The end is near...

We are in the homestretch of our journey to being homeowners. We have only a couple of weeks left. In more good news we were finally able to find a rental that was in our price range and would rent to us with 4 kids in tow. It is so nice to be out of the camper. We have running water and a hot shower, real beds to sleep in and a full size kitchen to cook in. It really does put things in perspective when you go without things for so long.
 The above picture is P. finding my wallet with my rent money in it. I don't normally carry that much cash. I couldn't resist the photo.

This week was also the start of the fair here in town and of course I remembered to bring my camera only to discover that the battery was at home being charged. :) We had a good time though. We meet our new friends there (the same ones that came and hung out at our campsite with us). It was family day and the whole family got in for only $1!! Can't beat that.

We are starting to feel a little more settled in; like we aren't just on a long bad vacation. Having friends really helps. This week I had someone from our church offer to do my laundry for me. Not just come and "use my washer" but washed and folded my laundry. I couldn't go over there because the kids were sick and I didn't want to pass anything on and she says" No problem I will do it here and you can come pick it up." Not too many people would do that, let alone for someone they just met. I am overwhelmed with how much all these people from our parish have gone out of their way to welcome and help us.

It had me thinking this week about friendships and how we use that phrase "give and take" and how the take is often harder then the give. With giving we feel good about ourselves but with taking we are humbled. But I truly feel both are needed in any good relationship. Anyway, enough of my random thoughts. I will keep you all posted with the house.

Our week...

   We made it to the library program this week and they had a juggler and the "reading" dog there. The kids really enjoyed it and it was nice to get out and do something.

 When the heat finally broke we went to the nature preserve in town and took a hike after Dan got off work. It is so nice to live in a place that we can all go hiking as a family again.

 

 

 

 

Last weekend we invited our friends over ( the only friends we have so far) over for dinner and s'mores. It was really fun and everyone had a good time. We are so happy to have made friends already in the short time that we have been here, it makes it feel more like home.

 

Monday the kids and I heading up to the UP but had to come back on Wed. because T. and P. got sick. BUMMER! On a better note, only about 4 weeks until we can get in our house!!! Oh my gosh I can't wait!

Fourth of July ( a little late)....

We spent 4th of July this year up in northern MI with all of Dan's dad's family. We had such a great time and the weather was perfect the whole time, not too hot but sunny and warm. We went jet skiing, and swimming and ate tons of great food. The evenings were spent playing games and visiting. It was such a nice break in the routine for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right after that we headed back to camping and T. got sick the first night back, throwing up everywhere and crying. It was poring rain and the other kids had no where to go. It was horrid. So the kids and I packed up and headed to my in laws house for the week. That also was fun. We went to the Henry Ford Museum and the street fair. Now, it's back to the old camper. We have 6 weeks left before we can move into our house. I am not sure how we are going to survive. I will keep you posted...

 

A week of fun....

This week J. went to Vacation Bible school at our new parish. It was Mon.-Fri. from 9 until 2:30. It was a long week for him but he really enjoyed himself and we all made some new friends. The other moms and I would hang out at the park and do picnic lunches with the little kids. It was fun to meet other moms and visit. The weather was perfect too.

 

 

 

However, by Friday I think that everyone was feeling a little worn out and tired and at mass ( we started each day with a mass) E. and T. were acting up and J. kept saying he didn't want to go to VBS so we played hooky for the rest of the day and went to the History Center that has a Lego display on loan right now. There was also a huge cherry pit play area and lots of other things for kids to do. It was time and money well spent because we all needed to unwind a little.

 

 

Yes, that is all legos! Hard to believe but true. In other news, P. has learned to crawl and is getting into all kinds of new trouble.

We also have a close date on the house; Aug. 2nd! SOOOO far away. I hope I can make it that long.

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun....

The boys decided to brave the water today. The sun came out for a little bit, long enough to warm it up to a blazing 70 degrees but that was enough for them. They didn't last long though, 20 minutes and they were cold enough to come back in. The rest of the morning was spent at the library and the thrift store. A good day, a very good day.

 

 

 

 

Our big move...back HOME!

 

So much has happened since the last post I don't even know where to begin. We'll start with the move. We closed on our house in Iowa AND bought a house here in Michigan. It has been a long very hard couple of weeks for us but we are seeing the end of the tunnel now. We have been camping (in a camper) for the last couple of weeks. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be honestly, but far, far from easy. It has been cold and rainy so we have made several trips to the library and the mall to try and get out of the camper for a little bit. When the weather is nice it's great. The boys love being outside riding their bikes and playing in the woods around the campsight. We go for walks down to the beach and the playground.

 

 

 

 

On Thur. the water pump for the camper wouldn't shut off so Dan had to cut all the power in the camper. The kids and I heading to the Childrens Museum for the day because it was very cold and rainy and with no power there is no heat. They had such a good time. However, I decided that we needed a better solution so we left that night (just the kids and I) up to Dan's aunt's summer house about 2 hours away.

 

We are so blessed to have people in our life who are willing to step in and help us out when we are in need. Dan's Aunt and Uncle have been very kind in letting us stay here for a little while and the kids have been really enjoying life on the water. This weekend Dan drove up and spent some time with us. We are hoping that we close on our house in the next couple of weeks so life can go back to some sort of normal. In the meantime, we are greatful for genourous family, beautiful summer weather, and the hope of something better around the corner.

 

Six months!

P. is 6 months old already! Seems hard to believe but it's true. He is SUCH a good baby, always happy and content. He took to eating cereal very good and is sleeping a little longer at night now, yeah! He just cut his two bottom teeth too. What happened to my little newborn?