Farewell Photos

It has been really hard for me to update the blog - to post all these pictures of friends that were so hard to say goodbye to. It has been 2 weeks and it hasn't gotten any easier so I might as well just get it done :-)

Madison and Kristen - her riding teacher and friend. She is such a nice girl, Madison was sooo lucky to spend time with her each week.

Alika, Madison and Brittney. Alika was not born yet when we first moved to MN and Brittney was a little girl. How fun for the girls to get to grow up together! :-)

"Grandma" Elizabeth and the kids. When we first moved to MN we lived in the same apartment building as Elizabeth. She was instantly a grandma to Madison and a friend to Brock and I. What a blessing she was to us when we had no family or no grandma nearby for the kids :-) We continued to stay in touch even when we moved and she will always be "Grandma Elizabeth"

Madison and Andi (holding her tiny tiny turtle) They were instant friends when they met 1 1/2 years ago at Bluewater Bible Camp. Although they live 1 hour away from us, they got to see each other quite a bit

Madison and Alika (in tree), Isaac (or I mean BibleMan), Brittney and Tianna playing in the back yard shortly before we took off

What little cuties! Tianna is almost 1 year older than Isaac but they play together great.

The benefit of only making it to Fargo the first day was we got to hang out with Greta!! Greta was Madison's first babysitter (over 7 years ago!!) and our HUGE helper when we were opening the theatre! She was the ever present positive force when we were about to give up (the word "chairs" still sends a shiver down our back and brings laughter to all who experienced it with us!) She is like family to all of us and is appropriately called "Greta the Great"!! :-)

Isaac was "as tired as he'll ever be" so couldn't pull himself off the bed for the pic!

We have Arrived

We made it to MT on October 31st about 11 p.m. (MN time) It was a long journey but we had perfect weather and no problems on the road. We were very thankful and tired when we finally pulled into the driveway of our soon to be new home!

We were finally ready to hit the road - hours and hours later than we anticipated. We took a few last pictures before leaving

Our UHaul was huge! It was filled to the max too (and I am embarrassed to admit we still have another load left!) Brock also pulled a trailer behind it so it was quite the big rig. I was going to be pulling our trailer and was very nervous about it because I had never done it before. Thankfully, Brock did what he could to get it behind the U haul. I was sooo happy and relieved! What a man :-) He had Madison with him and I had Isaac and Hannah. It was really hard to say goodbye to friends and our life in MN and was a very emotional drive. It was helpful to be alone in the car - let it all out :-) Of course the biggest help of all is knowing (without a shadow of a doubt) that we are doing what God wants for us. He has provided peace throughout the whole process and sustained us physically and emotionally as we worked like crazy to get packed up and on our way. We had friends that we couldn't have done without - they helped us TONS! Moving was way harder than I ever expected!

We are in awe of the beauty that surrounds us here. Our rental house has a perfect view of the mountains. Here is the view the first day we were here. I love how the clouds are hovering at the top! We live right across from a park, which has been really fun for the kids.

Here is the view from our porch looking down the street

Yesterday the mountains were covered with snow and the sky so clear I couldn't resist taking a picture. Every time I walked by the front window I was captivated by the beauty.

I read this in my devotions this morning and loved it:

"Only the Creator of the universe can know the true needs of His creatures and provide for their ultimate fulfillment"

God is working in our lives in ways that don't always seem "right" to us. I know that my "right" is subjective to my own feelings - what makes me happy, what is comfortable etc. I find comfort in the fact that He is the only one who truly knows what is "right" for my life and His "right" isn't subjective to anything - that is true peace to me!

