So...I'm sitting here at 11:15 on a Sunday night watching a "Minute to Win It" rerun. I've been trying to catch up on email responding, and I jumped on Facebook for a bit to check out some of my "new friends'" pages. I ran across a friend of mine's sweet blog, and I decided to read a day or two of her posts. Several minutes later, I realized that I had gotten lost in her beautifully eloquent writing! Then, I thought about my blog that I very randomly update. So, with a bit of guilt, I decided to take some time tonight and "catch up" on my currently crazy life.
So...this past week has been crazy, much like the past few months! Chris flew in from Holland on Saturday, and we picked him up from the airport that evening at about 6:30. We then came directly home to attend a sort of neighborhood block party. It was originally planned to celebrate our neighbor's 30th birthday, but it was also to introduce our neighbors' new catering business. The party was complete with a band (who are also our neighbors!), and they were fantastic!! The party was SO fun with great friends, great food and great music! I (again, much like the past few months) had a myriad of emotions that night. I hated to leave the party, because I thought about how this would be our last get together with the neighbors I love in the house that I adore. Yet, I wouldn't have missed spending time with my husband for anything, and my poor honey had to leave less than 24 hours later to head to Indianapolis for training.
We celebrated Father's Day, albeit very quickly, on Sunday morning before church, headed to lunch at Red Robin's with my parents and my sister and her family, and then Chris headed off to Indy at about 3:30 that afternoon. Bless that man! As hard as this has been on us not having him here, I can't imagine how much strength he has had to have to travel back and forth three times from Europe to the States, and then within the States on top of that! I'm so thankful for him!
We had Vacation Bible School this week, and the kids loved it! This is the first year since I was in college that I haven't volunteered all week, and I missed it terribly! My poor babies did have a hard time getting up for this, though, because they stayed up late Tuesday night waiting for Daddy to get home. Then, Ashlynn had date night with Daddy on Wednesday, and the boys and I went to the Lads concert at church. Thursday night was Aaron's date night with Daddy, so another late night, again. Chris took off on Friday, but that day was filled with VBS, cleaning out the garage, having a ton of paperwork notarized for our house, the mover survey guy coming out (for a third time!), Avery's date with Daddy, mowing the yard, cleaning the house for a Saturday showing, and finally MY date with Daddy that night. I decided to mow the yard while Chris and Avery were gone on their date, and the whole time I was out there, I was trying to hurry and figure out how to finish mowing and get showered before Chris got back dropping off the kids. For a brief second, I thought, "I hope Chris likes the smell of goat, because that is what I'm going to have to go on this date smelling like!" Fortunately, I did have enough time to finish the yard and shower before we left.☺ We had a great time, but we were both exhausted from all of the stuff going on!
We got to go to Clarksville to see Chris' family on Saturday, and then we went to see Cars 2 that night. Okay, I have to say that I LOVED the beginning of Cars 2!! The very beginning starts off with a reference to the reality show Deadliest Catch, and people who know me well know that I LOVE that show!! We all loved the movie! We are also trying to see lots of movies on the "big screen" before we go. There are movie theaters in Holland, and they are in English; however, Chris informed me last week that he had read something in a book that going to a Dutch movie theater was quite different than going to an American theater. Apparently, Dutch people talk loudly in person and on the phone, throw things and are just plain rude in movie theaters. I wonder why they even go? I'll definitely have to ask around about that!
Anyway, now it is 12:04, and I'm beginning to wind down. (I knew I shouldn't have had that mocha frappe from McDonald's at 7:00!) This week will consist of eye doctor appointments, play dates, more organizing (as we get ready for our sea shipment that will take place in two weeks!), and planning more details for the move.
I can't even begin to describe the emotions I have felt over the past several weeks! Right now, I'm missing my honey, but I still feel incredibly blessed that we have been able to see him for the last week!
Blessings until next time...
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Continuation...finally.
Okay...so I'm not so good at this blogging thing! I keep thinking in my mind that I want to write everything down so I won't forget it, but let's face it. Writing is not my passion!
