Update

Okay, so sorry I haven't posted any pictures yet. I didn't realize that our memory card doesn't fit in my mother-in-law's computer, and our wireless internet is not set up yet for our laptop, so I will eventually post them.

Anyway, not a whole lot going on yet. We are trying to get settled in at Ben's mothers house. Ben had his first day at work yesterday, and he said it went really well. Everyone was really friendly to him, and he has his own OFFICE! I guess he's moving up in the world. :)

We went to Ben's mom's church last night. They had a fellowship meal before church. Everyone couldn't believe how much Isabelle had grown since Christmas.

Speaking of Isabelle, she has gotten her first tooth! My mom discovered it last Saturday, I think. I meant to tell you all, but I guess with all the craziness, I forgot. I'm going to TRY to get a picture of it to post later. It's so cute!

We are going house hunting on Saturday with my friend from high school who is a realtor now. We will let you know how that goes....

Well, I guess that's all for now. Will post more later.

We're Here!

Just wanted to let you all know that we made it safely to VA. My mom and I didn't get out of town until around 11:30 yesterday. We had some last minute cleaning and packing up to do at the house. (Thanks Sarah and Andrea for all your help! You guys are the best ever!) So we ended up stopping and getting a motel room in Sevierville, TN (right outside of Knoxville). We got to Ben's mother's house around 1:30 this afternoon, then unloaded some stuff from the car and had to drive my mom home. Then Ben and I drove around looking at a few houses this afternoon, so we have been doing a lot of driving! I am very tired, so I'm not going to post a lot right now, but I have tons that I want to post! I miss all my Georgia peaches already!! I will try to post some pictures from our AWESOME send off party tommorrow.

Moving day is near!

Well, just wanted to give a quick update. The sale sign is out in the yard now, with fliers in it, so if you know anyone whose looking for a home in this area, send them our way! Our realtor is Janice Stefanski, from Golden Key Realty. You can also see our home on her website. She brought the caravan of agents from her office by today, and they all really liked the house, but no showings yet. Please keep your fingers crossed for us and say a prayer that God will send a buyer for our house.

On a side note, only 3 more days until we pack up the moving van! I am finally starting to feel the pressure of trying to get things done in time. I'm not too worried, though. We are pretty much on track, but you know how there are always those little things that you forget about until the last minute. Anyway, it is really late now, so I guess I should go and try to get some sleep! I'll post more later....

House For Sale!

As you all know, our house is for sale now since we are moving back to VA. I decided to post some pictures of the house hoping that we could get it sold by word of mouth. If you know of anyone looking for a home in this area, feel free to send them here to look at the pictures. The house is 3 BR, 2 Bath, 1460 sq ft., on a 1/2 acre lot with a fenced-in back yard. It also has a 2 car garage.

Living Room
Kitchen and Dining Area


Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Entryway
Hall Bath
Bedroom #2
Bedroom #3

Happy First Day as a Civilian!

Well, after 8 years in the Air Force, today is officially Ben's first day as a civilian. Yesterday was his separation date. We went to lunch today at My Father's Place to celebrate. I have been with him for the past 5 and1/2 years of his service, and he has gotten to do and see some cool stuff because of the Air Force. Here are the last pictures I have of him in uniform. The first one was taken a week before Isabelle was born at the baby shower his squadron threw for us, the second was when Isabelle was only a few weeks old, and we had a picnic at the little park in front of the Aviation museum. I was going to scan some old pictures and chronicle his time in the AF, but I have already packed all the pictures up, so I guess I will have to do that later.....

Daddy of the year

Hey everyone. I just wanted to tell you all what a good Daddy Ben is. Yesterday, Isabelle was kind of fussy(she's teething) and I was trying to pack up our spare bedroom. So he straps her on his back and goes outside to pressure wash the porch.(don't worry, it wasn't that cold outside) So I just had to post some pictures....It was too cute. She loved it!



Also, here is a picture of my little couch potato hogging the remote ( she's just like her Daddy.)
Well, that's all for now....I'll post more later



PS-please say a prayer for us that our house will sell as quickly as possible!

Turning a page....

