A Saturday afternoon drive...

pretty colors flashed by as we kept up with the 80mph traffic.  I gave up trying to get the bright red and orange trees...they were just a blur on the camera!  The trees are just starting to turn...the next few days promise to be beautiful!!!

Teddy was hanging out with his cousin...doing guy stuff.   We girls had a date with Daddy...to a couple stores and out for supper.  We enjoyed chatting.  Once again we realized there are still many thoughts, questions, and adjustments that our little chair-fillers are working through in their hearts and minds.  We all decided that somethings are "just going to take some time getting used to"...and a frosty treat is a fun thing to help decide that...sometimes.

We visited a familiar grocery landmark that Ted had found!  Mom, milk is still this price two weeks later!  For real!  All the time!  We did a big grocery buy.  We are comparing prices right now...and finding that things are about the same as what we have always done.  Shopping the stores close to us...buying the Meijer or Walmart brands...I will save the 20-30 minutes of driving time and gas expense.  "Why did we drive all the way to this town?"  Because that was the closest Aldi...all of 25 minutes. 

It was a fun little adventure.

I just filled my cup!!!

  It's National Coffee Day

(aka International Coffee Day or National Free Coffee Day).

Because we hadn't spent enough time together for one day...

Ted had plans to let the boys ride the mini-bike.

They almost ran the wheels off.

And even let the Dads take a spin!

But mostly...they supervised.

The Moms worked together to make supper...Aunt Mari is a good cook too! 

Chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes.

More fun...with Bryn at the piano and the others singing and goofing.

While the adults did grown-up things...like play the Unroll the TP game as fast as you can on Ted's phone. 

Laughter really is a good thing!  And so was supper...and the iced up Pepsi! 

A Friday off school...

is perfect timing for lunch together!  Caden prayed and thanked the Lord

"that He let our cousins move here!"

I got all teary-eyed.  I think Mari did too...but my eyes were closed, so I'm not sure.

The kiddos just whooped it up...then took off for the pond/park.

Just another thankful moment...watching the kiddos!

A night with just the boys

Bike riding, laughing, Legos, supper, Bonaza, ice cream, wrestling, sleeping in...

pancakes, burping, Wii, more bike riding, singing, more Legos, more eating, and more laughing!

Caden told his mom that "Aunt Kari is a good cook!"  Compliments will get you everywhere, buddy!  You can stay with us anytime!  Teddy just took a call from his Dad informing him that he was on his way home to take them mini-biking.  If he hadn't been using my phone, it would have been an awesome picture!!!

I LOVE days off school!

It is 8:30am EST and the children are still slumbering!  I got up with Ted and poured a cup of coffee, I like the quiet of the morning.  It is really our first day that the kiddos have crashed since we moved.  We have nothing to run off to till around noon, so we will enjoy the down time! The only must do...bake up some chocolate chip cookies to take with us on our lunch date with new friends.

See you at the pole...this misty morning.

We didn't make the start time...there is just still too much to push for.  We pulled into the parking lot and in their hesitancy, watched from the car for a couple minutes before joining the circle.  I couldn't hear what was happening, but I watched the traffic drive by a little slower than normal.  What a sight to see!

Some days...are harder than others.

What I wanted to do too!

But...I put on my slippers, filled my coffee cup again, and got busy...

emptied some boxes, hung some more stuff on the walls, put out fall decorations, spray painted, and did some laundry.  My friend who helped me pack the china will appreciate this...I had to go through and rewrap and repackage some of it (taking out some pieces to use!) because we used all the pillowcases and wash cloths to protect the delicate pieces.  Every piece made the move without incident!  And now...we can have a change of pillowcases and another washcloth for our face.  Yep, I was the one who didn't think that through before bringing out the linen closet baskets...oh well...

I smiled at the memories of our packing up day together. 

Ted and Teddy checking out the noise that began coming from the car.

Homework complete, showers taken, and a quick game on Dad's phone before devotion/bed time.

Pictures from the new iphone

The sky was so interesting last night on the way home from church.  I finally figured out how to work the camera part...believe it or not...I had some trouble.  I wanted to take a picture of the geese that came to church...but I was all thumbs...and it was best to not over-extend myself at that time.  Missed a second chance this morning...the geese (same ones?) came to school!  Ashlynn thought that was funny!

 

Whoops...thought I had the zoom figured out...nope!  These yellow flowers are alongside the road standing so bright and tall in the morning sun.  There are all sorts of asters growing mixed in with the weeds too.

