Neighbors from Nature

Our property is surrounded by woods (and some seasonal wetlands... LOL!! swamp). We are in a neighborhood but kind of tucked behind everyone else!

It makes for a peaceful place;) Lots of space for the kids to run! And slowly we are starting to see more little nature friends emerge from the woods.

We brought with us these two critters:)

BTW... I was told by a friend that cats could try to get back home when they are moved to a new home. I did a little Googling and came up with a plan to keep them in their little crates when we weren't playing with them for a couple of days. I knew the cats would HATE it, but if it would keep them from traveling down the highway:/

The plans changed though once we got to the property. The kids traveled with Grandma and GRanddaddy with the cats. And once they got to the new house they let them out of the crates!! And they stuck around!! The kids showered love on them, kept them happily fed and they got plenty of attention every time we went outside...

and they stuck around;)Although Collar has scared us with his "adventures" that keep him away from the hours for hours... he always returns ready for Lydia snuggles;)

At the parsonage we had huge horse flies.... gigantic man-eating (or at least man-biting) ones. But here near the swamp the most common bug besides gnats and grasshoppers are these...

dragonflies:) I hear they eat mosquitoes:)

As far as reptiles go... it's been a slow snake year.... thank goodness!!!! With all the rain we'd had TONS of frogs! In fact at night it sounds like the "plague" outside! But we were all delighted when Daddy found this guy...

Our most exciting nature neighbors, besides the owl (we have heard but not seen yet) and the hawk & egret(some have briefly sighted), we saw one evening through the window.

We had seen their prints in the sand when the foundation was laid and in the freshly moved dirt after the septic tank was put in. But we were soo very excited they returned when we could watch them in semi-whispered conversation about how beautiful they were:) And if we should call one "Bambi"!!

It was crazy, but it seemed like they were watching us, too!

It's been too long since I publicly shared my gift counting. Maybe it's a sign that's been neglected in my heart, too, or just a busy season of non-blogging.... honestly, a little of both! :( Thankfully, it's always a great time to start;)

371. nature sounds
372. power and beauty of the visiting deer (our Creator knows beauty)
373. memories of trying to quietly watch the deer through the panes
374. Nate running through aisles with a handful of blown up helium balloons... giggling:)
375. acceptance
376. bedtime stories in bed
377. summer visits with friends
378. VBS songs
379. the giving hearts of children
380. provision - more than we require, given when we need it
381. crazy 8s and Uno with the kids:) - summer boredom busters;)
382. ceiling fans
383. the faithful from the past
384. summer berries
385. toddler cuddles
386. kitty running to the kids
387. chasing frogs
388. playing in the rain

Update on our New Home :: Still Jumping Through Hoops

I haven't mentioned much about our searching for a home and moving :(

Honestly.... it's been a very stressful time.

I've had many people tell me to "enjoy this exciting time". I try to smile and share the latest developments. But none of this has been very enjoyable.

While we searching in the city in late-August, we questioned over and over our decision to live soo far from Brian's work and whether we really were "golf course" (where the house site was) people.

And then when we searched in the small town, we questioned whether this would be a long-term move for us. Whether we should just rent or find our dream home or how our kids would have other homeschooling friends (since at that time we knew of NO other homeschoolers).  After searching the available homes, we also felt like building was a better option for us.

Finally in early October we found a home. A modular home, already built, on clearance and needing some land and a family. Seriously, folks, this home is a "dream" home for us.... if it wasn't for the fact that it's on sale AND the economy is in our favor right now, it wouldn't have been even a remote possibility.

Then we began a search for land for our home;) Between soccer games and Brian's late nights, we found a piece of land that fit BOTH of us!  A quiet, isolated, wooded area (Brian) in a neighborhood (Kelly)... total opposites, LOL!!... seriously, it didn't seem possible. And then for the land to be in our price range and close to town where Brian worked, too!! Perfect!

The family marking out where to put the house for the contractor's plans

We started the loan process at the end of October.... just days later we were pre-approved!! After 2+ months of searching it looked like things were really moving... right??

Since starting the loan process, it's really felt like "jumping through hoops"! One day we'll get an email asking us about our parents' addresses... the next week it's getting some document from town to finalize our contract.

Finally on Wednesday before Christmas we got an email asking us to finalize how the loan was to be distributed.... YEAH!! We talked with the bank and our contractor and started making mental plans of when we could meet the lawyer to get everything finalized. What an awesome Christmas gift!!

