Tuesday afternoon was the closing for the sale of our house - hooray!! We had a bunch of showings within the first few weeks it was on the market and got an offer on St. Patrick's Day (good day for the luck of the Irish). The buyers wanted a 30-day close so it went from being listed to being sold within 2 months.
We worked so hard to get it ready, and so it was really rewarding to sell it quickly. I was nervous about it being for sale with me so far away not to be able to check on it before showings, so I was really hoping we'd get an offer before we moved. Which didn't happen, but we got it two days after we moved, pretty close :).
It is such a relief to have sold it and since we are in our apartment lease for the next four months, we have plenty of time to really get to know the area and find our next home. There are so many different towns and neighborhoods to consider so I'm glad we can take our time and do our research.
On a related note - Mom & Glenn are selling their house near ours since we've moved. They put it up for sale on a Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago. That Sunday morning, I got a text from Molly, the Marketing Lead on my team, asking me what my parents' address was, because they had gone to see a townhouse in the neighborhood out that morning, seen an chair with "Ella" embrodiered on it, and figured it had to be theirs.
I had known she was house hunting and had referred her to the neighborhood to check out a different house that I know the owners of, and they have put a ton of work into it, so I thought it'd be worth checking out. I mentioned that my parents were selling theirs as well but that it was a townhouse, and I thought they were only considering single-family homes.
Anyway, Molly said they really liked it and that it was their second choice at that point, and I of course didn't want to pressure her, or give my opinion about it either way, but then a few days later she told me that they had been back to see it again, it was now their first choice, and were going to make an offer on it!
Everything worked out, and they are closing in mid-May. So, not only am I so happy for Mom & Glenn that they were able to sell their house in one week, they sold it to someone on my team, and who I am so happy for her to have the house because it has so many great memories and I love knowing that it's going to her. It's her first house and I know they'll love it there.
I know that there are coincidences and that many times things 'just happen' - but to me, these two events really show me that this is indeed the plan that God has for all of us, that he's holding us all in His hands, and paving the way for our future. It's been a very twisty turny road, and I am very grateful for any confirmation that we're on the right path.
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label moving. Show all posts
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Texas, here we come
I had to make the title of this post "Texas, here we come" because a few days before we moved, Mom, Ella and I were in the car driving back to Mom's house and out of the blue, Ella said from the backseat "Texas, here I come!" - it was so funny, I have no idea where she heard it, or what made her think of it, but I don't think I'll ever forget it.
We had an 11am flight on Thursday the 15th. We had a few hours in the morning before we needed to leave for the airport, and of course Mom and Glenn were extremely helpful in getting us packed and out the door. Even though I had given as much as I could to Steve when he drove out a few weeks before, I still had way more to bring than what was going to fit in two under-50 pound suitcases, and so Mom ended up having to ship several boxes for me and my suitcases were well under the limit at 40 pounds each :).
Ella with Grammy and Grampy the morning of our flight
Mom and Glenn took us to the airport, and it was hard and sad to say good-bye. But they have already booked their first trip out here so it's very nice to already have a date that we know we'll see them in just a few weeks.
Mom texted this one to Steve of Ella and I in the security line
On the first flight, the only two seats together were the two in the way back, beyond the windows, so Ella couldn't look at the window, but well worth it in order to be sitting together
Ella did great on the plane and was really funny talking to the flight attendant. She was young and pretty and Ella instantly liked her. She gave Ella a pin of flight wings, and Ella wanted to see hers so I could pin hers on the same way. I pinned it on her and the flight attendant asked about her necklace.
Ella said "I made it, it's from my friend Tess's birthday."
Flight attendant: "Oh that is neat, how old was she?"
Ella: "She turned 4, just like me, I am 4."
Flight attendant: "When was your birthday?"
Ella: "January 5th, when is yours?"
Flight attendant: "Oh wow, mine is January too, it's January 31st"
Ella: "I had my party at BounceU, where was your party?"
Flight attendant: "I went to New Orleans for my birthday."
