Cummings Family: March 2012

I can't believe I have not blogged since Christmas! I don't even think I've used my "good" camera since Christmas. All pictures since Christmas have been random shots taken with my camera phone. Back in December, right before Christmas we were supposed to close on our old and new house. Days before closing it fell through and we were truly depressed. Our house was filled with boxes, pictures were taken off the wall, toys were packed, heavy coats were packed, Christmas decorations were packed...things were...well...depressing. We were so anxious to be in our new house.. Once again, our Lord knew what was best for us because we have been blessed beyond words moving two months later into our new house. I didn't feel blessed then but now that we are in, wow, it's been great timing. The weather has been absolutely perfect, our friends have been available to help, family has been available, our closings for both houses were back to back and went extremely smooth and financially, we've been able to do more decorating and buy new things without stress.

I was most concerned with how the kids would transition and my concerns are completely gone. Cooper and Chloe LOVE their new house. When we are gone, they ask if they can go back home. They are playing so well together and the upstairs is called by Chloe "her castle". The first day they were there they played hide and go seek for a good hour. They seem to be exploring more, pretend playing more, making more messes, etc. Cooper told Nana the other day after she asked him what he liked about the new house, "I like everything." He's so happy and Chloe doesn't seem to be chewing her nails any longer. Yesterday, my kids played outside in the FRONT yard for hours while we worked in the garage. I wouldn't have done this with the old house due to the busy street we lived on. It felt so great. I've already met some other Moms and have been invited to a neighborhood women's bunko group. Best of all, there are a ton of kids out playing. There was even a group of 6 teenage boys playing football at the park. That might be fun for Maddie...haha. I've heard from one neighbor that there is a 7th grade girl who is in club volleyball one street away. Hopefully she and Maddie will meet soon too. Maddie scored with this move (pictures below). She got a new bedroom furniture set, new bedding and new decorations. She is loving her room. She spent hours in there yesterday "chilling". It was fun getting her room together. Right now, the twins are in the same room. I am starting to decorate the other room to transition Chloe into and then after I will work on Cooper's room. I'm hoping to lure her out and into her room with pink frillies!!!

We ended our move day at the old house, just Todd and I. We were exhausted at this point. We had one last load and then had to clean. It was around 9:00 PM at this point and we were so tired. Every muscle was hurting! When the house was empty and Todd was outside loading the truck, I went from room to room and just made myself stop and remember a special memory. I started to take a few pictures and they just looked depressing.

I then remembered that I had PLENTY of pictures filled with smiles and happiness to look back on and stopped taking pictures. I prayed that the next young couple to reside there would be blessed as much as we were and then turned off all the lights. I didn't cry. I think I was too tired.

Things I will always remember about our old house:

Our first house as a married couple.
Decorating Maddie's room as she grew older and changed "looks".
Hosting fun Superbowl parties.
Hosting family holiday get togethers.
Hosting good friends' showers.
Preparing our twins' first bedroom.
Bringing the twins home from the hospital.
Staying up for hours at night feeding the babies in the living room.
Crashing into the doggie door with Cooper in my arms and leaving a crack.
Preparing many meals on the island.
Arguments that led us to making us a better couple and parents.
Getting rid of Todd's manly game room and turning it into a pretty formal area.
Christmas and Easter mornings.
Nights talking to Todd about having children and the struggles we were facing with those hopes.
Meeting Todd's brothers for the first time.
Attending church socials there when we were all single.
Scooby (Todd's dog when I moved in.)
Bringing Reba home.

I'm sure this list could go on and on but these were what immediately popped up. Our house blessed us beyond words but we quickly grew out of it after finding out there were TWO babies on the way!

Here are some pictures taken at the new house since moving in....

Maddie's best friend Monica helping us unpack! I think! Just in case you notice, Maddie is not in any pictures because she runs from the camera. We will be having a serious talk about this soon because it's getting on my nerves big time!

Nana brought cupcakes to have new house party with the kids on the first night! And notice the costumes. We change quite a bit into costumes these days.