#302 - Moving Back to Atlanta

Earlier this year, I was approached about a new opportunity with SunTrust.  It was very intriguing, but would require us to relocate back to Atlanta.  Lou and I talked about it at length.  We love Savannah.  Absolutely love it!  We love our home, our friends, our church, Owen's school, and being close to the water.  And, it's not that we don't like Atlanta, but it's different.  It's big-city life that includes traffic, congestion, a higher cost-of-living, etc.  However, it also brings new opportunities - more career choices, concerts, activities, cheaper airfare, and more.  So, after a lot of thinking, praying, and deliberation, we decided to take the Saez Family (back) to Atlanta.

I started my new job in September, and have been commuting between Savannah and Atlanta each week for the past three months.  It hasn't been easy on me, but I recognize that Lou's had it much worse - being a solo parent for 2-3 nights a week is tough.  He's a trooper though.  He and the boys have done great, and when I walk into the house after being gone for three days, they barely acknowledge me before going back to their Lego toys.  I don't take it personally.  :-)

We are entering our final weeks in Savannah.  We've just bought a house in Dunwoody (more on that below), and our house is for sale here.  The movers come in three weeks, and we should be 'settled' in our new house before Christmas.  I say 'settled' because I've never moved with two small children, so we'll just see how that goes.  Owen has already memorized our new address so that he can write Santa a letter and tell him where to find the Saez boys on Christmas Eve.  Priorities and all.....

So.... here's our new house:

It's a beautiful Tudor-style home in a wonderful neighborhood in Dunwoody.  The neighborhood is full of kids, and it has a very active swim and tennis program (not that we currently swim or play tennis, but hey - we might!).  It's 1.6 miles from Owen's new school and our church, and about 3 miles from Lou's new hospital.  So, although we are moving to a big city, in many ways, we'll have more of a sense of community being so close to work, school and church.  Right now, it takes us about 25 minutes to get to those places in Savannah.  

The house is a bit larger than our home in Savannah.  The main floor has been totally renovated and is so pretty.  We will begin updating the rest of the house over the coming months/years.  

The very best part of the house is the outdoor kitchen/patio that the previous owners built.  It's fabulous, and we're already thinking about the parties we can host out there.  

Some more pictures:

And, finally, here's a picture of Owen in front of his new school.  We were so fortunate to get Owen into St. Jude Catholic School.  It's right down the street from our house, and is a terrific school.  They have a waiting list a mile long, but amazingly had an unexpected opening in Kindergarten (I like to say that God had a hand in this).  We went by the school last week, where Owen got to meet his new teacher and classmates.  They were wonderfully welcoming, and Owen fit right in.  

So, I ask that you keep the Saez Family in your prayers as we go through this transition, especially Owen, who we, of course, are most worried about.  The boys seem to be taking this in stride, but I know that the next month or two will be tough.  Thanks for thinking of us.  

#300 - Owen the Kindergartener

Owen started Kindergarten at Blessed Sacrament School this year.  He wasn't very excited about school as the first day approached.  He wasn't sad, just a bit nonchalant.  However, the morning of school, he woke up with a big smile on his face, and just couldn't wait to get there to see his friends and show off his new school bag (they decorate their book bags in Pre-K and Kindergarten).

He looked so handsome, and so big!  I couldn't believe how adorable he was in his big kid uniform, wearing big kid Sperries.

Lou took the day off work so that he could be there for his first day.

Do you remember this picture?  This was Owen and Lou LAST year, walking to the first day of pre-K.

Here's Owen in his classroom - he has Mrs. Bokina this year, and he just loves her.  She's a long-time teacher, but new to BSS, and has really taken to Owen.  She's got a quiet personality - always has the classroom's attention, but is full of smiles and patience.

Happy First Day of Kindergarten, Owen!

#230 - End of the School Year

Owen's last day of school was on Friday, and we got to see him sing all the songs they learned throughout the school year during the 3-year old program.  It was a little unsettling to see him with his classmates because he's so very shy at school.  He's truly a different child there - quiet and reserved, yet extremely well-mannered and kind to everyone (that part is not different!).  It kind of makes us sad.  But, part of it is our fault, I think.  He only went to school two days a week for half days.  And, he was in a class with mostly full-timers, so I just don't think he ever really fit in.  I would not choose that schedule again.  

Now, next year, he'll be in Pre-K, and will be in school from 8-3 every day of the week.  He'll get more than enough school time!  And fortunately, despite his shyness, he exceeded every milestone and educational goal for his age group this year, and in most cases, is ahead of the Pre-K goal! (Okay, I'll stop bragging.... I just can't help it!)

Can you spot Owen?  I purposely dressed him in the neon shirt!

Owen with his teacher, Mrs. Cheryl, and his buddy Braxton.  Mrs. Cheryl really loves Owen, and took our shy little boy under her wing to keep him engaged at school.  She's a really good teacher.

Friday afternoon, we went to Jacksonville for Kaylin's birthday party.  More about that later, but for now, a few pictures from Friday night.

Owen helped Aunt Kay in the kitchen all night! 

Owen and Kaylin playing with Aunt Heidi.

Papa with his great-grandson, Benjamin...

and other great-grandson, Owen!

#183 - Owen's First Day of School

Proof that our big boy is really a big boy - Owen started preschool last week! He's attending Savannah Christian Preparatory School and is in Ms. Trelle's 3-year old classroom. Despite us really hyping it up, Owen has had a little difficulty getting used to a group setting. Although he didn't cry on his first day, he was obviously scared. When I picked him up at noon, his first words to me were, "Mommy, can we go home now?" Day two wasn't much better, as he started to cry when Lou dropped him off, and when Lou picked him up, he said, "Daddy, why did you leave me here all day?" I know he'll get used to it soon, but his sadness really does break our hearts.

In other news around here - not only did Owen survive his first two days of school, but I survived my first week back at work! It was great to be back at the office - my co-workers were quite welcoming and if I didn't know better, you would think they actually missed me. :) While I was out on bedrest and maternity leave, my boss of four years retired, and I came back to a new guy in charge. Fortunately, I've worked with him in the past, and he's a wonderful guy and so far, has been a great boss.

A couple more pictures from the week: