Max's bed...

Here are a few pictures of Max in his big bed...

He was sleeping so hard I didn't want to fire the flash, so it's a bit fuzzy...


Here is how I found him after his first morning in his big boy bed...


He likes playing in his room too...


Who's that guy looking at me in the mirror?

Rolling in and Rolling out...

Here is a picture from our driving in to San Francisco...


And when we left...a very different view...


I hope we get to go to the beach this weekend! Then all the pictures won't be flying down the road!

San Fran-cis-co

On Saturday we took a break from the unpacking in order to meet up with Laurie and Bill Clark. We had met up with Bill a year or so ago in Denver when he had a conference, and I was so happy to hear from Laurie that they would be in town this weekend for another conference.




We had lunch, then walked around the city for a while. We even made it to China Town.



I remembered how much I like San Francisco! Max loved being in the city too. He'd get all excited with the noises. And in China Town there were old guys playing these little instruments that he liked too.



It was such a nice day! I was really glad to meet up with Laurie! We chatted along our walk, and had a Starbucks while Max ate, and chatted more there. The rest of you all need to come on out too next time!!!

Nieces and nephews...

Look at these little babies! My niece Lucy, aka Lucy Goosey. And Xyler, aka Gizmo.

I haven't seen either of them since Christmas when all they wanted to do was poop and eat and sleep. I can't wait to see them again this spring/summer.

And here's Baby Bito...the baby gummy bear in my sister Ang's belly...

Shopping again...

Payment from our car sale went through to our other bank account today and it was burning a hole in my pocket ALL DAY LONG!!

But, we had other things to do first. The containers got here this morning and my husband took only one hour to unload those all by himself! (I noticed it was one hour...he thinks it was 1 1/2...for the sake of making him sound better, let's say one hour.) He's a machine!

After that he had to go into the office for a few minutes, and we met with the case worker for Max. He had some good information, and gave us direction for where we needed to go next. He also made us laugh! What a story teller! I'm glad we were hooked up with him instead of some burnt out government worker!

THEN we were ready to go shopping! We stopped by Bed Bath and Beyond first to get some kitchen things, a trash can, and look at their bedding. We left there and went on to IKEA...I know...AGAIN!!! We were there 4 hours!!! We got a lot of our furniture though, and now Steve is putting it together for me. We got a desk, and a tv shelf, and sheets and comforters, and the dresser for our bedroom. Steve will have to go back for our bed, Abbey's bed, and our bedside tables.

I'm sure it sounds pretty lavish buying all new things, but remember, we sold ALL of our furniture and the money from that just sat in savings until we were ready to settle into our new place.

I unloaded a couple of my kitchen boxes this afternoon, and man was a I happy to see my Grandma's and Granny's pans! And my mixer, and special plates and doo dad's! Oh...and my lady picture. I was so happy to see her! I'm hoping to get a lot more unloaded tomorrow. And some more laundry done so I can hang up and put away our clothes!

I know it sounds like I'm "more at peace" in my current posts, living in California, but really and truly I don't feel much different than I did living in England. We had an exceptionally wonderful time in England, we just had to hold it all very close in order to not talk about what our next move was with work stuff. We had to make decisions that weren't what we had envisioned, but really, in the end, we love that we went, we loved the time we spent there, loved living there, but it just was not the best place for our family and the place we are in life.

I think the "peaceful" tone is just that I am HOME...in my own element...taking care of Max...cooking...calling medical professionals...just doing life. So at that point, I do feel more at peace, but for me it is just a place, and while I am excited to check ou tour new surroundings, we are happy and that can truly happen WHEREVER we are. And for that I have always been very thankful. I enjoy my life very much, I have very little to fuss about. My husband is amazing, my boy is fantastic, Abbey will be here for the summer before we know it, and it is all very good.

Okay...that's all for tonight. Off to make my bed with my new sheets...I sure hope they're soft...we went to great lengths to feel every single one in the store. :)

California Day 4...

Life in California days 1, 2, 3, and 4 have pretty much been about getting things in order. We have moved into our house, even though our things have not arrived yet. Max and I are camping out in his room on his very own bed while Steve and I await our very own bed to make it from Denver.

We've been to IKEA a couple of times to get Max's bed, and a couple of chairs for us to sit on. Payday will come next week and we can go get the rest of the things we have our eyes on there!

