We're HOME!

We're in our new house!! We moved on Saturday and could not have done it without such wonderful help. We were pretty nervous about the amount of help we'd get and Gary started asking everyone we knew. :) Thankfully some of his OUTSTANDING co-workers came and their willing hands were greatly appreciated. We also had lots of help from people from our church. Our last move we had tons of Grace Community Church help too. Then it was help from our parent's church friends and family. Now it's our church family. That church is a huge blessing for our family and we're so thankful to live in a time and nation where we can have that freely.

We brought over about 20 van loads of belongings before moving day and we still filled a 24 foot truck, a very large trailer and had to go back for more in the van! We have just way too much stuff. A lot of it is kids clothing and toys which Esther will be growing into soon. I told Gary we are NOT moving again until the kids are old enough to help! That being said, they were very well behaved through the entire process. I"m so thankful they play so well together. I know that they were disappointed to get so little playtime with me though. It's hard to balance it all and I know it will be worth it, but it's still hard to tell your kids "no" when they ask you if you will play with them. On moving day they went to stay with Mary Mills for the day. They still talk about what a fun day it was, and I"m so glad! They loved seeing the new house when we got here and they got to see Papa and Mr. Ben, two of their hero's. It was cute to see them walking around and seeing all of their stuff at the new place. They were concerned that there was still more to get but I assured them, everything was here. They didn't believe me until we went to the apartment this week to clean and they saw how empty it was! Grace was cute that night, she asked me why we didn't bring our beds back to sleep in. Funny how no matter how many times and ways you explain something, it just has to sink in on it's own. We got moved in Saturday, enjoyed a good night sleep (the kids were asleep before I left their rooms practically) and a wonderful church service Sunday. Gary's dad helped with a few odds and ends (like the swing set) on Sunday and Monday before he headed off to Grand Cayman on Tuesday. Wish we were there!! I was thankful for Gary having Presidents Day off because we were able to tackle a lot that day. Tuesday we relaxed more and enjoyed his snow day! We did get some things unpacked but my focus shifted to "living" and getting back on a routine with the kids. What a wonderful way to start a new home, with a family day! Gary went into work for an hour or two and then to Walmart. Walmart is wonderful and horrible at the same time. It's great for one-stop-shopping but the madness and the slow lines don't really help you save any time I don't think...hopefully not having the kids and I helped him some. :) You can imagine our surprise when we woke up Wednesday to yet another snow day! Gary worked some that morning but spent the afternoon at home relaxing and I'm glad. He won't have another good break now until June when we travel to NC for Josh's wedding. Unless we get more snow of course. The greatest thing has been being able to watch the Olympics as a family. The kids go to bed before too much comes on, but sometimes we have it on in the afternoon and have the update videos from the Internet going.

At this point we're pretty well unpacked. Once the trash goes out tonight I'll have a little more space to finish the "school" room which I'm sure I'll change multiple times anyways. Tomorrow we're having my mom and Bev come visit for the day and then when Gary gets home, after a funeral home viewing, we'll do dinner together. That will be nice, to have company! Last night we got to show the house off to the Mills which was very fun for me.

Last Friday, before the move, Esther had her 3/4 month checkup. She's 25 inches long and 13.3 pounds. I"m SURE the pounds are wrong but they were not concerned as it showed an adequate amount of growth. Her length is in the 90th %ile and her weight, somewhere right around 50th. She's a little congested but nothing in her lungs and she's "happy as a lark". Again we're so thankful for her being so easygoing.

This week was a wonderful first week in our new home, but some sadness too as a friend of Gary's from High School Youth Group passed away unexpectedly. He was 30. I never met him but from what I've read on face book and heard from Gary, he was a man after God's own heart. Our prayers and sympathy go out to fellow friends, and family. We also praise the Lord for a life lived for Him, and the knowledge that we'll see him again in heaven. This house is our home, we Love it and are thankful for it. We'll make many lasting memories here, but we also know that our TRUE HOME is in heaven with the Lord.