Besides, when I moved out here for Joshua, I knew I wouldn’t want to retire here or stay forever. I like it just fine – small towns have their charms, especially this one – but I don’t like the school district or the extreme isolation (The Pioneer Woman would laugh her tush off at me right about now if she were to read this – as if). Moving away was inevitable and this way, we can get back on our feet and let my family enjoy some time with Noah while he’s young. I know that I’ve been worried that my grandmothers wouldn’t bond with him appropriately (though it seems they already did) and I’ve been worried for my mom, who has been in quite a bit of emotional pain that she couldn’t see Noah grow up this past year and a half but now that will change.

However, money, or rather the lack thereof, is our primary driving force. Joshua and I don’t seek to be rich. We simply want to be debt-free and stable. There is scripture about how you cannot serve two masters and I do feel that debt sometimes gets in the way of my relationship with God. (Most of the time its my beef with certain “holes” in scripture but I’m working on those.) I long for the day that I can save up for a purchase without feeling the niggling guilt that the money should go towards paying off a credit card.

Anyway, before I ramble on like I usually do, there is my update. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll probably be spammed with my pingback links. Sorry. You should know better than to follow me. ;-)

I think he liked it.

Regular blogging to resume when my life is back in order. The bad part about taking a vacation is picking up all the pieces when you get back. ;-)

Being in Houston is incredible. My mom welcomed us with open arms and is truly a wonderful grandmother. Noah just loves her to bits. She plays with him, lets him have what he wants (within reason) and she even asks me if it’s okay before she gives him something to eat! *love* She doesn’t care that he throws stuff on the ground and she is brilliant at baby proofing on the fly. There wasn’t even an adjustment period before Noah started jumping into her arms. Some people say it’s because she’s my mother and she must look like me but that’s not it…we don’t look alike, anyway. She’s just open and friendly and funny and wonderful and I love my mother. It will break my heart when it’s time to go.

Friday was a day for being reunited. Mom looks the same – I don’t know how she keeps her youth but she does. Gregory looks older, taller, and it’s hard for me because I still think of him as a little kid. I have to remember that when I was 10, I was already incredibly independent but that’s not how I see him. He’s probably sick of me smothering him. =P My stepdad is growing his hair out and even though I won’t say it to his face, (must keep up my tough facade), it looks good on him. Alexa, my cousin, even came over to meet Noah. About a week ago she asked me if he was shy and I just laughed…my little flirt? Shy? Hah! And I was so right…he loved the attention. My grandparents came over and my grandfather (“Papi”) fell IN LOVE with Noah. He even started scolding me because Mom’s house wasn’t babyproofed yet, haha. I love my Papi.

Saturday, I met my uncle’s “new” wife (new to me) and got to meet her daughter. They were so nice! Unfortunately, they’re flying out to Peru today so I am not spending much time with them but hopefully we can get together before we leave for Georgia. Then Gregory, Joshua, Noah and I hung around watching movies while Mom went to my new aunt’s (I can’t spell her name yet…hah) baby shower. I was supposed to go but my Spanish really isn’t good enough and I would be kind of on my own. It’s weird, looking to Mom to translate everything I say for me. I understand Joshua’s side of it now… =P Well, okay, I partially understand…I still understand everything that is said to me, which is quite impressive. I thought I had lost it all.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get to eat dinner out like we had planned because Mom got lost on her way to the shower but that’s all right. We may do so tonight! =D I wasn’t sure whether or not to have a Joshua & Lynn dinner or family dinner but I think it’ll be all three of us. Noah would probably get a kick out of Pappadeaux.

Today we are going to go see my aunt Rebeca and cousins and meet Alexa’s boyfriend, Mike, who is in from PA. I’m so excited! I can’t believe I’m surrounded by so much love and family and friendship like this. Joshua’s parents have always welcomed me as a second daughter and for that, I am grateful, but there is nothing like the love of your own mother surrounding you. She and I are still incredibly close, too, which is refreshing. Mom treats me like the adult that I am, but still likes to baby me in little ways…the kind that make you feel like you’re at home, you know? Stroking my hair as she walks past…picking a movie to rent that she knows I’ll like… making sure that there is Sprite in the fridge because I’m a hopeless addict. Stuff like that.

God, I am so happy.

Keep an eye on the photoblog. I’m going to be doing a massive picture post when we get back tonight. ;-)