setting in

this rose bush was the only living thing on the lot
when we moved into our old house

Our recent move has started feeling not so recent any more.  We are feeling at home and very comfortable in our new town, our new church, our new home.  We love that we are close enough to our old town to still see friends, run into people we know at the store, and make it to story time at the library every now and then!

my calendula was doing so well!  I was very pleased!

Our house has been on the market since December, but has seen very little foot traffic.  We get tons of internet hits, but only one couple has taken the bite and actually scheduled a showing.  They went out yesterday to see the house, and we are still waiting for some feedback from that visit.  I found myself speaking blessings over their visit all day- "They are going to love the way the light dances across the hardwood floors", "they are going to love the giant closet in the kid's old room", "they will love the butler's pantry" etc.  This was better than my original thinking of "Oh!  I hope they don't mind paneling popping off of the walls!", or "Dang- our backyard looks rough!".  Positive thoughts, positive thoughts...

the rosemary was out of control!  I wanted to pack all that
goodness up in my pocket and bring it back home with me!

We went to the house this week to prep it for the showing.  It is empty, but we wanted to work on the yard a bit and dust the place.  While sweeping the rooms, my mind was playing tricks on me.  I could see my couch, our baskets of books (everywhere!  Oh the baskets lining the base boards in that tiny house!), and children running in and out of the door.  When I walked into the kid's old room to give it a good sweep, I was overcome with feelings.  We bought that house when Buddy was six weeks old!  I could see his little crib in the corner, hear his little knees swooshing on the floor as he crawled across the room to me.  I could see Moonpie in tutus and wings dancing around their room.  I could see their bigger selves jumping on beds and snuggling up together at bed time.  It finally settled into my heart that we were really done.  Not just with the house, but with that season of our life.  And as wistful as I can get about my two bitties not being so bitty anymore, I'm also comforted to know that this home we are now in is the perfect one for this season of our life.

possible garden plans (still in revision)

And we are making plans!  We spent some time the other night mapping out what we wanted to see happen in the garden.  Moonpie has an up and coming egg business, and Buddy is going to help with market garden we have planned.

Buddy's market stand

Market garden!  I am beside myself!  The goats and the bees are on the back burner for now as we focus on the work of the garden, expanding the bunny yard and setting up for the chickens.

Moonpie's proposed bunny area

I know that this isn't our forever home (we do not own it), but for this season of our life it is just right.

I did it

I started packing!  After repeatedly calling John yesterday complaining about how much I had to do, yet I had no boxes to put anything in, he came home with boxes and tape and markers.  And then my friend Brandi came over and picked up my kids so I could have time to pack.  And then later that night, my friend Robyn showed up with boxes (thank you sweet friends!). Drat!  Looks like I actually have to do this!  So I did!  And it feels good!

We have decided to make our last few days here all about our favorite things to do in this town.  Today?  Possibly a thrift store (my favorite) and then most definitely onto the ice cream factory for some fresh deliciousness (their favorite)!  We are still going to be living very close to this place, but I really wanted some fun things for us to do in the midst of all of the things we have to do.  Some time to fill love tanks while most of our time is spent side by side working away.  So this seems to fit well.

I am thankful that we had the foresight to take a little mini road trip last week!  We had so much fun just living in a pile on top of each other for the week.  Really, I treasured every minute of it!  We started at my brother and sister in law's place to finally (finally!) meet my sweet baby niece.  She is full of cuddles and smiles- I just love her!  We also got to go trick-or-treating with my nephew.  That was so much fun!

 Our destination after we left there was to a drive through safari.  We had so much fun!  The highlight of the day was when the ostrich stuck his head through our sunroof!  We were all squealing and ducking away from certain pecking.

before the pecking began- typing this my brain is screaming "run for your life!!!"

the zebras were crazy friendly!

Thinking about it makes me smile.  It was one of those perfect days when you are totally making your kid's dreams come true.

Off to pack up some books.
Who do I think I am with all of these books?!?!