It’s been almost a week since my last post — not because I had nothing to say, but because my heart has been in a thousand places at once.

The girls have been with their dad since Friday before last, and I finally got them back this evening.
That’s the longest I’ve ever gone without them, and I hated every second of it.

I still have to do it again in a couple of weeks.
Not looking forward to that one at all.

But today?
Today, I got to hug them again.
And even though they were both tired — Piper especially — I could tell they missed me too.

Aubree looked around when she got back like she was checking to make sure everything was still here, and while she doesn’t love all the dogs (they do knock her over a lot), I think she was happy to be home. Or at least content.

Piper came to me with a tired little smile.
Not quite the joyful reunion I pictured in my head — but I know she was just worn out.
She’s been my little shadow since, climbing in my lap, bringing me toys, just quietly saying “I’m glad we’re back.”

They’re both tucked into their beds now, and honestly? They looked so peaceful.
Especially Aubree, surrounded by her small army of Squishmallows like she never left.

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While they were gone, I stayed busy.
I’ve been helping with finishing touches around the house up here.
It’s felt like a never-ending checklist — fix one thing, two more pop up — but it’s finally coming together.

And this weekend, since the girls were still with their dad, I went down to South Georgia with my mom and dad to look at houses.

Oh — and let me just say — sleeping on the couch at my aunt’s house?
Not exactly the restful night sleep.
There were no beds left — couch or floor were my only choices, and I chose the “less painful” option.
I woke up feeling like I armed wrestled and lost.
Pretty sure my spine audibly groaned.
Note to self: I am not as young as I used to be.

We also had to say goodbye on Tuesday to our sweet disabled dog, Allie, who passed peacefully after a long, hard decline.
She was surrounded by love to the very end.
It was the right decision… but that didn’t make it easy.

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We saw several houses. And wow — what a tour.

🏠 The first house had a gorgeous yard… but the inside? Nightmare fuel.
Tiny rooms everywhere, a super low mirror that only showed your legs, and a 4-foot showerhead like it was designed for Oompa Loompas.
We walked in and walked right back out.

🏠 The second house was beautiful inside, but the location was a hard no — right on a busy highway roundabout with schools all around it. Just too much chaos.

🏠 The third house though? A solid maybe.
It was like walking into a 70s time capsule — complete with linoleum and wallpaper that should’ve stayed in the past. But the yard? Stunning. The bones? Strong.
The neighbor situation isn’t ideal, but a privacy fence could fix that. Plus, there’s a cornfield on the other side, no neighbors there, but people do drive in and out to farm it.

🏠 The fourth house was mid-remodel and nowhere near livable.
So it was a no-go.

Several others went under contract the same weekend we were supposed to see them. My mom nearly lost her mind — poor woman was so frustrated. But when we circled back to that third house and saw it again, she fell in love with it. She plans to put in an offer as soon as possible.

And just like that — we’re full speed into moving mode.
Our current house is about to be under contract, and we’ll have 45 days (or less!) to get everything done and packed up.

Then comes a new chapter — in a new house, in a new place, with a new rhythm.
And yes, another remodel. But this one?
This one will be their forever home.
Five minutes from one of my mom’s sisters.
A fresh start that feels long overdue.

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As for me? I’m just here — missing my girls, soaking them in while I have them, and already counting down to the next reunion.
He’ll have them again Tuesday and Thursday night, but soon, those midweek visits will stop when we move 3–4 hours away. We’ll switch to weekend swaps, meeting halfway for hand-offs.

It’s not perfect.
It’s not easy.
But it’s where we are.

And through it all, I’m still showing up.
Even when I’m exhausted.
Even when I miss them so badly it hurts.
Even when the bathroom’s torn apart and the dogs are loud and the to-do list is infinite.

I’m still here.
I’m still me.

And I’m still holding on — tightly — to the little ones who make all this worth it.