House Hunting

I realize that my posts have been few and far between since we moved to Columbia. I attribute most of that to house hunting on the weekends. I would estimate that 9 out of the 12 or 13 we've been living in Columbia, we have been in Kansas City on the weekends. I'd ask Kathy to confirm, but she may have lost count too! Looking for a house is taking its toll. It's consuming. It's an obsession and it needs to be over! The short sale we made on offer on fell through and we were okay with it. We found a house this past weekend that we love and we're waiting again to hear back. Just today we had to submit our last and final offer because there are 2 other offers on this house. I'm praying that this is the end of 'House Hunting Road'.
Speaking of house hunting, HGTV's House Hunter's was advertising that they would be coming to Kansas City. Our realtor, Hillory, who had been with us countless hours, told us about it and thought we would be perfect for the show. With Jay's endless "enthusiasm" we fit the rest of the requirements and decided, "why not"? I sent in the application along with a bazillion photos and we had an appointment with a videographer by the weekend. They had to see our chemistry and enthusiasm on camera. They want to put a spin on the story saying that we're bunking with Jay's family until we find a house (because Columbia is too far away for them to film). This means that we again have to crash the Rapley's and ask for permission to film their house and put it on national television. For all the mom's with kids still at home, you can see why this is a blessing and a curse. I was thrilled that it could be at John and Kathy's because, looking around my house, I would turn into a MONSTER trying to get this place picked up, clean, and ready for viewing purposes. There are also countless things that I love about their house and I could easily talk about them with a photographer. Reader, you can probably guess why I was not immediately excited to spin the story this way. This meant that I would have to call Kathy and ask her if we could scrutinize her house through a camera lens, (get this) the following day. Usually when we arrive, we BOMBARD the house: shoes and jackets are flung in random places, diaper bags and suitcases are left in any open spot, bears and blankets, diapers, pajama's, socks are all covering the 2 occupied floors of the Rapley household within at least 2 hours of our arrival. Not even mentioning the toys.
Kathy was up to the challenge.

Bring it.

As usual, the house was in great order for our arrival Friday night. Since Jay and I were house hunting early the next morning, John and Kathy's strategy was to keep the kids out of the house until the camera man got there. Brilliant!

Nate arrived armed with lights, camera, and a list of questions to ask us and Hillory. Jay had gone to high school with him, so it was easy conversation from then on. We showed him around the house, filming as we went, and pointed out things that we liked and what we're looking for in a house. Pretty much the same questions from the show.

I think we're up against 3-4 other people and we should hear back relatively soon. They have to watch our tape, write a story, and send it to the producers for approval. If we get the approval, then they choose our story and we get to be on the real show. Then we do this all over again! I'm good either way. I think it will be a super-cool experience, but it definitely takes some coordinating.

We'll keep you posted.........Have to run, little yahoo's are awake from The Golden Hour (nap time).

A and A sharing some love...

The tango.

Dance party with Dad.

Sillies.

Uncle Seth, Kellen, and (future) Aunt Allie came for one of our visits in KC. Many squeals from my kids.


Ava enjoying her first cup of tea. She's very refined drinking through a straw.

The girls having a picnic on the floor.

For better or worse

Things are rolling ya'll! Do you see my husband's name on the plaque (third from the bottom under 'Surgeons')???? During our most recent trip to KC (to see Eric and Laura run the marathon), we stopped over at Saint Luke's East to try to catch a glimpse of what we had heard. The Rockhill group in Lee's Summit is already marketing my guy! People and patients are already asking about him. His picture is up and he'll be in the next newsletter. I expect that when his clinic starts on March 1st he'll have a line out the door. Okay, perhaps not that extreme...at least his first week.

I can't tell you how much peace we've felt since making the "Big Job Decision". I know Jay will go above and beyond for the group, he's so anxious to get started. As proud as I am of him, to be completely honest, there's a small amount of fear that goes along with this next step. After five years of marriage, I still really like my husband. I love spending time with him. I expect this new job to take up more of his time, thoughts, and energy. I'm trying to steel myself for the blow of sacrificing family time, but it does not come easily. As the time gets closer I ask for prayers of a good balance.

