A forever friendship

Ok, fine. I think I'll come out of hiding. There's a no better time than now, right? (That's what I'm telling myself as I sit here in peace and quiet; something I never get. I pray I get this again so I can start writing again!)

And why have I been hiding, you ask? Well, most of you know my story. And I've not really been hiding. Just occupied. I got sick, then pregnant, then had a complicated delivery and then when Finn was about 10 months old we packed our bags and moved far away to . . .Omaha, Nebraska. So. Life has been crazy. Lots of ups and downs but overall, it's been one exciting adventure. My life is never dull. (I'm saying that with a smile, I promise!)

Since being here in Omaha I have found my life to be even busier than before. Well, in the mother-sense. Not so much the photographer-sense. I haven't hardly picked up my camera for any "jobs" since last summer. It's been a somewhat-difficult thing to get used to, but honestly, it's been nice. What's been keeping me so busy is the exploration of Omaha, finding new doctors, getting the kids acclimated and getting myself acclimated, plus the biggest reason, Finn, who is now 18 months, and quite the busy little guy. (That's probably an understatement.) The weeks have just flown by. Plus we've made a few trips back to Illinois, I spent 9 days in Mexico and we just got back from Walt Disney World. Like I said, my life is never dull!

Our moving . . .yeah, that's something I'll have to write more about later. If you know me, you know it's something you probably never dreamed I would do in a million years. I didn't think so either. But it has happened (God's plan!) and it has been a really great adventure. More on that another day because yeah, you're right, it's big stuff for our family.

Right now I have to remind you about one of my best friends, Alexis. She is living as an expat in Japan right now and has for a couple years now (in which I can't hardly believe it's been that long). And as you know, Japan was just hit by a category 9 earthquake followed by a tsunami within the hour which took thousands upon thousands of human lives, not to mention homes, places of work, farms . . .livelihoods. Thank God Alexis lives in Kobe south and west of Tokyo. But everything has still "hit" her and her family. So please, please think about her and their family as they journey through this very very scary time. And please continue to keep the entire country of Japan in your prayers. It's the one and only thing that is going to get these people through such a horrible time in their lives.

I told Alexis a few weeks ago that when I did start back up my blog, I already knew in my mind what it was going to be about. I didn't tell her it was going to be about her. And this was before the catastrophes took place.

See, life is never dull for Alexis, either. But when you think about it, it's never dull for any of us. Life is a journey, life is a book, life is preparation to take us to the next place . . .a place of perfection . . .something we all dream about. And that journey and preparation is different (yet so much the same) for each of us. (Ok, that was a side thought, but a thought that already resides in my head a lot as I question my own life and why I go through the things I do.)

Alexis has been a part of my own personal journey for the past 10 years. My original post was gong to be about that. A "Happy 10-year Friendship Anniversary to us!" blog post to a best friend who has literally gotten me through the worst and best times in my life. Now it's a "Happy 10-year Friendship Anniversary to us!" plus a "Stay safe, I'm praying for you and I love you so much" post.

I also have to throw in a picture (now why would I post a picture?! HA!). I thought of Alexis a few weeks ago when Neil brought home a new wine for me to try. He knew I'd like the label and when I saw the label, I almost didn't drink it so I could share it with Alexis when I next saw her because it was so cute and so perfect for her and I. But then the selfish part of me said "nah, just drink it, she'd rather you drink it and enjoy now and then you can just buy it again when you see her next". So I did. I drank it and I thought of you, Alexis, with every single delicious sip!


So back to Alexis and our friendship; many of you know our history, but some do not.

We met online 10 years ago in a pregnancy-support board. Shortly after, she and her family moved to Decatur, Illinois (where I lived at the time) from the Chicago-area after the birth of their 3rd child, Allison. Not long after their move to my town, they lost sweet Allison at 3-1/2 months old to complications with congenital heart defects. I knew from that day on that my friendship with Alexis would change me forever. There was a reason for God bringing her into my life and now I know many of those reasons. She was there with me as I learned I finally had a viable pregnancy. She got to see Noah's heart beating with me. (We celebrated!) We then shared our new pregnancies together. And the moments, memories and celebrations continued for 8 more years. I am SO incredibly thankful for this special friendship we have.
She has been a stable rock for me. Our friendship is one that will last forever . . . past life, but literally forever.

