tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76909882023-12-29T14:33:10.288-05:00Walking alongAdventures and commentary from our lives.Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.comBlogger258125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-80067079731678044782020-02-18T13:40:00.001-05:002020-02-18T13:40:19.487-05:0020182018 was a crazy year and while I stop and ponder the year and think about all it held, one thing keeps returning to my mind- how thankful I am for all friends who were along for the ride with us. Encouraging us us with words and time and gifts and helping us not feel alone during such a challenging time.<br />
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This post is sort of a "yearly recap," along with a bunch of links to things that we enjoyed, mattered to me and such this year. To share the love, so to speak. And my favorite pictures of the year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKTM7GgRJmKMQadJ03ZIK1TzrL0Put0ZBwKTNIZSA_CTpGhA2p0AupTo-_5D3_hUXcG8v-gu3NSLHZhflCb9PwjYgdBsKhWlxtNPlIRc__0gB5IQyozYOGRam03AFS3gsf0rW/s1600/IMG_4673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="958" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKTM7GgRJmKMQadJ03ZIK1TzrL0Put0ZBwKTNIZSA_CTpGhA2p0AupTo-_5D3_hUXcG8v-gu3NSLHZhflCb9PwjYgdBsKhWlxtNPlIRc__0gB5IQyozYOGRam03AFS3gsf0rW/s200/IMG_4673.JPG" width="200" /></a>A year ago this week, Heidi and I were finishing packing up all our belongings in Washington. We had a visit from my dear friend Barbara, who helped me verbally process the crazy 7 months there and just gave me some much needed "friend time." A few days later Heidi, Elsa and I began our trip back across the USA and I'm sure most of you remember the absurdly crazy story that involved . .<br />
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- Esla's flight to NY getting delayed, her missing her connecting flight and then spending the night (apparently) at a doggie hotel in Newark before we finally connected with her in Syracuse.<br />
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- Our moving company barely making in to our remote house to get our stuff OUT, then the driver almost dying of the flu and our stuff stuck in Montana for more than a week . . . and then the drama of the massive moving truck getting stuck driving INTO the camp and even more stuck driving OUT.<br />
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- snow storms from Washington to New York to Massachusetts<br />
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- most of this taking place while Jer was trying to study for and pass his Wilderness First Responder class and not able to know what was going on<br />
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By the end of January we had all reunited in MA and within a day or two found out that the housing they had planned for us fell through, launching us into what would be seven months of living out of suitcases and uncertainty. We celebrated Shannon's 10th birthday, took a trip to Long Island (also filled with drama including no heat in our housing, no hot water and other {almost} comical adventures), and hunkered down during three back-to-back No'reasters.<br />
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As I read my journals and notebooks again, this quote stuck out as one I had written down, while packing and unpacking on almost a weekly basis and trying to somehow create "home" and stability for our kids in such a strange living situation. I knew that somehow God would bring us through, teach us things and preserve us but I had to hold on in the meantime.<br />
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<b><i>"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."</i></b> </div>
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Julian of Norwich</div>
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April brought us a wonderful trip to PA for my little brother's wedding and a chance to see our entire family. I've never attended a wedding, or wedding weekend that was so intentionally and carefully planned out with a focus on family time and the very serious spiritual commitment of marriage.<br />
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We returned to MA for just one week, as we finished our 90 day review and prepared to go on our vacation trip. We "chased spring" southward as we headed to visit friends, and interview in Mississippi. We giggled with glee as we found more flowers and green at every rest stop! After a great visit and interview, we headed East to the beach and then north to spend some time at Jer's childhood home. Being in a house was so refreshing after so many months of the "suite life."<br />
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Shortly after returning to MA, we continued to bounce around, landing this time in an RV for our remaining month. One of the highlights of our time in MA was getting to work alongside an amazing retired couple, who was there to volunteer. They were like grandparents to our kids and wonderful inspiration and encouragement to Jeremiah and I. And their home base is just three hours from where we are in MS now! We had some good adventures during our last weeks in MA . . .<br />
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The weather began warming up and we spent a lot of time down at the lake. Kids caught zillions and zillions of little critters.<br />
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Our dog and our co-workers dog decided to take off (while we were dog sitting) and go visiting way down the lake. To drive would take forever (small winding lake roads), so Jer had to hop in the canoe with Shannon and attempt to get them. I laughed until I cried when they came sailing back across the lake- the dogs grinning away as though they were just happy sailors out for a cruise. Not disobedient running away dogs!</div>
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Not only were Al and Marsha wonderful friends (and RV neighbors), but she is a horse expert and actually the previous owner of some of the horses who arrived at camp for the summer. She taught our kids a lot of about horsemanship. And laughed when Jer had to chase down the horses when they escaped. He was quite the "escaped animal expert."</div>
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Mid May we headed out of MA and took two months to visit family and do some emotional healing while waiting for our new job to be ready in MS. I am so thankful for family that is so amazing, that two months of living with them (half in PA and half in NY) wasn't nearly long enough and we were sad to have to leave.<br />
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I picked flowers all month long. It was my first "northen spring" since the year I graduated college (2000) and I was determined to soak up every sweet smelling and beautiful flower possible. We spent hours outside, including watching Dean build.<br />
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In NY, my girls and my sisters had a great time spending hours playing together and being a kid-pack.</div>
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As usual for our northern summers, Forest caught many a critter, including baby snapping turtles that we took care of all summer. And frog as big as his head.</div>
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We spent many beloved hours at Lake Ontario, looking for rocks, catching critters and even doing some swimming.</div>
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We also spent time in PA with Jer's mom and we helped her get a cat.<br />
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BUT excited to finally say good-bye to the suitcases and have a home of our own! Almost exactly 365 days after arriving in WA, we arrived in MS.<br />
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We (very quickly) settled in and got our new home ready. July 25th our family grew by three kids, when our Ashly, Aubrey and Cameron joined us. August brought back to school shopping and preparation. Homeschool got back under way for my three and public school started for the other three. The months have fairly flown by, we work 21 days on and 9 days off, so it seems like each month is just 3 weeks long. The kids get along famously with each other and it's as though they've always known each other<br />
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Shannon 10, Ashlyn 10 (4 months younger), Forest 9, Aubrey 7, Cameron 6 and Heidi 5<br />
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Heidi had her 5th birthday in September, Forest turned 9 in October. Forest and Cameron played soccer which kept us busy for September and October. We've managed to get to New Orleans a couple times (zoo is our new favorite trip) and got to take a trip to Arkansas to visit friends. We had our first visitors (Dean and Kyria). Then the holidays quick blew in. We made some great Thanksgiving memories and had an amazing Christmas holiday as a large family<br />
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What will this new year hold? Hopefully not nearly as much transtion and change! We do have four empty beds in our house- the promise of children who need a safe and stable place to live out their childhood and teen years. That will surely bring change to our family. But we are praying for a calm year, in the same zip code!<br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-77828360221583289132019-01-05T18:29:00.002-05:002019-01-05T18:54:18.211-05:007,000 Miles in 365 Days or Top Ten Moving TipsWe moved 3 times in 365 days- Florida to Washington State to Massachusetts to Mississippi. I learned a lot about moving. We moved with a POD, a moving company and a DIY Uhaul. A few real and a few funny moving tips from the experience. There are some practical tips and links are highlighted in bold.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">1. If you've packed all the pots except one, let it be a saucepan. You can boil water for tea and even fry an egg.</span></div>
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2. Bring a gnome along. He just makes the scary pile of boxes look better. Plastic wrap works well to keep bins from falling apart too. Drawing faces on the boxes makes you happy and gives kids a job to do. </div>
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3. Check with your moving company before they drive down a slippery and snowy road, to see if they will even FIT down the said road. Getting your stuff is nice but if you can't ever leave because they've blocked the entrance and angry neighbors are shouting at them? Well that's not so nice. {Note, <a href="https://www.mayflower.com/moving-quote-app/index.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAyMHhBRBIEiwAkGN6fFvZJlL3zavQo4glBCrLVCYYdqkB-tuEhkIIrswUv3WOR3hwMJ0oehoCspoQAvD_BwE&landing=index#index"><b>United (Mayflower)</b></a> was an amazing company to work with.} If you need reviews, I can give them for United, PODs and Uhaul.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">4. Take pictures of things you take apart. Then when you can't figure out what way the chair should look, your phone will happily demonstrate.</span></div>
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5. If you have to be in transition for a long time, making one small space cozy helps a lot. And helps everyone feel more normal- like seasons and holidays will continue on even with life so uncertain.</div>
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6. Watch for signs of growth and spring in your life. It will come. Slowly and with little hints at first. And get outside whenever you can. If you have to live in an RV, look out the windows, decorate with fresh flowers and take advantage of the outdoors!!</div>
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7. Pack that gnome! Use a truck bigger than you need, so you aren't shoving and smushing your stuff at the end. And if you happen to get a flat tire while driving that massive truck down I 81, pray that the one service tech in the area just happens to have that type of tire. Because U-Haul trucks don't usually blow tires and they don't often have those tires. Check for ticks too because you might end up with like four on you from standing on the Virginia roadside.</div>
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8. All that moving and such is stressful. If you can find a babysitter, get away and take some time without the kids to just BE. I recommend hiking and waterfalls!</div>
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9. A few real tricks for the road trip life- rolled clothing outfits helps with organization. Even just visualizing what you need for the trip. It's easy to grab a few rolls of clothing each day, rather than digging through suitcases.</div>
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This was a life-saver during all our travels. A very heavy-duty tool container worked so well to keep all our toiletries and anything like that, organized and from spilling. No plastic bags to deal with and easy to take into the bathroom. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Husky-398821-82042N12-External-Pockets/dp/B00E1MW8LC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1546730751&sr=8-2&keywords=husky+tool+tote"><b>THIS</b></a> is similar to what we have, but any made for tools will handle heavy liquids.</div>
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A few other favorites- </div>
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-<a href="https://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-eddy-Bottle-Monkey-Around/dp/B07678LDVQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=sports-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1546730822&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=camelbak+water+bottle+kids&psc=1"><b> nice water bottles</b></a> for the kids (we found ours cheap at Ross/Marshalls)</div>
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- <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069SQEK2/ref=sxr_rr_xsim_1_s_it?pf_rd_p=9ddc66f6-9fc0-49ff-b2fa-06a39d9859e6&pd_rd_wg=KirZB&pf_rd_r=BDZFHNC69G807EAM390T&pd_rd_i=B0069SQEK2&pd_rd_w=Twf24&pd_rd_r=77aa1ef9-f069-417d-baf9-3143852c3011&ie=UTF8&qid=1546730859&sr=1">peppermint essential oil</a></b> for carsick kids and to keep a car smelling fresh</div>
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- a baggy of quarters for tolls or treats</div>
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- <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/d/Kids-Board-Games/Rorys-Story-Cube-Complete-Set/B00ALQFYGI/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1546730888&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=story+cubes&psc=1&smid=A1B7M9EQGNCLQA">story cubes</a></b> for a good break from technology in the car</div>
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- ipads and kindles and DS for hours of peaceful travel</div>
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- cosmetic bags (the free ones that come with other things as gifts) to keep similar items organized in the car (we have one for chargers, one for meds, etc.)</div>
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- bubbles for playing and chasing at rest stops, painted rocks to leave for others to find and enjoy</div>
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10. Lastly, look for ways to create and enjoy things . . . stop and admire beauty along the way and even in the insanity of unpacking and getting settled, take time to make small, beautiful spaces along the way.</div>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-6911774448838305162018-05-28T21:54:00.001-04:002018-05-28T21:54:52.310-04:00Mississippi????I realize our moving truck post was quite a shock . . . and confused everyone. In the flurry of accepting a new position and getting ready to leave our place in Massachusetts, there just wasn't time for a good blog post. Also the last week there we were in an RV with basically no cell reception. So that's the excuse.<br />
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Now for the details!!!!<br />
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Yes, we are moving to Mississippi. No joke. Stop laughing! Oh wait, we are too :)<br />
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As the story goes . . .<br />
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One of our dearest "couple friends" has been telling us about the children's home they work at for the past year. Last winter/spring we prayed as they interviewed, I did a reference call for her and we celebrated as they began their new job. Meanwhile, as this spring has gone on, housing just continued to "elude" us at camp. They tried their best to figure out a solution and none presented itself. Eventually they decided to build- which is a great long-term solution for their housing but would require our family to live in an RV for 6+ months. Along with the mice and mushrooms already residing there. We evaluated our family health and long-term goals and decided that just wasn't healthy for us. <br />
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<b><i>(Elsa isn't sure the RV life is for her)</i></b></div>
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In the meantime . . . we were talking to our friends Steve and Samara, and asking them literally hundreds of questions about the children's home they work at. After over a month of asking questions, we finally applied and continued the process forward. It was a slow and steady process, one that allowed us to really think through all the issues, ask lots of questions, get lots of inside information and slowly wait for God's direction. And of course allow them to evaluate us and see if we were a good fit for them. I have to say, it was terrifying to think of moving to YET another place but at the same time getting "inside" information was so so so helpful. And then I'd read books like this at the bookstore . . .<br />
