The Place I Call Home

The packing is done. The moving van is here. How do I say goodbye to a place like Malta? It's much more than a place really, it's a wonderful community, a way of life. It's all I've known for the past 14 years. It's been my home.

During my time in Malta I have given birth, graduated 3 children from high school, sent a son on a mission, married two daughters and became a grandmother. One rank of Eagle Scout was reached and two young women medallions earned. Ball games were won and lost, hearts were broken and mended. Two still born babies were laid in the ground. I was toilet papered, befriended, supported and loved.

The hours of service I have received from your hands are countless; endless. The meals laid on my table were made with compassion and received with gratitude. I have shared my worries and secrets; my hopes and my fears. And you were there for me always. Without fail. Every time.

So I won't say good bye. I'll tell you that I will see you again. You will always be my friends. I'll keep a little part of Malta in my heart when I go. There will be good people wherever I live, but none will be better than the people of Malta, Idaho.

 I love you all.

Two For One

Two beautiful girls, two birthdays, one special day. Happy Birthday to Hailey and Brittin!

Memories of Hailey
Hailey was 16 days over-due. Definitely worth the wait!

I actually got to pick her birth date. One clock showed 11:58 p.m. and another 12:01 a.m. so I chose July 13th.

When Hailey was a little girl and I was talking to her or explaining something, she would look at me and say, "Mom, what you talk about?"

We had a blue stool at our house that Hailey would pack around to see what was two feet above her line of vision. She called it "Big Blue". Big blue and Hailey got into lots of trouble!

Hailey 6 months

Hailey's 6th Birthday

Fun In The Sun

Sweet Sixteen Reasons Why I love Hailey

1. She glows with happiness.

2. She is happily helpful.

3. She is kind to everyone.

4. She can talk with a very cute Hispanic accent.

5. She plays songs for me on the guitar.

6. She has brown eyes.

7. She is very humble about her talents.

8. She rubs my neck in the car.

9. She paints my toenails.

10. She wakes up early.

11. She sets goals and accomplishes them.

12. She is very spiritual.

13. She is a good student.

14. She can beat most boys in a game of H-O-R-S-E.

15. She is a hard worker.

16. She is as beautiful on the inside as she is the outside.

Happy Sweet Sixteen!

Brittin

This little lady came into our lives one year ago and stole our hearts! She is Miss Popular in the family for sure! She is a delight and a treasure. I haven't decided if I'm going to let her move to Texas with her parents in September. :) 

Morning Hair

Dressed For Church

Watermelon! Yum!

Happy 1 Birthday!
We Love You!

One Box At A Time

This week I had the best of intentions. Starting the process of packing was my goal. Six days later, I have not made much progress. Not because I didn't want to, I just didn't get it done. Every time I would open a closet or drawer, I would be faced with a wonderful memory. What do I do with all of the stuff and the memories associated with it?

Honestly, not a lot was accomplished. I spent most of my time reminiscing and crying. Some tears of sadness yes, but also some really sweet tears too. I found a daughter's 16th birthday card. A CD from a long ago dance performance. A picture colored by a toddler's hand. A favorite pair of pink and white Nike shoes. The spring from our trampoline. And believe it or not two socks I was able to match together.

I didn't do much packing of boxes. I did however, pack up my memories to take with me to my new home. There isn't a box big enough to hold them all.



South Lake Tahoe, California

The Greenwoods are vacationing at Lake Tahoe this week.

Well, all of the Greenwoods but me.

Jeff, Hailey and Paige are going on a road trip without me this year. Crazy I know, but I just felt like I had too much to do to vacation! It looks like we have a buyer for our house and our target date for moving is July 25th. Someone has to pack up all of our stuff! That someone is me.

The family will be gone for 6 days. Wow. I don't remember a time ever, that I have spent that many days alone. I'm going to miss the girls. I'm going to miss Jeff. I'm sure that I won't sleep well without his warm body next to mine.

I have big ideas on how I will spend the days. The first thing on my list is the storage room. Every box and tote needs to be opened and accessed. I'm planning on getting rid of half of everything in there. Good plan I think.

So it's me, myself and I the for the next 6 days. Cleaning, sorting and packing. Nobody to cook for or clean up after. No questions to answer. No demands upon my time, but for those I place myself.  Staying up late, sleeping in. I can even eat cold cereal for dinner!

Sounds like a vacation to me. :)