Ella, "Oh, you couldn't have a jumping party because you're too big and would pop the jump houses?"
Flight attendant: (Suddenly remembered something she had to do somewhere else on the plane...)
The downside of sitting in the very last row is that we were the last off the plane. Ella was very ready to get off once we had landed...
When we got to the airport in Atlanta, I had to wait at the gate counter to try to get our tickets changed so we could sit next to each other and I let Ella sit in the row of seats right by the counter. There was a girl on the phone for several minutes sitting a few seats over. When she got off, Ella walked right up to her and said "who were you talking to on the phone?" The girl, surprised but amused, said "my mom". Ella said "Oh, what's her name" The girl said, "her name is Shria." Ella said "oh, what's your name?" The girl said "My name is Shria." Ella said "NO - I said what's YOUR name?" The girl said, "Yes, my name is Shria." Ella (annoyed) said "but that's the same name!" The girl said "Yes, me and my mom have the same name." Ella: "oh"...and moved on to her next victim.
The lucky person was a girl in her late teens or early twenties who wasn't wearing any shoes. Ella wanted to know why she had taken her shoes off and had she asked her mom (who she was not traveling with) if it was OK before she took them off. Then she wanted the names of the girl's Mom and Dad. She used to ask everyone what they were having for dinner, but lately she is much more curious about the names of everyone and the names of their family members.
Our second flight Ella got to sit by the window
Very excited about the trip
We landed around 3:30 pm and Steve was waiting for us at the airport. Ella was so excited to see him and really eager to check everything out. She kept saying "Is this Texas?" We drove to the apartment and she wanted to see Cory, but was mostly interested in where all her toys were.
In her new bedroom
We took Cory for a walk and walked all around the apartment complex. It was in the low 80s and there were already people swimming in the pool, and then we stopped at the playground for a few minutes
We were all exhausted that night and went to bed early, here she is sleeping on her first night in the apartment
So - we made it safe and sound and all is going well. I have lots of pictures from our first week that I'll be posting soon!
We had an 11am flight on Thursday the 15th. We had a few hours in the morning before we needed to leave for the airport, and of course Mom and Glenn were extremely helpful in getting us packed and out the door. Even though I had given as much as I could to Steve when he drove out a few weeks before, I still had way more to bring than what was going to fit in two under-50 pound suitcases, and so Mom ended up having to ship several boxes for me and my suitcases were well under the limit at 40 pounds each :).
Ella with Grammy and Grampy the morning of our flight
Mom and Glenn took us to the airport, and it was hard and sad to say good-bye. But they have already booked their first trip out here so it's very nice to already have a date that we know we'll see them in just a few weeks.
Mom texted this one to Steve of Ella and I in the security line
On the first flight, the only two seats together were the two in the way back, beyond the windows, so Ella couldn't look at the window, but well worth it in order to be sitting together
Ella did great on the plane and was really funny talking to the flight attendant. She was young and pretty and Ella instantly liked her. She gave Ella a pin of flight wings, and Ella wanted to see hers so I could pin hers on the same way. I pinned it on her and the flight attendant asked about her necklace.
Ella said "I made it, it's from my friend Tess's birthday."
Flight attendant: "Oh that is neat, how old was she?"
Ella: "She turned 4, just like me, I am 4."
Flight attendant: "When was your birthday?"
Ella: "January 5th, when is yours?"
Flight attendant: "Oh wow, mine is January too, it's January 31st"
Ella: "I had my party at BounceU, where was your party?"
Flight attendant: "I went to New Orleans for my birthday."
Ella, "Oh, you couldn't have a jumping party because you're too big and would pop the jump houses?"
Flight attendant: (Suddenly remembered something she had to do somewhere else on the plane...)
The downside of sitting in the very last row is that we were the last off the plane. Ella was very ready to get off once we had landed...