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We were invited for an interview and able to fit it into our already-planned "spring" southern vacation. We had a three day visit- a chance to ask more questions, meet the staff and see how personalities seemed to fit and watch things in action. We got to visit the church we would be attending, meet kids, listen to the director share his story and the heart behind the organization. As we left, our entire family was sad because we enjoyed our time so much and we really hoped we would be back. A few weeks later we got the job offer and joyfully accepted. I believe it consisted of me shrieking "yes yes!" out the RV window when Jer was on the phone with our future boss.<br />
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We will be houseparents at Homes of Hope for Children, in Purvis, Mississippi. <br />
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<b><u><a href="https://hohfc.org/">Homes of Hope For Children</a></u></b></div>
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It's not a "reform" or "behavior" school (like the Ranch) but rather a home for kids who need a home. If you are more curious about the exact way this happens and how it looks, their website has some really good information and definitely take a few minutes to watch the video by the director and founder. They can explain it better than I can. Our home will be a home- with its unique differences and routines. Our kids are so excited to be able to share their family again and have lots of kids around, even though Forest can't believe he's about to get "more sisters!" <br />
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<b><i>(Dearman Cottage- our new home)</i></b></div>
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This year has been a {crazy and unusual} sabbatical year from house parenting. It's been neat to see God bring us full-circle back to it. This is what we are good at, what we love and what our family is uniquely crafted to do well and love deeply. Every crazy thing has been part of this plan and part of bringing us on the journey. Hard? Yes. But I wouldn't change it. I probably can't write a book anymore because no one would believe it!!!!<br />
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<u>Questions Everyone Asks</u><br />
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- <i><span style="font-size: large;">Can you keep homeschooling?</span></i> Yes we will continue to homeschool our kids. This will allow us some focused one-on-one time with our kids during the day, and will also allow us the flexibility to travel during our time off (we work 21 days on, 9 days off). <br />
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<b><i>(Kids and I at Pensacola Beach, on our April trip)</i></b></div>
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- <i><span style="font-size: large;">When do you start?</span></i> We have finished our work in Massachusetts. As most of you saw, Jer has already moved our belongings to MS, to storage; but the home won't be ready for us to move into until the beginning of July. We are using this time to visit our family in NY and PA, rest from this crazy year and get ready for this exciting new adventure. If you're in the NY or PA area and want to get together, let me know and we can make it happen! We are counting the days until we can stop living out of suitcases!!! <br />
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<b><i>(Watching Uncle Dean work on his newest construction project.)</i></b></div>
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- <i><span style="font-size: large;">Who feeds the kids?</span></i> We will cook for the kids and eat meals as a family. They have a "commissary" on property where we get food to stock our pantry and fridge. We also get supplies for the home like paper products and so forth. <br />
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- <i><span style="font-size: large;">Where do they go to school?</span></i> The kids attend the local elementary/middle and high schools. They can (and will) be involved in activities, and we will be involved with a local church.<br />
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-<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Who runs this place? Are you getting paid this time? Will you have a house finally? </i></span> Homes of Hope is a non-profit, privately run organization. No government funding (or control), and not run by a particular church or denomination. We will be getting paid a good salary and will be well-taken care of. And yes, we will have housing! We have a lovely apartment as part of the home, where we can stay on our time off because the relief parents have their own bedroom and bathroom built into the home.<br />
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- <i><span style="font-size: large;">What about the newest member of the family?</span></i> We are still waiting to hear if Elsa can make the journey with us. You can pray about that, kids are anxiously praying every night that Elsa can move with us.<br />
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So that's that! Thanks for sticking with us through this wild and crazy year . . . from our announcement about a year ago that we were moving to Washington; through the hard times there and the announcement we were moving to Massachusetts. Then the crazy move with the moving truck and bad weather . . . to the announcement we had no housing. It's been a wild ride and we are so thankful for YOU, our friends . . . who kept us going and encouraged through it all. And laughed with us at the silly craziness of the story. We love you! Please keep us in prayer as we start this new ministry and give hope and family to kids who need it!<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Prayer Requests</span></u><br />
- for the kids who need a home at HOHFC, that God will be protecting their hearts and keeping them safe until they are brought there. That God will be working to create just the right Dearman Family.<br />
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- for all the adjustment for our family as we start new routines, new job, learn another new location.<br />
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- for Elsa to be able to move along with us.<br />
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- for the construction that needs to be finished at HOHFC to be done quickly and with quality<br />
<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-24601263247243939482018-01-29T21:38:00.000-05:002018-01-29T21:38:03.417-05:00The "can you believe it" ChapterIn the crazy book I have been told to write some day, this next chapter has several titles. Possible suggestions include:<br />
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"7000 Miles and Still Homeless"<br />
"Gordon Nomads"<br />
"Frequent Crier Miles" (my dad's idea)<br />
"He Who Pukes Last"<br />
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So where to begin? I'll get to the main prayer point first, in case you just can't believe this and have to stop reading.<br />
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<b><i>We need a home!</i></b><br />
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Back story- Housing is part of our new job and being provided for us. It appeared a house had been located just 1/2 mile from the Retreat Center and it was basically a done deal before we even left WA. Unfortunately on Wednesday, an "ex" spouse came out of the woodwork and refused to sign the papers. Perhaps it was always in the works but unknown to people here. All that to say, everyone feels bad and is doing their best to remedy the situation. We aren't upset because it is what it is, right? Who knew . . . I'm trusting that there is a BETTER housing situation out there for us. It would have been a tight fit and was fully furnished. Which might be nice as newly-weds but as a family, we would have felt much more comfortable with our own things. And yes, that's my perpetually optimistic take- I completely trust God has something better out there. <br />
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So where are we now? The first week we stayed in one of our beautiful guest suites. Seriously, book your vacation to Massachusetts now! These rooms are beautiful! We have a queen bedroom downstairs, bathroom and living room/kitchenette area. Upstairs in our suite are three bunk beds and a trundle/daybed. The kids have plenty of place to spread out. Unfortunately after a week, we had two back to back groups. Good for camp finances, bad for housing, ha! Soooooo we moved in with our co-workers. No joke. We've known them a week and are living in their apartment. We had the upstairs bedrooms, they were downstairs. <br />
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4 adults. 5 kids under age 10 (Shannon had a birthday!!!). 2 dogs. <br />
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After five days together (during which the next crazy part happened), we are back in our suite. Hopefully for 3 solid weeks or a housing miracle happens.<br />
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<b><i>Please pray for God to work miracles.</i></b> The right house- close to camp, big enough for us to live comfortably (we don't need a mansion but enough bedrooms/bathrooms and space for school stuff would be nice). Forest wants you to pray for a yard and a stream. Shannon would like an upstairs. Mommy would love a pretty kitchen with a window over the sink. But those are the frosting! We pray for them in faith but will rejoice with the basics! And let's pray for a miracle with timing- we all know how real estate tends to drag on and have hidden surprises around every corner. <br />
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<i>So wanna hear more? What would be more interesting than living with your new co-workers that you barely know? Enter . . . </i><br />
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<b>the stomach bug!!!!!!!</b> No joke! The day we move in, people start slowly dropping like flies. Two days after we are together, my poor new teammates are sent to bed by Nurse Erika while I take care of their little ones and keep everyone functioning. Over the next five days it goes through everyone except Heidi. We are still wondering if she's going to drop suddenly or is a robot! Some managed to avoid the puking and just have horrible fatigue and pain. Not the Flu thankfully, but a strange 24-48 hour stomach/body bug.<br />
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The night Forest got sick, I cleaned him up and climbed into bed . . . and started laughing and laughing. I couldn't stop and I think Jer thought I had lost my mind. But seriously. <i>How can you NOT laugh at this situation and these crazy events?</i> An editor would reject them as being too "absurd." Never mind the 60 Ukrainian and Russian men and teens here for a retreat this weekend. Oh and the day the two dogs (our husky and their golden doodle) decide to run off down the (frozen) lake and go visiting neighbors- resulting in our husbands driving around and all of us shouting for these crazy dogs!<br />
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<i>Tired yet? One last thing . . . anyone wondering where our personal belongings are? Oh, we are too!</i><br />
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About a week ago I noticed the website tracking our stuff across the USA had gotten "stuck" in Montana. After a few days I contacted our move coordinator- our driver had gotten sick and gone to the hospital- he was immediately admitted with a serious case of pneumonia. He has been upgraded to critical condition and it is very serious. <b><i> Please pray for Driver Dan to be healed.</i></b> Our belongings are now in the care of another driver (Driver Oscar and his wife Monaca) and will be delivered on Thursday. But guess what? It's ok! Since we are homeless anyway, I was trying to find a storage unit and it was going to be a long drive to one AND lots of money. Because of the house situation, we can now store our stuff in the basement of the Retreat Center. Saving money and meaning our boxes are here- when I need to run down to get school supplies, winter clothes we need or toys! Our kids haven't had anything to play with for the last week and a half. <br />
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So there you have it! Our big prayer requests, recapped:<br />
<b><i>1. "Perfect" housing for our family</i></b><br />
<b><i>2. Safe delivery of our belongings and healing of Driver Dan</i></b><br />
<b><i>3. Our transition and adjustment, especially with crazy circumstances</i></b><br />
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We are enjoying our new team- it's a small but good one. Director and his wife (have a 16 month old darling and 3 1/2 year old new BFF for Heidi) and a temporary "all around maintenance" guy who is super fun to feed all my leftovers to! Despite the sickness that everyone had, it was fun to see everyone all pitch in when groups are here and do what needed to be done. Felt good to work hard and work together. We have a little break from groups now- a chance to step back and get a bigger picture of the coming months, goals, plans and ideas. <br />
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The weather has been winter-cold but sun! I'm so happy how sunny it is here. The hills (ok they call them mountains but after Washington? The highest peak is barely higher than where our home was located, ha!) are beautiful and I'm in heaven with the historic homes of this area. So on we press!<br />
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Thank you for encouragement and prayers during these past months. You are the strength holding us up and keeping us smiling!Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-55430051259191599742018-01-07T23:40:00.000-05:002018-01-07T23:41:58.050-05:00For the CuriousFor my curious or detail oriented friends . . . here is our "move across the USA" plan! If you are a praying person, you will notice all the possible complications with all these plans and we covet your prayers.<br />
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** If you are a Florida person and see my husband this week- DO NOT ask him about all these details. He needs to focus on his class and I'm doing my best to not get into all the little move details until it's over. Please help me out here! He doesn't want to discuss moving vans and doggie cargo! **<br />
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PLEASE PRAY for God's graciousness over all these things. Weather. Humans. Details. I believe strongly God is in the details. Ask me sometime about God providing just the right "personal undergarments" when my BFF and I prayed specifically for them, for a college formal.<br />
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<i><b>Side note- someone told me the other day that they moved "across the United States." And then I found out it was like 900 miles. And I tried not to die laughing. For the record- Florida to Washington is across the USA. Washington to Massachusetts is across the USA. And please dear Lord don't ever let me have to do this again! For the love of all that is sane.</b></i><br />
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Jeremiah and kids flew to Florida a week ago. They are having a wonderful time seeing their friends- people who are as close (or closer) than extended family. Jeremiah began his training on Thursday. He's taking a Wilderness First Responder class (90 hours in 10 days). Basically in the wilderness when you have an emergency, he IS 911. So it's no joke, it's the "real deal" and when he passes the test Friday (yup, I believe he will), he will have an amazing certification.<br />
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<i>Pray for a clear mind, retention and understanding of material, calm and clear decisions in the hands-on practice and for him as he takes the test- to not just pass it but to pass it with confidence. Pray for energy as the week goes on as well- between commuting to the classes, coming home and studying and repeating- it's an exhausting 10 days.</i><br />
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Meanwhile back in Washington . . . Heidi and I (and Elsa the dog) are busy packing up the rest of our stuff. Our schedule . . .<br />
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<b><u>Wednesday the movers are scheduled to arrive. </u></b> Continue to pray over this. Already one driver backed out due to the "remote and snowy" location. They must pay their drivers well if they can afford to say no to routes! Pray for weather and safety. <i>Pray that in the midst of this, I can be an encouragement and a kind face to the movers. And of course protection for the driver and our stuff as they travel 3000 miles.</i><br />
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Once they leave (if it's early enough) or the following morning- Heidi, Elsa and I drive over to Seattle (90 minutes) to stay with my friend Stephanie. The sweet, amazing one who babysat our kids in November <b>so we could get the job</b>!<br />
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<b><u>Friday morning we take Elsa to the airport.</u></b> Remember- Elsa is a 47 pound, 7 month old Siberian Husky. She can't exactly fit under the seat in front of you on the airplane. Soooo she has to fly Doggie Cargo. For the curious and pet loving folks- there are a lot of guidelines around this to ensure your <b>best pet ever</b> is well taken care of. We had to get a special vet exam. She isn't allowed to be drugged, so that she is "awake and alert." And on and on. <i>Here are the prayer points- temperatures are NOT allowed to be below 10 degrees at the destination or connecting airport. If we flew this week, her flight would have been cancelled. At the moment, the forecast looks good (Chicago and Rochester). Please pray for temps to be well above 10, so it's not an issue.</i> Listen, my dog LOVES cold and would be physically fine. But airlines have rules.<br />
