Today....

....was caleb's last day of work.

(sigh)


Time to freak out??

It's a Bird, It's a Plane....No! It's a Wii...!

You can probably tell from this post, that I have become a little "obsessed" with Guitar Hero. Or maybe, that sentence should read like this: I have become a "little" obsessed with Guitar Hero. You can place the emphasis where you would like depending on how well you know me.

Both statements are actually a severe understatement. In fact, the first time I played Guitar Hero was on Halloween week-end with our small group. Over a month later, I was still talking about this game. I tried to rationalize how being a missionary and owning a Wii were not oxymorons. I thought that if we got tons of Christmas money, it would all be OK. I tried to come back down to reality over and over again.

But....then on Thanksgiving week-end, we played Guitar Hero for over 4 hours straight (full band style) and I was back to the destructive, depressing, one-track mode again. I really wanted a Wii, but knew that there would be no Wii for Mii!

THEN.....two Thursdays ago, our small group made an announcement that they had some housekeeping things to discuss. One of those "things" included an early Christmas present for us. Out came two (glorious) friends holding two boxes that looked STRANGELY close to being the box of a Wii and the box of Guitar Hero. I literally thought to myself, "Adrienne, you are OBSESSED. Not only do you really want this game, but you are starting to hallucinate. It is going to be a long Christmas if you keep thinking that every gift you get is going to be Guitar Hero." Our group knew that we loved the game during the beach week-end, but we had been obsessing in private and only with family about this. It couldn't be...

The rest is history. I opened the package that was placed on my lap (the other was on Caleb's) and I felt like that little girl who always wanted a pony and finally got one for Christmas. Our crazy small group bought us a Wii and Guitar Hero. CRAZY! We are going to be the coolest missionaries on the island. People are going to travel far and wide to come to our shows...

Ok, maybe that is a stretch....but I am SO EXCITED!

Christmas Traditions

Every year, we make a countdown to Christmas out of construction paper, markers and tape. This year, Ben was covered in "colors" by the time we finished.

Ta-Da!

We opted out of the live tree this year since we are moving. I found this pre-lit wonder as a Black Friday deal. Currently, it is already packed in the crate and will be used in PNG!

(By the way, I am married to a man who insists on multi-colored lights!)

My favorite childhood ornament (and now by far the ugliest):

And in case you want a comparison....here is a picture of Ben last year (after his first at-home haircut!)

Here's to old and new family traditions. I love this time of year...

Ben's New Room:

I meant to post pictures of Ben's new room a long time ago....since all this is now packed and on its way to PNG. We figured that he grew out of the bees a while ago. Now that he is super interested in cars, trucks, boats, airplanes and the like, I changed the theme to "Benjamin On The Move". I thought it to be appropriate since we are actually moving. All the decor is lightweight and easy to pack. The idea is that when we get to our house in Papua New Guinea, we will use all the same decorations he had in his room here. Maybe it will help a little with the transition.

Pictures of the grandparents!

Simple Scrapbook paper on the walls with putty (It'll be portable).
The flying bees were replaced with fun fast cars:


These blocks have all sorts of different tracks (car, train, etc):

We have sheets for a crib AND MeeMom bought a Twin bed comforter/sheet set that is being shipped to PNG which matches:

Wide Views:

Break from Packing/Cleaning...

Currently, I am packing what's left in our house and starting the "rub down" to get it all fresh and clean before our friends move into it.

I think it is time for a break...

As you can imagine, life has been a whirlwind lately. But, last night, I was reminded that when things are really hard, it helps to remember what really matters most in life. I was told that it helps to make a conscious effort every day (every minute, if necessary) to think of these things...

It has helped today.

Want to know where we are in this whole process?

Currently, Caleb is with Benjamin in Waxhaw, NC. Last night, Caleb and his dad were up LATE building and packing our crate. This crate will be shipped to Papua New Guinea and will arrive Mid-April. We will be in training from January 24-Mid May, so we won't need those things once we move.

We are officially "moved in" with our friends Joe, Amy and John. They have graciously offered their home AND attic to store our neverending supply of crap. We are now sleeping at their house. It really is fun to watch the boys have a "brother for a month". They are a week apart in age, so they are SO similar. It really is adorable. It is going to break my heart when we move away. Ben is really going to miss his buddy John.

Next week, we will continue to get our house ready for our friends (cleaning the carpets, touching up paint, washing the floors, etc). Then, on Friday, we will head NORTH! I am SO excited about this trip.....but sad, too, becuase it is the last time we will see some people for a couple years. We will spend the week-end with Joe, Christina and Abby (Ben's Godparents and Future Wife). Then, on Monday, I get to go out with my best friends from high school- Dawn, Rindi and Elise. We are going to Sabintino's (Little Italy) for dinner. I am beyond excited! Monday through Christmas Eve Morning, we will be with MeeMom and PopPop and Uncle Andrew in Baltimore. Then, we head to York, PA to see Buna, Grammy and all the Great-Grandparents, Great-Aunts and Uncles and more from Caleb's side of the fam. After that, we head to New Jersey to see Ben's BaBa and Great-Grandpa. We will visit with my Aunt Juju, Uncle Frank, Uncle Ron and their family. FUN TIMES. We will be in New Jersey for Ben's birthday and we haven't decided if we will drive home on his actual birthday or the next day. We are planning a North Carolina joint birthday party on Sunday, January 3rd for Bena nd John. That should be fun!

WHEW!

After this trip, we are in the homestretch- waiting for the visa. Once the visa comes, our butts will be on a plane, with 2 suitcases each to our names and a whole new "adventure" ahead of us!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday season. Please remember to take the time to focus on your priorities and not your stress levels. It really does make a difference.

