Summer has arrived! The freedom that comes with it is so refreshing.
Thing 30 is really one giant group of "things" I love about this place.
Let me count thy ways...
- fireflies in the yard, and learning how they like to crawl up, then fly away.
- our zip line and it's magnet for all kids on the block.
- no pool, which means the sprinklers must suffice- and boy do they ever.
- farmers markets, and the abundance of ripe, delicious produce.
- kids giggling and playing in our yard, running in and out for snacks.
It's officially been one year in New Jersey, and it's been a FAST year. One year ago we took a great leap of faith in moving, and now looking back, we can see how abundantly blessed we've been. This is really no surprise- we knew it would happen, but there's a certain sense of peace in knowing we're going to be just fine here.
Happy Summer!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lions and tigers and bears- oh my!
Living in "the country" has proven exciting. Not the kind of excitement people pay for like bungee jumping- but the kind that only comes with rural living.
Example #1- the zip line is in and working JUST fine. In fact, we are now the "cool house" on the block. 170 feet of pure speed and thrill. Can't do that in the city, people.
Example #2- the creek behind the neighbors house. Charlie and the other boys on the block spend hours traipsing up and down the creek collecting minnows and crawfish. Then they bring them home to show me. Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of- only he's not so little anymore. I love this kid.
Example #3- a bear (or two or three- who knows?). Out on my morning jog last week I spotted one coming from the woods 50 feet in front of me and I frantically turned around and sped home as fast as FloJo. SCARY. A travel size air horn has been ordered.
We love our life here. Some people live their whole lives without riding a zip line, catching critters and seeing a bear outside a cage. I'm glad we've chosen this place, and I'm glad it's given us some excitement.
Example #1- the zip line is in and working JUST fine. In fact, we are now the "cool house" on the block. 170 feet of pure speed and thrill. Can't do that in the city, people.
Example #2- the creek behind the neighbors house. Charlie and the other boys on the block spend hours traipsing up and down the creek collecting minnows and crawfish. Then they bring them home to show me. Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of- only he's not so little anymore. I love this kid.
Example #3- a bear (or two or three- who knows?). Out on my morning jog last week I spotted one coming from the woods 50 feet in front of me and I frantically turned around and sped home as fast as FloJo. SCARY. A travel size air horn has been ordered.
We love our life here. Some people live their whole lives without riding a zip line, catching critters and seeing a bear outside a cage. I'm glad we've chosen this place, and I'm glad it's given us some excitement.
A long winter
Memorial weekend has zoomed by again. Last year we had just put our offer on the house, and were able to enjoy a Memorial parade after seven years away in Canada- emotional to say the least. This year? We spent it back in Canada. Irony, no?
We had some "legal" things to tend to. I'm happy to announce we now have our Permanent Resident status in Canada. The irony (again) is that we're not actually moving to Canada. It did give us an excuse to see friends and visit for the first time since moving last summer. What a treat.
As we were hanging out on the block with our friends, who happen to have been neighbors as well, one of them commented that it seemed " just like a really long winter since we've last seen you all!". Most people don't come out from hiding until late May anyhow, so it wasn't far from the truth. Other than a change or two to some backyards, and the kids having sprouted a few inches each, the block felt the same; which was comforting. A good old Friday night hangout on the block did our souls some good.
Saturday we were able to worship at our previous church. I'm ready to move back. I'm weary of not being fed the Word in a way that is passionate, urgent and expository. Once you've been fed a five star meal, it's hard to enjoy fast food. It doesn't satisfy, and it just leaves you constantly hungry. This is where I'm at today. This is where God has us. Thankfully, My God doesn't give us an urge for more, only to deny us.
Which leads me to Sunday. Lunch at our pastor's house with his gracious and loving wife. They took time out of their hectic Sunday to just relax and catch up for a bit. What an encouragement to us as a couple. They can see the ache in our hearts for something more, and were able to give us some wisdom in going about the next steps. God will not disappoint, and we are excited to see how he leads us.
The entire weekend was a reminder of God's goodness in our lives. Our children were able to play with their dearest friends, we were able to stay with good friends who are happy to open up their home to us. Visits with people were planned and unplanned, and conversations about New Jersey were frequent. Sure, our life has changed, but we are still touched by so many friends in Canada. It's difficult, if nearly impossible, to leave that behind.
