The road, the door, the adventure

Big news for our family. We are moving. We have felt led by God to move to Gateway Woods in Indiana to serve as Alternate House Parents for the residential program. There is much that we will miss- family, friends, our house, comforts we’ve gotten used to- but there is much to look forward to. We are excited for this opportunity to serve together as a family. We know that there will be hardships as we step into the lives of these children, but we are so thankful that God gives peace and joy. We appreciate your prayers, love, and support.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

The road ahead can sometimes look scary. God often takes us through doors we never planned. We feel peaceful that whatever way He takes us, He will provide for us and protect us. We know He has a purpose and a plan and if He takes us there, he means it for our good. So, I hope I can navigate the unknown, holding on to the peace that God has given, and enjoy every bit of the adventure. 

So. That's what we've really been up to the past few months.  Lot's of prayer and decision making. Lot's of house projects. A trip to Indiana for an interview.  Staging and listing the house.  We've been busy.

Someday, I hope to write up our full story.

And, hopefully, soon I'll fill in the past few weeks.

In Christ
~Michelle 

hit the ground running (catch up part 3)

*this is part three, so if you haven't, go back and read 1 and 2 first*

The past two weeks since we got home from vacation have been pretty much all hands on deck. 

There is always so much laundry, clean up, unpacking, reorganizing, and putting away after a vacation.  Between that, regular cleaning, and all the other craziness right now, we had a busy week. 

My garden is still producing. Though, I have kind of forgotten about it. 

but, look at this gorgeous produce!

These kids. 

One minute I can be so frustrated because he's spinning her in circles. 

And the next they are doing this... 

When you need to make muffins but also need to watch both kids...

Gideon loves to help bake which adds to the stress and chaos.

But, maybe one day he'll still enjoy it and be making me things to eat.:)

It rained here one day.  The kids were sick of being cooped up so I let them run down the sidewalk in the rain. They thought it was the best thing ever. 

And then it cleared up with enough time to have one last splash in the pool

We went to Bible study/our young moms group one morning. The topic was contentment. It was incredibly timely for this season we are in right now. 

Friday I went in to work and then met Jenny and the girls, my mom, and Lena and kids at the park for lunch. 

trying to fit everyone on the slide

It was a fun way to spend the early afternoon. Then we hurried on home. Got the kids down for a late nap. 

Nathan got home from work, cleaned up, packed and left for a weekend wedding. His friends Kaleb and Marissa got married.  I dropped the kids off at my parent's and then met Nathan at the rehearsal dinner. 

Nathan spent the night with the groomsmen. Saturday afternoon, Kayla came over to watch the kids while I went to the wedding. 

he looked pretty good in his tux

The wedding went late. I was starting to feel sick so I came home early. Poor Nathan stayed the whole time. 

Sunday was a busy day. And I was getting pretty miserably sick by then. 

 I started to feel a bit better by Tuesday so we headed out to Walmart. 

They need bigger carts

Tuesday afternoon I tackled a kitchen project with the help of my aunt Di. She's great at purging things and knowing what looks nice.

Wednesday,  was a cleaning day and then church pizza and Bible study night in the evening. 

little miss crazy hair

Me: you know, if you picked up your toys, you could actually drive your cars on your mat.

Gideon: (rapidly driving his car through the mess "see. I CAN drive on the roads"

sigh

I came rushing in to see what disaster they we creating...

they we reading a book together!!!!!

Aurelia got her own little cup of water

Thursday, I picked up coffee and then decided my migraine was too bad to keep going to Menard's. So, I crashed at the farm so my mom could deal with the kids. 

I made it out that afternoon and finally bought mums for my porch. 

That evening while Nathan was mowing, I got the back patio cleaned off. Sadly, I didn't realize how bad the bugs we. Poor poor Aurelia got eaten alive. 

:( :(

all over her face too

Friday, I went to work in the morning and pretty much crashed in the afternoon.

Saturday, Mom, Jenny, Pearl and I went out to Rachel's baby shower. 

