New Room

Well, I have a backlog of things to tell you all about, but frankly that feels overwhelming. So, instead of trying to get all caught up at once, I am going to pick one thing.

The New Baby's Room.

When we moved into this house 3 1/2 years ago, we loved it for a lot of reasons.  It had 4 bedrooms, a real yard and just a lot of things that were us.

But one of the bedrooms was strange.  It was big enough to hold 2 queen size bed, comfortably.  No really.  That was ok.  Elliot used the room and it had a spare bed for when guests came.  But it seemed like a silly waste of space really. 

For whatever reason, I don't have a good before photo, but this one gives you somewhat of an idea.  That's a queen bed and a set of bunk beds in the same room and there is still a desk and a rug behind the camera!

So we got to thinking, "What if we put a wall up in the middle of the room and cut a door to the hallway?"  We talked about it when our friend Jamie was here and helped us build all sorts of hobbit shelves.  She thought it was doable.  We talked to other friends and finally our landlord.  He was a bit skeptical about it, but when we said we'd pay for it and that our architect friend thought it would be fine, he was good.

So, in mid January, we finally were able to hire two guys to come and build the new baby's room! 

It was a simple project as these things go.  It was just putting a drywall wall up to split the room in half and cutting a door in the existing hallway wall.  I say simple.  We still hired someone to do it.  But there was already separate wiring for lights and outlets, and a window on that side of the room, almost as if this had been the plan all along but they just never got to it. 

So now Elliot's room is much more manageable.  I think he feels not so overwhelmed by it.  He's got new green everything (his favorite color).  I would show you a lovely photo, but honestly, when I went up to take one, I realized he managed to leave the house this morning with a lego explosion everywhere.  So instead I'll just show you pictures of the Baby's room because she can't mess it up...yet. 

There are still some things that I want to do in here, like paint her name on a sign above her changing table, but that requires that we know her name, which still isn't certain yet.  Yeah, yeah, I know.

I love how the furniture came together in this room.  The changing table and the rocking chair came from our church here.  We did some updating of the nursery there and those things needed to be moved out.  So we got to give them a home.  The changing table is the same style as one we had in the states with the two biggest kids.  It's sweet when God gives you gifts like that.  The red pillow on the rocker is one that my great grandmother made. The crib is one we used with Quinn.  There is something sweet about reusing all the baby things.  There is even a walker up on the shelf above the changing table that at least three of my siblings used along with my boys. 

The little table with the light came from the garbage and I sanded it down and painted it.  I love how it turned out. 

The book shelves Noah found on a sale site and they needed some love. So we sanded those down too and painted them.  There isn't much on them, yet, but I am sure they will fill up in the years to come.  I am thinking baby needs a rag doll soon.

So there you have it.  The new room.  I am sure it will morph over the next while, and baby probably won't sleep in it for several months after she is born, but it feels good to have that huge project checked off the "To Do Before Baby Comes" list!

Three Weeks

Three weeks in.  Feels like we've been back a lot longer than just three weeks.

We've done a lot in that amount of time.  And there is a lot more to do to really truly be settled again.  There are still piles of things to sort and put away, we still need to register the boys for school that starts in a month, still need to restock the panty supplies fully.

But we are on the way.  I think all the bags are unpacked even though there is still stuff to put away.  The big projects are mostly done, with the exception of staining and vanishing the shelves and cabinet.

Oh, and just for the record, if you are planning on moving internationally, don't do it three days before Father's Day and a birthday.  Honestly, we've done Father's Day, Quinn's Birthday, Noah's Birthday since we've been back!  That's a lot! We totally skipped out on the 4th of July this year, much to the disappointment of several of us, me included!  Oh well, live and learn.

I think our hearts have caught up to our bodies for the most part.  It's been a bit rockier of a transition than I was anticipating. But boy, have we've so enjoyed being back at church each weekend,  and being part of our community here!  Noah's been in the office this week some, and it's been good to get back in the swing of things.

I'm hopeful that by August, when the big boys start school again, we'll be resettled.

And with that, this might be the last blog post for a while.  My computer decided to act up three weeks after being in Costa Rica, which means it gets a trip to California tomorrow, then to the repair shop, then to Illinois and then back to Costa Rica in September!  Yikes!  That's a long time without it!! Not sure how well I can blog on a tablet or phone, so we'll see ya when we see ya.

