Home sweet home?

Home sweet home? Not yet. I was totally sick of boxes today, so I carried them down to the basement (will Danny notice?). I just don't want to deal with them any more. I have had boxes and boxes laying around since January. I am done with them! I did, however, manage to get a few more things hung on the walls so it is starting to look like home and with the windows open it feels like home. And it has been smelling like home with my lovely apple candles! :)

It probably will take a LLOONNGG time for Iowa to feel like home, but I hope that at least the inside makes us comfortable. The girls are adjusting well and LOVE the playground that our neighborhood has. Grace told me today that it was her favorite part of her new house. It is fun to meet more people every evening -- and get excerise at the same time. It is only a 5 minute walk on the sidewalks of the neighborhood, but last night we took the "long" way... Danny wanted a little adventure! :)

We are settling in... but.... it isn't home sweet home yet.... maybe house sweet house?

Couponing is a delight!!!!

Well, I just had to take a break from reliving the adventure in getting here to Iowa by writing to you about my couponing! I love to coupon! I know that sounds crazy... but I really do enjoy it. I love getting things on sale and then using a coupon on top of that! It is just a trill.

I have three things to share:
1. I went to a new grocery store today. The ladies in my neighborhood told me that I have to try Fareway so I did. I was amazed at the great deals that I could get. They had Betty Crocker cake mixes and frosting on sale for 78 cents (plus add those coupons), flour on sale for 77 cents, and Kelloggs cereals 50% off! YEAH! I got some amazing deals... I love getting cereal for a dollar a box! (Danny thinks we have too much in the pantry, but he likes me saving money!)

2. Last night we got a printer. I have been without one, so not having one to print all of the great coupons that I have been seeing has been tough! I printed several this morning before I went to the store. I told Danny that I am going to keep track of all of the coupons that I use starting now to see how long it takes me to make up for the printer that we bought. I am sure that it will not be long... I saved about $8 just today at the store!

3. My awesome mother just sent me a HUGE envelope FULL of coupons! I was delighted! Even though I really wanted to take a nap, I just couldn't until I had those coupons sorted! Thanks mom! You made my day!!!

Our trip to Iowa -- Part two

The next morning (Wed) Danny called the garage. They called us back within an hour to say that the transmission was gone. It was going to cost an estimated $4000 to fix it… we think that was a little high, but we knew that we DIDN’T want to invest that much into that car! So… we started investigating other options. After two hours of phone calls and searching online, Danny made the decision that the girls and I would fly out of Boston that day and that he would get a U-Haul truck to drive to Iowa. (This meant that we were DEFINTELY NOT going to my brothers! We had to be in IA by 4:00 the next day – Thursday -- to pick up the keys to our house so the movers could move us in on Friday at 8!) Our gracious hosts volunteered to drive us to Boston, and they called on another church member to drive Danny to the rental place. Our hosts also let us borrow their car seats for the drive to the airport and GAVE me a single stroller to use in the airport. YEAH! What a blessing. This meant that I didn’t have to lug the car seats through the airport, and I didn’t have to carry Hannah!

We left as early as we could for the airport, but I knew that we were going to be close on time. We had to stop at the garage to get some things out of the car. I need my backpack, some snacks for the girls and me, books and toys to entertain them, etc. I didn’t really feel prepared to take the girls BY MYSELF on two plane rides to Iowa, but I knew that the Lord had strengthened me this far and He WASN’T going to abandon me now. I wanted to be there at least an hour and a half before the flight time, but we were closer to an hour! But I had God sightings throughout the trip to Boston…. Including one of our favorite songs came on: Jesus I am Resting. Danny and I requested it for our going away service and it was such a blessing to hear that. It felt like a confirmation from the Lord! Before leaving their vehicle, our hosts gave me an envelope. Later I learned that it was $400 from their church to help with the costs of the flights! IS THAT A GOD-THING OR WHAT?!?!

We said our goodbyes and I booked it to the luggage drop off and to security… which is always slow, especially with two girls – taking off shoes, putting everything on the belts, and making sure things were just right for the security agents! (A smile and being friendly go a long way!!) J We went as fast as we could to our terminal with just enough time to change our seat assignments so we could all sit together, go to the bathroom to change a diaper and put on a pull-up (just in case), get a bite to eat to take with us on the plane, and call Danny to let him know that we had made it. We were nearly the last ones on the plane! That was WAY TO CLOSE!

The plane ride was good. I was hoping for the girls to sleep a little, but they didn’t. At least they didn’t cry the whole time. They liked eating, reading books, and watching George on the DVD player! I didn’t care if they watched the WHOLE DVD (but they didn’t!).

We arrived in Detroit about 15 minutes early which was great because we had a quick connection… only 45 minutes. BUT I got off the plane and waited and waited for our stroller (We had gate checked it in Boston and asked to get it again in Detroit) – even the pilot went to check on it for me, but he said there was no sign of it. I went to the desk and waited a while. Without any progress, I asked if I could leave my things there while I took the girls to the restroom. She said that was fine. When I returned she gave me a meal pass worth $14 (Jehovah Jireh!) and told me to go get a bite to eat. She was going to call a wheelchair and meet us at the restaurant with it. So… ten minutes later she arrived with a wheelchair and a young woman. We piled onto the wheelchair and the woman sprinted through the airport to our gate – we went up and down 5 elevators, on a train and through a really cool colored tunnel! When we FINALLY got there, I knew that there was NO WAY I would have made it with the stroller. It was just TOO FAR for Grace to have walked. God provided in a way I didn’t expect – our stroller didn’t show up, but we got a beautiful chariot to escort us to our gate! We were THE LAST ones on the plane, but we made it and got settled quickly. J

Once again we ate a ton on the plane. That kept all of us pretty happy. I was thankful that this was a short flight – only about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Grace didn’t watch George, but I kept her busy with a book of stickers that I had in her backpack. She loved decorating her “barf-bag” and putting stickers on me and Hannah – on our noses, hands, etc. I let her as long as it kept her and her sister entertained. We all giggled and giggled! J I needed that light--hearted fun! Hannah eventually fell asleep. She (and I) really needed it.

