I feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who care so much. I cherish each of you, and your comments mean so much. I hesitated for a while posting those thoughts because I didn't want pity. I just wanted to express myself honestly, without coming across as a "poor, poor me" post. This year has presented itself with a good portion of trials, but with that comes perspective, and an extra dose of optimism for the future, and I hope that was ultimately what you all were able to take from my thoughts. I have new perspective and a renewed hope. I'll take both of those happily for this past years' experiences.
I continue to be in awe with my children and their ability to adapt so quickly to new surroundings. We finally got the green light to move in last Wednesday morning and they have been wonderful to deal with parents who are all too consumed with unpacking and getting situated.
Our first night in the home, we set up the Christmas tree, and Cade couldn't have been more tickled about it. That was the event he had been waiting for allllll month. He kept saying, "Mom, I love you. Mom, I love Jesus. I love Heavenly Father. I love Christmas!" It was so endearing to me to witness how Christmas takes on a special meaning to the Lord's little ones. Savannah was happy, and more or less danced around and got into things while Cade and I decorated the tree.
For the first few days being in the home it felt very surreal to me. For us, "this is it" for a very, very long time, yet I still couldn't get my mind or feelings to wrap themselves around the idea. I still walked around, panicking about another move or that something was going to be all wrong with the paperwork and we really didn't own the house. I guess that happens when you move 13 times in 6.5 years. I think I have finally calmed enough to accept this as my new home for a very long time. It's a wonderful feeling.
Leaving Mayberry was bittersweet. I loved the neighbors. I loved the view. It just wasn't permanent. Now we are permanent. I adore the neighbors. This is just a list of what our newneighbors did for us our first day here:
- a handful of kind and helpful men showed up at 8am and unloaded a truck-full of belongings into our house.
- a neighbor dropped by some groceries, including milk, cereal, snacks and V-8s (How did she know I LOVE V-8s?!)
- another neighbor brought over chicken croissant sandwiches, homemade candy, and homemade grape juice
- A neighbor picked up my kids and watched them for a few hours while I unpacked
- another neighbor dropped off lasagna, french bread and fudge
Sufficeth to say I am full to the brim with gratitude for such wonderful people in our midst to make this taxing and crazy event as bearable as humanly possible.
Although moving is painful, I always look at it as a new beginning. Since we've moved into this house, I have decided this is the house where I fulfill my dreams. Well, today I finally fulfilled a dream that I've always had. Ever since I learned Joseph Smith's birthday was on December 23rd, I dreamed up making it a fun traditional day of festivities when I had a family of my own. Finally this year, I was able to follow through on that dream. The kids and I made cupcakes, and later we blew out candles after singing happy birthday to Joseph. I gifted Cade with a stunning painting of the Prophet Joseph (he was a bit disappointed, thinking it was going to be toy!) to hang in his room, and we watch a short video of Joseph.
We also spent the evening drinking hot chocolate and looking at Christmas lights while the cupcakes cooled. It was nice to take a break from unpacking to focus on something far more meaningful than getting the laundry room organized.
We are having Christmas Eve dinner here complete with a white elephant gift exchange, nativity reenactment, Chrismas bingo for the kids, the coloring, cutting out and displaying of the nativity in a shoe box, and perhaps a little visit from Santa's elves who may hang our Christmas pajamas on a clothesline in front of our house.
Merry Christmas to you all!!!
6 comments:
Welcome to your new house! How exciting to finally be in -- esp in time for Christmas. I love how you celebrated the Prophet Joseph's bday; what a fun idea! Good luck settling in {though you're probably a pro at settling quickly by now!} =)
Yay! I am so happy that you are finally settled! And what awesome neighbors.
That's such a great idea to celebrate Joseph's birthday. I might have to do something like that. :)
I can't wait to see your new, long term house! Congrats and have a Merry Christmas! We love you guys.
We're so excited to see your place tonight and participate in all the Christmas festivities!! Hopefully work goes by fast. I can't wait! :)
Oh and do you know what Jake and I's part is in the nativity re-enactment? Mel was gonna re-send us the email because we couldn't open it up in word 2007 (we're old school and still have 2003)...but I think she forgot. Send me a text if you get this before 3 today. Thanks! :)
Merry Christmas, Michelle!
What perfect ideas and I am thrilled you have a home you know you will be in! Jeff and I are excited to be in our own home hopefully soon...well I should clarify, he will move in first and then I will move in March when we are married!! :) Love you, Em
What a cute idea with the Joseph Smith birthday celebration! I was looking at the pics from your tree decorating and saw the ornaments I made you guys forever ago. Every year when we decorate our tree, I think of Cade when we go to hang the ornament we got from him a few years ago. I am glad you guys are settled into your own home now. How exciting! Merry Christmas :)
Post a Comment