When we got to the airport in Atlanta, I had to wait at the gate counter to try to get our tickets changed so we could sit next to each other and I let Ella sit in the row of seats right by the counter. There was a girl on the phone for several minutes sitting a few seats over. When she got off, Ella walked right up to her and said "who were you talking to on the phone?" The girl, surprised but amused, said "my mom". Ella said "Oh, what's her name" The girl said, "her name is Shria." Ella said "oh, what's your name?" The girl said "My name is Shria." Ella said "NO - I said what's YOUR name?" The girl said, "Yes, my name is Shria." Ella (annoyed) said "but that's the same name!" The girl said "Yes, me and my mom have the same name." Ella: "oh"...and moved on to her next victim.
The lucky person was a girl in her late teens or early twenties who wasn't wearing any shoes. Ella wanted to know why she had taken her shoes off and had she asked her mom (who she was not traveling with) if it was OK before she took them off. Then she wanted the names of the girl's Mom and Dad. She used to ask everyone what they were having for dinner, but lately she is much more curious about the names of everyone and the names of their family members.
Our second flight Ella got to sit by the window
Very excited about the trip
We landed around 3:30 pm and Steve was waiting for us at the airport. Ella was so excited to see him and really eager to check everything out. She kept saying "Is this Texas?" We drove to the apartment and she wanted to see Cory, but was mostly interested in where all her toys were.
In her new bedroom
We took Cory for a walk and walked all around the apartment complex. It was in the low 80s and there were already people swimming in the pool, and then we stopped at the playground for a few minutes
We were all exhausted that night and went to bed early, here she is sleeping on her first night in the apartment
So - we made it safe and sound and all is going well. I have lots of pictures from our first week that I'll be posting soon!
Saying goodbye to NC
I tried to fill our last few weeks in NC with as much as we possibly could to really enjoy our time, and for another chance to see everyone that we will miss now that we've moved. I took many pictures to capture as much of it as possible.
Having fun climbing on the play set across the street at Mom and Glenn's
We had a play date for Ella, Dominic and Morgan. When I met Christine and Laurie, Dominic was 3 months old, and Morgan wasn't born. Now Laurie has Morgan and Ben, and Christine has Dominic and Dante (first we had "Baby Morgan", then "Baby Ben", and now "Baby Dante"). I am going to miss these little cuties!
We met Kati and Nicole for a girls night - we painted pottery and went out for dinner and ice cream. Kati and Ella were in a Little Gym class together about two and a half years ago, and Nicole and I have been friends since. The girls get along so great and it's always such a fun time when we get together.
Dad came to visit us one night and we went out to dinner, and then to Ella's last gymnastics class.
With Gillian after class - Ella invited Gillian to a 'bring a friend' class one week and she liked it so much that she signed up. It's been so great having them in class together because Heather and I can talk the whole time, I always look forward to it each week. (Although the teachers wised up a few weeks in, and stopped letting Ella and Gillian be in the same group!)
Back at the house, Ella and Granddad
Ella proudly reading "I Can Read" to Granddad. (I have a video of her reading this book, it's so cute, need to post!)
My friend Sarah and I met for lunch the week before we moved. She has been a friend since we met in Bible study a few years ago. She's a few years younger than I am, but wise beyond her years, and such a positive, sweet friend. Even though we don't see each other often enough, we managed to squeeze in lunches now and then, and it is always such a treat whenever we do.
Mom came for the last week so that we could spend some extra time together before we left and to help us get everything ready, and so I was able to do a few things out by myself, while she stayed with Ella.
I got to go to my book club one more time - our book club started in January 2009 and I've really enjoyed it. I will definitely miss it and hope to find another group once I'm settled here. I was able to have my hair done by Melissa, who I've been going to since 2005 and has become a friend along the way.
Our last Saturday, I set up a play date for some of the girls from Ella's school. I was happy to get everyone together one more time and to catch up with the other moms. We went to the playground, walked around the lake, saw the turtles and fish, and had a little picnic.
Ella and Tess
Wild women having fun - Avni, Gillian, Ella, Tess (and her big brother), Maddie, and Sanjana
Sidenote - Avni is Shruti's daughter, who is my friend from the pregnancy exercise class where we met. Avni and Ella's birthdays are just two days apart and we've been getting together with the girls since they were babies. Shruti put Avni in Ella's preschool last January, and it's been so nice to have another reason to see them so often.