We arrived in Des Moines about 30 minutes early. We didn’t know who was going to pick us up from the airport or where we were going to be staying that night. Danny talked to the Pastor from our new church earlier in the day, and he said he would make sure it was all taken care of. It was nice to see his wife as we went down the escalator. I am sure that I looked like a mess… I certainly felt like it! She was so gracious and helped with the girls as we went to the baggage claim. We stayed with them that night… they even got us car seats and a pack and play. It was a wonderful welcome to Iowa, but I was wishing that Danny was with me!!! After getting the girls in bed, Connie offered me ice cream…. And I thought that sounded heavenly! She even put on chocolate syrup and nuts! YUMMY!! I savored every bite. I didn’t want to be rude! J I chit chatted for a little while, but my eyes just didn’t want to stay open. I went to bed and slept like a rock! Thank you, Lord for getting the girls and I to Iowa safely.

Part three…. Danny’s journey!

Our trip to Iowa -- Part one

Isn’t it funny how differently you look at things because you are a Believer? We just got to Iowa last week after months of planning, but things didn’t go as planned. We never failed to see that it was the hand of the Lord that was pushing us in a different direction. He was there all of the time and was leading us. We were learning to submit and trust Him! I know we would have had a different outlook on things if we didn’t know the Lord.

Here is just a little of the happenings on our trip and how we KNEW that the Lord was with us (the world would have said otherwise!):

On Tuesday, only about two hours into our trip we got a flat tire -- We were praising the Lord that it was the front passenger tire so Danny wouldn’t have to dodge cars and that it wasn’t the back one because he would have had to take off the trailer to jack up the car! The next exit was only a little over a mile away and there was a tire place right off of the exit! Praise the Lord! BUT…It couldn’t be fixed – we had to get a new one, but while we waited we went across the street to the Burger King and played in the Play Place! God PROVIDED!

While we were waiting to cross the street to BK, we got a call from the moving company. They were going to arrive early with our things in IA – instead of on Saturday/Sunday they were going to arrive on Friday morning at 8. This meant that we couldn’t stay as long with my brother and his family! It was a BIG disappointment, but we were praying that we wouldn’t have to be without our things in IA for a long time…. God answered, but not as we had anticipated!

After getting the car back together, we drove for 50 more miles and got off to get gas. Danny had noticed that it was guzzling gas, but he thought that it was from the trailer. After we left the toll plaza, the car had a really hard time changing gears. We knew that there was something wrong. We cruised off of the exit to the truck stop and noticed smoke coming out! YIKES! I immediately got the girls out of the car, and a man came running out. He told us to shut it off right away! After some initial inspection, it seemed that we had blown the transmission…. Not a good thing. The kind man asked us many questions and then got on the phone to try to help us out.

In the middle of trying to help us find a repair shop, he added that he could also find someone in his congregation to help us with housing. Congregation? Yes, this man was a pastor of a church in town! He works at the truck stop as well. He made many more phone calls and after spending close to three hours in the truck stop parking lot and lounge (which was quite a cultural experience for me and my kids!), we had arrangements for the night and for our car. The car got towed to a garage and would be looked at in the morning. A few men got together and were able to tow the trailer to another part of the parking lot and they gave us a special lock to put on it. The people working at the truck stop were going to look after it for us for the night.

We got housing with a couple from that attends that church. They have grandkids, so they were well equipped with a highchair, toys, a crib, etc….everything that we needed to stay! They even ordered pizza and wings to pick up on the way home! Danny knew that this was going to be a perfect match! They couldn’t stay too long with us at home because they had to stop by church for worship team rehearsal! COOL! J

We were seeing God’s hand the whole time. We were all surprisingly peaceful on the way home and at the house. I wasn’t fearful, but I knew that the Lord had provided for us. BUT I was WAY out of my comfort zone! We all slept great (I didn’t even wake up all night!), but we were worried about what the next morning was going to be like.

Moving Day!!

Well, today is the official moving day! We have been packing and packing for months, but the truck finally arrived this morning (at 7:15!!!). They started loading around 8:00 so the girls and I headed out around then. I was a little teary as I did my final packing and saying good bye. Things are definitely going to be different in the next few weeks... we are going to miss all of the many memories that were made in this home, but we have pictures and pictures to help jog the memories. For example.... This was the first Christmas in this "new" house! A LLLOOONNGGG time ago.... before kids!!

Here is when we brought home Grace from the hospital...

Here is taking Hannah home from the hospital...

Those are just a few... wish I had more space to put more pictures. I will try to post more when I can...if I can see between the tears! :(

Outside....FINALLY

We are right in the middle of packing... the truck comes this weekend. It is really hard to believe. It has been hard to play with the girls and get done all of the things that I need to on a daily basis. (I have left cleaning for after the house is empty... how can I clean in this chaos!!)

BUT... yesterday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL outside, so the girls and I went out after lunch and explored until nap time! It was wonderful to get out there and enjoy the weather and the girls at the same time. It was really relaxing! It was great to FINALLY get to enjoy the outdoors...we have been waiting a while to get out there! :) Winter crawls by!

Our birthday girls

So, we just can't believe that we have two girls who are now one and three! That is just crazy! We are blessed to have such wonderful girls, but we know that is hasn't been without lots of hard work, training and prayer. They are a blessing to us and they challenge us to be more and more like Christ and to love His Word more and more....

Check this out....