Guitar Hero to Social Justice....

It's a stretch, I know.

A friend's work was published recently and I would LOVE for you to take the time to read the piece. She has a gift....Please read "My Date with the Velvet Hammer" By Heather Hancock.



Read The Article Here!

Guitar Hero!

The Casting Shadows/Dave Calvert Pose:

Days left to play Guitar Hero before we leave the country: 46 (sigh)

Good thing we are playing next Monday and all of New Year's Week-End!

SO EXCITED!

I get to play Guitar Hero (or Rockband....can't remember) tonight with Crystal and my sister-in-law, Alanna! Caleb is going to his brother's poker night, which means I will be rocking out all night with my girls.

In case anyone is trying to reach us, I forgot to pack the cell phone chargers, so are phones are dead! Give me a break, I have been packing all week for our MOVE out of our house....the chargers were the last thing on my mind!

We are also having a wonderful time in Charlotte. Ben is being spoiled every minute. He has had delicious food (with lots of butter), apple cider instead of apple juice, rides daily on the riding lawnmower with Buna, fun chasing the cats ("tats") and a bedtime that is around 9pm instead of 7pm.

Come Monday, this little boy is not going to know what hit him.....as we get back into our "routine".

Hope you are all still enjoying this nice long week-end with family and friends.

Must....Try....To....Fall....Asleep.....

....Last Black Friday Shopping Spree For Me For A VERY LONG TIME!

Starbucks, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Michael's & More....Here I Come!

I have this sick habit of buying stuff on Black Friday, only to return it later. There is something about the rush of being out there with the crowd that makes it all feel like Christmas is coming soon. At least I can try and get a good deal on things we need for PNG!

(Can you tell I am in denial? I'm addicted to Black Friday!)

Picture Time....

We thought it was important to get a good family picture while we were all together. Personally, I like this one better, even though my mother-in-law is not looking at the camera. We hope to photoshop/change it.....

Grand-boys:


Family Shot:

And, in case you don't remember what Ben looked like last Thanksgiving (you can visit this post):

And the year before:

My how things have changed...

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving, we headed to Charlotte to visit with Caleb's side of the family. Caleb's brother, Carson, joined the Air Force and we have not seen him since June. He was able to fly home for the holiday and surprise his father. We picked Carson up at the airport....which meant that Ben and I could make signs to embarrass....I mean, honor him! Hope you enjoy the pictures. We will not be in the states when he graduates as a combat controller, so we were excited that Ben had this time to spend with him! Ben pronounces "Carson" as "Tartit".

Good times!

All My Bags Are Packed....

When I was a little girl, I remember lots of wonderful Christmas' with my dad's side of the family. We would sit in my grandparents' finished basement and laugh and talk 'til the wee hours of the night. I remember times when my Uncle David and Aunt Diane would pull out their guitar and sing for us. I remember loving these times SO much that I actually thought I would start playing the guitar. I got one for Christmas.....but that talent never took off.

One of my favorite songs to sing was "Leaving on a Jet Plane". I remember I would change the words around to fit the occasion.

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go.
I'm standing here outside your door.
I hate to wake you up to say good-bye.

The dawn is breaking it's early morn.
The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn.
Already I'm so lonesome, I could cry.

So kiss me and smile for me.
Tell me that your remember me.
Hold me like I'm never going to go.

'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane.
Don't know when I'll be back again.
Oh, Friends. I hate to go...."

Obviously, I changed the words around again to fit our departure.

Let's just say that it is all starting to sink in.

We are tasked with packing our house, cleaning our house, determining what needs to go in the crate, deliver the items for the crate in 3 weeks to Charlotte, then live out of 2 suitcases each for the next month or so until our visas arrive.

Our pastor this month is doing a series called "Baggage". How appropriate, right? But, one thing that I have realized lately is this: Even though this process is hard, it is easier to decide what to physically leave behind versus what to emotionally leave behind. The baggage that has stayed for all these years- baggage from the past, baggage from life, is harder to leave. In fact, in the face of this newfound, wonderful-at-times STRESS, it is rearing its ugly head all the more. All my insecurities and worries are hitting me tenfold lately. I'm coughing it up to the hormonal time of the month....I tend to get just plain moody....but I pray that in the coming weeks, I am able to leave this emotional baggage in the states....

Friends from Church!

Ben was sporting Joe's cool dude shades after we took group pictures this past Sunday. I hope to have a book made for Ben that includes pictures of all the MANY people who love him!

The pictures below are friends from our small group at church. The only people not pictured are David and Amy because they went to the second service. Beware, Matzers, we WILL get a picture with you soon!

Joe, John and Amy:

Matt, Jennifer & Brayden:

Jill and Corey with Ben:

Jennifer and Greg with Ben:

Chris, Brian and Kristin with Ben:

Another Family Photo Opt:

Rethinking Christmas Toys.....

....since kids have SO much fun playing with packing paper! Baby Brian found the Pampered Chef boxes and tore into the paper!

Ben was right behind him!

Where's Ben?

Time for hugs:

Happy Birthday, Brayden!

Our friends Matt and Jennifer threw a great big birthday party for their son Brayden. Brayden turned 1 in October, but was sick for his big day. So, the party was postponed, but you would have never known it. So many people were to love on this little man. Happy Birthday, Brayden! Jennifer made all the cakes herself. Needless to say, I was impressed!

Family picture time:

Not the best picture, but since he is a best friend, I thought I would post one of Baby Brian. Sometimes I hate my flash!

Bryaden tore into his cupcake. Maybe the extra month of practice helped....because Ben was afraid of his cake when he was that age!

Not so anymore:

Our friend, Jennifer, made the cupcakes for the kids....and they were a HIT!