Killin' Time

Brock's race lasted over 2 hours so we had LOTS of time to kill. It was an unexpectedly HOT day so we spent most of the time trying to find shade and contain the kids. There were 3 families and 9 kids in our group, with 3 of the guys racing and 4 of the kids. It was a lot of fun, although I wouldn't want to do that too often - a little too much sitting around :-)

While it was hard for us to find things to do, Isaac and Izyk had not problem. :-) They played the whole time - never taking a break or running out of things to do :-) The invented a new sport called "goggle wresting". First you hold goggles to your head and . . . .

push the goggles back and forth, laugh alot and eventually fall to the ground. Next, get up and do it over and over :-)

Luckily Strege's are old pro's at the racing thing and came prepared - a trailer to hang out in and let the kids play in, lots of chairs and most importantly lots of food and drinks :-)

Berlin and Hannah staring at something - I am not sure what :-)

Denise and Berlin (like I said it was really hot so the kiddos were shedding clothes as the day went on. Here is Berlin down to shirt; however, she is still wearing her furry warm boots because that is all she had) :-) Izyk Strege demonstrating just how many goggles he can wear at once (he also demonstrates daily how many Bluewater necklaces he can wear at once) :-)

Race Day - again

Brock bought his motorcycle this summer and had never raced, but wanted to see what it was like. He was able to race with a couple of his friends.

Brock and Paul shortly before heading to the starting line

The course he raced was the same as the one Madison did in addition to lots of tight woods. Most of the course I couldn't see and a lap took him about 23 minutes. I was never very close to the course so it was hard to take pictures. Had I been more prepared I could have walked to different parts of the course and taken pictures. Oh well - I guess that gives him a good excuse for a "next time"

Brock at the starting line - he is on the red bike

Madison watching Brock - she wanted to be right there cheering him on! It was cute!

Here he is again (in the center - red helmet and bike). They all have to stand in front of the bike with both hands on their handlebars until the signal. He did a good job getting going and was the 4th one out.

My camera battery died just as I was getting a picture of him racing! My friend took one for me so I will try to add it later :-)

After the race. Brock was completely exhausted. He had been riding for a little over 2 hours! Madison was so cute - she raced over there and immediately started taking his boots off.

Hannah was very interested in what daddy was doing it. She ran right up to him when he returned and stayed nearby the whole time. Cute!

The proud kiddos and there daddy's. Jesse Strege and his kids (except Alex) - Andi, Berlin and Izyk and Brock and Isaac, Hannah and Madison

Race Day

There was a race (Hare Scramble) nearby that Brock decided he wanted to run. We never expected Madison would want to, but she was immediately excited. She does have a motorcycle but thought 4 wheels would be best for her first try :-) She rode a 90cc Yamaha of our friends, the Strege's, who also raced that weekend.

The kids race consisted of a winding section through a field as well as a motocross course. The all did 3-4 laps. Madison did 3 laps and rode approximately 45 minutes. Brock rode along with her most of the time and also helped her get started.

Off she goes!!

There they are!! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the motocross section, but according to Madison - it was the best part of the race! She loved riding up and down the jumps. Her machine died once in this area and she was afraid the other motorcycles were going to jump over her!

Madison right after the race - she was very tired! She said her thumb was really sore from the throttle, but also that she had alot of fun! Madison's friend Andi also raced but she rode her motorcycle. It was so fun for her to be able to experience her first race with her friend!Award time! Madison got a trophy for 3rd place. She was BEAMING! We were very proud of her for trying something she has never done before and enjoying herself in the process.

Andi got 2nd place!! Good job Andi!

Change

Today is the first big step to a huge change for us - Brock's last day of work at Polaris. Soon we will be saying goodbye to MN and heading to MT. We are excited because we know that this is God's leading and we know this is His will for us. However, while knowing that gives us the confidence to take the steps it doesn't take the emotions away. We will be leaving so many awesome friends, our church, our first home, our first business, the only place our kids know as "home" and taking with us unending memories of happiness. While my heart is heavy with sadness for what we must say goodbye to it is filled with joyful anticipation for what God has for us in MT.Brock went to ID this last spring for work and was able to ride with a photographer. He sent us lots of awesome pictures of Brock riding.

I am very proud of Brock, proud of him for leaving the comforts of his job and setting out on a new adventure. This new adventure means he will learn a new job and reenter that uncomfortable time of being the rookie and not knowing exactly what you are doing. He could continue doing what is known or what is comfortable but it is more important to him to follow God than take the "easy" road. That is one of the many reasons I love him and am proud of him, he is leading our family as he follows God's leading.

I can't imagine doing this - it is scary just to look at :-) It is an awesome picture though isn't it?

