One year ago today we moved into our rental house here on the bay. I thought the kids and I would stay the summer, return to the brown house in the fall and Justin would join us either at the start of school or shortly thereafter. Well, here I am one year later, still wondering exactly when it is that we will return home. I woke up this morning thankful to still see this sight!
I would be amiss not to admit that we miss our friends dearly and I do miss my brown house. Thankfully we get to visit about once a month, cramming about 28 days worth of things that need to be done in 48 very short hours. But one day we will return and I’ll probably miss the beach, funny how that happens.
I gave myself a pep talk last Thursday to get out my “real” camera and shoot some pictures. I will share those below… but my list today is long so my words will be few today. Also, Sister and I are road-tripping it up big time tomorrow. Our husbands will have the kids and we will sneak away for a few days, back to Louisville, KY, where we spent the majority of our childhood. We hope to have an absolute blast visiting old friends, romping through our old stomping grounds, going to the wedding of a dear friend… and hopefully many little stops along the way! Erika will be driving and I’ll be riding shotgun. I’m an excellent driver but she should be medicated to ride shotgun and thinks anyone who’s driving the car can’t see the car in front of them, the road beside them, the car behind them, the cars slowing down 1 mile ahead {you know the type? are you the type?}. So I’m sure the trip will be much more enjoyable with her behind the wheel. I look forward to reporting back next week on our little getaway!
Here’s what we’ve been up to …
One day JM colored vertical whiskers on his face and came to show me with great pride.
The coloring starts early, I think this was around 6:30.
Number 19 {we have about 482 of these around our house}.
Breakfast with sleepyheads and Cetaphil {?}.
While they ate their breakfast I packed their lunches, sometimes we wear our sunglasses in the kitchen when the sun is coming up… it’s a good problem to have!
School Easter parties were a big hit and this the golden egg I thought I hid up high in a good spot, someone found it in about .5 seconds.
Rover always sits quietly in the corner at the girls’ class parties, not disrupting.
Thankfully Paige’s sweet teacher knows about little siblings who wish they were in kindergarten and lets them in on all the action.
2 beautiful Easter prizes JM made in preschool.
Over the weekend at the brown house the girls and I dyed eggs while Rover napped.
We had colorful eggs Easter morning for breakfast, and also tore into Easter “sand pails”!
Justin’s parents had us for Easter lunch after church. The cousins always have a blast together.
We had a wonderful weekend celebrating a risen Savior!! Then it was time for the dreaded task of packing up, cleaning out, and loading up… all while trying to make it back to the beach at a decent hour {which we still haven’t mastered yet!}.
Upon on return, we are always so thankful to be welcomed by our “second” home and we try to slide back into life here! Our “traveling” softball team is in full swing and my heart melts when I see these little girls in their full-blown uniforms. We’ve only ever played tee ball and for that we received a shirt as our “uniform”. To our surprise Morgan got the whole shebang… visor, jersey, pants, & socks. The girls look so put together out there on the field! We had an 8-1 victory Monday night… the perfect way to start the season. I’ll have to remind myself of that tonight when I have to travel for our 6:45 game and we probably won’t be home until well after bedtime!
Ok, time to run… here’s one more!
pam
April 12, 2012 at 4:32 pmhave a fun road trip darby (and erika)! ah, too funny about erika riding shotgun. i am exactly the same. the only time husband and i “bicker” is when i’m riding shotgun. i’m always applying my ‘imaginery’ brake so he doesn’t hit the car infront of us. the passenger seat is nervewracking!
onestorybuilding
April 12, 2012 at 4:32 pmHe has risen indeed! So glad you had a wonderful Easter! I’m praying for you guys as you go back and forth between the houses.
Today's Letters
April 12, 2012 at 5:15 pmtwinner road trip = the best! have fun, homies. don’t forget your debbie gibson tape and to stop at all road side fruit stands. xoxo!
Brittaney
April 12, 2012 at 5:16 pmEaster pails is definitely the way to go when you live at the beach! My dad still gets me and my little sisters one each year (they’re 9 & 11, while I’m much older). Have fun on your road trip!
laurenbtrain
April 12, 2012 at 5:19 pmI am totally Erika!!! Not a great rider AT all!
Caroline
April 12, 2012 at 5:29 pmSo glad you see you back to posting. I know you guys are having a good time but I miss your posts. Love the family Easter photo. Beautiful family!
