Life in Piperton

When we first moved back to Memphis we lived with my parents in Piperton. They have a beautiful home out in the "country". There is lots of land to explore and it feels like it is forever away from most places we wanted to go. hahahahaha I was a little nervous moving back in with my parents as a 30 something. I won't say I didn't have my moments but for the most part it was a really great experience. Isaiah loved all the attention he got from his gp's and I know they LOVED having him around after 2 years of him being 800 miles away. Thank you Mom and Dad for opening your home to us and giving us a cozy place to call our own until we found our own house. You are the best and we love you very much. Here are some pics of the days we spent in the country! Isaiah loves bubble baths!

Loved my view every morning!

Zoo and Friends

Shortly after moving back to Memphis our sweet friends the Holley's came to town for a visit. Ryder and Isaiah are about the same age so we thought it would be fun to take them to the zoo. What a great time we had. It did get a little warm that day but Isaiah knew just how to cool off. He jumped in the little fountain. I think it made Mr. Matt a little nervous but Isaiah just wanted to show off his Florida boy skills!

800 miles

I have to admit, I hate wrting this post. However it is a part of our story and because I print our blog as a book each year I want this documented. Leaving Florida is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. I think one of the reasons I quit blogging for three months was because I did not want to type this blog. It's like writing the ending to one of the best chapters in my life. Sometimes 6 years seems like an eternity and sometimes it seems like it all happened in the blink of an eye. Even if Florida was one of the shorter chapters in our book of life I know it will be one of the most life changing and exciting chapters we shared as a family. This is the house we moved in to October 2006. This is the house that entertained and made memories with some amazing people. This is the house that we brought our frist born home to in October 2010. This is the house where Michael and I grew tremendously as christians and as a couple. This is the house I love!

Before we left we tried our best to spend time with everyone and make a few more memories (or sit around and cry our eyes out because none of us really wanted this to happen). I will admit I lived in a state of denial for a few weeks. I didn't pack any boxes and I kind of just went on with my life like nothing was changing. I think a few of my girlfriends were also living in denial. Then one day it hit me, this is REAL! It was like I was grieving. I went through all these different emotions in stages. It's kind of funny but oh so true. We made a trip to downtown Disney with Brandon and Mary. Isaiah was sick this day but I thought the fresh air would be good for him and I knew seeing Buzz Lightyear would cheer him up. We just strolled around, ate ice cream and some dinosaur grub. Really just trying to soak in some time together.

I had a girls night out with the better halves of our family of 8. hehehehe This EPIC night was complete with tattoos, dinner, 2 for 1's, comedy, karaoke, dancing, lots of WOOHOO's and a late night stop at McDonalds. I have to say this was one of my most favorite nights ever. We laughed, I cried, we hooted, we hollered, we let loose and I made some great mental pictures that night. bwahahahaha

We also had a party with my bestie loon Karen and her hubs Tony. No one had a camera this night but it's always a great laugh when we get together. Mark, Kathy, Windella, Sarah and Reed all came out to join in the fun. These were some of our first friends when we moved to Florida and they are all so amazing. I love the laughter we all share together. We get going and it's almost impossible to stop us. It is totally intoxicating. There was also an impromtu hurricane party with Mark and Mike B. Mark has always been my little hurricane buddy (the perks of being a school teacher) and this night was just as fun as any in the past. I will certainly miss hurricane days. Sweet Carson celebrated his FIRST birthday and I am so glad that we were still in town to celebrate a whole year of this amazing little boy.

Our last night in Lakeland we went to have dinner with some friends from church. They even did a little birthday party for Isaiah since they would be missing his bday a month later. It was so sweet. I truly appreciate everyone who came out and sorry if I wasn't as chatty as normal. I was really getting sad and knew that if I said too much I would start sobbing. The kids ran wild through the back of Red Elephant while we all chatted away. And then it happened....time to say goodbye. I think we stood in the parking lot for an hour (at least it seemed that way at the time). I cried A LOT! I only have one picture from that night of me and Cheri. She is God's little angel in my life and I am so glad that He put her on my journey.

Thank you so much to everyone who made our last few weeks in Lakeland so memorable. I know that I probably missed some events and names but you are really all so special to us.

God took us 800 miles from home (in 2006) just to bring us back home (to Him). Looking forward to the next 800 miles and all the God has in store for us.

EPCOT

Before we left Florida (insert sad face here), we decided to take Isaiah to EPCOT for a day. We weren't really sure how much he would be able to do but (if I'm being honest) it is my favorite park and I really wanted to go back. hahahaha! So off we went. Our little family of three.

We had so much fun. Isaiah was able to ride almost every ride they had. I think his favorite was the Finding Nemo ride or the Mickey Mouse boat ride we took through Mexico. There was so much there for kids and adults of all ages. We tried out some science experiements, learned about saving money, going green, tested out food in Germany and Mexico, discovered our five senses, traveled to the future, danced, made music and laughed our way through so many rides. It was a great day and I am so happy we were able to do this before we moved.

My Goal

I just looked at my blog and realized I have not blogged in THREE MONTHS! Wow time has really flown. I have so much to blog about and so much to share. It has been a whirlwind for sure. My goal is to catch up on the blog and be up to date by the end of December. With all the things that have happended in the last three months and all the holidays coming up that will be an obstacle, BUT I WILL DO IT! Here is a little I want to share right now though. First and most importantly, we found a new church home. We are in love with HighPoint Church in Memphis. LOVE WORKS! Every sermon and time of worship has impacted me in some way. We are in our new home in Germantown and we love it, too. We are in an amazing neighborhood with great neighbors and tons of little kids for Isaiah to keep up with. We can even walk to the park. Isaiah turned 2. I absolutly cannot believe my little guy is 2 years old. CRAZY. He is talking more and more every day and we love being outside to enjoy this great fall weather. I'm an aunt, Mike's an uncle and Isaiah is a cousin. What a great blessing the month of November brought with the birth of James "Bryant" Lawrence. I love that my little brother is a Dad now. I hate that he is 1200 miles away though. Bubba and Amber are doing great and Cappy and GranDebbie say they are adjusting very well to parenthood. I wish I could sit at this computer tonight (since it is the FIRST TIME I have taken it out since we moved) and catch up but I am off to cook my first Thanksgiving feast. I am cooking for 12 people and could not be more excited! I feel like such a grown up. hahahaha! Wish me luck. Check back soon and sorry for slacking.