Busy weekend into a new week

 You can't see our family here...kiddos were off and about with various activities...but Ted and I helped as our school hosted the division I semi-finals on Friday night.  We have never seen the gym packed out like this!  Ted ran the scoreboard and I helped with concessions.  We were thankful to see our bed!

 Saturday was spent around and in and out of the house.  We used the inside grill because winter decided to come back...found out that the smoke alarm works very well!  Ted tried to turn on the ceiling fan...but it is a fancy remote operated model.  He is so smart and he got it figured out even with the high-pitched smoke alarm going off.  Supper tasted good though!

 The last couple weeks have caught up with all of us!  We are able to relax anywhere in the house...and some spots are cozier than others.

 Sunday was a good day in God's house.  Uncle Pastor has neat visuals every so often that make the point clear.  When we allow issues to pull us away from the important message of the Gospel...people are hurt and never helped by the truth that can make them free.

 With two birthdays to celebrate...it seemed helpful to have Sunday dinner together!  No more little kids table...we need to find the adult table!  We face-timed Allison to let her know she was not forgotten...as Uncle Ted set ten places at the table.

 Monday night, we had our open house for the next school year.  It was a busy night with many families visiting!  I'm thinking K5 is going to be a bigger class next year!  I'll just need a bigger cup for coffee!

 It was nice to come home and put my feet up and eat a bowl of cereal before bed...yep...the supper of all tired K5 teachers.  And it is the beginning of the week!  Yikes!

Feathering of our nest...

 with help from our friends!  We were given yummy smelling candles that make a cozy glow.  The pillow that sits on our couch is a great reminder!

 We have neighbors that have introduced themselves and brought treats.  And more friends who know what makes a home run well...coffee!

As I walk around the house today (Saturday), I am counting our blessings as we unpack a box, dejunk, clean, do laundry, cook, find another box to put away, and hang a picture or five.  What a difference a week makes! God gave us a week of beautiful spring-like weather to finish up some odds and ends at the trailer.  We turned in the keys on Thursday after garbage was collected.  We have moved on to the next chapter of life in Michigan.  We are so thankful for God's provision and are enjoying making this house our home.  Already...we have been able to share it with friends and family!  How fun to share the special touches from our friends and family!

Activities galore

 Alisa was an alternate for this year's spelling bee.

 Teddy is enjoying all the projects in Science class.

 Alisa has a new little buddy that she has been babysitting!

 Friends make school fun...classes, sports, chapel partners, and hanging out.

Ashlynn and her buddy...always up to something somewhere.
I watch our kiddos and I am in awe of how much they have grown up in a year!  We are being reminded that drivers' education is just around the corner.  How!?!

Lunch date...

with me, myself, and I!  Any yes, that is crushed ice in my cup with cold Pepsi poured over it!  I am so excited to have an ice maker in our fridge!!!  No more filling trays!  And...I can choose cubed ice or crushed ice.  What a treat!!!

Something new...

 A long awaited treat!  We have needed new furniture for a long time, but we all agreed to wait.

 And now we are all enjoying the nice couch, love seat, and chair.  The ottoman also provides storage!

 Velle has given it her approval too!

 We are taking time for everyone to recover before we push harder to unpack more boxes and hang pictures.  The storage room and garage are staring us in the face...but for this week...we are taking it slow...and enjoying the nice weather and space of our new home!

Settling slowly

 Our favorite part of the new house...all the windows and natural light!

 The china cabinet back in use soon!

 Temporary crashing spot

 Sunday dinner at the dining room table.

 Shopping for groceries Sunday afternoon...in February...in short sleeves!

 Backyard playmates

Sunny spots

Moving Day!

 Saturday was a gorgeous spring day...in February!  The girls and I brought a load over and met the well guy so he could replace the well pump.  Our guys waited for our moving helpers at the trailer.  They met at 10am.  At 10:42 they arrived with the load from the trailer!

 They moved so quickly that I couldn't even get pictures while I was directing traffic.

 The truck was empty within 20 minutes and they were off to the storage unit.

 Things were put in the shed.  Beds set up.  My girls and friend went to the trailer for fridge stuff and laundry.  And just like that...everyone was gone!  "Thank you for being ready to move!  I can't tell you how many times we have gone in to move someone and we have had to stand around and wait or pack for them."

 We are thankful for the strength to push through sickness and get the job done!  Our children were huge helpers!  "It is exciting and was worth the effort!"

 They emptied that load and were ready for lunch by 11:45am!  The well pump was installed and lines flushed and we were ready to live here!

It was neat to see our "well guy" watch our friends and family help us.  "Wow, you have a big family!"  Ted chuckled and explained to him that his family lives in other states and this was our "church family".  It was head shaking for him...and a great blessing to us!

Friday glimpses

 I ended up getting a substitute since the well guy had to come.  While I was waiting for him...I put the garbage out and caught a glimpse of the sign guy...taking away the "for sale" sign!  Wow!  It is even more official!  While flushing the lines to take a water sample, I noticed the water stopped running...that can't be good!  I called the well guy and he told me to turn it off and on and see if we had some clumps.  nothing.  He arrived and we found out that the well pump died.  really?  now?  Lord, that is expensive! but thank you for having it happen now...while Ted is in the country and before we need need need the water.  God has a way of sending encouragement when we need it...

 and I found a sweet surprise in our mailbox that afternoon!

 We loaded up more stuff and brought Velle over for another visit to our new house.  She loves it!

 God sent beautiful weather too!  Two of the sickies came over to enjoy the sunshine and offer a hand between rests.

 Ted got off early and we loaded up our vehicles to the brims!  Then we were ready to pick up the truck for the big stuff for Saturday.

 We loaded up the truck once and then called it a night.  We are all feeling the effects of the week and sickness.

 It is getting real now!  We are so thankful for God's wisdom in all of this...His best for us wasn't the first, the second, or the third house...it was the fourth!  And now...as we look back...we can truly say it was worth the wait...four years and five months!