Emily
April 12, 2012 at 6:12 pmI had no idea you grew up in Louisville! We have lived here for just over a year and are loving it. What are some must see spots your going to hit? Have fun!! 🙂
Liz Terrell
April 12, 2012 at 7:37 pmI have been a reader for quite awhile. Have fun in Louisville, I will actually be there as well (by way of Birmingham) meeting my first nephew who was born Tuesday!
kristen
April 12, 2012 at 8:06 pmGreat pictures! I am cracking up about Rover sitting quietly in the corner at parties. I see what I have to look forward to:) We are headed your way again in July. Hope we can get together again!
Sara
April 12, 2012 at 8:58 pmI am so that type….. uugghhh! 🙂
bevy
April 12, 2012 at 9:01 pmHe looks very mature with those drawn on whiskers and even though your hubby doesn’t have a mustache, I can definitely see the resemblance even more.
Yall’s family Easter photo is adorable. And it just reminded me I forgot to take a photo with my little one on Easter. Drats!
Dianne
April 12, 2012 at 9:18 pmI loved every photo! Enjoy your time away with Erika.
xo Dianne
Jessica
April 12, 2012 at 11:01 pmI cannot believe it’s already been a year since you moved into the rental house! What a great year you’ve had! And I cannot get over how tan you all are! I’d look like Casper sitting next to you. Ha! Beautiful Easter picture of your & your family!
kathleen
April 13, 2012 at 2:02 amRun for the roses. Home of what was once Known as Porter Paints well, it still is Porter Paint– next to a new home nothing beats Porter Paint, thank you for allowing this plug. They earned their stripes!! love that slogan. My next fov-o-rite one is — Next to me I like, I like BVDs. Okay who knows what B V D stands for? Hmm, Daddyboy has a few adv101 fav-o-rites No?
kristy
April 13, 2012 at 7:46 amhave a safe trip driving up to our Bluegrass state (i live here in Lexington)! are you going to get a couple of UK championship t-shirt for your kiddos while you’re here! ha! have fun!
Claire
April 13, 2012 at 7:46 amHave fun on your road trip! Not sure of the route you’ll take, but if you can, go through Chattanooga. There’s an awesome antique place, Knitting Mill Antiques (in an abandoned woolen mill) and next door a fantastic place to eat called Foodworks. =)
Jennifer Wynn
April 13, 2012 at 9:32 amIs it weird that I look at your blog in awe and dream that we could move to somewhere in Baldwin County? If it is then I guess I am weird, lol. I grew up going to Orange Beach every summer and my Mom lived in Gulf Shores for a few years until recently…she lives in Fairhope now and we have visited Point Clear many times. I think I know several of your sorority sisters (I live in North Alabama) and that is how I found your blog. Soak up every moment sweet sister because, yes indeed you will be back in the brown house one day longing for the beach!
cousin
April 13, 2012 at 12:03 pmMiss all those precious faces!! I can’t believe that was almost a year ago that mom and I came to visit you all in OB!! Miss you and love you!!
Rachel
April 13, 2012 at 2:41 pmMy sister and I have the same “driving” relationship:) Hope you have a relaxing road trip. Love the blue boat shirt on your little guy. Plan to get my little guys one of those when back in stock:)
Anne
April 13, 2012 at 2:44 pmI remember a trip back to Pittsburgh with one of my sisters (she’s exactly one year 4 days younger) and thinking “Either I drive and she gives me pointers (aka yells at me) or she drives and I yell at her”….haha I, like you opted to let her be in charge.
Julie
April 13, 2012 at 7:38 pmOMG, you have a beautiful family. Loved your family easter picture. Have fun in Louisiville. II live about an hour and 1/2 away in Cincinnat, OH. I love following your blog. You and your sister are just so inspiring. Looking forward to more picture of you. j.
Jenna
April 14, 2012 at 1:13 amI used to draw pictures like your son, at about the same rate. I called them CRAZY O’s. My mom saved some of them and some were saved in my child hood books, made me smile! Have a wonderful weekend!
angela
April 15, 2012 at 10:42 amI love everything about your blog so I won’t list what I loved about this post…it would be like posting this post in the comments!!! Hope you had fun with sis!
Molly
April 17, 2012 at 3:18 pmOh my goodness, is it so strange to have 2 children in big kid school now from when you had 3 little ones at home mostly? Seems like you are in a new stage right now with 2 children in full time school and your youngest starting preschool! So curious to hear your thoughts about dealing with the emotions of how quickly it goes by – and if you ever look back at those younger years and have any advice to other moms on how to make sure and soak it up completely and really grasp each and every day! My daughter starts kindergarten next year and my baby just turned (gulp) one. So this is very fresh on my mind!
