The Move- The packing and move went really smoothly, everything got here safely and quickly. Although it was exhausting, by God's grace Toby and I have adjusted well overall to having our lives uprooted. We moved in over July 4th weekend, which was convenient because my family was all off work, and was here helping us unpack!
Our house- We LOVE our new house, and I feel abundantly blessed when I consider that we get to call
it our home. It is large enough to have guests and still be comfortable, but the living spaces are cozy and comfortable. It has lots of character for a newer home, with a lofted area, great windows and dormers, and a fabulous front porch (where we see the local birds and hummingbirds eat from our feeders, enjoy sunsets, and where I watch Toby play around the yard). It is beautiful, and in a great spot. Toby says "We live in the woods!". Which is sort of true. It is across the street from a wooded park, and we don't have any neighbors to one side of us. But we are also a block from the little Main Street in our town, where we frequent the library, bakery, pizza place, and pharmacy (which serves ice cream!). It is VERY different from our neighborhood in MD, but we have thoroughly enjoyed it! (Speaking of our house in MD, it is STILL for sale with very little activity in this current market. Please continue to lift this up in prayer.)
Our house- We LOVE our new house, and I feel abundantly blessed when I consider that we get to call
it our home. It is large enough to have guests and still be comfortable, but the living spaces are cozy and comfortable. It has lots of character for a newer home, with a lofted area, great windows and dormers, and a fabulous front porch (where we see the local birds and hummingbirds eat from our feeders, enjoy sunsets, and where I watch Toby play around the yard). It is beautiful, and in a great spot. Toby says "We live in the woods!". Which is sort of true. It is across the street from a wooded park, and we don't have any neighbors to one side of us. But we are also a block from the little Main Street in our town, where we frequent the library, bakery, pizza place, and pharmacy (which serves ice cream!). It is VERY different from our neighborhood in MD, but we have thoroughly enjoyed it! (Speaking of our house in MD, it is STILL for sale with very little activity in this current market. Please continue to lift this up in prayer.)Family- Being close to family was our motivation for moving, and that has been so wonderful! My parents (mom, dad & step mom) live about 10 minutes away, and we see them weekly, but talk more frequently. And we probably see my grandparents about every other week. Although my parents all work full time, they have been very helpful in watching Toby on occasion. But even more important, it has been so valuable to share regular life with them.
Church- One of the ways God has cared for us has been through our new church, Trinity Presbyterian in Asheville. Two of my friends from college (and their husbands and kids) currently go to that church (they will both be leaving in the near future to plant a church across town). So it has been a real blessing to have some "built in" friends that know us and our history, and to help us get connected to the body at large, which is already happening! We were immediately plugged into a smaller, local group led by an elder in the church, where we were heartily welcomed and made to feel at home. Through that group, we have also made some great new friends with boys about Toby's age who live close to us! The worship and church overall seems very authentic and rich. I look forward to seeing how God will use us to build His kingdom through this body, and how God will continue to use Trinity to care for us.
Visitors- We have had the pleasure of welcoming SEVERAL out-of-town guests into our home already!! My sister Molly, two of the Moriarty's, most of Anton's immediate family, Carolyn, Cortney & M'Cheyne, and Sarah & Graceanne (and last week we met the Blackston's for lunch too!). They all graciously looked past the mountains of unpacked boxes (mostly decorations and books) stacked in the guest room, to see the awesomeness of God in the beauty of the REAL mountains just down the street, and in how He has provided and cared for us abundantly in this place. We thoroughly enjoyed each visitor, and it has helped us not get too homesick for Maryland :)
Work and childcare- Well, not much to say in this department. I have not really started looking hard for a job yet. I did get my NC nursing license and have started working on my resume. I'll be looking for work two days a week, maybe in an outpatient oncology clinic or doctor's office. Because those hours would be easier to find childcare, which I haven't pursued yet either. I have found it hard to keep the ball rolling on this, with the guests, settling into our house, and our beach trip....JPG)
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Beach- That's right, last week we got to go the beach (just after tropical storm Hannah passed through)! We went to Pawley's Island, SC with my mom, sister, and granny for about five days. We had such a great time enjoying the beautiful area, fun in the water and sand, and just getting away.
Tobias Liam- Toby is doing great! He has adjusted really well to all the recent life changes. No disruptions in sleeping, eating or behaviour (besides the typical three and a half year old stuff). He loves his room, and all the extra play spaces in the house where he can exert his energy (the basement, porch, bigger yard...). We talk about our friends in MD often, and miss them, but getting to share time with so many visitors this summer was wonderful for my little extrovert! Last month Toby started preschool three mornings a week at a local Montessori school. He is really enjoying that social outlet, and having his own thing to do. I have been impressed with how much individual attention he receives, and how he is getting excited about learning and absorbing so much through his time there. It is quite a different schooling environment than what I am used to, but has been a good thing for him.
Me- I am surprised at how much emotional and physical energy has been required for this big move. Although I am feeling very thankful for how God has blessed us in this move, it has also left me feeling pretty tired as well. Now that things are slowly beginning to settle down here a bit, I am looking forward to getting Toby and I into some healthy routines, and reestablishing my daily walk with God. I am excited about the friendships that God has laid in my path here already and seeing how they develop. I am actually looking forward to getting back to work part-time as well (wherever, and however He calls me)- to caring for others with my nursing skills and getting involved in a workplace again.
Missing Anton- I think it's strange that I have thought about and missed Anton more here, in a place that we never shared together, than before I left MD. But this has been such a huge transition that I have longed to go through with him. I want to enjoy our new home and church with my adoring husband, I think he would have enjoyed them too. September 4th would have been Anton's 34th birthday. Toby and I were grateful to take time to remember him with some family and friends at Bojangles, sharing a Tarheel birthday cake in his honor.
Toby still talks about his daddy quite often, relaying thoughts and memories, more than I would have expected. In fact, just today he said that when he sees daddy in heaven he is going to run and give him a big hug! What an awesome picture that brings to mind :)
Toby still talks about his daddy quite often, relaying thoughts and memories, more than I would have expected. In fact, just today he said that when he sees daddy in heaven he is going to run and give him a big hug! What an awesome picture that brings to mind :) So that's us in a really long, maybe more than you wanted to know kinda "nutshell"! I will be updating this Blog every once in a while with pictures and stories, so just keep looking! We miss so many people, and I wish desperately that I could keep in touch with you better on an individual basis. But I am grateful that technology allows me this option. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, emails, notes and for reading this all the way through :) Until next time!