Christine, Laurie and I get out for a girls night every few months and Mom babysat so we could have a final night out before our move. We went out to dinner and to a wine bar after, it was such a fun night. These two have been such good friends to me the last three years - to say that I will miss our walks, talks, play dates, girls nights, etc - is a complete understatement.
That night, I asked a girl to take our picture and she took about 15 of them - she took her job VERY seriously and said she would take many pictures from different angles and we were just going to love them. We were laughing so hard by the end - and this one still makes me laugh to look at, so there's no way I can leave it out
And a slightly better one
We went to church on Sunday and then Mom, Ella and I went to see The Lorax at the movies
Last time at our house
The Monday before we moved, I had one more girls night out and met Susan and my other friend Laurie out for dinner. Laurie and Dean were our first friends in NC, and Susan and I have been friends since we started talking at a Halloween party when Ella and Elise were babies (but we had met a few times before, because Susan and Laurie had been roommates years ago...such a small world).
Wednesday the 14th was Ella's last day of school, and my last day of work. I was very sad to leave her school. We love the director, her teachers, her friends, their moms, basically everything about it. It's been such a great place for Ella the last two years, and she's been so happy there.
With Ms Barbi, the director
Ella and Ms. Martha. She is sweet and loving, like another grandmother to her, and has taught her so much, pushes her to focus on learning, and always encourages the kids to do the right thing.
In their favorite spot in the classroom - these 3 have racked up many, many, many hours together in 'housekeeping'
With her other teacher, Ms. Syreeta. She has only been there since January so we haven't known her very long, but she is so sweet, and great with the kids.
At the end of the day, saying goodbye to Ms. Martha (and me trying not to cry)
It was hard to say goodbye to my office as well. I went out to lunch with my department one more time; and, on my last Friday, the whole office surprised me with a little party with a cake and a card that everyone had signed, and a touch screen video camera for a gift. It was incredibly sweet and thoughtful of them, I really appreciated it.
My last day in the office we had a partner lunch and it was a really nice time. I chose Carolina Ale House because when we were in the office building before the one we're currently in, we always went there for work lunches and parties and happy hour after work (Pre-Ella :)). I was definitely feeling nostalgic. I tried to say goodbye to everyone that afternoon but it was still sad, and such a strange feeling, hard to believe I was really not going to be returning to the office the next day.
Here is my office all emptied out
Our last night, Mom and Glenn took Ella and I out for dinner. Ella chose Bass Lake, which is kind of funny because it's right by our house and we used to go there all the time, but don't really go any more. But, definitely a fitting pick because it's a Holly Springs staple.
Ella's outlines - Mom traced her every so often to see how much she's grown.
With Grammy back at the house
And - our last night in NC, sleeping like a sweet little angel
Having fun climbing on the play set across the street at Mom and Glenn's
We had a play date for Ella, Dominic and Morgan. When I met Christine and Laurie, Dominic was 3 months old, and Morgan wasn't born. Now Laurie has Morgan and Ben, and Christine has Dominic and Dante (first we had "Baby Morgan", then "Baby Ben", and now "Baby Dante"). I am going to miss these little cuties!
We met Kati and Nicole for a girls night - we painted pottery and went out for dinner and ice cream. Kati and Ella were in a Little Gym class together about two and a half years ago, and Nicole and I have been friends since. The girls get along so great and it's always such a fun time when we get together.
Dad came to visit us one night and we went out to dinner, and then to Ella's last gymnastics class.
With Gillian after class - Ella invited Gillian to a 'bring a friend' class one week and she liked it so much that she signed up. It's been so great having them in class together because Heather and I can talk the whole time, I always look forward to it each week. (Although the teachers wised up a few weeks in, and stopped letting Ella and Gillian be in the same group!)
Back at the house, Ella and Granddad
Ella proudly reading "I Can Read" to Granddad. (I have a video of her reading this book, it's so cute, need to post!)
