Creeper

I have a fundamental problem keeping good news to myself.  While I don't have any more information beyond what I shared yesterday, what's the good of this blog if not to document our journey?

So, last Wednesday, Nick was discussing our home search with one of his colleagues who happened to be visiting on business from Savannah.  This colleague told Nick that he has a rental property here in town that he is looking to unload.  He has month-to-month renters who are disinterested in buying the home.  It is a 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home with a large bonus, screened in sunroom, 2600 square feet, on an acre lot in the country, but just a mile from a main road.  It was custom built in 2006 by two contractors who made many upgrades. We have also been looking for a home with a basement for Nick's gym equipment and also to appease my mother who is petrified each time she hears of a tornado warning in Tennessee.  This home has a 1900 square foot unfinished basement.  It gets better.  Nick's colleague is so motivated to sell, that he has offered to sell it for what he owes on the property, which happens to be smack dab in the middle of our budget.  What?!?!?

I unearthed an old youtube video that was created by a realtor when they bought the house to get an idea of the layout.  It's got fantastic bones from what I can tell, and there are only a few cosmetic alterations that I would make.

So, after I dropped Emmy off at Mom's Day Out on Thursday, Hannah and I drove just a mile and a half down the road to the property.  As soon as I turned off this beautiful, wooded country road, I was greeted by a single street of absolutely, stunningly gorgeous homes, that I NEVER would have found on my own.  So, I did what all creepy people do, and drove my car, very slowly, in front of the house and whipped out my giant camera to take pictures of it.  I can only hope the renters were at work and that none of the neighbors were peering through their blinds.

I drove away and, shaking, dialed Nick's number first to tell him that I was so certain I wanted to live there that I would be willing to pitch a tent in the front lawn until our closing date.  Then I promptly called Kris and Mom to tell them that I'd was sitting on the street on which I was going to live.  I am what you might call, an "emotional shopper."

I outdid my earlier creepiness and drove by twice more before dusk.  The last time I brought Nick, who is just as thrilled about the property as I am.  He expressed our interest to his colleague and we are waiting on still photos when he and his wife return from a marriage retreat the beginning of next week.  After those, we will schedule a showing at everyone's earliest convenience.  (I've already been warned not to go knocking on any doors, the renters don't know anything about the possible sale of the home because the house isn't actually on the market.)  So, for now, we wait.  And hope that this isn't too good to be true...

Month of the Military Child

I first wrote this in early April, and chose not to post it until it felt "finished"...

April is the month of the military child, and it seems appropriate that it is within this month that we determine our children's future.  Nick and I have decided that we will continue on with our military service for the next three years.  It is a decision that comes months, heck, years, after we first started the discussion.  It has been a highly emotional, agonizing conversation.  One thing that I know is true, is that the Lord has a plan for us, and He never promised it to be easy.

Nick has been overcome with a very intense need to assume the command of the Special Operations company that he has been slated for. We don't know what path we are intended to take after he finishes that commitment, three years from now, but I have faith that God will show us the way when the time is right.

I would be lying if I said that I felt complete peace about our next step.  I have been praying that my heart catches up with my head.  I know this is the path we were meant to take.  The military life is a difficult one, but then the civilian world offers it's own challenges.  When I take a step back and consider that caring for my family is what I believe I've been called to do,  I recognize that the military does not impede that.  It might pose extra considerations given the separation, lack of routine and, most difficult of all, a concern for Nick's safety, but there are trade-offs.  I know that we have Nick's job satisfaction and security, quality health care and I am able to stay at home to raise our girls, which is something I don't know would be feasible in the civilian world.  As challenging and tiresome as my job is, I will protect my ability to do so with great ferocity.  I suppose our future path is proof of that.

I also feel as though God has equipped me with the best possible tools to be successful in this next step.  He has provided Nick a job in a town where I have an incredible support network and a church family I love dearly.  I have my beloved Mom's Day Out program, awesome doctors and a grocery store with people who know me by name.  I have a lay of the land, and know where I want to find our next home.  I am a manageable 5 hour drive from my sister and her beautiful family.  My children will benefit from growing up near family, which has always been a non-negotiable in my book.  Most important, I have faith that has taught me that,

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phillipians 4:13)

As for now, my dear friend Marin, our realtor, came over yesterday to get the ball rolling with the sale of our house.  I have a home inspector coming over tomorrow to prepare a list for our handyman to complete before our house goes on the market in the beginning of May.  I have found a fantastic rental home for us in Leavenworth, Kansas, that has every item on our wish list.  We will move to Kansas in July for just under a year while Nick completes training, where he will be at home with us for that full year.  We will return to Clarksville in the summer of 2013 for Nick to take command.  The command will last for two years.  After that, only God knows where we are headed...But, as much as I never thought I would say this, I can see how this scenario is the answer to our prayers.

