Well much has transpired since the last time I posted. People have been asking me if there will be a way to keep up with us when we're in Haiti. I tell them this blog so hopefully I will get a little more consistent with the posting once we're there! We've been filling our time these days with friends and family while trying to keep some sense of normalcy for our kids. They've been great through this whole process but I think they definitely feel the changes happening. They've had a lot more babysitters than usual, they hear all the talk that goes on about our move, and they're starting to see our stuff get packed up. When they're low on sleep that for sure doesn't help matters. It's easy to get frustrated but then I have to remember that I've had a lot more years than they have to learn how to manage my emotions during stressful and transitional times! But really, they've been great. I've been trying to tell them lately that I'm so glad God gave them to me and I'm hoping my actions match my words.
Our friends had a going away party for us in early June. It was plenty early before our move but it was before a lot of people were gone on vacations. We had an amazing evening!
We were supposed go to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum with my family in June, but, hello late planting season! We were pretty bummed to not go but we did go to Illinois at least instead to at least be with the family. It was Danny's birthday that weekend and we were able to get a birthday date in while grandma watched the kids!
Then his real present came later that week. It was his 30th so I kinda wanted to go big. He had a helicopter ride from our friend Shane who landed at Danny's parents where his surprise party was waiting on him. He was truly surprised and had no idea. I was so excited that it stayed a secret and we had a great party celebrating my favorite person!
Early morning piano time. Or it might not have been early morning. It might have been just a lazy pajama morning and was actually almost lunchtime:)
Danny and the kids climbed the fire tower one day while we were at the state park campground. I started up while holding Tucker but realized I needed to hold onto both railings in order to succeed and went back down. I was a nervous wreck the whole time they were climbing because there's just so many possible places to fall! I spent my time trying not to picture my children flopping over a railing or falling through the stairs to the ground. But they made it safe and seemed to enjoy it!
Also at the campground- we set up the pack n play outside for Tucker to have somewhere to hang out. Sawyer climbed in and was smashing his face into the side. It looked so funny! He is such a little rascal but he brings a lot of laughter to our lives:)
Summer had her very first dentist appointment! She was all excited about it for some reason and she did great! I was feeling a little proud about how brave she was. Cause I sure wasn't expecting it!
Summer and Sawyer's passports came. The girl who took the pictures laughed and said they kind of look like poor little orphan children. I kind of agree!
One day the kids got into my closet and raided our goodwill bag:)
House showings threw a wrench into many a naptime. We survived but sometimes just barely. Tucker was apparently very tuckered after one of them:) He's a little under represented in this post but he's still just as chill happy baby as ever! Oh, and he found the doorstop which has brought him much joy in the last few days!
We took another trip to IL which included a swimming party:)
The day after we got home from IL I had to take these two to get typhoid vaccines. After showing up in the wrong spot first we made it, they cried, and we got treats afterward.
This past weekend we had a garage sale. There was a little bit of time where Danny had to run to the bank so I had all the kids while trying to manage the sale. I sent them inside to play for awhile and within about two minutes, Summer was back outside telling me that Sawyer had squirted her all over with syrup. He did. And he squirted the carpet. And the kitchen floor. ARGH!!!!! I was pretty thankful to see Danny come home right about then!
So that's some of what we've been up to. Today the other family going to Haiti is moving down. I have said all along that when they move it means our move is really close. And now they're moving. This week and part of next we will be at the lakes. We will come home and have a few days to finish packing up our house. August 4th we will have our sending service during the morning church service. Danny is an usher in a wedding that afternoon. Me and the kids will travel west that day for one last IL trip and come back home Wednesday. Danny will be working on the final wrap up stuff while I'm gone and after I get home we will close on our house. Then August 11 we move!
Things are moving quickly and it's hard to believe it's here. But we are feeling ready and peaceful at this point. And we are very thankful for continued prayers and support!
