Closing and Cleaning!

 We closed on our house on Monday, Feb. 13 at 6:00pm!  When we got home...the kiddos had packed several boxes!

 Tuesday evening, we got possession!  Wednesday...we began cleaning!  The house is in wonderful condition and the sellers took good care to keep it clean.  We did some general cleaning and then moved things into their new spots!  Ted cleaned the carpets...with his sidekick...who was sporting a very high fever and ended up asleep on the living room floor.

 A sweet co-worker made us supper...it was a huge blessing to take a break and eat some comfort food!  Three of the five of us were sick!

 Ashlynn pushed through to help me wipe down cabinets and closets.

 Alisa was a trooper and took over for Teddy!

Our first supper in our new home...in the dining room...with the carpet cleaner!  It was so fun!!!  We walk around and are in awe of what God has given to us.  We want to share it with our friends and family.

Sunday Night (February 12th) The secret is out!

 I went on an "errand" yesterday in the Yukon to grab boxes from storage.  The kiddos offered to go with me on the errand, but I politely said, "No, I got this.  I won't be gone long."  I begged Ashlynn to push past the sickness and come with us to church tonight, "Honey, you need to be there for practice and you can stay home tomorrow.  Please try!"  She did even in spite of the high fever and tears.
Dad's flight was to land at 6:34pm.  We finished at church and then went to Culver's to wait for him...they were totally clueless still at this point.  It wasn't odd to have to pick up Dad from being gone all week.  It was the look that I caught from Alisa when we didn't turn on the road to go home.  Still no one said anything. We chatted and teased Dad about how cold it was here as opposed to Mexico.  We pulled into the neighborhood and stopped.  Ted asked the kiddos if they wanted to look at a house.

 They all said an amazed, "Yes!"  Then he added the part about hoping they like it "because it will be the one we sign papers on tomorrow."  It was quiet with anticipation as we shivered waiting to walk in the front door for our final walk through of the house.  I asked them to look at me...this is what I got!

We took a tour and checked out everything.  They were soaking it all in.  "Wow, you guys have done a lot of work to get this figured out."  Oh, my loves, you have no idea!  We do know that God has orchestrated each step.  Waiting is never easy, but we see God's plan was not for the first or second or third.  His best was the fourth!  This week will be busy...but we have three ready and willing helpers...who are thankful for answered prayer!

Monday night (February 13th) We signed! It is officially ours!

Last night, we signed forty-six thousand documents as we closed on the deal of our new residence.  Our house will no longer have wheels attached!  We have our game plan for the week...with the added twist of sickness thrown in for good measure.  I guess that is one way of God keeping a lid on things!  Slow her down with a good fever and body shaking cough!

These are a couple pictures of what we saw when we first looked!  The house is now empty and we are in possession of the keys!  I will update later this week as we begin to feather our new nest and start a new chapter in home ownership once again.

Learning in Science class!

 Our chair fillers are loving their Science class this year!  Their teacher knows how to make it real to them...and it is making sense!

 They even learned during the craziest week of school!

Three games this week...

 and I watched Teddy play JV and some Varsity.  He has changed so much!  He is fun to watch...as they play basketball...as he interacts with his friends...as he helps the adults...

 When I think of him...

this is what I remember...and then we blinked...

 and now he is a teenager becoming a man!

Ever feel like you are about to explode?

I am so there!  I hope I can keep my act together till MONDAY!  Keeping secrets from our chair-fillers is getting harder and harder...but it will be so worth it!

A new adventure for Ashlynn...

 Waiting for Dr. Scavo..."I really like him!  He is so nice and explains things."

 We already know of his work...because he took care of our cousins and Uncle Pastor!

 The peanut gallery...waiting to get a shamrock shake and go shopping!

 "Do I look smarter or do I need glasses too?" she asked her loving friend.  "Nope...no change!"  Thankful for a buddy who has been there and done that already...see her pretty smile?!

"Wait...that is too close.  Can you see them?" Just barely...but they are there on the top teeth!

Enduring spirit week

twin day

 team day

Thankful for coming across this reminder!

Our poor baby!

I had to do something this week that I hoped I would not ever have to see my kiddos experience!  I had the same experience several times over and to this day...I still shudder when I think of it.  I hate going to the dentist and have to put on a brave front every. single. time. I go or take our kiddos.
In preparation of braces, I had to have several teeth pulled.  Not a fun thing to go through.  Ashlynn had three baby teeth that didn't want to come out causing her some issues that will require braces.  Tuesday was the day for the teeth to come out.  She wanted me to sit in the room with her, but God in His providence worked out a cancellation that put me in the dentist chair to do my cleaning.  I laid in the chair and heard her moaning and about passed out.  I don't do so well with that when it is happening to my kiddos!  I brought her home to a very sympathetic Velle.  "It was the worst thing I have ever had to do!  My face feels like the size of Texas!"  She perked up after ibuprofen and a nap.  Flowers delivered by Dad helped too.  We are glad that we crossed this off our "to do" list...and are thankful that her wisdom teeth have good angles and won't need to be removed!

If you give a mouse a spatula...

 he will not make cookies!  He will chew it and make a mess in the utensil drawer!  Then the mother will have to clean and bleach all the utensils and drawer...

 the father will pull out the peanut butter and the sticky glue trap...the fuzzy white dog will sniff and whine...the three chair fillers will watch and laugh and wait.

We waited a few hours and he came back...to find the yummy peanut butter...except he found himself in a sticky situation.  We have lived here almost five years.  We have only had two rodent visitors and two birds (down the furnace chimney).  I guess we have a welcoming and cozy house that smells good!