Moving Madness

Somehow, not one, but 2 different departments didn't do their job and the paper work wasn't filed to get movers to come last week. I spent the better part of 3 days packing and separating our belongings and packing the last few things into the storage lockers.

We woke up at 5am on Wednesday to pack the car one more time before the packers came. E hung out at the storage facility for about an hour before he finally called to find out what was taking so long. He was informed that no one was coming for another 6 days. Surprisingly, we are both at peace about everything. I was worried about staying at the storage building with the packers all day with the baby and now E can do it ...so really it was a blessing in disguise.

This is what E and I jokingly refer to as the "Hurry Up and Wait" mentality of the military. Want another example? We woke up at 5 am to drive to Houston and be the first one's in line to get new ID's. We walked in the door and sat down at 7:30. Even though we were first in line, we weren't taken care of until noon.

Let's Play Catch Up, Shall We?

Here is Rach practicing to sit up all by herself. We are SO close it's scary! I can't wait!

Our gracious host, Matt, dressed the part of Uncle Sam for our Independence Day Celebration at church. Rach 100% refused to look at him!!!

I am not sure that Uncle Sam wore boat shoes and an iPhone clip.

Where have I been all of this time!

Let's start this post by saying that the Carter Bed and Breakfast (the friends we are currently staying with while we are in transition) had an internet recession. The network cable went on strike and the unemployment numbers didn't come in for a few days. But once the first quarter results were finally posted, there was a bi-partisan resolution reached (both Bailey's and Carter's). We pushed a bill through to get a stimulus package for new cabling and now, just before the break for the summer vacation, we now have internet again. (Pardon my bad political joke but I couldn't resist!)

Yes, we have had a hard few days without the internet. Boy did I realize how dependent I am upon it. Banking, email, entertainment, shopping, YOU NAME IT! There is nothing I can't do online these days. That is why I am so very glad to announce the arrival of our brand spanking new 3G iPhones. It was like God looked down on us in our time of internet needs and smiled.

The Last of our Trip Pictures

After 5 weeks, Rach finally got to see her daddy. She didn't recognize him but she definitely recognized his voice.

Rachel got very interested in Brody towards the end of our trip.

Brody's first outing to go and get greasy Staggs burgers...a hometown favorite.

After we got home, Matt decided to write and record a new song about Rach. Here she is, exhausted, after a long day of recording background vocals.

Did you ever think we were coming home?

Well we finally made it back home. We were gone 5 weeks...5 WEEKS!!! That's a long time. I spent all weekend unpacking, doing laundry, and trying to figure out the organization scheme that I set up for us before I left. I had to completely reorganize everything so I could find things! It was obsessively bad!!

On that note, I am having trouble locating my camera cable to upload my pictures from the last week and since I have been home. Hopefully I will find it tonight so there will be lots of funny stuff to come!!

Our Days in Pictures

New Family Member!

After a very long night for us all, my sister, Blake, finally gave birth last night to her little boy, Brody Lee. She went into the hospital yesterday at 10:30 am and finally had him at 11:30 pm. They kept going back and forth about whether to do a C-section or not since he was turned sideways but in the end, they decided that she could do it. So after about 2 hours of pushing and plenty of Dr.'s and nurses trying to turn him over (what a trooper!!), he finally made his grand appearance.

Everyone is doing well. Blake is good and trying hard to get some rest. Brody is staying in the nursery for now. He had a little bit of fluid in his lungs since he was 3 weeks early so he will be staying in the nursery until tomorrow so he can be monitored. They have an oxygen mask strapped to his face for now but hopefully all will be better tomorrow. Pictures to come...Sorry, after a long night in hospital with a tired and crying baby, my brain doesn't function enough to find the cord for my camera!

Still Hanging in Sweet Home Alabama

Yes, we are still here...waiting for my sister to have her baby already.  We went to visit with my grandparents last week and this week we are back at home with my parents.  We are hopeful my sister, Blake's, new addition will be here in the next few days. E is anxious to have us back home and I am a little anxious to get back home.  In the meantime, we are doing lots of visiting, shopping, traveling, spending quality time with the people we love.  Me and my mom have also been making clothes for the baby and, well, for us too...we like to look pretty too!  The baby dresses are almost done and I will post them in the next few days.  But in the meantime, here are a few pictures from this week. 

E, Nanny, Magpie and Rach enjoying the company of family at the beach over the weekend.

My sweet girl...she looks so old in this picture.  But she posed for us Sunday after church.  She completely pooped through her clothes in a massive way during church.  However, the nursery workers were incredibly kind and hand washed her clothes and had them dry and the baby redressed before we came back to get her after the service was over.  Amazing.  Boy were we grateful.

My cousin-in-law (? is that a word?) held baby and rocked her to sleep after dinner.

A large majority of the family gathered for my cousin Kimberly's birthday this weekend.  Which has also turned into a farewell dinner since she just found out she is moving north (close to us!!!  YAY!) for a new job.