A Place to Call Home

I love this big wood door.

The garden in front of the breezeway.  (Also known in the south as a sun porch)

Two of my favorite picture spots

It's official!  We closed on a house in CT this past Friday. It's a beautiful and very charming 1958 Cape Cod covered with little cedar shanks. It sits on almost two acres of land surrounded by huge mature trees and is topped off with a trout stream just a short walk down the road. (Matt is in heaven.)
When leaving for our house search in CT, many people had advice as to how I would know I had found the right house.  Many people said I would know I had found the one when I walked through the front door and it just felt homey and in my heart I just knew. Well, that didn't happen for me, (well maybe a little) but it did for Matt. He was set on this house the minute he walked in. Lily Grace was smitten right away as well.  
Another friend offered a different piece of advice after she and I had a talk about having a "picture spot" at home. Here in TN, we have a favorite spot where we love to take pictures. You probably know where I'm talking about if you've been to our house. Even if you haven't visited, you've seen it in many blog post on most every special occasion.  It's outside on our front entry in front of the garden.  When touring this house in CT, I  will say, when I saw Lily Grace go immediately to the stairs to play and sit while Matt and I looked around, I thought what a great picture.  I had the same thought in front of the big fireplace, the big wooden front door and outside on the stone walkway in front of the breezeway.  (This is also one of Lily Grace's favorite spots.) This house grew on me each time I thought about it. And the yard.... Oh the yard!  The thought of watching Gracie Cakes run and play under those big trees and one day watching her try to climb those same trees just melted me.  And yes, I do love the idea of a stream just down the road with a hiking trail.  What a great way to spend an afternoon as a family.  
I don't know how long we will live in this house, but I know we can grow in it and share some special memories along the way. Thanks be to God! While it may be cliche, it's even more true...Home IS where our family is.
Time is passing quickly and in three short days we will say goodbye to our old house and to TN. The movers will be here tomorrow to pack everything and with each room there's a memory.  Each room actually holds a picture spot.  I can remember something happening in each room and have the picture to remember it by.    
Our family is so blessed and thankful to move to CT with a place to call home. God is so good!

Last Day of Kindergarten

Just before leaving home on the last day of Kindergarten for her program.  PJ's and fuzzy slippers

Cute night themed program

Picnic and fun at the park after the program

Lily Grace and her wonderful Kindergarten Teachers: Mrs. Cassman and Mrs. Jones

Seems like just yesterday that I was blogging about Lily Grace's first day of Kindergarten and now, here we are at the end.  

It was a very bittersweet day for all of us, just like the first day was.  We were all filled with excitement about her accomplishments, but also know that it's a phase that we will now hold as a memory.  

Lily Grace and I have walked to the school doors together every day, since the first day, in both rain and shine.  It's one of the things I have loved most.  She would often ask me if I would still walk her in, even when she was a big girl. We shared a hug, kiss and a kissing hand and then she'd walk in as I reminded her, "I love you!  Be the best you!"  Last week, I cried every morning on the way back home.  On the very last day we walked to the school doors, I tried to remind myself to take it all in.   I made sure to take a good look at our shadows on the sidewalk and held her hand extra tight, remembering how it felt in mine.  How I will cherish those days always.  We have had the best talks and laughs riding to and from school and being her room mom and seeing her on my lunch duty days was just the icing on the cake. 

She has been cared for and taught by two amazing ladies and loves  them dearly.  They will always hold a special place in our hearts.   

Kindergarten celebrated the last day with a pajama themed music program and a picnic afterwards.  What a wonderful way to spend the day!  

The end of Kindergarten has also brought with it her first loose tooth.  Be sure and check back, the tooth fairy could be visiting any day.  

We are so proud of you Lily Grace.  You are growing into an amazing big girl.  We love you so very much and we are so proud to be your mommy and daddy!  You are going to make an AWESOME first grader!

Our Sweet Girl Turns 6!

Good morning Birthday Girl!

The much wished for- Ivy

Matching Dresses

Receiving her Birthday Crown from her teacher and hearing her class sing Happy Birthday

Enjoying cupcakes with her class and dear friend Claire

Posing with some of the items she was able to purchase for St. Jude

Miss Vilma and Lily Grace

Lily Grace in the St. Jude Santa Room: This is where St. Jude nurses and employees come to get items for the patients.  This room is stocked by donations. 

