Inspired after our weekend get away in Florida back in September, Jason had reached out to a few work related folks inquiring about possible jobs in the sunshine state as we were sitting in a diner in tampa the morning after our sunset adventure to clearwater. From his mobile phone, over a plate of eggs and hashbrowns and coffee he emailed a couple of people, and we browsed job listings online in Miami, Clearwater, Tampa and Orlando.
We didnt expect much. It was more of a vacation infused daydream.
A shot in the dark.
We were surprised how quickly he got responses (One as we still sat in the same spot in that diner) and the next thing we knew people where reaching out to him and then there was a job offer and then we were moving.
It all happened in a flash.
So here was our scenario: After discussing a few different ways we could go about it, we decided that the one that would work best for us would be for the kids, animal children and I, to stay at my moms house in Orlando while Jason went ahead on to Miami to start working. My uncle and aunt were kind enough to let him stay with them. This way we would save up all our pennies to move into a place asap, vs having to wait longer to be all together again had we stayed in Georgia and he went on to Miami since we would still be paying bills, etc. Also since he was only a few hours away he was able to come see us on weekends which was awesome.
God bless my mother, step dad, sisters and brothers, as we came through like a hurricane of babies, dogs and cats.
I "rented" my sister Jenny's room for the time we spent there, which worked out beautifully. we moved our bed, and the cribs in to her room.
The rest of the stuff in the moving truck rolled on to miami the next day to be put in storage until we found our new place.
I spent the next month and a half rooming with my 3 kids.
I am not sure how i survived. lol
No but seriously.
Honestly it was a lot harder than i expected. All of it. Being away from Jason, not being in our own place...the kids also decided that they weren't going to sleep while we were there. (mainly Sammy but sometimes Liam and of course Daisy would chime in occasionally as well).
My mom has an at home daycare so the birds were exposed to a plethora of little runny noses and sneeze-y/cough-y little ones (you know how it goes), so they spent 90% of the time with a cold or just getting rid of a cold or an earache and/or and/or and/or.
On a positive note, their little immune systems got a nice workout.
Oh and Liam had some major exposure to gluten and sam as well, along with dairy so we had a lovely array of behavioral and stomach issues happening too,
Ha!
Super awesome fun stuff.
The cats and dogs were in complete disarray, confused and just WHAT and moejoe kept trying to escape out the front door to go pee on everything and everyone.
Unfortunately he succeeded in escaping unbeknownst to us ...one lovely chaotic afternoon while i was out having lunch with my brother matt and right after my sister and i had experienced our first crazy argument.
We got back and within the first 5 minutes Matt asked, Wheres MoeJoe? I went into the room. No MoeJoe. Out back. nothing. garage. nothing.
i began to unravel.
we spent the next 5 hours combing the neighborhood by car, by foot...
me bawling like a baby.
Long crazy story short, after speaking to a neighbor, we found out that he had been seen running down a super busy road a few blocks away and that she had seen a car stop to try to get him off the road. She said that she wasnt sure if they had taken him or not.
I felt like someone had punched me in the gut.
I was pretty much convinced that point that he was gone. Either run over or taken.
Because i am a super positive thinker like that. lol
It was almost 10 pm and i went back in the house to cry myself to sleep.
I decided last minute to post an ad on craigslist and few other lost pet sites.
Took a shower, went to bed.
I checked my phone right before i was about to close my eyes...and sweet baby jesus someone had posted their own FOUND ad right after i had posted my LOST pet ad, describing MoeJoe and the location he was found.
I jumped out of bed and ran like a mad woman in to the kitchen screaming , They found MoeJoe THEY FOUND MOEJOE OHMYGODTHEYFOUNDMOEJOE!!!!!!!!!!!
lol
I contacted them immediately and they were kind enough to let us come that night to pick him up. He was like 40 minutes away in another town. They had taken him, but thankfully, they were decent human beings.
2 things.
1. My faith in humanity was completely restored. Not just because of the kind folks that rescued MoeJoe and reunited us, but for many many other folks who messaged me after seeing my ad, offering to help look, to post on other sites, to offer a kind word...i even had people messaging and calling me to let me know about the found ad the guy posted after seeing my lost ad...just to make sure i knew.
Angels these people, angels.
2. I realized just HOW MUCH I love MoeJoe, as well as my other pets. Its amazing the impact these little creatures have on our lives.
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And right about now i am realizing that i am coming off like a complete Debbie Downer, and downright unappreciative.
Not the case my friends, not the case.
Yes it was a tough little ride, but it was not all bad, notatall.
I am grateful to have been able to have spent this time with my fam. For the good as well as the not so great moments had.
It was alllllll needed in the grand scheme of things, i am firm believer that everything happens for a reason as cheesy as that may sound.
I feel like i came out of it a little tougher, a lot more appreciative and with a much needed new perspective on many things. You could say it was an eye opening experience.
The birds got to bond with everyone and made lots of new friends including Liams first ever friend, a sweet little angel girl from my moms at home daycare.
I was able to spend some much needed time with my sister Jessica...and we had some good times while i was there.