Anyway.....had my wisdom teeth out a few weeks ago and, as of yesterday, I've been off the painkillers. So for everyone who says it's a harder recovery time when you wait until you're 27 - it's TRUE!!! I also learned that I will never again mix percocet with caffiene. BAD IDEA. Blessings and HUGE thanks to Kathy and John who rescued Jay from taking care of our yahoo's by himself. Ava and Abbey didn't care that Mommy was out of commission because PoPo and "Roo" were there to play with them. It enabled Jay to nurse his wife back to fighting form. He's such a rock star!

We are literally in KC every weekend house hunting. We had made an offer on a house a month ago and yesterday Hillory called to tell us that they were going to entertain another offer, leaving us as the "backup". Who ever wants to be a backup? Such a blow! Anyway, we'll leave the offer (just in case) until we find something else. Whenever we return from house hunting, it feels like we go back to square one. Trust me, we have looked at every single house that's one the market in our price range at least 3 times. I'm getting to know Lee's Summit by looking at the location of these houses on Mapquest. Not kidding.

After that phone call, the anxiety set in. Ideally, we'de like to close on something by the end of December. It's going to get really cold in a few months and my family's thin Texas blood can't handle that kind of chill. We really don't want to be looking for houses in the dead of winter. If we can't find something in our timeframe...guess what?? WE RENT...AGAIN.

sigh.

So back to KC we go this weekend. I'm still trusting God. He's letting all those pieces fall into place. We'll see what this weekend brings.

I hear the "quiet" thunderings of my awakened children overhead jumping in their beds. Time to get this morning rolling...

Blessings.

Gazing outside.

Showing off Camry's necklace that Ava made with foam stickers.

Ava's new hat that Roo crocheted for her.

Abbey loves nothing more than crawling on your lap to read a book. And she must be on your lap.
Ava's beading her first necklace. I thought her great aunt and uncle and cousins would be proud. I am!!!

Catching up

I wish I had the time to sit down and elegantly write out all that is going on in our lives, but I realize I can only manage to make it short and sweet. I started in a women's bible study weeks ago and it has literally been a saving grace. I wish I could tell you all the amazing things I'm learning about discipline and submission because they are great and there are many, many lessons. We're going through Barbara Hughes' "Disciplines of a Godly Woman". At least twice a week I get a swift kick in the face about my humanity and the ways I'm miserably failing the Lord. I'm even more thankful for his Son, his Word, and His mercy after these lessons.

We interrupted the week with a quick jaunt to KC because Laura and Tobin were going to be in town. When we came back to Columbia 2 days later, Jay decided he really wanted to see his nephew and help his parents with a party they were throwing. Back to KC we went! Twice in a week! It's so much easier now, the girls (and I) tolerate the 2.25 hour drive like it's cake. We had so much fun seeing that handsome blonde boy and visiting with Aunt Laura and Aunt Jenny.

Kathy and John are here now (aren't they sick of us yet?) to help Jay with the kids while I get my wisdom teeth out tomorrow morning. Geez!! I know, should have done it 10 years ago....Anyway, I promised pictures BUT WE SHALL SEE!

Love to our friends and family during the weekend.

Pictures from our week........

The 3 Rapley treasures.

Tobin is reeeaching for a breadstick on the counter. A little help here?

Isn't she a mirror image of her dad?

Beautiful Aunt Laura watching Barney with Ava.

Sharing the good stuff with her sister. Ava said "Abbey" for the first time 2 days ago and it warmed me to the core. It's so cute!!!

Little bugs in the garden.

Tobin loved his Uncle Jay. I think Jay reminded T of Eric.

Ava with our new caterpillar (get excited) "Bubba". His #2's are gigantic, and Ava says so every time she plays with him.

Wrapped up, having the best time cuddling with dad on porch.


Abbey with all the "babies".

