Nate captured this shot when we went to the ocean last weekend to watch Ophelia's impact on the waves. 

Life

I'm taking a break from scrubbing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees. This job is one among many that need to be done in the next two weeks. Sometimes when I'm cleaning here in the apartment, I feel like I take two steps forward and one step back. There is always something to be done! It never ends! We are not the types to sit on the couch with our hands folded. We LIVE here and therefore it gets messy. Sigh. At least the busier I am the faster time will go until we get to go to Georgia and look for a HOUSE! Hooray! I know, I know, I'll have more to clean. That's okay, though. I consider that a pleasant problem!

Yesterday Nate and I went to Providence with Paul and Laura. We walked around for a bit trying to find a place to have brunch. We failed, but ended up at a nice place for sandwiches. We even jaywalked right in front of three cops in our quest for good food. Woohoo. Life on the edge!

This morning in my Bible reading I read in 2 Chronicles about King Amaziah who, "did right in the sight of Jehovah, yet not with a whole heart." My prayer is that in all that I do for God whether just being a housewife or when Grandpa moves in with us in GA, or whatever else comes my way, I will serve God with all of my heart and with a good attitude.

That said, the laundry and the kitchen floor are calling me! Hooray!

This beautiful rose is from my Aunt Glady's yard in California. 

Sigh.

We made it home in one piece!

Daddy dropped the four of us off at the airport last week, full of energy and ready for the job ahead. Yesterday, he picked us up at the airport, mere shadows of our former selves dragging our luggage wearily behind us.

I slept for a solid 14 hours and could have slept longer, but figured I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. I love our bed. It is the most comfortable bed in the whole world and I'm glad to be home to it.

So, now we recover and rest up from the job of cleaning out Grandpa's house and start thinking ahead to our trip to Georgia to find a home. Please pray about this next step. It looks big, but we know that God has something just right set aside for us. Thank you also, those of you who prayed for us while we were in California. Those prayers made a difference, we could tell and we appreciate them and you.

Time to Say Goodbye

Wow.

We have been SO busy, as I'm sure most of you have read from Claire's blog. I have so many memories of this place. I was baptized in the pool out back, I've watched Grandpa make Charlie-dolls, I've played by the creek, I've worked in the garden, I've swung down the pole into the family room countless times, I've lain on the couch next to the organ listening to Grandpa play by the hour, I've had Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners here on Grandma's china, I've roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire while watching the "cool" people play volleyball, and sometimes they even let me play, I helped Grandpa clean the house and care for Grandma when her memory and her ability to walk failed her. The list goes on...

I'm thankful for all of the pictures we have of these memories and I'm thankful for the week of hilarity that we've had, and, yes, even my cold, because it helps take my mind off of leaving. So, now, this is my last night here at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We have a busy day tomorrow, finishing packing up the boxes to be shipped and cleaning up last minute trash. Thank you for letting me take this time to remember.

Imagine my surprise when I opened a cupboard to sort through pictures and found this one on top! He's been perched on the mantle ever since!