Here we go...

Time has been flying by and on Wednesday, as long as our paperwork has gone through--we will be off to the land of sand. I haven't said on my blog--since this is public--but Josh has been gone the past six weeks. He had to go to Saudi first to get his work visa and the iquama. I would explain everything to you if I understood everything. So, google it I guess if you want to learn more about it.
So, the past six weeks I've been a single mommy! It has been challenging, fun, exhausting, and exciting. Only moms can understand!! Suffice it to say, most nights I would reward myself with a glass of wine (or two).

It really wasn't that bad though--we kept so busy during the day! My sisters, in laws, and friends kept me very busy during this time!

 It snowed one day!! You could barely see it, but just enough that Elise could make out those tiny flurries!
Very exciting day in southeast Texas!

Pawpaw and Granny constantly spoiled us with dinners out!

It was a yucky day and the boys came over to play. Should have gotten a picture of their faces when they saw the jumpy house in the den!

Nothing sweeter than this!

I had to call our awesome friends one night when our garage door decided to stop working! Thanks Andrew for the help!

Celebrating New Years toddler style!

Josh sent me this picture to let me know they do sell the Squeezable applesauce! I'm so thrilled because Elise is obsessed with them!!

This is a picture of the back of our condo.

Josh was finally home! We had a balloon and poster ready for him at the airport. Claire couldn't hang! 

Elise ran up to him and gave him big hugs! 

Josh's choice of food was a beer and Pappasitos!

We have also been spoiled by many visitors and care packages! Ms. Norma came by to see us and brought us awesome goodies from Thailand. 

My friend Cristal spoiled me by having me over for dinner and bringing me dinner while Josh was gone! She also got us come cute "Texas" theme gifts!

We had so much fun at her Valentine party for the kiddos!

Erin and the boys made the girls special Teddy Bears at Build a Bear--they were so cute! Even though, they each have one-Elise has taken both of them-she says she will let Claire have hers when she asks for it...mmm....

My friend Darci treated me to a pedicure!! It was so wonderful to have a night out without kiddos!

Thanks Darci!

We spent one of our last nights with our precious neighbors-Emily and Andrew-who are expecting a sweet girl! We will miss our weekend dinners with you both!

Our empty room =( 

Moving people let us get in the front of the truck! Very cool-Elise got to blow the horn!

Our last day with our best buddies we spent at the zoo. We had so much fun playing together! There were lots of tears when we parted. It makes me sad thinking of all the things we are going to miss out on. These boys are so special to me and Elise. It was very sad to say goodbye.

This is what I have packed for Elise for the plane. It might be overkill--but better to be prepared!!

Granny treated Elise and I to manicures and pedicures on our last day! Elise didn't know what to think about being pampered. Being a girl rocks!

Here's to a safe flight and happy babies!

Nostalgia

Josh and I are both very sentimental people.  We save and keep everything that meant something to us. This can be a very bad and annoying habit!! 

A few years ago we were having a serious discussion with a group of friends. Someone said, that if your house burned down today, you should be fine with it because everything that is inside are just material possessions. Why do you need the big flat screen tv? Why do you need the fancy table with perfect chairs? You can't go to Heaven with them.

 Well, when Josh and I got in the car--we both agreed that we thought they were crazy. Sure, a lot of the stuff in our house are just "things." However, those "things" are what we worked for. If we lost all of those things-sure we can go get another TV or another dining room set, but the memories are so precious--not just the memory of us saving our money and purchasing them, but the memories that happen around them too.

This is the kitchen table where Josh and I sat and discussed how we were ready to start a family. We were so excited, we kept talking about how great it would be to have a little "Marissa" running around the house.  I remember when he came home from work months and months later and I told him I was pregnant. I'll never forget the look on his face. We were ecstatic. We couldn't wait to go to the doctor to see the sweet baby. 

This is the den, when I realized I was most likely losing our first baby. Granted, I was only 9 weeks along, but it hurts no less or no more than anyone else who has miscarried. We had seen the baby's heartbeat, I thought, it just can't be true. I laid on the couch all evening in pain, praying. My aunt told me to drink some wine and relax. I couldn't--I just kept hoping.

Months later, we came home through these doors with an ultrasound of Elise. In August she was born! She was the healthy baby we had been praying for. We were so nervous and excited. 

Years later, we came through this door carrying our sweet Claire. I can't put in to words the love we feel for these girls. They are our everything.

This is the house we started our family. To some people it might be small, to some it might be huge. It's our first house and will always be special. We will miss you!!