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<b><u>Friday night</u></b>, back to the airport for Heidi and I! We have an overnight flight (also connecting in Chicago in the early hours of the morning) and then on to Syracuse (my parent's house). <i>Pray for flight connections and for a certain non-stopping 4 year old to sleep on the flight. </i> I know I won't- I never do . . . but I just may lose any sanity I have left if she talks the whole way. HA! I think she'll conk out but prayers never hurt.<br />
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Our vehicle will be picked up at some point after the 12th. <i>Pray for a shipper to pick it up as close to that as possible, because the longer delay is the longer we are without on the MA end. And of course for the driver who is travelling across the USA!</i><br />
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I'll be visiting with my parents until the 16th and then we head to our new home- Jer and kids will meet up there! We are cautiously optimistic (after this situation here) about our new home and job. We've been getting to know our future team-mates via text and it's encouraging to look toward the future. We are finalizing job details- so that each of us have specific areas at camp that are "our own." Once I have those finalized, I'll share more. We will both be on staff (Jer full time, me part time) and we are really excited to be part of something that matters! After so much craziness for so many months, I'm really hopeful that <i><b>as we start this new year, we can start a new year for our family. </b></i><br />
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Soooooo . . . thanks for riding this ride with us- for being encouraging and supportive. Please keep us in prayer especially this week.<br />
<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-75135906122120676192017-12-10T19:26:00.001-05:002018-03-13T18:09:43.940-04:00On the road again . . . <i>** Warning- random pictures thrown into this post just for visual appeal. **</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For those of you that just want the main point . . .</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">We're moving. To Massachusetts. In January. </span></b></i><br />
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Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor, want the story?<br />
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As many of you know, things have been very challenging since arriving here- mainly due to funding and vision. There is not the funding for our position. Secondly, there is a drastic difference in the vision as presented and the vision as reality. We were under the understanding there was an adventure program that we would be growing and building on, working from here at camp to reach kids and families for Christ. The reality is that they want someone to start a rafting business, that will be based in Oregon for the adventure program. That's not our gifting, passion or skill set. As this all became clear, you can imagine the stress of "now what do we do?" We moved so far, away from all our friends and family and support system. How in the world are we going to support our family and where are we going to go?<br />
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But God. After exploring every possible option we could find, only one remained. Jer received a call from an organization in Long Island, in October. They invited both Jer and I to fly out for a 4 day meet, greet and interview. My "one friend" out here agreed cheerfully and joyfully to keep my kids AND dog . . . and off we went on an overnight flight to NY. Can you imagine agreeing to babysit someone else's three kids (with four of your own) for five days? She's pretty much amazing! We had a great visit, getting to know the organization and being really well taken care of (beautiful hospitality house they put us up in, gave us their fancy black suburban to test drive around and feeding us great meals). Rather than me describe the mission and history, check out their links and videos.<br />
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<a href="http://www.timothyhill.org/"><b><i>Timothy Hill</i></b></a><br />
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Great mission, history and work going on working with young people who need a second chance- not so different from the Ranch in Florida. One thing became apparent to us over our visit though- we love and support the mission, but we love working together, and we want our kids to be able to be a part of ministry with us. So how could we fit in there? It was clear to the people we met and us, that our fit would be working at their Retreat center in Massachusetts (they also have a camp in Tennessee). A week after getting home we got the phone call and within two weeks the details were coming together for us to accept the position. Jer will be working to assist the director of the Norwich Lake Retreat center- doing a little of everything to help grow and run the work there. Again, check out the website for information.<br />
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<a href="http://www.timothyhill.org/retreat-camp-norwich-lake"><b><i>Retreat at Norwich Lake</i></b></a><br />
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So . . . we are sad and excited, relieved and scared, disappointed and encouraged. All at the same time on some days. We love Washington and were so excited to put down new roots here. We've met some great people at church, enjoyed getting to know the area and of course the scenery. Moving 3000 miles back across the USA was never, ever in our vision or ideas or dreams. But sometimes life is like that, isn't it?<br />
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We are still working out all the logistics of getting our whole family and belongings and dog across the country (in the middle of winter). And will update here when we have them all figured out. But basically we will be arriving in MA in mid-January.<br />
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Thank you for prayers and texts or emails of encouragement. This has been the hardest 6 months of our married life- and the reality of another move and adjustment is overwhelming at times. Much love.Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-2573550084564052682017-11-01T14:17:00.001-04:002017-11-01T14:17:55.638-04:00Jer & Er Times November<div class="WordSection1">
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;"></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>(This is a copy of what we mail out to friends interested in what we are doing. </b></span></b></div>
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<b>Posting here for all our online friends who maybe don't know what we are up to or want to know more. Regular blog post will come soon!)</b></div>
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JER & ER TIMES</h1>
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<span style="color: #006600;">(Along with Shannon, Forest & Heidi)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600;">Making Washington Home <o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="color: #006600;">October 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank you for all your prayers as we settle in here, in
Washington. It’s been a good three
months- filled with unpacking, finding our way around, and learning so many new
things. To re-cap . . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>July</u></b>- We
were able to spend time at the Church of God family camp (the church
denomination that Double K is part of), and were able to make some good
connections with people who have been invested here at DK for a lot of
years. Our kids enjoyed being part of
the children’s program during the week and are already counting down until next
year! Jeremiah was able to get to know the summer staff and build relationships
with them, that will carry on to the following summer. Mentoring these college student staff is a
really important part of our summer, and we are looking forward to leading them
next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>August</u></b>- Jeremiah
started the month with getting his “Swiftwater Rescue Technician”
certification. Thank you so much for all
the prayers during these days- it was very challenging but he was able to
complete it and learn so much. A new
family member joined us as well- Elsa, our Siberian Husky Puppy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 135%;">September</span></u></b><span style="line-height: 135%;">- Our summer camp season wound down and the
year-round staff prepared for a trip to Canada.
The staff was able to be together for a week, in challenging (read:
freezing) conditions and to learn how to best work together. Jeremiah was able to get some great
experience on the river and came back feeling a lot more </span>confident in his river skills. The kids and I (Erika) had a good week at
home, working on getting our school routine more in order. We also were able to start attending Awana at
the church we’ve been attending (Christian and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Missionary Alliance). We are
getting to know some great people and feeling more at home on Sundays. Heidi turned four on the 20</span><sup style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> and
we had a fun “Rainbow Birthday” with all her friends . . . our fellow staff
members.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The month ended with DK hosting the women’s retreat for the
Church of God. Our directors were out of
town, so Jeremiah and I were able to lead the retreat and enjoy hearing how God
is working in the lives of the women here in the PNW. While fighting periods of intense grieving
for our friends and family in Florida, we also started finding our way around
more and meeting new people. Thank you
for standing with us during these hard days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u>October-
</u></b> The weather is cooling off and
the leaves are changing! We are enjoying
our first fall since we lived in Syracuse, back in 2000. The kids are enjoying their first fall and
trying to figure out why I keep suggesting they put more clothing on. We are looking forward to my parents coming
to visit and meeting my new sisters!
Lots of weekend retreats coming up, as well as planning for the next
year.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; text-transform: uppercase;"><i>Thankful in Grief<o:p></o:p></i></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><i>Everyone in our family has gone through different phases of grief
during the last three months. We miss
friends, our familiar routine, familiar grocery stores and our church
family. One thing is clear- we are
reminded how lucky we are to have so much to grieve! We are thankful for such amazing friends and
co-workers who loved us so dearly.
Thankful for friends for our kids and an amazing church family that we
are so sad to be away from, and for years of being able to work with children
and families. What an honor to have had
our lives filled with so many amazing people and thankful for technology to
keep in contact! Please text, call or
email anytime!</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-21866830657680948482017-09-16T21:02:00.003-04:002017-09-16T21:02:43.340-04:00Washington Life!I keep starting an update and then can't figure out where to "go" with it. I'll try again. We have been in Washington for two full months. Days have been full and long and time is cruising right along, the days seem to short for what needs to be done. But I suppose that's the siren song of life, right? <br />
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I ended the post with our prayer requests, but I'm going to move them here to the top- then you can enjoy the fluffy pictures!!!<br />
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<i><b>A few prayer requests- the reality of life- not the sugar-coated ideas we have from seeing photos and assuming all is well . . .</b></i></div>
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<i><b>* School- we have started up but are all struggling. Homeschooling continues to be the right choice, for flexibility with Jer's job. However, transition from packing-moving-travel-unpacking-new home-back to school is proving to be a challenge, for kids and teacher alike. It's hard to know if a bad day is because of emotions with moving, with lack of school discipline or something else. Please pray for all of us- for determination and discipline. For wisdom in what to teach, how to teach and how to order our days.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>* Friends- please pray for special friends for all five of us! God knows people who need us- who need our encouragement and friendship. And he knows who WE need. Pray for them to come together. And in the meantime, for us to be each other's best friends, not just family.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>* Work- I think every job has it's share of surprises. After all, the hiring process involves both parties showing their "best" to each other. Pray for us as we work through this and figure out what is expected. Please pray for a clear vision for the future here- this place is amazing and has great potential and we want to pour ourselves into making it great. The PNW is very, very unchurched and uninterested in their creator- despite being surrounded by creation crying out in God's glory. Pray for our camp to be a beacon of light and for local churches to see the need to bring their young people here to be trained in leadership. Pray for Jer to be able to speak truth and lead these young people into truth- challenging them on the mountains and rivers, and applying that truth to their lives. Pray for Godly staff who can work together as a team, with organization and a heart for ministry.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>* Finances- are tight. Pray for Erika to be able to find part-time work (preferably here at camp) and for God to provide the money we need. Not to be fancy millionaires but to be able to pay bills and take care of our family. If this piece isn't in place, it's hard for us to be able to focus on the other things. Support raising is an option but it's challenging when all of our friends are on the East Coast.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>* Healthy transition! As explained above, pray for us to work through emotions in a healthy way. To encourage each other instead of tearing into each other. To grieve and miss friends in a healthy way. My parents are busy learning to parent their new daughters. Dean is a world away in the middle of the ocean, being challenged in so many ways. Brian and Anna are knee-deep in ministry and foster-parenting in Atlanta. Sometimes I could just cry for the way my family is being challenged, in amazing ways. But so, so hard. It makes the miles we are all apart seem even worse.</b></i></div>
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Now on to the fun things . . .<br />
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We have unpacked for the most part and are making our new house a home. There is still plenty to do (curtains and organizing, finding homes for all our boxes and trying to figure out how to organize kids rooms and closets without any shelves or dressers. A few sneak peaks-<br />
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master bedroom</div>
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School room</div>
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Kid-Guest bathroom- filled with reminders of our Florida beaches!</div>
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Cozy coffee spot in the kitchen - I found this dresser (as ugly as possible) being given away for free in our community. A few coats of paint and yah! Something pretty! Come on over for some tea or coffee.</div>
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Socially we are doing our best to meet people and learn our community. We found a local church to attend, filled with delightful and friendly people. They actually seem glad to be at church on Sunday, glad to see each other and thrilled to welcome new people. It's been hard not to have Jer with us each week (he has had to work retreats some Sundays). It takes time to get to know people, so we are eagerly awaiting each time there is some sort of "social" gathering- Awana Club (for kids) starts next Tuesday, we are hoping that spending 2 hours each week with the same people, will build some friendships. </div>
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As many of you know, who have already reached out to encourage us, it is mind-bogglingly hard (yes I made up that word) to start new. We have had such an amazing community of friends and co-workers, some as close as family. Even if you aren't best friends with everyone, they were there to share life with, like it or not. We knew Washington was the right decision for us, but it doesn't make it easier to start over brand new. My heart physically hurts some days from the pain of grief. One of my dear friends lost her father and mother in the past two years and often shares with me the things she is learning from counseling or Grief-Share. It's reminding me to walk through this grief in a healthy way. Many things I learned WAY back in college about cross-cultural transition? All coming back to me now. </div>
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We are making ourselves get out and go places, even when it's hard (mostly speaking for myself, I don't like going to new places alone and that feeling of being uncomfortable, unaware of the social routine and what-not). Jer is better at it than me, but because he's working, I've been "forced" to grab the kids and go . . . stretching ourselves is good, right? When Jer is off, we've been trying to make the most of our time and explore this amazing country. A few places we've seen so far . . . </div>