Anyway, to pick up where we left off...we began praying that God would either close the door entirely or allow all of the details to fall into place. In the meantime, we began to research. We Googled where it was, what language they spoke, what their houses looked like, their schools, their churches and a bazillion other things. For weeks, when I laid down at night, I just couldn't get my mind to "turn off," because of all of the thoughts. As the days went on, Chris had been talking to lots of guys at work and began to get the impression that this was a REAL possibility. We finally decided that we had to tell the kids. I had already been playing the "What if we got the chance to move somewhere really fun" game with them. I knew we needed to tell them soon...after all, it had taken us six months to get them excited about our trip to Disney!☺ So, on Thanksgiving morning (because we thought it would come up in conversation), right before we left the house to go end enjoy food and family, we sat them down on the end of our bed and gently told them of our possible adventure. Avery really didn't have a clue what we were talking about. Aaron was thrilled!! Ashlynn burst into tears. This wasn't really the reaction I expected. I thought Ashlynn and Aaron would be reversed, so this really threw me. We discussed it all day...on the way to Mimi and Poppaw's, at the dinner table, while we were there, on the way to Grandmama and Granddaddy's, at the dinner table, while we were there, and on the way home. The next several days were an absolute emotional roller coaster. I could totally relate to what they were feeling, though, because I had experienced the same feelings days earlier. We all went from, "Yay!! We can't wait to move!" to "Why are we the ones that may have to go?"
We found out a few days after Chris was initially approached about the job that they had also approached two other guys, but Chris was the definite frontrunner. In fact, he was later told that "it was his to lose."
In November when we first found out, we wanted to just know ALL the details right then. It seemed like the whole process was moving in slow motion...no one really had any details to give us. So, we waited and continued to research.
Then, we got word that Chris' official interview was going to be on Thursday, January 13, in Indianapolis. As God would have it, this coincided with our church's first churchwide fast. So, on Sunday, January 9, we began our fast of television as a family. (God also has a sense of humor as we were out of school for four days due to snow that same week...with no TV!☺) We followed the same outline that our chuch followed for the fasting experience, but our family's main prayer focus was on what God's will for us truly was. We ALL were thrilled, terrified, overjoyed, relieved, happy, sad, etc. when Chris called us at 6:15 that evening on his way home from the interview to say that he had gotten the "official" call and offer. The kids and I knew immediately when I hung up the phone with him that THIS was God's plan for US! I've had several people ask me how the kids feel about it or if they were mad at us for taking them away. I always answer the same way...WE didn't make this decision. We are just being obedient to God, and the kids got to witness and experience a true answer to prayer. What a blessing!!
Once we got "the call," everything changed from slow motion to fast play! Before Chris got off the phone that night, they had told him that I needed to have a passport, because they wanted us to go on a preview trip to make sure we could actually live there. So, I began gathering all my papers to submit for a United States passport. I literally submitted my papers on Tuesday, January 18, and I had it back in my hands on Tuesday, February 25...apparently, that is lightning speed, and I'm sure it wasn't cheap. Anyway, Chris and I left to go over to The Netherlands on Saturday afternoon, January 29, and we returned home on Sunday, March 6. I'll save the next part of this journey for next time...☺
Anyway, to pick up where we left off...we began praying that God would either close the door entirely or allow all of the details to fall into place. In the meantime, we began to research. We Googled where it was, what language they spoke, what their houses looked like, their schools, their churches and a bazillion other things. For weeks, when I laid down at night, I just couldn't get my mind to "turn off," because of all of the thoughts. As the days went on, Chris had been talking to lots of guys at work and began to get the impression that this was a REAL possibility. We finally decided that we had to tell the kids. I had already been playing the "What if we got the chance to move somewhere really fun" game with them. I knew we needed to tell them soon...after all, it had taken us six months to get them excited about our trip to Disney!☺ So, on Thanksgiving morning (because we thought it would come up in conversation), right before we left the house to go end enjoy food and family, we sat them down on the end of our bed and gently told them of our possible adventure. Avery really didn't have a clue what we were talking about. Aaron was thrilled!! Ashlynn burst into tears. This wasn't really the reaction I expected. I thought Ashlynn and Aaron would be reversed, so this really threw me. We discussed it all day...on the way to Mimi and Poppaw's, at the dinner table, while we were there, on the way to Grandmama and Granddaddy's, at the dinner table, while we were there, and on the way home. The next several days were an absolute emotional roller coaster. I could totally relate to what they were feeling, though, because I had experienced the same feelings days earlier. We all went from, "Yay!! We can't wait to move!" to "Why are we the ones that may have to go?"
