Getting settled and Saying Goodbye

Tuesday morning another beautiful thing happened; two more strong young men came and unloaded that Uhaul and brought all our clean things into our new house.  Ahhhh, I'll say it again, best money you can spend.  This time there was no time to be lazy or ride bikes.  We unpacked boxes as they brought them in.  We started the washer and dryer and those poor machines worked for four days straight without a break.  We loaded and unloaded the dishwasher, put shelf paper down (thank you MOM!), made piles of trash, purchased a lawn mower,

first lawn mowing

 and finally made ourselves stop long enough to enjoy a beautiful meal brought to us by Owen and Chambliss.  We worked and worked all week and then treated ourselves to a night out Friday night.  We listened to great music and ate from a food truck at Mordecai Historical Park with friends Julie, Eric, Lindsay and Tik.  All of a sudden it was dark, the band was gone and the six of us still remained deep in conversation.  This is what we needed.  New friends, old friends, good music, good food and great conversation.  Saturday morning George and I had a new experience.  An estate sale.  Quite an experience.  We walked away with a great rug for our dining room, a bedside table with a skirt, and a stool for my vanity area.  Oh, and a cooler for 1.50! Later that afternoon we drove back down to the River to meet Lauren and Michael at my old stompin' grounds, Camp Don Lee.  We went to celebrate the career of a very special director and his 38 years of service to the "Place that God has blessed".  John Farmer is a legend of sorts and loved by many.  There was a great turn out.  We had the best day as we reconnected with friends, enjoyed the beautiful river, ate delicious food and experienced vespers (a nightly tradition of devotions at CDL) and communion given by John and his wife Penny Dollar (that is seriously her name) on the end of the pier in the "super" moon-light.  There was an 80% chance of rain and the weather man called for 4-6 inches of that "liquid sunshine".  All the activities were planned for outside.  It rained not one drop.  God is good.  CDL is surely a place that God has blessed.  We stayed at the river house that night and headed back to Raleigh the next day to pick up little George who stayed with his Grammy so that we could enjoy the celebration at CDL.  That following week is hazy. Lauren and Michael stayed with us and time seemed to evaporate.  I know that we had a playdate with a new friend who lives down the street.  Sam is George's age and Sam's mom and I really hit it off.  Once again, God blesses me with friends and wastes no time in doing so.  The following weekend was one for the record books.  George and I desperately needed time away- just the two of us- and my parents graciously agreed to watch little George while we took a little mini vacation to Southport, NC.  Such a historical town!  I have never spent any time here and we both totally fell in love with the place.  By the end of our stay we were snatching fliers out of real estate boxes from every house that was on sale.  Here are a few pictures of that magical time we had in Southport NC.  

We rode the ferry over to Bald Head Island. We ate lunch at a market, got a massage and a pedicure at the spa, explored the entire island via bicycle and then had a picnic on the beach at sunset.  Magical!  We hopped on the Ferry at 8:00 and made it back to Mom and Dad's by 10:00 that night.  It was a quick weekend but we sure made good use of our time. 

                                           

 We had to get back to Raleigh in time for George's executive desk to be delivered to his office.  A rare craigslist find, it was in great shape and just needed a little TLC.  Now it feels official in his office.  

That week we visited with an old friend from camp that now lives in Raleigh, Georgie's babysitter and her daughter, Christina and John, Will Jeffers, and Anna and Elizabeth at Northbrook pool.  George DOVE off the diving board twice!  Thursday night George and Owen drove to the mountains for a fly-fishing get-a-way just the two of them.  Saturday we spent the day with my sister -in-law and her new baby named BOO.  The cutest little pug you have ever seen.  George and Boo really hit it off.  We enjoyed another pool day with the Edwards family and then ended the day with a fabulous home made meal of BBQ chicken, beans, corn, watermelon, rolls, broccoli, squash casserole, sweet tea and peach cobbler.  Boo entertained George and the adults had great conversation.   The very next day we began our search for the perfect church which I am sure you will hear more about if I do in fact start a new blog for this coming year.  I had a wonderful dinner out with my dear friend Susan.  It still hits me sometimes that I live here now and these dinners out are possible every week if we wanted.  It blows my mind in a wonderful way!

