Where Has Time Gone?

I am giving up. No not completely, but until the boys are back in school in September. I just can't keep up right now. Trying to adjust to new schedules for everyone, finding new places and meeting new/old people, while still getting my house in order, oh and also I am cleaning it all myself, it too time consuming. So, for now you will get just the weekly update and maybe something fun every now and then if I can muster up the time.

Last Monday we braved the heat and headed to the Dallas Arboretum. My new bloggy friend, Allison went in the Spring and it looked like so much fun! Right now they have playhouses set up from different children's stories. They were very cute and the grounds were beautiful, but it was just plain hot. I didn't bring a stroller or a wagon, so we all walked the entire way. Did I mention it was 100 degrees? We sought the shade as much as we could and dreamed of diving into each fountain or pool. Cavett loved the Peter Pan playhouse, but his complaint was that he couldn't climb on any of them.

That afternoon we had to find some water so we hit up another Allen Park--Celebration Park. This place was huge--the most monstrous set I have seen and I was afraid of loosing them. However, there was a splash place as well which was a hit! Next time, I'll be in a swim suit too.

Tuesday was refrigerator day and I have already shared my thoughts there..... But we are loving it, although I still find myself trekking to the laundry room every now and then.

Wednesday we had to get out of the house and do something fun indoors, so we headed to Boomerang's in Plano. It's your typical indoor jumpy place. They had a blast.

Thursday was again the start of our weekend. I'm really liking this. We have paid our dues of working 6/7 day weeks, so this is truly like a vacation. This day was fairly uneventful filled with going to the gym, running errands and getting the car serviced, but we were able to cool off in Kelli's sister's pool. It really made us realize how much we are missing our old one. Thanks Kelli and Kara!

Friday was our 10 year anniversary. How blessed a 10 years it has been. I love Stephen more today than I did the day we were married. He is my true soul mate and I don't ever want to have to imagine life without him. After a morning jount at the gym, we ran a few more errands and relaxed at home. That afternoon we had Emily, our neighbor from down the street, come over to watch the kids. We headed to North Park to get a little shopping in and then Stephen took me to the "going place." I was most excited, as I have no idea where things are in Dallas. We arrive at a tall office building and we go in. There was nothing but a CompUSA sign at the top of the building. My comment was, "this doesn't look like a very fun going place." We arrive on the 6th floor and there was a diamond wholesaler. Stephen had arranged to pick up a set of diamond earrings!!!!!! They are absolutely gorgeous and I was so surprised! We rounded out our evening enjoying our family with tickle time on our bed. After the kids were in bed we had our celebratory steak and champagne dinner. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Saturday was "get-r-dun" day. We put a few more boxes in the attic and cleaned off the island again (although it could use another cleaning today.) By 11 we needed something fun, so we headed to McKinney to find another spray park--Finch Park. It wasn't as good as Celebration park, but it was alot shadier! For the afternoon, I was able to steal away for some "mommy time" shoe shopping at DSW and came back with some fun finds--orange and turquoise! That evening we had a babysitter and went out to Chamberlain's Steakhouse with our friends, Joe and Kelli who were also celebrating Kelli's new administrative teaching job.

Sunday rounded out the whole weekend and might have been the most meaningful. We ate breakfast at one of my favorites, Cafe Brazil and crusied around looking for a church to go to later on in the morning. We happened upon Creekwood Methodist in Fairview, which is really just a few miles from us. Everyone was extremely friendly and we were guided to just the right place. It was a more contemporary service with a band, but I was relieved when they did good hymns with a band twist. Again, we hit a Sunday when the Senior Minister was out, so we will try again. Again, this is the second week where we have walked into a random church and saw someone we knew that was a Centenary College Choir alumni.

Hill Family nap that afternoon--what more can I say. After nap Stephen decided that we should try to go see "Up." I had reservations taking Kendrick, especially to the 3-D, but we braved it and took his blue blanket just in case. HE LOVED IT!!!! The glasses stayed on the entire time and he was quieter than Cavett. There was no wiggling and squirming. He ate popcorn like a champ. There will be many more movies in our future! YEAH!!!

