at home in two places

We have been in RVa for the past six years and it has become home.  We moved here following a church offer and we have met several close friends and many friends that have become family.

It is always weird that when we say “home” we could be meaning Cincinnati or Richmond.  We can be in Virginia and wanting to go home to Cincy or Cincy and wanting to go home to Virginia.  It is odd how two places so far away from each other can hold your heart.  Both places hold so many memories and friends.

Most people know that our house has been on the market now for over a year.  After Jay started working for FPM we wanted to move closer to family in Cincinnati and decided it was time to leave Virginia.  Even though we are ready to move it seems that God is not finished with us yet in Virginia, our house has not had many lookers at all and no offers.  That tells me one thing, the answer to us moving is not yet.  This is especially noticeable after we got a message from our real estate agent about a week ago saying that we had to lower our price or they would need to come by and pick up their sign and lock box.  Jay emailed back and said that they could come get their stuff.  So needless to say we are in Virginia for a while, how long we do not know, but I really think this is where we are supposed to be and I am happy with it.

Now that we have Charlotte I can see her growing up and seeing Ohio as some great magical place to visit.  The place that holds her grandparents and I am sure many fun trips and memories for her future.  Who knows if we will ever get back to Ohio, but for now we are in Virginia.

After the news of us not moving, I began to get a little excited about turning our house back into a home.  As some people have experienced when your house goes on the market you have to decorate differently and live cleaner more simple lives.  I am ready to live messier and more cluttered lives.  I am ready to put out family photo’s again, decorate with the seasons and add some of the old charm and character that once was all over our house.

I have also been thinking about some things that might need to be done if we will be staying in this current house with our growing family.  There are many items on our lists and it is interesting that Jay and my lists are so very different.  Jay is of course more practical and mine to make life easier in the house.  The job I see being accomplished the soonest is turning Jay’s office into our office.  Before Charlotte, I use to have a sewing room and I would love to retreat there.  Now we have a cute nursery with an adorable little girl and all of my sewing stuff is shoved in boxes, packed away in a closet.  So, my gracious husband has so kindly agreed to share his office with me.  There will be some redecorating, some building, some organizing and I am so excited!

So Virginia it is for us for a little while longer.  We are away from family but it feels good to know that we can settle into our little house for a little longer, make it a home and enjoy our family in Virginia for a little while longer.

-melissa

happy birthday america

We had a great fourth of July weekend celebrating with our family and friends.  We were really interested to see how little C would do with the heat, long days, no naps, parades and fireworks.  

On Sunday after church we went over to the Murphy’s for lunch and then to Red, White and Blue Ash.  Jim and Susan had saved us some fantastic seats under a big bank of trees and although it was hot, with a cool wash cloth and being naked, a baby can do anything!

On Monday we headed out to Williamsburg to Dee and Tim’s to go swimming.  The pool was perfect and everyone had a great time!

After swimming we went down to Loveland and saw the parade.  Charlotte slept through the whole parade in her stroller through Cheerleaders, firetrucks and screaming people.  Benjamin and I had a great time collecting candy, waving to people and eating candy.

Happy Fourth everyone!  We hope you got to celebrate with a community concert, a day in the pool and a small town parade!

-melissa

welcome to cincy charlotte gray

We made the trip to Cincy through the night on Wednesday and Charlotte did great!  Jay got home from a work trip at 6:00pm and we were on the road by 8:20pm with a sleeping little girl in the backseat.  We pulled into the Hess Farm at 4:45am groggy but in good spirits due to the fact that little C slept the whole way.  

I think Charlotte really likes this place, she had a great first day.  Including some lengthy naps, quality time with her grandparents and meeting her two Aunties, Uncle and Cousin Benjamin.  She of course got to experience the fine delicacy of Frisch’s Big Boy and got to go on a exploratory field trip across the road with Benjamin to see some farm animals!  Here are some of today’s highlights, I know that she will love the rest of her relatives and all the great sights of Cincinnati!