April 2022: a recap

In April, we found out that Brad had been awarded a research post-doc from the Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies at Princeton University for the 2022-2023 academic year. This bit of exciting news meant that we started making lots of plans for a move to New Jersey! It's a little complicated to explain, if you're not familiar with how things ebb and flow in academia, but this meant that we would move to New Jersey, knowing that it's not a permanent move. We did not sell our house in North Carolina, and we will be returning in the summer of 2023. Even if Brad were to get a job or another post-doc for the 2023-2024 academic year that would move us somewhere else, we will go back to Durham for at least a month next summer. This post-doc is akin to the semester we spent in DC in 2019, just a little bit longer.

Once we knew that we would be moving, we redoubled our commitment to enjoy our time with friends and our larger Durham community. The girls were both excited about a new adventure awaiting us but were also very aware of what we would be leaving behind.

Friends got baby chicks, so obviously, we beat a trail over there.

They later got pigs, which was VERY exciting. But no pictures of them here.

We dearly love our church, so we were extra grateful for all the Sundays that we got to spend with our church family.

Thought to snap a quick picture of walking into church one week.

Some sweet pictures our friend got of the girls at a church block party

Around-and-about shots of our everyday moments:

Disney buddies getting some prime seating

Ukrainian love from the Romines

Grumpy teething days mean getting to ride around all day

We may be out of peak pandemic, but we're still doing Cosmic Kids Yoga.

Real life hits us all

They said they were driving to Alabama to see Nana and Poppy.

Found this in the stairwell

A bunk bed. They have one upstairs, but this one was more fun.

The BCU never goes out of style. Also, only 2/4 were actually dressed for the day.

I realized that I have a type. Or rather...color. Which is hilarious, given that this color is actually pretty awful for my complexion. That CLEARLY does not stop me from doing what I want.

Our playground across the street is one of my favorite things about our house in Durham.

I made Instagram friends with Madison years ago. She's an American (Alabamian, no less) married to a Ukrainian (with 4 Amerikrainian kids) who has lived in Odesa for several years. While they were home on a planned home visit, the war broke out in Ukraine and prevented them from returning. They were visiting NC in April, and I finally got to meet her in person, which was such a blessing to me.

We have some of the best grown-up gal pals at church. They are so kind to all of the many kids at church and take our church commitments to the training of children to heart.

Here's our one and only Late Night picture from April: trains with Brynnie. She wanted to build the entire track that is pictured in the instructions, so we did for the first time!

April was an exciting month. Full of a lot of fun and plenty of real life moments...just the way we like it!