My word has it been five months since my last post? How's that for inconsistency. So much has happened in those five months. Let's take a walk through my memory.
I celebrated my 30th birthday in May. It was very nice to have all my loved ones celebrate with me. My mom threw me a party (not a surprise), and fun was had by all. I am truly blessed.
My Poppop went home to be with the Lord in June. He was the closest representation of Christ I have ever experienced in my life. He was truly a man of God. He would literally give you the shirt off your back. In fact, that was his ministry. He would wear Jesus shirts, and if you said you liked it, he would ask you if you would wear it. If you said yes, he would take it off and give it to you. We handed out shirts at his memorial service with a wonderful poem telling others to do the same. I am so glad he is with my Grandmom again, both of them in Heaven yukking it up. But boy, do I miss the heck out of him. I didn't glean everything I should, or could, have from him, and for that I am regretful. I can only take that regret and turn it into something good - really buckling down and digging into my Bible. I cannot wait to see them again, and I am so thankful I know I will. I am truly blessed.
After seven months of squatting with my in-laws, we settled on a house at the end of July. This house is perfect for us. The previous owners kind of took a bath when they sold it to us, but yay for us! It was completely done - all the way down to paint - so all we had to do was move in. We are thankful to Oak's family for taking us in, and we are thankful to have a house of our own again. I am truly blessed.
We moved into the new house in the beginning of August! Moving day was so awesome. We had so many family members help us; we were like a well-oiled machine! My sister-in-law was fantastic in the days after too, helping us get things out of boxes. She unpacked the entire kitchen and front room, not to mention the other things I am forgetting. I am truly blessed.
Let's see... With September came the onset of Apricot's two-year molars! I believe September 20 was when we started seeing something poke through. We were glad to discover those little buggers because it's kind of been a nap time-nightmare around here lately. Not napping, sometimes napping, short napping, needing to be rocked to sleep to make the napping happen... not super fun times. Also, Miss Apricot was moved from her crib into a big-girl bed! I saw that she could get her leg (easily) over the top rung of the crib, and it was starting to worry me. I know a few kids who have fallen out of the crib and broken their arms, so I was concerned for her safety. Into the big-girl bed it was (which is just her crib mattress on the floor with a slide-under railing). God gave us a few great days that were smooth. She laid down and didn't budge when we put her in. I can't say it's been like that since. But we're figuring it out. Other than that, though, Apricot is just a gem. She is so smart; it's a little scary. She can count to 20 (if you don't mind missing 13 and 15), recite the days of the week, tell you the sound of the first several letters of the alphabet, sing several songs, recite several nursery rhymes, and is pretty much daytime potty trained. All of this, really, in the month of September. She is a light that just shines and makes people smile. I am truly blessed.
September was also a big month for my siblings! I am the oldest, and from there we have RobinHood, AirForce, Blue and Twig. RobinHood made a great life decision and decided to get treatment for a long-time addiction. He's been through detox, rehab and is back home now. He's doing daily meetings, and truly seems to have done a 180. I love spending time with him, and I am so glad he's back! AirForce, if you couldn't tell, is in the AirForce! It was great life decision he made quite a few months ago that made us all proud. He left for bootcamp early in September, and we have been writing letters since. We are so thankful for his sacrifice! He has such intelligence, we know he will do well. Blue started college again. I believe it is going well, albiet hard. I don't talk to her much; that is something I have to work on! And Twig got braces! She lives with her mom, and I cannot wait to see her. She is supposed to be coming to spend the weekend with us, and we are super excited. I am so proud of all of them. I am truly blessed.
And now it's October. Wow. Oak and I are chatting about several things - hoping to do them in the coming months: visit my dad later this month; hand out glow sticks in lieu of candy for Halloween; go on a date (or two) after Apricot goes to bed; figure out our budget; complete some things on our To Do List; get our dining room table (that we just ordered the other day - we are so excited!) situated, along with extra dishes and silverware to complete the sets; go to VA in November for my grandparent's memorial in Arlington; Christmas decorations... Lots of things. I am truly blessed.
So now you're all caught up. Hopefully I won't have another five-month-long dry spell. But don't hold your breath. What can I say? I've got a lot going on. I am truly blessed.
