Moving On...

What a busy week we have had! We are here, in our new home in Kansas City. What a journey. The movers were supposed to have finished loading the truck by mid-afternoon Friday, but ended up not finishing until six o'clock. And as we left, we all began feeling so sick. We weren't able to drive very far at all, only about an hour, before we had to stop for the night. Rick, Joshua, and I spent the entire night with upset tummies and vomiting. We were miserable. Fortunately, Jacob felt fine and slept through the night. He had been sick the day before, and threw up several times.

Thursday before we left, we went over to the Schumacher's home to visit. Barbie had also been disappointed that we had not gotten to visit at church. She offered to watch the boys during my doctors appointment and so that we could go out to dinner. My appointment went well. Our doctor was sad to see us go and he said that he had really enjoyed taking care of us. He also said that if we needed anyone to speak on our behalf in the custody suit to let him know, and that we are "great". That was so nice to hear. He has been a great doctor. He delivered Joshua and I had hoped he would deliver Joseph and all the future ones as well, but it is just not to be. After the appointment we had a nice prime rib dinner. It is so nice to know that people care and will miss us.

Tony and Shauneen came by Friday to say goodbye. It is so hard to leave such wonderful friends.

We didn't get back on the road until fairly late on Saturday morning, wIt was a fairly miserable drive, we were not able to eat until dinner and even then it was only a small amount. Sunday we were feeling better, although weak. We finally arrived here Sunday afternoon.

The house seems even bigger than we had remembered. Jacob says it is a "big new house". Our furniture looks so beautiful here! This is going to be a lovely house.

The kitchen is amazing. It is so big, but I really can't believe how it is filling up! We are almost through unpacking the kitchen, but Rick told me I should sit down and rest for a while. I am tired, but looking forward to unpacking.

Joshua is having a difficult time this week. His tummy has been upset, and he hasn't been able to nap well with all of the chaos. Last night he was awake so late, just wanting to be with mommy and daddy. I am sure this is overwhelming to him!

Jacob is handling the move quite well. He is very excited and loves the new house. He is really excited about his big boy room. He is having so much fun, always wanting to "help".

With Love,

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New Year's Day

We had an event at church this morning. I was a little disappointed that Barbie wasn't able to be there because I had hoped to see her again before we leave. As we were leaving Jacob tripped as he was trying to keep up with the big boys, and he hurt his lip. I was so worried because when I picked him up, blood was pouring out of his mouth. Don was sweet, he had a first aid kit in their van so he had a cold pack to put on Jacob's lip to keep it from swelling. Poor baby, he hasn't really been hurt before because he is so careful. But we had to know it would happen eventually. We had just said the other day how fortunate we had been so far with him, avoiding any actual owies, lol. Jacob was pretty upset about it, but he is doing fine now.

The Schumacher's gave each of the boys a little teddy bear. They even gave one to baby Joey. How very sweet!

The movers are arriving tomorrow to begin packing. I cannot believe we are leaving this week!

Tomorrow is Rick's last day of work in Birmingham :).

Hugs,

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New Year's Eve

I am so thankful for our little family. We have such a tight bond, and our family is so full of love that we don't really need extended family (although it would have been so nice to have). We feel so fulfilled within our little family. And I know that love will only grow as our children grow and as our family grows. And we have each other. How many people have a marriage as close or as solid as ours? Who could ask for more than a great marriage and precious children? What blessings we have been showered with! Our children are amazing. I am constantly filled with wonder and amazement just from looking at them. Both of these boys have eyes that sparkle with something so special that I can't think of words to describe it.

It is funny because I keep forgetting that today is New Year's Eve. I suppose we are just fuddy-duddies, we don't exactly party and this holiday doesn't hold any religious significance, so it kind of seems rather insignificant. And time has just flown by lately. I suppose things have just been so busy and we have felt so preoccupied with our move and this situation and drama with extended family and being pregnant. (wow, I guess we have a lot going on!) This pregnancy has flown by with all of the distractions. On the one hand it feels like so long ago when we announced that we are expecting again. Our whole world has changed. Looking back there were so many warnings that something wasn't right, but we wanted so badly to keep relationships with our extended family. We wanted to trust them. We felt like we needed to be able to believe in family. Now, looking back, it seems foolish to have tried to hold on to something that never truly exsisted. Pretty disappointing, isn't it?

I feel so sad for Rick though. I know how it hurts to lose your family and to feel so betrayed. He seems to be handling it fairly well. I suppose he is just a strong man. And like I wrote before, we have such a strong nuclear family that it isn't like we need that extended family support. And I know he has gained strength by trusting in Our Lord. He has been so good to us.

We have decided to give Mr. Maxie our John Gill commentary. We don't really agree with his theology and we know that Mr. Maxie is very interested in reformed theology. He is such a sweet man, really both he and his wife are just precious. Mr. Maxie was so excited to just look at the commentary when we purchased it, and he has such a love for books. He loves to read and study, so I think he would really enjoy these books.

We also have a large box of shirts to give to Scott. He happens to be one size smaller than Rick and his family recently lost everything in a house fire.

It is pretty exciting to be moving into our new house. Our future just looks so promising and bright. God has just given us so much. He worked everything out so wonderfully for us. He is so kind and merciful. What a loving God He is!