Completed April 26, 2012...

Speaking of answered prayers, God continued to reveal His plan to us in the last week, and it's a bit different than we originally thought.  But better.  So much better...

Last week, the day our Kansas rental agreement arrived in our mailbox to be signed and returned, Nick received a phone call from his boss.  He asked if Nick would be interested in staying in his current office for the next year instead of moving to Kansas.  With the permission of the Commanding Officer of the Regiment, they waived Nick's required training before assuming command because they needed his experience in the "shop" with the upcoming officer turnover this summer.  While he will need to deploy, for a 30-60 day rotation, he will otherwise be at home working the same schedule that he's had for the last year.  (In the days following this development, we learned that, due to federal budget cuts, Nick's year group likely would not have been granted orders to the Kansas training as the fewer slots were being reserved for more senior Majors.)  Because we will remain in Clarksville for another three years, we have decided to upgrade our home rather than rent as we would've done upon returning from Kansas.  We are busting at the seams!

In the last few weeks, we have been preparing our home for sale.  Reorganizing, painting, manicuring the yard, scrubbing down every nook and cranny, we've been hard at work.  I have already been working drills in my head for last-minute showings...Throw the girls in their carseats, turn a movie on for Emmy in the car, and clean feverishly until it's go-time.  The fewer showings the better in my book, which is incentive to price the house well and sell quickly!  Trying to sell a home with two kiddos and two dogs provides many handicaps, but I am determined to overcome them and come out on top!  I am relishing in the (temporary) cleanliness of my home, and recalling how less-frazzled I feel in a minimally-cluttered environment.

We have been scouring the area in search of a home that meets our very long wishlist, and, by a very fortuitous turn of events, we just may have found it.  Even though I don't consider myself to be a superstitious person, I still don't want to even risk jinxing our luck by mentioning the details before it's confirmed.  All I can say, is that I am praying that we have found our new home, in which I can do my dream job while Nick does his.

Last Minute Vacay

After wrapping up his nine-day "work trip" at the Opryland, Nick surprised me with a week of leave!  It was glorious to not only have his company, but also an extra pair of hands and eyes to help out with the kiddos!  If only we could be a stay-at-home-family permanently!  Somehow I doubt Nick would want that after a few of the tantrums he got to deal with...:-P

We went to Chuck-E-Cheese's for lunch on Monday.  Now each time Emmy finds a coin she says "Chuchee Cheeses!"  I would say our lunch-time outing made a major impression on her.

On a mission to earn my girl some tickets.

She didn't need my tickets, though, she earned more than Nick and I combined.

Nick took winning tickets to a whole new level. :-P

We decided at the beginning of the week to arrange a last minute getaway to Gatlinburg for Thursday through Saturday!

We had to make several stops on our way so that a ravenous Hannah Horn could grab lunch (and a couple of snacks).  We made one pit-stop at an "amusement park" just outside of Cookeville called "Hidden Hollow."  Let's just say that, in it's hay day, this park was probably a big deal, but we realized we were the only patrons there just after we paid the entrance fee.  During Hannah's feeding, Nick and Emmy sailed on the least broken paddle boat and they blew up the bounce house for our very enthusiastic 2 year old.  We were glad to support the owners and even happier that Emmy could get her wiggles out!

We stayed in a two-bedroom condominium that was a mere 5 minute walk to downtown Gatlinburg.  It was PERFECT!  We brought two pack-n-plays and put the girls down, one in each room.  When Nick and I were ready to throw the towel in, we moved Hannah out of our room into the dark living room and everyone slept peacefully throughout the night!  After our Opryland fiasco, I was more than a little nervous as to how it was going to play out.

Friday, we kicked off the day at the aquarium...

We found a little boutique that specializes in personalizing children's CDs and DVDs.  Emmy's souvenir is a full-length Dora episode in which Emmy is one of the characters...We needed to submit a photo of her in order to have the DVD created. It is AWESOME! (http://www.mylollipopguild.com/PersonalizedVideos.html)

After naptime on Friday, we went to Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort in the winter and an amusement park in the spring and summer months.  Nick and Emmy rode the lift partway up the mountain to slide down on a tobboggen!

