Darlene's Blog 2011: September 2014

Since I have last “blogged” several moves have happened. My 94 year-old Mother moved from the independent living apartment where she has lived since 2005 to an assisted living facility. In between she was in the hospital and had surgery and went to rehab at the same facility where she is now living. As she has said, this is most likely her last move until the cemetery. Papa Wayne and I are not moving, but he has prepared his childhood Trussville house to be sold. Your parents lived in that house when they got married. Kristina & her family have bought a house in Starkville, Mississippi and moved into it from their rental house. And your family has moved into a new house in Dunavant Square in Mt. Laurel close to your wonderful school. The movers got the piano from my house and moved it to your new house. You have loved playing it when you visit me and I’m hoping you will continue loving to play it at your new house. One of the movers is a piano tuner! It definitely needs tuning to get ready for its new life in your living room! This is a piano my parents bought when I was about 2 years old when we moved into the house in Mobile where I grew up. My mother & sister played very well. Although I took lessons for 7 years, I was never very good. Maybe you will enjoy playing it in your new house. Your new school year has started and it is fun to see how much you’ve grown. It is very different to let you out and pick you up in the carpool line. Such a reminder of how quickly you grow & change. You have been a little anxious as we wait in the morning carpool line and wonder which teacher will get you out of the car. Change is hard on all of us. But also very exciting signs you are growing up! You were so happy to see Mattie & Elizabeth. Yesterday when I dropped you off you asked the teacher who helped you out of the car whether or not Mattie was there yet and when I picked you up at school you hugged Mattie goodbye and gave her a kiss. You are such a sweet and loving girl. When I drive you to our house from school you point out Chuck E Cheese which is where your 3^rd birthday will be celebrated on September 21. The first time you pointed it out yourself, telling me to look for a blue rectangle sign. When I drive you to school from Nitza’s we count the school buses we see. You remember that we turn right by the vet where Zelda used to go. You are very observant. And on the way to our house we talk about interstate 459 and the noise change that occurs when we pass over a bridge. And of course you’re always happy to see the Lady Liberty statue en route to and from our house. I’ve changed my route to travel on River Run rather than Overton Road so you can see the statue better. Because I’ve made 2 visits to Mobile since my last blog and your Dad only recently started back to work full time, there haven’t been as many times together in the last month. But because I’m retiring soon there will be more in the future! Right now you haven’t completely moved into your new house so we come to my house after school. You always enjoy seeing Sunday & riding in the Cozy Coupe and swinging on the porch and watch Thomas the Tank Engine & recently, Calliou on TV. You have also started gymnastic lessons! You are so agile I think you will really enjoy gymnastics. You already have a new friend as well as a school friend at gymnastics. While I was in Mobile you had lunch with Eli & Maggie Rae and celebrated Eli’s 5^th birthday. Papa & I have a September grandchild in each family: Eli on September 1 and you on September 17 and Jackson on September 28. Jackson will be 7 years old. It will be different when you move to your new house. I will have my own bedroom for when I spend the night! You will no longer have a very long drive to school. That is great but there are some good aspects of the time together with you in the car since it’s a time we talk and notice our surroundings. But we can do that out of the car as well! I have joined the YMCA close to your house where I will spend some time trying to get in shape. And since you are a member as well, we may spend some time there together. You remember the dome that was put over the outdoor ahead at the Y last winter and still ask about it. This week you spent two days and one overnight with me while your parents were moving into your new house. We went to your new house to have a pizza lunch with your parents on moving day before I took you to my house for your nap and overnight stay. I think the many changes going on in your life right now have been a little stressful for you. But it won’t be long until we are settled into a routine again and things will be a little more predictable for you. I am looking forward to the year of being three years old. I need to slow down and treasure these special and exciting times in your life. You are a treasure.