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Beautiful Lake Kachess, just 15 minutes up the road, it's quiet (instead of the noise of the highway outside our house) and filled with amazing old-growth trees.</div>
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Puget Sound- only got to be here for about an hour, we are for sure coming back prepared to explore and find more sea creatures!!!</div>
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Lake Cle Elum (pre-fire). Weird shoreline filled with rocks and rock piles, I think because the water level is really low in the summer. Curious to see what it looks like in spring.</div>
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Enjoying the John Wayne trail outside our back door, even on a smokey evening.</div>
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Jer and Forest hiked to the top of Easton Ridge, outside our backdoor also. Down below is lake Cle Elum (See above) and beyond that is the local fire. Thankfully weather is now causing 8% containment!</div>
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Great time at the Ellensburg County Fair. Great showing of animals by the local 4H kids, my kids sat and watched the Steer and Goat judging for over an hour! They are so ready to be farmers (mom, not as much). Shan and Jer practice their sawing skills and got a neat piece of wood-burned tree as a souvenir.</div>
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Jer was able to take these two on their first rafting trip. They loved it and are hooked for life!</div>
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Well, thanks if you've stuck with me this far! We can't wait until someone comes to visit and we can show this corner of the world off.</div>
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Thank you for reading this far . . . it means the world! Drop me a note or a hi to let me know you made it this far!!!! LOVE! Erika, for the whole crew</div>
<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-66964512888790487292017-07-26T00:29:00.004-04:002017-07-26T00:29:40.493-04:00Great Westward Trek Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY FOUR- Break from the Road (sort of)</i></span></div>
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Today was our built-in rest stop. We wanted to see the historic town of Deadwood and Mount Rushmore. We ended up driving a while because Rushmore was 90 minutes south but it was an amazing drive through a National Forest. Lots more random things to see today . . .</div>
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Random miner in Deadwood</div>
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We went to the Broken Boot Gold mine- pretty amazing history of mining from a real mine. I can't imagine the stamina and determination it took to work in places like this.</div>
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Oh look, a random statue of Honest Abe.</div>
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Again, a "random" wood carving shop near Rushmore. Some pretty amazing creations.</div>
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And then this- the amazing Rushmore. I was truly impressed- it's high up in the mountains, which adds to the awe-inspiring spot. I was glad we came here!</div>
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Whoops, one more statue- Big Foot!</div>
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We are all pretty tired but pushing through. Spent a lot of time re-organizing the van and cleaning it out. Getting tired of being in a van! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY FIVE</i></span></div>
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Took us through the rest of South Dakota, into Eastern Wyoming. One of my favorite spots- very high elevation on these wide open, massive hills, with amazing snow-covered peaks (edges of Yellowstone) in the distance. After several hours of this, we headed down out of the mountains and into flat Montana. Not my favorite part. Once we cleared Billings, we began to see snow mountain sights to the south for much of the day. Beautiful mountains in the distance made up for rain and the strongest winds of the trip so far. Car-shaking winds roaring through the valleys. We landed in Missoula, MT for the night, exhausted but excited that the next day would be shorter and the LAST DAY.</div>
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Huge expanses of nothing!</div>
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More nothing . . . just storms on the horizon</div>
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Jeremiah needed a bathroom break and while he was in, I hopped out to pick the world's largest "dandelion looking seed pod." I looked over at a picnic table and there was this painted rock! It was marked on the back and when we posted, it had been left by someone from Western Washington State, that morning! </div>
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How to survive five days of stinky toots in the car? Apparently passed by "no one." Essential oil (spearmint this day) in a fun little diffuser.</div>
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Snow covered peaks in the distance!</div>
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Not often you see random helicopter bodies at a rest stop!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY SIX</i></span></div>
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The last day!!! We woke up so excited today, knowing that when we "landed," it would be home. Because it was supposed to be just a six hour drive, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and visited the Skyjumper Headquarters (fire fighters). Of course the day took way longer than it was supposed to- we hit traffic and construction all over the place. </div>
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Happy happy smiles today!! (Shannon said she was trying to look "suspicious.")</div>
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Smokejumper training center.</div>
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He sure loves seeing his name everywhere out here!</div>
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This looks like a teeny little hill but was the side of a massive cliff.</div>
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Best stop of the day- Idaho where they had the most friendly ground squirrels ever!</div>
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The sign we had been waiting for all day!!!!!! Just FOUR hours to go . . . I'll be honest, 3 1/2 of those hours were so boring. High, yellow, hay covered desert. Nothing to see for miles and miles and miles. We knew that Western Washington was green and where we would be was green, but where was it? </div>
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No green here but we were so high at this overlook of the Columbia river and the wind was roaring- it was amazing and so beautiful!</div>
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Before long we finally arrived! Didn't take many pictures that evening because things were crazy, but here are a couple of home. </div>
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Heidi checking out the backyard of our house.</div>
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The amazing living room/kitchen of our new house! Before all our stuff arrived.</div>
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This! Isn't it amazing how big it is?</div>
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Thanks for hanging with me through this long post, for encouraging us on our trip and for sharing our excitement. Stay tuned for an update on how things have been going the last two weeks.</div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-67317229641388453532017-07-26T00:29:00.003-04:002018-03-16T14:04:19.559-04:00Great Westward Trek- Part 1(Or how we drove over 4000 miles with three kids and didn't die.)<br />
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{Note- this is super long and probably more details than anyone wants. It's an easy way for me to remember this trip, but if you love pictures here you go!}. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY ONE</i></span><br />
On July 5th we pulled out of NY and headed toward Michigan, where our first stop would be. The day was smooth, beautiful sunny skies, not much traffic and only a million tolls. Seriously. We would just get into a driving rhythm and BAM another toll. Lots of flat farmland and one stadium!<br />
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Kids were pretty quiet- Dramamine helped keep everyone from getting car sick, iPads and Kindles kept people entertained!<br />
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I don't follow baseball but have several Indian-Fan-Friends- this is for them!</div>
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When we arrived in Michigan, we arrived at the home of a dear couple who we met in Florida. They stay at the Ranch for six months and do maintenance and love our family like their own grandchildren. We were so privileged to see their home and they took us in their RV for a 5 minute drive to Lake Michigan!!!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY TWO</i></span></div>
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We headed out, fortified with a homemade breakfast, sandwiches packed and snacks courtesy of Jack and Linda. The morning was long- seemed to take forever to get away from the Chicago area and all the traffic (and both days pretty much consist of going south then west then north to get around the Great Lakes). But once we cleared Chicago area, things really opened up and traffic got much better. We crossed into Wisconsin and the scenery really became beautiful, and once we crossed the Mississippi River, the traffic all but disappeared. It was a super long day in the car but we landed in Rochester, Minnesota at a really nice "airport hotel." Which is funny because there is nothing out there and the airport was barely an airport! But a hotel with a pool and hot tub was just what we needed after two driving days! Heidi took her first car nap today!! Time change is making bedtime easier (we gained an hour today).</div>
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(at a random McDonalds for a potty break for me!)</div>
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Crossing into "the west" over the Mississippi</div>
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When you suddenly realize Heidi hasn't asked anyone for anything in five minutes and turn around to see what's wrong!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY THREE</i></span></div>
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We tiredly get up and get ready to head out again. The trip is going well but the tired is catching up. Both Shannon and I are still fighting whatever sickness we have. I'm sick of having a sore throat all day, every day. And body aches. Shannon is still coughing a horrible sounding cough every day. But on we press! Today took us through the rest of Minnesota and into South Dakota. Big wide open prairies (Little House on the Prairie takes on new meanings), a random gas stop at a Buffalo farm complete with firework selection, a great view of the Missouri River and then some of the most spectacular views as we drove in the area of the Badlands and into the Black Hills of South Dakota. Definitely an area I want to see again!</div>
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Sporting my "Road Trip Warrior" shirt</div>
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Happy kids and all their stuff. They are being amazing little travel-troopers!</div>
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Thank you South Dakota for playgrounds at rest stops.</div>
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Buffalo heads and fireworks . . . </div>
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Massive (see how small kids are) statue of Sacajawea overlooking the Missouri River, also a great information center about Lewis and Clark's Expedition.</div>
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These neat concrete structures at at most of the rest stops in South Dakota.</div>
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More wide open fields of hay than I've ever seen!</div>
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And then all of a sudden, these amazing creations- the Badlands!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>DAY THREE- SIDE NOTE</i></span></div>
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For 200 miles (or more?) we read signs for WALL DRUG. Random little blurbs, just enough to peak our curiosity. Lets face it, when the only thing in sight is hay bales, a road sign is pretty exciting. The closer we got, the more interesting the signs became, until at last I googled it and discovered it's a "tourist destination" road stop- a store that became famous for offering "free ice water" back in 1931 and is now over 76,000 square feet (not a typo) of shopping, western curiosities, western art and more. It was a perfect stop for us (one hour until the final destination of the day) and filled with great, random photo ops. Like these . . . </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Riding the Jack-A-Lope</span></td></tr>
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Some mean critters in these here parts.</div>
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We enjoyed dinner here and the best maple flavored donuts (pancake meets donut). Piled back into the car for one more hour. We stayed at a quaint little RV park that had nice wooden cabins with bunk beds, lots of grass, trees and open space. Felt good to stretch legs and spread out, knowing that we wouldn't be driving the next day.</div>
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Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-5193855300733404962017-07-01T16:43:00.000-04:002017-07-01T16:50:42.443-04:00Moving Fun (or something like that)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is not a literary masterpiece but is rather a post for those of you who:<br />
1- want to follow our journey or<br />
2- want to know how to move a family 3000+ miles or<br />
3- wonder if we are still sane (jury is still out on this one) after moving a family 3000+ miles.<br />
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The last month has been a flurry of {blurry} details as we worked to get our family ready to move 3,000 miles. We moved to Florida in 2001 and have been in the same house since 2010. Along the way we have gained three children and a pile of stuff. The last four weeks have been filled with sorting, packing while finishing our year at the Ranch. I'm very thankful to my mom joining us for two weeks- having an extra hand for dish washing, child wrangling, babysitting while Jer and I had to run errands was priceless. <br />
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I collected lots of ideas and tips on moving, and my best one was my "supply basket," which kept me sane.<br />
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Inside were colored labels, packing tape, sharpie marker, ziplock bag for kid-toy-batteries, screw driver and scissors. Everything stayed in the basket and it traveled from room to room with me.<br />
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Boxes began to pile up in every corner of the house, while wondering if everything was really going to fit into the POD we ordered. (For those asking, we couldn't do a UHaul or other moving truck, because we needed to see Northeastern family first. Due to the distance driving and the need to drive two vehicles plus gas, this ended up actually being a cheap option for us!)<br />
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We fit in an outing to "Wild Florida," a nature park south of Orlando. It was really fun to see all the animals and get in our first (and last) airboat ride in Florida.<br />
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On June 9th we said goodbye to our last group of boys at the Ranch, this was a particularly hard good-bye for the kids, as they had some "favorite" boys.<br />
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Shannon was able to dance two more times, once for Nathaniel's Hope, an event designed to encourage families with kids who have special needs. She was also able to meet the co-hosts from her favorite radio station, Z88.3. The other event was at Disney Marketplace stage- a fun chance to say "I got to perform at Disney!"<br />
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On June 12th our "POD" arrived, we picked up our rental car and tried to finish shoving our belongings into boxes. The rental car was an answer to a prayer that we hadn't even had time to voice yet. We were able to secure a fantastic deal on a small SUV about a month ago. In the meantime I've been watching for better deals (none) and we joined AAA for peace of mind while I'm on the back roads of Washington all alone. Jeremiah called the car rental agency three days before we were to pick it up, to add the AAA information to see if we could get a discount. He discussed a mini-van rental with the woman, but being Orlando and peak tourist season, there were none. She called us back an hour later and said "you wouldn't believe this, but a minvan just came driving in!" She saved it for us, and upgraded us to it for FREE! Over $1000 in savings! Also in here- my mom tirelessly helping me in every way possible!<br />
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June 14th we finished shoving everything possible into "the POD," with some help from amazing friends, some of whom helped me with the last cleaning and packing. I was able to spend my "last hours" with three of the ladies I've known the longest at the Ranch- Deanna, Sage and Angela. Another sweet friend Lisa helped me with some serious scrubbing and my dear friend Barbara spent a lot of time just sitting with me. Which sounds crazy but was quite calming and comforting. The only time I've been so tired ever, was after a baby was born. <br />