An after-school/work snack for my loved ones...who as Ted describes it "have the top of our heads pulled back all day while endless information is dumped in...while they say 'Good luck with that!  And by the way...we will want an update asap.' "  Wow!  I felt like a huge sluggard today compared to everyone else!

The biggest idea that came to me today..."Oh...fresh raspberries...with a drizzle of white chocolate...how fun would that be to try!"

Tomorrow, I have to have bigger plans...hmmm...I'll sleep on it first.

Things I am learning, have learned, and need to learn again.

As we drove to school on Friday morning, Ashlynn shared the front seat with me.  She looked at me and asked, "Mom, are you adjusted?"  I considered her question, and then truthfully stated, "Yes, I think I am.  What about you?"  She hesitated for a minute and said, "I don't think so, I still feel like we are just visiting...you know...like we are on a fun vacation."  We talked about some of the new things that are happening and about our new home.  Teddy piped up from the back seat wanting to know why our park doesn't have a "general store...you know...like the lakehouse did."  Alisa said, "I feel like we are just went to the lakehouse for the weekend...but stayed longer."  We are all still adjusting to our new home...and with the pleasant memories we have from the lakehouse setting...I can say...it does kind of feel like that!  However...we have added a few more "permanent twists" and we all have things we are learning.  Yesterday, the changes hit Ted and I a little heavier than what we had felt before...it was our first weekend to stay put and just be...to absorb all the newness.  We rested.  We got a few more things accomplished that always accompany a move and a new address.  We fellowshipped with new friends in their home.  We learned our way around the area some more...and we are learning...there are still more things to learn and remember!
1.  You have to always bring enough forms of id and proof of where you are living (lease works).
2.  Many people just assume you know more than you do.  We consider ourselves to be of some intelligence, but are having some difficult moments!
3.  Don't throw away aluminum cans!  You pay a deposit on them and in Mari's words, "If you throw them away, you may as well take a handful of dimes and flush them down the toilet!"
4.  Your children will always surprise you with their choices and desires...in good ways!
5.  Put yourself in other people's shoes...don't ever just point your finger and talk through a series of directions that don't make sense to a new person (we don't know what certain lingo means).  Look at them in the eye and say, "Walk with me, I'll show you!"
6.  It should never, ever be up to the new people to introduce themselves!  If people are standing around looking unsure or lost...they are...and are not usually going to ask 9 different people for help.
7.  GPS is a really neat tool!
8.  New phones are fun to play with...until you try to change what city you want your weather to read.  Your husband may re-consider the insurance plan he chose for phone replacement and be checking on the home owner's insurance to see what the cost is for replacement windows.
9.  You really should keep ice cream on hand...and ingredients for baking.  When you are gathered around the table as a family, good talks happen!
10.  Laugh...or you may just cry.
11.  People honk...even if the red light is not flashing...and we still aren't going to go...because red means red.  We have out of state plates...just deal with it!
12.  An hour difference in time...could mean your loved ones...might still be in bed in the morning...should you make a call  OR could mean that we went to bed...should you make a call to us.  We have been so tired!
13.  Hugs are not optional during life-changing events!  You need lots of them from a variety of people.
14.  You must take time to spend with the Lord...or you will fall apart...every. single. time.  "I can do all things...through Christ...who strengthens me."
15.  Waking up at 3am...wide awake with lots of thoughts...is going to hurt later in the day!
16.  A thankful heart...must be expressed in some way or another.

Look what God provided for me!

On our way home from a morning date to set up a bank account, we swung by the mailboxes.  We drove along through the park looking at part of the neighborhood and saw this in-good-condition screen door at the curb.  I'm still not sure why it was garbage...other than the people didn't like it anymore.  Perfect for the laundry room door...which will keep Chevy from the garbage can too.  The previous owners had one, but took it with them.  I was looking at stores and going to look at antique stores...which kept leading to spending money.  Thank you, Lord, for providing another desire...above and beyond!  The door is solid and there is just a little "jiggy-jag"(Ted liked that description) in the screen.  Ted was kind enough to back up and help me load it...and made me pause so he could take my picture "doing what you do best".  I'm not sure how to take that?!  Did he mean being thrifty or being creative or being a scavenger or making more work for him?  Hmmmm?!

Oh...and I just noticed that the little handle and hinges are the correct side...extra bonus!

There has been a request for apple pie...

it will go nice with our Sunday dinner for special company...our pastor, wife, and family!