Molly
April 17, 2012 at 3:20 pmBut not to say you don’t still have young children. 🙂 Sorry, didn’t want that to sound like your children have all gone and grown up. They just are “older” young children now. 🙂
maria
April 18, 2012 at 12:16 pmcurious as to how the whole rental home process started to begin with! we are looking into doing something similar to relocate to a coastal town. thanks! 🙂
stephanie
April 20, 2012 at 2:14 pmHi Darby! I’m a loyal reader but have never commented. I live in AL and have my own little “Rover”. We love our Honey Bee Tees and I thought you might like to see that they look just as precious on other kids as they do on your own!
https://thebrownbrickroad.com/2012/04/friday-favorite-30/
Love following your adventures!
Kelley
April 20, 2012 at 9:09 pmRover is still napping???
Lucky!
Kelley
April 20, 2012 at 9:10 pmRover is still napping???
Wow. I’m envious of that!
therobynnest
April 21, 2012 at 11:29 amHave you seen the beekeeper documentary?
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/21/vanishing-bees-film.aspx?np=true
Eliza
April 23, 2012 at 9:05 pmwell, at least you have an amazing view for “home away from home”. WOW.
Rachel
April 24, 2012 at 10:58 pmDarby,
Your posts are always so uplifting. Hope you and Erika had a wonderful road trip. When you have a chance we would love to hear more about your trip and the gar-office.
Keep taking in your babies, they’ve grown so quickly. Today I was rereading your “It’s a Canon” post and honestly I can not believe how much JM (the girls too) has grown. He truly is a little man and mini me of Daddyboy. They have the same stoic, classic style. It must be those ray bans!
Everyone would agree with me when I say we miss you. Even if you only stop in for a moment with a quick blurb!
Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Rachel
ps. I had my first Auburn Nation experience a couple of weekends ago at a wedding. The groom was a swimmer there and his buddies made the trip up to Illinois. Those boys had so much war eagle pride and could dance like nobodies business! It was nuts!! Just thought I would share!
Jennifer
May 14, 2012 at 7:27 pmOk, this might be a bit crazy but I miss you Darby! I love seeing your beautiful photos and hearing what your family is up to. Definitely a bit wacky of me. I know that you are just busy living life and that is good but I just wanted to say that I keep checking to see if there is anything new….
kathleen
May 15, 2012 at 1:27 pmAs we approach Juneteenth, June 13, 2012 I hope everyone has plans on that day or the week approaching to send as many birthday wishes through a particular window. I myself plan on building a chocolate wafer whipped cream cake or wearing a tee shirt eat some honey and see if I can fish and catch a croaker. Hmm sounds like a LuLu’s Bro song.
amy
May 15, 2012 at 9:56 pmlove your blog! have been reading it for about a year now. hadn’t been on it in awhile and got on tonight and was surprised to see you are from louisville! i was born in louisville and now live in elizabethown!!! small, small world. hope you had a fabulous time while in town!!! it’s a great city 🙂
mary beth
May 21, 2012 at 8:41 amDarby! I know you have a life and everything…but I swear my fingers are getting sore as a result of checking your blog {frequently} for a new post. 🙂 No pressure.
Isabel
May 25, 2012 at 11:30 pmD,
Where are you?
SERIOUSLY! your blog is one of the highlights of my weeks, and it’s been almost 7 weeks, that you haven’t posted a single word.
Please come back soon, asap, PRONTO.
Isa
kathleen
May 29, 2012 at 9:09 amD. at least if you still use flicker savvy followers can click on your blog photos and be linked to your Flicker account thus viewing recent images downloaded. Keep your camera in hand and we can see and guess what you are up to. we don’t want to read crabby comments but then this one could be about crabs.
Rachel
June 1, 2012 at 5:04 amI have a feeling this is going to sound totally creepy and stalkerish, but I hope it doesn’t come off that way–I just got back from vacation over Memorial Day weekend in Orange Beach. We shopped at Publix a good bit and I’m pretty sure I saw you in the deli line, ordering wraps last weekend…I did about 4 double takes and whispered to my boyfriend something to the affect of, “ah! I think that’s Darby…I follow her blog…she’s pretty much famous in the blog world..” and he almost came up and talked to you because I was too chicken to say anything! I have no idea if it was actually you, but if it wasn’t, you have (another) twin out there in OB! Now I’m wishing I had just said hello…I know you would’ve welcomed me to your little town with open arms! Love your blog and have been reading for a while, but just wanted to drop by and tell you my funny story. Happy weekend to you!
kim
June 1, 2012 at 8:04 pmmiss your blog…praying that you are right where you need to be:)
Maggie
June 7, 2012 at 12:50 pmMiss you, Darby!
