Surfacing for a moment, just to say ‘hey’ and let the extended fam know we are alive and well.
It’s been crazy. So crazy I hesitate to revisit it, but it includes two very long (11+) hour days driving up the east coast. Six children, two dogs and one adult to rein them all in (yours truly), one whopper headache and as a cherry on the top, an almost fender bender that ended with my 44 ounce soda sitting in an icy puddle at my feet.
Fun.
But we’ve got a few days under our belts up here in New England now, the movers have come and gone and things are starting to have a teeny tiny, dare I say it, sense of normalcy. A new normal. And I like it.
The weather here is amazing. No A/C units up here, just open windows. While I love the open air, my hair does not, but we’ll find a straightening iron solution soon.
The house is great. Gorgeous yard. Well kept. Inside is clean as a whistle, the people that lived there before us took wonderful care of it (much unlike our last house) and for that we are so grateful. But the house is lacking in, well, ahem… everything other than tiny floral prints. On the walls, in the drawers, on the curtains. Sorta makes me a bit nauseous after a while. Needless to say, there will be posts on paint, spackle and wallpaper removal forthcoming.
We don’t currently have cable at our house, still waiting on that, but by Monday, I should be up and running on my desktop at home. For now, I’m snacking on some lukewarm McD’s french fries and using their extraordinarily slow wi-fi. Not complaining, though.
I also wanted to pop in to announce something very exciting over at Wild Olive… check out the new button in my sidebar!!
We’ve come up with a new line of kids’ tees! And we’ve partnered up with Love Without Boundaries to donate an additional portion of our profits from the sale of ‘chosen’ (both boys and girls) to LWB’s amazing efforts on the behalf of orphans in China.
AND, to celebrate, we’re giving away tees! It’s super easy to enter, and you’ll not only be spreading the word about Wild Olive, but also about Love Without Boundaries.
P.S. In the coming days, I’ll be posting about another way to win some free tees from Wild Olive.
Okay. I’ll give you a hint. It has to do with No Hands But Ours. And the family stories page. And how we want to add YOURS 
I'm a regular mama. Who just happens to have eleven kids.
Just one husband, though.
Welcome home…again.
You know we all want to hear…do you have any Vivi news?!!?
Oh I am looking forward to those kiddies t-shirts! Is it mid-August yet?
Glad to hear "normal" is starting to happen!
Looking forward to seeing ALL of you, yes, I mean Vivi, in your new home!!
Ohhhh…those new shirts!! You know I already entered that contest!
Since you're in New England now can we visit each other
Enjoy the weather before it starts raining….again.
Chosen.. I am bawling! Awesome tee!
What's this? You came right past us and didn't stop???? I'm fit to be tied. But glad you are settling in and loving life in your new locale. Call when you can. And Stef…can I just say…CHI. Don't skimp. CHI.
So glad to see that you have finally made your way "Home"!
Can't wait to have you back on here regularly again and hear more about that special little addition on her way…any news?! And of course we are very excited about the new T's for kiddos…GREAT idea!:) I'm sure I'll be purchasing yet again!!
Have fun settling in and making your new house into your home… you may need to pick up some weedkiller to do in all those interior florals though!!
LOL!
Hugs,
Tanya
So glad that you've made your way to your new home. Can't wait to read all about your settling in.
I'm excited about those kid tees. How cool is that?!
Just like Holly, would love to hear some Vivi news!!!!
i live in boston and the weather has been beautiful for the last two weeks enjoy it while it is not raining maybe i can visit and help unpack
chamaree 16 years old
mareelay@gmail.com
HOORAY! SO glad you are "home" and safe and getting back to normal! Can't wait to see photos of the new place!
Congrats on making your way home and getting settled! I'm still getting rid of floral paper in my home and I've been here 2 years! I just had so much to do and still haven't made the final choice but I'm close;) Also, I am SO happy to hear of the kids shirts- I've been dying to get them for my littles since starting my own collection:) THANK YOU! Heather (FL)
Welcome to New England! Hope you can feel settled soon and get some R&R before summer ends. If you like the weather now, you will love it there in the fall, too…it's spectacular. I think we will be in your neck of the woods sometime in the next few weeks to do some back-to-school shopping!
Girl, glad that you are finding home to be a lovely place….tiny floral prints and all!
We are STILL trying to move into our newish home…. we've been here since May. I am hoping that you will inspire me to unpack the rest of those pesky boxes!!!
hugs to you~
Shanna
So glad you made it to your new home. Enjoy!