These girls slept the whole way

Aunt Pearl and baby Liezel

Jakey is a good dad

For fun the other night, I pulled out a bunch of glow sticks and threw them around the room. It kept the kids occupied for almost an hour. 

Today was church. The kids looked extra cute so we took their picture.

:)

And then Aurelia and Adelaide matched!

Maybe it doesn't seem that busy, but it is.  I'm trying to take one day at a time these days. Yet that is hard when you also need to plan ahead.  

But, that's it. That's where we are. Trying to keep up with all of our plans, projects, and our crazy kids. 

In Christ
~Michelle

Michigan Vacation (catch up part 2)

I spent most of the 2nd and 3rd, cleaning the house and packing for vacation. 
We left for vacation on the 4th. 

We drove up to Coloma, Michigan and camped that night. I always loved camping as a kid. And while I know they won't remember it, they will have pictures to look back on.  Hopefully, overtime I can instill the love of the great out doors in them. 

I got them matching camping shirts :) hehe

setting up camp

Going exploring

our little camp site

bed time....

:):)

I just love this.

 When I booked this trip, I figured the first week of September would be still pretty hot and summery. I pictured us camping by a lake one night, and then swimming at the beaches in Ludington the rest.  I had been checking the weather the week before and knew that sadly, it would be chilly.  I did not expect how cold it would be that first night of camping. 

According to the campground owner, it was 48 degrees when they woke up that morning. 

It was cold. The kid's slept pretty well though, cuddled up with us.  Gideon woke up at one point and said "the air is on too cold. My face is freezing!"  I managed to not have covers the first half of the night and absolutely froze.  I had forgotten to tell Nathan about the weather forecast and he hadn't packed any long sleeve shirts, or a jacket... poor guy. 

Early morning sunrise

I love camping.

Despite the cold, I think we all had a great camping experience. Which is saying something with two kids. 

We packed up camp then and drove the rest of the way to Ludington.  After we unloaded our stuff at our airbnb, we went out to the beach for a while.  Then we got groceries and bought Nathan a jacket. 

cute little airbnb

running down the dunes

:)

The next day was cold and rainy. Thankfully, there is an awesome children's museum in town.

doing the grocery shopping

The cutest little piano

hehe

worker guy

huge light bright 

bubble area

We found a bakery and grabbed some amazingly huge doughnuts...

very pleased

It cleared up a little after naps. So, we went to the State Park. 

checking out the dam

And, since I'm stubborn and we went on this vacation to be outdoors and hike, we decided to brave the weather and go anyway. 

It actually wasn't bad. The hike was gorgeous and it didn't rain on us. 

the path around Lost Lake

Day 4 of vacation didn't give us a break with the weather.  It was just as cold and rainy. So, back to the Children's museum. 

more shopping

ice cream shop

The hospital. Aurelia loved the babies. 

Gideon was a Doctor and had to listen to everyone. 

It's always warm enough for ice cream. So we stopped at the real House of Flavors and got some. :)

 And, then because it was on the vacation bucket list, we walked to a light house.  It was a little scary and unsafe since it was super windy and the waves were washing up on to the pier. But, I think we all enjoyed it. Gideon was a little unsure about getting splashed, but he thought the lighthouse was cool. 

then back to the park

We went out to supper at Jamesport Brewery. Surprisingly, it went pretty well with two kids along. 

My fantastic gyro.

Gideon chose fish. Still not sure why... but he ate it and liked it!

:)

After supper, we drove back to the beach. We let the kids play and get thoroughly dirty. And then at 7:00, the Badger car ferry came in to dock!

:)

Our last day of vacation, was pretty much like the rest. Chilly and grey. 

already to go

back to the dunes

Nathan and Gideon heading off to run down the dunes

back at the beach

chasing a seagull

We had a picnic on the beach and then packed up and headed home.  We all had a wonderful time. It was so nice to get away as a family and have fun with the kids. 

*more catch up blogs to come*

In Christ

~Michelle