February

So.  February was busy.  That might be obvious from the lack of anything new here.  We traveled, a lot, spend time with dear people, spent time as a family, learned more about how to live well this life God has given us, where our heart longs for both homes.  And because it was so full, I am going to resort to bullet points.

• We had lots of snow days.  As in 3 plus 2 already scheduled days off of school plus one kid was sick for 2 days.  Yeah, no real school rythm in February.

• It got cold!!  As in actual temperatures being in the -15 F neighborhood.  But Elliot did find some sun!

• The boys got to experience a classroom party in the US.  Parties here are so different.  They are parties.  In Costa Rica, it's often just a meal ordered from a local fast food place.

• Noah and I were able to spend a weekend at Barakel helping out!  It was so fun to be back with those dear folks.  Noah helped drill ice fishing holes, run the tubing hill, teach ski lessons and do announcements.  I helped in the kitchen (which was a much warmer assignment by the way).  It was strange, it felt in some ways like we had never left, although it has been four years!

• I got to share about what God is doing with a group of amazing women.

• We were given a gift of a week at Missionary Training International's Debriefing and Renewal program.  What an amazing time!  We have been able to express and share how hard and wonderful the last 4 years have been, had someone to cry with and pray with, people to breath hope and life into us, all the while our kids were given the same kind of care! So very thankful!

• While in Colorado, we got to spend time with a former student of ours (those teaching years seem like a lifetime ago!) and meet her sweet kids, husband and friends.  We were overwhelmed by the hospitality of strangers as they opened their home to us for 3 days!  

• We also got to visit the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.  So amazing!

• And now we are back to Zeeland, still working on finding a normal routine, although I have my doubts about if we'll be successful
  
  
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About a Month

Well.  Where to start?  We've been in the United States now for almost a month and it's just...well, I am really not sure if there is a word or phrase to sum this all up.  It's been...

Strange:  Someone from Brazil recently mentioned to us that when she goes to Brazil the first two days she feels like she is having an out of body experiece.  Both Noah and I said "that's it!"  Those first days are so strange.  Everything is so familiar (like the homes we grew up in) and yet we haven't set foot in them in 2 1/2 years.  The silverware is still in the same drawers, the extra toliet paper is still in the cupboard in the bathroom, and yet, it all seems forgien somehow.  Strange. Just strange.

Amazing:  We were able to spend Christmas with both sides of the family, to just enjoy being together, to spend time talking and laughing and sleeping and eating.  We haven't been able to do that in a very long time and it was amazing!

Confusing: Things have changed here in the US since the last time we were here.  Biggest change we've noticed so far?  EVERYONE has a smart phone now, and they do some amazing things.  Like you can get coupons from a text!  I was at Target and saw a sign next to the clearance section that said "text this code to this number for another 25% off clearnace."  What?  That wasn't a thing when we were here 2 1/3 yeas ago.  We sorta feel like we are playing catch up in this area.  And just with technology in general!  That's why there aren't any photos with this post!

Good: The big boys started school last week.  It has been good!  They are in a Spanish Immersion program here at the local public school that is a block from our house.  The first three days were really good.  They came home each day full of stories and interesting things they have been learning.  They also discovered the joy of a snow day!!  And then another snow day!  When I told them last night that today was school they both said "welllll, maybe there will be another snow day!"  Ha!  They catch on quick!

Uncertain:  We're still trying to figure out what life will look like while we are here.  It's strange having both big boys at school and Noah working from home each day.  We're realizing our more busy times will be the weekends and nights, and that somewhat different from our life in Costa Rica.  So we're trying to find what will work for us. 

Sad:  Not that we are sad to be in in Michigan, but more like we are sad to not be in Costa Rica.  There has been a definate switch in how the boys talk about Costa Rica in the last week.  When we first got to Michigan they said things like "we live in Michigan.  We're from Michigan."  Now they say that Costa Rica is where we live and that is home.  Which is a good thing, but we've all been a bit emotional about being away from home.

So.  It's a mixed bag.  But we're thankful to be in a warm house close to family and friends and the library and school.  And we're thankful for the fact that we will be heading back to Costa Rica and for our time here too.  So yeah, there isn't just one word to sum this all up!