Tomorrow our stuff arrives. I'm excited to get it all. I am wondering if I will want to keep it all, since I haven't seen or touched most of it since November!

Today we went and got our California driver licenses. I was really nervous to go because they make you take the written test here. In Colorado, I just traded them out. Here you have to take a written test in order to get a license. And you have to do it within 10 days of arriving, or you could be fined. I took the test and passed. I was so nervous I wouldn't pass and would have to go back by myself and Max when Steve is in Sacramento next week!

Tomorrow we also meet with a case worker for Max's California services. I'm hoping he will steer us in the right direction as far as medicaid and other services go in California.

I have uploaded about 180 pictures to our flickr account of our drive here. You can see them all here.

Speaking of Max...


Today was a pretty talkative day for Mr. Max. Of course he won't talk on demand, like to call family and have him talk to them, but anytime I've been on the phone today he has out-talked me every conversation. At one point, when I was on the phone with my sister, he would start talking, then baby Lucy would start talking. I don't think Brenna and I could hear each other much at all from all of their conversations!

This evening I got his talker switch out and we were talking. He knew we were in California and he likes our new house and his own bed. Then I asked him what he would like to work on to get better at. What was something we could work on? I gave him the choices of talking, walking, sitting up, and going to school. He told me about four times he wants to talk more. Of course this is the most difficult task at hand right now, but it's good to know he wants to work at it. Now if I can just find some help out there with it!

After I fed him and got him in bed, I was flipping through channels on our new TV (found on craigslist) and new set of cable channels. I was hoping to find a couple of Asian channels. I found one, but alas, no subtitles. Then I flipped one more over and it was a theater production of some sort. I was trying to make out what it was when they started singing. Oh no...quick...how does this remote work?!?!? Where's the mute!!!! Too late...little voice from the other room had already heard the Opera. So Steve went and got him and brought him in to watch the rest of The Metropolitan Opera's production of Hansel and Gretel. He was so happy. I just snuggled right in and smiled himself into a very happy place on Mommy. It was written all over his face that he was in the best possible place. When it was intermission, we told him the Opera went night night, and he needed to too. Steve picked him up and put him in his bed, where he went right back to sleep. The lesson in that story is, don't go flipping around channels with the sound up loud. Or if you do, hopefully it's a good Opera to watch...because that Hansel and Gretal was just plain weird!



I think that's all for now. I'm still trying to get my feet planted here. I'll be back soon on a more regular basis.

Driving in yesterday...

This is about 30 minutes from our house...




I didn't touch up this picture at all...this is exactly as it looks! It was the most beautiful setting to welcome us in.

We are here!

We have arrived to California. We'll get the keys to our house tomorrow, and then go to Ikea. :)

I'll post a more detailed post when I get settled in!

A place to lay my head...

For at least a year! At least, that's the lease we've signed!!!

Steve found this beauty on Craigslist, and went to see it on Saturday while he was there for meetings this past weekend. The only thing about it that wasn't just right, was that they said no pets please. He told the landlady about Max and his love for Olive and she waived that for us.

The best part about it...Steve can walk...I said WALK to work. It is just about half a mile to the office from the front door. I sent him there with the only request being that he find something close to the office so we can ease into this transition of him being in the office full time now.

We are packing up today, and tomorrow, and will get on the road on Friday. And hopefully arrive on Easter Sunday.

Here are a few pictures from the listing...

It is a duplex, but a 3 bed two bath huge kitchen and side yard duplex!



Here is the Master bed upstairs...we'll see who gets this room. It is huge. There are two bedrooms downstairs though, and Max will get one of them. We'll just see where we all land for bedrooms!


Two car garage with lots of storage...


Stop on this one for a moment...can you see us there...eating...laughing...enjoying the California sunshine...


I'm excited to get there and see it for myself...but mostly just excited to have a place for ourselves again!!!

I like being green...

4 years ago today...


Here we are today...


And here are just some fun St. Patrick's Day photos...

8 years...

Happy Anniversary to me! Look what I got...
Jo Malone Perfume

It all smells like everything beautiful. I love mixing all the different fragrances. So far, I've mixed the Lime, Basil, Mandarin with the Orange Blossom and it smelled so pretty. Today I wore a warmer fragrance, the Blue Agava and Cacao mixed with the Orange Blossom. It smells lovely too! I love playing with all of them to make pretty smells!

