On one hand, we’ve been talking about the move for nearly a year. It took the girls & me a while to get used to the idea, and seeing the “For Sale” sign for the first time last Thanksgiving was a bit painful. We’ve had plenty of time to get over the fact that we’re moving, and there’s part of me that’s ready for it all to be done. But I’m not sure that the reality of everything has completely set in.

This house means a lot to our family. I remember going through books and books of house plans, trying to find the perfect design. Then we saw exactly what we wanted being built in Peachtree City. Before I knew it, we had broken ground on our version of it in Newnan.

I even helped build the house…as much as a 13 year old kid in his awkward stage could. I carved my name in the foundation, helped Geraldo build the rock walls, and even caught a framing error that nearly screwed up our roof. (Duck, the framer, did get his revenge by making fun of the shape of my fish pond, but I’ll save that story for another day.)

I guess what I’m trying to say is that we have a lot of memories tied to this house. But the best memories aren’t about the house. The greatest memories only took place here…they’re the countless weekends we sat around the living room laughing. They’re the holiday gatherings with friends, mom’s amazing meals, and late night discussions with Anna & Caroline on the back porch.

Sure, it’s a bit trite, but it isn’t the house that makes the family. It’s the family that makes it a home. So it doesn’t matter where mom & dad end up living. I look forward to being able to get together as a family and make even better memories for years to come.

1. Happy Birthday Mom! Can’t wait to see you in a few minutes!
2. Anna has a new blog she’s going to be working on. Give it a peek
3. We changed our theme…what do you think? Is anyone still out there paying attention?
4. I have a big announcement about something that’ll be coming up in the next few months. Check back here soon!

I think I made you do more stupid things than anyone. Like when I wanted to join the Alan Jackson fan club. That was before the internet thing and you had to write them a letter, mail them a check, and then wait a month to get a response. Or when I played roller hockey and you’d have to drive us to Forest Park, then sit there and wait so you could drive us back home. The worst was when I got into making lanyards, and you had to buy all that lanyard stuff through some mail order catalog. Sorry about that.

I’m not sure what the record is for # of visits to the World of Coke, but you had to be close. It didn’t matter whose class was going on a field trip, you were always one of the first moms to volunteer. And I still respect you for drawing the line and refusing to ride up that long escalator (Escalaphobia=is the fear of escalators.).

Our clothes. No entry discussing crazy things you did for us would be complete without a discussion of clothing. You are an amazing sewer person that sews. Whether it be a smocked dress thing for me (with manly ducks, of course), a reindeer costume for Goob, or an elf outfit for Anna, you always had it covered. And no matter how many times Goob made you take her socks off and put them back on because they just didn’t feel right, you lovingly obliged.

But even though we eventually outgrew the homemade clothes, you’re no longer a kid-taxi (for most of us anyway…cough-goob-cough), and Caroline learned to fix her own socks, your mastery of motherhood is still amazing. You’re more important to our family today than you’ve ever been. You’re always there for every one of us, wherever that may be. We are amazingly blessed to have a mom who takes care of and prays for her family the way you do. We love you tremendously, and wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day. Thanks Mom!

Auburn – Behind the Scenes from Keyframe on Vimeo.

Thought this was interesting…

I’m usually pretty good at mismanaging my time, so my personal mission statement mainly deals with how I should be spending it…

Times past exist only in memories, therefore I will strive to create as many memorable moments as I can by doing things to grow myself, my future, my relationships, & my faith.

What do you think? I’d love to hear about some of your personal mission statements…and if you don’t yet have one, I’d like to challenge you to create one and share it with us! Love y’all.

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

Carl Sandburg