ZOO!

Our friends from the seminary invited us to be their 'guests' at the zoo. They have a family pass that includes 2 friends for free. Since Ava is under 2 years of age, all four of us went to the zoo and we only had to pay for Cade ($8). Pretty awesome deal! It was kind of chilly and very hazy. The local schools had a 2 hour delay because of fog. The weather report said it would rain most of the morning and afternoon, but luckily it held off for the 3 hours we were there! I can't even believe that we've been here for 4 years and never made it to the zoo. Our friends go almost every week, so their kids were showing us around and speeding through everything. It turned out to be a good thing that we were moving along quickly because I think if we were on our own, it would have taken us all day to see most of the animals.

Kids and friends on a comodo dragon statue. Cade wouldn't go near it until we assured him that it wasn't real.

Ava's first carousel ride! She had a stunned look on her face the whole time, but when the ride was over, she didn't want to get off!

Big ole gator!

We took a train ride around a little lake. This friendly guy was just outside the station for kids to sit in.

The best part of the day - the goats. They stood on tree stumps in their fenced in area and waited for people to come and brush them.

The goats were very gentle and quiet animals, though I saw them nibbling Ava's fingers a few times. She really enjoyed all the animals and when she saw a new animal, she would let out her goofy little laugh or 'oooo' or 'whas at?' She learned how to roar like a lion and 'oo oo ah ah' like a monkey!

Finally persuaded Cade into the stroller for a little bit with a snack.

We had such a great time and the kids did really well. Cade did not want to leave even though it was definitely lunch time (and nap time!).

Generosity

Amazing. Nick and I were highly encouraged to get away for a while and spend some time with each other during this time of stress and change. It sounded nice, but we are certainly in no position to be spending money on anything more than necessities at this point. Low and behold, the individual who was encouraging us to take a vacation gave us a card that we later discovered contained the funds to do just that. We were totally blown away! We're heading to Hocking Hills (south in central Ohio) for two nights after Nick graduates. We'll be taking Ava along and leaving Cade with my parents. We're excited to relax in such a beautiful place. (We're also looking forward to spending time with just Ava. We've decided we would like to make it a tradition to spend time with each of our children individually.)
Time is flying by as our weeks are quickly filling up with lots of activities in the next month. Friends visiting, babysitting, going to the zoo, family wedding, Nick preaching every Sunday, Nick's graduation from seminary, packing to move to my parents', our newly added trip to Hocking Hills, and Nick's family's vacation to Kelley's Island!

Phooey

So Nick, along with 20 of his classmates, will be a 'part' of the call service tonight, but they will not be receiving calls. They will be recognized and walk across the stage. Thankfully we were already planning to attend so my parents will be here to watch our kids. I have mixed feelings about them being made to participate, but I suppose it will be good for everyone to see the guys still waiting patiently for a call.

Now what? We wait...AGAIN. Maybe there will be a call for Nick tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month, maybe this fall, maybe ? As of now, we are planning to move into my parents' basement. God bless them for taking us in. Nick will hopefully find a job while we are there. And we will wait! We will spend a week or so with Nick's family during their vacation on Kelley's Island. Hopefully that is relaxing and enjoyable for our family.

Psalm 27:14
Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD

Family

Here's an idea, let's try to take a family picture right before naptime. Ready? Go.

It's coming...

Pretty much the only thing on our mind right now, with the exception of 8 million other things, is the CALL SERVICE. April 28 we will finally find out where Nick will be a pastor. The culmination of 5 years of work. So much has happened in 5 years that it's impossible to remember it all. I'm sure I could write a book on just those years if only my mind would allow me to recall it. 2 dogs, 2 babies, 4 moves, 5 cars (seriously), 5 jobs (maybe more), countless churches, friends, and family involved. All trying to get us to where God wants us! I'm not sure how it will feel to move someplace and know that it 'could' be where we stay. For more than 2 years in a row. That idea just doesn't sink in and I'm sure it won't sink in until we are actually living in the same place for several years. Or maybe not until my kids are teenagers. Or going to college. Probably when they are married.

There is a lot of stress and anticipation leading up to the service, but in reality, we have no control. And that's a good thing. Sure we have our likes and dislikes. I might feel initial disappointment or excitement when they announce the city and state. I'll probably cry at some point (hopefully at home AFTER the service) but it will just be a releasing of all the emotional build up. It's going to be hard. Moving always is, especially when it's away from family and familiarity. I won't be upset, though. God has a fabulous sense of humor, as He has proved thus far in my life, so I plan to enjoy the ride. I know people want to know where WE want to go, what WE are hoping for, but honestly, MY hopes and dreams of the past have been totally blown away. I never wanted any of the things I have today, but they are exactly what God had in store for me and my life and it is perfect. And so, where He will call my husband is just another twist in our roller coaster of life.

