Swingin'

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"Checking out the new 'hood. Swinging. "
(taken at Purple Park Playground)

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The Instagram Team

British Virgin Islands - Finally some Pics!

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Home

"hold on, to me as we go
as we roll down this unfamiliar road
and although this wave is stringing us along
just know you’re not alone
cause i’m going to make this place your home"
- lyrics to "Home" by Philip Phillips

Today we sold our home of 9+ years. It's been all business with the move so I really haven't had time to think about leaving our South Denver place.  While I have never loved this house, it was truly our home. This was the first home we purchased together. We brought both our babies home from the hospital to this home with my parents awaiting our arrival. We have wonderful memories of snowstorms, family visitors, 1st Christmas celebrations, lost teeth, first steps, a place our kids could feel safe, and more memories than I can even begin to write down. It was a good home to us and it made me happy that the buyers were so excited about their new home. I hope they have as many great memories as we have had there.

Last week, D-man and I stayed at the condo together with just a couple bags and enough food for breakfast. I slept horribly and couldn't imagine having this apartment be our "home" for the next few months. And yet, on Sunday night as we all sat down to dinner, it felt like home. It didn't matter where we were. It didn't matter that our situation is only temporary. It didn't matter that we only have a few of our things here. It mattered that we were all together and that we are going to make this our home. I started to cry at dinner as I did my cherry (which was of course having us all together at the new place). The boys didn't understand why I was crying. As my mother has said several times over the past several months, it doesn't matter where we are. Wherever we go, it will be home.  And after Sunday night, it became real. How fortunate I am. How truly fortunate I am.

For the past several days, I've had the lyrics from "Home" as my theme song. Today, the song came on the radio and the boys and I all sang along. D-man stated he liked this song. I couldn't agree more. "I'm going to make this place your home" boys.  I am. I will.

Julia Peavy shared an Instagram photo with you

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Julia Peavy just shared an Instagram photo with you:

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"The PODS are packed! "

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Julia Peavy shared an Instagram photo with you

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Julia Peavy just shared an Instagram photo with you:

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"My big boys getting on the school bus "

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The Instagram Team

1st day of Kindergarten

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"Happy first day of kindergarten to my precocious, fun-loving tanner. I'm not sure where the last 5 1/2 years of gone but they've been awesome."

Home Sweet Executive Rental

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"After 17 years in Colorado, I finally have a mountain view (albeit temporary). Home Sweet Executive Rental."
(taken at The Horizons at Rock Creek)

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The Instagram Team

Go Rockies!!

Nebraska Wesleyan University alumni night at the Rockies. Beautiful night for a game!

A Summer to Remember Part III: Michigan

How lucky we were to spend a week of our summer in Petoskey, Michigan. Time with new cousins for the boys was extra special and spending a week on the lake was wonderful. Petoskey rocks. A day at the beach. A visit to the radio station. Mackinaw Island. Cross Fit. One night with all the Karlen's. What a special week.

Rockies Game! Playing Hooky!

First Day of Third Grade!

End of the Year Picnic Fun!

Taken at Westlands Park

A Summer to Remember Part II: Motor Home Adventures

Well, I wasn't even sure I was going to be partaking in the motor home trip to Michigan. But, boy I'm glad I did. This will definitely be a trip I will never forget. New Glaris. Hilarius Wild. Cheese curds. Secrets with my sis. My sister's impressive driving. Me driving the big rig. Green solo cup in the KOA pool. Scary truck stop. No A/C. Taking the RV through the McDonald's drive thru. Exploring the campground with the kids at night.  Memories for me. Memories for my kids. 

A Summer to Remember Part I: Life in a Small Town

Wow! What an unforgettable (and amazing) summer it has been. It is crazy to think that in five weeks, the boys and I were only in our own beds 3 nights! The first two weeks of our "summer to remember" started off in Pender. While there are too many great times to recall, here are a list of a few highlights:

• Picking out and lighting off tons of fireworks 
• Fireworks in West Point on the 4th of July 
• Watching D-man enjoy his freedom and riding his scooter to the pool 
• Lots of time at the pool (both boys enjoying the diving board, T-man feeling much more comfortable in the water after his great swimming lessons) 
• Time with cousins, aunt, uncle, and Nana and Pop 
• Attending Vacation Bible School and singing Bible School songs with the cousins 
• Fishing in West Point 
• Watching the full moon rise over Pender 
• Golfing on 4th of July with the boys and Mom and Dad 
• Runzas to get us through the long drive 
• Sleeping in and NO COMMUTE! 
• Catching up with old friends 

Flipping off the board

Diving board! 

Lighting fireworks! 

Watching fireworks 

In Search of Community

Tonight we had a picnic to celebrate the end of baseball season. Even though we were only able to participate for half the season, our eldest was determined to go.

Of course, the only people we knew were the coaches as we have participated in various sports through this rec center throughout the years. No one from our old school. No one from basketball. On the way home from the last game, D-man said he wants to play sports with his friends. And this is one of many reasons we are moving.

I know D-man is sad to leave his house. Leave his school. Leave his Cub Scout pack. And leave all that is familiar. He's scared. I'm scared. But I know that while it is hard to leave something so familiar, I know this is the best thing in the long run. Families with kids (hopefully). Kids (boys) in the new school that are similar to our boys (hopefully). Community activities (hopefully). Better schools (hopefully) that will be attended by families we know for a long time.

So while there is much to worry about, I'm working on keeping focused on why we are putting our family thought this. Our family. Community.

And, the boys did enjoy a game of kickball (T-man on first; D-man kicking) with a bunch of strangers at the picnic. It would just be more fun if they knew the kids. And next time they will (hopefully).

Doing dishes isn't so bad when the view is your son water skiing

Taken at Lake Coeur d'Alene

Tubing Fun!

Taken at Lake Coeur d'Alene