We found out a few days after Chris was initially approached about the job that they had also approached two other guys, but Chris was the definite frontrunner. In fact, he was later told that "it was his to lose."
In November when we first found out, we wanted to just know ALL the details right then. It seemed like the whole process was moving in slow motion...no one really had any details to give us. So, we waited and continued to research.
Then, we got word that Chris' official interview was going to be on Thursday, January 13, in Indianapolis. As God would have it, this coincided with our church's first churchwide fast. So, on Sunday, January 9, we began our fast of television as a family. (God also has a sense of humor as we were out of school for four days due to snow that same week...with no TV!☺) We followed the same outline that our chuch followed for the fasting experience, but our family's main prayer focus was on what God's will for us truly was. We ALL were thrilled, terrified, overjoyed, relieved, happy, sad, etc. when Chris called us at 6:15 that evening on his way home from the interview to say that he had gotten the "official" call and offer. The kids and I knew immediately when I hung up the phone with him that THIS was God's plan for US! I've had several people ask me how the kids feel about it or if they were mad at us for taking them away. I always answer the same way...WE didn't make this decision. We are just being obedient to God, and the kids got to witness and experience a true answer to prayer. What a blessing!!
Once we got "the call," everything changed from slow motion to fast play! Before Chris got off the phone that night, they had told him that I needed to have a passport, because they wanted us to go on a preview trip to make sure we could actually live there. So, I began gathering all my papers to submit for a United States passport. I literally submitted my papers on Tuesday, January 18, and I had it back in my hands on Tuesday, February 25...apparently, that is lightning speed, and I'm sure it wasn't cheap. Anyway, Chris and I left to go over to The Netherlands on Saturday afternoon, January 29, and we returned home on Sunday, March 6. I'll save the next part of this journey for next time...☺
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Move
Whew!! So tonight is March 26, and the last six weeks have been an absolute whirlwind. Over the course of the last month and a half, I have...gotten a passport for myself, visited the Netherlands for a week long preview trip, researched the Netherland's schools and houses, applied for all three children to get into the American School of the Hague, applied for passports for all three children, received confirmation for all three to be accepted into the school, received all three children's passports, cleaned out all three children's closets, prepared items for consignment sale number 1, have begun preparing items for consignment sale number 2, dealt with two bouts of strep throat, dealt with one round of rash, had one child tested for TB to get into a zoo class for this summer, and just celebrated one child's birthday with a fun old fashioned sleepover last night. I have also managed to deal with the normal "life" with three children with my husband having only been in town for three of the last six weeks. Who wouldn't want to be me right now? Anyway, all that to say...hello, blog friends...hopefully I can begin to update a bit on all these crazy move details that so many people want to know.
Our story is so incredibly long that it really will take several posts to catch everyone up, so let's just start from the beginning...
Back on Sunday, October 31, 2010, Chris received an email from a "guy at work" at about 9:00 that night. All it said was, "I'd like to talk to you tomorrow after your meeting. Good topic, no worries." Chris knew immediately that something was up. We speculated all kinds of things that night trying to figure out what it was that needed to be discussed. Chris had been telling me over the course of the summer that some things had been said at work that had made him wonder if he was going to be offered a transfer position. Of course, we assumed that the transfer position would be in Bloomington, Illinois, or Des Moines, Iowa...neither of which sounded inviting to me. So, when this strange email popped up, we immediately began to wonder if we were about to be offered a new job opportunity.
So...Chris had a meeting the following day that was to be over around 10:30. I was supposed to start my new seasonal job at Ray Hines and Co. on the square in Murfreesboro the following day, too. But, all I could think about was wondering what in the world Tim needed to talk to Chris about. I emailed and called a few times, but "the meeting" kept geting delayed thoughout the day until they finally had to reschedule it for the next day. Good grief! We had to go another day in suspense!!