The big bottle I got is the French Lime Blossom...here's the description.
"Inspired by a stroll along the Champs Élysées, French Lime Blossom is a romantic, full-bodied floral. The scent of sweet lime blossoms with a twist of bergamot and tarragon is evocative of the first day of spring."
It just mostly reminds me of spring flowers. Lilac bushes in particular.

The long box holds 6 smaller bottles, hence the mixing! Here are all the scents in the box...


Amber & Lavender Cologne

Created as an anniversary gift to Jo's husband, Amber & Lavender embodies the warmth of an embrace. Amber, the exotic scent of the Orient, is combined with the comfort of French lavender and myrrh to evoke the subtle, spicy warmth of twilight.


Grapefruit Cologne

Instantly awakening the senses, Grapefruit is a lively, uplifting citrus with a spicy heart. Grapefruit and tangerine are combined with vetiver and rosemary to create this outspoken citrus that seamlessly journeys from morning tennis to business lunch and on to evening cocktails.


Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne

Reminiscent of the scent of limes carried on a Caribbean sea breeze, Lime Basil & Mandarin has become a modern classic for men and women. Fresh limes and zesty mandarins are undercut by peppery basil and aromatic white thyme in this alluring signature blend.


Pomegranate Noir Cologne

This sophisticated scent was inspired by a red silk dress and the intriguing character of pomegranate. Pomegranate Noir combines the sweet fruity notes of raspberry, plum, pink pepper and pomegranate with patchouli, frankincense and spicy woods to create a scent that’s sensual, totally sophisticated and utterly compelling.



Blue Agava & Cacao Cologne

Inspired by the rhythm and vibrancy of Latin music, a sparkling citrus melody of lime and grapefruit leads to an exquisite heart of the blue agava flower. A sensual blend of vetiver, cinnamon and the primitive rawness of cacao, make an unexpected and surprising harmony.



Orange Blossom Cologne

The scent of clementine leaves in the morning dew sparkles above a heart of orange blossom and water lily, transporting the wearer to a garden oasis.

If you find it near you, go smell away...it will put spring right in your nose!

We celebrated our Anniversary last week because Steve's been out of town in California, and will be gone for most of the day Monday (our real anniversary). He did find us a place to live there though! He will get back here, and we'll pack up and head West. We should arrive in California on Easter...a new beginning.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to those of you who are Irish...and would like to be Irish today. And Happy Anniversary to the One I Love!

My life in pictures...

Steve is in California for some meetings, and then this weekend to try to find a place for us to live. Our plan is to move next weekend...so he better find something! :)

Here are some pictures of our life since arriving home...



My new car...it has heated seats...makes my back sooo happy!


Still living out of bags...when we finally get moved we may buy nothing but storage space!


Olive seriously needs a haircut! Talk about Scraggamuffin!


Max is OH SO HAPPY to have his chair back. He's so happy on it.

Funny Max story...I was talking with him yesterday with his talker switch, and I asked him where we were moving. He told me California, and that he was happy. I asked him if he wanted his own bed in our new house and he said yes, then I asked if he wanted his his own bedroom and he said yes. I told him I would hold him to that and he laughed at me!!!

On the move...

I am using you in marvelous ways. Go on gladly. You will see.
--Two Listeners


Here is a picture my mom took of me and Max trying out some new exercises...


We're settling in here in Denver. It's been good to see friends and family. And finally on a regular sleep schedule. The time change this weekend didn't even bother me! It's bright and sunny and spring like out.

We have heard from Steve's work, and have made the decision that California is the next move for us. We will be moving to Santa Clar/San Jose area by the end of the month.

It is going to be a change, and we're feeling good about it. I guess it took us trying to go to England to see that this wouldn't be so bad! ;)

I get to get all of my house stuff at IKEA too! Steve is going out this week for meetings and to look at some housing options for us.

So if you've ever wanted to go to San Francisco Bay area...you can have a home base to stay while seeing the sites!

It's Friday...

So take a few minutes to watch these...quite possibly the best commercials you will see on TV!









And my favorite...

We made it

home again home again...without a hitch. going to bed now...will catch up tomorrow.