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June 15th we loaded into the van and drove out of our home at Edgewood Ranch. Emotional, exhausted, excited- three words that perfectly encompassed our emotions. I was ok until I headed down that driveway and wow, pretty overwhelming to leave, not knowing when we would be back. We spent two days in Georgia with my brother Brian, his wife Anna and their precious foster baby. We even got to hike up Stone Mountain together.<br />
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Welcome to Atlanta . . . traffic, rain and a rainbow!</div>
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My special shirt for the summer "Road Trip Warrior." I figure 3000+ miles pretty much classifies me to be able to wear this. So far I've worn it on our long days!</div>
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The next week was spent in Pennsylvania, with Jeremiah's mom. Forest had a great time catching the world's biggest tadpoles and frogs, while I was able to do some gardening for her and just enjoy doing "nothing" for the first time in months! The kids have taken turns being sick, so lots of nursing too.<br />
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Our last week of vacation is being spent with my parents, in Upstate NY. Where apparently they are trying to set a record for most number of days of rain! We've been dodging rainstorms, playing outside, picking strawberries and peas from the garden and dodging rain. We painted piles of rocks to hide at my moms, take on the trip to hide at rest stops and take all the way to our new garden in Washington. It's Strawberry-Rhubarb pie season too! Jer and I have been able to get away for three days, to CT. He is visiting a friend of his and I've been able to have a day to read, plan, nap and dream for the next year. MUCH NEEDED. <br />
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And in the MOST fun text of the year, I got a message from our "former" Ranch boss, with a picture of them at our NEW house in Washington!!!! There was a LOT of screaming NO FAIR from the kids, that they got to see our house first and visit with our new employers. I guess they got to do an in-person reference check!</div>
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On July 5th, we will head out on our "Long Drive West." We will take three days to go from NY to SD, where we will stay two nights near Mount Rushmore-Deadwood area. Then another day to drive to western MT and then on July 10th we will drive to Easton, WA and when we stop . . . we will be at our new home!<br />
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The next few days after that will be a blur of quickly unpacking, returning rental car, gasping at a grocery bill to stock fridge and pantry . . . so that Jeremiah can jump right into work. A very large group will be arriving 3 days after we do, and he will be needed right away. Kids and I should be able to take our time unpacking and exploring (any guesses who is doing which part?). <br />
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Please continue to keep us in prayer as we finish vacation and transition to our new home. I will keep the blog updated as best I can (meaning I better get better at using less words and not taking a week to write a post). We will also be sending out email and snail-mail letters- let me know if you want one!Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-79349239351567979402017-05-22T15:09:00.000-04:002017-05-22T15:11:26.367-04:00Trading Flip Flops for Winter BootsOur family is moving to Washington State!!!!<br />
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Ok there is the news . . . now let me explain. <br />
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Jeremiah has been hired as the Adventure Program Director at the <a href="http://doublek.org/"><b><i>Double K</i></b></a> Retreat and Adventure Center. He is going to be leading rafting, climbing, exploring trips of all kinds- exposing people to the beauty of God's creation and sharing the gospel at the same time. He will be working to build and grow the program alongside the couple who are currently sharing the Director position of the camp. They have spent their lives in ministry including starting and running outdoor adventure programs. We are so excited to learn from them and work alongside them. It's an amazing blend of Jeremiah's many outdoor skills (and you know all the adventures he's been on) and his many years in ministry and working with kids. Now he gets to put them together. <br />
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I'll be privileged to be able to focus more on home, home school and supporting Jeremiah. I'll find ways to help, of course, and be able to pitch in where I'm gifted- without the pressure of working full-time. <br />
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We will be living about 2 hours east of Seattle, just over the cascade mountain pass. Evergreen trees, wildflowers, wild animals and nature everywhere. <br />
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We are trading our busy city life for a quiet town of a few hundred. <br />
Trading 11 Walmarts within 10 miles for the nearest Walmart at 73 miles away!<br />
Flip flops for snow-boots (and may I look this cute in boots??)<br />
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Of course it is very bitter-sweet pile of emotions going on over here. The Ranch has been our home for 15 years. It's where we have "grown up" and matured- from young and newly married to "not as young" and parents of three. We've made mistakes, messed up, built deep friendships and relationships and learned how to live a life of full-time ministry. It will be with many, many (many) tears that we leave and say good-bye. Our kids are feeling the same emotions. Shannon has had an amazing year of dance and that will be her hardest goodbye. Forest is excited about all the nature. And Heidi? Well she just kept complaining the whole conversation about being hungry and why was Shannon still crying? While she's a Florida baby now, she'll never really remember Florida when she's grown.<br />
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We will be sharing more in the coming weeks, but that's the big news. A few dates for those interested:<br />
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June 9- Last day with our Ranch boys.<br />
June 15 - Last work day and tentative "pull out date"<br />
June 18-26 - Visit PA family and friends<br />
June 26- July 5- Visit NY friends and family<br />
Then we head out across the country, hoping to arrive in WA around the 10th. Of course this is still a working schedule but for those of you especially in PA and NY, we hope to see you and catch up then!<br />
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A few pictures from the property, right around the corner from our actual house. Can you picture how many times a day I'll be dragging Forest out of the creek? <br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-30781156414220983572017-01-12T20:58:00.002-05:002017-01-12T21:04:14.675-05:00Jeffrey Matthew- HOPE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is an amazing story of how God works BEHIND the scenes, creating beautiful pictures that in time take our breath away. A story that's been in the working for years . . . the colors began to reveal themselves a year ago and yesterday bloomed into the most beautiful painting ever. Ready to be amazed? Read on . . . This is a combination of journal entries I wrote and Instagram posts.<br />
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<b><i>January 10, 2016</i></b><br />
<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-1-GS3O3K34cnyzIx8SoRnOVe7DhTrX2YjcY9Pyjp5UYzYE5HR_6gtC6AfoM14QXzAQ26K42TEI_2mdq1E9ezgYnN7vDfaINuNQvCenkOdXjDQqgMwEdFpAXkE-vPqX93tHI/s1600/january-3706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-1-GS3O3K34cnyzIx8SoRnOVe7DhTrX2YjcY9Pyjp5UYzYE5HR_6gtC6AfoM14QXzAQ26K42TEI_2mdq1E9ezgYnN7vDfaINuNQvCenkOdXjDQqgMwEdFpAXkE-vPqX93tHI/s320/january-3706.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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"M is heavy on my mind, in such a heavy way. It just keeps echoing in my mind that he needs a mom to be his advocate. He needs a family who will welcome and love him, hold him close- teach him to be a storng and loving man. A man of God. And who will do it? . . . Will God answer this time with a family? Please bring him a family, a loving and caring and strong family to love and hold this little boy."<br />
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<b><i>February 10, 2016</i></b><br />
<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkkqVqF3_Dtq3vy9YhDQy9I3_StzBDNnWtQVI_bdrRZnAEX1yYGx7TfC0kTJqcfQza63_VEog8FuOpO2tYbimeDts3FBX4u-51IwWrUCPQg-gU8Zv-xExAZmYxTIFw1BGFAAD/s1600/IMG_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkkqVqF3_Dtq3vy9YhDQy9I3_StzBDNnWtQVI_bdrRZnAEX1yYGx7TfC0kTJqcfQza63_VEog8FuOpO2tYbimeDts3FBX4u-51IwWrUCPQg-gU8Zv-xExAZmYxTIFw1BGFAAD/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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"M - feels hopeless- like he will just end up back in his horrid situation for his whole life. Is there any hope of a real family for him? . . . Please do a miracle and find a mom for M, who will love and cherish him."<br />
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<b><i>February 11, 2016</i></b><br />
<b><i>Instagram Post</i></b><br />
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<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I've been feeling hopeless lately about several "big things" (my parents' girls ever coming home from Ethiopia, my little guy who needs a loving home, etc.). I found this bracelet I got a number of years ago and it's going to stay on my arm until Easter. A visual reminder to pray and not give up hope. To storm the gates until the answers come! <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/dontlosehope/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#dontlosehope</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stormthegates/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#stormthegates</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/praypraypray/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#praypraypray</a></span></h1>
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<i>**Insert . . . my friend Hannah sees this Instagram post and texts me- do I really have a little guy who could use a family? We begin a conversation where she tells me about a dear friend of hers who she thinks would love to step into this role- help out this little guy by being a sort of adopted family once a week. A few days later she connects her friend Shelby and I.</i></div>
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<b><i>February 16, 2016</i></b><br />
<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44vKObUwz8L6VYDAaFaJFXutpkRkOGnk80JBVEVLb3y1kxyn-SQU6_IRkEYNH08dXTj-Wib4_lqJXfW-UjpN9A4Ml0yCs9_GHpD5tSmj0mkv3I_uspyJ_YxG6P7MgbPPCtq1b/s1600/IMG_4485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44vKObUwz8L6VYDAaFaJFXutpkRkOGnk80JBVEVLb3y1kxyn-SQU6_IRkEYNH08dXTj-Wib4_lqJXfW-UjpN9A4Ml0yCs9_GHpD5tSmj0mkv3I_uspyJ_YxG6P7MgbPPCtq1b/s320/IMG_4485.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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Prayers for Lent. never lose HOPE. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 <br />
M calls me mom. I think he lives in a fantasy world where if he believes it enough, he will get to live with us. He told someone the other day he has two sisters and a brother and a dad and mom and then they realized he was describing Jer and I. Breaks my heart to NOT be able to do this.<br />
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<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b></div>
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<b><i>February 17, 2016</i></b></div>
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"HOPE- Shelby is falling in love with M and hasn't even met him. HOPE- she prays for him and worries about him. HOPE- a mom to advocate for him and love him. JOYFUL in hope."<br />
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(I sent Shelby these pictures while we were texting back and forth about him one evening.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkzl5An8scbTAFgNlT7ai_8EGY2MD_o0-TNHfrqU1cQgzg8B0ij26HKMZFdM0NBUva-GdtEpvy2hzUoWEkW_UUuoJEG127bFYeMVKGCRc8Ghyphenhyphengseu32xwNzXfmPDqseNix7-7/s1600/IMG_4413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkzl5An8scbTAFgNlT7ai_8EGY2MD_o0-TNHfrqU1cQgzg8B0ij26HKMZFdM0NBUva-GdtEpvy2hzUoWEkW_UUuoJEG127bFYeMVKGCRc8Ghyphenhyphengseu32xwNzXfmPDqseNix7-7/s320/IMG_4413.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12gjicvCDLplYbJ7GB6t_3HZtlS3s5pujpBMKqovk8Kwxz9BhxFQSsqTJu-OgEuHcE1gXO6B-2qk5qqh3-uI6hFPFx-lZCpFwKhsBDDjtzt84X18fX09HzuyrXiDEDLsL-ceS/s1600/IMG_4416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12gjicvCDLplYbJ7GB6t_3HZtlS3s5pujpBMKqovk8Kwxz9BhxFQSsqTJu-OgEuHcE1gXO6B-2qk5qqh3-uI6hFPFx-lZCpFwKhsBDDjtzt84X18fX09HzuyrXiDEDLsL-ceS/s320/IMG_4416.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b></div>
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<b><i>March 11, 2016</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31ZfrEqfj-oY3pgEnwI6jkGkBUwWcz8pNwxHf_MwAbtZxv0d83OmvEW_OklM7AKZ7FqZNkVzPKBgeUhkZk59Y5yvYupI0Mz0gUpT3dlqy-WSmEvHxDMLJsFSfzEexPn4x7otD/s1600/12512270_10207995517277555_554305872507145556_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31ZfrEqfj-oY3pgEnwI6jkGkBUwWcz8pNwxHf_MwAbtZxv0d83OmvEW_OklM7AKZ7FqZNkVzPKBgeUhkZk59Y5yvYupI0Mz0gUpT3dlqy-WSmEvHxDMLJsFSfzEexPn4x7otD/s320/12512270_10207995517277555_554305872507145556_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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"M's mom refused to sign papers for the summer, so now what? And won't give answer about spring break. So now? Back to home and hell? What about next year? Joyful in HOPE, patient in prayer, faithful in affliction."</div>
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<b><i>Journal Entry</i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"><b><i>March 14, 2016</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">"May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit." </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><i>March 14</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5GXmqp4nyja-kF_mz6Tr5s15qg2uRdLQxa4trMzpkowZ_LZCfBsIBpiQOsxtii-pr6rrhtMus7o_PCBDjNus3tDVeI69VNmg8m1IaQPWAQza1kBgvkc2gp0iGrkguukZxUy5/s1600/IMG_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV5GXmqp4nyja-kF_mz6Tr5s15qg2uRdLQxa4trMzpkowZ_LZCfBsIBpiQOsxtii-pr6rrhtMus7o_PCBDjNus3tDVeI69VNmg8m1IaQPWAQza1kBgvkc2gp0iGrkguukZxUy5/s320/IMG_4681.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">My hope has been battered and tarnished this Lent. Not what I expected when committing to pray for three precious things this season. Each feels farther away from being answered than back on Ash Wednesday. Pushing hard into what it means to be "joyful in hope" and waiting in anticipation to see how prayers will be answered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"><b><i>August 28, 2016</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"><b><i>Instagram Post</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I16QavV-nCS0U1_7Y5Daj48c-WRW361FyjZ_Hzxjz-KDDho9SGTDloEp5eayP6U9fOrfe1CV3JFDMKPhl_oSFeauoU31TilIzq9wSetbU8luOyQNAnGxXeZD9UQ1GaY5vtVb/s1600/IMG_7409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I16QavV-nCS0U1_7Y5Daj48c-WRW361FyjZ_Hzxjz-KDDho9SGTDloEp5eayP6U9fOrfe1CV3JFDMKPhl_oSFeauoU31TilIzq9wSetbU8luOyQNAnGxXeZD9UQ1GaY5vtVb/s320/IMG_7409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: proxima-nova, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"God did this so that . . . We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us, may be greatly encouraged. But we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." New bracelets to wear as a constant reminder not to lose hope as I pray for three specific things, including homes for three precious children. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/puravida/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#puravida</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hopeasananchor/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#hopeasananchor</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/nomoreorphans/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#nomoreorphans</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/orphancare/" style="border: 0px; color: #003569; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">#orphancare</a></span></h1>
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So back in February and March, specifically, I was storming heaven's gates. Begging God to bring a family for M. And he did . . . Mike and Shelby stepped up, willing to take this hurting, broken child and make him theirs. And then it fell apart. We grieved for what could have been. Meanwhile God touched the deepest parts of their heart and they stepped forward to pursue adoption. He didn't allow them to lose hope, become guarded or bitter. But to keep their hearts soft. Knowing that the hurt of losing a child is LESS than the pain that child feels in his great loss. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu43LyVbjqpqotvhK4MPx4yIyx_RLlrJwJcTQ5MCrAxCcNLGuXON-N7TWV7cGTVDdUFdKIJAe12ViupMZZ3mQrptWUOiTSE8UTQFP7c8PdwwAaf-G-aOSEA7wNND54tg12Io/s1600/14202550_10209590258705094_8956984381211216680_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtu43LyVbjqpqotvhK4MPx4yIyx_RLlrJwJcTQ5MCrAxCcNLGuXON-N7TWV7cGTVDdUFdKIJAe12ViupMZZ3mQrptWUOiTSE8UTQFP7c8PdwwAaf-G-aOSEA7wNND54tg12Io/s320/14202550_10209590258705094_8956984381211216680_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vICSh_89x09-NiHOBJtGMDdKRf8NAKOvVOyRcKJ2OBBgX2PlxI2IAVjzAQTJujvwxnASgg0Wk80Hyx-0joOFvS2TgiwdWKsKbq362JNyuj9QuyoaiuGDUkv8Krjr1EKhJtSt/s1600/14183706_10209590258745095_330527507113578740_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vICSh_89x09-NiHOBJtGMDdKRf8NAKOvVOyRcKJ2OBBgX2PlxI2IAVjzAQTJujvwxnASgg0Wk80Hyx-0joOFvS2TgiwdWKsKbq362JNyuj9QuyoaiuGDUkv8Krjr1EKhJtSt/s320/14183706_10209590258745095_330527507113578740_n.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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In the late summer (? timing is fuzzy to me), they were matched with a birth mom and began their anxious wait. Found out it was a little boy, due at Christmas (September). He was born early, in November. They received information, pictures and so forth, but BM decided not to sign papers until he was released. And then they found out over a month later, she had taken him home weeks ago and lied Heartbreaking. Senseless pain- changing her mind is fine, but lying and leading people on? Horrific. </div>
