Already Saying Goodbyes

It is official.....we are moving to Indianapolis! Our emotions are so conflicted- we want to scream and shout with excitement yet we taste the bitterness of closing a chapter on our journey.  We will be moving around August 15 to make the trek back across the country.  We did it 6 years ago with 3 kids, a baby, and a dog.....this time 4 kids, 2 cars, a dog, a bird, and 5 fish (yesterday it was 6 fish- but I killed one of Sammy's fish yesterday-so sad).

The journey here in Washington has been sweet and full of so many memories.  Our kids have grown here!!! Through tears and laughter, so much of who they have become is because of what the Lord has done here in this little sweet town.  The people here have been such a part of moulding our children (and us).  So as we start out good byes the sadness is deep within our hearts.  Although we do not leave for a month, we will take a vacation in the middle of it so we are feeling quite a crunch to get our goodbyes taken care of.  There are so many fun times and we sure are enjoying ourselves!!!

Joseph and Matthew---lifelong friends met when we first arrived and always on a team together supporting and encouraging

Goodbye to neighbors......just doing nothing!

Hikes with the Martell's. This is up at the cabin but Sunday afternoon spontaneous hikes up Beasely are cherished memories

Anna and MacKenzie--couldn't have asked for a better role model for my sweet young lady

Both girls have almost passed up Anna :)

Last soccer tourneys with a great team!

While in Leavenworth for a swim meet- we had to "experience" all the Leavenworth things- especially the hat shop

We have done swim team for 5 years-- all 4 kids and great summer friends!

Parties to celebrate!

The Tran's and the Hock's....10 kids!

And the Weirsma clan

Happy 10th Annabelle!

Our sweet Annabelle turned ten last weekend! The tradition in our home is that the 10th birthday is the last party...therefore they are allowed a big bash, inviting anyone they want, and whatever theme they want.  Annabelle followed in her brother's footsteps and wanted an Amazing Race birthday party.  There were 18 little girls, 7 other siblings, and 10 adults helping!!!  I can't believe we pulled it off with everything else going on, but it happened wonderfully.  They travelled all over town and completed various tasks for about 2 hours.  As usual- the video camera was out of battery and I couldn't be everywhere they went so we only ended up with a limited amount of pictures.  It seems that no matter how hard I try-- that video camera never has it's battery full!!

All I can say is- Happy Birthday Annabelle- you are an absolutely beautiful young lady!!! We are so privileged to have you in our lives.  Your tender heart towards God and others impacts all those you come in contact with!  We love your diligence, servant's heart, and desire to follow God.

Let the games begin

Happy Birthday Annabelle

Finding the balloon with "the mark"

Brain Freeze!

More brain freeze

Racing through Walmart

There she is!

The food challenge....Lanni had Flaming Hot Cheetos

A New Adventure Begins.....

Well- the Lord moves in remarkable unexpected ways!! We have gone from coast to coast....and now to the midwest, unchartered territory for me, not for Rob.  We have been recently called to a church in Indianapolis and the emotions range from elation...to meltdown.

We have begun the slow arduous task of purging and sorting and giving and piling, etc.  Daddy was gone to Indiana when we hit our first challenge......THE GARAGE!! Oh my!- we HAD to do it so that we had a place to put everything else that we purge. And so it began, only a move can motivate a job like this!  The children set out on a Saturday morning, I requested 1 1/2 hours in the morning and
1 1/2 hours in the afternoon, they were all prepared and were not allowed to make any plans that day.

We did well until we realized the abundance of .........MOUSE POOP (and the sighting of 3 mice)!!!!!  We swept and cleaned and swept and cleaned until it dawned on me, as I watched Sammy rub his irritated eyes, that there is a disease in mouse poop and you are not supposed to sweep it!!! PANIC struck! After a good dose of freaking out, I calmed down and finished our task.  It seems that I have one of these striking panics about something every time Rob is gone.  So--- we are all contaminated I am sure, we did have the garage door open the whole time :) (I hope all you relatives are laughing now) I have been sufficiently made fun of and well...the garage is clean, we have caught 2 mice (which await the arrival of dear old dad),  and we didn't even fight too much!

So now we continue with the rest of the house as we wait for continued confirmation that we will soon be relocating to Indiana.  Our time in this sweet town is going to be missed and the children are taking their time in adjusting to this reality.  We know they will be fine but their hearts are a bit broken.  I will fill you in on anymore fun moments we have in this endeavor!!

My work crew...good times had by all

Mother's day Fun..things to love about a small town

There have been many things that have popped up after living here for six years that never cease to amaze us about a small town.  On Mother's Day, the airport behind our house was offering free plane rides for kids from 8-17!! This airport is visible from our back yard, less than a mile away. We didn't even sign a waiver????  That fact dawned on me as I watched 3 of the 4 kids fly away!  It was an amazing experience and they enjoyed most of it, until a bit of motion sickness set in!  Sammy was too young and a bit disappointed about being left out but he got a great tour of a plane instead.  So- there are still things that happen in small town America that I don't think happen anywhere else!

Look carefully at each child......recognize those personalities?

Getting on board

Apparently the best part was the headset....and seeing cows from above???

His special experience

almost ready to go

A wonderful Mother's Day with my babies!

Spring happenings

A clip of bells concert:

Joseph's homemade covered wagon traveling west on the Oregon Trail

Inside the wagon......I think we may have had an era mix up??

Happy to be on the podium

Weekend in Seattle with mom: State Cup Soccer, Chipotle, and an Izzie--life does not get much better!

Easter Clips

It took about 7 shots to get this!

my beautiful girl growing up

my sweet thing

for some reason  one person is always out of focus??

they never smile at the same moment..usually they just growl at each other

this is what I had to work with

What we do for fun...

Just a quite evening at home.  Seems we are not home much but tonight the boys had a blast.

great concentration

A whole shooting range in the hallway

Even a target!

Action shot