Clarmeya Finale

And suddenly, it was moving day. 

Grandma and Papa came to help us finish up...

and Ford managed the packing of the truck. Tetris at it's finest.

Thank God for cold beer and helping hands.

I can't even remember now 1/8 of the things I wanted to tell you about moving.

Truly.

But I know that one dear friend (thanks, Diane!) made the grandma/ford/abby/mommy car ride much, much better. Surprises from Target rock.  

Grandpa drove our other car (a God-send) and Daddy drove the second massive truck and spent the night alone, in our empty house without even a pillow or blanket. 

With Red.

I wonder how much sleep he really got. (read: none!)

Our stop mid-sunset in the 95 degree heat on the 5 freeway. Shakes, fries and happiness with lots of hope ahead.

I seriously have one picture of them moving us in. 

Abby's bed going up the stairs. 

It's ridiculous!

But in a matter of moments, cousin Katy was here and life was good.

Patio lunch. An instant hit.

And long nature walks with stops for water. 

And the promised Fairy Tree delivered. Lots of shade and imagination to be had under this lovely tree. Grandma took the kids out to have a snack -- and those little breaks saved my sanity. 

And since we've decided we may never make it to Italy, this will have to do. 

And we are thankful.

So far, Grant and I both acknowledge forgetting just how unbelievably beautiful Northern California is. Every day we say "look at those trees!" and "wow, the open space!" And already, to the kids, it's normal. And this makes me so happy.

1037. hooks instead of a bar

1038. that shower head

1039. feeling like home because we are together

1040. kids sleeping together with zero issues until the stairs are safe

Birthday Party Finale

And finally.... as God would have it, just days before we moved, we were able to go to Grace's birthday party. A pink pony birthday party. Yep. Amazing.

Here are these two miracles babes (Grace was given a 1% chance of being born healthy. And there she is. Perfecto.) And our girl.

Can I just say, please look behind them at the awesomeness... in prep of ....

Pony rides, people. PONY RIDES. You  heard right. Thank God Ford wasn't there. It would've been tears and more tears if he ever had to get off. 

And inside, things were even cuter. Cake pops, a ruffle cake and boys dressed in pink. (love those two...)

And honestly, one of the most delicious cakes I've ever eaten. 

We love you Gracie!!!

1033. party day before we moved
1034. not saying goodbye
1035. pants with no fussing
1036. packing with joy and no complaining

Play Date Finale

The week before we moved, two of Abby's pals blessed us beyond belief. 

They had a "final playdate" totally geared toward Abby's favorite things :

princesses, crafts, cupcakes and tea.

The girls made necklaces with a picture of the three of them in the middle -- that they could wear whenever they miss each other. Brilliant. Absolutely so meaningful. Here are the princesses hard at work...

And while they worked, Fordy found the playroom which was like Christmas. Can you see this place? Wall to wall fun!!!!! He didn't leave there all day.

And after the crafts was the cupcake decorating. Can you say excessive sprinkles? 

Ah! Success! Attacking it!

And on the way home, naturally, both kids crashed. It was a big, special day with lots of little moments of happiness and memories. 

I'm so thankful for these ladies and how they sent us off, how they blessed us with treats and memories .... and most importantly, for sharing their lives with us. 

1029. irreplaceable friends

1030. for life

1031. watching abby feel loved and cared for

1032. fitting in the fun

Cardiology Follow Up Finale

Sunday was Abby's whole heart anniversary.

Four years since her surgery that almost broke my heart while it healed hers.

Four years ago since she was healed.

A few days before we left Pasadena, we had Abby's annual cardio check up. Every year two things happen. She doesn't really remember the year(s) before and I always forget a piece of the diagnosis. It's as if I've never heard it before. I think it's called selective hearing.

So, she kept saying she was scared to go. 

But the minute it was just she and I in the car, we blasted our tunes, 

sang, talked...and she was ready. 

Like, really ready.

Like, Katy Perry "Roar" ready.

In we went, EKG wires for days and not phased at all.

"See mom? It doesn't hurt me."

See? "I'm good. I'm fine." 

