Summer 2016 Part 2

This post has too many photos, but it closes out our summer memories!


We celebrated July 4th just a few days after arriving to Louisville.

Our Jennifer made this July 4th extra special.

This would be the first time she would meet Juliet.  We pulled up to the party, and she came running to the street...  arms open....tears flowing.  She swept Juliet away from me and cried and hugged her as though she had been waiting for months.

And she had.

My heart knew there was something missing on the day that Juliet was born.  I wanted so badly for my friends to be with me and experience her birth too.  But the sweetest part is...  it wasn't just me who wanted it.  Jennifer was equally as devastated to miss Juliet's birth.

But her emotions and reaction when finally holding our Juliet, made it worth the wait.  And it will always be my favorite part of Juliet's first 4th!

Thank you sweet friend for welcoming our new addition the way you did.  I will always be thankful for the way you love us, and will always remember the homecoming that you gave us.

A few photos from summer zoo trips.....

...and lots of swim photos!!

Walt loves the water, and Juliet enjoys posing for her momma....  

...which made for numerous trips to the pool!

Mom and I spent one week day morning at the state fair!  A first for both of my babies!

I'm typically not a huge fan of the state fair, but Walt had such a good time, that everything about it looked sweeter to me this year.

Mom and I enjoyed the day so much.

Walt and Juliet had such a good time, that several days later, I took them for another visit.  The three of us practically opened up the fair that morning, and had the exhibits to ourselves!

This summer also brought Walt's first movie..

...and plenty of other summer memories.

But by far, the highlight of Summer 2016 was buying our home!  We searched for what seemed like forever, before finally finding the one.  We spent gobs of time searching all of southern Indiana (near the hospital that Troy is practicing at), and so much of Louisville too.

We closed on our house just as summer was nearing the end.

Months ago, Troy asked me what I wanted in our next home.  I told him that I would live absolutely anywhere with him (Houston, southern Indiana...anywhere), but my dream home would be near our family.  Everything else....  square footage, floor plan, number of bathrooms, etc., was lower in priority for me.  But I knew he wanted to be near the hospital.  Living in southern Indiana would make his daily commute much easier.  My heart sank with every Indiana listing we viewed (family and friends felt far away again), but I was more than willing to make the sacrifice for him.

In the end....

...we bought a home on a sweet little tree lined street, at the top of a cul-de-sac...

....with an older, traditional, style that speaks to my heart so very much.

And apparently, Walt's too ; )  .....

And this husband of mine.... he continues to make my dreams come true.

Because this home, at the top of a cul-de-sac.... sits a quick 60 second car drive (or a 4 minute stroller ride!), to my parents' home.  Troy said that his daily commute will be a tiny sacrifice for the years of memories that our children will create, being a short walk to Grandmom and Grandad's house.  I still remember the goosebumps I felt when he said "let's do it...  let's make an offer."

I am married to a precious man.  A man that always has his family's needs and desires on his heart.

He continues to make this life a beautiful one.  I will always be grateful that he is the one I get to honor and cherish forever.

Summer 2016 Part 1

I have a couple of more summer post, before getting to fall.


But honestly, this one picture sums up our summer...

We spent the summer with my parents (we lived with them for four months while house hunting), and enjoyed every minute of it...

We made many memories in these four months.  It was a special time, and made up for being away for a year.

Troy's Mom flew to Louisville for a visit too!  If only it could have lasted longer...

And of course we spent time this summer catching up with our friends...

Mom and Dad,

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!  Thank you for letting us take over your house for four months!  For letting us scatter toys and bottles and laundry.... and cookie crumbs.  Thank you for feeding us, spoiling us, and for all of the late night talks.  Thank you for loving our babies!

We love you so much!

Kristin

Year 2

A few days after arriving to Louisville, our Walter turned 2!

We had very little time to prepare for his party, but did manage to pull together some fun things of his favorite monkey!

Due to us just arriving home, we decided to keep his party small and intimate this year.  It was a nice evening with our family.  

Walt,

I know a second birthday post should consist of milestones met, and your favorite things, and how tall you are.  But I'll save that for another post.  Because it's not what I'll remember when I think of year 2.  I will always remember your second year of life as the year when it was just the two of us.  I was pregnant with your sister....  Daddy was working hard in his fellowship....  and we were many miles away from family and friends.

Most days, it was just you and I....

and I loved every minute of it.

I tried so hard to soak up each second with you....  as I knew that this year was a special one.  I knew that our lives would never again look the way they did for your second year.  Soon, our family would grow and we would return home.

But for year two...  I had you all to myself.  

In year two I learned that you weren't only my child...  my baby...  my cute, fun toddler...  but as strange as it may sound, also my very best friend.  You are who I laughed with, cried with, went for walks with ....and talked with (even if it was about elephants and Elmo).  You're who I shopped with, had lunch dates with....and conquered a new city with.  You sat at my feet during ultrasounds, and on my lap during eye brow waxes.....  and in a stroller next to me during dental exams.  You never left my side.  And without ever knowing it...  you made my homesick, hormonal, heavy heart... feel so much joy.  

I know that eventually, the years will run together.  The time between birthdays will be a blur.

But year 2 won't. 

 I'll never forget year 2.  

Because year 2 will always be our year.

This one..   belongs to you and me.

I love you more than you'll ever know.

-Momma 

("Baba")