The Suits Sisters

I'm thankful for pictures and mirrors that hang on the walls  For a healthy & active baby {even if it means spending my entire day making sure she doesn't lick the bottom of our shoes, dump the dog's water bowl over or suck on a screw driver} For a church bathroom located near the sanctuary...it comes in handy when I start to cry before Sunday School  For funny emails from my brother and movies that make me laugh out loud And for a husband that doesn't complain about Mount ShoesaLot that erupted in our closet and still sits dormant even weeks later 

Within a 2 week span, my co-pilot, Caris and I had logged about 1,290 miles together (I feel tired just typing that).  South Carolina --> Florida Florida --> South Carolina South Carolina --> Florida The 2nd trip was a Girls Trip which meant no husband to help. And now I present to you... Road Trip* Tips  when traveling with an infant *A Road Trip includes any distance 5 hours+ away {anything shorter is just child's play} 1. Assuming you want to make the best possible time (7 hours in my case), DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING for the first 3 hours. More on that later, but yes, you'll be thirsty.  2. Leave as quickly as you can after a meal. Then, PUMP UP THE JAMS to keep your child awake for a while before nap time. Our choice of jams? Sunday School Sing-Along   3. When you've determined that your child has fallen asleep, keep the car silent. Nothing but your thoughts for a good 1 1/2 hours. This time can be used for soul searching, plan...

While visiting with Grandpa at our old house, we quickly became thankful that our new rental house is one level. ...But we realized that carpet is a lot more forgiving of falls than tile Her dad snuck in a sip of cow's milk last week. Yum!  Sidenote: the blue/green boy Pj's have since been retired for any future boys She has learned "Peek-a-boo" or "Where'sssss Caris?" with either her hands or blankets,bibs or shirts Always on the move. Always into something She has learned to clap and expects us to sing "Pat-a-cake"  (Or is it Patty Cake? Mommy experts weigh in, please)  This was in the middle of her 2nd Nap Protest.  I think we're slowly moving to only 1 nap.  Moment of silence for having less "Me Time"... And that's what's new with Caris! 

I'm thankful for birthdays For moms who made homemade surprise cakes that always amazed For husbands, blueberry pancakes & solo trips to Target For phone calls, emails, texts and presents to make a girl feel special 

Mom talked Anna into going to South Sudan. A civil war broke out... She's not going She's going She's not going ...She's going!!  See ya in June, Anna!

  Dad came in town for exactly one week to take care of some things on this side of the ocean.  During the week we... -Gave Dad winter clothes to wear -Asked for his advice -Got (unsolicited) advice from him -Ate good food -Watched Get Low -Convinced him to visit his Mom -Watch him set up his new computer -Drank lots of coffee -Talked about Mom -Listened to South Sudan stories -Played a game -Chatted -Hung out at Wes and Sara's House -Watched Caris warm up to Grandpa -Watched Dad love on Caris -Tried out different "Grandpa Names"...Papaw, Pop pop, Gramps... Glad we got to hang out with him since he missed the Christmas Festivities. When he left, our crew shrunk down from 9 to 6 (hint hint)

I'm thankful for one room that looks like home  and fresh flowers from new friends  For my cuties among the chaos  For a husband who organizes the kitchen {so I don't have to}  For cool enough temperatures to wear my golf sweater And for surprise house warming baskets full of goodies from sweet friends in SC

 We left SC on Saturday (1.5 weeks ago) It was a chilly 27 degrees and we were about an hour behind schedule, but the drive turned out to be ok. Kent and Patch led the way in the UHaul while Caris and I followed behind in our (packed to the max) Toyota Camery. The truck didn't have cruise control or a whole lot of speed so the 7 hour trip took us 9 hours. I had plenty of time to memorize the back of the truck. We arrived in Florida at 5 PM to a driveway full of new faces that were eager to help us unpack. And by unpack I mean, set up beds, fill kitchen cabinets full of dishes and assemble furniture. I got questions like, "Where do you want your bed? Which room is the nursery? What IS this?" while I apologized for how filthy our toaster oven was (that they weren't supposed to even see yet).  About an hour into it, I gave Kent the "Ok, this was helpful and super nice, but they can go home now. I just want to sit on a few boxes and stare at a wall" lo...

We're alive in Florida without internet access, but we have hot water now so things are looking up. Be back soon!