Now, this movie was fantastic! If you haven't seen it, you really should. I mean, ok, the whole story line with the bird and dogs was a little off the wall, but they needed more plot. But, the story line with the kid and old man were fabulous! I cried several times. What a true love he had for his wife! Boy, am I lucky to have the same thing from and for Stephen and we are so blessed with two wonderful boys with whom we can sit on the curb and eat ice cream with.

Thank you, God.

Refrigeration

We finally have a refrigerator. This story began back in April when we discovered that our new house full of GE Monogram appliances didn't come with a refrigerator. Strange. It took us a month to weigh the option of getting one that matched verses non-matching. We went with non-matching--Samsung French Door. It was on back order to be delivered May 25.

So fine, we wait using the laundry room extra fridge. It is delievered May 25th, but it isn't counter depth and sticks out too much so we send it back for the counter depth. We are told it is on back order until mid-June. I wait and wait. The day before it was to be delivered, Stephen calls Best Buy and asks about delivery times. They said call the delivery people, but it is scheduled. Delivery said they didn't have the frige. We called Samsung and come to find out they haven't released the counter depth for sales. So Best Buy sold us a refigerator that hasn't been released.

We picked a new one--Electrolux French door and it was to be delivered today. They brought the refrigerator all the way in and then I looked at it. It was the wrong one. This one was a Kitchen Aid slayed for their next stop. So out that one went. Luckily they did have mine on the truck. So my life is closer to normal now. No more 10 trips to the laundry room for one meal.

The Frist Four Day Weekend

This past weekend was the first of our newly discovered 4 day weekends, now that Stephen is officially only working Monday through Wednesday.

Thursday began a bit harried as I blogged earlier with Stephen's Dad heading to the hospital. But, they are releasing him today and have really not found the root of the pain. Thank you for the prayers. Much appreciated!

Friday was a day of driving. We went back to the hospital to take the Hill's car back, since Stephen had driven it home the previous night and then Cavett and I went to the airport to pick up Nana. SHe was flying back from a vacation in SC with my 2nd sister and then she was driving on to a rehearsal dinner in Waco.

That evening we had my college roommate and dear friend, Renee and her husband, Chuch and his son, Noah for dinner. We all cooked and watched the boys thoroughly enjoy one another. Even though their age difference was almost 6 years, they had a blast. Noah is one sweet kid and we are so glad Cavett has found a friend in him.

Saturday, we began with our new family breakfast ritual of pancakes and then a trip to the gym. By lunch my sister Candace and her family arrived from Shreveport. We were to take the older kids to the wedding in Waco that afternoon while the husbands kept the little boys. SInce it was Father's Day weekend, we treated them to a babysitter that evening so that they could catch the FC Dallas soccer game.

The wedding was beautiful and it was kind of an observation wedding for Cavett and Anna Grace, because the next one they see will be in July when they are the flower girl and ring "master" for my brother Jonny and Amber. For an hour plus wedding, they did very well and the iPhone came in very handy at the end during the receiving line. However, they truly enjoyed dancing in the 100 degree heat at the reception.

Saturday night the sibling converged at the local karaoke joint up the roda and sang a mean version of "Love Shack" and Candace and Amber Sang "Stand By Your Man." It was quite a sight and a memory to be had.

Sunday for Father's Day we hit our first visit to a church in the area, Suncreek UMC. It was the contemporary service, because that was the time that worked for our visitors, but I don't think that will be the service we go to. We will try it again once they have their new preacher and we will visit the traditional service.

Brunch was held at Cheesecake Factory and I think it was decided that we may not take the kids to a nice dinner again for at least a couple of years. At one point there was a moment where all 4 were crying. Luckily, they were all tired enough that Stephen got his present of a Hill Family 2 hour long nap. The evening was rounded out with Jonny and Amber coming over for dinner.

It was a good first weekend, but I hope that next weekend it a bit more relaxed.

The Nod

This week we have been given a few more "signs" as to the confirmation of us moving to Allen. I believe God and coincidences are the same thing. He has a big hand in this very small world.