Today our sweet girl celebrated her 6th birthday! She's had quite the special day. Like every birthday, it started with breakfast in bed. Lily Grace gets so excited about trying to fiqure out what special foods I will serve each year.  This year she enjoyed homemade chocolate chip waffles and fresh strawberries. 
After breakfast she opened a few gifts. She got a new American Girl doll, Ivy and a dress to match Ivy thanks to Gran. She wasted no time trying it on and declared herself, "cute." And all of this before 6:15. 
 Daddy and I drove her to school where we attended the Wednesday school mass with her and then back to her classroom for cupcakes. I enjoyed reading to her class as well.
 After school, she received another donation for St. Jude. We stopped and got two gift cards off the donation list before making our way down to the St. Jude donation center. This brought her final total raised from her party to $285. 
Once at St. Jude, we were met by a lovely woman named Vilma. She graciously accepted Lily Grace's donations and showed us around a bit. Lily Grace was all smiles and so proud.  Matt and I were humbled and more aware and grateful than ever for our sweet girl's health and well being as Miss Vilma shared a story of one of the patients. Miss Vilma also presented Lily Grace with a special St. Jude Doctor Bear. 
Thank you again to everyone who donated and helped create this wonderful lesson of service for Lily Grace. Our family has been touched by the experience that you helped create.   
Thanks also to all the family and friends who have sent cards, gifts and called Lily Grace today.  You made her day extra special.  
God is amazing! Sometimes He works through even the youngest. Lily Grace, Your love for God is ever growing and your kind spirit is ever steady. Daddy and I are so proud of you and most thankful for the blessing of you. Happy Birthday sweet girl!

Birthday: Art Party

This year's art themed cake was as yummy as it was cute.  Lily Grace chose Strawberry cake with strawberry filling.  

Lily Grace and I had the best time making these chocolate dipped pretzel crayons.

       

Lily Grace with Mrs. Meredith

Out go the candles

It was a beautiful afternoon for having fun outside.

Shopping for St. Jude

 Her final total for St. Jude

This year Lily Grace enjoyed an Art theme for her birthday party.  We had so much fun.  Our good friend Mrs. Meredith lead the children in painting a Panda canvas as well as a frame and a large keepsake canvas for Lily Grace.  She was awesome.  Lily Grace just adores her and tells everyone that she's a "real artist."  She is an awesome artist and an elementary art teacher which makes her an all around wonderful person to work with.  She made Lily Grace's party so special and will never know how much it meant to us to have her do Lily Grace's last party here in the house we have called home.  Meredith thank you so much.  You are amazing!  Thanks also to Miss Melissa who was so kind in helping Meredith and all the kids who attended.  
We entertained more kids this year than in past years and it was just plain fun!!  
Lily Grace did things a little differently this year.  At school, she has learned a great deal about serving others and it's something we try to stress around here.  It's what God calls us to do.  And with that said, back in January when we started talking about this year's party, Lily Grace said that she would like to do something for others and so the idea was born.  This year, instead of gifts, Lily Grace asked guest to bring in donations for St. Jude's Children's research hospital.  We made sure she understood what she was asking and supported and praised her choice.  Her guest were most gracious and she raised $255 from her party.  
Several weeks ago I called St. Jude and they sent me an extensive list of donations that they are always in need of.  After church today, we took Lily Grace to Target and let her shop for whatever items she wanted off the list.  Daddy kept a total for her and she took such care and pride in what she was doing.  
Her actual birthday is on Wednesday and after school, Matt and I will drive her down to St. Jude to deliver all the items she was able to purchase.  Thank you so very much to all of our party guest for being so generous and for helping to teach our little girl about doing for others.  
Thanks for the gifts and thinking of her.  You all are too sweet!  
Thank you all for attending and making our last party here a very, very special one.  
Lily Grace, Daddy and I can't believe that you are so close to being 6 years old and at times, we can't believe that you are only 6.  You have a wonderful spirit and love for God.  We pray that both of those things grow each birthday.  

Star of the Week!

