Update: The Move to the Lehigh Valley

Lots of people have been asking us how the move to the Lehigh Valley is going. Well, from my perspective, it is at a stand-still.  Here is the current state of things:

• We found and are under contract with a great house in Bethlehem.  The sale is contingent upon the sale of our own house.
• We have someone who has looked at our house three times and is interested in putting down an offer (or so says our agent) but no word yet.
• Joshua's last day of work at CCOP is this Saturday -- a BBQ to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the organization.
• Joshua's first day of work at CUNA is next Wednesday.
• We are not looking forward to his daily commute up to Allentown and how that will mean that he won't see Alma most days.  I think that Alma and I may go up there once a week so that we can have some time together.  Plus, I hear that Alma's skills as a receptionist are top-notch.
• We are appreciating South Philly in a new way.  Even the parts that we don't like seem charming these days, mostly because we know that we won't have to deal with them any more.  For example, yesterday at the park we saw a fight between two women.  Mid-fight, one lady pulled the other lady's tube top down and the local boys started chanting "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!"  We will miss this wacko place that we have called home. 
• We are excited to start a new adventure!  I'm especially excited to get to all the projects I've been putting off since we are showing this house (quilts! toys for Alma! dress-making!) and digging into a new house (a library! a craft room! painting walls! a yard for plants!).

We are hoping to have a grand closing day where we sell our house and purchase the new one.  Hopefully this will happen soon -- September 30th?  Then Joshua will only have to commute for one month and we have a vacation mid-month to break up the pressure.

Shopping Cart

We have been doing a lot of projects on the house recently.  Good thing Alma's become the champ of riding in a cart at Lowes!

Birthday Party

In 2009, my grandmother became a great-grandmother another five times -- Alma was the last of the 2009 babies.  The family has been celebrating lots of 1st birthdays recently.  Here's another from this past weekend.  Look how cute that birthday girl is!!

Alma enjoyed the pool until she saw me trying to snap her photo.  I still think she is super cute, even when upset.  (Did we mention that she's becoming more attached to me recently?)

Of course, if there is a chance to give Alma a skull-n-crossbones temporary tatoo, we are going to do it as a "tramp stamp".

Let's take another look at that adorable birthday girl -- SO CUTE!!!

Happy 4th Anniversary to Us!

It's wild to think that this moment was only four years ago.  At times it feels like an eternity (... in a good way!) since we were married. It is hard to remember a time when I didn't have Joshua around to cheer for the good that life has to offer (or hiss at the bad). 

Today we celebrated with a morning run at FDR park with the baby.  It always feels good to work out together.  Physical activity is what brought us together orginally and I think it is the element of our relationship that makes us feel close.  I look forward to many more years of playing and sweating together.

Six Teeth, Kissable

Work

Alma and I have recently been going over to Camden for CCOP's Thursday night lecture series.  It is a great way for me to keep my brain active, let Alma see her daddy in a new space and give the CCOP family some time with our cutie. 

Unfortunately, Alma's social anxiety has started to ramp up a bit these day.  Here she is looking a little scared with Mariatu, one of CCOP's leaders.

Gift Idea

Just in case you need it, here's a gift idea for Alma = anything by Plan Toys

Carlisle

We went to my parents house for a weekend of outside time.  Alma got to fall asleep in the neighbors swing set, get watered by Daddy as she enjoyed baths outside and go for bike rides around the neighborhood.  We all had a great time pretending to be "fresh air fund" kids!