 The following day was a BIG DEAL.  George began his profession as an Orthopaedic Hand Surgeon.  We were so proud of him and I made a really special dinner for him to celebrate this milestone.

George's first day of "real job"

Beef Wellington, roasted potatoes, and brussel sprouts.  Babe- don't get used to it!

This week little George had a few playdates and a doctors appointment with Dr. Jeffers.  Dr. Jeffers is amazing.  They just don't make doctors like they used to.  He was so sweet to my little boy who was scared stiff and by the end, George wanted to go back.  To watch him was to watch an artist at work.  It was incredible juxtaposition to send my husband off to work the day before we went to see Dr. Jeffers, who has been in practice for decades.

George and John at Pullen Park

George and Noah (a new friend for him but I've known Noah's mom for a while

George and Anna at Northbrook Pool

I just can't believe we are back.  I just can't believe I have to say goodbye to this blog.  I've been "finishing" this post for three days now.  Maybe I am in denial? I guess I wish there was an easier way to transition from my beloved "North Cack to So Cal" to a new blog.  Will it take off or will I never find the time? Will you like it?  Will I be inspired enough?  I have lots of ideas.  I'll be sure to let you know when it is up and running.  Stay tuned!

Goodbye first blog.  I sure loved you! Thanks for walking beside me through our California adventure. It was a good ride!

Getting there

So we made it home and hit the ground running.  I ran my old routes on the ATT both Saturday and Sunday.  We made our rounds with a few friends in the neighborhood, and then surprised the staff at Westminster Church.  It was great to be in such a familiar and comforting place amongst people who had really supported us and prayed for us while we were away.  I had so much fun with our friends and  enjoyed our time in Durham, but y'all- I gotta tell ya- I was READY to get to my new house.  I had seen it only once in person for a very quick visit.  I asked my friend if she would drop me off there asap.  She asked if we were sure we didn't want to stay with her at least until my car arrived.  I told her we'd be fine but she insisted that we at least go to Target and get a few things on our way.  THANK GOODNESS she did.  I told her, "Nah- we'll be fine" and she was like, "C'mon, Becca, think about it…what about TP, paper towels, what are you going to eat, how are you gonna sleep….lets just go".  So we did and she was right, everything she made me buy was totally and completely necessary to daily life.  Thank goodness for friends.  

This is it! 

When we walked into the house I was immediately excited but I have to be honest, I was overwhelmed with how much work needed to be done.  The only time I had ever been inside, the house was full of art and furniture.  Now it was bare and very obvious that every baseboard needs paint, every wall needs a touch up at the very least, the banisters need to be polished….

I made myself stop and just enjoy how I felt inside my own home.  After Christina left, my father in law called and asked about our dinner plans.  I told him peanut butter and crackers were on the menu and he insisted he take us to Whole Foods.  We were okay with that!  It was so nice to see him and catch up and watch my little man and his G-daddy connect after a long time away.  He brought us flowers and a bottle of wine.  Once he left, I gave George a bath in his real bathtub.  Back in Cali, he had been used to bathing in about three inches of water for lack of a tub.  I filled his new tub almost to the top and he said he had a "pool bath".  He loves his bathtub, even though the walls are PINK.  That night dear friends Eric and Julie came over to bring me a few things I desperately needed; a thick blanket (I hadn't figured out the thermostat yet), a hand towel, and a pitcher.  They also made me a very sweet care package with lots of beer and wine leftover from their wedding, a little bit of cake, TP, paper towels, and wine and water glasses.  Such a precious gift.  They stayed until my car arrived (10:00pm!!) and Eric played with George (yes, he was still awake) while Julie drove me to the main road to collect my car.  Logistics stink but wonderful friends make everything work.  Once they left, I had to unload the entire car because I knew I had sheets somewhere within and of course they were in the last box.  Oh- the sheets were for the air mattress Christina forced me to borrow along with two pillows, a coffee maker and filters, and a wine opener.  That girl is a thinker.  Did I say, "thank goodness for friends" yet?  So- between Julie, Eric, G-Daddy and Christina, I had everything I needed.