First, yesterday Stephen's office received a phone. The man on the phone stated that he was a doctor, and asked to speak to Stephen. Turns out it was Dr. Moore, the former minister at St. Luke's UMC in Houston where we used to go to church. He said he was calling because he had gotten a letter in the mail stating that his dentist was selling his practice to a Stephen Hill from Houston and wondered if it was the same one he knew. Wow! Small world, big God.

This week we have also enjoyed having some Kendrick alone time as Cavett has been at Granmama and Grandaddy's for the week. They have done some fishing and Cavett went to their VBS in Grand Saline. However, we got a call this morning saying that they were headed to the doctor's office, here in Dallas. He was having some tests run trying to find out what has been going on with him. So, we met them at the hospital and traded off. Since it is Thursday, Stephen is able to stay with them today and help with all the medical stuff. We knew we wanted to be closer to family, but I was hoping that this wouldn't be the reason.

It is really hitting me hard, really hard--Richard is now my "here on earth Daddy". We love him. Stephen needs him, I need him and my kids really need him. They need male role-models in their life and I love watching them on the farm with him and Stephen. Please keep him in your prayers.

The Guilty Pleasure of the Summer Months

We love blueberries. No really, we REALLY LOVE blueberries. We pick them every summer and I try to freeze enough to ration all year long. This is Cavett's 3rd year to pick and Kendrick's 2nd. I had to go into this year thinking that I wouldn't pick enough with the age that Kendrick is and that was definitely the case. Like Cavett's first year, all he did was eat them and the color minded not. Cavett on the other hand probably picked a pint. I was so proud! This year we headed into east Texas--about 20 minutes south of Grandmamas--to Edom, TX.

Love the different expressions on these faces.

"The green ones are sour! Don't eat those, Kendrick!"

The unfortunate part was that it was so hot that Kendrick was sweating profusely. Then, thee sand would stick to him as he picked the berries off the ground. Then he would rub his face and get it in his eyes.

We cooled off at the end with some water and a frozen blueberry treat.

It was a good day and we may try and go back in a couple of weeks while we are staying at Grandmama's house.

And so it goes....

It seems I can't catch up these days. Life is full. So, this one will not be poetic or thoughful. It's purely to see what we have been up to and an entry in our family journal.

Last week as we hung out with the Falcones and worked at VBS, we also had a special treat Wednesday night of hanging with our Sugar Land groupies. The boys were invited to the Smith kid's birthday party at the neighborhood pool. They had a blast and wore themselves out. Kendrick tried out the diving board for the first time and truly enjoyed it.

Thursday was "Core" night out at a local Italian joint. Good food, good friends, good wine and a good babysitter. What more can you ask for. Thanks, Crystal!

Friday I left the kids with Brenda for an hour or so until Stephen got off work and I zoomed back to Dallas for my future-sister-in-laws bachelorette weekend. More fun times. There were 5 of us the first night and then 2 more joined us on Saturday.

The boys came home today and worked on the play set all afternoon and evening. They are nearly finished. Maybe 3 more hours and it will be complete! I'm so proud of Stephen!

I'm looking forward to a week at home, but tomorrow we will take a trip to Grand Saline to pick some blueberries and drop Cavett off with Grandmama and Grandaddy for some special alone time.

Communal Living

For the second time in less than a year, we have found ourselves living with our dear friends, the Falcones. Last summer I committed to teach Vacation Bible School at St. Luke's in Houston thinking that we would still be living here. Well, God had other plans on that front, but I decided to stick with my commitment and come back down to teach for the week. We had nothing better to do in Allen anyway.

So, Sunday morning we packed our bags and the kids and I drove down to stay with Brenda, Sammy, Isabela and Crystal for the week. I even coerced Brenda to teach with me. We have had a good time so far and I love that Cavett is sharing this time with Isabela.

There has been lots of yummy Mexican food eating, pretend doctor playing, swimming, and Mommy time. Hopefully, we will get to add Daddys to that mix on Thursday night. Stephen is done working in Allen tonight and will join us here to work in Sugar Land the remainder of this week.

We are heading down to Sugar Land as well tonight for the Smith's kids birthday party and to visit old neighbors.