Then the next day, Thursday, we're contacted by the bank that a portion of the  property is in a FLOOD AREA.... WHAT??!??! Seriously?? Isn't that something we should have been told in October when we were looking at the land or when we were signing contracts about the land???

Another curveball, with more hoops.... getting the land surveyed, looking for property markers...

it's been emotional, stressful....

see... we even had neighbors and HIGH grass;)

definitely NOT "enjoy this exciting time"!!

Makes me wonder if we really are making the right choice with this house, this land, right now?

or

Maybe I am needing to learn perseverance and/or  patience??


While I'm trying to share this without whining, please forgive me if it sounds like that!! We're just tired and ready to be "home" wherever that is. And let me also say that I know that these feelings are probably what most people feel and go through during purchasing a house or other big decisions.

So I really have tried to combat the stress and discouragement with being thankful for this opportunity....

just the fact that we can even look at purchasing a home, that our needs are taken care of and that we have a hope of  being "home" sometime soon!!

And by being hopeful (and yes, a little excited) about "our" house and property!!

Until everything is finalized.... we'll just keep jumping through hoops!





356. learning patience..... some more :(
357. ability to afford a home
358. a place to feel at home... one day
359. new homeschooling families nearby
360. that the process is going forward
361. learning to parent in light of God's Grace
362. a part-time job at home
363. warm soup
364. snuggling a sleeping toddler
365. a chorus of  "forgiven, forgiven, forgiven, again"
366. cornbread with a pat of butter and a little syrup
367. a baby joke (calling me "Da-da" on purpose) with giggles
368. tromping through "our-hopefully-future" yard
369. hearing the Indian calls as the kids play in the woods
370. hope... in the midst of fear, sadness, stress and exhaustion

Christmas Memories

 As we traveled to the grandparents a couple of days before Christmas, Brian and I shared some of our Christmas memories with the kids. Stuff like playing on a FL beach Christmas Day with my siblings, getting a new bike or going to an aunt's home filled with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

It was interesting how all our memories centered around spending time with family and special presents.

Our Christmas this year was the same;)

It started with a scavenger hunt for Chris, Anna and Lydia to find one of their gifts from us (2 gifts being too big/awkward to wrap). Each had their own hunt around Grammie and Pey's house...

Lydia getting Pey's help with her clues & Pey VERY glad to help:)

Victory;)

And yes, the kids were all dressed up:) After exchanging presents with just our family, we packed up and headed to church with my parents! It was a treat to be back at the church I attended on college breaks! Fun to see some old friends;)

When we got home, the aunts, uncles and cousins began to pour in;)

Remember this "little" guy? here 's a hint

And more gifts before our meal together;)

Uncle Eric& Aunt Tori opening my parents gift (one to each of us) videos of our childhood:)They gave us each Blackmail material;)

Love Hannah Grace's expression:)

It was busy having us all there... but I know we will all look back and we thankful for the times of gathering.

We traveled home Christmas evening and the kids opened the stockings that got left behind;)

Monday morning we headed to the grandparents in the South:)

And you guessed it... more Christmas family moments and presents;)

Sharing the moments via Skype with Uncle Scott & Aunt Bea in Thailand.

oh... so sad it's all over soo quickly!!

I mean relatively speaking... the meals consumed quickly, the family dispersing soon after and the gifts all tucked away in their new places (lol... ok, not yet... but we're getting there) in just a short span of  10 days!

And now we're into a new year!! WOW!

I've got tons more to blog.... a look into our new year!! My new job... yikes!! My not-so-little baby's new month! But I'll just have to leave it unwritten for now...

because for now we're just soo thankful for the Christmas memories we shared this year:)








337. peaceful Christmas preparations
338. Christmas Eve trip to Williamsburg
339. Christmas Eve party with neighbors
340. little arms digging into stockings
341. delicious chocolate treat
342. scavenging for gifts
343. Pey helping with clues
344. worshiping at church Christmas morning
345. a full house
346. little cousins together (cute even with a few mishaps)
347. protection of Grandma
348. homemade,with added germs, biscuits
349. skype-ing gift opening with family abroad
350. a warm lap for napping
351. 2 visits with Gran-Grandma:)

352. simplicity of wooden blocks
353. a full week of vacation with Daddy
354. anticipation of visiting friends

&

355. a New Year.... with many expectations and challenges leading to opportunities to grow in our faith...

if we are willing!

fighting the blahs

 blah...
right now that is what I feel often in the "quiet moments"... the moments when I have seconds to ponder where I am, what I am doing and what I'd like to be doing.... both physically, mentally, spiritually... with our future home plans, homeschooling, my walk with the Lord and getting ready for Christmas!

