Overdrive

If the Francis family were a car, and one asked, "How is the Francis family running these days?" the answer would be simple: IN OVERDRIVE!
So many changes and events have stretched us and they have all happened within the last few weeks.

On August 25th my cousin married her sweetheart and invited Gracie to be a part of her big day - it is my biased opinion that Gracie was the most beautiful flower girl I have ever seen.

Gracie with her 2nd cousin, Evan.

"Hold my hand"

Just the girls... waiting for direction.

These boots were made for walking...

As soon as the wedding was over, it was back to work for us - lots of packing and prepping left to do before our big move!  Prior to our move into our new (and much bigger) home we realized that we had 4 additional rooms that we needed to fill. One of the rooms was a formal living area (or the "sitting room" as my father in law refers to it). In our pursuit to fill these new rooms and our need to keep costs low we started hitting thrift shops. I have always loved the rush I feel from taking 'old garbage' and turning it into something new. Because I am sooo pregnant and I can't (well, shouldn't) lift heavy things, I "hired" an accomplice, my helpful and willing husband! In the process we found a new hobby and we look forward to restoring thrift store furniture together in the future (when I am not so pregnant :). We scoured thrift shops for several weeks looking for the right pieces to refinish and in the end we created this room for less than $100 (and bonus: we had fun doing it together:)

Our new home in Stanwood, WA

The front porch. 

I sort of miss my old porch but this one is cute too and I am sure that in time I will find ways to decorate it for the holidays like I did the old one.

We worked our bums off over Labor day weekend unpacking and setting up our rooms, so that Gracie (and mommy) felt relaxed and settled on Gracie's first day of school. 

Here she is excited to meet new friends and learn!

Hello lil miss Kindergartner!

Such a big girl now!!

Her locker that she shares with a classmate who just so happens to be named Grace as well. 

How cool is that!?!

Gracie's at her desk - hard at work! What a cheese ball!

So, with all of the new changes, one would think that the Francis' are due for some idle time - you know, put the car in park and just relax, but there is more change just around the corner! In less than 2 weeks we will have a new member in the family and daddy will start his training for SWAT. I am thinking that from here on out things will never slow down, but that's okay cause I've always had a lead foot anyways! :)