As I look back in my journal, I'm reminded that the weather really took me by surprise.  It was cool (for July), very wet and of course, humid.  I think it rained every day for the first week I was home. That was such a change from dry, sun-soaked and drought-ridden California.  The noises were also noteworthy, here's a selection from my journal: "I have so much to accomplish….but right now, I am gonna sit and enjoy the birds that fill the air with music, sweet NC music. The bugs, I can hear them too.  And CHICKENS!  Our neighbors have chickens!" Here are a few picture of our first week in our new home:

We checked the mail

We ate on the counter

We climbed the wall in our Pjs and cowboy boots

We yawned on the front porch over breakfast

We bathed in a TUB 

We enjoyed beautiful NC mornings

 That week I had many visitors.  Here are a couple of shots from Susan and little Will's visit:

Kelli and Chase also visited as did Mom and Dad, Tom (our realtor), and at the end of the week, Lauren and Michael!  I retrieved another load from my in-laws house and my parents brought a truck load of things we had stored at their house in Wilmington. My daddy and I made a trip to the hardware store and I have to mention that it made my week.  He probably has no idea how special it was to be in that place with him.  To him, it was just another hardware store trip, one in a million because of the handyman that he is.  I have vivid memories of hardware store trips with my daddy from when I was little.  The smell of a hardware store always reminds me of my dad.  So this was special.  To be in the hardware store with him meant I was the cool kid instead of the fish-out-of-water I normally am without him.

I also should mention that the water turned a deep brown color as I drew George's bath that night.  No bath for the sweaty four year old tonight!  The next morning I called a plumber (which is stressful without a husband in a new house, btw) and he recommended a new hot water heater.  Hooray! We totally planned for that in our budget…

That week was also filled with a few trips to Bed Bath and Beyond- those coupons multiply in my pocket book, I swear.  It's the only reason I go there instead of other places- those darn 20% off coupons!  Poor little George exclaimed after a few trips there, "NOT THIS STORE AGAIN, MOM!". He's been a real trooper this week as his mommy store-hops and unpacks.  At one point I thought he was unusually quiet and found him, sandwich in hand, asleep,passed out, gone, pure-T out, on the kitchen floor.  Carried him to the air mattress and thanked the Lord for some peace and quiet.  He slept for three hours during which I used my quiet time wisely.  I called Aveda, the DMV to get my car registered, the plumber, AT&T, George, my mother and my sister.  Ten packages came that night via UPS.  Please note: never send anything valuable and breakable via UPS.  Later that night Lauren and Michael arrived to stay with us a couple of nights before Michelle's wedding weekend.  I spent Friday morning with the plumber, installed that shiny, new, hot-water heater-woohoo- and then left for Rocky Mount Friday afternoon. I was struck by the fields and the GREEN on the drive there.  Man, I am from the COUNTRY, y'all.  My son slept the whole way in the car.  Kim, Pete and Ava were the best hosts.  They treated us to grilled chicken Saturday night, a comfortable bed (a step up from our air mattress), an amazing breakfast on our way out on Sunday complete with Smiths Red and White sausage, and even babysat George Saturday morning while I went to Michelle's brunch.  Its been a year or longer since I have had Smith's and this weekend I was lucky enough to get it twice!  We also had it on biscuits at Michelles wedding brunch.  Her wedding was simply amazing and I was more emotional than I expected. She is my second little sister.  She grew up beside me as my little sister's bestie, looked up to me as I went to prom with my high school boyfriend and tolerated the sometimes bordering-on-torture treatment of the two of them.  I watched her grow up and become one of the most beautiful, smart and funny adults I know.  Her portrait at the reception caught me off-guard and I couldn't help the tears that began to flow.  They did not really stop throughout the whole reception.  As I watched her dance with her daddy; as I watched her Mama watch her dance with her Daddy, I thought that these are once-in-a-life-time moments and this family is as close to family as friends get.  I adore them and to see them all so incredibly happy and fulfilled was one of the biggest blessings.

Ava has really cool toys

Diving board fun at Birchwood

George, Kim and Ava

Ava's daddy has cool toys too, George wanted nothing to do with my car after riding in Mr Pete's Wrangler

Me and Lauren at Michelle's Wedding reception

We headed back to our home in Raleigh, took naps and got back into the car for John's fourth birthday party in Durham.  This was a weekend of celebration!

