To the Mitten.

Not that we don't like our new home, but we headed out to our favorite state after a quick 48 hours of moving in.

This was the highlight of our roadtrip. Have you ever been here? I find myself trying to plan trips to Sikeston, Missouri just so we can stop. Oh the goodness.

Kaiya wanted Barney to be in the picture. Have I discussed this Barney? He is a permanent fixture with her. It was my nephew's 20 years ago and still looks spic n span. However, he makes a noise that sounds like he is dying a slow death. Surely this can't be the noise he was originally intended to make-but who knows.
They usually throw the rolls from way across the restaurant-but he came close up to increase the success rate.
Aaaand the classic penny souvenir machine.

Side note: We then spent a few days in Grand Rapids. I'd love to show pics of my pretty sister and cute nephews and dear friends, but instead, I was mostly throwing up. And who wants to see pictures of that.

This lovely welcome scene below though forced me to get my camera back out. When we got to Dave and Christina's he had made a welcome sign and snack for us.
How cute is that??
The girls had a blast on the white trash water slide.


Well, almost all the girls. :)
Worked up an appetite!
This weekend was titled: Keep Cruz alive. Oh Reese. You don't know your own strength!
I love when worlds collide. We went to Detroit for a wedding, our friends, and the Kent's cousin. I love living in such a small world, and double love getting to spend a weekend with some of my favorite people!

Sorry Mere, but if you weren't so tan I wouldn't have had to make this black and white. (PS-happy birthday today Meredith!!!)
Our good old buddy Greg and I were color coordinated for the evening.
Oh my goodness these two people next to me is bliss.
Greg and the beautiful flower girl!!!!
The lone picture I have of my handsome date. He was pretty busy keepin the dance floor hoppin.

Mr. and Mrs. Kent :) (why yes, as a matter of fact they ARE perfect looking.)
Sparklers!

Beautiful bride and groom. Congratulations Reid and Brittany! We loved sharing in your special day! (three cheers to Marky and Greg for their 3rd successful wedding as dj's. I'm so proud! :))

The Big Easy

The title is not referring to our road trip from Florida. Or the job we had ahead of us. Merely the location we went.

Here's our departing from Florida footage. I know you wish you were with us. Glad the girls didn't know this would be the shortest roadtrip of the next month!

We finally made it to fancy hotel living. (We changed sleep locations every 3 nights for almost a month. My girls are troopers!)
But the next morning packed up bright and early...
We had a joyous reunion ahead!!!!!
Our DEAR dear friends-drove through the night, just to come help us move in. Including Christina's Mom, (who we all lovingly refer to as Geha) and Megan. Can't even begin to describe what a blessing it was to have all this help during one of life's most miserable tasks!
The girls checking out the new place...
Of course we had to eat. And what pregnant woman doesn't want fried pickles? Ok, I would have wanted them whether I was pregnant or not. So amazing-and the ranch at this place? You should come visit me just to experience this culinary masterpiece.
I told them to look like they were having fun.
Ugh. Just looking at this mess makes me throw up in my mouth a little. Don't know what I would have done by myself!
Some people, however, preferred to sit and watch the washer.
We also had beignets. (we only choose to be friends with people who like to eat :))

Fun at Target with Auntie Megan!
Threw all the kids in our concrete backyard for meals. We are still lacking a table. Please pray.
Christina and I had this great system going with baths where I'd bring a freshly bathed child to her, she would pj and diaper them up, and I'd go get the next one, etc. Except this time, by the time I dropped the 2nd kid off and got back, Reese had dived back into the tub in her clean pj's and diaper. That girl.
We did get out the last night at 9:00 for a quick adult dinner out. (Thanks Geha for monitor sitting!!)
Found this book on our adventures. A Louisiana Classic, it says it right there! Sure is different from the midwest. But with fried green tomatoes and pickles and ranch, I suppose we will be just fine.

More soon.

We were nomads for 27 days, I only have one kid in diapers, and I'm pregnant.

There's the quick summary of the last month.

I have so many pictures to post for posterity, I'm not sure where to even start posting pictures. (at the very beginning? a very good place to start?)

We are so very excited to be in a home. With curtains up. Where we can stay for awhile. I'm a flexible girl, but I'm done moving for awhile! Very, extremely blessed to have had some AMAZING people come to our rescue and help us move in/get organized.

We are also VERY excited to be welcoming a fourth DeKorne baby. Thankful beyond words to God for such a great gift.

Kaiya potty trained herself. I'm not kidding. We didn't do ONE thing. She just went. And kept going. And has been virtually accident free. (Besides one time where she just walked off into the grass and peed like a dog with all her clothes and Uggs on. Apparently this is due in part to a bathing suit allowance Mark made while in Detroit. We've since resolved the issue.) :) I didn't post about Ava potty training ever because, well. I just didn't want to talk about it. But I will say-neither girl was hard-and I suppose that's because I wait til they're three and practically writing essays. I figure I'm just not a type A person, so why read a book and go by a plan when if I just wait long enough it will all fall into place. Lazy. But successful.

Ok-many posts to come as I weed through pictures.

Happy Trails.