Thankfully,

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Christmas Lights at the Botanical Gardens

I gave Rick and the boys haircuts this morning. We have been keeping their hair cut short because it is easier to manage. Little boys tend to mess up their hair quite easily. Jacob likes it so much better when I cut it, rather than going somewhere to have it done. I think even Rick is preferring that I do it, because he can keep it as short as he likes. All of their hair grows so fast that we really need to do hair cuts every other week. But it isn't difficult, or unpleasant to do, other than the spikey little hairs that get stuck in my shirt, lol.

After hair cuts we gave the boys a bath and they got to use their new bath fizzies, which color the bath water. So they had blue water. They also played with their new bath markers. Quite to my surprise, Jacob rather liked coloring on the bathtub walls. Joshua is so brave and so willing to try new things. He crawled around in the tub and kept trying to stand up. At one point he nearly went underwater and it didn't even frighten him. In fact, he was mad that I had stopped him.

We are going to drive to Huntsville to look at a large Christmas lights display in the botanical gardens. Friends of ours went last night and said that it was nice. Jacob likes the "lights in the trees" and now that Joshua is in a big boy carseat he'll be able to see as well.

We just arrived home from the lights display. Jacob loved it (as we figured he would). He talked about each display. He seems to notice the butterflies especially, he always seems to point them out. Joshua liked the lights for the first few minutes and then he decided that he didn't want to do that anymore and cried the rest of the way through. And then he threw a fit the entire way home. I am going to assume that he is teething and that is causing him to be ill-tempered because he is usually such a sweet natured child. I wasn't feeling well myself. I felt car sick the whole time and my feet swelled up and I had a headache. So I guess it was not the greatest family outing, but Jacob had a great time.

Blessings,

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Last Sunday at Church

This evening was our last Fifth Sunday Night Singing at church. I sang "Breath of Heaven". Jacob was confused about why I went up front but he had to stay in the pew. Joshua watched me the whole time, which was sweet, but then he reached over and pulled Jacob's hair and I had to try not to laugh. Joshua was really good during the service, he really likes music. After I sang, Jacob went to play with Grant in the nursery.

After the service they had finger foods, but Joshua got tired and cranky so we weren't able to stay long. I was a little disappointed, I would have liked to have stayed longer and spent more time with our friends since it was our last time there.

Jacob really loves his new bed. He kept Joshua awake really late last night talking about it, and neither boy napped because they stayed awake talking.

Hugs,

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A Big Boy Bed

I have an excited little, excuse me, I mean big boy. We bought him his big boy bed today. We bought bunk beds and mattresses and memory foam mattress pad so it will be extra comfy. Oh, he is so excited.

We also bought Joshua a big boy carseat, so I know he will be happy about that. I am sure he will enjoy being able to see out of the window on the long trip.

We also bought the boys matching winter coats and snowpants.

These boys. They are growing up so fast! I can't believe that Jacob is ready for bunk beds and Joshua is getting so big so quickly. This morning he was practicing reaching down and picking things up from a standing position. He has such determination. He just keeps trying something until he figures it out. He seems to be a natural "go-getter". What a strong boy he is!

I need to give all of my boys (and man) a hair cut this afternoon. Rick said that he would like his shorter and the boys are already needing a trim.

Jacob and Joshua were so sweet playing together this morning. Joshua really adores his big brother, and Jacob really likes that Joshua has become a playmate. I think they will be the best of friends.

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A Bad Day But a Big Blessing

Today is one of those days where my patience is truly being tested. Joshua is extremely cranky. I think he is cutting a new tooth. He is chewing on his finger constantly. I cannot feel where a new tooth is coming in but he is certainly acting like it.

This morning Rick reminded me that the movers will be here in one week.

It is raining and thunder storming outside. Both boys are in terrible moods. I cannot get Joshua to stop fussing and Jacob is just awnry. And I am really not feeling well myself.

This weekend will be crazy busy. It is our last chance to finish up things around here. And I am singing Sunday evening at church. Apparently I like having a lot on my plate ;)

Wow. God just keeps blessing us. Rick just found out that we are getting a four thousand dollar check, completely unexpected. Why is God being so good to us? I keep thinking that God has already given us more than we could have ever asked for, and then He gives us more.

Jacob is really excited about moving and having a new room, and getting a big boy bed. At lunch he was telling me how they were going to put all of our stuff on the truck. And he kept checking to make sure everything will fit. What about my tractor? What about my bicycle? He said that Jake could drive the truck, or maybe a small truck, lol.

He is excited about the move and I think he will adjust well. He is excited about there being enough room for baby Joey. He is so sweet. He is talking so much about the move and baby Joey. I am amazed at his comprehension.

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The house has been so quiet with the dogs gone. I miss them at times, but I have to admit it is nice to not have to clean up after them or deal with the barking.

We have our new phone number and we are all set there. We have the utilities arranged, our wireless card for internet is arriving tomorrow, and our moving company arrangements have been confirmed. It is all coming together.

A week from now we will be loading the truck! And a week from tomorrow we are leaving!

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Moving Prep...

The house has been so quiet with the dogs gone. I miss them at times, but I have to admit it is nice to not have to clean up after them or deal with the barking.

We have our new phone number and we are all set there. We have the utilities arranged, our wireless card for internet is arriving tomorrow, and our moving company arrangements have been confirmed. It is all coming together.

A week from now we will be loading the truck! And a week from tomorrow we are leaving!

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