My friend Sarah and I met for lunch the week before we moved. She has been a friend since we met in Bible study a few years ago. She's a few years younger than I am, but wise beyond her years, and such a positive, sweet friend. Even though we don't see each other often enough, we managed to squeeze in lunches now and then, and it is always such a treat whenever we do.
Mom came for the last week so that we could spend some extra time together before we left and to help us get everything ready, and so I was able to do a few things out by myself, while she stayed with Ella.
I got to go to my book club one more time - our book club started in January 2009 and I've really enjoyed it. I will definitely miss it and hope to find another group once I'm settled here. I was able to have my hair done by Melissa, who I've been going to since 2005 and has become a friend along the way.
Our last Saturday, I set up a play date for some of the girls from Ella's school. I was happy to get everyone together one more time and to catch up with the other moms. We went to the playground, walked around the lake, saw the turtles and fish, and had a little picnic.
Ella and Tess
Wild women having fun - Avni, Gillian, Ella, Tess (and her big brother), Maddie, and Sanjana
Sidenote - Avni is Shruti's daughter, who is my friend from the pregnancy exercise class where we met. Avni and Ella's birthdays are just two days apart and we've been getting together with the girls since they were babies. Shruti put Avni in Ella's preschool last January, and it's been so nice to have another reason to see them so often.
Christine, Laurie and I get out for a girls night every few months and Mom babysat so we could have a final night out before our move. We went out to dinner and to a wine bar after, it was such a fun night. These two have been such good friends to me the last three years - to say that I will miss our walks, talks, play dates, girls nights, etc - is a complete understatement.
That night, I asked a girl to take our picture and she took about 15 of them - she took her job VERY seriously and said she would take many pictures from different angles and we were just going to love them. We were laughing so hard by the end - and this one still makes me laugh to look at, so there's no way I can leave it out
And a slightly better one
We went to church on Sunday and then Mom, Ella and I went to see The Lorax at the movies
Last time at our house
The Monday before we moved, I had one more girls night out and met Susan and my other friend Laurie out for dinner. Laurie and Dean were our first friends in NC, and Susan and I have been friends since we started talking at a Halloween party when Ella and Elise were babies (but we had met a few times before, because Susan and Laurie had been roommates years ago...such a small world).
Wednesday the 14th was Ella's last day of school, and my last day of work. I was very sad to leave her school. We love the director, her teachers, her friends, their moms, basically everything about it. It's been such a great place for Ella the last two years, and she's been so happy there.
With Ms Barbi, the director
Ella and Ms. Martha. She is sweet and loving, like another grandmother to her, and has taught her so much, pushes her to focus on learning, and always encourages the kids to do the right thing.
In their favorite spot in the classroom - these 3 have racked up many, many, many hours together in 'housekeeping'
With her other teacher, Ms. Syreeta. She has only been there since January so we haven't known her very long, but she is so sweet, and great with the kids.
At the end of the day, saying goodbye to Ms. Martha (and me trying not to cry)
It was hard to say goodbye to my office as well. I went out to lunch with my department one more time; and, on my last Friday, the whole office surprised me with a little party with a cake and a card that everyone had signed, and a touch screen video camera for a gift. It was incredibly sweet and thoughtful of them, I really appreciated it.
My last day in the office we had a partner lunch and it was a really nice time. I chose Carolina Ale House because when we were in the office building before the one we're currently in, we always went there for work lunches and parties and happy hour after work (Pre-Ella :)). I was definitely feeling nostalgic. I tried to say goodbye to everyone that afternoon but it was still sad, and such a strange feeling, hard to believe I was really not going to be returning to the office the next day.
Here is my office all emptied out
Our last night, Mom and Glenn took Ella and I out for dinner. Ella chose Bass Lake, which is kind of funny because it's right by our house and we used to go there all the time, but don't really go any more. But, definitely a fitting pick because it's a Holly Springs staple.
Ella's outlines - Mom traced her every so often to see how much she's grown.
With Grammy back at the house
And - our last night in NC, sleeping like a sweet little angel
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