Monday I waited for AT&T to show up all day and they never did.  At this point, I feel like I have been a single parent for a month…oh wait….I have been.  I packed up the car and headed to Wilmington to get a little relief.  Good decision.  Mom's birthday celebration was that Tuesday night and we had a blast.  We met Aunt Beth, Uncle Davey, Aunt Stef, Uncle Phil and Marty at the club for hamburgers.  We ate cake and laughed a lot.  Me and Marty have the same shoes.  I have to say I was pretty proud of my new fashion statement- gold Sperry's.  I quickly realized my stylish Grandmother beat me to it. She's probably had these for months.  People say we are just alike….Well!

I stayed with Mom and Dad until Thursday when we all went down to the River House to retrieve all our furniture and belongings.  Friday we started early and cleaned EVERYTHING that I own.  Every. single. thing we stored had a lovely layer of mildew/mold.  Bleach was my best friend and worst enemy that day.  Thank goodness for the saints named Mark and Dianne because they did not quit until it was complete.  We cleaned the entire day and finished the job so Saturday we got to play!

Mom, the cutest and sweetest pirate you've ever seen.  

Me and George on the waterfront in Beaufort.  

Sunday I drove from the River house to Raleigh to surprise big George. I wanted to be home when he arrived.  He was happy, surprised, and so glad to be off the road.  After four days on the road with a stinky doggy it was good that I was there.  We had a celebratory Sushi date night and slept on the air mattress for the last time.  Monday we drove back to the River (can't neglect to tell you that we ate Bojangle's on the way for breakfast), picked up the Uhaul, and watched while two young, strong men loaded our stuff on the truck in the drizzle.  Best money you can spend- although I did feel extremely guilty while we road bikes, ate lunch, and just lazed around the house while they were hard at work.  On the way home, we stopped at a veggie stand and Wilbur's BBQ.  If the phrase "Wilbur's BBQ" does not elicit an emotional response and make your mouth water at the same time, please contact me immediately and I will take care of this situation.  Its funny- before I moved to California, I could not tell you the last time I ate a BBQ sandwich from Wilbur's.  Since I have been back, I have had two and plan to have one every time I pass that BBQ gold mine.  And I can tell you another thing- I'll tell those boys to fill my cup with the sweetest, most syrupy, sweet tea they can make.  Because its just not the same anywhere else.

That night we ate our first meal in our new house.  Mom made fresh snap beans and potatoes, okra, and corn on the cob we purchased from the veggie stand on our way back.  We opened a bottle of champagne our realtor gave us and just savored the celebratory moment.  

We are getting there y'all.  You are almost updated on our summer.  

First dinner in our new home!

Hit the Highlights and Heading HOME!

"I officially have three weeks left here in California.  If they all go as fast as this past week, I had better hold on cause we are in for a roller coaster ride".

June 27th was the last time I wrote, and that was my last sentence.  Well.  I think its safe to say that those last three weeks in California AND the past two and a half months have been one crazy roller coaster ride.  If anyone still follows this blog you might think I have fallen off the face of the earth.  I have not fallen, I have plunged into the abyss of HOME. Home- where my husband and I have purchased a house for our family in which to live for many years.  Home- where every weekend is full with birthday parties, beach trips, dinners out with old friends and dinners in with family. Home- where a lot of my "blogging" time is slowly eaten away in five minutes increments because I see a few people I know at the grocery store each time I go.  Home- where new running routes must be explored, new cabinets must be lined, new shower curtains and trashcans and toilet brushes must be purchased.  Home- where the security system and AT&T must be installed.  Home- where there seems to be no time to blog.  Surprise Surprise.  The simple fact that I have not had time to write in two and a half months reminds me of why I never had a blog before our year on the west coast. As most things in life, there is a positive side and a negative side to this.  The positive is this: I am home now.  Back where I belong.  Back where I have more things to do than time to accomplish them. Back in the swing of things.  But the negative is that I really love to write and I do worry that this blog may have been a once in a lifetime opportunity.  I hope that is not true. I hope that one day, sooner rather than later, I will begin a new blog (I have some really great ideas!).  But this one does have to end.  The nature of this particular blog was to document God's care for us over our year "abroad". And boy, did he care for us.  As I look back I am encouraged and  incredibly humbled but most of all, I cannot help but laugh at some of the things I never would have guessed would happen.  Before I get too carried away with the beginning of the end of this blog, lets take a look over my shoulder at the past two and a half months.  Here's the highlight reel:

