Dirty Girl Mud Run

I ran in my first obstacle course race in early September. I recruited a new friend from our neighborhood and we ran it together. We had a blast. 

Hockey

Another hockey season begins for Drew! 

Moving on

Empty house. Sleeping at 3418 autumn leaf drive is just a memory now. The bedroom, the sound of the wind in the trees through the window, the slow climb up the stairs to comfort Belle back to bed in the dark. 

I love 40!

Feeling abundantly blessed today. 

Beautiful Moments Lately...

Evening at State Beach

John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids with the Bylands

King Tut Exhibit at the Public Museum in Grand Rapids
(I took the kids down for the weekend while Andrew was at the U.S. Open)

VBS Superheroes (Luke and Caleb Byland)

Camping out in the backyard!

Good friends (Belle, Chloe, Grayden, Drew, Mariah, Gavin, Fiona) at State Beach

What?!

Oh man! Even more awesome news. 

So we went to look at the house we had under contract (the house is the previous post picture). It was ok. Some lovely elements, but some not great. We looked at a second home that again, had some good bits but we both weren't wowed by. Dark kitchens, small bedrooms, messy yards, whole house painting, structural changes to achieve the room we needed, views right into neighbors yards or a wall, short driveway with not much bike riding space, etc.  

These were the only two options available! We had to choose. We had to settle.

But, then our agent said she'd show us one that was a little outside our price range. But! only if we could actually make an offer. What's the point of looking at something if you can't afford it? We would figure it out, if necessary. I felt like it was a long shot, but Andrew wanted to take a look.

Driving up …  it's across from a park with a playground and open space at the end of a cul de sac. It only has one house on one side. (In this 'hood, that's a huge plus. The houses are packed in). It had a long driveway, 3 car garage...looking good so far!

Inside was relatively beautiful. Aside from teal carpet in the WHOLE  HOUSE. We were immediately excited. Lovely office space for Andrew. His and hers closets in master. Fireplace and cathedral ceilings in master. 4 beds upstairs. (That means guest space not in the basement!) Different layout, yard, patio, all the spaces we've come to enjoy and then some.

Soooo we would make an offer and hope they'd go for about $15 under their asking. As Andrew and I are discussing the details our agent walks in and tells us that the listing agent just called. They're dropping the price AND replacing the carpet! The price is now within our range. And we don't have to pay crazy amounts to replace real carpet in the WHOLE house. What?!

Sold! So we have a new house. Contract signed yesterday. Inspection tomorrow. Move in July 31, 2015.

Hallelujah! God is so good to us!! He has provided abundantly.

Funny Words

By Belle:

destaple - staple

jungling - juggle

porraging - portaging 

anadult - adult

Off to buy a house!

Psalm 37:4 

Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

Not only has the Lord brought us an offer, but we have come to an agreement on a house in Denver all on the same day. God is so good. I had a list of prayers that I made ahead of this whole event and God is slowly checking them off. I am astounded at his love for me, that he cares for me and my family.

We are off on a jet plane this morning to see it and show the kids our new community. Trails, mountains, pools and horses - oh my! Thank you Lord. You are so Good.

End of the School Year

It's the end of another school year already. This one is especially bittersweet because we won't be going back to Courtade elementary. We will be moving to Colorado this summer and begin a new school in August.

A letter to my soon-to-be-Second Grader Drew,
You are vibrant and full of life. I love your smile when you feel pure joy. You have made such progress this year - and at one point told me you couldn't wait to work on your fractions! You enjoyed working on maps as well. You made good friends at school, Charley, Olin, Jack to name a few. You fell in love with the color green and wanted to wear your 'green guy' outfit every day! You enjoy drawing and fill books with your sketches and comics. I wonder how these skills will manifest in the future? What will you do when you grow up? Will you be a photographer as you are hoping to at this point? Will you do something with numbers? I am honored to be your parent and help guide you through these days. I love you! Mom

A letter to my soon-to-be Kindergartner Annabelle,
Your teacher was so impressed with your reading skills. You are at the level that they hope kindergartners to be at at the end of the year and you only just finished pre-school! You 'love school' and love to learn - something that is so valuable and that I hope will last your whole life. You have many friends: Kelly, Lanikai, Isabelle and Kyla...Your vocabulary is growing: 'destaple' - staple, ' 'jungling' - juggling, 'porraging' - portaging, 'anadult' - adult. You told me too, that one day you were playing high five with a friend, Caleb, at school. He accidentally hit you in the eye when you slapped hands. He says, "Good high five!", and you said "More like "eye five"!"

After school on the last day, Daddy and all of us went for ice cream and then played mini-golf at Pirate's Cove again. More holes in one for Daddy and Drew!

Pirate's Cove

Jack, Olin, Drew and Alex

Charley and Drew

Miss Carrie and Belle

Lanikai and Belle

Mother's Day 2015

Mother's Day was very special this year. The kids and hubby woke me with a lovely breakfast in bed along with their handmade gifts and cards. The kids really took an active role in making their own cards and gifts for me this year.  Several times they came home from school and got down to work at their desks while telling me as I walked through the room, "Look the other way! Don't look, mom!"

Andrew's gift was very special. He designed a frame out of some old barn wood I had collected, and then had the kids make pictures for it. I love it. It is so thoughtful and mostly I like that it shows how much he knows me, knows what I like. Thank you, honey!

It is obvious I am loved by these very special people.

After church, we did some of our favorite activities together. We played chase together, did a couple science experiments together (I learned what 'density' is when not applied to my own faculties). We went on a bike ride around the neighborhood. Then, we rested and went out and had a lovely dinner together at the Blue Tractor. All day I felt love and gratitude for my family and from my family. I am so blessed.

And I can't forget to mention my own dear sweet mom from whom I learned what is to be a great mom. I love you, mom! 

Where did April go?

I don't even know, except I know we had a started out in Philly for Easter. Got to have a brief visit with Granje and Zeyde and Aunt Brooke who Belle took a liking to (pictures to come...)

Annabelle started ukelele classes.

Alexis started an aerial class...

Drew came in 3rd place in the Root Beer Float (kids version of the Mud, Sweat and Beers)...and Andrew rode in the 22 mile version...

Drew rockin' 3rd place!!

Grandma and I cheer on the riders curbside

Andrew and I visited Denver once again to scope the real estate scene, because yes! We are moving to Denver this summer. What a dream come true. The house is currently on the market. We hope to get there this summer sometime before school starts. Both the kids are pretty excited and talk frequently about all the fun we will have once we live there. There are sad moments too, when we think of all our wonderful friends and family that we will be leaving. But we plan to take them with us in our hearts. We also plan to keep the condo that Grandma owns so that we can come back for visits relatively easily. 

Rockies vs Giants April 24, 2015

Other things that have happened this month include finishing out the year in Awana by making some cute drive-in cars out of cardboard...

 Fun and exhaustion at the park on a warm spring day playing frisbee and shooting rockets..

 Random beautiful moments...