Monday, August 30, 2010

Details

The details of our upcoming move are really coming along.  There were so many things that had to fall into place for us.  Overall things are falling into place perfectly.  It's just that all the details take time to fall into place.   I feel like it is a big life lesson that is taking forever to play out.  See, when I told you at the beginning of the month that we were moving, I had already known that we were moving for two and a half months. 



Two months of cleaning out closets and de-cluttering the house in preparation for selling it.  Two months of waiting for physicals to clear, new passports to be completed, Realtors to interview, forms to fill out for importing a dog.  Two months of trying to plan meals around items we have in our basement, keeping the house straightened up, and getting our dog on anxiety medicine.  Two months of making lists of things to buy, things to do and people to notify.  Two months of giving up two preschool spots that are pretty difficult to come by, researching how to send our 2nd car overseas without having to sell a child to pay for it, and looking at preschools on the Internet.


A few years ago a friend of mine was undergoing a quick and unexpected move, and while she was having a hard time with it her husband told her to "roll with it." In the subsequent years she has learned more about rolling with it that she (or he) ever expected. We often talk about learning to roll with it. It doesn't mean that we are becoming all zen and laid back about whatever situations that we end up in. It really means that we are learning to accept things for what they are and are trying to be graceful in that acceptance.





Meanwhile we only have a date of October 10.  We don't know when the movers will be coming, we don't know when we will fly there, we don't know how long we will have one (or none) car.  We don't know how long it will take our things to get to us.  We don't know where will be living!  All of this is out of our hands.  The government is scheduling the movers, buying our plane tickets, renting our house and shipping our things to us.  Roll with it!


I've heard God is in the details.  I've also heard the devil is in the details.  So which is it?  I guess God is in the details and He is teaching me about letting go of the things I can't control and accept that all of the details will be revealed to me in their own good time.  A month ago I didn't know about October 10th.  I can't wait to see what will be revealed to be in the coming month.  Meanwhile I'll be practicing this.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Pirate Party Blowout!

Saturday we celebrated the Bug and the Butterbean's birthdays.  Since they were born 3 days (and two years) apart, and they have the same friends, it is a no brainer to have a combined birthday party.  Since I am getting a "two-fer", I wanted to do twice as much.  Why?  Because I love parties and since I just do one a year, it has to be really memorable!  
Since I chose 49 pictures for the birthday post be prepared!

The Decorations

In the house

On the front door



The favors


Our first year for a Pinata

The backyard




Love that we got to use the sandbox

Box lunches for the children

Pirate dress up for the children as they arrived


Walk the plank for the little ones

The dogs even got decorated





The Activities

Joe's Tattoo Parlor

The dress up bags contained a small foam sword a fabric belt, and an eye patch.

Walk the Plank for the bigger children

Digging for treasure


Decorating pirate hats

Pin the Parrot on the Pirate was a big fun



We had a super tough Pinata



After a lot of turns it lost it's loop at the top, but the ship was still seaworthy, so...
we let the birthday boy tear into it




The Friends











The Cupcakes








Then it was over way too soon!  We had the best time.  Thanks for all our friends and family who came and made the day so special!