Cool Cat came for a visit and Molly managed to show some restraint

Standing with her poster she made to tell about herself

So proud to have Daddy read to her class

This past week Lily Grace was the Star of the Week at school.  She had the best time and stayed very busy.  She shared a poster about herself, was the Scientist for the Day, keeper of the Guessing Jar, shared a special Show and Tell, welcomed home the class mascot Cool Cat for the week and on Friday was the Chef of the Day.  She cooked up S'mores for  her class.  Daddy took off work to go and eat lunch with her and read to the class.  She had a wonderful week and we  had so much fun sharing in her excitement.  

So Sweet!

Two dear ladies from our church who have watched Lily Grace grow up surprised her with an Easter basket filled with goodies.  Among those goodies was this adorable dress.  Lily Grace couldn't wait to wear it.  

What a special and thoughtful gift.  Thank you Mrs. Susan and Mrs. Sherri.  We adore both of you!

CT House Hunting and the Mystic Aquarium

Lily Grace loves playing on the town Green

Strolling the shops around the town square

Matt  being a very bad influence

The Baby Belugas were adorable and just amazing to watch.

Sting Ray touch tank

One of Lily Grace's favorite aquarium exhibits was the Jellyfish

From bad to worse...he shouldn't have jumped on that bed    

We visited CT last week to look for a new house.  Let me just say, there was never a dull moment. 
Lily Grace was armed with her pink paint chips for when we found THE house (She wants her new room to be painted pink.) and I had my checklist and a bundle of nerves.  Matt, well he was Matt.  He had his number scenarios and documentation and yes, a few nerves.  (His nerves stemmed from worry about how my nerves may take it all.)
I was feeling ok about it as I had two top contenders I had seen on the internet and just knew one of these was the house for us.  I also felt really good about our realtor Jane who I selected via the internet because she looked really nice and she was wearing pink in her picture so Lily Grace concurred with my decision.  I had talked with her on the phone previous to our visit and she and Matt had even gone to see a few houses and Skyped me on the walk through. (And just for the record, Lily and I made a great choice, Jane is very funny, honest and nice.  Lily Grace is smitten with her.)
Well, Lily Grace and I armed with our cameras entered the first house and SHOCK.  It's a very different housing market in that the homes aren't brick and they usually fall into two styles, colonial or cape cod.  They are also much older as new construction is not prominent there.  You also get much more yard, trees and the things that really make a home feel welcoming.  You also get a well and septic.  Heat is usually oil or electric and it is delivered by baseboard vents around each room.  Most homes don't have air conditioners as they aren't really needed and yes, the cost of living is BIG.  One thing you may find interesting, just as we did is that it's actually hard to find a house without a pool.  Yes people, as in swimming pool.  Don't ask me because I am still puzzled.  I have lived in the South my whole life and always wanted but never had a  swimming pool.  We are now moving to the northeast, don't want a pool and having a hard time finding a house without one.  But again, I tell you, the yards, land and overall environment make it all.  It's beautiful.  The towns seem to move at a bit of a slower pace and each town revolves around the town Green.  The Green is a big deal.  Shops and quaint restaurants surround the Green and families can be seen there playing, picnicking and meeting for a town event.  I have to say, I think it's going to be a wonderful place to raise a family.  
But back to the house hunt... photos are also deceiving as top house choice number one seemed to be a little less than I had hoped.  We moved on throughout the day and found THE house, even though it had a pool and needed a few updates.  We made an offer and had closed the deal by dinner.  We scheduled the appropriate inspections and felt so good about it, that Lily Grace and I took a day off to visit the nearby Mystic Aquarium.  It was awesome and home to Baby Beluga Whales.
Then came inspection day.  About 3 hours into the inspections we learn of major issues and one of which involved termite damage to a major joist.  
We were so torn and heartbroken, but knew it was best to walk away and so we did.  
And things just continued to go down hill.  Let's see...the hotel water stopped in the middle of a shower where I had Lily Grace all shampooed up, Matt's suitcase broke and the topper which finally just led to laughter, Lily Grace's ginger ale (Yes my friends I let her have ginger ale, have you been reading this post... my nerves were shot.) in the airport restaurant on the way home when she dropped it and it went all over Matt.  He was covered and had to ride home on the plane in wet jeans.  I of course had to take out my iPhone and document this trip disaster.  
Needless to say, we still don't have a house in CT.  We will fly back next week to try again.  
Please say a little prayer for us.  Again, we just know that God has this all planned out and OUR house is there.