Abigail
June 11, 2012 at 11:09 pmI’m semi-new to the blogging world, but your’s was one of the first ones that got me hooked! Love reading about your adventures… thank you for sharing!
Elizabeth
June 12, 2012 at 7:15 pmDarby,
I remember how very busy life with young children can be and I have often thought, “I don’t know how she does it”, but now I am a tad concerned it has all become over whelming and those of us who delight in your blog can do nothing to help you out. You and your sweet family remain in my prayers.
Dianne
June 13, 2012 at 7:58 amMiss you Darby! Hope all is well. xo
Beverly Atkins
June 13, 2012 at 9:43 amMiss you! Hope all is well with everyone. Hope you’re able to come back soon. Take care!
kathleen
June 13, 2012 at 12:12 pmHappy Flag Day and I hope your family’s Father’s day is busy buzz buzz.
Paige
June 14, 2012 at 12:17 pmI miss reading your uplifting posts! I hope you doing okay!
JenniB
June 18, 2012 at 2:44 pmMissing your posts…but happy to know that your abscence means you are spending time with your Rovers! ENJOY! I know that they are!
Katherine
June 19, 2012 at 10:49 amThank goodness I follow you on Instagram. Otherwise, I would be really sad that you haven’t had any new posts on the blog since April! Hint, Hint 🙂
Blair
June 20, 2012 at 3:15 pmMissing your posts! Hoping you and your family are enjoying the summer!
kathleen
June 22, 2012 at 1:51 amMy theory is, actually there are several theories, 1) pending reality TV show prevents disclosure of Stickler activities 2} something horrible has happened and I am so sorry that it was a pending tv show contract stipulation that made me think otherwise . Please forgive me. 3) Orange Beach has fallen in love with the Sticklers and the internet blog people are not real hoo ray for living in the present here and now flesh and blood people should not be put on “hold” to deal with the internet. I have come to this conclusion even though it was not cold turkey. LOL it was fun while it lasted have a great life 10-4 good buddy
Katharina
June 25, 2012 at 4:54 amMiss reading your posts and seeing those wonderful photos of yours from the other side of the ocean. I hope that you are all doing well and that you enjoy summer and time with your family!
Amanda
June 25, 2012 at 1:36 pmI hope you all are well. I miss reading your posts!
Enjoy summer at the beach 🙂
susan
June 26, 2012 at 3:54 pmHave you discontinued this blog? I certainly hope this is not the case. Just hope that you are having so much fun that you haven’t had time.
Traci
June 27, 2012 at 11:11 pmDarby, after reading some of the recent comments, clearly we are missing you! I sure hope this isn’t the end of your blog… your posts are such a ray of sunshine. I find myself going back and reading old posts just to fill the void, ha! Your blog is one of the few that keeps it REAL and focuses on what really matters. I do hope you will get back to posting, even if it is just a few words here and there. Don’t feel like you have to catch us up, just let us know you are around and throw in a picture of Rover climbing on something or the girls being sweet so we know everyone is alive and well. 🙂 By the way, I finally made your curry chicken salad today! So delicious!
Lisa
July 1, 2012 at 3:31 am🙁 I’m almost forgetting to check here now…no posts since April…
Meredith
July 1, 2012 at 8:31 pmMiss, miss, miss your blog! Hope everything is okay! Meredith
Emily D.
July 3, 2012 at 6:08 pmI sure do miss your posts! Not sure if you blog has shut down? Hope everything is okay!
Jennifer
July 3, 2012 at 6:52 pmMiss you too! Will you be back sometime?
Lexi
July 5, 2012 at 7:19 amDARBY COME BACK!!!
WE MISS YOU!!
(maybe just twice a month you could squeeze us in? 🙂
Hope you are enjoying your summer with your family, I know my little boys have made my summer so special!
marybeth
July 5, 2012 at 7:56 pmIt is July are you alive????
nicole
July 7, 2012 at 8:38 amhope all is well !! miss reading your posts!
DRESSING IVANA
July 9, 2012 at 11:39 pmSuch lovely pictures!
Mil
July 11, 2012 at 6:30 pmMissing your posts – please come back!!
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September 12, 2012 at 8:50 pmSo lovely family you have!
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