Wonderful friends warm your heart, help you keep things in perspective, solve your problems, and are like family. Great neighbors who become your good friends are hard to come by, but when you luck out as we have in the past, are just as irreplaceable. I know we will find more friends in our area to add to the handful we have now. But, this visit has been good for my heart and soul as I hope I have reciprocated to others.

8 Simple Things

Allison at http://scoopofreality.blogspot.com/ recently tagged me for this meme. I hadn't done one in a while and thought this might jump start me back into blogging again. Here are the rules. I need to come up with 8 things for the topics below then tag 8 people that I'd like to know more about! Enjoy!

8 Things I’m Looking Forward To:
1. Stephen arriving in Houston tonight
2. This weekend's Bachelorette Party for Amber
3. Our 10th anniversary on June 26th and our trip to San Fran
4. My in-laws 50th wedding anniversary celebration for the 4th of July
5. Kendrick's 2 year old birthday and Cavett's 5th
6. Re-connecting with friends we have in the Dallas area
7. My brother's wedding July 18th
8. Meeting a bloggy friend for the first time face to face this summer(Allison, who tagged me).

8 Things I Did Yesterday:
1. Taught Vacation Bible School
2. Played with Isabela and Cavett while Kendrick napped
3. Swam in Anna's pool
4. Went to Benji's on Washington
5. Enjoyed girl time with Anna and Brenda
6. Facebooked
7. Missed my husband
8. Talked to my future sister-in-law

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:
1. Paint the rest of my house NOW!
2. Be a better singer
3. Enjoy the slow moments more
4. Buy new couch for the family room
5. Sail more
6. Travel more
7. Take better pictures
8. Write like my sister and create music like the other

8 Shows I Watch: (This is a really difficult one as I don't really watch much and we don't have cable.)
1. Lost
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. 24
4. Sid the Science Kid
5. Super Why
6. Sesame Street
7. News
8. Curious George

8 Favorite Fruits:
1. Blueberries
2. Bananas
3. Clementine Oranges
4. Strawberries
5. Honeycrisp apples
6. Raspberries
7. Grapes
8. Pineapple

8 Places I’d Like To Travel To (that I have never been):
1. San Fransisco
2. Alaska
3. China
4. Australia/New Zeland
5. Safari in Africa
6. Machu Pichu
7. Ireland/Scotland
8. Spain

8 Places I’ve Lived:
1. Atlantic St. , Shreveport, LA
2. 825 Deer Park, Shreveport
3. Centenary College, Shreveport
4. E. Wilkinson, Shreveport
5. 8100 Cambridge, Houston, TX
6. 3751 Childress, Houston
7. 7922 Emerald Haven, Sugar Land, TX
8. Current address in Allen, TX


8 People I am tagging:
1. Brenda at The Silver Lining
2. Anna at Anna and Mark's Life
3. Karen at the Degenhart Family
4. Candace at TLLOM
5. Claire at Sometimes it isn't pretty, but it is always pretty great
6. Stacy at the Richards Clan
7. Beth at Raisin' M&Ms
8. Adrianne at Blessed Life

Home Tour

After 2 weeks, we have unpacked and already done a little bit of painting. Here's a quick tour of the Hill Casa! Hope you can visit us soon!

Entry hallway--I just fauxed the 3 insets with a caramel gold and then blackened bronze on top of that.

Behind the front door.

Hallway with dining room in the background.

Dining room looking to entry hallway and then bedroom hallway in background.

Dining room.

Wine nook underneath the stairs off of dining room.

Stairway just off of dining room-opposite the laundry room. Didn't get a pic of the game room. Sorry.

Rotunda at the end of the entry hallway.

Rotunda at the end of the entry hallway.

Art niche leading to family room off of rotunda.

Family room.

Kitchen.

Kitchen.

Hallway off of rotunda to Master.

Master bedroom.

Master bath.

Desk in bedroom hallway.

Guest bedroom.

Cavett's bedroom. Still missing the bedspread.

I took the pics while Kendrick was sleeping, so thus no pics there, but he is in a big bed! Climbing out on average of 5 times a night.