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In the midst of this, I begged God over and over to keep their hearts soft, don't let them give up!!!!! He has a little child out there for them to be parents to.</div>
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January 3rd, around 2 pm we are texting back and forth . . . and I saved some screen shots for you of this conversation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlU_EbhCCGreoKB3mMEwFpEsGeag-Vj5iNXyeSuJ_tCsiIUH-1WaLWEMwsssSYKZ31RBRuMReKYCet4brUoqZr0lnQ_lZqjgEyZTbJ7V12L67stViPXCd1smB_FENGYYTWuvL/s1600/IMG_8869.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlU_EbhCCGreoKB3mMEwFpEsGeag-Vj5iNXyeSuJ_tCsiIUH-1WaLWEMwsssSYKZ31RBRuMReKYCet4brUoqZr0lnQ_lZqjgEyZTbJ7V12L67stViPXCd1smB_FENGYYTWuvL/s320/IMG_8869.PNG" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K_wqV89YoVNAI3jjyBt6GbZa9jXLA6H7GS4cbPTvn78QjL1OpactddbA9qk12b6XF3bl6xI1FkAPa6NGvyf31yRgmHz5NF5WnfVHUQ7JQMIG3aBZ8Xk-aJrez_VoxgvgmXsQ/s1600/IMG_8873.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K_wqV89YoVNAI3jjyBt6GbZa9jXLA6H7GS4cbPTvn78QjL1OpactddbA9qk12b6XF3bl6xI1FkAPa6NGvyf31yRgmHz5NF5WnfVHUQ7JQMIG3aBZ8Xk-aJrez_VoxgvgmXsQ/s320/IMG_8873.PNG" width="179" /></a></div>
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And then she goes silent. I figure she's at work and life is busy, not a big deal. A few minutes later my friend Hannah calls (the one who connected Shelby and I). In the midst of our text conversation she received a phone call from their agency, a baby boy was born December 2016 (remember the expecting photo? Due in December 2016? God was right!!!!!). He is three days old and all theirs.<br />
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(Them waiting anxiously for the baby to arrive!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV6oc9hOx5-mNQCEeBjrZuHIVfXfqFkm_g8kqJnPS340Ag5i8nZHLgeYi072WAsuSPCMgfNrG0P65OYbmTqJCdKo68_gTkvYN296r476SHCG37A1Sl3IEdAiwGUwhZlowEyfN/s1600/IMG_8912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV6oc9hOx5-mNQCEeBjrZuHIVfXfqFkm_g8kqJnPS340Ag5i8nZHLgeYi072WAsuSPCMgfNrG0P65OYbmTqJCdKo68_gTkvYN296r476SHCG37A1Sl3IEdAiwGUwhZlowEyfN/s320/IMG_8912.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Three hours later they are home, with their sweet Jeffrey Matthew in their arms!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHzr0yuwLnyL-1_aQmK3i147lihxeGoPKuoRzEOCsKTt8J-qILle-Vy6zVCu46jXwcB6f70VpE88Cm_yurPZfFPvtF560ITC0vVmYZ4z-0tTUeP8b0BxMjMI-yFwxVqcTVIFr/s1600/IMG_8913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHzr0yuwLnyL-1_aQmK3i147lihxeGoPKuoRzEOCsKTt8J-qILle-Vy6zVCu46jXwcB6f70VpE88Cm_yurPZfFPvtF560ITC0vVmYZ4z-0tTUeP8b0BxMjMI-yFwxVqcTVIFr/s320/IMG_8913.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you've stuck with me this long, great. Isn't God amazing? Sometimes it's easy to forget or push it to the back of our minds in the midst of busy, stressed, discouraging and challenging days. But this week was an amazing, wonderful reminder of just how God is putting pieces together behind the scenes, in ways we COULD NOT imagine. Most often it seems that we don't get to see everything come together, but sometimes we are privileged to see how the picture really looks. And I'm so thankful I got to be a part of seeing it!!<br />
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Welcome Home Jeffrey Matthew!<br />
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Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-74590051505834031922016-04-28T20:27:00.001-04:002016-04-28T20:27:15.827-04:00Almost May Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Reading . . . Life-Giving Home by Sally Clarkson. Amazing inspiration, she says what I think deep in my mind but could never put into words.<br />
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Playing . . . a fun game called "organize the house in my spare time."<br />
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Watching . . . Whatever Jer happens to have on- The Office most recently.<br />
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Trying . . . to plan homeschool for next year.<br />
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Cooking . . . night off tradition- blackened fish, kale, (new recipe) cornbread.<br />
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Drinking . . . not enough water.<br />
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Calling . . . no one. I never have quiet time to talk on the phone.<br />
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Texting . . . some special friends who have been keeping me supported during these months of uncertainty, with daily encouragement.<br />
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Pinning . . . home decoration ideas and lots of yummy things I want to eat.<br />
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Crafting . . . a beautiful broom closet to make my days of cleaning happy!<br />
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Doing . . . Lots of praying and talking about the future.<br />
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Going . . . to swim lessons for Forest every day. And he is ready to swim so they are so fun!<br />
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Loving . . . some new routines and how they change our days. Load of laundry done start to finish each day. Taking extra time and effort to dress nicely each day.<br />
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Hating . . . the 90 degree temps that are back to stay. And humidity. But it means berry picking and new sunglasses. Volleyball tournament and swimming pool!<br />
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Discovering . . . a newly rediscovered enjoyment for John Grisham novels.<br />
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Enjoying . . . more music in our school days. Classical. Raffi and folk kids music for fun.<br />
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Thinking . . . A lot about next year and all the details surrounding it.<br />
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Feeling . . . ready for decisions to be made and the course to be clear.<br />
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Hoping for . . . clear answers this next week.<br />
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Listening . . . to little people quietly playing in bed.<br />
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Celebrating . . . little days and little things.<br />
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Spelling . . . lots of words to Forest, who has caught the reading bug! YAH!<br />
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Thanking . . . a former co-worker for affordable swim lessons for Forest. Friends for endless support during these last couple months. Co-workers for sharing their snuggly little babies!<br />
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Finishing . . . school in four weeks. YAH YAH YAH! And there is no way the kids are more excited than the teacher. No way.<br />
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AND! Shannon and Forest ran their first 5k!!!!<br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-74546422904221697282016-02-11T20:45:00.001-05:002016-02-11T20:45:26.908-05:00Hello There!Thanks to my friend Melissa for a fun reminder that I don't have to wait until I have piles to write or time to be thoughtful. . . so a fun update time. In randomness.<br />
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WHAT WE'RE EATING THIS WEEK- Pantry clean-up creativeness this week since grocery day is Friday. Chicken curry with rice or noodles is a family favorite. And lots of veggies- trying to get our numbers up there. Kids love chopped up cucumbers (Aldi has some really good tasting small "English" ones), bell peppers and carrots. Naval oranges are on sale this time of year, so lots of them too!<br />
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WHAT I'M REMINISCING ABOUT- Hmm. Heidi as a baby I suppose. Some really cute pictures of her popped up on my Facebook "timehop" and that combined with new Ranch babies makes me nostalgic. I'm glad to be out of baby stage (so weird to say that and realize it's true . . . ) but if I could push a button and hold my baby for an hour or two? I'd do it in a heartbeat.<br />
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WHAT I'M LOVING- Wearing my boots every day! Warm temps will be here soon and time to pack away the scarfs and boots. Enjoying them a lot now. Coconut oil for dry and chapped hands. Carrot juice to quench thirst and make me feel healthy.<br />
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WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO- Normal school days. Working on diligence and discipline. Lots of indoors time with cooler temperatures. <br />
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WHAT I'M DREADING- Can't really think of anything though there must be something!<br />
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WHAT I'M WORKING ON- Cleaning out and purging our house. For the last month, I've just felt this huge push or need (but no idea why) to downsize and clean out and simplify. More than I normally do! So I've been using the tiny blocks of time here and there to empty drawers, shelves, baskets, etc. Cleaned out our side yard and the "boys toys" - threw out piles of plastic junk, nerf guns that were broken, etc. Feels so good and makes me want to get to more!<br />
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WHAT I'M EXCITED ABOUT- Two new babies here at the Ranch this week and I get to do baby pictures!!!! And then practice my lightroom skills! Summer vacation!!!! Okay, that's many months away but we all look forward to it so much!<br />
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WHAT I'M WATCHING/READING- Not a tv or movie person, but often Jer watches before bed and I half pay attention. We are watching The Office. Again. Reading goes in spurts for me, depending on tiredness. But I've been keeping up with my Bible reading and really being diligent with that. Loving Sally Clarkson's newest book "The Lifegiving Home" and working slowly through her "Own Your Life" book. Also slowly reading "The Fringe Hours." <br />
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WHAT I'M LISTENING TO- Not much. I find the older I get, the more I need a break from the constant noise. So instead of turning on music, I turn it off and let my ears ring in silence. 3 kids plus 6 boys does not equal much quiet.<br />
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WHAT I'M WEARING- Jeans and a comfy purple shirt. 3/4 sleeves because after a month of "winter," I'm feeling claustrophobic in all those clothes! Yes, I'm turning into a Florida wimp!<br />
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WHAT I'M DOING THIS WEEKEND- Working! 48 hour stretch with the boys. Groups for lunch and dinner. Hopefully it will feel warm enough to enjoy being outside rather than being miserable outside!<br />
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WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH- Spring break and Easter!<br />
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WHAT ELSE IS NEW- Not much. Feeling very heavy burdened for my parents and their girls who need a family. For my little guy who needs a mom to advocate for him and love him and teach him. Things that are starting to feel hopeless. I have a bracelet that says "never lose HOPE" and I'm wearing it for this month of lent, as a reminder to pray for those two things and one other big prayer request I have. Praying to not lose hope and for visible answers!<br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-3448146309470841522016-01-30T20:41:00.001-05:002016-01-30T20:41:11.571-05:00Forever HomesHello Friends! I was going to do a catch-up post with random pictures and this still may turn into that. But on my mind so much lately is the need for kids to have families. How sad is a world filled with kids who just want someone to lovingly tuck them into bed at night? I know I'm preaching to the choir- I know most of my dearest friends have hearts for the orphans too. I just need to get it off my chest.<br />
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My parent's process of adoption continues . . . .the US Embassy in Ethiopia has things at a standstill at this point. They need to finish "verifying" the kids' orphan status (Despite having already done so for the other three kids in the family) and nothing has been done about it in over a month. Once this is done (seriously, should take someone having a meeting and be done in an hour), they receive the final paperwork they need and can get a court date! And go get their little girls!! Pray pray pray!<br />
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This is Cindy, the mom adopting the other three, with Musteryia, age 5.</div>
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Musteryia and Flower (9)</div>
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The girls have three siblings who have been adopted by another family at the same church. They are Restem (15 boy), Emane (11 girl) and Anthonia (7 boy). Joyfully, they are home today! I can't imagine what shock these kids must be in. They've been getting to know their adoptive parents for the past three weeks, while they've been in Ethiopia with them, but now they have flown to Central NY (in winter no less) and suddenly have a whole new world to learn. Many prayers needed for them. Here they are with their new brother (also an adopted kid!).<br />
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Welcome to America!</div>
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My heart just hurts for all the ones left behind. For all the ones in our own country needing families. For the one IN MY OWN HOUSE who needs a family. A mom to be his advocate and defender, his comforter and one who showers him with kisses. Who disciplines in a stern yet loving way. </div>
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I've done an awful lot of begging and appealing to God lately. Trying to patiently and yet filled with faith, wait for him to answer in powerful ways. </div>
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In the mean time- life is full and good here! I've been fighting a chest cold for a week. We've been trying to be very diligent and disciplined with school work. Boys have been a challenge this month, just some hard things to work through and to know how to deal with. But January is at an end and February is here! Bring on the love!</div>
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New year! Goals have to do with Bible reading (and copying verses) and learning Lightroom.</div>
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This was dropped off at the Ranch and both my kids and Ranchers are enjoying!</div>
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Enjoying some pre-lunch hiking into our back yard wilds!</div>
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Some "school" work from Forest.</div>
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Trying to stay warm on some cold Florida days. BRRRR!</div>
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We have an extra family member on Sunday afternoons!</div>
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Thanks Uncle Dean for really cool gifts from Africa!</div>
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One of my boys requested a minecraft cake. </div>
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Sweet Sisters!</div>
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Working on a read-aloud challenge and got some new books.</div>
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This one lost a first tooth!</div>
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Another Sunday adventure- introducing him to things like FIVE GUYS! </div>
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This one wore this dress for over a week straight. </div>
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A peek into my life . . . "make sure you check your bed and put the pillow on it." "Yes Ma'me." </div>
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Does it look like he listened and obeyed?</div>
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Suddenly it was in the mid 60's and we burst outside!</div>
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"We are starting a pet store. And we won't ever give up."</div>
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I was paid for one of my photo-shoots with a Target card . . . and so I splurged on new things for the kitchen. New dishtowels, new drying mat, new drying rack. Things that look nice but weren't "necessities" and I'm too stingy to ordinarily buy.</div>
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Secret Agent Shannon turned 8!</div>
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And a little sass going on here :) In a good way! (Note: still in princess dress)</div>
