Goodbye

Saturday August 17th was the the day of our big move and as I went to bed that night physically and emotionally exhausted, I was awakened at 3am to hear that my Grandpa Allen has passed away.

I had planned on visiting him Sunday because I knew he wasn't doing well, but that was not in the plans. As hard as it was to say goodbye, I knew Grandpa was where he wanted to be. When Grandma left this earth 11 months ago, Grandpa was never the same. He was lost without his best friend and missed her dearly. So knowing he went home to be with her, made it easier, but it was still tough knowing that my last grandparent was gone.

His funeral was the next Saturday and I was once again called upon to sing. Thankfully this time I was not alone and got to sing with my cousin Amanda. What a special experience it was for me. I was nervous that I was going to be too emotional again like I was at grandma's, but once the service started my prayers were answered and an incredible clam washed over me. I knew that everything was going to go as it should. This funeral really felt like a celebration of life. We all knew how much happier grandpa was being with his sweetheart.

I really do hate goodbyes but I am calm and content knowing of the plan of salvation and having my Savior at my side.

August and The Move

The beginning of August brought our 7th wedding anniversary. We celebrated low key and decided to focus on getting moved into our new house. Once the painting, drywall and patching was finished and everything was cleaned, our last act was getting the carpet and tile cleaned.

To say I loved it would be a major understatement. The 2 guys that came to clean it were awesome and I would definitely use them again, Zerorez is the company we used.

After the carpets were cleaned, Jeff and I started moving over little things

And then some bigger things so that we could sleep here for the first time.

Master Bathroom

Office

Spare Bathroom

So by Tuesday evening we were ready to spend our first night at the new house. Both of us were scared and nervous but excited at the same time. 

Our new Bishop came over for a visit and offered to help us move in the rest of our stuff and we decided not to pass up on free help. So that Saturday it took members of our new ward about 45 minutes to get everything over and in to the new house. 

I was overwhelmed by the kindness of the men that came to help us move in. I wanted to cry a few times because I was so touched by these strangers. They might have thought it was no big deal, but to me it was everything. It's not news that Jeff and I struggled in our last ward, so this experience touched my heart.

As the Bishop was leaving he asked "If someone were to make a sonic run right now, what flavors would you choose?" Again I almost started to cry and told him Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper. 30 minutes later he showed up with sonic drinks in hand and said to call if we needed more help. As I thanked him and said goodbye, a line from the musical Annie ran through my mind "I think I'm gonna like it here".

Chowder the photo bomber in the family room

Kitchen

Living Room

Living Room

As I started unpacking boxes I had a smile on my face all day. Now, don't get me wrong, I cried sad tears as I packed up my old house and said goodbye.

That house has served as my sanctuary from many storms and trials. Jeff proposed to me in that kitchen and too many other experiences to write out. I spent the last 7 years of my life in that house and if those walls could talk, oh the stories they could tell. 

The rest of July

As vacation came to a close, the real work began. Moving into a new house is a lot of work. We did a little remodeling, LOTS of painting and LOTS of cleaning.

Getting to pick out paint colors was more fun than I imagined and this was the gray I picked out and instantly fell in love. It took some time to convince Jeff, but he eventually came around and saw the light.

This beautiful ladder pictured above is the platform that I chose to try out some of my acrobatic skills on. It did not turn out quite the way I had hoped, but I am still in one piece and lived to tell the tale.

As I worked on the new house everyday, I brought Chowder over to try and get him used to his new home. Once this guy feels relaxed, he will pass out anywhere. So that is how I knew he was happy with his new home!

However when he decided to lay right next to my freshly painted walls, he gave himself some wicked highlights in his fur.

One of my favorite parts of this new place is flowers. I LOVE FLOWERS. Especially rose bushes, because my dad has always been the master gardener in my life and I feel like now that I am at home full time, maybe I can become a master of my own garden too. Its challenging and hard work, but I feel like I have found a new hobby.

This is the laundry room. I originally painted it gray like the rest of the house because I was too nervous to pick a different color. But I pushed away my nerves, and went to home depot and picked out 5 sample colors and this is the one that hit me!

California and 29

Wowzers!!! Where has the time gone? 

Not working anymore makes me feel like the days are going faster and faster.

So many things have happened!!

We ended June and started off July in one of my favorite places

 Carlsbad, CA.

It was overcast and humid almost every day, but I still had fun in the water and playing in the sand with my girl Livy.

I also celebrated turning 29. Sometimes I can't believe that this is the last year in my twenties.

Sometimes I feel much older than 29 and other times I feel much younger. I remember being 14 and imagining life as an adult.

I can honestly say this is nothing like I imagined, but I wouldn't trade it in for the world.

No trip to Carlsbad would be complete without a little shopping spree at my favorite store on the planet. I am spoiled and crazy for loving this place as much as I do, but what can I say? I'm a shopaholic and I'm not afraid to admit it.

I was SO SO lucky to spend an entire week in paradise with some of my favorite people. I was so sad packing up to come home, but life has to step back in at some point, right?