Highlight:
Sunday, June 29th we went to Sette Bella and had the best pizza ever.  I read somewhere that LA cannot do pizza.  Well, for the most part, that is true.  But Sette Bella is the exception to that rule.  Crust-amazing due to the 900 degree oven imported from Italy.  Sauce- simple and amazing.  Toppings- nothing crazy, just mozz, basil and tomato.  Wow. To die for.

Highlight:
Went out to eat with Maynell on a weeknight to Houston's.  This was the last time we would share a meal without the distraction of the little ones and we really took advantage.  Great food, great fellowship.

Highlight:
June 30th was my parents 35th wedding anniversary! Thats pretty awesome.  Amazing couple.

Highlight:
South Pasadena is known for their Fourth of July celebration and this year did not disappoint.  Little G and I watched a small town parade at Garfield park and then Daddy G joined us for a hotdog and a soda.  We had dinner with Maynell, Owen, Cole and Lena and a few of their friends.  The boys ran around the yard for almost four hours with water guns and we just LET THEM.  This was a milestone.  George, having fun with friends- his parents, having a full conversation with theirs.  Afterwards the three of us hopped in the car to find the fireworks.  We enjoyed a long, exciting, loud fireworks show and returned home pooped but happy…and most of all THANKFUL for our FREEDOM.

Highlight:
Harrison's visit!
He flew in to visit on Friday, stayed with another friend, and drove his rental car to South Pasadena on Saturday.  He treated little George and I to lunch at La Grande Orange- a hotspot in Pasadena.  Again, great food and great catch up session with one of my favorites.  We all took naps in the afternoon and then took Harrison to Fair Oaks pharmacy for what would be our last trip there.  We "split" a banana split, of which little George ate most of, and went home to watch Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs with pizza.  Sunday we took Harrison to Reel Inn for the best fish tacos I have ever had.  This little hole in the wall is on the PCH in Malibu.  What I loved about this place was the fact that it was A. good B. popular but not touristy and C. no one acted as if we did not belong there.  Really great spot.  Glad we could share this experience with Harrison.

Fair Oaks Pharmacy's famous banana split…conquered by Georgie!

OK, so Monday the 7th truly was a true Highlight! and one of the best days ever.  First, we closed on our house! Whoa.  That in itself would have made the day a highlight. Big G and I went alone and shared a celebratory coffee afterwards.  It sure was a good feeling (overwhelming might be a more accurate feeling).  After that, poor George had to go back to work, but I got to use my Langham Spa gift card that the Edwards' gave me for Christmas.  I enjoyed a facial and the best part was that Maynell was able to join me.  We sat and talked and used the sauna, steam room and hot tub as long as we possibly could.  I picked George up from Monica's and went home shortly after.  Big day for sure!

Another Highlight!
Thursday night, my hubby graduated from his Hand fellowship at USC.  Still a few more weeks of work but we got to celebrate early with a dinner at Parkway Grill while Maynell babysat for us.  I am SO proud of my man.  So much went into this graduation.  I could write a book on how much it meant to me to celebrate him this evening but alas, more highlights to cover.

The handsome Dr. George and his proud wife

The kids eating Maynell's authentic Gallo Pinto- I just love this photo.  It captures them all so perfectly.  George loves these kiddos and feels right at home at their table.  Lifelong friends...

