Ferrell's 1st time on the beach

Checkin' it all out!

A small wave came up and he got wet.  He was done with the ocean.

When we first got out there, he seemed to really like walking in the sand.  Unfortunately, after he was wet, he led us back to the car. 

Championship game

Kaleigh's team played in the SC championship game to see who would go forward and represent South Carolina in the World Series in Mississippi.  They beat this team one time before.  Sadly, Dillon didn't win and won't advance to Mississippi.  However, she does have a world series coming up next week for her traveling softball team.  It amazes me how much she has grown and what a great ball player she is!  I was so proud of her during the game.  She showed great sportsmanship.  Which is a lot more than I can say for some of her teammates which just made me all the more prouder of Kaleigh Lauren!

Coach Uncle James and Kay Bug is next up at the bat!

We made it! Part 2

Our official 1st week here in MB has began. Our house is getting shown a lot so I am hoping and praying that it'll sell fast and I get a job fast and we can get into a new house!  Needless to say, I am not loving apartment living.  I really don't like taking my dog out on a leash, our upstairs neighbors apparently have led feet, and the kitchen is 1/4 of the one in Cola. 

Friday, when we got here and tried to get in, we couldn't.  They had given us the wrong key. They had given us the key to the apartment that we were originally supposed to get.  Oh and we arrived here 15 minutes after the office closed!  Luckily, Brendan was able to call maintenance and the guy was like 45 minutes away but he came and delivered us the right key.  So back to why we were in a different apartment than originally told.  I received a phone call a week before move-in day asking if we didn't mind taking this apartment over the one we were supposed to get. It's the same only this one has a fireplace so I didn't mind.  What I was not told though, was that this apartment is a handicap apartment.  Meaning there are bars in the shower, no cabinets in the bathroom, lower shelves in the kitchen ( fyi- I have only 2 drawers in the kitchen...haven't counted the cabinets though), and the stove along with it's buttons are low as well.  It's not that I mind the handicap apartment but c'mon, bathroom cabinets are needed. Gratefully, since we were not aware of the apt. that we were receiving, they are reimbursing us for storage in the bathroom. Meaning, we pick out something we like and  buy it and they'll pay us back.  They are really nice in the office. :)

Saturday, mom came and helped us unpack a little.  I was feeling very overwhelmed because there were boxes absolutely everywhere and I just didn't understand how anything was going to fit in our new place!  I had to kind of pick and choose what would have to stay packed up due to the size of the kitchen and lack of space in the bathroom. Sunday, mom and I layed out by the pool and it such an extremely hot day that we basically stayed in the water.  I'm a little toasty so I opted not to lay out today.  I'll head down to the beach tomorrow and lay out with Gina and Megan.

I THINK I am starting to learn what's around us. Shopping and grocery stores, where to get go-go juice (gas). There is a Dunkin Donuts down the road too so Sunday we had donuts and I got some iced coffee.  I love love love iced coffee!  Brendan told me to treat myself to a pedicure which I had every intention of doing but you all know how clumsy I am!  We are currently using my hope chest as a coffee table and the edges kind of stick out at the bottom and the bottom of my foot hit the edge and OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHH!  It even hurts to walk on my foot.  I tell ya!  Tomorrow, I'll put it in the salt water and it'll be just fine.   Salt water heals just about anything, ya know?  :)

We made it!

We are here and we did have a little trouble getting in but we are HERE in MB.   I'm worried about space and that we've brought too much to the apt. when we should have left a lot of this in Cola.  Today is unpacking day.  You can imagine my enthusiasm!  I'll update later when I have more time!   Thanks to the guys at CMI and our fantastic parents, this has been as smooth as I guess it could possibly be given the SHORT amount of time we were given to pack up and move.

Scratch that!

We are now moving TOMORROW.  Stressed? You betcha!  A little ill? Derrr!  We had plans for tomorrow night and now they are ruined.  I'm having to not work a full day at work because there are still things to do and I just don't have the time.  I am going to go for a bit to tell my babies bye though.  :(   To make matters worse, I think they were planning to throw me a surprise party. So I am going to have to come back for one is what I was told.  They've been absolutely wonderful and understanding at work and had no problem with this sudden news.