So, that said (in the shortest way I think I have ever said it!), thank you, Alexis, for your friendship, and Happy Anniversary! Looking so very forward to the next 10 years.

You can learn more about my wonderful, colorful, funny, entertaining friend at her blog (she's been much better than me at keeping up with her blogging). She has a big following so go check it out when you have time. She's an amazing writer and just by reading her stories, I can guarantee that she's immediately become your friend, too :)

Prelude to the final cut

We moved my mom and dad into their new house on Sunday. Neil and dad worked incredibly hard. What strong boys they are! :c) This adorable (I'm biased) picture is of my kiddies posing in the new kitchen. They love it at Grandma L and Grandpa B's new house. And Noah always reminds me that it's "right next to TARGET!". (And I say, "yes, I know, Noah...") I have a few other pictures, but I just had to share this one right now because it shows Maia with her cute ponies just 2 days ago. Say "bye, bye" to those ponies and her long pretty locks.

I got a call from my friend/hair stylist, Kim, this morning after my frantic email to her last night. She's going into her shop tomorrow for me. . .she is on maternity leave, however she feels my pain! She has a boy and a new baby girl. One day this might be Dawson and Ava! (I hope not for Kim's sake!)

Tomorrow Maia's beautiful hair will probably be all the way gone. I am not sure what Kim will do. My heart fills will tiny bits of pain when I think about it because there's one section that is way up about an inch from the scalp of her head. If Kim were to evenly cut it all the way around, she's have a boy hair cut. (wahhhh!!) I don't know what Kim will do to make this look okay. Think of us tomorrow around noon. We need some prayers that this mommy will make it through without crying and that Maia will sit still for the hair cut itself. It should be an interesting day. I'm already dreading it. Someone may have to drive me home.


Here's just one section where he cut it. It's different lengths like this cut all the way around her head. I can't disguise it because it really does look like Edward Scissorhands began something and didn't finish. Maia wouldn't let me take anymore pictures than this one . . .

I am getting a signal!!!!

I turn on my computer this evening to listen to my itunes and low and behold I see that I am getting one tiny bar of wireless signal!! I. AM. BEYOND. EXCITED. This really makes my day. (We aren't suppose to be connected till Monday. I think I'm getting this off of someone else - so thank you whoever you might be! Woo-hooo!)

So yes, here I am! I have missed the internet so darn much . . . I have missed you so darn much!

I'm sitting in the new house alone, for the first time ever. And I love it. O'ma (Neil's mom) took my kiddos this afternoon to spend the night with her the entire weekend. She is an angel!

Neil is at the "old" house (although technically they are both still ours until Monday, plus let's not forget the land we also own --- wow, all this ownership is quite scary!!) working on some minor repairs. We close on that house Monday afternoon.

Tomorrow is the big move, so I'm suppose to be getting the "new" house all ready for move-in. My heart is racing. I'm anxious, nervous, excited, but all in a good way. It also might be the Excedrin I took, I dunno?! But my heart is racing as I think of this weekend and how the end of the old house is near and the beginning of new beginnings is literally right around the corner. (Wow, that is a lot to comprehend for me as a mother and as a business owner.)

So, you'd never believe all that has been accomplished this week. I am so so very proud of myself, but I also have to give huge gigantic thanks to my friends and family. We could not have done this without them.

We painted about 2000 sq foot of walls (in 3 days). Maybe not 2000 sq ft, but pretty darn close. We painted the kitchen, the living room, the hallways, the entry/foyer, the kids' bathroom, Maia's room, Noah's room, our bedroom, and the downstairs bathroom. We did not get my office done or the master bath. The master bath can wait since we have no furniture to move in there. I would honestly love to be able to paint the office tonight. I'm not holding my breath on that one, though. I'm wearing out so quickly now.

I can't wait to tell you ( and show you!) the rooms and the colors we painted. Can you say guacamole for one room?! Yes sir'ee and I LOVE it.

