Still House Haunting . . .

Oops, did I say haunting? Yes, I did, and I mean it. This is not going according to plan and I am a stickler for plans. We have yet to find "the house" and so Greg returned solo to Des Moines while the children and I stay here and . . .
keep . . .
looking . . .
I am stressed, tired, confused and missing my husband. But hopeful, loved and looking at MORE homes tomorrow. If YOU think about it, will YOU pray for our family?

House Hunting

We will be house hunting Tuesday, September 22-Saturday, September 26! Pray that we find favor with a seller and find the perfect house (for us!).

BIG NEWS!

About nine weeks ago, Greg applied for a manager position in Amarillo, Texas. We did not tell anyone because of the location and the possibility of moving back so close to family. We felt like it would be better to only share if we actually got the offer-ya right! While mom and dad were here last week . . . we got the OFFER! We were all so excited and they just couldn't believe it since they didn't even know there was a job available in Amarillo. We are moving HOME!! I am so proud of Greg and all his hard work. He had a goal in moving us up here and he's now taking the next step. The fact that that step is in Amarillo is so awesome! We are so sad to say good-bye to all of our dear friends, sigh. However, we are extremely excited to be moving so close to family. We have been here three years and they have been blessed way beyond what we ever imagined! We have wonderful, faithful friends and an amazing, young church. I can not even begin to sum up all the growth and stretching we've done here in Des Moines. It's painful to feel the roots being pulled up but we're going to fields of outstretched arms! House hunting and moving dates have yet to be determined, but I'll keep this blog as updated as possible. Prayers for our move and new home would be appreciated-to God be the glory in all we do.

Our sweet Alea-when we moved here! 13 months old

Such a good helper-getting ready for her little brother.

Look how little she was when we moved!!

Our family THREE YEARS LATER . . .

More Pictures

Dad is still not too old to play in the sand!

Jester Park

Alea, Mom and Benton at Saylorville's Butterfly Garden.

Dad and Benton feeding the Koi fish at the zoo.

Eating at HuHot! Mmmm . . .

Visitors

It had been 15 months since anyone has been up here to visit! Finally-we had visitors!!! Dad, Mom and Nannie came all the way up for an "almost fall" trip. We had a great time. We did a lot of local activities: apple orchard, raspberry pickin', softball game, Ledges State Park, Raccoon River, Jester Park and local eateries. We enjoyed too much food, lots of laughs and perfect weather. We love it when people come to visit and are finally catching up on some sleep since they have been gone.

Alea and Benton pickin' apples.

Mom and Dad at the apple orchard. How corny!

We found this mask at Walgreens and had many a laugh with it.

NANNIE!

Yes, that is Greg pulling Nannie-she's 87 years old!

Mom showing Alea the "ripe" raspberries.

Determination at it's finest!

It wasn't raining when I decided to grill!!!

Enough said . . .

Yes, those get into the house too!

Way too cute not to picture and post! The other morning I went to open up the windows and screeched as I almost stepped on a small roach of some kind. Of course, if mama is screeching about something it's gotta be worth leaving breakfast for a formal investigation. Both of my children race from their breakfast to see what the fuss was about. They were so interested in watching the little bug squirm and try to hide. It made us laugh because they aren't that interested in spiders in the house anymore, but THIS, this was great. You would have thought that it was the most interesting thing-a time altering experience-to see a bug in the house. Alea was asking all kinds of questions and I really wanted to say, "Yes, those get into the house too!"

I've often thought about how many things we wouldn't miss in life if we approached it like children. They find mystery and fascination in everything. They make the ordinary extraordinary and turn the rain into a dance. We can learn so much from them! "Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:4