Aaron stayed with us during his 1-month rotation in Columbia. The girls were in love with him. I didn't even notice he was here except there was less milk in the fridge every day. He left last week and suprised us all with awesome gifts. Thanks for staying with us, Aaron, for putting up with our crazy, taking Jay's "smack", and becoming another friend that we are excited keep up with. Good luck in everything you do!
Abbey, Aaron, Jay, and Ava.

Aaron got the girls sock monkeys before he left. They LOVE them. I have bittersweet news for you Aaron: both sleep with the monkeys at night, but Ava's is rapidly balding. Each morning I go in, there is more red yarn scattered on the floor. She does love that thing though!

Abbey hugging her monkey.

PoPo's "Bumblebee" in her bumblebeee boots.

Heavy

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

Most of you know what happened last week with our sweet friends from Galveston. Like any other night, Bryan and Samantha Kirby laid their 2-year-old twin boys down for the evening. I imagine that bedtime and after is similar to ours. The routine of baths, changing into pj's, the teeth-brushing, maybe a book, the prayers...the goodnight hugs and kisses. I imagine they do the same thing that we do when we close the door to our soon-to-be-asleep babes: breathe a sigh of thanks. The chaos of the day and bedtime is over and we can have what's left to ourselves.

When neither of the boys awoke the next morning and were unresponsive, I cannot imagine the overwhelming panic and fear that must have taken over our friends as they tried to resucitate their little ones.

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Hebrews 13:5

The news and heartache traveled fast. Believers and non-believers were sending prayers in each breath to this family that impacted so many of us. Next-door neighbors or long distance friends, we were grieving alongside our brother and sister in Carrollton, Georgia.

There aren't words.

I started this post days ago. Each time I try to "finish", I just can't. My words aren't sufficient. God says things so much better.

"Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you..."
Jeremiah 1:5

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13


God is still God.

A little surprise in Wichita

Though it seems like we just had visits from Seth, Allie, Kellen, my mom and dad, and Emily, I couldn't resist another trip back to Wichita. My excuse was to go with Allie to something called Britches and Lace, a HUGE children's consignment sale. I had a great time and loaded my trunk with some fall/winter clothes for the girls. However, the main event of the weekend was the surprise 30th anniversary dinner we threw from my parents on Saturday night. They had no idea and that's just how we wanted it.

My dad wasn't paying attention when we yelled "Happy Anniversary" at them when they first walked in. He was too stunned. So at this point he wasn't sure what we were celebrating.


Lots of friends showed up, even when I sent last minute invitations. It was so great to have everyone in the same room.


My parents didn't have a wedding cake at their own wedding. They decided to do bread and cheese. Looking back, it was something my mom regrets. To cut their anniversary cake was a momentous occasion.


My dad being a ham about "helping" my mom cut the cake.


As soon as Ava realized there was cake she jumped into my mom's lap.


It was a fun evening. My parents don't usually do anything big to celebrate. We felt like 30 years together was something to acknowledge, it's definitely a journey. We are very proud of our parents, committed to one another in Christ since the day they said "I do". We love you and I'm glad you enjoyed your night! You are worth it!

Earlier that Saturday morning, we loaded our crew and headed to the Wichita Zoo. It's a pretty impressive place and it gets bigger every year. It was awesome to experience the zoo through the eyes of my kids. Everything is so exciting to them. We watched these gigantic, super-old turtles for 10 minutes.

"Pa" with Ava watching turtles swim.


Seth and A by elephant booty.

My monkey looking at a monkey.

Brave girl in the tiger's lap at the new exhibit.


Other pictures from last week.....
Little momma.

So fast in the car.

Abbey striking a pose with Aaron.

Fast learner on her new bike.

Life goes on

Whew! I tried to make it a point to write about the girls' birthday's and the update on our move, now I just have to try to keep up. We've had some major stuff going on at the Rapley house. A few weeks ago, guess who came to visit?..........

Grammy and Grandpa!!!