This and That...Again

Sooooo, we are now just 8 days from leaving!  What the what?  So let me splain.  No there is too much.  Let me sum up" to quote Inigo Montoya, which if you have only seen the movie and not read the book you are totally missing out.  Which makes me think I should look to see if it's on Kindle, because it's just the kind of thing  that would make for good airport reading.  And now you see how my mind has been over the last few weeks...full of insane details!! Let me show you

• Thanksgiving week I got to help in Forrest's class for their Thanksgiving lunch.  I brought in some fall leaves that my mom and our friends brought us because most of the kids have never seen fall leaves.  Such fun!

• The Weekend after Thanksgiving, Noah preached at both services, and we coordinated another picnic/babyshower for 4 babies!  Noah did a great job preaching and the picnic was a blast!

• The little boys and I helped decorate church for Christmas, it's soooo pretty!  Just simple white lights as a canopy over the congregation.

• I finally finished up the table clothes for church that have been staring at me for way too long.

• We recovered 12 folding chairs with old coffee bags for church

• Elliot lost his first tooth without realizing it!  Funny kid!

• I have been organizing and rearranging things so the family that is going to rent our house while we are gone will have room (and did I mention how thrilled we are that God provided someone to stay here?!  Yes, we're thrilled!)

• Noah showed his car to about 8 people and yesterday finally sold it!!

• We bought a van in the US, so we have wheels when we get there.

• Started the process of washing and packing all our clothes

• We've been able to have sweet time with different friends to say goodbyes.  Just today Forrest's best friend came over along with his sister, mom and grandma for cafecito and play time.  So nice to have time built in to spend with people.

• Finished up all the Christmas presents we needed to make and they are either given or packed.

This and That

Well, life just seems to be clipping along.  Lots of little things.  A couple of big things too like

• We bought our tickets to go to Michigan for the winter. A little surreal really! We haven't been back to Michigan in 2+ years.  We're just a mix of emotions about it.  On the one hand, we are thrilled to have Christmas with our families for the first time in 2 years, to experience the winter with the boys (I think Forrest is the only one who really remembers snow) and to be with people we dearly love and miss.  On the other hand, we are so sad to miss six month of life here!  We feel like we are just getting into a grove with Church and School, and we have friends and well, life keeps going while we aren't here.  Sigh. This living in two places is hard.

•  Our weeks are full with all sorts of things.  Last night a young guy Noah has been meeting with came over for dinner and some time with Noah in the Word.  Thursday I haven Moms group, and I will probably be bringing two other moms and their kids with me.  Today Noah has chapels at school, Saturday night he's at Church, and well, yeah, the weeks are full.  And it's a good type of full!

•  It's a good type of full, but we are still working on the balance for ministry and family.  It's a different pace working with church.  Camp has ebbs and flows, church flows from now until Jesus comes back.  So pray for us, for wisdom for when to say no and when to say yes.

• Rainy season is at it's height.  We have mostly clear mornings and then the storms come in the afternoon.  Yesterday the boys were zipping in the midst of a cloud.  So strange!

This and That

Yep, we're resorting to bullet points.  Don't judge.

• After two days of working on letters and sounds, Elliot became a reader!  Love this kid!

• I have been working on tons of projects for church!  We have a picnic coming up in a few weeks, so we've been painting and building outdoor games, sewing buntings, and figuring out relay races.  

• I am also neck deep in fabric to make new table clothes for church.

• We're working on plans to give the kitchenette at church a make over.  Fun stuff!!

• I started tutoring for my Spanish again.  It's been painful, but good.  This language learning, it's a life long process I tell ya!

• A few weeks ago, we found a desk for a steal!  After way too long of using the kitchen table as a desk, I have one again!!

• For Mother's Day (August 15, yep, it's different) the boys and Noah got me a hose and a nozzle!! So excited!

• Our neighbors, can I just tell you how wonderful they are?  Not only do they go along with almost every hair brained scheme we come up with, they take our kid to school, and bring us food, they also have a sweet fire pit and understand the importance of living in community and taking time!!

• We've started to think more about getting ready for our Home Ministry Assignment (furlough) that will start in December.  I've got really mixed emotions about that. On one hand, we're all very excited to see family and friends we haven't seen in over 2 years.  On the other hand, we are going to desperately miss our friends, church, and neighbors here!  Sigh.  This living with your heart in two places is hard. 

• Speaking of being in MI, if you know of anyone who has a car/van/something that will hold a family of 5 that needs to be driven, we're looking for a vehicle for that 6 months. 