So, Tuesday, November 2 came and Chris finally met with Tim that morning. I received an email from Chris giving me the highlights..."transfer offer to the Netherlands." He then tried to put a positive spin on it by including how close it was to Paris, Brussels, and Germany. After I got the email, I immediately called him, of course. He thought I was at work that morning, which is why he sent the email instead of calling. (Just for the record, I still think a move of that magnitude deserves a call instead of an email...I'm just sayin'.) Of course after the initial, "WHAT?!?!," Chris gave me what few details he knew...which were few. I believe all he knew at this point was that it was a temporary move, possibly 3 years, but not certain. Then, he said, "Now, don't tell ANYBODY." WHAT?! You can't possibly give me THAT kind of news and expect me to just hold it in!! So, I immediately got off the phone and called my parents, my sister and my best friends, Melissa and April. After I had gotten off the phone, I eventually got on the computer and googled "The Netherlands." I had no idea even where it was! For the next couple of days, Chris and I were CONSUMED with researching as much of that country as we could. I can't even begin to tell you how many millions and millions of details that went through my mind during those couple of days...Where is this country? What do they speak? How would the children transition? Who will cut my hair? Do they have Target? Do they have peanut butter? Do they have doctors there?...on and on and on. There were several points during those few days that I literally thought I was going to hyperventilate, because I just couldn't handle all the thoughts.
Then, it finally occurred to me. "Christi, there is no reason for you to make this kind of decision by yourself! In fact, why are you even trying to carry this on your own? If this is part of God's plan, HE will work out EVERY single detail of this situation! If this not part of HIS plan, HE will close the door. Give it up, girl!"
And, I did.
And, I had an immediate, unusual peace.
And, in the back of my mind, I thought..."There are SOOOO many details that are going to have to fall into place that this will NEVER happen."
Boy, was I wrong. As I have learned in my BSF class this year...NOTHING can thwart God's plan.
Stay tuned for the DETAILS!!☺
Our story is so incredibly long that it really will take several posts to catch everyone up, so let's just start from the beginning...
Back on Sunday, October 31, 2010, Chris received an email from a "guy at work" at about 9:00 that night. All it said was, "I'd like to talk to you tomorrow after your meeting. Good topic, no worries." Chris knew immediately that something was up. We speculated all kinds of things that night trying to figure out what it was that needed to be discussed. Chris had been telling me over the course of the summer that some things had been said at work that had made him wonder if he was going to be offered a transfer position. Of course, we assumed that the transfer position would be in Bloomington, Illinois, or Des Moines, Iowa...neither of which sounded inviting to me. So, when this strange email popped up, we immediately began to wonder if we were about to be offered a new job opportunity.
So...Chris had a meeting the following day that was to be over around 10:30. I was supposed to start my new seasonal job at Ray Hines and Co. on the square in Murfreesboro the following day, too. But, all I could think about was wondering what in the world Tim needed to talk to Chris about. I emailed and called a few times, but "the meeting" kept geting delayed thoughout the day until they finally had to reschedule it for the next day. Good grief! We had to go another day in suspense!!
So, Tuesday, November 2 came and Chris finally met with Tim that morning. I received an email from Chris giving me the highlights..."transfer offer to the Netherlands." He then tried to put a positive spin on it by including how close it was to Paris, Brussels, and Germany. After I got the email, I immediately called him, of course. He thought I was at work that morning, which is why he sent the email instead of calling. (Just for the record, I still think a move of that magnitude deserves a call instead of an email...I'm just sayin'.) Of course after the initial, "WHAT?!?!," Chris gave me what few details he knew...which were few. I believe all he knew at this point was that it was a temporary move, possibly 3 years, but not certain. Then, he said, "Now, don't tell ANYBODY." WHAT?! You can't possibly give me THAT kind of news and expect me to just hold it in!! So, I immediately got off the phone and called my parents, my sister and my best friends, Melissa and April. After I had gotten off the phone, I eventually got on the computer and googled "The Netherlands." I had no idea even where it was! For the next couple of days, Chris and I were CONSUMED with researching as much of that country as we could. I can't even begin to tell you how many millions and millions of details that went through my mind during those couple of days...Where is this country? What do they speak? How would the children transition? Who will cut my hair? Do they have Target? Do they have peanut butter? Do they have doctors there?...on and on and on. There were several points during those few days that I literally thought I was going to hyperventilate, because I just couldn't handle all the thoughts.
