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Thursday, January 19, 2012

Our New Lives....

We have been in our new house for almost two weeks.  It is so beautiful out here!  The few days of snow captivated me...our pond froze over; frost glistened off our barn; it is just gorgeous.

At this point, we are all living on the main floor except for the big girls.  Part of the basement is finished and they are sharing a room down there.  Most of the house is studded...just the family room and a small storage room needs more work.  Next Fred needs to finish up the electrical and insulation.  We are looking for drywall estimates and praying they are LOW!!!

School was back in session this week!  Even though we are living out of boxes mostly, it went well.  The best part has been reading Little House in the Big Woods while looking out at our property :)

It has been strange for me since we were in a subdivision before - I was so used to having neighbors around.  I totally think this is what God ordered for me.  My time seems much less divided and I am able to really focus on my kids even more....and listening to God.  Though it is different, it is good.

Thanks so much to all our volunteers helping us out!  We love you all!

Monday, January 2, 2012

CRAZY FEW WEEKS....

I cannot believe how much has changed in our lives over the last few months.  Fred has been looking for a new job for awhile.  He has a masters degree in Engineering Management but was "stuck" at his job and not able to move up.  He was not really even using his skills at all and the company so very busy yet not hiring new help.  We had been praying for a long time for him to get a new job.  God blessed him with a job right in Zeeland at a wonderful company.  He did have to take a pay cut but we know God was all over this and will provide for our family.  Fred has so much more potential to advance at his new employer.

We found a new house too....we have been praying for that for a year!  It was a total God-thing again :)  I love how He shows off for his children.  Fred and I had looked at this house nine months ago but it was too expensive.  It is a cape cod and the whole upstairs and downstairs needed to be finished in order to house our family.  We just could not afford it.  Well, two months ago Boukie hurt his thumb and I took him to the ER.  The doctor and I started talking...come to find out, she owned the house we had looked at!  She told us her husband had already relocated to Florida and they were selling the house for what they owed!!!  Needless to say, we went and looked at it again :) 

At that point, we had to sell our house.  Now imagine selling a house with 10 children.  I was a little concerned.  Yet something all along had told Fred and I that it would sell fast.  Guess what, the FIRST person that looked is buying it!  We only showed the house three times and it was sold in less than two weeks.  I love it!!!

The owners of our new house have moved and are allowing us to move stuff in and start finishing the house.  We have the main floor almost painted and then we will move to the construction phase.  There are many hands willing to help and we are so thankful!  Every time I drive up to this house I feel so happy!  It is my favorite style set back on five acres.  There is so much room for my kids!

On the fourth we will have had the boys for six months.  They are doing very well. Obviously, they are still grieving.  It is hard to understand that given the sad stories they have told us about their past situation.  But nevertheless, they still have moments of sadness.  However, they are very attached to us and have fit in perfectly.
Here is a picture of us on our way to a Christmas party.