All the help we have had has been amazing and outpouring. Neil could not take any time off this week during the week. So I was left at home every day with the kids with the hope of painting . . . somehow. I got nothing done really on Monday except for painting the kitchen and cleaning out the kitchen cabinets (let me tell you, the previous owners were not anal about cleaning!). But the rest of the week . . . wow. I seriously am without words.

O'ma kept the kids one day. My very dear friend, Leann, came over 3 days (and she has 4 young kids and still made time for me!). My dear boyfriends (I mean, girlfriends), Jeff and Brian came over for 2 whole days (I never knew those boys could get out of bed that early but they did it for me). Heather came over one afternoon and worked her derriere off in the kids' bathroom -- and drank 'ritas with mom and I. My mom came over when she could a couple evenings to paint and help with the kids. Joe (Leann's hubby) came over one evening, and then so did our friends Dan and Danielle that same evening and knocked out a lot of walls in a short amount of time.

I seriously am so so proud and so so thankful for these people. When Brian and Jeff left after day 2, I cried. May just be my wacked-out emotions right now (probably more like a combination of everything put together?) but I am just astonished at how hard those boys work and all for us. (Awwwwwww!) Man I am thankful and feel so so blessed! Thank you, dear Lord, for giving me these people.

Looks like we are having a lot of help for the big move also. Tomorrow the plan is for 7 hard-working men to help load the semi. And depending on whether we actually move in Saturday evening or Sunday morning, we have another 6 or 7 to help then, too. I am just so overwhelmingly excited and thankful and just really really happy. I'm not so happy about tomorrow's move and having to pack up my office and move all my files because I've never had to move a business before and the thought is scary and freakinng me out. I think that's one thing really making me anxious. (No, I know it is.) And I also am dreading the having-to-clean part once everything is out. But, we'll get it done. Mom and I will probably work hard on that one tomorrow afternoon.

Our new house. I LOVE it. It's 30 years old but is like brand-new to me! With new paint and the new hardwood floors and the new kitchen, it just feels and looks so brand spankin' new. A new house with great landscaping and a big established yard . . . I love it. Who could possibly ask for more or have that with a brand new house in a new subdivision? Not many.I just feel so at home.

Monday afternoon I called my sis, Chel, just to talk. I think we talked 45 minutes. I needed to tell someone . . . someone who I know understands the feeling. . . . just how happy, relieved and at home I feel here. I just love it. And I can't wait to show you in pictures more of it in the coming weeks. I'm making you wait! Bad bad Val, I know, but there just isn't time. I shouldn't even be on here now.

So, I know this is getting so darn long, and I'm sorry. Yet again . . . you are reading this because you love me, which means you probably know me, and with knowing me comes with having to read the long strung-out blog posts I make. HA! (Thank you for that.)

I need to sign off and get back to cleaning and getting the house ready for our furniture. It's gonna be a long long long day. I'll just add more baggage and soreness to my already dark bags under my eyes and tired achy body. (*smile*)

I can't go without thanking all those fabulous people who have helped us out thus far. And I want to especially thank Jeff, Brian and Leann. It was such great fun painting with you while singing along to Christian Rock, drinking pot after pot of coffee, planning our next vacation getaways, and just getting to know each other better (as if there was more to know?!). There's nothing better than these kinds of moments.

I also have to thank Erin, for making my day yesterday when I received a phone call from her to see how things were going. That phone call came at just the right time. It was so fun hearing your voice. You are as sweet as I imagined, yet more.

See ya all when moved in! Think of us tomorrow. And then Sunday, could you please come over and rub my feet. Pretty please??

Foto Friday (and a set back)

Bad news first . . . the set back.

We were supposed to close on our new house today. I stress the word "supposed". And please don't think I'm not grateful and feeling blessed that we even sold our house and even get to close on a new house, because I very much am. But it stinks because it majorly screws up a lot of things.

The relo company who sold us the house (they had bought it from the former owners since he was a transfer with his job) decided today that they could not close because they do not have the paperwork ready to do so. That's not our fault. So why do we have to feel the effects of it?

So we asked to get possession early. Simple thing, right? We just sign some papers for liabilty causes and be done, then close on Monday. Nope, not simple. They won't budge.

Closing is at 11 Monday morning now. Which is fine. Again, I'm so thankful that we are even at this step in the process and so very close to owning a new home. But, that means one less entire weekend to paint (which had only given us one weekend anyhow - we move in next weekend).

