Back online in Kansas!!!

Thanks for your patience, everyone! We finally have Internet, although I barely have the energy left to use it. We are settling here at Fort Leavenworth, and I must say, it has exceeded our expectations in so many ways. I really do love it here. Although Target is a ways away. The kids and I, and our moving van, and my mother-in-law arrived exactly a week ago today. The last box was unpacked last night, and we have a few more pictures to hang on the walls. I'll give you the tour in installments.


But first, a few pics of packing up:

our last morning at IPC, and our last night at home

all boxed up!

And now, KANSAS!

This is the front of our house. Inside the door is a foyer for four apartments, 2 upstairs, 2 down. We are downstairs (hallelujah!)

This is the view from the street. These are massive historic buildings originally used as Infantry barracks.

One of the best things about living here is the location. We are in the middle of a beautiful historic post. The chapel is across the street on one side, as well as the pool, The movie theater, mini golf park, and playground are across the street on the other side, along with the softball fields. Just on the other side of the fields is the golf course and a park with a lake. We walked over there this evening to fish and enjoyed a jazz concert in the park. Jess will also be able to walk to class and the gym.

Now here's the "best of both worlds" part. We are in the middle of everything, and yet it is a quiet safe place for our children to play. We have a backyard we share with 3 neighbors, and the front yard is quite the gathering place for everyone! It's like a block party every night!

This is the back yard

Now, moving inside. I don't quite have the living room ready, so we'll skip that. This is looking from the living room, down a small hallway, through the dining room, ending in the kitchen.

Turn the other way from the living room and see the sunroom. I LOVE the sunroom.

The kitchen is at the back of the house. At first I thought it would be a tight squeeze, but I have more room than our old house, especially since I have a bigger pantry and a HUGE dining room closet for all those appliances that rarely get used.

Speaking of closets, I have great ones. So many, in fact, that we were able to use this massive one (off the hallway pictured above) as a playroom. The "big kid" toys go in here, as well as art supplies.

The picture doesn't do it justice. It really is more of a room than a closet.

That's it for now. Thanks for praying for us during this move! God has truly blessed us.

First things first. . . .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUNT RACHEL!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

As close to home as we've got!

I know that "Home is where the Army sends you," but lately I've been telling our friends in Savannah, "This is as close to home as we've ever known together." We lived here as newlyweds and had our first child here. After some years away, we came back and our first two children started school here. Tonight is our last night together in our Georgia home. I am sad that the beach will no longer be a morning activity, but will be a week's vacation. I will miss strolling downtown among live oaks and azaleas, driving over marshland, swatting away gnats (ok, won't miss that). But of course I will mostly miss our dear friends. And those dear friends have made us feel especially loved this week.

Like Jess's co-worker who gave our children chocolate every morning when they stopped by before school. As a going away present he gave them Aladdin 1, 2 and 3 on DVD AND gave me the entire Cosby series on DVD! Just because I mentioned they don't make shows like that anymore!

Like our wonderful church friends who threw a small going away party for us this week. It was so much fun! And my girlfriends swore that the maxi dress I wore looked good on me and I was not too old for it.

The teenage daughters of some friends babysat for that party, and even though they had a total of 8 kids at our house, my house has never been cleaner! I was speechless when I walked in the door. They had even folded the laundry from the dryer, ran and unloaded the dishwasher! To top it off, they wouldn't accept payment, saying that it was their going-away gift. They just don't make teenage girls like that anymore!

Our last Sunday at IPC was filled with hugs and well-wishes. We are so grateful that God brought us once again to Savannah. It does feel like home.

Now Jess is telling me it is past my bedtime and I'm about to get in trouble. Long drive tomorrow. Pictures coming some other time!

Engineer Day

We're having an extremely busy week! Monday was engineer day at Fort Pulaski. The fort has been a favorite place for us, but this week was HOT.

We spent our time on the blow-up slides, playing soccer in the field, and just laying on the blanket (ok that was just me). Adeline enjoying a bag of chips.

My view of Addie in her stroller.

She does not like hats. Even adorable strawberry ones.

The kids loved that they could drink as much soda as they liked, as long as they went over to the booth by themselves. Here's Ella returning with her fourth.

Yep, it was hot.

Ella's Early Birthday Party

It was just one of those days. I woke up Tuesday morning to make Ella's teapot cake and we were out of oil. The house was a mess. I still had to go to the store for party food. So, Ella got to pick out whatever "grocery store cake" she wanted. She picked the tie-dye one! Then Addie didn't take her nap. I was feeling sick. But by two oclock it all came together and the dress-up tea party was a sucess!
We set up tables in the living room and each girl got her own (39 cent from goodwill!!) teacup to take home. The dining room was used as the dress up area--we just put out all of our dress up clothes, some of my jewelry and shoes. It's funny what the girls picked. For example, Ella is wearing the mermaid head scarf, an arabian dress Jess got her from Iraq, and a ballet skirt.

They had a wonderful time!

Babylicious

I have a house to pack, a million things to do, so we can move half way across the country in one week. But I can't stop thinking about these fat baby arms, that adorable noseAnd MY OH MY those delicious cheeks and chin!!!

Hold on, Rebecca Scott!!!! Aunt Sarah is coming to kiss you soon!!!!