Moving On...

I haven't been around lately. If you've even noticed. :)

But, between a two-week trip to Alberta ( me and the kiddo's) and now, a crazy two-week reno's on our new-to-us home, it's been full.

Yup, a new house. We're moving. :)

It's exciting, and yet I know - everyone is, or has already gone through this stage of life. Buying their first home, or moving again. So, even though I'm a bit consumed with my life right now, (naughty, naughty) I know that many of you are in the thick of these challenges/ joys. :) So here's just my little take on this time in our little lives, and how God led us, thus far.

We've been looking for a few years to buy a home, and we finally found one that works for us. It is a very pratical home, even if it's a cookie cutter house. :) (at least it's a well-built one)
It's actually not in Mount Pleasant, but in Brantford. As much as we love the country life, it seems like God is leading us out for a bit anyways. James is going to be switching from the Windmill, to a different family company - probably in the fall, and this home will be abit closer to work, as well, as to our church (building :) and the people we seem to rub more shoulders with in life. :)
The whole process happened rather quickly, which is actually pretty neat - tiring though. :) During the course of the whole house looking over the last while, I began praying for some specific things about a home. (and I have to add - I didn't pray this much, but this was is my heart)
I prayed that it would have a few things.
1. A laundry room
2. A ensuite
3. A garden
4. Pretty house (I know, that was a bit vain)
5. Not too close to neighbors.
6. A fenced in backyard.
And maybe a few other things, but those were the main hopes. :) But God answered the prayers of what I needed, and didn't make all make dreams come true at the same time. We're fairly close to our neighbors, but as I keep reminding myself, God didn't make us to be hermits. He wants us to be involved with others, so this is an easy way for me to reach out, even if I'm in my back yard. (which is fenced in by the way. :) I also have a garden!! And an ensuite. Pretty amazing, in my opinion, because with all the homes we looked at, there were very few that had any. And we also have a linen closet - albeit small, but that means I don't have to store my blankets in totes anymore. :)

My emotions right now...
I'm excited. We have only 3 more days til we're in this place. And it has lots of room.... 4 bedrooms, a laundry room, (used to be a second kitchen) office area, rec room, and two bathrooms. :) (I get a nursery and a guest room!!)
I'm nervous. It's the city - small as it is, and even though we're at the very edge - a block away from the fields - it will be interesting to see how it goes. I'm going to learn the city ways. :) The neighbors are friendly, especially the ones to the right of the house. And it's a super quiet neighborhood.
I'm tired - we've been painting the entire house: walls, ceilings, trim, doors, etc. One wall has been torn out, and we're putting all new flooring in. Because.... the pink carpet there did not inspire me. :) Nor did the pink walls. But, we're almost done the late/early hours, and then we can get mostly settled in.
But, I'm super grateful, as many people have helped us, almost every day for the last couple weeks. Family, friends from church, (they did a work day for us), and friends from other places...and we appreciate that a lot. I've had help babysitting, as I don't think I could manage children and painting in my 21-week pregnancy stage. It has been amazing to watch God bring people to sacrifice their time.

There will be lots of things to do, when we're in, - some touch-ups, eventually the kitchen will need some face-lifts, and the landscaping needs help. (watering for starters) But even there, are special gifts from God. A grape arbor (the man before us, made his own wine) and a row of hydrangeas, (terribly excited over that one!)along with tons of other perrinals.
So that's the scoop lately. I have more pictures to put up eventually, especially of my trip to Alberta to see my precious family. And then there will be more house pictures - can't wait to show you, what we've been doing, and all... :) It will be a bit before I'm back on here. Not that you're worried or anything. :) (are you ever worried?)

Four Lovely Years

Four wonderful years.

Every day with him is a gift.

I love him.

I'm so thankful that I get to cry with, laugh with, (and he laughs at me which I absolutely love) parent with, and learn with my best friend, James.

Truly, being married to your best friend and lover, is awesome. Cause, when things aren't always romantic - which they can't be - you're always best friends.

One thing about James, that I think about so often, is how he has kept his vows to me, and loves me with an amazing unconditional love like Christ has for us.

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart.

Front Yard Beauty

My Big Girl

My little two-soon-to-be-three year old got an early birthday gift from a friend at the Windmill.

She was pretty happy. :)

A real bike, for a real big girl!

Rachel had found an incredible bike at yard sale, and blessed Katy with it, as well as a real cute dress (but not the one she's wearing here :) for her third birthday. Since Saturday, Katelyn has been working on biking, and doing well. She rides all the way to the Windmill and back.

I'm super proud of her.

My big girl.

Now I have to walk fast to keep up with her, as opposed to her walking beside me. :)

And she loves dinging her bell.

Coloring - in Black and White

Erik loves to color. He colors on himself, the occasional book, and when he has it available, actual paper. I can't tell yet, if he's a leftie or a rightie. Katelyn seems to be left-handed, so I imagine we'll have a mix. :)

I sure hope they inherit some of their Opa's artistic-ness. :) They're not getting any drawing skills from their mama.:)

Little hands, making squiqqles.

Precious moments.

(why does life somehow seem absolutely more precious or sentimental in black and white? :)

Our Victoria Day

We enjoyed our "Victoria Day", and spent most of the day being together. Windmill folks never get a "long" weekend as they're closed Mondays anyways, (and open Saturdays) but we still have that feeling of no pressures... :)

Here's my little man, enjoying his first official "freezie".

It was Katy's first one too. :) She had two halves at least. :)

Then off we went for a supper picnic with Aunty Nel. Katy rode her bike most of the way to the fish ponds. She's pretty good at that. Almost ready for a two wheeler - with training wheels! :)

Erik, holding on to his prized possession. :)

Blowing the dandelions.

Our family at the picnic.

Nelly and I swapped spots. :)

So blessed to have such great aunties and uncles on both sides of our families. :) I've been enjoying having Nel around a lot, as she'll be leaving for school in the fall. So I'm soaking it in.

Two in purple

Beautiful Nel.

It's fun to see the kids love their aunts/uncles/grandparents, getting excited to see them and play with them.

Erik loves his Uncle Rob - he also knows, that Rob is one of the key people who can get him to the tractor. :) (or a "car car" as Erik calls it)

Now that the weekend was done, we were ready for the week.

Bethel Park Ladies

We had our bi-annual Ladies Prayer Breakfast at our church a few weeks ago. It was such a special time together with these precious ladies. (and a nice morning without my darlings, thanks to Mom Heikoop babysitting)

Almost all these photos were taken by Shelly! :) Thanks Shelly - lovely job. :)

After an amazing breakfast, we spent a couple minutes making nylon flowers, before the prayer time, and hearing the testimonies from two of the ladies.

Pretty Amber, working away.

Don't I look like, "what? she said that?" :) Not really.

 I am, Intense. Like. All. The. Time. And I just look, ummm, not nice most of the time for candids. :)

A couple of the kiddos, working away.

Learning from Georgie - the amazing lady who heads this all up.

Vickie, giving her testimony. She's such a sweet woman. She never married, but still raised two wonderful nieces.

Debbie, sharing what God has taught her through the recent passing of her mom.

Singing on Mother's Day. Nelly organized a little choir, which was fun to do together.