Welcome to Stevensville!

 almost up the walk

 unlocking the door

 Schaeffer Jo helping Griffin turn the key

 walking into our new chapter of life

 Griffin & SJ's first picture in the new house

 our first family photo

 SJ camping out in her princess tent 

my sweet goodnight kiss

After many many weeks of uncertainty with the closing process, we were overjoyed when we received the call that the keys were available for our new home. 

With that said, in the week before we received the long-awaited call, I feel victim to a nasty stomach virus. It was rough, and really took me many days to recover. Then, when I was finally well, SJ fell prey to the same horrible, no-good-very-bad bug. 

We rejoiced, that God's timing was so good, that when the blessed call came, everyone was healthy--and we could go into our new home vomit-free. 

hahaharderrharhar. Not more than an hour after we closed the front door were Griffin and I scampering for something (ANYTHING!) that could catch and retain vomit. 

So, needless to say, the sweet pictures above in the princess tent--all for show. 

Closing the door.

Schaeffer Jo's bedroom. Unbelievable to think we never

thought it would become even a nursery.

Now, it's been home to our daughter for four years.

SJ in her playroom. She said the thing she loved most about this

room was the crazy curtains. I'm inclined to agree.

That, and the warm morning sunlight.

There are small reminders of the past six years everywhere I look.

Like this quote that I purchased after receiving news that a family member had cancer.

At age 30.

Each of us needed closure in different ways.

For Schaeffer, she needed to close the door-once and for all.

We've had many conversations over the last week about our feelings,

and how it's ok to feel mixed up inside. And, about how it

isn't the house that makes a home, but our love.

A sweet daddy-daughter moment

The spot where many Christmas card photos have been taken

One with my gal and me

And, God being so faithful, answered my prayer that someone

would be available to snap a family photo.

Our neighbor Randy 'just happened' to be out walking his pooch.

There are so few significant landmarks of time for families that are positive--births and marriages and success' in school and work--but so much more is the negativity that stems from the monotony of life.

We wanted to transform what could be a time of grief into a time of gratitude for the great blessing we enjoyed in this home--and a time of expectation for the great joy and blessing that is yet come.

A bittersweet moment that is forever captured in my depths of my heart and mind.

Moving Day, Part 2

the place is looking pretty sparse

only a few things left to be packed!

getting loaded up

God blessed us with beautiful weather for moving

trailer getting full: garage sale, anyone?

HeMan carrying my loaded freezer up from

the basement and out to the truck

I'm impressed!

last item going in

look at those strapping fellows!

close 'er up

how cute!

a fancy lunch

woah, dust bunnies!

Griffin and I feel so blessed for the outpouring of help over the past few days. We couldn't have made the transition from there to here nearly as seamlessly without the help of my sister and brother, and all our wonderful friends.

Words can't begin to express our gratitude.

a few hours of freedom!

One of her favorite places!

Octavia

Silver Beach pony with my Silver Beach girl

she's so big I don't even need to hold on to her anymore.

seriously--mom, don't hold on.

look at my new watch!

The last few weeks have felt like anything but normal--we've spent all of our 'fun time' doing things that've been all but fun. Every couple days I've tried to make it a priority to sneak away for a couple hours to have some fun with my girl.

Wednesday SJ and I had planned to go to the fountain, but had to make a last minute switch to the carousel due to some untimely thunder. We enjoy our snipets of fun all the more because they're so few and far between.

my present state of mind

mal·con·tent

: a discontented person:

a : one who bears a grudge from a sense of grievance or thwarted ambition

b : one who is in active opposition to an established order or government : rebel

Otherwise known as out of sorts, on-ry. We have an expression in our house: snabby. None of these are quite the right fit for my present headspace. It's like anxietyX10. And, anxiety isn't really right either. It's more this rumbly concerning feeling in my stomach that leaves me feeling distracted, distant and nervous.

It's a combination of the reality that in 31 days, THIRTYONE days, we will not have a place to live, that I know I need to start doing things like packing & cleaning out the freezer, and that my child (my baby!) will turn four in a matter of weeks.

There are also little naggity things like the fact that everyone in our small group now has two or more children (but us). This tid-bit was easier to deny until recently, when it's become very obvious that the Soyk's will be adding a child to their family--any day now. Or, that despite living in Saint Joe for five years, I have closer friends from my two years in Indy.

Have I mentioned that we will be HOMELESS in 31 days? I know that we'll not actually be out on the street--that we have family that will take us in, and could always rent an apartment, but it's just not the same when you have no clue where the boxes you're packing will be unpacked. Or when.

In the mix of all of this, I also know that my good and faithful God has a plan. I'm praying that Griffin and I will continue to do the next right thing, and I'm working on an attitude of gratitude.

No one wants to be friends with malcontent Kate.