Well, the verdict is in.....and it looks like we're moving back to good ole' Virginia. The job we were hoping for here in GA didn't work out, so I guess we're headed home. We are so grateful for the time we have had here, and we have no regrets. We have made some WONDERFUL lifelong friends, and have grown and learned so much since we have been here, and now we humbly move on to the next chapter in our lives together, knowing that our God will take care of us no matter where we are. We are so thankful to our friends and family for praying over us and our situation. With so many Christians praying over this situation, we know it has to be God's will. We love you all very much and are so thankful that you are a part of our lives!

Who knows what the next chapter in the The Simmons Family Story will hold.....for now....a lot of packing! :)

Joy to the world!

Our little Joy!

(Amber took the pictures.)

This is a video we took the day after we got home from Virginia. It was the first time we had gotten Isabelle to crack up like this. I think towards the end she was starting to get frustrated, so we stopped taping. :) Anyway, she is a very happy baby most of the time (except for when she's hungry, tired, bored, etc. :P), and we love her soo much! She brings so much "joy" to our lives!

On a side note, Ben had his interview today, but he still won't find anything out until next Thursday, when they interview the other candidate. He was told that he would know for sure by around 2:00 next Thursday, and the company in Virginia that is offering him a job has allowed him to wait until then to respond to their offer. So we are still waiting....

Prayer Request

As I'm sure all of you already know, Ben is out of the Air Force. He is on terminal leave until January 15th. Some of you already know about the job situation, but I guess I could just say there are still some "loose ends" to tie up. We have some big decisions to make. Ben has his final interview with a corporation here in GA tommorrow at 10, and I just wanted to ask all of you to say a prayer tonight that God's Will will be done in our lives. Our hearts are torn between VA and GA, and we just want God's will to be done. We so appreciate our friends and family, and all of the church family that we have down here, and we know that God will hear your prayers. Thanks for being there for us.

Fun times....

We had such a fun weekend! Our friends Aric and Amber, Sage and Noah came to visit and stayed with us this weekend. This was the first time they had met Isabelle.

Ben and Aric with their matching laptops...how sweet! :)

Sunday night after church, a bunch of friends came over for hot dogs and games. We had a blast!

I think Isabelle's room turned into a McDonald's playplace.

and I guess our living room turned into a playplace for adults. Larry and Sarah brought over their totally awesome Nintendo Wii, and we all got a workout doing boxing, bowling, etc.

Larry and Ben

Stacia and Sarah boxing each other

Andrea and Neato
Hailey and Sage


Anyway, we all had lots of fun! Then Monday night was the New Years Eve party at church. I didn't get any pictures from that, but I'm sure Amber, Dawn, and Stacia will post some. Later!

Christmas 2007

Isabelle had a wonderful first Christmas this year. She got lot of goodies and got to visit with lots of family. On Christmas Eve, we went to Ben's grandparents house in Pulaski.

This is Isabelle with Great-Grandma Morris.

Great Aunt Phyllis
Great-Grandpa Morris
Four generations: Father and Daughter!
Cousins Cortney and Ryan

We spent the night at Ben's mother's house on Christmas Eve, and when we woke up the next morning, Ben made an AWESOME breakfast. Homemade cinnamon rolls, biscuits, sausage, eggs, and Bacon. Then we got to open presents.

I think one of Isabelle's favorite gifts was the baby grand piano she got from her Aunt Megan, who is a music teacher.

Move over Beethoven!

That day we went by my Aunt's house and got to visit with my Dad.

Then, that evening, we went to my mom's house for dinner and presents. Isabelle got this handy-dandy carrier for mommy and daddy to carry her around in.

So as you can see, we had a very busy, but wonderful Christmas! Hope yours was just as great!

Fun with the Family in VA

Just thought I would post a few pictures from our time in Virginia....

This is Isabelle with her "Nanee" (my mom) getting ready to go out for lunch.

Daddy's girl

These are pictures of Isabelle with her cousins, Ainsley and Sienna.

I think they had a good time playing with her and taking care of her.

We stopped by for a visit with my Nanny. She had a little dacing and singing Christmas mouse that Isabelle loved.

That's all for this post. More to come....