Yes, she sure was.

And is. 

Praise God. 

Another good report.

And as we waited for our sweet, beloved Dr. Adhoot to join us, we looked outside at the glorious hills of Pasadena on a warm sunny day, we looked over at the hospital where she was born and we relived some big moments in her short life so far. I felt so blessed for the care we'd received. I felt so protected and cared for. By our "people" but also, by our great God who never left us alone. Not for one moment. And since we knew we were leaving and this moment was a fleeting one, we snapped a shot.

The brave one and me.

The Echocardiogram was easy peasy. And, apparently just like last year, he told me that a tiny (a very, very tiny, apparently) leak is happening. He said many people have it and would never know. Michael Phelps would never know it if he had a leak like this. "It's nothing to worry about and I hesitate to say anything....but since I mentioned it last year..." And right about then, every year, is when I say, "Huh?" I have less than zero recollection of any news of a leak. Even my super duper she-had-a-miracle-baby-story-too friend said, "The leak thing, right? Yep. Grace has that, too." So, everyone remembers but me. 

I honestly think in moments like this, her bravery carries me.

1029. another good report

1030. Dr. Adhoot

1031. a big scoop of Mother Moo after.  for everyone.

1032. abby understanding her heart surgery, little by little

1033. zipline - the book

Date Night Finale

It was a wild week before we moved.

I tried to do something fun with the kids everyday, as well as pack our hearts out. 

It made for long days... and even longer if we didn't get out and have a little fun.

Thankfully, Grandmama was there to teach art (a favorite for the kids)...

And we got silly when we could...

Abby started asking for "the side braid" (not that you can see it here....) but for once, we "did' her hair! Wahoo!

And Fordy saw his first movie -- Planes! Definitely not as good as Cars (and he didn't sit through it near as well as Abby sat through her Pooh movie two years ago)... but it was a milestone to hit before we slammed with unpacking.

Abs and her pal Pema got some good time together...

We had some pizza and movie nights (while mom put her feet up and dad was out...)

And God gave us a glorious sunset on our last Los Angeles date night.

 We went downtown, had a super fun dinner and even hit The Pie Hole with Mexican Chocolate pie for dessert. Oh! Did I mention this date night was brought to you by our near, beloved neighbor who we miss so much, Miss. Nora. Sweet Miss. Nora. A Godsend. A babysit-for-free kind of neighbor. A gem.

We loved our night out!

1024. date night

1025. that spicy watermelon margarita

1026. sweet nora

1027. remembering milestones amid the crazy

1028. grandmama's help

New Jersey Cousin Love!

As we waved goodbye to Maine on a rainy morning and drove for 2.5 hours to the airport, we thought we were in for a mellow one hour puddle jump flight to see some beloved cousins. 

After checking in, checking our bags and waiting for our flight, that drizzly morning had turned into a storm that cancelled our flight. We high tailed it over to the car counter and decided to drive for another 6 hours -- we had to see our beloved cousins!

As you can see, once we got there at 1am, Ford grabbed a book in the spa-like accommodations and got comfy.

And the next day, it was glorious. The girls played hide and seek in their lush back yard...and ford tagged along.

The brothers walked the street before they were dressed with their coffee....

There was some serious bike riding...

Gabrielle taking great care of a very demanding Ford who was determined to keep up...

Cousin "friendship" necklaces...

Oh dear-- have you seen this look before? I hadn't either. I think it says, "Mom. Seriously. I'm hanging with my cool cousin, here. Cut the pictures."

And Fordy was quick to get cozy with Gab...

It was heavenly seeing where they do life, where they roam around, where they play, where they walk, where they are.... what a blessing. We absolutely can't wait to see them again and be astounded by their kindness, their sweet spirits and their ability to clean up after they play! May my kids learn from their sweet cousins!

And my sleepy boy got his prayers answered on the way home....with constant Disney Junior in the seat in front of him. 

And that, my friends, was a wonderful trip.

1020. getting in safely

1021. our phones lasting with almost zero charge the entire drive

1022. the chance to spend time with our family

1023. an exciting phone call as soon as our flight was cancelled