I pray that God would grant us peace and contentment. I pray that He would help our families to be understanding.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY!

I don't like coffee
And I don't like tea.
They both taste just like dirt to me.

March

Thrilled February is over! I hope March goes just as quickly and the warm weather isn't far off!

I'm Out

Still haven't fully come to grips with this, but after 5 years, I am officially no longer a vegetarian. There is a lot that went into the decision all those years ago, and there was quite a bit of agony this time around, as well. It wasn't the easy way out by any means. In fact, I think this may make certain things a bit more difficult for me. Now I am no longer able to use the vegetarian excuse and will just have to force myself to be an annoyingly picky eater. Lots of thoughts on this, but alas, I suffer from blog-block.

Little Girl Climbing Stairs

She decided today that the first and second steps were no longer enough of a thrill for her.

Finally

I finally figured out why I'm such a horrible blogger. While I have lots of thoughts and ideas that would be, dare I say, interesting, I enjoy keeping things about me a mystery! I have this fear that whatever I write will be seen by everyone I have or will ever know. And for some odd reason I like to keep people guessing.

Step #1: Be real.

New Stuff

A lot has been going on during the past month or so! For the first time ever, I felt like I was able to enjoy the weeks before Christmas and really felt ready for the insanity that is inherently a part of Christmas with 2 small children. We made it to many parties this year which was a stark contrast to last year. Last year we were in Iowa and I left the house to go to the store, chiropractor, and church. Christmas was quiet and mellow, albeit somewhat full of longing. This year, closer to family, we made many trips to Ohio to attend parties for both my mom and dad's extended family. We even attended a party a few blocks from our home with some seminary friends. Christmas day afternoon we had a party with my family (my parents, brothers, sisters, kids) and the day after traveled to Nick's parent's for yet another present opening frenzy. We were able to spend an entire week living out of our suitcases and things went quite well. The kids received more presents this year than 20 kids could use.


The kids playing together with their Duplos

We are very grateful for family and friends who blessed them with these things. My heart aches, however, as before Christmas, Cade would proudly announce that we were celebrating Jesus' birthday, and after, Christmas became 'the day when we get to open lots of presents'.





Ava has been growing in leaps and bounds! She FINALLY got her first tooth. She'd been working on that tooth for about 7 months now! I was convinced she'd get teeth early, but it turned into me hoping she'd have them for her first birthday! She constantly has something in her mouth or she's on the hunt for something. And, she has also learned to crawl! In one day she went from making a little forward progress instead of pushing herself backward to crawling across the room! She hasn't looked back since, only forward, full speed ahead! She knows what she wants and I have to be quick if I think I'm going to prevent her from getting it! She's even taking toys right out of her big brother's hand. He tries running away from her and putting things up on the couch or ottoman, but she quickly learned to pull herself up and reach them anyhow! I'm curious (?!?) to see how this will progress! I've already caught the two of them pushing and grabbing at each other. She's going to turn my tender-hearted little boy into a fighter after all!



Cade is also growing much more rapidly than I realized. I tried to put his church shoes on him that he wears once or twice a week only to have him start crying because they were too small and hurting his foot! Only 2 months ago we were in church and he suddenly started pulling off his shoes because they were too small. That's 2 shoe sizes in 2 months! And most of his pants have recently shrunk in the laundry. Or at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I've found a new and obsessive hobby! For so long I have wanted to learn to knit or crochet. I finally asked a friend to give me a couple lessons. At first, I just wanted to follow patterns for my projects. Well, I quickly found that I'm not so hot at following the patterns exactly, so my pieces don'tend up looking like the picture.


The pattern for this.... ...quickly turned into this!


But, I've tried several patterns and though the end result is different, I've quickly learned how to adapt to get things to be what I want! Oh the monster that has been created! I lay awake at night trying to figure out what I want to make next or how I can achieve a certain look with yarn. It's quite distracting! But so so fun and I've found many amazing Etsy shops, websites, and blogs all focusing on crochet. Who knew it would be so awesome?! Now I just need a small fortune so I can purchase lots of yarn. My favorite found blog (check it out, you've just GOT TO!) has given me a goal for our next home. Can you guess it? Here's a few of my projects I've completely, only about a million more stored away in my head. Sure is cluttered in there!



Pile of different sized hats



Case for my hooks, scissors, needles, and tape measure



Slippers for the kids. I made some fuzzy green ones for Nick too.


My newest fascination.. amigurumi food!