They brought lots of fun things for their granddaughters including a super fun tent that we've set up in our living room, a sit-down easel, and a doll buggy and cradle. We had to try hard to keep Miss Abbey away from the easel. What kid isn't drawn to open paint?? The most fun was definitely in the tent. In and out, through and around. The kids screamed with glee as we poked our arms through openings and grabbed at ankles, thighs, and tummies. Abbey didn't quite understand "crawling" through the smaller openings, she charged right through, resulting in many face plants. It was tons of fun to have Grammy and Grandpa make the drive and visit our new temporary home!

Ava loving her easel.

Bubble mower in action.

This push mower stuff is hard! How do they expect me to work under these conditions?

Wait for me!!!

Because I LOVE her profile....

Muah! Saying goodbye...



We've been doing a lot of traveling back and forth from Kansas City: going to a Rockhill (Jay's upcoming practice) dinner, looking at houses, leaving Jay and the kids there so I could have a Girl's Weekend with my friends here. Here are some of the things that stand out from those good old KC trips...

Rollers Galore!

Looking this good takes hard work!

On tap for today...

Llama Llama Red Pajama with PoPo.

Family pic


Another reason these blogs have been few and far between is because we've been scooping and running to the bathroom for....(Ta Da!) POTTY TRAINING!!! Yea for my girl!
Watching Abbey's birthday cupcakes rise.

Ava's done so well telling me when she has to go. I'm not brave enough to try it out of the house yet, I'll have to work on that.

The much needed Girls Weekend.....and yes, it will be an annual event! It was everything I imagined: spa, movies, late nights, loud laughter, heart-sharing, snacking, good prayer time. I can't wait for next year! Huge thanks to our husbands who were brave enough to care for our children alone for 3 days!
Katie, Emily, and me.

Too much fun with the remote for the self-timer on my camera.

Love my girlfriends! Come back soon!!!!!!

My itty bitty is ONE!

On this day last year, before I laid my 13-month-old daughter down for bed, I knew that my second daughter would be arriving that night or the next day. It happened the exact same way as my first delivery. Jay went to bed (and slept) and I tried, fitfully waking against the contractions that eventually became 3 minutes apart. Everything happened relatively fast once we got to the hospital, got my epi, and started pushing before I had a chance to enjoy the effects. And suddenly...there she was. The newest love of my life, showing off her pout in the biggest way she could, was in front of me, in my arms...my little Abbey Jayne.



She has been just as boisterous ever since. This girl does everything full force, she's extremely determined, and within her tiny hand is the death grip of a boa constrictor. She learned to roll over, crawl, and walk before she (by that, I mean I)was ready. When she smacks her forehead head on the table/ground/sidewalk or dives face first into the dirt/carpet/garage floor or she falls backward from tripping on Camry/a stray shoe/chalk (-ALL OF WHICH HAVE HAPPENED TO ABBEY-) she's a TOUGH KID! She does that scream where nothing comes out for...wait for it...wait for it...(at least 6 seconds)...finally a breath, and then AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! Then she quiets down. She picks up quickly on sign language, I wish I knew more to teach her. When she gets really excited, she pants! I LOVE IT! Her eyes are so dark brown, I'm always guessing who those came from.

At the moment she's learning facial features. She particularly likes to poke me in the eye and jam her finger in my nose. She's in love with Camry, she's constantly patting her very gently. She is being especially patient as her big sister is learning to potty train. She babbles non-stop to herself ba-pa-pa-ba. She has these moments where she catches me completely off guard with a hug around my legs or her head in my lap. I'm head over heels for this baby that has me running in circles to keep up with her.

There's never a dull moment with you, precious girl. I'm absolutely smitten. You melt me with your sweet baby kisses. I love to watch you dance and run. I love to hear you laugh with your sister. I see so much of your Dad in your expressions, especially the mischievous ones. I love when you run to me with your arms up wanting me to scoop you up. I love watching you become YOU. You make my life wonderful and I'm thankful every day.

Love you Bug. Happy First Birthday!

My big one-year-old!


This morning we woke Abbey up with a Birthday cupcake (a bran muffin). She wasn't feeling it...

She was starving and just wanted the muffin. Forget the Birthday song and candle!

Gardening together.


Love between sisters.


In Abbey's new tent from Grammy and Grandpa.


Some other favorite vidoes of my youngest...