Elijah (her son) became like a sibling to the birds, especially Sam.
i cant wait to see them grow up together.
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My brother Matt and I ended up hanging out quite a bit.It was nice and we hadn't had the opportunity in the past. i feel like i found a true friend in him. Love that guy.
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I was only able to spend a small amount of time with my other sibs and nephew but no worries since i now only live a few hours away.
Feels nice to say that.
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Jason and I spent our 14 year wedding anniversary apart, but were both so focused on making our new miami home happen, that we didnt even sweat it.
Eye on the prize- our family back together, new awesome opportunity and job for jason, new home, new life, new adventure.
I think the majority of my internal struggle was based on sleep deprivation. lol If you know me you know i dont do sleep deprivation well...even though i have had a lot of it over the past 4 years lolol...you'd think i would have adapted some.
YeahnotsomuchIneedsleep.
Also the whole....not knowing when and where we were going to move into our new place. We seemed to encounter obstacle after obstacle, and it felt like God was testing us....making sure we REALLY wanted this.
It came down to the wire.
Ultimately A LOT of praying and FAITH and
Jason WORKING HIS ARSE OFF to make it happen for us.
I am blessed beyond words to call him my man, even if we do drive each other crazy sometimes. ;)
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So to summarize the time spent in Orlando, our life in transition-
I spent a lot of time going on walks, cooking, baking and reflecting.
Trying not to lose my mind occasionally....digging deep.
Taking the kids to the park, going to Lake Eola every chance I got and even got to hit up downtown Orlando a few nights to rage a bit haha and celebrate Jessies bday :), Jason and I even got to sneak off on a couple of dates when he was able to visit.
Oh, and taking lots of pictures of course.
My fam likes taking pictures/video of everything and anything too. Hee hee :P
Enjoy :)
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Our first weekend there
Daisy is all about helping mommy in the kitchen.
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Sam came to Orlando having no words.....and left with a small little vocabulary. :)
We are now experiencing a burst of words from our littlest man...
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...and our big guy too! Liam has been making some real progress in the communication department. I will blog more about it on my autism blog but i can say that he is no longer non verbal. I like to call him pre verbal :) He has words, which are mostly descriptive vs functional except for "I want" which comes out "I wan". We have a ways to go but he is doing his thing, Liam style. :)
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Our little chatterbox, mamas big helper, daddys girl...
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heehee i love it.
Oh yeah, he loves coffee.
(dont worry its coconut milk with a little splash of coffee haha)
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random coziness
Cozy cozy cozy as Liam says...
who says a stack of mattresses, pillows and blankets on top of a table in a garage isnt cozy?
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Fancy potty training buisness
Anytime Uncle Dave came over, Daisy would insist on being held pretty much the entire time by him. Oh, and also sharing his dinner.
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So much love for their dear Papa.
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One of Daddys weekend visits :)
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Liam took me on a walk around the neighborhood. He wanted to look at and touch all the stuff he is fascinated with that he sees when we go on our walks (in a stroller), such as lamp posts, fire hydrants, cool stone driveways, flags, etc...
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Stop signs are also one of his fav's :)
He likes to spell the word out, forward and backward.
Liam with his big cuz, Corey.
Park Adventures
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Meanwhile in Miami...
Meanwhile in Miami...
(Jason has become a Colada addict and eats at a cuban cafe on a daily basis.
We now own an espresso machine)
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Liam got a haircut while we were there, with the help of Tia Jenny and Uncle Dave.
It was the best one yet, he fussed but held still for the most part. There is hope for a haircut in the future other than a buzzcut! haha
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Liam and his buds
We sure are going to miss this little angel, she was so wonderful with him
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Backyard fun
Ready, set, go!
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Random shenanigans
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Liam had busted his Nabi jr while we were there and it took a few weeks to get the new replacement. Thanks to Grandma, he got hooked up with a Nabi 2 and he LOVES it.
Can you tell?
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Oh my.
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Forgot how beautiful Florida is
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Celebrating Jessicas 25th bday!
ha! these pics makes me laugh
crazyfaces!
good times :)
Round two with Mateo!
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Food stuffs...
Bacon wrapped chicken deliciousness.
This one became a weekly regular
The cookie monster must be fed.
A delicious feast
Nom nom
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Moving day!
And the neighbors flag.
And the neighbors flag.
Ready to roll.
Jess and Elijah came with me to help out.
Matt is now officially our very own personal moving man. He drove the truck again for us and was a HUGE help during both moves.
Big thanks to uncle Matt.
Bye Orlando, you kept it real!
Love and light,
A
And we keep on keepin on...
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Oh, Spot.
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p.s. I miss you already mamita!
Thank you for everything.
Side note: It took Comcast here in Miami almost a full month to get out internet and cable hooked up. I will spare you the details but i will say that i was transferred to the "escalated customer service call line". Twice. Maybe three times. (lol)
That said, we are now back in business. I have some catching up to do on the good ol blogs, and Breaking Bad and I are one again.
You know, really important things like that. ;)
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