Comfort and Joy

I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will
give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
Jeremiah 31:13

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Before we left...

We have been so blessed by wonderful friendships over the years.  Friends who have held us up when we couldn't hold ourselves up.  Friends who have loved us in the best of times and the worst of times.  Friends who have rejoiced with us and weeped with us.

Our last few weeks in Memphis we spent time saying goodbye to good friends that we knew we would miss terribly while in Boston. My sweet girlfriends threw me a going away/surprise early birthday party. It was such a fun night!
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This sweet friend has definitely held me up when I didn't think I could hold myself up.
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Austin saying goodbye to his best buddy Whit.
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By far the hardest ones to say goodbye to were the Robinsons.  They won't be in Memphis when we return and that is hard for me to stomach.  They moved to Knoxville where Scout accepted a wonderful job.  We have been close friends for many years.  We did Medical School together, they did residency in Cincinnati but we stayed close, and then the Lord blessed us by allowing them to do a Fellowship in Memphis for 2 years.  They bought a house down the street from us and we loved watching their daughters grow up.  My boys will miss them terribly and as I sit here with tears coming down my face, I will miss them terribly.  I know this sounds corny but Rebecca is like a sister to me.  She is not afraid to tell me what I need to hear while still loving me.  She really knows me and that is hard to come by in this world.
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I have found that after losing Forrest, I don't really care for surface friendships anymore.  I want more...that is hard for some people and I have seen friends drift away because they couldn't give more than the surface but that is what my heart longs for.  I sometimes make people feel uncomfortable because I ask too much and am too real.  I long to know someone well and for someone to know me well.  Life is too short to continue where you only ask, "How are you?" and only give/get the answer fine.  Are we really just fine...aren't we more than/less than fine.  Thankfully God has blessed me with some wonderful friends who say more than just fine.  They give me real and for that..I am blessed!

Wow...that was deep and wordy for me to put on my blog for the world to see but that is how I feel =)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

a little behind

I know I am a little behind on blogging but I have great reasons...I am enjoying every minute with my little family while David is not working.  We haven't had daddy to ourselves..well, ever.  I had him to myself 5 years ago when we went to Italy before residency but the boys have never had them to themselves.  No studying, no call, no work...it has been fabulous.  He is starting to get back in work mood because Orientation is this Friday so he has some things he needs to get done before then but for the most part...he has been all ours and we have LOVED it!  I have a ton of blogposts to do from our last few days in Memphis, our beach trip, and life around Boston but for right now...I am spending much needed time with my family.  I'll be back soon...

For now we are enjoying our little table in our apartment.
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Saturday, July 16, 2011

First few days in Boston

We are loving our life in Boston. Our little apartment is precious and perfect for our family of 4. The neighborhood is wonderful with numerous parks and lots of little restaurants and stores. We can walk to almost everything we need. The boys have transitioned better than we could have ever imagined. They love their new home, room, and neighborhood. Austin is in heaven with the trains we ride to get places. He already knows the color and letter of the T we ride to get home. He has enjoyed looking at the map as we wander Boston and find new places. I'm really proud of the boys and how well they have adapted.

My mom flew up on Monday to help David and I unpack and get the apartment ready before the boys got there. It was so nice to have an extra hand to get everything done. Davids parents flew up on Wednesday with the boys so they didn't have to ride in a car for 22 hours. That was such a blessing for both them and David and I.

We are now headed to the beach for a week vacation. I have been dreaming about this for months. When I was packing up our house I would look at the pictures of our beach house and tell myself, you can do it. :). When we return from the beach I will post pictures of our apartment, neighborhood, and fun things we have been experiencing.

Pictures from my phone of the first day exploring Boston.

Riding the T for the first time...I wasn't sure if our huge double stroller would fit so I let 3 trains go by before I got up the nerve to jump on. It fit but required some maneuvering for sure.



Eating a pastry at Mike's Pastry Shop in Boston...delicious pastries.







In front of the beautiful Boston Commons.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sunday, July 10, 2011

So close...

We are only 2 hours away from our new home. We are really excited and ready to be there. Yesterday we drove 14 hours and only drove through 2 states. Today we are driving 9 hours and will go through 7 states. David has been a champ and driven the entire way! I have done a lot of reading. I'm pretty proud that I haven't fallen asleep yet (that's rare for me). We will post more tomorrow as we begin unpacking. Hoping David and the kids like the home I picked out!

Back in Memphis Dingdad took Austin flying. He let him be the pilot for a little while. It was the highlight of his life. He's called David and I twice to tell us about it. :)






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, July 9, 2011

It's really happening...

We have said our goodbyes to friends...





















and our beloved dog...









packed the car to the max...



















and hit the road to Boston.










Only 22 hours to go until our new adventure begins.










Hoping this will meet us there.










- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone


Friday, July 1, 2011

Plane Party

We had a "Plane Party" for the boys on Tuesday at our neighborhood park. It was a going away party so they could hug and say goodbye to their buddies. It was really fun and great to see everyone one last time before we leave.

I found a girl on Etsy who made precious invitations and cupcake toppers. I wanted to do a plane theme because it's Austin's passion and because the boys are leaving on a jet plane to get to Boston. I wanted the plane to look vintage because my father in law owns and flies vintage planes and thats what Austin loves.
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I also had cookies made to look like my FIL's plane. Austin loved them.
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The boys had fun being with their friends and playing on the playground.
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Austin loves cupcakes!  He asks for them all the time.
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I think this sweet boy enjoyed a little bit of cupcake as well. I see remnants of it on his face. =)
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Our family has been so blessed by wonderful friends in Memphis. We are thankful for the special people God placed in our lives to help us raise our children.
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Oh yeah...Miller is starting to walk!!!
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Click here to see all the pictures from the party.