Sheboygan, WI

We have now been in our home for two whole weeks. Does that make me an official Wisconsinite? I suppose it does, but I am pretty sure I could never really bring myself to wear one of those cheese head things; I love cheese and all, but I just don't get that one...


Our transition has been difficult and yet a blessing. It is hard to see your four year old struggling with the change. No matter how firmly my mind knows she'll be okay, my heart breaks for her when she cries about missing friends or asks how long it'll be until she has friends that will come over to play. Marc and I too, have had lonely moments of realizing "we don't know anyone"- particularily for me every time someone asks what we'll do if I go into labor early; I have no answer:) At the same time, I am thankful for stillness. I am thankful for this amazing home and yard and I have this calm assurance that this is precisely where we are supposed to be. Though there is still much decorating and settling to do, it does weirdly already feel like home.


I have felt quite an urgency to get out and meet people. The birth of this baby girl looms ahead and I feel like if I don't have a couple friends in place in ten weeks, how will I make them?;) At the same time, putting myself out there has been difficult. I realize that I am just not very good at feeling weak, needy, and vulnerable. In order to make friends, one must be friendly, but it hard to put yourself out there with no guarantee of acceptance. I find myself praying a lot. I suppose that is something else I am thankful for. I definitely feel needy and weak and this is forcing me to depend on HIM who is strong and can supply all my needs. Really is there any better place to be?


I went on Tuesday to a mom's group at at a local church. It was a bit chaotic (as many moms groups are), but it was nice to just be with moms and I hope to continue attending and make a few friends there. The same day I decided there is no time like the present and, in the evening, attended the women's bible study at the Evangelical Free Church, where I think we are going to attend regularily.


I pulled up and immediately realized I would probably be one of the only young ones there if the ladies entering ahead of me were an indication of the class population. It turned out I wasn't one of the only young ones, I was THE only young one. Can I just say, it was great?! The ladies were very welcoming and I was reminded in the conversation that women are women. I felt welcomed and accepted. I feel like I can learn a lot from some of the ladies, but I also felt like I have things to contribute. They are studying a book on the Armor of Christ and I am thrilled to be challenged and encouraged. I am going to keep going. One of the things we desired in our church hunting was more age diversity and I am excited to make friends of all ages! I came home very excited about the study and each of the ladies that attend.


We've met some nice neighbors and even have a little boy a few months older than Phin living right next door. Ava loves her new school (my next challenge is getting to know moms there- thus far that has proved a bit challenging as everyone is rushing at drop off to get on to their errands, etc.). Marc's job is going well. There are yummy restaurants here and I am thoroughly enjoying my large kitchen as I prepare meals, etc. There are undoubtedly many ups and downs ahead (I can't imagine, for example, it's not going to any easier to clean this house as my belly continues to grow and the back pain worsens;), but what a wonderful thing it is to know you are where God wants you to be!


(I promised to post pics (and would even love some feedback on what to do with the mantel on my fireplace) but for some reason we are having trouble with our laptop uploading at the moment;P So...I will blog a second post about Ava's fab. birthday party three weeks ago and atleast post those pics so those interested can see updated photos of my kids and allow myself to brag about an area of motherhood I am confident in- party planning;)

OOOOOO Baby!

Okay so moving at 7 months pregnant is HARD. I don't know if I have EVER and I do mean EVER felt so exhausted in my entire life. I hurt pretty much everywhere;) I have puffy feet and my wedding ring is stuck on my finger (which has NEVER happened to me in previous pregnancies). I am ready for a vacation and we still have quite a bit to do! I am SO SO SO thankful that my in-laws are here and my parents were here to help yesterday, as well. WHAT WOULD I DO without them???!!!!

We are making good progress and I'll post pics soon...promise. My kids are adjusting well. The LOVE our big yard and the new playset and it turns out we DO have kids there age in our neighborhood! They both are sleeping normally and behaving quite well.

All in all things are great, except the place was not cleaned well (or at all??!) before we moved in so we are having to scrub and scrub from floor to ceiling. Atleast we'll know without a doubt spring cleaning is done. Oh- one more problem...I don't really fit in the shower in our bathroom;) I can barely turn around and there would be NO way to shave my legs in there. My belly is in the way;) Since I still have two months to go...I'm a movin' my stuff to the kids bathroom for now. :)

a VERY quick update

Since my last post, which admittedly is far too long ago, our lives have taken a drastic turn. In two days, we'll be moving into a new home in Sheboygan, WI. Only 8 weeks ago, I wouldn't have even fathomed this change! In December, Johnsonville had contacted Marc through a recruiter about a possible job. Marc went ahead and forwarded his resume as Johnsonville has a reputation for being a great company to work for. We didn't hear anything, however, so we didn't think much of it. At the very end of Jan., Johnsonville called to set up an interview. Marc interviewed in Sheboygan on February 4. A week later on my birthday, they called with an offer. It's a great job so Marc accepted the following Monday after a bit of negotiation. We went up to Sheboygan the last weekend in February- saw 25 houses in two days and put an offer down on our future home before leaving town. We closed on this home yesterday and are currently packing up our house to move to Sheboygan on Thursday. It has been a whirlwind!

