Moving In

We moved to South Carolina permanently on my last day of work. Even though we had already moved a lot of stuff with the moving stuff, we still had a ton of stuff in the apartment which had to get packed. We ended up traveling with both of our vehicles completely packed. The pictures after the first two are of the various stages of unpacking. I promise that it does not look like this anymore; however, it was interesting trying to keep a toddler entertained in the middle of all this.

An Open Letter to Amber, Audrey, and Cathy

Dear Amber, Audrey, and Cathy,

I appreciated the book of toddler activities that you gave me for Judah. Being a first time stay at home mom, you all know how worried I was about finding things to keep Judah occupied. The book has been helpful - we blew bubbles, did the puzzle, and colored yesterday. One of the books' suggestions, however, has caused problems in the Patrick household. This is what John Mark walked into yesterday after work. I have tried to assure him that it is a completely legitimate activity out of the book, but he is not buying it!

Your friend, Shea

Going away party at the Trustee's office

All this for me???

the red pencils

Janet sings a song

The legal team

I had such a great time at my going-away party at the Trustee's office. I felt very special - I already miss everyone! Here's some of the pictures.

Update

I have had several requests for an update on how we are doing here in South Carolina and you know that I am such a people pleaser that I must oblige everyone!

1) We finally have all the boxes unpacked and almost all of our pictures are up on the wall.

2) We had our first visitor, my best friend Julie, come stay last weekend. Much fun and much needed.

3) I am learning that small towns are different than big towns. People like to drop by. The right thing to do is to invite them in, offer them a cup of coffee, etc. - not leave them standing on your porch in the cold until they have to ask if they can come in. Make extra coffee so that if you offer it you actually have some.

4) People are more important than projects. (see # 3)

5) We went to a gala for the museum here in the county. It was black tie optional so I wore a floor length dress (that I already owned and have worn for multiple occasions.) They had nice food but they also had ribs and oysters on the half shell. I am sure I was quite the sight - the new pastor's wife (since that it my name now) standing in my floor length dress eating ribs and throwing back some oysters. Good thing I am not much for formality myself.

6) I love Charleston (which is good since I am making my second trip in less than a week this weekend). And I do read everyone of the historical markers as Rodney Carroll trained me.

7) Community is a good thing. You can find community at a rambunctious meeting planning children's Sunday School, in phone calls from friends (thanks, Susan and Leanne) and on facebook chat.

8) You can be the pastor's wife and still have trouble reading your bible everyday. Good thing that my bible-reading plan is for shirkers and slackers.

9) Change can be hard and it takes time. And when people shoot down your ideas, you get over it. Because sometimes you remember that it is not about you, it is about God. I don't mean that in a Sunday School kind of way. I mean that in the very real sense. No more preaching from me.

10) I have enjoyed being home with Judah. It is frustrating that he refuses the 10 sippy cups that we have tried when he is supposed to be off the bottle in a month. If anyone has tips, I am open to suggestions. Correction: I am desperate for suggestions.

That is all for now. Next time I promise there will be pictures of Judah.

To hold you over...

I promise that I will post an update from us soon but here is a cute video to hold you over in the meantime.

Assistance, please - Nana, Granny, Grandma, Anyone???