Then, it finally occurred to me. "Christi, there is no reason for you to make this kind of decision by yourself! In fact, why are you even trying to carry this on your own? If this is part of God's plan, HE will work out EVERY single detail of this situation! If this not part of HIS plan, HE will close the door. Give it up, girl!"
And, I did.
And, I had an immediate, unusual peace.
And, in the back of my mind, I thought..."There are SOOOO many details that are going to have to fall into place that this will NEVER happen."
Boy, was I wrong. As I have learned in my BSF class this year...NOTHING can thwart God's plan.
Stay tuned for the DETAILS!!☺
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Drumroll, please...
Okay, okay, so how long has it been since I've made a post? Who knows? I'm going to TRY to do better about updating and posting...we'll see how long I'll keep up.
Well, for starters, we have had an awesome weekend this weekend!! Friday night, Avery had baseball practice, which he loves! Ashlynn and Aaron did not want to stay and watch him, because the highly anticipated "Camp Rock 2" movie on Disney was supposed to debut that same evening. So, we dropped off little man with Coach Daddy, and we headed home to pop us a huge bowl of popcorn and snuggle up on the couch to watch the movie. And, of course, Disney did not disappoint! It was SO good, and the kids (even Aaron!) loved it!
Then, on Saturday morning, Chris got up super early to go to Clarksville and play golf with some of his high school buddies to celebrate his 25th high school reunion. Yes, I said 25TH!! I admit I am married to an old man, and I also admit that I was a child bride, too.☺ In the meantime, Aaron had a baseball scrimmage that Chris had hooked up, so I was left to take him and the crew to the scrimmage from 11:00 until 1:00. What beautiful weather we had for that scrimmage!! Love, love, love this time of year!!!
Then, as soon as the scrimmage was over, we loaded up in the van and made a bee line to Clarksville for the "formal" part of the reunion. Now, I have to admit that I wasn't particularly thrilled about going to this reunion, because I have only met most of these folks one or two other times, and except for Chris' best friend, it has been five years since I've even seen them! I really don't have a lot in common with these people, so I wasn't nuts about going to the "social" hour before the dinner. But, because I love my honey, I dressed in my new outfit and went on. We got there, and we immediately ran into Chris' buddy Danny and his wife Brenda. Danny is actually a physician in Cool Springs, and they live off of Concord Road in Brentwood. We kept saying five years ago that we were going to get together since we live so close, but here it is five years later, and we still hadn't gotten together. Anyway, we had so much fun with them, and we have promised that we won't let another five years go by without getting together at least a couple of times. I also met several other VERY sweet and interesting people, and I really did have a great time. I really am already looking forward to the next one in 2015.
Well, we spent the night in Clarksville last night, went to church with Chris' parents this morning, and then we left to come home just before lunch. Chris cut the grass, and then we got ready to go to our church for the annual Deacon's dinner. We had SO much fun just eating and hanging out with our church family! We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather, too!! We really had a perfect day today!!
Tomorrow, we are planning to go to Huntsville to the Space and Rocket Center. The kids have never been, so I hope we'll have fun!
So glad to be back...hopefully, it won't be as long between posts next time!☺
Well, for starters, we have had an awesome weekend this weekend!! Friday night, Avery had baseball practice, which he loves! Ashlynn and Aaron did not want to stay and watch him, because the highly anticipated "Camp Rock 2" movie on Disney was supposed to debut that same evening. So, we dropped off little man with Coach Daddy, and we headed home to pop us a huge bowl of popcorn and snuggle up on the couch to watch the movie. And, of course, Disney did not disappoint! It was SO good, and the kids (even Aaron!) loved it!
Then, on Saturday morning, Chris got up super early to go to Clarksville and play golf with some of his high school buddies to celebrate his 25th high school reunion. Yes, I said 25TH!! I admit I am married to an old man, and I also admit that I was a child bride, too.☺ In the meantime, Aaron had a baseball scrimmage that Chris had hooked up, so I was left to take him and the crew to the scrimmage from 11:00 until 1:00. What beautiful weather we had for that scrimmage!! Love, love, love this time of year!!!
