Giving Thanks...

Last year, I had this "vision" of hosting our very first Thanksgiving at our home (wherever that ended up to be). We were pretty sure that DC would be that place so I called our family and everyone was in!!! I love love love entertaining so I was super thrilled to have such a grand opportunity. It was a weekend filled with love, family, and thankfulness! Thank you to all for making this year extra special...we are beyond thankful for the family God has given to us!!! 

Our Table was set...

our excitement was in gear...

our love filled the air!

My beautiful SISTERS!!!

Our turkey (prepared by mi madre) made a grand entrance!

Serve it up Daddy-O!

Grandma Patty looking pretty as can be

Auntie Nicole became Miss K's pillow after a long day!

Friday was spent exploring DC with the family...it was a cold windy day but we had a great time just being together

Metro Love!

Miss K and Landon had Christmas early with Grandma K and Papa Gary. She decided a swim suit would be the BEST way to open gifts. I just love her fashion sense!

Saturday we went to Georgetown. This place is truly one of my favorite areas in DC. Landon is in LOVE with Santa this year!

On Sunday, we went to this amazing tree farm in Chantilly, VA. It was beautiful and oh so much fun for the kiddos. 

My sister Meaghan - love you!!!

They had this HUGE slide that the kids adored. After about the tenth time going down, Miss K took her brother. I just love this pic of them!

The baby goats loved Landon and Landon loved them even more!!!

Thanks for a great Thanksgiving weekend everyone!!! We love and miss you already!

As I explained in our last post, we have a TON of pics from the time we got into DC until now. It's been a busy few weeks with moving in, getting the kids settled, and most of all keeping peace and fun in the Raftery house. We've had our "moments" of stress but I have to say that I'm super proud of the way my family pulled it all together. It amazes me how children can become so adaptable given the right environment. Through it all my number one guy has put up with my Type A personality which is definitely commendable in itself! 

We left some amazing things in Jax...our church, friends, and first home; however, despite all of those things God has been here directing our path and giving us peace along the way! We are blessed to have the Andersons and Papa Raftery here in DC to share in the next couple of years ahead. Life is good!

Here's some pics highlighting our last few weeks!

Peek-a-boo!

These hands where made for dirt!!!

My two sweeties at the Pumpkin Patch

Head butt LOVE

Meet Minnie and her sidekick 

Mickey 

Exploring in our new city

The Capital

 Our Landon in front of the White House

In fields of green 

and gold!

This makes my heart melt!

At first glance, this may look like an "ordinary" cake; however, Chef Kennedy surprised me with my very own birthday cake this year!!! I came home after my hair appointment and to my surprise she literally told Jared what measurements she needed (1 cup of flour, 2 cups of sugar, and 1/2 cup of water) and wala a perfect cake just for her mommy!!! Love that girl!

To make the day even extra special, Jared took me out to Old Town Alexandria for dinner and surprised me with tickets to the National Symphony. Love that guy too!!! Last year of my 20's...here I come!!!!

We're BACK!!!

Wow! That's all I can say right now...wow, wow, and a little more WOW! 

Seriously, what did we all do when there was no Internet?

It was not long ago that life happened without it and now we (or maybe I should say I) have found myself a bit stressed without it!

We have yet to get our Internet set up due to a bigger issue that I don't have enough space or time to write about; therefore, I find myself at Borders while the kids have 20 more minutes in school using there free WiFi. It feels pretty good I must say!

I have hundreds of pics to share from the time we got into DC until now but for our first blog (in seriously forever) I wanted to introduce our new house! We love it! The location, neighborhood, scenery, and interior truly fit our family! We have a little more work to do (hanging pics/decorating) but I feel like we are settled and that feels oh so amazing!

In no given order, the pics of our new home...

The Front

Powder Room (main level)

Family Room (basement)

Play Room (basement) The kids love having there own space!

Kitchen (main floor)

Foyer (main level)

Entrance view (main level)

Master Bedroom (3rd floor)

Our bathroom is not pictured but it has this oh so fabulous shower that I have come to adore (it's the little things!!!)