A chance to rejuvenate, and enjoy the perspective of a year gone by. There's so much we miss in Ontario. A weekend to soak it all up with dear friends couldn't have been a better way to spend it!
We had some "legal" things to tend to. I'm happy to announce we now have our Permanent Resident status in Canada. The irony (again) is that we're not actually moving to Canada. It did give us an excuse to see friends and visit for the first time since moving last summer. What a treat.
As we were hanging out on the block with our friends, who happen to have been neighbors as well, one of them commented that it seemed " just like a really long winter since we've last seen you all!". Most people don't come out from hiding until late May anyhow, so it wasn't far from the truth. Other than a change or two to some backyards, and the kids having sprouted a few inches each, the block felt the same; which was comforting. A good old Friday night hangout on the block did our souls some good.
Saturday we were able to worship at our previous church. I'm ready to move back. I'm weary of not being fed the Word in a way that is passionate, urgent and expository. Once you've been fed a five star meal, it's hard to enjoy fast food. It doesn't satisfy, and it just leaves you constantly hungry. This is where I'm at today. This is where God has us. Thankfully, My God doesn't give us an urge for more, only to deny us.
Which leads me to Sunday. Lunch at our pastor's house with his gracious and loving wife. They took time out of their hectic Sunday to just relax and catch up for a bit. What an encouragement to us as a couple. They can see the ache in our hearts for something more, and were able to give us some wisdom in going about the next steps. God will not disappoint, and we are excited to see how he leads us.
The entire weekend was a reminder of God's goodness in our lives. Our children were able to play with their dearest friends, we were able to stay with good friends who are happy to open up their home to us. Visits with people were planned and unplanned, and conversations about New Jersey were frequent. Sure, our life has changed, but we are still touched by so many friends in Canada. It's difficult, if nearly impossible, to leave that behind.
A chance to rejuvenate, and enjoy the perspective of a year gone by. There's so much we miss in Ontario. A weekend to soak it all up with dear friends couldn't have been a better way to spend it!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Bathroom finale
IT'S DONE.
The mirrors were installed this morning, and I have to say- I'm verklempt.
Honestly, I didn't expect them to make such a difference, but when you're used to a blank wall, it doesn't take much to impress.
There's merely a few minor details left, none of which keep us from releasing a heavy sigh of relief that this project is completed.
Back in January when this entire adventure began, I hoped for three things:
1) the project would be done on time
2) when finished it would be beautiful
3) the project would be fun
Let's see how it went-
On time? Not so much. Is any renovation?
Beautiful? Look at the finished product why don't you:
The mirrors were installed this morning, and I have to say- I'm verklempt.
Honestly, I didn't expect them to make such a difference, but when you're used to a blank wall, it doesn't take much to impress.
There's merely a few minor details left, none of which keep us from releasing a heavy sigh of relief that this project is completed.
Back in January when this entire adventure began, I hoped for three things:
1) the project would be done on time
2) when finished it would be beautiful
3) the project would be fun
Let's see how it went-
On time? Not so much. Is any renovation?
Beautiful? Look at the finished product why don't you:
Fun? Not really sure how to answer that one. It's always fun in the beginning, with the excitement and potential. Somewhere along the way that gets shoved under all the exhaustion and frustration of a seemingly endless endeavor. Let's decide to call the result fun, rather than the process, shall we?
Enjoy your day!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Alllllmmooooosssstttt done
For the past week we've been using the new bathroom- hooray!
A few small details are left to be finished, one of which is key for a fully functioning bathroom- mirrors. They're currently on order, and should be here within the next week or two. Seeing as I've endured bigger and more problematic circumstances, I think I can manage.
Since I can't do my own hair without a mirror, I've asked Nelson to style it for me until the mirrors arrive. He's assured me he's as good as my stylist, if not better. Pictures to follow.
Toodles!
A few small details are left to be finished, one of which is key for a fully functioning bathroom- mirrors. They're currently on order, and should be here within the next week or two. Seeing as I've endured bigger and more problematic circumstances, I think I can manage.