I have soo much to be thankful for... my husband who tries to be understanding, my busy, healthy and silly kids, a house that has provided for us for 7 yrs, an exciting moving plans that await us, Christmas coming, a part-time job from home starting in January... the list goes on... I am blessed.

So why then do I feel soo unsettled.... sooo blah... what is stealing the JOY that I want soo much to have more of??

I am not sure.

I wished I knew ;(

Until I find what it is, I follow what I know to be true and what I know needs to be done...

feeding, praying, cleaning, teaching, hugging, reading, singing ...

and giving thanks

It seems when I take the time to be obedient & thankful and seek Christ & the joy He offers... all the extra "stuff" looses importance and has less of a hold on me.






323. twinkling Christmas lights

324. children asking for almost nothing for Christmas
325. furry friends that bring giggles
326. boys looking for a meal

327. encouraging visit from sweet sister in Christ
328. reminder that the law leads us to Christ
329. warm scarves
330. late night coupon codes
331. used gift cards for Christmas shopping
332. excitement over Daddy's old cars

333. warm PJs
334. a vacuumed floor :)
335. sweet God moments... reminders that He cares for the small things, too
336. Jesse Tree devotions and hand colored ornaments

“When we lay the soil of our hard lives open to the rain of grace and let joy penetrate our cracked and dry places, let joy soak into our broken skin and deep crevices, life grows. How can this not be the best thing for the world? For us?”

                                             ― Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

The Day After Thanksgiving Break

Coming off of Thanksgiving Break, having a great visit with family, traveling 5 or 6 hours one way back home...

is a hard way to start a week.

We were all soo off this morning...

the kids that don't usually fuss, fussed.
the Momma striving to be patient and enjoy each day, fussed.
the baby, fussed.
the house seemed to fuss, too... it needed some attention!

A word of encouragement from a wise woman ," It always takes a little bit of time to get back into your routine after a break!"

But amazingly enough, we completed a decent amount of work and headed out into the beautiful fall day that we were given;) Yes, every beautiful day is nice, but today it was truly a gift!... especially since the last time I saw a weather report it was supposed to be a rainy day!

And the little list of gifts goes on...

310. silly conversations with a little boy
311. laughter over chaos
312. fried dumplings (a reminder of missions trip)
313. super warm fall day
314. picnic-ing on a blanket

315. chicken nuggets in the freezer for picnic
316. joys of jumping into leaves

317. children eager for Christmas decorations
318. little helpers
319. the happy dance

320. sweet decor reminders of this special season
321. fun math activities

322. happily working together... at least for a few moments;)

Friends Who Understand Food Allergies

Since figuring out our food allergies the idea of having a meal out is frightening... at a restaurant, a friend's house, church social, birthday parties and even snack at soccer !! Food is everywhere and included during most celebrations!!

For many years I have brought our own foods to new places to eat... to church socials, to friends' and yes, I often bring food (at least for the kids and dressing for Brian's salad) into restaurants!! For me it's their safety which is very important.

And before you think I'm some CRAZED, hovering, micro-managing mama... let me tell you that besides their initial reactions at home that told us our kids have food allergies, all the rest have happened while out-to-eat or eating with friends/family.

But things are changing....

 * maybe it's that food allergies are becoming more common and so there is more awareness

 * maybe my kids are getting older taking some of the responsibility on themselves

 * maybe I talk about it too much

 * or maybe we have the BEST FRIENDS in the WORLD :)

Friends that we used to eat with often, church members who fix special plates for us, soccer moms being sure they bring one "safe" food for my child, grandparents that check and double check ingredients and now homeschooling friends fixing a birthday meal with us in mind...

We are soo thankful for the community around us that reads labels and goes totally out of the way to be sure that my kids  feel normal around their peers!!

My food allergy kids can participate in eating cake at a birthday party....

and scooping up candy from a pinata!!

297. We thank you:).... all of you:)

And this week we were very honored to be served in this way at their children's birthday party!! Oh, and we had a blast too;)

298. safe birthday cake
299. friends who understand food allergies
300.. learning to play cornhole with Daddy

301. swinging with a friend

302. working together with friends

303. flying airplanes

304. a friend to call during "one of those days"... love you:)
305. hanging out on the bed together
306. seeing the kids hide under the table during science
307. fall decor
308. fluffy clouds
309. trampoline exercising

His Last Sermon

Sunday Brian preached his last sermon at our church.

For 7 years (since August 2004) Brian has preached at our church Sunday mornings, Sunday nights and Wednesday mornings.

