Goings On at Goldenrain

I’ll begin with an apology: I know I’ve said I’d post house pictures. But I also know that I’m a perfectionist, and I’d rather not post anything until I have things just-so. So please be patient. Or just come visit if you want to see things badly enough. : )

It’s so hard to believe that we’ve already lived here for almost three weeks! It’s been a whirlwind, but in the best of ways. We’re just loving the new place. We’ve got more room – room we didn’t know we were missing until we had it. The layout is great and feels so much more open than Espinosa. I think I’m even noticing some toning benefits to the stairs, which were (and still are) exhausting at first, particularly with a 22-pound “free weight” on my hip. That said, the extra space is BRUTAL when it comes time to vacuum. (It’s a chore I already hate, and I don’t think the extra real estate is going to warm me up to it.) The only hiccup has been a minor (but since contained) ant invasion brought on by our torrential rain of late. Otherwise, we’ve had a great move-in experience. I couldn’t have gotten settled without the help of my parents, Granny, and “cousin-in-law” Becca, each one offering help getting this place looking and feeling like home. Thank you all so much!

Some of our best friends came to visit the new place. Last week, my best friend Heather came by with her precious girls, Kylie (4) and Sadie (~18 months). It was so nice of them to visit, particularly since our new digs are significantly farther away from their Plano home. Here are the three checking out Luke’s playroom. That’s Kylie seated in the back; Sadie standing; and Luke, the only one not in a dress. : )

We had a great time playing, eating pizza (there is an iFrattelli’s just minutes from the new place. It is so good!), and visiting. Kylie even pointed out the first of the ants… humiliating for me, but quite helpful, actually. : ) Thanks for the visit, Marek Ladies! We are so thankful for you all! (You too, Marek Man, Scott. We'll have to get you here soon, too.)

On Saturday night, we were treated with a visit from two of Jeremy’s best friends, Jeff Colvin and Bobby Blunt. The Colvins (Jeff, wife Laura, son Judson, and daughter Caroline) and Blunts (Bobby, wife Emily, and son Beckham) brought us dinner (the delicious, nearby, and apparently world-famous Main Street Barbecue – so good!) and thoughtful housewarming gifts. We had such a great time catching up and watching our boys play together. Judson is just over 2-1/2, Beckham will turn 2 in October, and Luke 1 next month – it’s so funny to see how, right now, they’re at such different ability levels. Give them a year or two though, and they’ll be a dangerous crew! Here are some highlights.

First - I cannot tell you how big of a kick Luke got out of watching the “big boys.” He was in hog heaven.

Luke was also interested in baby Caroline, who is not quite a month old. He just ripped her blanket off of her. Sorry about that, Jeff and Laura!

Here's sweet baby Caroline.

Story time with Uncle Bobby. (That’s Judson in the car pajamas, seated; Beckham standing in the bug jammies; and Luke, sitting… with Beckham’s sippy cup.) Look at those handsome little boys!

We just feel so blessed by their visit, and by the visits and well-wishes of all of our friends and family. You’ve all made our new place feel like a home, and we’re so thankful for you all!

Luke has been remarkably patient in his playroom while I’ve written this, but I think he’s realizing he’s alone, and so he’s now voicing his displeasure. (It has been the Summer of Mama. I think we’re both going to have a hard time on the 17th when I go back to work!) Have a great week, everyone!