House progress

It has started!!! It's so exciting! We've had three homes so far but, we've never had the opportunity to build a house just like we want it. On the exact lot we want! We actually found the neighborhood that we're building in by a google search...when we didn't even know we were moving to TN! It was just on a dream search. One of those web searches that Ryan and I would do at least once a week. Usually on the back patio over a few margaritas. We loved it! We knew we had to do our research once we actually moved here so the kids and I put at least 400 miles on our rental car back in July looking all around Franklin and Nolensville. Nope. Nothing. Nothing compared.

So here we are!! I do have to admit, this is a very exciting process to watch:-)

August 4th

One happy family!

August 17th 

Footings poured!

August 20th

Foundation started!!

Kindergarten!!!

Hunter and Reagan started Kindergarten! As I'm sure every single parent of a Kindergartner asks, I will also...where did the time go??? Seriously! I know before I know it, I'll be dropping them off for middle school. That thought just scares me:-(

They both have different teachers. It's the first time in their lives that they've been apart in a classroom. Hunter doesn't seem to mind but Reagan doesn't like it at all. She not only misses Hunter in class with her but, she really misses her best friend and cousin Trevor. This transition has been much harder on those two (Reagan and Trevor) than I ever thought it would:-(

Okay, okay... on to happier talk!!! The kids are attending College Grove Elementary School which is our zoned school for where we will live once our house is done. I couldn't be more excited about how awesome their school is! It's K-5 with only 270 students. Reagan has 16 kids in her class and Hunter has 17. There are only two Kindergarten classrooms. Gotta love that student/teacher ratio!!

Hunter with Mrs. Richey

Reagan with Ms. Coley

Hunter said to me this morning: "I wish I had Ms. Coley for a teacher." Of course I assumed it's because Reagan is in her class but I still asked him why. He answered: "Because she's soooo cute!" HA!

We made it!

Well... actually we made it here a week and 2 days ago:-) So far, I have to admit, it's been pretty exciting. Other than the lovely apartment living, it's been a bit like being on vacation. Thankfully we got to move to a place that has TONS to offer and visit and see. Most of my time has been spent getting these two kiddos ready for their first days of Kindergarten. Reagan starts this Thursday and Hunter starts Friday. WHOA!!!

Here's some pics from their last weekend before school doing some touristy stuff. Thank goodness for weekends!!

Caney River 

Grand Ole Opry!!! CAN'T wait for a show!!!

Aquarium Restaurant

5 more days...

Yes, it's been an entire year since my last entry. Considering we're moving 6 states away from our family and very best friends, I think now is the time to get back to blogging. As I type, our Brighton house is in shambles with boxes all over the place and junk on every single surface. I would say that that is the overwhelming part, but when I think about what is to come on Saturday when we drive off, well... THAT is when it gets overwhelming!

The kids are not taking it well at all. It's really beginning to bother me...ALOT! If you ask Reagan if she's moving, she gives you a definitive "NO!". She really thinks she can just move in with her Auntie Ronda and everything will be okay. Six states away... Yikes.

We close on our house Friday morning. We'll get one more night with the family after that, which I believe will just be Ryan and I. It sounds like everyone, including Tyler and Trevor, are bailing on us so it won't be as bad when we leave. If it weren't for how amazing Ryan's new job is, I'd really be questioning our craziness.

A quote I saw the other day has helped me through the last couple of days:

"God would have never put that dream in your heart if He didn't want you to live it."

Grammy & Grandpa's pool

I've gotta admit, this may have been the most fun pool party we've been to since we've had kids. We went over to their community pool last Friday. Just like any good father-in-law would do, he had our very favorite margaritas all ready for us... and in Gatorade bottles packed and ready for the pool! What makes me laugh still is that I asked a couple times if we had water packed. I was assured we had enough. Let's just say that we had plenty of "Gatorade" with 6 bottles and approximately 10 ounces of water between us! Kills me!!

I promise...it was ONLY "Gatorade" that Grammy was drinking....

Nothing like a good wreck after a nice day of swimming

It just wouldn't be the same if both kids didn't through a raging fit!

Planting trees with Boppy

Little Cody's birthday (and mine too!)

One of the kids' friends from preschool had a birthday party at a private lake out here. It also happened to fall on my birthday which couldn't have been more perfect. I'll take a lake on my birthday any day! We had a great time just hanging out and meeting new and fun people. Did I mention it was Jake and the Neverland Pirates theme? The kids had a blast too!!

Look at the cake Stacie made! Jake is actually in "water"!

Trevor and Hunter in their element

Hunter was infatuated with these dead carp.

See what I mean??

"Jake" and his pirate princess "Izzy"

Ronda & Gary

Thanks for the pretty look Ryan.

Tyler & Reagan

Reagan with one of Ms. Nikki's kittens at the "after-party".