A Different Kind of Move

She's Mobile...It's not exactly a crawl, but she certainly gets where she wants to.

(Which recently has been under the coffee table)

Won't Take Nothing But A Memory...

Won't take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

~ Miranda Lambert

We survived what I am now refering to as 'The Move That Wouldn't End'. Despite a few hiccups and very little help we have moved all of our wordly possessions into our apartment. (well all of the possessions that will fit - various items have been stashed at my parent's house and in friends garages temporarily) Lyvi has handled all of the upheavel pretty well but she does get pretty restless in our new home. (I don't blame her a bit, I feel pretty restless myself). To calm her nerves (and mine) we take a daily drive around Montgomery. She typically falls asleep shortly after the drive begins and I drive around my hometown allowing nastaligia to creep in.  So much has changed in the nearly 10 years since I moved away from Montgomery - new roads, new shops and restaurants, new schools and sports complexes. In fact, new people live in the house that I grew up in - 'The LakeView House' 

When my parents moved out of  'The LakeView House' almost 5 years ago there was no shortage of tears.  You have to understand that 'The LakeView House' is where my parent's brought me (and my sisters) home from the hospital and where I lived until I left from college...it was home.  I had never lived anywhere else.  Within its walls I grew up, I learned life lessons and built the foundation of who I would become. All of my childhood memories are wrapped up in that house. Spending countless hours in the kitchen with my mom & my sisters...backyard campouts...Holidays...our tire swing...a snake bite (ouch!)...birthdays & slumberparties...a house fire...my first boyfriend...my first love...proms & new year's eve parties (friends sleeping in bathtubs and under pool tables), it's where I brought Chris to meet my family for the first time...you get the idea. When they moved, it was hard. At the time it felt like we were leaving all of those memories behind, like we were having to walk away from the future we planned to have in that house. 

I have made several moves of my own over the years, none of them as hard as 'that move' until now.  As I packed up '#17' I felt like I was leaving so much behind so much.  It's where I hosted my first Christmas Eve dinner, were we celebrated Chris' graduation, where we planned, and dreamed, and hoped and finally started our own family.  I think that's what makes '#17' different than the other places we lived...it really felt like our home. Countless tear's were shed over the move, I was packing up so much, but it felt like I was leaving so much behind.

Now seated amongst the boxes in our apartment I have come to a realization.  We didn't walk away from those memories made in either home...we simply packed them up and took them with us.  And the future plans? Well, the plans didn't really change...we just modifed the local a bit.

I am greatful for all of the memories (good & not-so-good) that were made in my first homes...the house that built me and the house where I built my family and I look forward to the memories that we will make in the future (wherever we may roost).  I wish good things for the families that now call 'The LakeView House' and '#17'.  I hope they are able to fill the walls with warmth and laughter and that when the time comes, they are able to pack-up box loads of happy memories to carry with them. I sincerely hope they love those homes they way that I have and they way that a part of me always will.

EDIT:   I hit publish on this post last night and climbed into bed realizing that it wasn't really done.  I've gone back and added a few thoughts so that it truly says what is in my heart.

Prizes! Who doesn't like prizes?

I realize that this blog has been woefully neglected for the last week or so but I have a good reason! Packing and preparing for our move this week is taking most of my focus. (at least the focus that is not already dedicated to Lyvi Bug). ...but I want to make up for my abscence by directing you to a bunch of fantastic giveaways...

To celebrate their new communities on the BlogFrog, the SITSgirls, Today’s Creative Blog, Skip to My Lou, and Tip Junkie are hosting a Spring Fling!


They will be hosting a giveaway every hour on all 4 of  blogs on today from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm (CST). Which will total over $6,000 worth of products given away in one day!

Get on over there and sign up

Two for the Price of One

I realize that I skipped Thankful Thursday. I spent most of yesterday trying to convince myself to stop, focus, and write about what I am thankful for. To be frank, it's hard to do amist the chaos of moving, etc. However, I spent a wonderful afternoon with my Mom and my daughter today and I am feeling a bit refreshed and just better.

I am also so thankful for my mom and the friendship that we share. I know that we have a unique relationship and I can only hope to build such a friendship/relationship with my own daughter. We took Lyvi to have photos made for Easter and to celebrate her "half-birthday." We walked the mall and window shopped and chatted. It was really nice to enjoy each others company without any deadlines or somewhere else to rush off too. It's been much too long since we got to do that.

My little Lyvi was a real trooper today and I was constantly reminded what a happy, sweet-natured girl she is. She really rolls with the punches and doesn't minded being out and about on whatever adventure the day brings. I am so very thankful for her, in so many ways.

Okay, that takes care of "Thankful Thursday." Better late than never

Now without further adieu on to Photo Friday...