Pictures

This is where we are living, just across from the NGU campus.


Pretty Easter Girl


Aren't the curls adorable??



I love this one. ITs all about the anticipation, you know?


This is the second candle lighting.

I almost gave up...ugh. My computer kept dropping the connection. But I was determined to get some new pics on here.

We visited Tigerville Elementary. Silas will go to kindergarten there. Its such a nice little school. The assistant principal gave us tour. Silas has asked several times when is August 19th.

And a message to all our ND friends - we miss you guys so much.

Home again home again jiggety jig

To all my faithful readers :), sorry I haven't posted very often this week. I will do better this week, I promise. I wrote this post LAST NIGHT and got kicked offline and never could get back on. So here is yesterday's post.


Whew. We made it.

Thursday I rode up to VA with the kids and my parents. We met Holly and her her 2 boys on the way. We spent 2 nights with one of my grandmothers. We visited to other one in the nursing home. (She is recovering and hoping to move back to her assisted living apartment soon).

With 5 kids just barely under 5 (since Silas just turned 5), there were few dull moments, if any.

Jody did some more unpacking, and he did an amazing job. I am SO thankful and proud. He picked us up in Charlotte today in our "new" car. We love it, its a gas-guzzling suburban, but its super nice.

Silas

I was so tired last night I didn't even get to blogging. So, its a day late, but:

Happy Birthday Silas

5 years ago a friend in our seminary neighborhood put notes on all our neighbors' doors that said this:

Phoebe Joy turned out to be a boy, mom and baby are doing well.

I still laugh when I think about it. My entire pregnancy was based on expecting a daughter. Pink everything. What a shocker when Silas Hawkins entered the world...not in the least a girl.

Silas has had tons of adventures with us. We took him to Uganda when he was not quite 6 months old. It was hard to break him of being naked when we moved back to the states. He is a delightful and smart little boy. We are so proud of him and his sensitivity to Jesus.

Wasting no time...well, maybe a little

HA!

Jody and Silas arrived in Greenville at 2:30AM Saturday. Of course we were all sleeping. And of course Jody was more than exhausted when we got up and needed to unload the truck. He said Silas was an amazing traveler. He only got cranky once, when he was ready to stop for the night.

We went over to the house we are renting from the university and there were several on-duty RA's who were ready to unload the truck. It was wonderful. The truck was unloaded in 45 minutes. I owe them a meal!

We spent the rest of the day unpacking.

Then we just decided to take a break. We didn't even go over to the house all day Easter. We just stayed with my parents. The kids had a great Easter. We went to church with my parents and decided to go ahead and just join. (This is very unlike my husband. He likes to belabor decisions, but he was very sure about this one. Edwards' Road Baptist has been very supportive of us and we want to be a part of what they are doing.) Jody took my sister Joy to Starbucks on a date. Isn't that sweet?

Now its Monday and we are ready to go. (Not really) Jody had some errands to run and he's almost back to get us. We are going to get groceries and then continue in the gruesome unpacking task. I feel like I already need a nap.

Oh, one more thing. I have some sort of disease/growth/thing on my chin. At first I thought it was a pimple, then it had babies and started itching an swelling. Its awful. Its not going away. I think I'm being vain, but I think its VERY obvious. No, I'm not going to post pics of it.

The Journey

Ok. Sorry. Its been TOO long, but this time I have some good excuses.

First of all, I asked for our internet and cable to be cut off on the 17th. Well, as soon as we woke up the internet was off. The cable didn't get cut off for another day and a half. So, I couldn't blog or check blogs or email.

It probably was a good thing since I had TONS to do with packing and all. Its been a whirlwind. Judi, my mother-in-law stayed and helped a lot, she left on Tuesday afternoon. Stacy watched the kids for me Wednesday (to see her take on the day click here.) Jody and I finished up packing. He packed the truck "to the gills" and I cleaned the house. We did the walk thru and closed really quickly.

It was also my dad's birthday. My sister Holly wrote a very nice blog entry about him. (I would have copied her if I'd had time and internet. But I do echo what she said).

I was crying while I was cleaning the house. I was sad. Sad to leave my house that I love. Sad to leave Bismarck. Sad to leave my friends.

We spent the night with the Stephens. We were SO tired. Luke slept horribly and I don't know why. Emma and Silas had a hard time getting to sleep. Hattie slept in Gage's room. Stacy took Hattie, Luke and I to the airport...at 4am. Oh my gosh it was so early. Hattie and LUke were wide awake.

I was very sad to leave Stacy. We were both crying.