Then, as soon as the scrimmage was over, we loaded up in the van and made a bee line to Clarksville for the "formal" part of the reunion. Now, I have to admit that I wasn't particularly thrilled about going to this reunion, because I have only met most of these folks one or two other times, and except for Chris' best friend, it has been five years since I've even seen them! I really don't have a lot in common with these people, so I wasn't nuts about going to the "social" hour before the dinner. But, because I love my honey, I dressed in my new outfit and went on. We got there, and we immediately ran into Chris' buddy Danny and his wife Brenda. Danny is actually a physician in Cool Springs, and they live off of Concord Road in Brentwood. We kept saying five years ago that we were going to get together since we live so close, but here it is five years later, and we still hadn't gotten together. Anyway, we had so much fun with them, and we have promised that we won't let another five years go by without getting together at least a couple of times. I also met several other VERY sweet and interesting people, and I really did have a great time. I really am already looking forward to the next one in 2015.
Well, we spent the night in Clarksville last night, went to church with Chris' parents this morning, and then we left to come home just before lunch. Chris cut the grass, and then we got ready to go to our church for the annual Deacon's dinner. We had SO much fun just eating and hanging out with our church family! We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather, too!! We really had a perfect day today!!
Tomorrow, we are planning to go to Huntsville to the Space and Rocket Center. The kids have never been, so I hope we'll have fun!
So glad to be back...hopefully, it won't be as long between posts next time!☺
Friday, December 12, 2008
Snow Night/Day!
I think I get the Worst (or the Best) Mother of the Year award...depending on who you talk to. Last night when the snow started to fall, I immediately alerted the kids who immediately ran to get their shoes on, so that they could get a closer look at the fluffy white stuff floating around outside. (You know, here in the south, we don't get to look, see, touch, and taste snow very often...in fact, this could be our only snow of the year!) So, all three of them quickly ran outside with the bare minimum. I think two of them had on crocs, Avery had on short sleeves and none of them had on even a jacket. But, boy did they have fun! They scooped it all up, made a Charlie Brown snowman, and Avery ate his fill of snow last night. They only stayed out for less than five minutes, and I promised them that if school was cancelled today, we could go out and spend more time outside.
Well, we got the call Thursday night from the county automated service informing us that school was indeed cancelled for Friday. I made the mistake of telling the children that they were not going to go to school the next day. I was convinced that they would sleep in and get lots of good rest. (I was hoping for some good rest for myself, too!)
Sadly, they were SO incredibly excited about the snow that they all came bouncing down the stairs at 6:11 this morning screaming about wanting to go play in the snow. We convinced them that they needed to at least wait until the sun came up before they went outside, because the neighbors might get upset with us. They reluctantly complied, but around 7:00, they couldn't wait. Chris decided to go into work late, so he got up, showered and then donned his snow attire. They all went outside and had a blast. They even got to ride on the sled that my sister and I rode on when we kids. (You know we rarely get to pull this thing out...it isn't much fun going on a sled ride through the yard, when it keeps getting caught on the grass.)
Afterwards, my three cold babies warmed up with a cup of hot chocolate. What a perfect Friday right before the Christmas break.
Thank you, God, for our blessings!
Well, we got the call Thursday night from the county automated service informing us that school was indeed cancelled for Friday. I made the mistake of telling the children that they were not going to go to school the next day. I was convinced that they would sleep in and get lots of good rest. (I was hoping for some good rest for myself, too!)
Sadly, they were SO incredibly excited about the snow that they all came bouncing down the stairs at 6:11 this morning screaming about wanting to go play in the snow. We convinced them that they needed to at least wait until the sun came up before they went outside, because the neighbors might get upset with us. They reluctantly complied, but around 7:00, they couldn't wait. Chris decided to go into work late, so he got up, showered and then donned his snow attire. They all went outside and had a blast. They even got to ride on the sled that my sister and I rode on when we kids. (You know we rarely get to pull this thing out...it isn't much fun going on a sled ride through the yard, when it keeps getting caught on the grass.)