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So if you made it this far . . . all in all, moving on! I have a lot on my heart- praying about it and waiting to see where God moves with things. Love!</div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-89594568583382243972015-10-21T21:12:00.001-04:002015-10-21T21:12:10.146-04:00Men NeededNot such a good blogger these days, eh? All in seasons of life I suppose.<br />
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But life is well and moving right along! Today my heart is heavy with thoughts of "my boys." We've had an interesting year so far, as I suppose they all are, in their own ways. So here's what our 2 1/2 months have been like! A few words here and at the end, and a whole lotta pictures thrown in!<br />
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<i>First night back- alligator spotting!</i></div>
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We started the year with three returning boys. And gained two new little ones- one just turned 10 and one who celebrated his 9th birthday with us. By far our youngest {and youngest in maturity} cottage ever. Those of you who have or had 10 year old boys, this is similar except subtract 2-3 years of maturity from them. In the course of August-October, one of those boys was moved out of the cottage, so we were down to four.<br />
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<i>(One of our little guys wants to learn to whip because he saw Jeremiah doing it. I won't tell you how hard I laughed when he kept whipping himself because he wouldn't follow directions!)</i></div>
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THEN Our boys (and our) beloved teacher had to take a two-month leave to take care of her elderly father. We have a delightful substitute but it's not the same. This is also a lot of transition for little guys who come from very unstable homes. The boys are doing well, all things considered.<br />
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<i>Celebrating Heidi's birthday!</i></div>
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<i>Some work detail!</i></div>
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<i>Celebrating this little guy's 9th birthday!!</i></div>
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<i>He quickly became Heidi's best friend- maybe because he is so close to her size? </i></div>
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<i>More work detail- learning how to install a floor (Forest's room) like a man!</i></div>
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<i>Finally getting some consistency in his room inspection! Stickers! Yah!</i></div>
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<i>More random spapshots of my day!!!</i></div>
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Then this week. New little guy arrived . . . He is very young in actions and size. Very much in need of the love and stability we offer, more so than most. He climbed on my lap on Tuesday night, to see the choir singing during chapel. I had Forest on one half of my lap and him on the other. And today we lost one of our other boys, due to his mother unexpectedly pulling him out. Nothing hurts as much as a little 9 year old breaking down sobbing when Jeremiah wrapped his arms around him, because he doesn't want to leave. <br />
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Sweet Jesus, our world is full of broken and hurting boys, in need of MEN to love and care for them.<br />
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I sure am thankful for all these years (14) working alongside Jeremiah. He is the dad that 90% of my boys have never had, and usually the first positive relationship they've ever had with a man. That's a high calling and a huge responsibility. And he bears it and wears it well. He feels each loss painfully. He shoulders the pain of "why can't they make good decisions?" personally. As frustrating as some of them are (and you have NO IDEA unless you've been here), it hurts him physically to lose any of them from our house. Even when it means his life is easier. It's pretty amazing to see someone love so deeply, little boys who aren't his own flesh and blood.</div>
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But we need more men! More men willing to stand up and teach these BOYS to be MEN while they are still BOYS! Boys will be foolish and sinful boys. But that's not what we want them to stay! In order to be MEN they need someone to teach them to be MEN! Show them what integrity looks like. What honesty looks like. What it means to look a woman in the eye and give her respect and a hug, a kiss and honor her! A man to show them how to cradle a baby and kiss a toddler's booboo's and set limits for that same little one. </div>
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<br />Sometimes the need is so overwhelming- we help so few boys. And some days, it's just overwhelming how honored I am to be a part of reaching little boys with love.</div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-63995264623013464852015-08-04T20:58:00.000-04:002015-08-04T20:58:02.031-04:00Coming back . . . Four months! Can you believe it's been so long?? I didn't have time to write. Then I had too much to write. Then I couldn't figure out where to start! So I'm skipping the past four months . . . my "end of school" recap. My end of Ranch Year. A miscarriage. An amazing summer vacation. The new start to a school year. Fast-forwarding so to speak to today.<br />
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We have five boys with us now, ages 8-12. We started school on Monday. My own kids started home school on Monday, as well. Home school "lite" really. We are easing and teasing our way back into routine, but none of us could wait another day really. I'm learning to jump in and not wait until things are "perfectly planned," whether that be new chore routines or cooking lessons for Shannon or school days. Heidi is growing up too fast and has entered a very intense season of parenting. I keep telling her she is too young for some of this behavior nonsense but she doesn't listen! <br />
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So all in all- life is full and I love it. Is it crazy? Totally! Trying to train a wild 8 year old to fold clothes and make a bed, to be quiet when it's time to be quiet. To be respectful. That life here is safe. It takes a lot of talking and teaching. And he is just one. Days can be like a marathon from 6 am to 8 pm (when all are in bed), filled with many sprint moments (7-8 am and 7-8 pm are my crazy hours, pray for me then!). But at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade it for the world!<br />
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I HOPE to get back here more regularly, but for now . . . a photo recap of the last months! Because pictures do tell the story!<br />
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Waaaaaaaaaay back to April- we rented an amazing condo with friends and explored Saint Augustine! Early mornings at the beach and old city! Love this place!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">The fort is an amazing historical and interesting place to visit!</span></div>
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And not much beats an early morning at an empty beach!</div>
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As we moved from April and into May . . . lots of tree and rope climbing!</div>
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Pushing through with school! We finished an amazingly hard "read aloud," and both kids surprised me with their desire to listen and enjoy a hard book ("The Wheel on the School"). We pushed through with very routine mornings, which worked very well.</div>
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Little glimpses of goodness (as my friend Janet would say) delighted me, in a hard emotional time (which I now know was because I was in those early weeks of pregnancy, ugh!).</div>
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Heidi continued to enjoy her "best friends."</div>
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And be everyone's favorite entertainer!</div>
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We watched Shannon prepare for her ballet recital (at this crazy colored studio!!).</div>
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And then we did some hair and makeup and got to watch an amazing worship-dance recital!!</div>
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Forest and I had a great time at Shannon's recital! It was at the Holy Land Experience, decorated by the TBN . . . so for example, toilet stalls with MIRRORS! I mean, who doesn't want to watch themselves use the loo? Ew!</div>
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We finished FIRST GRADE!!!!!</div>
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We had some amazing rain storms and some awesome puddles! </div>
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We celebrated a few last birthdays (cupcakes in a cone!).</div>
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I printed 100 pictures from the school year and we enjoyed the memories during our last few weeks as a cottage. </div>
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Someone got her hair cut!</div>
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I cranked up the exercise in preparation for a summer hiking trip and because I couldn't figure out why I was gaining weight (again, now I know it was pregnancy!).</div>
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Lots more pool time! </div>
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Good-byes to the boys.</div>
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Summer sunshine!</div>
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A whole lot of packing . . . </div>
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And then off to the airport and summer vacation we went! Not only were we ready for a break because goodness, it was a long year . . .but four days before our boys left, we unexpectedly lost a baby. Unexpected because I hadn't known I was pregnant. Unexpected because once I realized I was having a miscarriage, I didn't realize I was between 15 and 16 weeks along. Unexpected because we didn't expect to lose a baby. So I was MORE than ready to get on that airplane and go on vacation!<br />
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Post-it notes buy some great time on an airplane! If one happens to be travelling with a wiggly and non-sleeping almost 2 year old!</div>
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Taking random pictures of ourselves bought some time too! </div>
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And then we made it! NY! I truly was refreshed in all ways through exercise and nature. So amazing!<br />
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And with that, I pause for today . . . . </div>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-41604554387919710502015-04-02T21:09:00.000-04:002015-04-02T21:09:00.199-04:00April MusingsIt's that time of year . . . dirty feet, dirty clothes, dirty arms . . . by ten in the morning. Long days and longer evenings, with everyone outside playing until 7:45, then a mad dash inside to have everyone in bed by 8. Kids change clothes multiple times a day, water is filling up buckets to splash in and cool little bodies off.<br />
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I'm loving the time outside- the green trees finally, the smell of Jasmine blooming, the amazing sky and water as we enjoy "spring," with temperatures in the mid 80s! Swimming pool is open, adorable sun dresses are out and new bathing suits are getting lots of use.</div>
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Ballet pictures and preparation for the big recital in May . . . mommy learning to do her first "real" ballerina bun . . . with Forest going wild and Heidi "helping" do makeup and hair. Fun times.</div>
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Our boys have been spending hours on this old boat that's in my back yard- sword fighting, fighting off pirates on the high seas and heading to the blackberry patches. Which are overflowing with huge blackberries already!</div>
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Personally, this has been one of the hardest months on record. We got three new boys this month, one of which most definitely was the hardest kid we've had in 14 years of house parenting. My heart breaks for him and his family, he needs help. But like we aren't prepared to teach a deaf child or a blind child; we don't have the one-on-one resources this little one needs. He was released today and there is a huge peace in the house already. The other seven are doing well . . .and spring break starts tomorrow. </div>
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We are looking forward to ten relaxing days. We are spending three at a beach house in St. Augustine with friends . . .CANNOT wait! The rest will be here- trying to find a balance of much-needed physical and emotional rest, house stuff and the usual. But we've made it to April and the year gets much easier from this point forward!</div>
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LOVE!</div>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-2735370795418348202015-03-05T14:01:00.005-05:002015-03-05T14:01:44.391-05:00Marching into MarchWell it would appear I have fallen off the blogging planet . . . I have a hard time finishing a post, because of time . . . and so then I never actually get anything published. Today, I will, no matter how unfinished.<br />
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All in all, life is GOOD around here. Good does NOT mean easy but it does mean we are fed, clothed and loved. We have been . . .<br />
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creating with playdoh<br />
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Enjoying some warm weather (alternating with cold) and trying out new playgrounds!<br />
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Birthday parties for friends and American girl dolls (and copy-cat Heidi who wasn't invivted!).<br />
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Legos, legos and more legos . . .<br />
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The first warm day we had, we dashed to the beach!<br />
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School is plugging away. We have our weeks where it is super easy to sit down and do our work. And other weeks where it seems a challenge and a matter of discipline, for teacher and students! Forest has decided he is "ready" for Kindy work, so I'm enjoying the flexibility of homeschool and starting him. We are starting super easy and light. Keeping Heidi occupied is a daily challenge.</div>
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Our boys! We had quite a drastic change from 8 to 5, between December and the first week of January. All three losses were VERY unexpected and completely out of our control. None had good resolution or good-byes, reminds us how short our time with each boy can be. We got a new guy last week and are getting ready to get two more within the next two weeks, EEK! I think training new kids is probably the hardest part of the job, after this many years. Remembering all the new things to teach, learning a new personality (which often includes respect and authority issues), etc. I'll be glad when they are in, trained and life settles down.</div>
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I guess that's about it for today! As promised, proof that we live . . . Love!</div>
Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-33650277855663054502014-12-19T11:06:00.003-05:002014-12-19T11:06:59.306-05:00Merry Christmas!Man oh man I wish I could sit down with each of you over some tea and cookies and catch up . . . Or sit down at the computer and write a long letter. Instead the moments are so fleeting and the little miss is into so much . . . That I am standing here at the kitchen counter, pecking on the iPad. Not idea, but in this ever growing process, I'm learning to snatch and savor what I can. <br />
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These days are so full, and full of good things. Things that challenge me to be constantly organized, intentional and keep moving when I'd rather lay down and do nothing. But that's what so much of this life is about, isn't it? Pushing beyond ourselves to something greater. Like this sore bottom of mine. Squats are NO fun but the results sure are, aren't they? TMI perhaps, ha!<br />
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These past two weeks have literally been filled with events, here at the Ranch. We've enjoyed most of them and I've learned that sometimes it's impossible to simplify life . . . I can't cut out any activities, because they are part of work. So I've leaned in, taken pictures, tolerated "past 8pm bedtimes," and held my breath. A loud exhale is coming on Saturday afternoon . . . . as Christmas vacation starts for real! One final event on Saturday morning- Shannon's ballet is performing at an old folk's home. Rather than do a recital in the winter, each class performs for children's homes, nursing homes, rescue mission, etc. I love a chance for them to serve in this way!<br />
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We are staying home for Christmas, so I'm looking forward to two weeks of resting, cooking and baking for my family, evaluating the fall semester of school, planning for the spring. AND catching up on organizing projects around the house. Much needed to be done around here! <br />
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I'll be back with a few more updates once the kids leave tonight (updates on our family and such). For now, a few pics of our last couple weeks!<br />
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Reaching way back to November . . . we created a GIANT leaf pile and made some great memories. First time most of these kids have jumped in leaves, let alone a pile this big!<br />