The entire situation is actually somewhat comical. I am 29 weeks pregnant. Moving is not ideal;) To top it off, my parents (who currently live 2 hours away) are moving within 40 minutes of our CURRENT home in mid-May;) I have an amazing group of friends here and just an outstanding support system. Moving may seem insane!

Sometimes, however, God's ways are not our ways! Every aspect of this move has been entirely too easy. His hand is all over it. First, we found our home with ease with the help of an amazing realtor who is sure to now be counted among our friends. Johnsonville has provided not just movers, but movers who have packed up our entire home. We visited a christian school, when in town for the inspection, thinking of sending Ava NEXT year, but because of an opening, she'll start at the beginning of April and hopefully make a few friends before summer comes. We've been given contact through friends. EVERYone has recommended the same OB, who accepted me into their practice with ease. These same contacts have not just been kind, but amazing! We even have dinner invitations already! Certainly, there will be hard days ahead. We are saying "goodbye" to so many dear friends and it takes time to really get know people, but we feel very provided for and taken care of by our Almighty Creator. To top it off, Marc is going to be working for a company he so respects and is back in the food market- which he loves;0)

Many things have happened in the past few weeks and as soon as things calm down I'll post some pictures: after all my little girl turned 4 and my little boy is mischievious as ever, but has shown this amazingly sweet and generous heart. Life is good...a little busy, but good.

Counting to Ten...

My hubbie just called. It's 5:20 and he's just leaving work. Why 20 minutes is like 20 hours at this time of day, I'll never be able to fully explain, but my heart sank when he told me he left late. He's apologetic of course. He knows Phin, especially, is a pain in the bum at this time of day...but he was in a meeting and there is only so much he could do. I know it isn't his fault, but inside I want to punch a hole in the wall. TWENTY MORE MINUTES OF HAVING THE KIDS ON MY OWN. AHHHH!

I'll survive. We alway do. What I don't want to do is be short with Marc when he comes home. Our whole evening doesn't need to be wrecked cuz I am grumpy. It isn't his fault. He does his best. I logically know that is true. The problem is getting my tired, pregnant self to allow myself to be controlled by logic and not angst;)

On a totally different note- as a survival tool, I have turned on the TV. "Yo Gaba Gaba" is on. It is pretty muh the only show that catches Phin's attention, but have you ever seen it? It's kind of psychotic. Oh he learns good lessons, like "don't bite your friends" and other age appropriate things;) There is lots of music, dancing, and bring colors- I suppose I can see the allure it woudl have to a 15month old. BUT the main character is a skinny black dude in an orange fuzzy hat and skin tight jump suit. He talks super animated and wears funny glasses. I always wonder- what is this guy like is real life? Does he have a girlfriend? I can't imagine seeing his show and then being able to kiss him...the whole act kind of creeps me out.

If we see Supermom Wannabe, we'll be sure to let you know...

I'm lame. No doubt about it. Almost a month of no blogging. The truth is I really don't feel like doing much of anything nowadays. I don't know if it's pregnancy or Seasonal Affect Disorder- we're are ordering one of those sunlights to see if it helps. I just feel BLAH. Oh, I do have an energetic moment hear and there, but when you have two kids- they usually snatch those babies up before one can even think about how best to use them;)

Today it is snowing. It is snowing A LOT and it is REALLY beautiful. Ava's school, surprisingly, did not cancel school- probably because when they had to make the call at 5am it was decent out and last time the played it conservative and called off school, it ended up being embarrassinly fine outside;) Today I was hoping for school, so I threw my kiddos in the car, leaving plenty of time for the ride and set out. After slip, slip slipping three times- I turned around. Sure, I could probably make it to school; I am a pretty safe driver. The problem is that even if I get there, I also have to endure the lengthy ride home AND return this afternoon to pick her up when the weather is supposed to be worse. Ava was surprisingly excited at turning around for home. She views it as a real adventure that we slid in the snow in our car;) We are hoping to build a snowman today. She has actual coal for the eyes (courtesy of a cute christmas present from her teacher- a homemade snowman kit) and has been SO excited to use it. I also have laid out butter to make sugar cookies. Truth be told, I just want to watch Oprah today;) but I am hoping that making plans with Ava (that, of course, I can't cancel) will help be get a bit motivated. Maybe I'll turn into crazy productive supermom today- she's been missing for a while.