We knew it was going to be an interesting journey...

when Ted was asked during the interview process if he had a passport!  His first trip is planned for a week...flying out October 6th!  He keeps getting updates for his itinerary...and it is proving to be a whirlwind trip!  So far...he is most nervous about the 7 hour time difference on the first leg!

Finding my way around very well, thankyouverymuch!

I took the neatest route yesterday.  My mission...find the Michaels!  Instead of taking the main roads, I studied the map and found a way that didn't add more miles to go around the lake...I found a road that meandered along it.  What a pretty place!  The seagulls were still resting comfortably atop the gentle waves...I guess they weren't ready to pester people yet.

I found it and the Target (right next door)!  I was asked if I am "enjoying all the time I have"...Yes!  Chevy likes having me around too...but he is very subtle in how he shows it!

The decor in our home keeps changing and arranging!  I hung more pictures and found more knic-knacs.

Fall arrives on Saturday...we're ready!  We know where the sweaters and sweatshirts are.  We have primed our tastebuds with pumpkin muffins and carmel/apples.  The leaves are changing.  The temps are dipping.

With the internet all hooked up, we have been able to work on school projects and drill Spelling online!  I am hoping and praying that these "fun" ways of reviewing and practicing will help the kiddos find their way through all the changes they have experienced.  We are all grateful for the arrival of Friday!

Making my mark

Used chalkboard paint to make a message center...

in the kitchen.

A little paint, chalk, and creativity...a place for all the school homework sheets, calendar, chore reminder, and whatever else!  I can't remember it all...so I guess this would basically be for my benefit!

It is now officially home!  The first pans of chocolate chip cookies were baked and ready for the students after school.  Mmmm...I like being home and being able to do these things for my people!

Dealing with homework

This has been a huge adjustment for the kiddos!  Homework.  We haven't had to do this for the last three years...we always did the work right after the teaching time.  The girls have study hall time...but didn't quite understand how that worked.  This week has been better...but it still requires much time and self-discipline.

Monday we had a goal to finish by the time Dad got home from work...for a special treat after Dad and Mom's errand date.  We ALL deserved this and thoroughly enjoyed the MI brand!

Tuesday night's bribe...I mean encouragement...if homework was completed...watching Allie and Bryn play volleyball.

So many new things to deal with and so many opportunities to enjoy.  Once the kiddos figure it all out and how it all works...for them...we know they will "step it up"!

Glimpses of my Wednesday

Every morning I can see the fog rising in the distance...this morning I drove to the pond as I drove to find our mailbox.

So beautiful and peaceful in the sunlight! 

This is on our route every morning and afternoon...this tree changes a little bit more every day!  I figured the trees wouldn't be as pretty this fall due to the lack of rain...but all around us...the trees are beginning to turn to the beautiful colors of fall!  I love it!  40 degrees and windshield iced up this morning!

When I come home in the morning, I grab my cup of coffee and have some breakfast.  I teared up when I saw this note tucked under my cup!  My girl knows where to leave important notes!

My tears turned to laughter as I read this...I do believe I may have embarrassed her unintentionally!  Yesterday, I arrived a little early for pick-up and got in line...before the signs were put out.  Not a big deal...or is it?!  It is!  I was in the wrong lane...junior and senior high get out several minutes later than elementary...guess what lane I was in...Yep!  We had to sit for awhile...till Mr. L. had space to let me go.  There are so many things to remember and learn right now...it affects all of us!!!

My Tuesday visitor

My sissy came for coffee...and fresh baked pumpkin muffins!  We shared one with the nice cable guy too!



Sitting at the table in the same diningroom that once belonged to her...over eight years ago!  Imagine our surprise when we shared with Brad and Mari this "neat place that we just looked at that we found on Craigslist".  We couldn't remember which park they lived in when they first moved to Michigan.  "We looked at this place and it was soooo busy!  When we drove into this place, we noticed how quiet and country-setting-like it was.  This double-wide was so cozy and taken care of!"  Mari asked "What number?" as Brad looked over Ted's shoulder at the pictures on the computer, "Hey, I recognize that place!" Only our Heavenly Father can orchestrate something like this...and the man we bought it from...was still shaking his head in wonderment as he drove away, "That had to be of the Lord!"



Useless information

"If we would have been in Michigan...we could have gone on a flashing red...instead of sitting here with no traffic coming!"

There were a few odds and ends that needed to come back with us this past weekend...and everything...plus a grocery run...fit in the van...with room for my four pots of flowers!

Ashlynn has been sneezing and coughing since we arrived...this could be a contributing factor...fields of golden rod!