I guess riding sideways is as fun as flying through the air!!

What a cool guy I am married to :-)

The picture of Brock heading up the hill and going over (bottom left) reminds me of what this journey to MT could be like - if we didn't have God. Doing it without HIM would feel like going over the hill without knowing if a cliff or valley lies beyond. However, when you trust your life to God and let Him lead it doesn't matter what is below. If it is a cliff - hang on, stay focused and keep following HIM. I have learned through experience that I would rather follow HIM down a cliff than take the easy road without Him. This truth has only become even clearer to us on this 2 year process of deciding to make this move.

Our Little Man is Growing UP

Once again, I am in shock over that fact that another year has come and gone. As if the shock of Madison turning 8 wasn't enough - Isaac turned 4 the next day! What a sweet little happy guy he is (and always has been). While Madison has a contagious laugh, Isaac has a contagious smile. It lights up his face and you can't help but smile back. :-) Little did we know how well his name would fit him when we first decided on Isaac (which means laughter)

Now for another stroll down memory lane! Isaac was due October 8th, the same day we moved into our house. My sister Cori (and her 2 kids Kate and Jack), my mom and Brock's mom all came to help us get settled into our new house and hopefully be there for the birth. No promises after Madison's extremely late arrival :-) I was so determined to go into labor naturally and wanted that so bad that when my doctor encouraged me to be induced I cried. I am sure he and his nurse were baffled, most people can't wait to be done and jump up for joy when their doctor will finally induce them! :-) We came in the next morning at 8 a.m. and during the exam my water broke! I had a slight panic attack - my heart started racing, I got light headed and thought I was going to puke. It makes me laugh to think about it - was it fear, shock, excitement - who knows :-) My labor was slow and I didn't make much progress. By the next day around noon I was a 5-6. However, at my next check a couple hours later I was told I was a 4. I just about started crying, I felt myself deflate. I didn't think I could do it any longer. My doctor came in and realized the water hadn't fully broken so he broke it. After that, labor was FAST FAST FAST. It was intense and hard to catch my breath. I had him less than 2 hours after my water broke. So, after 33 hours of labor (some quite "easy" of course) I finally had a baby - a boy at that! We were so excited. He was healthy and cute as can be! He weighed 8 lb 2.5 ounces and once again I could see God's hand in the whole things. My labor was so slow in the beginning it gave Brock and I time together that was priceless, my sister Cori was leaving that evening but was able to be in there for the birth, Brock's mom got to experience her first birth and the arrival of her 2nd grandchild, my mom was there again (she has been at most of the births in our family), I had an awesome christian doctor who was a good friend of ours, I had great nurses who followed my birth plan without much fuss :-) and I had a completely drug free labor and delivery. God was Good!!

Here is the little darling shortly after birth. He looks so serious with his furrowed eyebrows :-) He had quite a bit of dark hair under his hat :-)

Now, for who he is today . . . .

Isaac is a little character - he makes us laugh nonstop. Whether it is stuff he says or things he does, it is always funny. He doesn't usually try to be funny - he just is.

He loves to sing, his favorite songs are "Go Tell it on the Mountain", "One Way", "Awesome God" and "Days of Elijah"

He loves to "play" any instrument he can get his hands on (at least he thinks he is playing) He is actually pretty good at it and I am sure will be playing for real before we know it

He is a boy all the way - he loves guns, motorcycles, loud noises (coming from anything including himself), knights and "fighting guys" as he calls them, firetrucks, cars, tools and on and on

He isn't much of a snuggler ("okay mom you can go now" is his famous line when I try to snuggle with him in bed) :-) but he is a complimentor and is often tellingus how much he loves us

He thinks Madison hung the moon and he is loving his role as protector of Hannah

He is 3 ft 2.5 inches and 32 lbs (he has grown 3.5 inches and gained 4.5 lbs. this year)

He adores Brock and thinks he is the strongest guy in the world (and then he thinks he is next) :-)
He is determined to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels so he can ride a motorcycle :-)

Once again, we are blessed beyond measure by God and thank Him for giving us yet another child to care for and adore