Truth be told I am glad for this day to have come...

not because I'm glad he's done pastoring or that we'll eventually be finding a different church (one closer to our new residence... wherever that might be... LOL!!) In fact those two things I will miss the most!!! I know I'll be missing sitting under Brian's teaching! And I love our church members and definitely miss being with them (when that time comes).

but because since Brian started working part-time and then full-time... he's been soooo busy!! Too busy!

From leaving the house a little after 7:30 each morning, working until 2 (or now 4:30) at the college.

Coming home he went to his home office... to return calls, check on church members, prepare sermons, visit with deacons, hospital visits, event organization and set up. And work on the TWO classes (last semester he taught 4 in one semester!!) is teaching!

We'd usually see him emerge about 6:30-ish to catch the national news and eat dinner. Usually he was with us until the kids went to bed about 9... and then it was back to work!!

Weekends were the same... just getting everything done. Saturday didn't include any time at the college, although he usually has a book with him to keep up with his classes :(

In Brian's words "I have no weekend, no breaks" and he didn't! And that meant we didn't either... at least not with him :(

So his last sermon hopefully lets him have some downtime now... although his plate is still pretty full... working full-time at college, teaching one class at the school on week night, one online class and trying to find us a house!!

But it is sad to think that "this season" has come to an end! We have enjoyed our time at our church.

We came to this church as a young couple holding their one little babe in their arms.



LOL! ..... has our family changed in these 7 years!




We have often said that we have grown a TON from serving this church. Learning about pain and loss. Encouraging those struggling and giving generously. Growing in maturity, knowledge and love for others. And serving.... in a small church everyone does their part... big or small!

Brian's last Sunday sermon marks the end of his pastoral service to our church. But because we do not have a house picked out or ready for us, we are staying!! The church is being soo gracious by allowing us to stay in the parsonage a little longer while we make permanent housing arrangements!

We are soo thankful for their generosity!! And excited to be able to stay, worship and serve with them now as regular church members!!

Funny though that they are just as happy to have us stay as we are happy to stay:)





281. a delicious meal fixed in Brian's honor
282. church members happy to have us stay
283. tokens of gratitude
284. tears of joy and sadness
285. families attending church together
286. good memories
287. friends to share burdens
288. church family that "holds up" those struggling
289. wise men and women of the faith
290. a nursery volunteer;)... thanks Sue-sue... I really needed THAT!
291. boys room totally cleaned
292. answer to prayer for a family member's health scare
293. hearing children practice memory verses on their own
294. a new loved series for an emerging reader
295. possibilities

296. a gift of fall mums

A House Hunting Update with Thanks

 So I've been neglecting to share more about our house hunting.... not much to share just yet :/

We've followed leads and leads to land and houses for sale between where Brian will work and where we'd like to live.

Country road after country road...

kids with bowls of snacks...

GPS leading the way to all the addresses we have written down...

then spotting 5 deer and 15 wild turkeys near one property we were considering !!

In one sense it is a very exciting time. After being in one place for 7 great years, this move really feels like a "new" stage of life. Brian has a much different job. The kids and I have adjustments to Brian's new schedule... and then once we move we'll adjust to schooling in a new place with new neighbors and a new city to explore.

In another sense it feels like everything is "up in the air"!! How do we know we have found the right house/land? What is the best floor plan for us? Where we will live? When should I start packing? When we will move? What do we get involved with right now?

And just as I start to get overwhelmed with the "unknowns" I hear....

"Mom, look at this!" or "Mom, can you help me!"

I get brought back into RIGHT NOW! My goal and desire is to live in the "right now". To be faithful in the tasks of today... keeping THIS house, being apart of the little lives/hearts of my children, serving my family in each moment with the right heart and enjoying our church family a little longer.

Thankfully though there is a balance... # 269! We can hunt, plan and talk about the possibilities without everything becoming overwhelming...

and we think we've found another spot we BOTH really like in a location that is perfect... #270! So now it's really figuring out if we can put an affordable house on it;)

And since it's Monday... I'll continue to count :)




271. messes, that are really projects
272. long sleeves in dresser drawers
273. a loyal friend

274. a supportive community
275. friends who have connections
276. housing provisions before we move
277. feeling fall coolness
278. catching sun rays

279. godly examples of the past
280. having a God that examines hearts

Some house hunting wisdom from Proverbs 3:21 - 23:

My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight.
Hang on to them,
for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.

Thank you to those who shared their wisdom with us during the first part of the house hunting!