Asheville

The in-laws were in town last weekend. They always encourage us to do something....kidless...get away for the night.

We agreed....as we do most times they are brave enough to offer this!



We got to talking to some friends of ours about a little get away....they were in too!

S is VERY pregnant...but look at her from the back and you would never know. These guys both deserve a little R&R before baby #2 arrives.




We checked in to our accomodations for the night (more on this below) and headed downtown to do a little exploring.

Props to S, she was a trooper with all the walking and never complained. My feet hurt and my back isn't supporting a 10 lb. belly (wait a second, but I am, its just not a bun in the oven).



Asheville is very entertaining.

We happened upon this little drum and dance duo. I have no idea if this is a regular occurance (I'm thinking it might be). There were people everywhere beatin' their drums and dancin' around so freely without a care in the world.

Asheville is a great place to people watch.



We booked a room at Cedar Crest Inn Bed and Breakfast (built 1891). Gorgeous victorian charmer! I recommend it. It was a real step back in time with lots of period details (which I didn't get pics of because it was so dark inside).



This is where we had our breakfast...sitting on the wrap around porch, lined with ferns...it was lovely.



We actually did not stay in the main house, but the carriage house just steps away.

It was originally used to store the horse and buggies used by the family of the Cedar Crest, and has since been converted into a quaint little house.

Aaaaannd, I have to brag on my sweet husband who had champagne and a dozen roses waiting for me in our room! We have been away from each other way too much lately with the move. It was so nice to spend this time together. Thanks babe. I love you! All day long!

And, thanks Pappy and Grammy for watching the kids. (Now, should I be concerned that you didn't want to come back and keep them again?)

This just in...

Izzy is hanging in there.

I dont know for how much longer though. She is looking bloated through her upper chest and neck area.

S and I are planning to take her into the vet this weekend and try to get a better idea of where she stands in this process.



Our lovely home is still sitting on the market with little interest.

Please pray the perfect buyers come along soon so we can move on and get our family together again.



Meanwhile, the kids have been missing their daddy like CRAZY!

This was Allie's reaction this passed weekend when S returned.

She was all over him, all weekend, and didn't want him to leave. Understandably so.

We all miss him.




Lastly, Gabe is officially out of his crib! (Insert Hallelujah chorus).

Our sweet friends let us borrow this oh-so-cool car toddler bed until we move. Last night was Gabe's first night in it, and he did awesome! He didn't get out of bed once and even slept in a little. Then at nap today, no problems....he went right to sleep and took a good nap.

So proud of our little boy!

S Family photoshoot

Below are some images from a photoshoot with the "S" Family last weekend.

We were all soaked from the heat by the end of the photoshoot, but it was well worth it! What an adorable and photogenic family!

Signs of suffering

Iz. Iz Bo Biz. Izzard.

I don't know how much longer Miss Izzy will be with us...

She has started to show some symptoms of her lymphoma. She still has some spunk in her step and she continues to steal food out of our hands...but she is starting to show some signs of suffering.




While once banished from sleeping in our bed at night....she is now welcome again with open arms. We have realized she is having trouble jumping up on the bed a little.

She also drinks A LOT! We fill up her water bowl at least 3x a day. On the flipside of that, she goes to the bathroom A LOT...some of which is on our carpet and rugs.

She is having difficulty breathing and takes very short breathes.



I hope we know when it is time. She isn't bad yet....but is showing signs.

I just picked up more meds from the vet last week....they gave me 2 months worth. Does that mean that is what they are thinking for how much longer she has??? S says I'm reading into that too much.

For now, we'll continue spoiling her rotten for a little while longer.

M and K

A friend of ours is a school teacher. She was planning on taking these two kiddos of hers to school with her yesterday as she worked to get ready for this upcoming school year. I just couldn't let her do that when I could watch them.

Plus, Allie and K play so well together. They disappear into their imaginary princess play.

And her brother, M, is in that boy playstation phase where he could sit hours in front of the tv playing star wars.

Such good kids and the time flew by yesterday when they were over.



This is another one of those families we are going to miss like crazy once we finally move.

Until then, we will just enjoy every moment we get to share with them.

Updates

These kids wear me out! It is SO incredibly hard flying solo with these two during the week. Thursday (when S comes home) can't come soon enough!

On a completely different note....let me share just how well selling our house is going.

We have had 2 showings in about 2 months.

Let's not forget the open house this passed Sunday that yielded an impressive ZERO shows!

I love our house and I hope someone comes along soon that loves it also....I am ready to get our family back together again.

Next subject...



There are no words to describe this little guy right now.

I am surprised I am not constantly sporting 2 black eyes. He is rough.....but completely adorable all at the same time. I will be trying to punish him and he will look me right in the eyes and honk my nose. What's a mom to do????!!!!

G is starting to recognize when he wets his diaper and constantly wants a fresh diaper on. The past few nights he calls for me about 15 mintues after I put him down for the night wanting me to change his freshly soiled diaper. This is wearing me out. I try to put him on the potty...which he doesn't freak out anymore...so that is a step in the right direction....but I am not ready to potty train him. No tee tee in the potty yet....but I guess I'll continue to encourage it.




Allie is my girl....and growing up extremely too fast.

We hung out at the pool this morning with some friends of ours. Allie and 2 other little girls were laying out on towels!!!!!! And these little boys would not leave them alone! I couldn't believe what I was seeing...she is only 4!!!!!!!

So they got up and went to the other side of the pool....as she passed she had this huge grin on her face. I was wanting to cry...she is getting so big.

Silly lips

I often have people tell me, "Enjoy your kids at this age, because they'll grow up before you know it".

I am very well aware how quickly they are growing up and I try to find a happy balance of good parenting and goofing off and being a kid myself along with them.

I LOVE these guys!