Afterwards, my three cold babies warmed up with a cup of hot chocolate. What a perfect Friday right before the Christmas break.
Thank you, God, for our blessings!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Visit to Santa Claus
Well, we decided to venture up to the great Opryland Hotel today to see Santa Claus. My sister had emailed about wanting to take the girls up for their first visit with Santa, so she wanted to know if I could go with her to help out. Well, we decided that Friday was a good day for both of us, so we put it on the calendar. So, we (along with my mom) took our three combined children to see Santa this afternoon. I decided to dress Avery up in his Halloween costume (which was Santa), so that I could get a picture of "Big Santa" and "Little Santa". By the way, last year's visit to Santa was an absolute bust for Avery...he was absolutely terrified, so he wouldn't get anywhere near him. I had been talking to him really since last Christmas, and he had finally convinced himself that he was ready to meet Santa.
Until he saw him for real in person.
After several minutes, I finally convinced him that we could stand beside him and I could hold him just so we could get a picture of him since he looked like Santa. (I also bribed him with a ride on the "choo-choo," so I think that helped a little.)
I actually got my mom to take some pictures of us while we were up there. She had a little trouble with my camera, but we did get a couple of good shots.
Anyway, I think Avery and I were much more of a hindrance than a help to Candy. The girls did a great job. I think they may have been asleep during the actual photo op, but I was busy calming Avery down, so I didn't even get to take a picture of them with my camera. Candy ended up having to feed the girls while Avery and I rode the train, and I ended up having to leave to go pick up the kids from school, so our visit was a little rushed. I apologized to Candy for not being more help, and she said she'd have to find better help next time.
I posted a few pictures of our day today. I also included a picture of Avery in his jammies on "Polar Express" day. Sweet baby! :-)
Until he saw him for real in person.
After several minutes, I finally convinced him that we could stand beside him and I could hold him just so we could get a picture of him since he looked like Santa. (I also bribed him with a ride on the "choo-choo," so I think that helped a little.)
I actually got my mom to take some pictures of us while we were up there. She had a little trouble with my camera, but we did get a couple of good shots.
Anyway, I think Avery and I were much more of a hindrance than a help to Candy. The girls did a great job. I think they may have been asleep during the actual photo op, but I was busy calming Avery down, so I didn't even get to take a picture of them with my camera. Candy ended up having to feed the girls while Avery and I rode the train, and I ended up having to leave to go pick up the kids from school, so our visit was a little rushed. I apologized to Candy for not being more help, and she said she'd have to find better help next time.
I posted a few pictures of our day today. I also included a picture of Avery in his jammies on "Polar Express" day. Sweet baby! :-)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
College Host Home
A few months ago, Chris and I heard about a ministry opportunity that involved being a host home to a few poor college students who are involved in the Alpha Omega college ministry at our church. We both felt called to act on this opportunity. As we investigated, most of the host families that we spoke with couldn't speak highly enough of the blessings that they receive from this particular ministry. They spoke of the wonderful relationships they built with each and every college person. One of the things that I was particularly (okay, selfishly) excited about was the possibility of acquiring a babysitter! I have to admit that I was a little shocked when we got the word that we would be hosting four young boys. I immediately thought, "Hey, where is my babysitter?" But, I can not tell you how incredibly impressed I have been with these four young men. I can truly say that I have been blessed beyond measure by them. They are such wonderful examples of young Godly men who are striving to do what God's plan is for their lives. They are also very careful about finding a mate and making sure that she is the one that God intended. Tonight, we had a somewhat lengthy conversation about marriage and the reality of it. We discussed how society tends to make marriage out to be that you should always have the "warm fuzzies," and when you don't, then it is time to get out of the marriage. We discussed how love is a choice, and sometimes(or a lot of times)we don't have the "warm fuzzies," but we choose love our spouse and stay in the marriage, because we made a committment to our spouse. They were genuinely interested in Godly marriages. Anyway, I just wanted to share how God has blessed us with "our boys." By the way, no one could have prepared us for how attached the kids would have become to them, also. It is the highlight of their week! Anyway, three of our boys will be graduating in the spring, and I can honestly say that I will miss them terribly when they move on.
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