Kids Bedroom (3rd floor) They have a bathroom as well which has been extremely handy!

Another snap shot of Kennedy and Landon's room (and yes they are sharing a room! It's been a good transition so far and the nightly giggles are the best!)

Living Room (main level)

Front Porch Love!

I choose not to take pics of our loft which is on the 4th level. It is a great space where the office is still in progress. This will also serve as our guest bedroom where our family and friends can enjoy there own space! Yippee for space!

A month later...

It's hard to believe that a month has gone by with no blogging! 

I've missed the weekly reflection and have realized how much I truly enjoy writing about our lives. Unfortunately, life happens and my mind has been spinning with all the "to-do's" and the last thing I could fathom doing was to sit down and journal. 

Over the last month we've moved from Florida and have traveled quite a bit. My amazing hubby offered me a weekend away to join the Ya Ya's. The Ya Ya gathering started when my beautiful Aunt Kitty was diagnosed with breast cancer and has since turned into a semi-annual celebration of women filled with sisters, aunties, and friends. This was the first one I had the chance to attend and it was a blast! To spend the time with the all the women that mean so much to me was a wonderful experience. This year, my mom hosted the event at the Grinnell Mill Bed and Breakfast she runs. The weekend was filled with laughter, love, and most of all lasting memories!

This coming Monday, we will officially move into our new home in DC. The hundreds of feelings have taken over - from being ecstatic to apprehensive and curious to oh so impatient...you name the feeling and I'm there. The kiddos are doing great and have adapted to all this change very well. They amaze me in every way and I can't imagine going through life without the full Raftery Quad!

Thank you to all who have helped in our transitional process. We have been blessed by the friends and family who have so graciously lent a hand of comfort, hospitality, and love.

As the next weeks go into full speed, I pray that my family is filled with patience, purpose, wisdom, and faith. We can't wait to see what this new chapter has in store for us! 

My sisters minus Nicole (we'll paste you in girly!!!)

Mr. Mom

You know when you have an extra extra special guy when he offers to take the kids for a long weekend just to give you time away. He brought them into St. Louis while I was having my Ya Ya weekend...he's a keeper!!! 

Here are some pics that Granny Smith sent to document their FUN weekend filled with pumpkins, smiles, corn fields, and love!

Thanks for being such a awesome hubby!!! 

Love you!

XOXO

DC HERE WE COME!!!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!! Our orders are in! 

The Navy is moving us next week and we'll be in DC by the second week of October!

After 10 days, 20 total traveling hours, and a WHOLE lot of help from Papa Raftery, our new home is found and were off to DC! I would love to report that we have pictures of the house but unfortunately the craziness of this week caused some picture shortages! 

Our new Metro stop (Van Dorn St)

Landon loved his first Metro ride! We'll be using this awesome public transportation a lot - especially since its 5 minutes away.

Daddy-o loves his Chipotle (as we all know at this point). We traveled down to Chinatown for some Mexican - sounds strange I know!

Thank you to all the love and welcoming we felt in DC! 

Papa Raftery - you are such a blessing to us and I can't thank you enough for all your generosity! The kids loved spending time with you and I truly look forward to the next few years.

 Megs and Ben  - you guys are great! Thank you for taking on the challenge of 4 kids while we house hunted. It was awesome being there while you welcomed your beautiful baby girl Keira! Can't wait to be so close to you all!

All Dogs go to Heaven

We said goodbye to part of our family yesterday.

Max was a special dog that I will remember for his strength, agility, protection, and love. 

He had a life where he encountered some unfortunate events which I believe led him down a road of pain and as Kennedy puts it he became "not nice". We did what was best for the safety of our family but it breaks my heart to see him go. Pets are an amazing gift that we are given in this world. They teach us more than we realize! 

Kennedy is in the process of writing a letter to Jesus and telling him how she's sad. I told her He would love it!

As we embark on our trip up to DC today, we will remember all the joy and memories we shared. Max, you will always be loved! Thank you for the years of happiness you brought to our lives!