All things Gale: June 2012

Just when I couldn't do anymore...

The reinforcement team arrived!!!!!!!

(L-R: Elena, Rosaria the exchange student, niece Kathleen, niece Monica, nephew Austin, Batman son, nephew Michael, niece Leah)

Can I just say ALLELUIA!!!!!

I was this close to canceling all moving plans and just telling Jason I'll meet him in Texas in a couple years when I finish packing and cleaning. But then - in walks my sister and sister-in-law with just a few of their kids. I probably would have starting crying tears of joy but was too tired to think about how happy I was :)

While the 6'4" nephew painted the ceiling and carried out heavy stuff, my sister-in-law cleaned bathrooms, my sister cleaned the oven/fridge, my niece and her exchange student cleaned walls and my other niece cleaned and staged the kids rooms completely. All this happened while I took care of the baby and the other 2 entertained my kids!

A few things have happened this week that have made me question why I would EVER want to leave my home.

Two days ago, Ms. Donna (the grandma of the neighborhood) came over and started cleaning my house

The other night, my neighbor rolled over with a beer and a few of us hung out.

I hung out with one of my best and closest friends

My sister-in-law and my adorable twin niece and nephew were able to come to Leo's birthday party at the splash park and Chick-Fil-A

Going to miss them like crazy!!!!

Speaking of family - they are all here!!

Tack all of that on top of the phenomenal 80 degree weather we have been having and I'm feeling a little mover's remorse.

Sigh...

We do have some family and friends in Tyler, TX to look forward to seeing more frequently though.

It's a good thing we aren't in control. God opened the doors and we are just stepping through them.

But that doesn't make it less sad to leave home!

And now, thanks to my amazing family, I'm rejuvenated and ready to plow forward with more packing and cleaning!!

And so it begins - Staging

FROM THIS:

TO THIS!

Would you buy this house???

But what you can't see is what is hiding below the camera ;)

Holy moly this is exhausting. Any tips on how to live in a house while keeping it perfect? Or am a destined for take-out until we sell??

Big changes a'comin

We have some big news.

And instead of getting right to the point, I'm going to dilly dally with a clue-laden photo collage:

For those of you who know, it's official. And for those of you who don't know, I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to tell you in person!!

For the official word, you will have to check out the surprise video I planned for delivering the news to Granny and Papa

On Bromances and Romances

This is Brooke:

This is her husband, Old Man Dietel:

Brooke and I share the most important day of the year - our birthday. We share identical matching heart pendant necklaces that both of our boyfriends (at the time) purchased since we are both ruby birthstones.

We also share our husbands. If our husbands are not at work or on the phone with us, they are on the phone with each other.

Shall we call it a bromance? Sure.

I met Brooke shortly after I started dating Jason. She had her eyes set on Dietel and quickly moved in to seal the deal. Our husbands are lucky Brooke and I get along smashingly.

While in Texas last week, we scheduled an outing with the Dietels and their two adorable daughters Maggie and Clare. We were supposed to be convening at the local park. But who needs a park when there is a dangerously high and large rock cliff to climb!!!