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Some children choose chocolate, others opt for salty snacks like pretzels or goldfish, but it takes a truly refined individual and is a mark of unusually good upbringing when a child turns down hotdogs for broccoli.
Such was my amazement and my humble moment of satisfaction at a job well-done thus far as a house husband and father as I took this picture a few days ago. I mean, I expect quite a bit from his unusually pure bloodlines coming from unquestionably some of the finest and truest Sooner stock to ever have graced the Lone Star State, but this level of excellence and sanctification at such an early age was difficult for even me to grasp.
I'm a little verklempt. Sniff, Sniff. Talk amongst yourselves.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Kitchen
Here's the kitchen with new counter tops, cabinets, range built-in microwave and, my favorite feature (being 6'5" and bald) the new halogen stem pendant light hung over the sink at 6'3".
As the primary cook and dishwasher in the household, I can tell you....there's nothing like the feeling of a nice, 3000 degree halogen light bulb on you scalp to help motivate you to get those dishes done!
As the primary cook and dishwasher in the household, I can tell you....there's nothing like the feeling of a nice, 3000 degree halogen light bulb on you scalp to help motivate you to get those dishes done!
Living Room
Here are a couple more shots of the inside of our house, as of yet uncluttered by all of our junk!
Here is a side shot of the living room. What you can't see from this shot is the nice 8 foot picture window in the front wall of the living room and the built-in book shelves for Zayne to climb ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING on both sides of that 8 foot window.
Oh well, what good is renter's and health insurance if you're not going to use it?
Here is a side shot of the living room. What you can't see from this shot is the nice 8 foot picture window in the front wall of the living room and the built-in book shelves for Zayne to climb ALL THE WAY TO THE CEILING on both sides of that 8 foot window.
Oh well, what good is renter's and health insurance if you're not going to use it?
Our Humble Abode
Well, here it is...our humble little dwelling nestled in the heart of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA! You have to choose carefully which streets you decide to use to get into our neighborhood since there are a few that I'm not sure I'd want to be alone on, armed with my 40 caliber AND Ben at night. On the other hand, the Charlotte Country Club is probably a little less than a mile South of us and on a nice sunny afternoon you can take a leisurely drive down some historic streets just to our South that showcase some very old homes that rival anything you could ever hope to see in Dallas.
You can definitely tell that this is an old town. Charlotte has a different feel to it than any place I've ever lived. Dallas was big, crowded, loud, ever-expanding and incredibly wealthy, but it was also very segregated. You knew where the rich spots were. You knew the old money lived in Highland Park, the "nouveau riche" lived in Plano or Frisco and some of the poorest people lived in Oak Cliff. Of course this wasn't universal and there are a wide range of people living throughout, but not like here.
So what's so different about this place? Perhaps its because its not as big or as seemingly money-obsessed as Dallas, or maybe its because they were fighting wars for Independence here when Dallas was still just an open plain. Who knows? Perhaps cities, much like people, profit much from the wisdom that comes with age?
You can definitely tell that this is an old town. Charlotte has a different feel to it than any place I've ever lived. Dallas was big, crowded, loud, ever-expanding and incredibly wealthy, but it was also very segregated. You knew where the rich spots were. You knew the old money lived in Highland Park, the "nouveau riche" lived in Plano or Frisco and some of the poorest people lived in Oak Cliff. Of course this wasn't universal and there are a wide range of people living throughout, but not like here.
So what's so different about this place? Perhaps its because its not as big or as seemingly money-obsessed as Dallas, or maybe its because they were fighting wars for Independence here when Dallas was still just an open plain. Who knows? Perhaps cities, much like people, profit much from the wisdom that comes with age?
Family Resemblance?
If you look really carefully in this picture from our time staying with Valerie's parents in Tulsa during our move to Charlotte you can see just how much Zayne resembles Jerry.....I think its the moustache...
Breaking the news!
In this image from our last week in Texas, I had to break the news to Zayne that we were moving, but not to the Rockies as I had promised him our next move would be. As I had feared, things got ugly and he came at me swinging.
