Dreams Realized

Our future backyard

This boy loves his bike

If you have never spent time in the Pacific Northwest during the fall you are missing out on one of the most beautiful places in the world. We are here, we are home. We are feeling "settled" and beginning to meet new people with the goal of new beautiful friendships.

We are STILL waiting to apply for permits to build our house and have been hearing stories from many people about their difficult building experiences. Their stories help us realize how blessed we are to have my Dad who is a general contractor putting in so much work for us during this "pre-permitting" process. While we wait to build we have two happy goats keeping the blackberries down for us at our property. They love our almost-daily visits and it is fun to bring the kids to play in the straw and feed them kitchen scraps.

It has been glorious being near family. We get together with my parents and grandparents at least weekly for dinner and we see my parents almost everyday. Anellah tells my Mom, "Gram you are my best friend" and Capper announces, "I like Gram, she is my favorite...and Gramps too!" This weekend we are heading to Daniel's parents for a night or two, the kids are JUST as excited to spend time with them. We are also enjoying watching our children spend time with their cousins more often and get to know them better.

Meeting a troll at the pumpkin patch

We often miss having "deep"friendships, the kind that only come with time and living life together. I often get overwhelmed with the MESS of having three kids...not just three kids in a mobile home but three kids anywhere! We miss the community our church provided. We miss structure as Daniel has been off work for the two months we've lived here. It has been quite a transition but at the end of the day when we sit back we are sure that this is where we are meant to be.

Our current backyard

One Month

One Month ago today "Eastside Movers" moving company was carrying boxes out of our moving truck and I was trying to decide where furniture should be placed while nursing a baby under a nursing cover. In a sense I can't believe we've already been here a month, but more it feels like we have always been here. I didn't expect that returning to my hometown would feel so comfortable. Even though the surrounding towns and cities have changed, little Fall City remains the same. Even though Fall City Elementary has been remodeled since I attended; when I walk Anellah through the doors I'm struck by the familiar smell of polished wooden floors and the sounds of kids laughing and memories of my grade school days flood back.

The block between my parents house and our rental is starting to show the signs of a footpath as we walk back and forth between Gram and Gramps almost daily. There is also a path through the fields in the back which lead to GREAT Grandma and GREAT Grandpa's house. What a blessing for our children to know so many of their Grandparents.

On Sundays we will continue to try to make the 1 1/2 hour drive to the other side of the family for Sunday afternoon rest/play and Sunday evening dinner at least once a month. During the week Anellah has been attending Kindergarten in the mornings and loves it. I always knew that once she had an interest and confidence in reading she would just TAKE OFF and that is exactly what is happening. She is starting to sound out words and write them because "homework time" is such a treat and she is excited to "work" along with Capper in the afternoons. Anellah and Capper continue to spend plenty of time outside. They love the independence of being able to explore in a safe environment, feed animals, swing on rope swings, and splash in puddles. One morning it was raining and Capper exclaimed, "Look! It's raining...new puddles!!!!!"

Painting cabinets prior to unpacking kitchen stuff

We continue to thank God for bringing us here and supplying all our needs. I am very pleased with the kids' new pediatrician, we will be spending many hours over the next couple of months becoming acquainted with Anellah's new specialists (transferring care and obtaining medical records has been no easy task) but have had one appointment at Seattle Children's and I was very impressed. We also moved here just in time for Gram's siblings to all come into town and it was special for the kids to spend time with them. Our little mobile home is quite cozy and I've yet to miss the extra square footage. And finally, Daniel's interim clearance has been granted so he should be able to start his new job soon!

Feeding goats again!

Celebrating Gramps' birthday

Storytime with Great Aunt Heather and Cousins Lilly and Sophie

There have been a couple overwhelming days during the past month but considering everything going on it's not surprising! Over all, however it has been a glorious month and we are all just loving living here.