Who likes change?  Not many people can say the truly enjoy when things change.  As I have gotten older, I do realize that I tolerate change a little better than some but I still don’t like change.  Here is where the problem arises, over the next few weeks, the last few weeks of summer, lots of changes are happening!

  1. Lily is moving to Orlando Florida, where she is employed full time by Disney World to be a photographer. This is by no means a sudden change but it is a HUGE one. Both Lily and E are struggling with this change and all it means.  First here is the background. When Lily completed her DCP (Disney College Program) in January 2025, she wanted to stay and continue. However, it just was not possible with her financial expenses of school.  So she came home to finish college and began for searching for jobs that would allow her to return to Orlando either at Disney or as a para legal.  In September 2025, Lily completed an interview for a photo pass photographer and was “placed on the bench”. What this means is that for six months if someone quits then she can be offered a job. In March 2026, instead of being removed from the bench she was offered to remain on the bench for another six months. After prayer, she decided to stay on the bench. At the same time she was offered and accepted a summer internship with Egger. This is the same company Matt works for.  In mid June Lily was contacted and offered a full time position.  She accepted the position, raced to Orlando found an apartment and even managed to work out her schedule to be with us for Easton’s birthday. And completed the 10 week internship in good standing. Matt and I will be pulling a u haul trailer with her stuff to her the first of August. The biggest adjustment for everyone but E is that Paul is Lily’s dog and has moved with her.
  2. Lily was occupying the ‘old” master bedroom which has a walk in closet and a half bath attached. Kendall jumped at the chance to move in this bigger room. Zach originally did not want to move rooms because he thought was it would be less than five years before he was moving out on his own. BUT the bigger bed was calling his name. He will be painting and moving as well.
  3. This left us (Matt and I) to decide what to do with Zach’s (3rd) bedroom.  After some discussion, we decided to purchase a set of bunk beds and put in Zach’s old room. This will be for both Braxton and E to sleep in. E will be able to have his own room with space to build Lego’s as well as a closet for his clothes.
  4. Next question, what do we do with nursery/office that E is currently sleeping in? I actually like having my desk in the bedroom closer to the rest of the house as I am not isolated unless I want to be.  We have decided to make the nursery into an closet/ exercise room.

The bright side of all this change is that we are not forced to complete it all at once in just a couple of days. Kendall will move into Lily’s room first including moving her ears and tv.  Then Zach will have to paint and patch the walls of Kendall’s old bedroom. He also is request a new fan.  Finally we will need to purchase install and arrange the furniture  the final bedroom for E. This will also gain ALOT of our privacy back because we will have a master bedroom suite again!

 

My current plan is to show you as the changes happen!  But change will be slow as E and I will be out of town for 13 days in August!

Thursday Plans

::Matt and I choice Jeremiah 29:11 as our verse at wedding… For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”

My plans for this summer has significantly changed and are total different than what I thought they would be even five months ago. I am excited to see all the things that happen and all the memories made this summer.  Today I thought I would give you an update on just about everything!

Today is my last day before Summer Break!  Kindergarten promotion is tomorrow. And due to our childcare situation, I am using parental leave for next week of workdays and the first three workdays in August!
 Lily is really enjoying her legal internship with Egger. She was informed right before starting that the attorney was leaving the company. This made for a very stressful weekend. However, she is two weeks in with more experience that she had even hoped for. She also has several opportunities to consider!  I also think this has confirmed that she really does want to be in the law field.
 Kendall is looking forward to Catawba College in the fall. She will be entering as a junior with two years planned to finish her degree.  She has received enough scholarships to cover her tuition and  books until she completes her degree.
.Zach is super excited for football and is already attempting to gain weight!  He has decided to attend classes for welding along with high school.
 Haley will finish her nursing degree in August and we plan to join her to celebrate!
I am looking for a busy and fun filled adventure this summer!

5 Things Friday

1. For the first time in 22 years, Matt and I have made plans to go away for the weekend without any children!  I need a break and this worked out to be just at the prefect time.  I am not going to give any more details till we are home safe but I am super excited!
2. The garden is looking really good! One big change is the amount of watering we are doing. With that in mind, the current plan is to get one more tote to fill with water. So that even in drought we should be able to not use water that cost money!
The up front cost should be around $50. We are hopeful to get this put in place this weekend as we have a solid week of rain chances and have already filled most of the 2 tanks we have.
3. Foster care is stressful.  I have a ton more stress in relationship to the agency and it’s policies, procedures and expectations than actual dealing with every day kid stuff.
4. Kendall has to attend graduation practice next week otherwise she is completely finished with High School. Zach took an exam today and he is also finished. Davie County has 9 official days with the last one being an early release day. The count down to summer is really really close. I have less than that due to Kendall’s graduation!
5. Since this is Memorial Day weekend and we don’t have school on Monday, I want to finish the book I am reading. And do small repairs on both the Tahoe and Rogue.  Added stress of the Honda has stopped again!

Five things Friday

  1. Fun Fact of the day that explains how busy my life really is. The last time I posted a 5 things Friday was March 20th, almost two months ago
  2. We are currently still in a significant drought. We did get some rain a week ago but we are quickly using up all of our rain barrel water. I am hoping that we can keep enough water to support the gold fish and algae eaters that we purchased and put into two of the rain barrels. My current plan is to use regular water in addition to Epsom salt to the barrel for the tomatoes. We don’t have enough to fill from rain barrels so hopefully the Epsom salt will be beneficial.
  3. Kendall graduated from Davidson Davie Community College yesterday. This marks the beginning of the end of the year. Next week both Zach and Kendall go to school but the following week, neither are required. E and I have a full week after they finish but that is only three weeks till Summer Break begins!
  4. Matt and I are scheduling lots of fun trips this summer.  I will get to visit Disney World for close to two weeks!  We also have a beach trip planned to Myrtie Beach as well.
  5. I am hoping to have some extra time this summer to rest and recharge!  We have been doing some extra cleaning both inside and out. Last year, I paid a maid for the first and last cleaning but I don’t think that will be necessary this year!