Uncollection

Well, some how we went from the beginning of July to the end of July in a blink.  Here's a little of how it went

• We watched the Ticos lose to the Netherlands in a shoot out.  Sad.  But that didn't change the reception that the team got when they flew home the next week!  They drove the whole group around on a flatbed truck for 5 hours after they landed, just so people could see them.  And everwhere there are billboards thanking the team and the coaches. 

•  We went on a short get away to a beach we hadn't been to yet.  Long story, but our neighbors were given two nights at a house just off the beach and invited us to join them.  What a blast! Best part?  Hands down, feeding the monkeys on our porch first thing in the morning!

• I finally came up with a workable solution for shelves in our garage.  I even managed to maneuver the hardware store in Spanish with all the kids in tow! Oh and funny thing about those shelves.  Elliot opened the back of the 4Runner and all three boards fell out onto his little foot!  We were concerned that he might of actually broken something this time.  So we went off to the doctor the next day (this all happened the day before we went to the beach) and praise the Lord, it wasn't broken, just badly bruised!  He was told no trampoline or tree climbing for 5 days.  And now he's right as rain.

• Noah made me a window shelve too!  Yes, we're into shelves here.

• Elliot found a lizard and put a leash on him.  

• The boys and our neighbor friend built a tepee.  Steph has been collecting used sheets to make a big one later on, but she let the boys paint one for the small tepee they built.  And I will say, their painting looks very cave drawingesk.

• This week is teacher inservice at LCA.  Today the Bible teacher is talking with the rest of the staff about how Jesus taught.  Wednesday, Noah is going to be talking about discipleship, and Friday I will be sharing some practical ways a teacher can  be disciplining in their classroom every day.  This is a new concept for most of them.  Pray for us and for the staff.   

New Toy and a New Word

Brincar (to jump) + trampoline = brincaline.  Yes, that would be an Elliot created word.  Love it!
And it gives you an insight into what has been important in their lives this week.

On Tuesday Noah picked up a used trampoline that we found a about 1/4 the price of a new one.  We went in with our neighbors on it and the boys can hardly finish breakfast in the mornings fast enough to get out and jump!

Thankful.

Birthday in Review

Quinny's actual birthday was yesterday, but we celebrated today.  Like as in all day because the poor kid couldn't handel it all at once. 

Way back in Ferburary, Quinn learned how to say "Happy Birthday to you"  only he says it "Happy Birthday to to"  And yes, it's as cute as you are thinking it is. 

We had pizza, because it's a food he puts his hands up in the air and screams Pizzzzzaaaaaa!   And then we tried to do cake.  Well, banana bread with cream cheese frosting.  And this is how it went...

Poor kid was so tired from church, and then everyone was singing and looking at him and there was this weird toy on fire and then people wanted him to touch it and then he went to bed.  Poor baby.

After his nap we did his presents, which he was way more into than the cake. 

Then more pizza and some more convincing and he finally tried the cake.  With a fork.  Oh honey!

Happy Birthday little man!!

Dibs and Dabs

• Noah's done with the school year!  We're thankful that he was able to step in and help by subbing, but we are also thankful he is done.

•  We are putting the finishing touches on what is next for us with our mission and our new ministry.  Details will come, soon.  I promise. 

• There is a short term team down from the US and they have been doing a VBS for the kids at LCA, and our boys have been able to participate.  It hasn't gone super smooth for our boys, but it's a good learning experience ( read:  learning how to do things even when they don't want to.)

•  Quinn's second birthday is Saturday!  I honestly am not sure how that happened!  And yes, I caved and gave him his scooter early. 

 

• I have visions of getting real up in the air fireworks to set off for the 4th of July. They make these boxes here that are full of fireworks and all you have to do is light one fuse and walk away.  Then enjoy real, live, up in the air fireworks!  Now I just need to convince Noah.  

• Our grass needs to be mowed.  But every time our landlord goes to do it, the mower breaks.  I am about ready to go old school on the yard, with a machete!

• We have fish.  This has been a long time coming.  But the last week of school we finally had the bowl, the rocks, the water, the food and the fish all in one place!  Quinn keeps asking to "Hold it?  Hold it?" Forrest picked out the gold one and named it Golden Eagle.  Elliot picked out the one with the red head and named it Nija Warrior, and Quinn and I picked out the black and gold one and the other boys decided it's name is Tiger.  So boy.

•  This last weekend our landlord filled in a hole that has been a problem for months now right by our garage.  And he had help.  Although I told him I wasn't sure three boys under 10 was really a help with this sort of thing.