Visit from Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Cheryl

Our time at home in Katy, Texas was winding down as our move to Dubai became closer and closer. We were so excited when Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Cheryl decided to drive to Katy to visit us one last time before the move. As an added and surprising bonus, they brought Kaitlynn's beloved Moose and his new brother, Tango. Can you say HEAVEN for our girl?!

We had the BEST visit while they were in town. It was so much fun for Grandma and Grandpa to come to practices and games, enjoy family dinners, and even help us to "stage" our house every so often for showings to potential buyers. They got a taste of our busy household while we soaked in the family time and cuddles with Moose and Tango. Kaitlynn's favorite part of each day was walking the dogs to and from school, especially when they wore their special Halloween costumes.

 

 

Looking back, these were such special memories (some of our very last) to be made in our Katy home. There were many hectic, anxiety-filled days in the fall leading up to our big move, and these wonderful family times brought so much joy and carried us forward for some difficult times ahead.

 

 



Renovating and Selling Our First House

As if selling our Katy home wasn't enough, we were also in the middle of completing renovations so that we could sell our rental house in northwest Houston. It was our first home as a family and where we brought Connor home as a baby from the hospital. So many memories, but it was time to say goodbye.

After weeks and weeks of post-Harvey devastation in the neighborhood and surrounding areas, the city slowly began debris removal so that the flooded families and homes could try to return to normal. We had no idea how the home sales would be impacted, because the Houston housing market had essentially come to a standstill. The streets looked trashed from all the debris and construction.

Inside the Ander Oak house was a different story. It had never looked better! Our awesome contractors had repainted every wall and also the kitchen and bathroom cabinets. We replaced most of the light fixtures and even had a crew clean the tile grout throughout the bottom floor. The house looked fresh and completely updated, so we stuck the For Sale sign in the front yard and hoped for the best.

Staging and Selling our Katy Home

Around the beginning of October, we had finally reached our decision and began to move forward with the sale of our home in Katy. It was a bittersweet time - we were excited for the adventures ahead but had a tough time knowing what we would be leaving behind. I had spent months cleaning out our rooms and closets as well as working with a house stager to get our home in top shape. Before we knew it, the photos were taken and that lockbox was added to the front door. As with all of our previous homes, I've never loved this house more than when that For Sale sign appeared in the front yard. Why does it always happen that way?

Fall Time with Friends

We were full steam ahead with our fall activities, but my priority for the kids was to make sure they were soaking in some quality time with their closest friends. We scheduled lots of play dates and I loved seeing the kids with such happy distractions.



Connor was just as happy to get extra time to hang out with his buddies as well. It seemed like his friendships were stronger than ever, and it was setting in that it would be tough for us to leave.

I couldn't resist adding these last two photos showing Connor and Kaitlynn in their typical fall attire. Oh, and I had to add the photo of Connor sleeping in my lap. I read once that you never know when the last time will be that you pick up your kid or when they sleep in your lap. I try so hard to soak it all in.