We have stepped back into cyberspace!

Today, the cable guy came and worked his magic!  We received all the equipment we needed, but found out that the previous owners had dish and unhooked all the important stuff.  So...we are back up and running...but I am too tired to post much tonight...and I know I won't make it to evening news.  It is on at 11 pm here!  Oh well...haven't heard much for a week...one more night won't make much of a difference!

Our new nest...feathering still in progress!



A couple of my favorite things...a master bathroom, big closets, a dishwasher, a fireplace, a deck, a beautiful setting, and a short drive to church and school!  Oh...and for an extra bonus...a Dunkin Donut mid-point between home and school!



Saturday...so tired that we really aren't in very good humor!

Coffee wasn't doing it for me this morning...I opened a Pepsi at 9am and then headed down to the basement.  YUCK!  It is amazing how much you can see once everything is cleared out of the house!  "Kari, you won't get it perfect so just let it be." said Mom over and over.  I think my head cleared from the bleach fumes to finally believe her.  There are so many things you can do and still not feel like it is good enough.

A new screen door for the back door.

A few paint touch-ups, knocking cobwebs down, junk pick up, and lawn mowing.

Another fix to the front porch lamp...it broke again during truck loading...and it was discovered that the front door was the culprit!  No more light on that side...and a fix to the front screen door.  The van was loaded once again and all is in readiness for us to meet with our new renters.  We could not have gotten all this done without the help from Dad and Mom...THANK YOU!!!  One more trip back through Chicago tomorrow morning...to home!

We made it to Friday!!!

After goodbyes to Grandma and the school drop-off, Mom and I went on another adventure!  We found the post office that is holding our mail AND a yummy bakery.  We enjoyed the little drive to the quaint town in the rain.

After finding another Walmart, closer to our home, we enjoyed our big as our face roll and a cup of coffee to warm up!

My pretty autumnal candy dish from my sissy!  I found the fall decoration bucket and brought it home the other day.  The leaves are changing in Michigan and fall temps are making their appearance!

Our first package!  We will have internet working at home soon!!!



We dropped the dog and all the kiddos stuff off for a two night stay with cousins, and headed west once again.  Ted gets off earlier often on Fridays.



We are ready to take a break from Chicago trips!

We had a chuckle over Chicago's signs...a sort of enter at your own risk warning!  We had a good trip and landed in bed at Mom and Dad's to get ready to work tomorrow!  We hand over the keys to our renters!!!

Thursday...we needed an ice cream treat after school!

Teddy hung out with his cousin and we girls got a treat before doing homework.  We found a store NOT to visit again! 

Wednesday's orders..."Don't do any more unpacking!!! Do something fun."

Mom and I worked like crazy women Monday and Tuesday.  Ted commanded a rest so we would make it through the rest of the week.  We enjoyed another adventure and coffee with Grandma Jan...and a chance to use the internet.  She made the yummiest scones!  It was a lovely way to spend the morning.

I guess we had reached our silly stage....we talked to the Walmart self-scanner, giggled nervously through the round-about during am rush hour, and tried to figure out how to get reception in the house.

Teddy fell asleep after school while reading his book for a book report.  He was exhausted!

One girl laid in her bed and another sat at her desk...neither willing to just lay down and sleep before Truth Trackers.

Grandma got the girls' room put together Tuesday and I walked in circles from box to room to box finding parts to make our place homey and permanent looking.  It is so cozy!  And smells good with the candles and the pot of coffee we had to make in order to make it to the mid-week prayer meeting.  What a blessing it was!

Tuesday's list

School lunches packed with lots of love by Grandma!

"Where's Kari?"  Out in the field again trying to make all the new move arrangements and calls.  "I'll be back!"

A picture sent of Ted's desk as we meandered through Walmart for hangers and a step stool.

A drive around our pretty town exploring on the way home from the morning school run.

Chevy has adjusted very well!

Monday's first day of school and work

"Grandma's job" this week was packing lunches while I made breakfast.  We made a good team!  We sent everyone off with a french toast breakfast and a full lunchbox.

Ash-6th grade, Sisa-5th grade, and Teddy-4th grade.

A beautiful, fall-like morning!

New teacher, new class, new friends...and his cousin to sit right in front of him and help him.

A little nervous about this whole thing!

A loving teacher to help the girls through this transition!  We know they are in good hands!!!

The fifth and sixth graders are in a combined classroom.  The girls just bubbled with details of how their day went.

Mom and I stood in the back to witness the start of each school day.  The whole school meets with the principal for opening assembly...pledges, Scripture challenge, prayer, and a song.  I cried as I listened to everyone sing "I've Got A River of Life Flowing Out of Me".  There is life and excitement here...and it echoed off the walls as the students and teachers sang!

What a joy to see our children befriended so quickly!

The school secretary just made me laugh...even whilst paying the school bill!

Mom and I stopped at the storage unit to drop off empty boxes and take home more stuff.  Everything made the move unscathed!  We are quickly finding a place for things.

We came home for a cup of coffee and some breakfast...and to read over all the school information for each class.

My job today...five calls to set up things for our new address...BUT...I get no reception with our current phone...so I had to walk out back to the "common area".  Good thing it was a beautiful day!!!

The blessing that God gave to us...our home with a nice deck and shed.  Chevy loves sitting out in the sun!

First Sunday....Round-Up Sunday!

Alisa wanted to wear the denim and Teddy had a bandana in his pocket...Round-Up Sunday!

"Oh. my. word!  I think I am going to like it here!"  There was a pie contest...and Sunday night we found out the judges picked this one too!  Turtle cheesecake with a chocolate crust.

During the potluck time...a petting zoo and pony/horse rides for the kiddos.



Teddy's ride.



Cousins

Sunday afternoon...getting school supplies labeled and put into backpacks.