It was a long day. I was SO tired. And when we finally arrived in South Carolina, I was exhausted and starving. We ate at Chick Fil A and it was AWESOME. My cousin and her family came by for supper on their way home from the beach. AND we went up to the college to see the house. My dad did an amazing job on organizing and finishing the basement. Its a very nice house we will be renting.

Jody is still on the road with Silas. The kids went to be SO easily. We are going to go clean the house up tomorrow and get a fridge, I hope.

Ok, one more thing, I know this is a long blog. Some friends of mine and I are doing a collaboration blog called Recipeasy. Check it out, Gussie Burgers are coming up.

Trudging right along

We are VERY busy tying up ends, packing boxes, trying to keep hands out of boxes, etc.

My wonderful mother-in-law came into town yesterday. The kids have been SO excited. She brought some little presents and candy and lots of attention. We packed all afternoon. And even though she hurt back in the Fall, she's a real trooper. I have to make her do sit down jobs, and she's obeying nicely, most of the time.

Luke had an 18month check up today. He has a double ear infection...poor baby. I felt very bad. But he's on antibiotics now. My sister mentioned how wonderful that we f0und out today and he's on the meds before we get on the plane. It was our Dr's birthday, and Luke told her "Haaappy Dir-day" and showed off his v0cab skills. It was pretty funny. I was looking in Silas's baby book tonight and he and Lukey are very similar in size at this age. Luke is a little taller, but weight is almost exactly the same.

I made the famous "Gussie Burgers" (Jody's "aunts" family recipe) for supper tonight and the Stephens' joined us. Yum...now if I hadn't packed my blender away already I would insist on milkshakes. Oh well.

Confirmation

We really do know that this upcoming move is of the Lord. He has orchestrated details that confirm our decision to move to South Carolina.

But lately I've been doubting. I've said, Jody are you still sure? He always answers me with a big fat yes. Like today, at my last MOPS, I was sad. I love going to my MOPS group. Or when Stacy and Emma were leaving this afternoon (Stacy I COULD NOT have gotten all the packing done that we have without you...no question) and Silas was crying because he loves Emma. He said she is my best friend.

One of the biggest doubts I've been having is because of the van. Jody said he really wanted to sell it here in Bismarck. He didn't want me to drive behind him. He didn't want to put those miles on a car...or spend all that gas money. He really felt we could sell it here. But it has been for sale for a few weeks now and I have been worrying, a lot.

I keep asking Jody what are we going to do if it doesn't sell? I should NOT have gotten plane tickets. Shoot.

This morning I read this in my bible:

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:11-12

So I prayed for patience and endurance with the van.

Then at about 2:30 these people came to look at the van. They test drove it and came back. They made an offer, Jody countered, they agreed and WROTE A CHECK. What??? Just wait, there's more.

They said they'd like to get the van tomorrow. I agreed, we can squeeze into Jody's car. Jody's mom is coming tomorrow too, but we can make it in one car, I think. THEN the people called back and said they'd rather pick up the van on Monday.

WHAT???? Is this for real?

Its like God is confirming so many things.

1. I can trust HIM
2. I can trust Jody
3. Why worry? God is in control even of the little details like our van.
4. We have made the right decisions and God is showing us so much favor

So, that's it. I was just SO excited and thankful and wanted to share it all with you. Jody and Silas took the check to the bank already...just in case you were wondering.

Party's over

Now that the birthday party is over, the kitchen is closed...almost. I packed up the kitchen aid, toaster, muffin tins, spices, cookbooks, and most of the other kitchen stuff. This is VERY hard for me. I hate fast food and prepared meals. It just seems so unhealthy to me. (It is.) But its necessary in order to pack it all up.

I have a few more meals planned before we totally switch to disposables.

We are going to our last MOPS meeting tomorrow. I will really miss my group. I've made several great friends and have tremendously enjoyed the meetings, looking forward to each one. (Especially the GREAT breakfast that I didn't have to fix).

Stacy's coming over again tomorrow afternoon to motivate me and help pack. We are getting boxes packed slowly.

Our van hasn't sold yet and I'm getting worried. Jody and I decided to sell it because it has pretty low mileage and is still under warranty at KIA. So I got tickets for Hattie, LUke and myself. Now the van hasn't sold and I"m SWEATING. What if it doesn't sell?? Jody is driving the moving truck and the van (we are told) is too heavy to tow. Jody says not to worry, he still thinks its going to sell. I pray he's right. (Pray with me??)

Now that the kids are down for the night, I am going to work on birthday thank you notes.

The Double Birthday Party.

..


We had a WONDERFUL day. After church and a very quick lunch we were ready for the big party for Hattie and Silas. We headed over to Mandan (just across the Missouri River). Including my 3 kids we had 22 kids at the party. Jody led them in some games while everyone was coming in. Then we had cupcakes and snacks. Silas blew out his candles before "Happy Birthday" ever started. Hattie was so proud in her favorite purple dress. After that we went swimming. Yes, it was an INDOOR pool.