I was getting excited about the move but the news today that we are moving tomorrow just annoyed me and upset me.  I was REALLY looking forward to spending some time with our friends seeing as to how we haven't been able to really see them since we decided to move.  Getting the house ready and packing has really consumed all of our time including my fantastic mother and father in laws.  Which by the way, hands down, I think I have the best in-laws you could ever imagine.

FYI- we just got  a top notch security system installed in our house.  this thing is BA. I even have an alarm on my keychain. When I say our house...I mean the one in here not in Myrtle.    Just wanted to point that out.   :)

Last week

Last week here in Columbia.  Sad? A little.  Our house has our furniture but it seems so empty. All of our personal things are packed away and ready for the move.  I'm excited for what lies ahead although I am NOT too thrilled about job hunting seeing as to how I just got finished doing that.  I know God has a plan for us and everything will be just fine.  So I'm placing it all in His hands and I am just going to go down this path that He is leading us to.  We hope that the house sells fast, I find a wonderful job, and we can find a house!  Anywho!  I just wanted to share that as of Saturday, we will officially be "beach bums".  I know I will be at least!  Luckily, The Lee's are coming to the beach the following week so I will have someone to lay out with and Mom will be down there as well.  I just hope that when we unpack I can find my beach items! After that, Kaleigh will be down playing in the World Series for softball! Keep us in your prayers as we make this move!  

Beach Group Shot

I love my family!! They aren't blood related but they are definitely considered family. The only one missing from the bunch is Billy. He was busy travelling and being Co-Director of a Christian Camp.

Top: Brendan, Randy Mom, Gina, Kevin
Bottom: Eddie, me, Megan.

Some of the best people you'll ever meet.

Start spreading the news. I'm leaving today. I want to be a part of it

Myrtle Beach Myrtle Beach.


No, not today.  But soon. Real soon. Crazyyyyyy how soon. Brendan, who for the past few years has worked some CRAZY hours and worked so incredibly hard.  He was given a promotion that will relocate us from Columbia to Myrtle Beach.  Although, this is a wonderful opportunity for him and us, we are incredibly sad to leave. I am really hoping that once he gets into his new role that his schedule will change to one where we are not having to eat dinner at 8:00 or later! At first, I know he'll work long hours.  :o(   This is all happening very fast as I stated.  Friday, I gave my notice at work and Saturday morning (yesterday) we went to the beach in search of a place to live.  After looking and looking and looking and ummm looking, we decided on one that we both liked and felt safe with.  The people there were super nice and very helpful.  We are hoping that our house will sell fast because I am HATING living in an apartment. Mostly because of the space, close neighbors, and our dog.  Plus, we are talking about having kids soon and I want to be able to have a house where I can decorate a nursery and a fenced backward so Ferrell can just go out rather than me walking him and waiting for him to "go potty".

I am loving the idea that just a few miles down the road, there is the ocean! :)  Growing up, my summers were spent at the beach.  I think mom and Gina started taking me and Billy as soon as we were able to walk.  I wouldn't doubt if it was sooner than that.  The beach has grown so much though so we both are going to have to learn the area. 

We are so sad to leave family and friends.  We are not closer to my mom in Florence, just on the other side.  We are closer to Dillon though.  I've cried and cried and my emotions are still mixed but I guess that goes with any big change that happens in one's lives. 

Friday, I started getting sick and Saturday while we were at the beach, I got worse.  Today, I am still sick.  It couldn't come at a more perfect time, right?  This week is packing and getting the house ready to sell.  I feel awful that I am no help today while Brendan and his parents are doing a lot of work.  :o(   I am up and moving around in hopes that will make me start feeling better. We only have 1 weekend left in Columbia. See what I mean when I say crazy soon?!  It's going to be an adjustment for all 3 of us.

Please pray that this transition will be smooth!  I have all the confidence in the world that Brendan will be amazing in his new role and life at the beach will prove to be sweet!

Fireworks at Broadway at the Beach

It gets better after around 25 seconds..you may even hear me say, this is boring but it got better! :)

Fourth of July

W headed to the beach for the Fourth of July and stayed with my other family, The Lee's. 

Us at Broadway.

Hope everyone had a great Independence Day!!