Saturday, October 31, 2009

quick update!

We made it ot NY! My friend Danielle drove up with me and the kiddos last night and we arrived at 1 AM. Let me tell you, that last 3 hours was torture! But we made it and everyone is alive and in one piece.
We are living with Joels' parents until a house comes on the market that suits our needs. The kiddos are having a blast hanging out with their cousin Andrew. I know that they're going to miss their friends in SC, just like we do.
It has been very hard leaving our house on Durand, and our friends there. I already miss them all terribly. It was so difficult saying goodbye to the house that our children ALL took their first steps in, first words, first teeth, birthdays, holidays, etc. Lots of sweet memories. Thank God for photos and videos!!
Off for now, pretty tired and did i ever tell you i HATE halloween? well, i do. More updates soon!

Jenn

Monday, October 19, 2009

Crazy October!

Joel and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on the 4th. How sweet is that! 6 whole years. I really do have the best man on earth. On our anniversary, it was a pleasant surprise to have Ben, Joels brother in town, so we all went out to Red Bowl (our favorite Chinese restaurant in town here). It was great. We love Ben! Then about a week after that, we learned of our moving date. Ready? Drum roll please....

October 30th!! That is next week, people!

Can you believe it? I can't. It's coming very quickly! I've been packing like crazy, hence the post title. We've accumulated more stuff than I thought in the last 4 years of being here in Fort Mill. Which doesn't bother me, except that its alot to pack. And get this: tomorrow, I go to Texas with Bella Rose to visit my sister Laurel! We've been planning the trip since July, and we've both been looking forward to it very much. So it looks like i get to squeeze in a little vacation before we move! My first, and probably only for severeal years, vacation with just me and Bella!

So, please pray for us in the next few weeks. We have alot of mixed emotions about moving, as we are leaving many people we've come to love so dearly in the last 4 years of being here, and our closest friends that we've lived either with or near for the past 5.5 years. There is no way to put into words the sadness in our hearts thinking of leaving all of these precious people, but we know the Lord is leading us in this next season, and everything He does is good, for EVERYONE! But pray for our hearts, that we feel him in the midst of all the crazy-ness.

On the other hand, and a more positive note, we are SO looking forward to being with family and friends in NY. We'll be living with Joel's parents until we find a house. We know it is going to be really good and can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for us there! We really feel like Rowan is going to thrive there and the kids are going to really love being with their grandparents, and Aunt Lauren, Uncle Mark, and their cousins Andrew and Hannah. Yay!






(a photo from last years' one day of snow here in Charlotte. a snapshot of what our future holds!)









I will update sometime soon about TX and then our move...stay tuned!

Bless you!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

post-trip recovery

We had a fantastic time in NY with our friends and family. We got revved up for moving there too. The weather this time of year up there is chilly but pleasant, and you can just smell the fall scent. I love it. It smells like leaves. If you haven't had the pleasure of enjoying this season in the north, i strongly recommend it!
The first few days, we spent in my hometown, Westfield, for Betsy and Andy's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and perfect. My sisters and Cait (my brother's sweet girlfriend) sang a few songs in the ceremony, and let me tell you, that was such an honor. Here are some photos from the day from Cait's camera:









the beautiful bride herself, getting ready to see her man
















i stole cait's camera and got a couple of sister shots
























father of the bride holding Bella, the flower girl
















The bride and groom sharing a moment. They're awesome!












While in Westfield, we stayed at this really great inn-type place. Like an old fancy bed and breakfast, only no breakfast. It was so cool. The boys had their own room, and we shared one with Bella. When we weren't there, we were playing in the church nursery or running around the park. While Joel graciously agreed to stay with sleeping kids, I helped my family with set up and clean up. It was too short of a time, but still it was a good time!
The second half of the trip was spent in Oswego, the town we will soon be moving to. We did alot of sitting around, visited with good friends, checked out some houses, and got pre-approved for a mortgage(!). All in all, a wonderful trip. But get this! On our way back to SC, the van broke down while driving 70 mps down route 81 in PA. Yeah. The power just stopped. No dash, radio, lights, windows, etc. Turns out it was the alternator, which of course Joel knew but was confirmed by his dad. The Lord got us all the way off of an exit and to a McDonalds (so the kids could eat and not totally freak out the whole time. Thanks for that, God!). Here's how the next few minutes went:
We complained alot while pulling off the road.
Parked. I went in to get food.
Joel went up to this guy and asked where an auto parts store was. Next is the abridged conversation:
"Sir, can you tell me where an auto parts store is?"
"Sure. How about I take you there, you buy your alternator, and I'll bring you back. Then, after that, you can use all the tools in the back of my truck to put it in. Then how about after that, I give your car a jump and then wait with you to make sure its all working right?"
"Uhm, OK!"
Definetely God ordained. I just love when He does that stuff! I could have done without Asher throwing up 3 times, but whatever. It's life.
Now we're back, and me and Bella are getting over a cold. Ro is back in school and loving it. I have a Ro update too, but I'll have to do that another time.
Here's some photos from our time in Oswego