Everyone had fun...I think. Silas and Hattie were SO happy that all of their favorite people came. Several kids from Silas's preschool class, 2 families from church, a friend of mine from MOPS,and 2 other families that are close friends, the Stephens and the Baltrusches. (thanks Stacy and Jen for all the extra hands and brains.)

Luke was his usual happy go lucking self. ALthough he thought he could swim and did NOT want me to hold him in the water. He kept saying, "I swim".

They both were SO pleased with their gifts. Silas got 2 new webkins and Hattie got one. Plus transformers, My Little POnies, art stuff, fleece blankets and lots of other great things.

Even though the time change confused Silas at bed time tonight, I really didn't have any complaints from the kids because they were SO tired. It was a great day.

You should all be glad to know the packing is coming right along. My friend Lisa came on Wednesday and we got all the linens and games packed. Then Stacy came today and we got all the breakables, frames and pretty much all of Hattie's room packed. I know I wasn't very inspirational or helpful. But man am I proud of all the taped up boxes.

Last night Jody took us all to Red Lobster for supper. Aunt Joy had given us a gift card at Christmas and this seemed like the perfect time to use it. The kids LOVED it and I did too. A night off?? Who wouldn't?

Oh, one other thing. The library was having their big sale this week. I just COULDN'T pass it up. Besides, what's one more box of books to pack? I was so proud of my stash. I had a backpack and a grocery sack full...all for $21.25. As I was unpacking the treasures I sorted them into: some for now, some for traveling and some for when we are in SC. I also found out that I accidentally stole a scratch pad (big one) from the little old lady who was racking up the totals. WHoops. :) One more thing to pack, I guess.

Tomorrow I have to make tons of cupcakes. We are having a combined birthday party, or as they call it, "The Double Birthday", for Hattie and Silas on Sunday. We are expecting around 20 kids at the Mandan Community Center for swimming. Whew.

Luke the comedian

I just have to share how FUNNY Luke has been lately.

When he's doing something he likes you can hear him say "awesome" over and over.

Today I asked him what he wanted for lunch (I haven't gone to the store to implement some of your good ideas) and he said without a second thought, "Ice cream".

Stacy loves this one - in true southern style when you ask him a question his affirmative answer is: "yes ma'am."

He calls his sister "Hattie Ruse"

He LOVES webkins and he will point his little finger at the mouse and say, "My turn, I click".

He is really into singing "Haaappy Dir-day".

When he is sad or hurt he will blame people. For instance, "Bubbie (Silas) push me" or "Hattie Ruse hit. Hattie Ruse trouble. Hattie Ruse spankin".

Wish you all could enjoy the little entertainer.

And THANKS for all the good lunch ideas. Its always nice to bring fresh choices to the table.

Lunch Options

You know how you sometimes just get into a funk with not even being able to think of things to add to your menu? With 3 little ones it gets kind of monotonous.

Here are some of our normal things:

Peanut Butter sandwiches
hot dogs
macaroni and cheese
ham
turkey
leftovers (which are usually NOT welcomed)

Any suggestions?

Let the packing begin

Ok, anyone who knows me knows I hate packing. I am horrible at it. I become paralyzed and I just don't know what to do. I can't explain it but I just stand there and can't organize myself.

I know, its weird.

When I was in college I was always the last one in the dorm. My mom came a few times to motivate me. (She really did most of the packing.)

So, here I go again. Ugh.

We are about 3 weeks from moving. My friend Jen told me that she would already be packed up. I wish. No way. I am trying to do a little at a time. The problem with that is if I do too little at a time there will be a WHOLE LOT left at the end. And if I"m not organized about it, I will end up with a bunch of miscellaneous boxes.

I have now packed all of our books and stuffed animals, some toys, the dress up clothes, and 2 trunks of...miscellaneous. Oh well. I have good intentions.

Allergies??

I have never suffered from allergies. Jody hasn't either. But now I'm beginning to wonder about my boys.

Friday morning, very early (it was still dark) we heard Lukey crying and then we heard a strange noise. We listened and it kept happening. Jody went and got him and I think he was having an asthma attack! He was crying because he couldn't breath and the funny noise was his gasping.

Then early this morning Silas woke up crying. He said he couldn't blow his nose and his head was hurting.

Here are a couple of other things about it. Doesn't a cold come on a little more gradually? I mean there were NO symptoms before these 2 early mornings. Also, the weather has been changing. It got really warm, it rained and today it was SO windy (up to 40mph gusts!).

So, what do you think?