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Then it was time for Christmas tree decorating!!! Kind of weird to realize my older two could actually do most of it themselves, and do a great job at it!!!<br />
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Over Thanksgiving break, I did several "photo shoots," and the kids got in lots of play time with their best friends. Oh the giggles here!<br />
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Little Miss . . . has a new game where she sits on the blanket (so I can take her picture) and then just as fast as she sits down, she jumps up and runs to see what picture I took!<br />
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And that's it for now . . . </div>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-77353986079547349222014-10-18T21:16:00.000-04:002014-10-18T21:16:12.865-04:00FIVE years with Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Five years ago . . . . </div>
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my boy came into this world! Without a lot of drama or nonsense, he came. You can never fully have an idea how a little person will change your life.</div>
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Forest Timothy</div>
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My fall pumpkin.</div>
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My little go-go!</div>
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chubby cheeked, squishy leg boy!</div>
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My train-loving boy . . . before he was even old enough that he should know what trains are!</div>
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Yup, loves the trains!</div>
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Loves cars . . . anything that moves!</div>
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My #1 destructo!</div>
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Have I mentioned cars?</div>
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My nature boy!</div>
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My goofy boy!</div>
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My "I don't want to eat meat because I don't want to get a heart attack" boy!</div>
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Train loving boy!</div>
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Amazing big brother- sweet and caring and gentle.</div>
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Goofy . . . have I mentioned goofy?</div>
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And messy and muddy and messy!</div>
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Careful and methodical, creative and unique.</div>
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<br />I sure am thankful for FIVE years with these inquisitive and wondering blue eyes. Forest keeps me praying and wondering, laughing and shaking my head. And that's usually just in the first five minutes of being awake each day. I love you Forest, foo-boo!<br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-58225956015583820552014-09-29T21:31:00.001-04:002014-09-29T21:31:48.685-04:00Rainy days, what else?So! I despise the over-use in our culture of the term "busy," but I honestly don't really know how else to describe life lately. Trying to fit our life and home school into the hours of 8:30-4 (and a lot of days, 10-3 when I add in meetings) . . . well, let's just say it's been b.u.s.y. <br />
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B.U.S.Y.<br />
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Like "I need to sit down and figure out how to make this life work" kind of busy. Like "why am I having such a hard time keeping my house clean" kind of busy. (Basics like toilets and sinks and putting away laundry here people, not talking about white glove!) Like "I haven't exercised in weeks" busy. <br />
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But things are good in that. School is going well- hard days of course. Days when I wish I could send my kid to school to have THEM discipline her . . . and then I remember that they DON'T (can't) and that's partly why I want her at home! And then days when I watch her comprehension of math and reading and think "wow, what an awesome privilege to watch my children learn." <br />
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Heidi makes life interesting. She's 1. She's my giggly, happy, terrorist. Well, the last 6 days she has been sick and that was like having a true terrorist around. But today her silly self was back. She insists on wearing SHOES or socks! What in the world? She's 1! And I never really have them on her (it's Florida people!). But the last few days, she finds them (usually someone elses socks) and brings them over and grunts until I put them on. Then she crawls off content. Today it was shoes. And she wore them all day! I tried to take them off at one point because *I* feel cramped in shoes . . .and she brought them back and grunted. . . so on they went. I am a bit scared of the next two years with this one!<br />
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We have some new friends (co-workers) here at the Ranch and that brings Forest a new playmate! Their middle son has a very similar personality to Forest and he LOVES to play with toys and use his imagination. I'm so, so thankful for this- Forest has a wild and crazy buddy, but not an imagination- play with toys and trucks and trains buddy, until now! Thanks God!<br /><br />Well, it's 9:30 and I have some school things to wrap up. A kitchen to ant-proof (ant attack this time of year and ugh!). A tired and weary body to hopefully lay in bed soon. I've been reminding myself that life is full. That I'll survive. And praise God, this weekend is a home weekend for our boys! (First since Sept 1st). I need the break SO bad . . .not planning a single project!<br />
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Love!Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-18693256854790625152014-09-18T21:37:00.001-04:002014-09-18T21:37:53.603-04:00Pictures!Hey! Life is in a pretty good routine and flying right along, as usual! Seems like the days start so early and end so late . . . and so much in between. But overall, things are going well! I've manged to pull my camera out some- a few highlights . . .<br />
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Jer's mom came for a visit- they did a lot of coloring, play doh, crafts and nail painting. </div>
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This child. One picture just isn't enough. Her personality is big enough for two kids . . . and she is the first of my three that I'm actually SCARED about parenting for the next two years. She has the most joyous personality (a very clear answer to my prayer for her to be my joy-baby, while pregnant). She also has the most mischievous personality (these pictures are of her with Jer's beef jerky she found AND got out of the packaging). She also has the strongest will- as evidenced by the loud and over dramatic wailing and crying when things aren't her way. To see it in one so little . . . oh my. </div>
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Also evidenced by her inability to hold still for a required 11 month teddy bear picture!</div>
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We celebrated a cottage birthday! This group is a pretty neat group of boys! Overall they are really coming along- August we put in a lot of HARD hours of discipline and training, but it's finally paying off. The constant correction is lessening and some of them are really starting to shine. Others, not so much. Anytime you want to pray for us- pray for wisdom in discipline, for the right children to be in our cottage and unity when it's time to say "enough is enough" and let them go.</div>
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School continues along, improved attitudes and enjoyment! I have found that Shan does much better with hands-on- whether that is grammar or math. So after much blog-stalking (of 1st grade public school teachers), I found printable things for Math Journals and Language Arts Journals . . .and we added those activities to our daily routine. And not ONCE has there been a complaint about those. Something about washi tape, colored paper, cutting and gluing makes everything fun! </div>
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Jer has been busy rehabilitating baby squirrels that someone found. Yup, feeding every 3 hours! HA!</div>
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He's also been learning how to whip! Quite an amazing skill to watch develop.</div>
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Isn't she the most beautiful Mexican Mamma???? Some dear co-workers of ours had their second baby today! Took these pictures on Sunday, and today I got to go meet Niko!</div>
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Heidi went along too :) </div>
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I LOVE new life!</div>
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Well, that's a brief, brief peek into life around here! Tomorrow we have a field trip, which should be fun . . .but was way too much work to get ready for. We will be gone all day and then work all weekend, so I had to spend all day today cleaning, etc. UGH! Oh and a certain someone turns 1 on SATURDAY! EEEK!</div>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7690988.post-90324675156220144772014-08-21T17:28:00.000-04:002014-08-21T17:28:25.285-04:00Post Kindergarten ReviewThe great, big, gignatic school post . . . if you aren't interested in homeschooling, skip . . . this is basically my school summary of Kindergarten, to print and put in Shannon's portfolio for her review. Homeschooling is pretty easy in Florida- we have a choice of yearly testing (seems pointless in K, huh?) or portfolio review by a certified teacher. Easy-peasy! This year was such a good learning experience- and as I told a friend this week, mostly for me! (lovely pictures from my Instagram account)<br />
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<b><i><u>I learned . . .</u></i></b><br />
* to be disciplined and diligent each day. I hear too often in the homeschooling world "oh you're tired? take the day off! Oh, you guys are sick? Don't worry about it! Oh you want to go do something fun? Why not?" And yeah, those are all legit at times . . .but if you do that every day, you'll never get school done! Seriously, I could come up with a "reason" not to do school just about every day!!! So instead, my philosophy was to push through. If she went to public school, I would expect her teacher darn well better be there most every day! And so this teacher did too ;)<br />
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* That the hard part of homeschooling (at this age) is NOT academic . . .it's behavioral! I tell you what, there were plenty days it sure would have been tempting to let someone "else" discipline her all day! And feed her lunch and entertain her! But that's what God has asked me to do . . especially the training in character! We had plenty of struggle days- working through obedience or attitude issues. And in the end, I'm glad we did. I'm glad I can help her learn now, while she's young!<br />
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* That it's hard work to make it a learning environment AND a fun one! Hope to get better at this next year.<br />
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<b><i><u>My goals for K were . . .</u></i></b><br />
* For Shannon to learn to read.<br />
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* For her handwriting to improve and for her to know the alphabet easily enough to write.<br />
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* Math foundations- numbers, etc.<br />
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<b><i><u>My "philosophy" of sorts . . . </u></i></b><br />
* Simple, quality vs quantity. We did not do pages and pages of work each day, but rather simple, very well done work. One very well written page verses many poorly done pages.<br />
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<b><i><u>What we actually did . . .</u></i></b><br />
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<b><i><u>Math</u></i></b><br />
<b>Singapore Essentials A and B</b>- Loved these! We flew through book A, which is what most people say their kids do. Book B took longer and we did very slowly, sometimes one page per day (it's where they begin adding and subtracting). We learned to use an abacus or manipulative to help visualize adding and subtracting. Shannon learned to skip count 10s and 5s, we are still working on 2s. She can easily count to 100 on her own. <br />
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<b><i><u>Handwriting</u></i></b><br />
<b>Handwriting Without Tears book</b>- we worked slowly through this book, focusing on quality writing. It may have been "too" easy but my hope was that we were making her foundation of neat handwriting VERY firm. One day at the end, she wrote this page . . . and I was amazed at how nice and neat she wrote!<br />
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For practice, she writes notes on her own all the time and asks to "copy" things that I write. <br />
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<b><i><u>Reading</u></i></b><br />
<b>100EZ Lessons</b>- we finally finished this spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, that was a challenge . . .not sure if it was the book or the process of learning to read or a combination of both. But by the time we were done, she was asking to read the lessons twice, she liked them so much. <br />
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<b>Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</b>- We started this after finishing 100EZ. Actually we started around lesson 46. I like the style of this much better already and when it's Forest's turn, we may skip 100EZ and try to start with this. I like the short sentences it has the student read, Shannon seems to like the silly factor and the parent repetition seems very effective. We'll just keep on with this through the summer and into next year. Supposedly takes kids to a 4th grade level.<br />
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<b>Explode the Code</b>- We started these workbooks in January. Shannon has a love-hate relationship with these- doesn't mind the reading (seems fairly easy after some of the big words in 100EZ), but isn't always happy about the writing. I consider this reading and handwriting in one, because I expect neat writing from her. She likes the cute little pictures and often wants to color them. We made it halfway through book 2 before our summer break. Not sure that we will continue this after book 2 is done- trying to discern if this is something we need to work through for discipline sake or if it will exasperate us both.<br />
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<b>Read Aloud</b>- What homeschool wouldn't be complete without these, right? My kids love stories, so I gave up halfway through the year, trying to write down everything I read them! We worked our way through a lot of the books on the "Sonlight" Curriculum's list, as well as reading what we wanted. We're up to book four in the Ramona Quimby series, by Shannon's request. We did the library as able (a baby threw a few kinks in here), read zillions from around our house a million times and really got into our library's EBook system. We have an amazing, amazing library system here, and the EBooks are almost unlimited. We had a lot of fun picking out books and reading them on my ipad . . . well, except the one time Forest picked out a book and by the end I realized the story was all about a boy who wanted to wear dresses and he finally found someone to tell him it was okay to be "who he truly was." Um, okay. Thankfully my kids were clueless. Eeek! I printed our list of books we read, for our home school review . . . and stopped the printer after page 19. HA!<br />
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Some other favorites this year:<br />
* Secret Garden (3/4 of the way through)<br />
* Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (on reading 3 or 4 of this . . .)<br />
* Charlotte's Web (read this several times already)<br />
* My Father's Dragon<br />
* 100 Dresses (read several times and read it in two days they liked it so much)<br />
* Boxcar Children (they LOVED this and wanted bread & cheese for lunch!)<br />
* Jame's Herriot's Treasury for Children (will be a family favorite, my kids adore animals and especially the horse stories. We love Scotland and the pictures take me back there every time)<br />
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<b><i><u>Other Stuff</u></i></b><br />
<b>Bible-</b> We have read several different versions of Bible stories, watched some videos, etc. This is just part of our day. <br />
<b>Memory</b>- We memorized verses for letters A through T, are working on our address, did the months of the year, days of week and some poems.<br />
<b>World</b>- We read a book about "Children of the World," quite often. Also reading some amazing (FREE) PDF books from Voice of the Mayrters, called "Courageous Kids, " about kids in countries with persecution. We did North Korea and the kids loved it- very well written. Hope to continue this. We have memorized contients, and use our globe a lot to talk about the world. YouTube and the internet are my friend- we hear about a country and we look up videos to learn about it.<br />
<b>Science</b>- Hours outside, piles of nature books- easy peasy.<br />
<b>IPAD</b>- We use the ipad weekly, we got the Hooked on Phonics app, which Shannon loves. Also a handwriting one (mostly for Forest), Starfall of course and a few neat puzzle apps, to keep those minds sharp!<br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13894594644072928968noreply@blogger.com1