Fourth of July!

Our Beloved Emke

Look at that double chin!

Dog Days of Packing, Moving, & Long Distance Driving are Done

I am exhausted and my body is screaming at me to slow down, telling me its okay to chill for a bit. But I have this neurotic need to keep going, keep unpacking, decorating, and cleaning all to make everything "perfect". I don't know why I do it, I seem to think that once its done, I'll be so satisfied that my "relax" time will be all that much better. (And I still think thats true, self-destructive as it may be.)

So two weeks ago, I flew out to Northern California to help my mom pack up and move to Texas. I thought I'd cry being in that house knowing it would be the last time I'd spend the night in the home I was raised in, but I didn't have time to think about that. Imagine packing up 30 years of life...not easy. With the help of some generous neighbors and a really good friend, we completed the packing, loading and cleaning got done. Kendra and Adam were kind enough to babysit the dogs for us (something I was TOTALLY stressing about since they are socially retarded dogs) and they did great. It was such a load off, and I was so thankful to have friends that were willing to step in and sacrifice some of their time and comforts to help us out. I finally cried as Kendra drove me to my sisters new house and we drove by my old home and there were strangers cars in the driveway. Seems weird to cry over a house, its just a place and the memories don't stay there, we get to take them with us.

The drive was long; long hours, endless miles of cacti and little white lines (on the pavement, not coke of course). The dogs had their first ever stay in a hotel and I must say they did surprisingly well! It was a fun adventure. We made it to Texas safely and at the last minute (literally hours before the moving truck arrived) the owners of the house my folks are buying agreed to let them rent it during escrow. What a blessing! Now we don't have to move the stuff twice and it all was able to be delivered to their new house. While all this was happening, Aaron and I were trying to prepare our home to move into as well. Aaron did a lot of painting while I was in California and had moved a few things in piece by piece (I do not recommend this style of moving, rip it off like a band aid and get it done!) One hundred and two trips up and down 3 flights of stairs and we still aren't finished! But the necessities are in the new house and we are living in it. I love it, its so comfortable (and not having to go up stairs with groceries is a serious perk). Now I'm ready to get some Christmas baking done, buy a tree and decorate it and welcome my sister on Christmas morning with a huge breakfast! We are going to have an Ollie Bollen party Christmas day for folks who don't have family in town or are just tired of hanging with family. Should be a blast!

So that's my story, its long and I left a lot out but it feels good to put it on cyber paper.

Love you my one blog follower ;-)

Marathon!

So our latest and greatest event...Aaron ran his very first marathon! It was an amazing experience. Of course I didn't run (you kidding me?) but being there with all those people and seeing Aaron complete this major challenge was incredible. Due to a training injury, he only trained for the half but his adrenaline was pumping and he figured "hey I signed up for the full, lets do this!"

Prickly Little Suckers

There are a couple of prickly little balls on my patio. Every once in a while, when I lean in too close or lose my balance and get stuck, I curse the darn things and wonder why I keep them around!

Well now I know, cause sometimes things aren't always what they seem. At first glance you see something that does not appear to have much purpose, it is alive but harsh and unwelcoming to strangers...but if you wait...give patience, perseverance and love it will reveal to you the true softness and beauty that lies within. It may not last long, but Oh when it does...

twinkle twinkle little flower

I have no idea what this plant is called. Its some type of succulent I think. I've had it for about 3 years and it never did anything, not to mention its not all that much to look at. It just kind of ... flops. Then one night, our of the blue...this magnificent twinkl'er comes out at dusk. It only blooms at night. So cool! I felt like Mr. Wilson with his prized once in a blue moon night blooming plant... except I didn't get interrupted by a mischievous little boy and was able to (somewhat) capture its beauty.