 There they are!!

Emmy loved all the carny-rides...

During another one of Hannah's car-side meals, Nick and Emmy rode some go-karts.  She LOVED it!!   Who says Nick needs a son?  He's got a fearless 2 year old daughter to keep up with him!

When Nick asked if Emmy could ride the swings even though she was just shy of the age minimum, the ride operator asked if she was a "brave two."  Yes she is.

The backseat, full of my loves.

"Cheers!" We made our first attempt at a sit-down dinner in a LONG time on Friday night.  Nick gave Emmy a C for her efforts.  I was just grateful to be on Hannah duty and that we opted for Mexican food, because it's always quick!

Emmy's peppered quesadilla.

Milk in one hand, Elmo DVD in the other.

We had an awesome whirlpool tub in our room and had a blast playing in it during bathtime!

Nick's quick trigger finger captured this moment before the water from Emmy's bucket hit Hannah's face. :-/

We started Saturday off with a hike up Laurel Falls!

Nick took this picture.  I stayed as far away as I could without falling off the mountain.

We made it!!

My brave hubs, posing for a picture near a waterfall with our wiggly two-year old.

Gorgeous view of the Smokeys.

First family vacation: SUCCESS!!!!

Three Months Old & Uncharted Waters

We now have a three month old!  With this month-aversary, Nick began wading into uncharted waters, given that he deployed on the day Emmy turned this age.  I can't wait to share all of the excitement of Hannah's "firsts" with him!

Hannah smiles all the time and is doing her very best to giggle.  It comes out more like a squawk, but is as cute as can be.  In the last week, she has begun blowing raspberries, which I find hilarious.  I adore hearing her little noises in the back seat of the car, and can't help but grin knowing it's her contribution to our conversation.  She is sleeping consistently through the night from 7:30 until 6:30 or 7!!  Daytime sleep is hit or miss (usually miss...)  We're still working on naps, but I have found that I would much rather deal with a napless Hannah than a napless Emmy (who usually wakes up when she hears Hannah crying in the next room.)  Hannah is eating well--usually about 6 times a day, and still cluster feeds in the afternoon during Emmy's naptime.  Hannah's favorite time is spent on her activity mat, I know this because she gets a giant smile on her face and throws her arms and legs around in an excited frenzy each time I lay her on it.  She loves to reach out and bat at or pull on the toys hanging over her.  She's become very grabby lately and holds onto my shirt (or my hair) while I carry her.  I believe it's her way of giving hugs and I cherish them.

"Hannah Bana" (per Emmy)

I know it's wrong to compare, but I can't help it.

Emmy, four months old:

A very Happy Birthday (plus two days!)

Happy Birthday to a very special lady, my Great Aunt Dort (the girls' Great Great Aunt Dort!!)!  

We love you!

Easter 2012

What a wonderful Easter celebration we had this year...

We kicked things off with an egg hunt at a local church Saturday morning.  We quickly learned not to show up late--even a couple of minutes--because children are like locusts and it takes next to no time for them to clean house.  Luckily, my sweet Emmy was OVERJOYED to have eight eggs ( four of which were given to her by a really nice lady) in her basket!  We'll know better next year (not that she needed any more candy...)

Checking out her loot before the illusionist show!  We couldn't stay too long because she saw a pink bike near the stage and excitedly proclaimed, "My tricycle! My tricycle!" and started running towards it in the middle of the show...

Finally a picture with the four of us!

We made Easter eggs that afternoon:

I was on high alert having Emmy so near to so many cups of colored dye.  Especially when she started mixing them.

Most of our eggs were cracked as she chucked them into the cups.

Easter eve...If there was ever a question that we have lap dogs...

Grandma's Easter bread!  Didn't taste quite the same as when she made it, but then nothing does.

Our attempt at a pre-church family photo via an old diaper box and the timer feature on the camera.  This is the best one of the crop.  I am laughing at it now, but, at the time, I found no humor in my 2 year old's crazies.  Poor Hannah.

I threw the camera in the car to attempt to get some pictures after church before Nick went to serve.

Later that afternoon, we joined up with our wonderful friends from church for an Easter celebration:

My girls after the egg hunt!

Emmy's buddies!

Emmy on the prowl.

The little kids getting coached by their mommies and daddies.

I seriously can't stop thinking about our friends' home.  I snuck up to their loft to feed Hannah and this was my view.  Pretty sure everyone thought I'd left because I was up there so long salivating over the backyard.