And that chapter is closed!

Rob and the big boys drove into Tyler this week to meet the movers at the Spring Creek house. Much like our departure from the Chilton house in the Azalea district, I did not get to say a "goodbye." I'd like to think it was best this way, as Andrew had a hard enough time saying bye, as they locked up the house and drove by the school. If I had been there, I would have been a ball of tears every waking moment of the week - encouraging a dramatic departure for my children, I'm sure!

We spend this Sunday, in our "home!" (as Will so happily calls this 500 sqft hotel room), flipping through pictures of the last (almost) 8 years in Tyler, and, specifically, of our time spent in the Spring Creek house, and feeling overly blessed by the memories this house provided. Those that helped share in these memories know that it wasn't always easy, but in so many ways, we are absolutely the family we are because of the short, but full, 2 years spent here. 

 The snow days

Our garden...that actually produced!

 

 Bringing "Baby" Home

Will was brought home to this house...just 4 days after moving in

Holidays

Holidays were treasured here - Daddy was home and we soaked up all the family time we could with family cooking/baking, eating 

together, playing games, and celebrating each holiday to its fullest...

 Downtime

 Long, fought for naptime's were accomplished in our room ... where I'd finally get them down, just to find myself staring at their quiet, cuddly faces.

We welcomed Molly into the family here!

Milestone's

 Many milestones were witnessed in this house.

Dillon gave up his noonies after the Big Noonie Cut-athon Party

"First Day of School"

2012/14

 2013/14

 ... Andrew's first tooth was pulled out

Will had most of his "1st's" here. From sitting up, crawling, walking, talking, etc...to learning to escape his bed.

 And first stitches

 

Family Nights

Lots of popcorn eaten and SkipBo played...

Around That House...

Bath time!

The amount of time spent baking in that kitchen...

 

 playing...

"The Pantry"

 ...where many a cookies and candy pieces were STOLEN!

 

 

Celebrating Birthdays

And now we say goodbye! And make memories in 

The First and last picture taken in this house

My sunshine's on a rainy day

No outdoor adventures for this crew today.  Hopefully books, movies and pj's will do the trick!

"Home" Is Where The Heart Is

If I think too much into it, I'd feel overly annoyed at that phrase - but, tis true! Home is where the heart is - even if that means a 2 bedroom hotel on the 5th floor with 2 adults, 3 boys and 1 lab. Oh, the stories this "home" has provided. And we're only 4 days in. As my mama says (about much of my life), I "should journal this."

Aside from the hotel - one word to sum up our time together in SA - LOVE!! In all of the house hunting, we have discovered all of the fun things to do in Stone Oak proper, but have also discovered so much more outside of our new "burb". (That is what a few people have termed our "area." I could do away with that term).

The last few times Rob and I were in San Antonio were to visit some of our besties while they were here for school. She filled me in on some of her fave spots - which brought the boys and I to O.P. Schnabel Park today. Let me just say, each day so far deserves a post - we've seen some awesome parks this week. But, this one tops it!

Before we even caught sight of the playground we saw deer. Deer just walking around like no big thing! We spent all morning here - playing on the playground, driving over to a private picnic spot with more deer, and "hiking" around the woods. I say hiking loosely - let's be serious. We headed back to the playground area for a bit longer, making this park outing hours longer than expected!

I knew this move was going to be an adventure and I am just so happy to say that it has been great so far. Spending time as a family and directly centered around these boys has been awesome. There have been nine million hiccups, but we're still smiling. We are on zero solid hours of sleep, but we catch the zzz's when we can. We are probably a sight to see, but we no longer care. The 5 of us together makes it "home" no matter where we are ;) And we are beyond happy with our new city and what is has to offer!

Graduation

We celebrated these 2 precious ladies on their graduation this weekend. The 2 little guys and I weren't able to see them cross the stage but we blew bubbles and talked about how much we love them at the park in their honor!
Seeing them Sunday morning getting ready, I had this overwhelming feeling - how blessed we are by these 2. They are just as sweet now as they were the day I met them, at 6 years old. At their uncles graduation ;)
Watching them with our boys over the years has been so special and I'm just really grateful for their love for the boys.
Congratulations to these 2 sweet ones! Looking forward to watching them in their new chapter!