1 week

Driving to the Galleria, I spotted this sign on the side of the road. Matt thought I was a bit crazy that I wanted to take a picture of it, but he did at least know why.

Yes, it says Hedwig. Hedwig as in Harry Potter's snowy owl Hedwig. It made my heart happy to see this sign.

I love all things Harry Potter! I'm super excited about Pottermore but even more excited that in 1 week I'll be back in Ohio for the midnight premier of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I've been waiting 13 years for this night! Not technically because as a sophomore in high school I didn't know that it would take 13 years for the books and movies to come to an end or that I would be as big of a fanatic that I am.

In 1 week the evening will commence early with waiting in line to get the 'seats of champions' spending hours with some of those I miss the most here in Texas. Then we will run (yes run, it's tradition) to our seats and wait for the beginning of the end.

It will be epic! And I can't wait!

His Study

Gabe loves books. Or bookies as he calls them. He'll find the one he's looking for, pick it out of the bookshelf, page through it himself or come find me or Matt to read it to him.

We had only packed 5 or 6 books to take with us to the hotel. That was NOT enough! Gabe's therapists gave him a going-away gift which was a Barne's and Noble gift card so we picked up a few more books and some alphabet blocks. But after a few more weeks, it still wasn't enough! I ordered a few books from Barefoot Books and we finally had enough to keep Gabe occupied.

One of the first things we (I - Matt is not obsessive like me!) did when we moved in was organize the books and set-up Gabe's study. He loves it! And we love that he loves books!

Settling In

Now that we're all settled in here:

and everything is unpacked and put away. I realized one of the things I missed the most were

cloth diapers! Gabe is back to having a fluffy bottom and I don't feel like I'm throwing money out the window every time I change his diaper.

As much as I missed Gabe's diapers, I missed my bookcases more. Chalk full of books, pictures and other memento's (like Hermione's wand); I feel like life is in better order when I can see all my books where they belong and spend time looking at pictures of my loves.

Besides missing our dinner table, I really missed Gabe's high chair! I can't tell you how difficult (and messy) it was to have Gabe eat sitting on the couch or floor of our hotel room. We tried to remember his stroller so he could eat in it but if we forgot, alas - a big mess! So the high chair was welcomed back eagerly!

It's not quite home sweet home just yet, but it is definitely nice to have a place to call our own.

We're Back!

This was a crazy week! In review:

• Tuesday - movers delivered our stuff to our house!


• Wednesday - checked out of the hotel after 41 nights and moved into our house, spent the day cleaning and organizing


• Thursday - cleaned and organized our house


• Friday - cleaned and organized our house, Internet company finally hooked up our Internet!


• Saturday - trip to Ikea to check out some furniture, lunch at our favorite Mexican Restaurant, La Hacienda, and a short trip to the park. I say short trip because it was 100 degrees outside and while the park had some beautiful shade trees there was no shade over the swings. And the swings are the place to be!


• Today - church and more work around the house! It's fabulous to be able to do laundry at will again!

Hope your week was blessed and you have a great July 4th celebrating our country's Independence!

Better updates and cute pictures of Gabe to come!