Day one

^I found these leaves in my backyard (that's right, my backyard!) and I couldn't believe how cool they look. Is it just me, or are these like REALLY cool leaves.^ 

Technically, it's day two in our new home. We spent all of Wednesday moving and cleaning our old apartment. I need to stop right here and just say that we COULD NOT have done it without my sweet in-laws. I mean my mother-in-law took on the whole kitchen herself. Anyone who has had to move knows the kitchen is the worst room to clean! She even cleaned inside the oven. the OVEN! Long story short, we love them and we seriously could not have survived without them. I think the one who benefited most from their stay was Tessa. Change is hard on babies. They're too small to really know what's going on but they sure can sense the change. Mommy and daddy were pretty busy prepping for the move and Tessa was beginning to take it pretty hard. Grandma and grandpa came and gave her just what the doctor ordered: lots of gifts and playtime :) 

When we pulled away from our old apartment I didn't even really look back. I was surprised at myself. I mean this was the home I brought my baby girl to for the first time. The home I've watched her grow and change and develop in. It is a home full of some of the BEST memories our little family has ever had. I mean that's where we discovered Tessa K (Tessa's best friend), for heaven sakes! Driving away I didn't feel the least bit sad, that may have to do with the fact that I had scrubbed walls all day long :), but honestly it's because we felt so strongly that we needed to be here. I can't tell you how good and right this place feels to us. Like we were meant to be here the whole time. I guess I wasn't looking back because I was too busy looking forward. Blogs make it less difficult to move on because everything I need to remember is right here. I can read it and watch it over and over. 

Yesterday, Tessa and I took a walk and played on the swing. The trail is right outside our front door and the swings are right outside our back. We swung three different times that day. I was able to walk to the grocery store to get some tylenol and it only took me five minutes. I've been able to do my laundry without having to try and carry Tessa in one arm and a heavy hamper in the other (down a flight of stairs and through three heavy doors, one of them which I'd have to unlock!). Brady left for work on his bike and was there in eight minutes and he was home in five ( mostly downhill). 

My house is a wreck and will probably remain so for some time but even though we're tripping over boxes everywhere we step, I can't help but feel grateful for this incredible home we've been given. This blog post is about transition and change and transformation so I chose to add some leaves. I love fall BECAUSE of the changing leaves. They're so beautiful. Change is new and different but, gosh, the result can just take your breath away. We plan on staying here for the next four or five years and I think I'm going to like that just fine :)