for a last-minute surprise visit! Erin, Jackson, and Harper were with me when I picked Boston up from school. Little squeals filled the car the whole way home. When Boston first saw Jackson he yelled, "Jack! I haven't seen you in a couple of days!!" And then a few minutes later he announced, "this isn't the worst day of my life anymore!"

Wednesday was filled with hours of playing with toys, making record-breaking messes, making a delicious dinner, and having a family night (more like family 5 minutes). Thursday was crazy busy. Go-go-go all day. We started with a trip to the pumpkin patch with Boston's pre-school class. Even though there were only 7 kids and 5 adults, it still felt a bit like trying to keep cockroaches from scattering when you turn on the light. Luckily we didn't lose anyone, we had lots of fun, and found the perfect pumpkin for carving (pie sized=took 10 minutes total to gut and carve=perfect!). Having the Nydeggers there with us made it even more fun! My camera batteries died about 15 minutes after we got there, but here are a few pictures.

After the pumpkin patch and a quick nap we put the kids in their costumes and headed to Jamie's work for a Halloween party. A lion, Buzz, a cowboy, and Tinkerbell made up the cutest bunch of kids there. Here's Harper and Cade (thrilled to be back in the car...)

And my honey in his halloween costume. He was a sexy old man. (Or just an old man.) You can't tell but his hair and facial hair were sprayed gray. He shuffled his feet and walked all hunched over his walker. It was awesome. He even won 3rd place in the "funniest" category of the costume contest and got $25. I teased him in the morning about this being a peek into the future 50 years ;)

To Austin and Back in a Day

Last Monday we left Cade and Daddy at home, while Boston and I tagged along with my parents on a day trip to Austin. My cousin, Julie, was in town from Mississippi and it was my mom's birthday so we just went to visit for the day. We left at 5am and got back at 10:30pm!

I debated not telling Boston until the morning of the trip, but I wanted to see his reaction, so I told him the night before. This is how the conversation went:

Me: Boston, guess where you and I are going tomorrow?

Boston: Where?

Me: Guess...where do you tell me all the time that you want to go?

Boston: (face lights up) My cousin Jackson's house?!?!

Me: Yes! We are going tomorrow!

Boston: (gasp!) HOORAY!

Then he ran through the house telling everyone he was going to "his cousin Jackson's house."

As soon as we got there, they hit the ground running and didn't stop playing until we left after dinner. They love to play together! Since I didn't have Cade with me, it was an awesome chance for me to visit with the girls! We went to the park in the morning, then to an outdoor mall that had fountains for the boys to play in. This is why I love summer...throw swimsuits on the kids and head somewhere with water...done. Instant entertainment!

Here they are standing above where the water shoots up waiting for it to splash them!

My beautiful cousin, JC. She has the most beautiful skin and hair of anyone I know. If I didn't love her so much I'd hate her for that!

And of course I got to do some lovin' on Ms. Harper. You gotta love this girl. She's got some serious 'tude.

I couldn't decide which bow to put on her, so we just went with all of them. A girl can never have too many accessories, right?!

These boys are two peas in a pod. Boston had a small melt-down when I told him it was time to go after dinner. It wasn't even a tantrum, he just sobbed and sobbed. I was so sad for him. It's so hard to say goodbye after having such a fun day! Luckily we get to see them again next week!

Thanks Nydeggers and Julia Catherine for a fun day!