After a little baby cussing, a few animal crackers and a bottle, he eventually calmed down and I promised him that this move was for the best and that I wasn't moving him to the East coast permanently. I assured him that I yearned for the mountains just as much as he did and that after a few years of seminary we would do our best to find a nice little church up in the Rockies who needed a couple of fiery Southern boys like us and maybe even find time to catch a trout or two.
After a little baby cussing, a few animal crackers and a bottle, he eventually calmed down and I promised him that this move was for the best and that I wasn't moving him to the East coast permanently. I assured him that I yearned for the mountains just as much as he did and that after a few years of seminary we would do our best to find a nice little church up in the Rockies who needed a couple of fiery Southern boys like us and maybe even find time to catch a trout or two.
A moment in the sun
This was a shot from our last week in the house in The Colony as Zayne and Ben enjoyed a little fellowship under the dining room table. Who would think that the best dog you could ever have for an infant would be a 135lb miniature horse who thinks he's a lap dog? These two are becoming better buddies every day and I have a feeling that as Zayne gets older Ben's 20 hours of sleep per day are going to be a thing of the past!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A "peek" into the drive to Charlotte
This video was taken on Monday, June 2nd on our trip into Charlotte. We were somewhere between Nashville and Charlotte when this took place. During most of the drive I sat in the back with Zayne entertaining him, or should I say being entertained by him.....
Our first blog posting!
Well, we finally did it. We set up our own blog site and have every intention of keeping it updated and for the sake of Zayne's grandparents, who are half a country away, we hope to do so. I (Valerie) am not much of a writer, so my guess is that this site will quickly become more of a Zayne photo and video site than anything else.
Just in case we have some visitors that have not been updated on the latest Hilliard Family News, here is the latest:
We relocated to Charlotte, NC a few weeks ago upon my acceptance of a job with Bank of America and of Justin's desire to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. At this point, we have settled into our little rent house that sits in a very old, diverse neighborhood on a 1/2 acre lot with many beautiful, mature trees shading the yard. The house was built in 1955 and just recently remodeled and it fits us perfectly!
I have finished three full weeks of work and have loved every moment. The work environment at Bank of America seems to be a very professional, healthy work environment. My coworkers seem to enjoy doing their job, working with each other and management cares about their employees. It has been enjoyable to meet a lot of new people and just relax while I learn my job. As I'm sure you will understand, one of my favorite things about moving to Charlotte has been the reduction of my commute from 1+ hours to/from work, depending on Dallas traffic, to a 10 min commute. woo hoo! I didn't realize how much more I could get done with a few "extra" hours every day!
While I'm at work, Justin has welcomed the transition into his life-long dream of becoming a house husband and I must say that he is doing a great job. While caring for Zayne, he has also spent his time emptying boxes, organizing, hanging pictures on the walls, doing laundry, grocery shopping and has managed to cook dinner every night!! I am so spoiled!
Just in case we have some visitors that have not been updated on the latest Hilliard Family News, here is the latest:
We relocated to Charlotte, NC a few weeks ago upon my acceptance of a job with Bank of America and of Justin's desire to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. At this point, we have settled into our little rent house that sits in a very old, diverse neighborhood on a 1/2 acre lot with many beautiful, mature trees shading the yard. The house was built in 1955 and just recently remodeled and it fits us perfectly!
I have finished three full weeks of work and have loved every moment. The work environment at Bank of America seems to be a very professional, healthy work environment. My coworkers seem to enjoy doing their job, working with each other and management cares about their employees. It has been enjoyable to meet a lot of new people and just relax while I learn my job. As I'm sure you will understand, one of my favorite things about moving to Charlotte has been the reduction of my commute from 1+ hours to/from work, depending on Dallas traffic, to a 10 min commute. woo hoo! I didn't realize how much more I could get done with a few "extra" hours every day!
While I'm at work, Justin has welcomed the transition into his life-long dream of becoming a house husband and I must say that he is doing a great job. While caring for Zayne, he has also spent his time emptying boxes, organizing, hanging pictures on the walls, doing laundry, grocery shopping and has managed to cook dinner every night!! I am so spoiled!
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