Since I can't do my own hair without a mirror, I've asked Nelson to style it for me until the mirrors arrive. He's assured me he's as good as my stylist, if not better. Pictures to follow.
Toodles!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
One small step....
My clothes are FINALLY back in the closet; organized, hung properly, and waiting for me to get dressed tomorrow morning.
Over two months ago we relocated the entire contents of our master closet to wherever they would fit. Some things went to the basement, some things went into the kids rooms. Then when the basement "mishap" happened the other day, the stuff was moved once more. Do you see now, why this is so exciting for me?
Tomorrow morning I can wake up, not shower in OUR bathroom (another SNAFU has postponed the completion) and get dressed from MY closet! It's really the little things in life, isn't it???
Toodles-
Over two months ago we relocated the entire contents of our master closet to wherever they would fit. Some things went to the basement, some things went into the kids rooms. Then when the basement "mishap" happened the other day, the stuff was moved once more. Do you see now, why this is so exciting for me?
Tomorrow morning I can wake up, not shower in OUR bathroom (another SNAFU has postponed the completion) and get dressed from MY closet! It's really the little things in life, isn't it???
Toodles-
Monday, April 23, 2012
It's been a while
We've been running short on adventures over here. It's been a few months.
Our number came up last night. In the middle of the night, to be exact.
When I awoke to visit the bathroom (recall we're sleeping in the basement guest room) at midnight, my feet hit water. I'm pretty proud of myself for only uttering a clean "oh no!" when the situation clearly called for much worse. Audrey was in my bed as Nelson was on a business trip (he frequently misses the fun). When I turned on the light to see how bad it was, she awoke. Now two of us were concerned.
Boring you with all the details will only, well, bore you.
By the grace of God I was able to get someone to come out today. Five hours of work, and the carpet is now removed and my guest room is a shell. Many prayers were uttered. It would have been very easy to lose it today. All I kept repeating was "I count it pure joy, when encountering trials" ( James 1:2. )
Why do I count it joy? In the big picture of this life, water in my basement is hardly something to lose sleep over. In a few months it will be forgotten, and perhaps even laughed about. My house is still habitable, my family is safe, and thank God, we have a place to lay our heads at night. These aren't small things, but it's easy to let the stress of a situation cloud our vision so that we are blind to the good in the trial. James, in verse 2, goes onto to say that our faith, when tested, produces perseverance. Oh to be a woman of perseverance! Yet we can't get there without the trials, and that's often overlooked. From now on, when God allows me to be tested through a trial, I want to "count it all joy" so I can be "mature and complete, not needing anything" (James 1:4).
For right now, however, the one thing I DO need, is a really really good night of sleep.
Sweet dreams!
Our number came up last night. In the middle of the night, to be exact.
When I awoke to visit the bathroom (recall we're sleeping in the basement guest room) at midnight, my feet hit water. I'm pretty proud of myself for only uttering a clean "oh no!" when the situation clearly called for much worse. Audrey was in my bed as Nelson was on a business trip (he frequently misses the fun). When I turned on the light to see how bad it was, she awoke. Now two of us were concerned.
Boring you with all the details will only, well, bore you.
By the grace of God I was able to get someone to come out today. Five hours of work, and the carpet is now removed and my guest room is a shell. Many prayers were uttered. It would have been very easy to lose it today. All I kept repeating was "I count it pure joy, when encountering trials" ( James 1:2. )
Why do I count it joy? In the big picture of this life, water in my basement is hardly something to lose sleep over. In a few months it will be forgotten, and perhaps even laughed about. My house is still habitable, my family is safe, and thank God, we have a place to lay our heads at night. These aren't small things, but it's easy to let the stress of a situation cloud our vision so that we are blind to the good in the trial. James, in verse 2, goes onto to say that our faith, when tested, produces perseverance. Oh to be a woman of perseverance! Yet we can't get there without the trials, and that's often overlooked. From now on, when God allows me to be tested through a trial, I want to "count it all joy" so I can be "mature and complete, not needing anything" (James 1:4).
For right now, however, the one thing I DO need, is a really really good night of sleep.
Sweet dreams!
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