Yet another…..Highlight!
Friday, July 11th my baby turned FOUR (I still say he's three sometimes on accident). When he woke up, his daddy was still there and I let him have chocolate cake for breakfast plus pancakes.  Once we cleaned the syrup from his sweet cheeks I took him to Toys R Us to pick out a birthday treat (Thus began a bad bad habit of a toy a day from here on out for a looooong time.  We are still recovering from that).  He picked out a very large helicopter thing that looks like a hornet.  He received a balloon and a crown at The R US.  We went to Albertson's to pick out his birthday cake design and a man in line gave him a five dollar bill just because it was his birthday.  It was really nice but kind of weird to be honest.  He was very sure about his birthday cake design- "I want superheroes with a rainbow around them" so after it was ordered we returned home for a little rest.  When big G got home we went for a family walk and then met the Falconer's (and most importantly his friend Natalie) at Chuck E Cheeses for pizza and games.  We spent way too much money on those silly games but for a four year old, this was the ultimate birthday.  With his tickets we joked that he might have enough for one of those plastic spider rings and George and I got a big kick out of this.  Whadayaknow- he had just enough for a plastic spider ring.  So after a big laugh we paid the extra dollar and got him a very large lollipop instead.  What a great great day!

Chuck E Cheese's guitar hero

Natalie and George riding the car for the 15th time, even though I tried to tell him you don't get tickets for that ride.

THE lollipop and a happy family after a successful trip to Chuck E Cheese's

Another Highlight!
Greg and Christine Scott's wedding was Saturday the 12th.  Before we had even digested our Chuck E Cheese's pizza, we woke up and drove to San Luis Obispo to enjoy a beautiful wedding of two beautiful people.  The entire wedding reception sang Happy Birthday to George and the groom had a special cupcake  with a candle for little George.  What groom does that? This groom.  Greg is a special friend of George's from college and one of those wonderful people who would worry about a four year old's birthday that he barely knows at his own wedding.  What a sweet surprise.  We felt very loved. George felt very shy… FYI, San Luis Obsipo is gorgeous!  I wish we had more time here but alas, we have a four year old birthday party to throw tomorrow!

The bride and groom on the left, then Ben and George and Johnny- all Davidsonians except the bride-she 's a Californian surfer and triathlete.  Greg did well, I'd say!

Another Highlight!!
George's birthday party at Garfield Park with all his friends.  When we first moved here George witnessed birthday parties in the park with pinatas.  He quickly requested a piñata in the park for his birthday so thats what we did.  Donkey Piñata, three mega pizzas, water balloons, three legged races, super hero Ball jars, lots of smiles, lots of good-byes.  It was a real treat to have so many of his friends show up.  I think we had close to 45 people there! Whoa! We made friends this year! George of course insisted that he open ALL his gifts that night before bed.

I think they did a pretty good job with George's request

Our superhero turned FOUR

I'm sorry, could he be any cuter?

The family (plus Natalie, we'll claim her)

                             
The goodbyes continued that week.  Monica and Zoe, Maynell, Cole and Lena, Stephanie, Paloma and Baz came over for a crazy dinner. We had pizza, popcorn and snacks and Monica made Moscow Mules, my new favorite cocktail!  My car was picked up Tuesday, the 16th.

Poor Paloma broke her leg and here's the Milan Ave. clan signing her cast

Baz came over for one last playdate and made "soup"

George and Baz- cute little buddies

Love these two together!

Wednesday was our last time with Maynell and Cole and Lena.  We went to Redondo beach and spent the day there.

Last Cali beach trip

Look at that SKY. Perfect California weather

Thursday I packed, cleaned the house, shipped boxes, checked into LAX and paid for my bags.  We prayed together as a family for protection and blessings as we parted ways for a while.

Friday we were through security by 7:30.  Our flight did not leave until noon.  Yay for delays! The flight was not too bad and our friends, Christina and John, were waiting for us at baggage claim.  The reunion of those two little best friends (one in his PJs, the other one jet-lagged) was adorable.  I thought George would have trouble getting to sleep since it was only 6pm California time but he asked me, "Mommy- can we go to sleep now?" So I put him to bed and never heard another peep till morning.  In the morning, this is how we found them:

So now, we are home.  Not only are we in our home state, but we are in our old neighborhood, the very neighborhood of the first home we owned, the first home little George ever knew, with friends who feel like family ready for our new adventure to start.  It feels GOOD to be HOME.
Stay tuned for pictures and experiences in our new house and the Highlight! reel for our the rest of our summer.