September

To begin September Michael Joe stressed me out with starting a Facebook search for a kitty to adopt, which he quickly found! Too quick for me.  I cried.  We had been talking about getting a black kitty as soon as we owned our own home...but I hadn't even unpacked yet.  We moved in August 30th and added a brand new member to our family (with fur!) less than a week later! He took me to meet our little guy first, of course, and promised if I was not 100% on board we would wait.  Obviously, I fell in love.  His name is Halloween and we are ALL smitten. 

This month we did Lake Tahoe again with our family.  I did not sleep at all the first night (seems to be my pattern when we do trips?) so I was dragging the next day and did not attempt wake surfing again.  We brought Great Grandma:)  We shopped, did sushi, got some more olive oil, pancakes for breakfast (made by Uncle Eli, because sadly mama got sick on this one), candy jars and oh me and Michael walked a couple miles to go on a date. Good times.  

One of our other main events of the month was gingerbread day with Noelle! I love it.  Its so fun and magical for them to search for their gingerbread men that have run away.  Sia walked with Noelle through it all (and even shushed some of her classmates in the hallways). ha!!

 Gwinna snuck in to say hi too and get a picture:) 

  

August

My sweet Noelle's first day of school.  It was a bittersweet moment for me.  I LOVE having my kids at home close to me (yes, no matter how crazy they are able to drive me). I will always prefer having my family close.  Noelle is such a helpful, caring girl and she plays so well with Sia so I knew we would both be crying when we walked away from our beloved Knowie.  I could also tell that Noelle needed more though.  She was getting tired of the mom chores and same ole' routine here everyday.  She is ready for school...the learning, fun art projects, new friends,  recess and more excitement in her day.  On the first day we went to meet her teachers and get pictures. As soon as we got home she wanted to color apples for her new friends Mrs. Bernardi and Mrs. Azevedo, because that is just what Noelle does for people.

My Gwinna girl, I must say, was very supportive and excited to help 

Noelle be her new friend at school!

Sia and Noelle found a snail in the backyard on the first day and made a carrot fortress for her.  

Shelly is the name...of course. haha!

August 30, 2019

A whirlwind of a move. It was one we’ve been waiting to do for a long while and hoping up to the very last moment it would be happening. On Wednesday August 28 me, sia and Michael were eating at Buffalo Wild Wings and got the fun news that we had finally closed on our house:)  I got into acceleration mode when we got home and practically threw the rest of our junk into boxes so we could pack it all in when Brian finished work. He got off two hours early and came over and he and Darla had the whole garage packed within 30 minutes! I did not load one box from the garage in or out of the truck!  This all happened to coincide with a 104 degree day that the AC unit motor went out in the rental and the landlord was not able to come fix it until the next morning. So of course Michael said “let’s just sleep in our new home tonight!” And Brian and Darla (again!!) made it happen!!

 List of homes me and Michael have lived in:
My parents house in Hilmar right after we got married
Point Loma, San Diego for law school 
Provo, Utah for BYU (law school) - bug house 
Mother in laws house (young court) summer 
Provo - random-colored-carpets house 
Williams home with Michaels family ...waiting for bar results 
Bridgeport home in Hilmar (Michael working at DA’s office as a prosecuting attorney)
Grover Beach (Harris personal injury job)
Back to Hilmar (Tia Stephanie’s brand new home in Hilmar- starting Silva injury law)
Back to Bridgeport home (business growing!)
Today: Verona Way (own our very OWN home in Hilmar!)
Whew! Tired just thinking about it all and writing it out...
We’ve been married for 8 years and have lived in 11 homes  
Thank goodness we get to settle for a bit in the one we just bought. Feels good. I feel at peace and very grateful to our families who all assisted in getting us to where we are today. And especially for Michael Joe who has made big sacrifices, swallowed his pride when it hasn’t been easy, and has maintained an attitude of gratitude with every step and misstep that has enabled us to have our new abode. 
Looking back I get sentimental about each home that has sheltered my little family. I’m grateful for the (sometimes mouse and bug infested) walls and roofs that have kept us safe and happy. I am a HUGE homebody so the home I’m in can make a difference in my mental and physical health and sanity! I love this new home we are in. It is warm and light and filled with the things and people I love.