Why do we have to suffer from these people's mistake, which could have very easily been preventable if they had just done what they were suppose to do by the date they were suppose to do it? I mean, they had 4 weeks. Grrrrrrrrrr . . . Stupid relocation companies.

Now we have Monday evening through the rest of the week to paint. I mean, I have Monday through Friday afternoon to paint. Neil works all week. My mom has to work all week (every other week she works 1/2 days). I don't have a I-can-call-anytime sitter for the kids. All this means is I will try my very best to work during the day alone, but I'll have my kids, in a new house with nothing in it for them to do, and I'll feel like I need to watch/entertain/play with them and not paint. It's gonna be very hard to paint 2400 sq foot of house in 4-1/2 days by myself. Lord help me now.

I need to tell myself, this is just a small dent. A teeny tiny little bump in the road. I am a wonder woman and I can do it. I need some encouragment. How about a cheering squad? Better yet, are you sure none of you want to come help me?

On a happier note, my sis-in-law sent me pictures from our Sea Island trip and I picked out my faves and made a collage. Happy Foto Friday.

Click on me and I will become much bigger!

Thoughts residing in my head right now.

* I have to pick out a new comforter set for both Noah and Maia. Noah says he wants dinosaurs. I'm thinking plain ol' white or pink for Maia. We'll be switching Noah to his full-size bed and Maia to a twin. I can't (well, I don't want to) pick out paint for their walls until I have exact matches to their bedding. I know, I'm anal in that way. (So, I really think this is cute. It's Pirates, though. But I think I can add some dinosaurs in there. He already saw this and really liked it. I think matching wall color would be fun and he'd like this theme for years to come. But I also found this which is similar but way cheaper, and just about as cute. I am having troubles finding dinosaurs that I like in a full size. Your thoughts?)

* I really really really want my computer back. Or, at this point, any computer. If it has to be new, so be it. I'll just be even more in debt. Sigh. Since I have to have a mac (all my software is for a mac) and since I have to have a computer that is fast but has a lot of storage capacity (it seriously is a must with what I do), and *if* I have to buy a new one, I will probably get this one. I just pray I can do a lot of biz this year to pay for it. *deep breath* (Fellow mac-ies, what do you use?)

* I need to return a cable to a photography place (Tallyn's) in Peoria because it didn't fit in my lighting system and I'm waiting to hear back from the place first to see if they even have what I am needing. (Please respond to me! Please. You are usually so quick. Don't let me down now!)

* I need to make a list of all the places that I need to do change of address for. The ones that I know there will be dozens (probably hundreds) of, are my work-related contacts, businesses, catalogs, vendors, etc. Ugh. I almost forgot about doing this.

* We begin painting on the new house the 6th. I will be doing most of it myself. Any ideas on how to keep my kids entertained (in a house that has absolutely nothing in it yet) and not be in my way? (You and I both know they'll want to "help" and then would make a huge mess doing so. They're kids. It happens. What can I do to distract them for long periods of time?)

* I get to see Jenny-Jen on Saturday!! She is coming "home" from Hattiesburg, MS. I cannot wait to see her. It's almost been an entire year. We're having lunch and shopping. Girls day out, no kids! I have missed her so much.

* Packing up my office, especially packing up all my client files, old negatives, etc., is going to be a tremendous job. I'm already in denial that it has gotta be done. I can just pick up the office and move it like it is, right? The file cabinets. Man, that will be a huge job. How do you recommend I do that? (I've never had to move my business before!)

* I want to be back on vacation.

* I need to go through all the magazines that I have not read in months and months and throw them out because I am not moving them to the new house. I guess I will get off of here and do that next. Anyone in need of Parents, Child or Family Fun? I want to read them, but I never ever have time to. I'd honestly rather read a book. I'm discontinuing my subscriptions to save some trees and piles of waste collecting in my house :c) (Btw, did you know that Child is discontinuing it's magazine? I love that 'zine, too. Parents is taking over it's subscriptions. Shoot, that stinks. But they will still have their great website packing with parenting info.)

* My list of to-do's and thoughts going through my head is just way way too long.