So thankful for friends to help us today. Jenni and Debbie helped us clean. We got so much done! It's amazing what a little extra womanpower and emotional support can do!
Joel also came and put up a bunch of lights. Manpower is good too.
We're so close!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Psalm 91:11-12
"For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone."
We experienced this today. Evan fell through a hole in the living room floor to the basement below. If the possibilities weren't so horrible, it would almost be funny.
There is a 12" x 14" hole cut in the living room floor. It's above the woodstove to let up heat and is waiting on a grate to cover the opening. Evan was cleaning with Debbie and all of the sudden he was gone. She didn't even know the hole was there- she just saw he disappeared. There were 7 of us in the room at the time and I don't remember hearing Evan yell or anything. Eli was right beside him and looked down and saw him lying on a pile of wood for the stove. It took a bit to sink in what had happened, then we flew down the stairs. I remember hearing someone say, "He's walking around," as they looked down the hole.
He was okay! Kendall got to him first and found him just sort of walking around the basement crying. I'm sure he was completely bewildered as to why he was down there. As soon as I heard him crying, I could tell he wasn't hurt too badly. He said he landed on his butt, but didn't seem to be in much pain. Under the hole was concrete floor, a metal bucket full of wood and the hot wood stove. It could have been so bad. We helped him assess his injuries and it turned out that the worst injuries are 2 scratched fingers. I think the adults in the house were as shook up as Evan, only it lasted much longer for us because we knew what could have happened!
We can't figure out how he fell. Evan first said that he landed on the floor. Later he said that he landed on the stove, then bounced to the bucket of wood. That doesn't seem possible to us. Eli saw him on the wood. And it makes no sense that he wasn't hurt worse. The only thing we can figure out is that Jesus put an angel there to catch Evan and hold him up so that he wouldn't get hurt.
We're thankful.
Evan adds, "Did you know it hurt less than a fly biting you?" "And then, I was going to go to Dad, but instead, he got to me first."
We experienced this today. Evan fell through a hole in the living room floor to the basement below. If the possibilities weren't so horrible, it would almost be funny.
There is a 12" x 14" hole cut in the living room floor. It's above the woodstove to let up heat and is waiting on a grate to cover the opening. Evan was cleaning with Debbie and all of the sudden he was gone. She didn't even know the hole was there- she just saw he disappeared. There were 7 of us in the room at the time and I don't remember hearing Evan yell or anything. Eli was right beside him and looked down and saw him lying on a pile of wood for the stove. It took a bit to sink in what had happened, then we flew down the stairs. I remember hearing someone say, "He's walking around," as they looked down the hole.
He was okay! Kendall got to him first and found him just sort of walking around the basement crying. I'm sure he was completely bewildered as to why he was down there. As soon as I heard him crying, I could tell he wasn't hurt too badly. He said he landed on his butt, but didn't seem to be in much pain. Under the hole was concrete floor, a metal bucket full of wood and the hot wood stove. It could have been so bad. We helped him assess his injuries and it turned out that the worst injuries are 2 scratched fingers. I think the adults in the house were as shook up as Evan, only it lasted much longer for us because we knew what could have happened!
We can't figure out how he fell. Evan first said that he landed on the floor. Later he said that he landed on the stove, then bounced to the bucket of wood. That doesn't seem possible to us. Eli saw him on the wood. And it makes no sense that he wasn't hurt worse. The only thing we can figure out is that Jesus put an angel there to catch Evan and hold him up so that he wouldn't get hurt.
We're thankful.
Evan adds, "Did you know it hurt less than a fly biting you?" "And then, I was going to go to Dad, but instead, he got to me first."
Friday, January 28, 2011
Taa daa! Last night I took all our games to the new house and cleaned the 'game closet.' So this is the first part of our home that looks like home.
I've been feeling overwhelmed by the work to come. So I finally decided it's time to call some friends. I'm blessed to have 2 friends joining me at the new house tomorrow to clean. I think that will be the emotional boost I need. (Not to mention all the work we can get done!)
Leonard and Twila are coming Monday. They are bringing Leonard's uncle and aunt with them. I know lots of help is on the way, so I'm trying to keep all of that in mind. I'm excited to be in the new house, I just get buried in the work that's ahead. But today I realized that it's crazy right now, but in just 2 weeks the craziness will have passed. Reminds me of finals in college... Except I get a new house out of the deal!
Tonight Eli and Kendall put all the outlets together. Eli was excited to help.
I've been feeling overwhelmed by the work to come. So I finally decided it's time to call some friends. I'm blessed to have 2 friends joining me at the new house tomorrow to clean. I think that will be the emotional boost I need. (Not to mention all the work we can get done!)
Leonard and Twila are coming Monday. They are bringing Leonard's uncle and aunt with them. I know lots of help is on the way, so I'm trying to keep all of that in mind. I'm excited to be in the new house, I just get buried in the work that's ahead. But today I realized that it's crazy right now, but in just 2 weeks the craziness will have passed. Reminds me of finals in college... Except I get a new house out of the deal!
Getting Excited!
The first of the cabinets going up!
Cleaning the floor...
Enjoying the floor.
Wednesday the carpet was laid. I couldn't believe the difference for me. I just walked around the house amazed. It finally felt like our home. Kendall challenged the boys to the first ever wrestling match in the new house. I'm getting excited!
After they're all in.
Cleaning the floor...
Enjoying the floor.
Wednesday the carpet was laid. I couldn't believe the difference for me. I just walked around the house amazed. It finally felt like our home. Kendall challenged the boys to the first ever wrestling match in the new house. I'm getting excited!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
House Update
We are so fortunate to have my parents here once again. They asked if they could come up again to help and we said, "Sure!"
Paint, trim, hardwood floor, doors and more so far.
Here are a few photos:
Eli really wanted to help paint, so we had them helping for a few hours Saturday morning. A stressful start for me, but they loved it.
Coffee break. I forgot spoons, so a paint stick had to do the job. And yes, I realize my 7-year old is stirring his cup of coffee. No comment.
Grandpa and Grandma have been amazing in how they involve the boys after school. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad don't have the same patience. Here Eli and Evan "help" with the hardwood. I say "help," but Grandpa insisted that they really were a help.
Yet another scheming session...
Here's our green bathroom. Almost the entire house is done in neutral colors. So it was exciting to finally open a bucket of non-neutral paint. Evan is calling to Grandpa in the basement through a hole in the floor.
Paint, trim, hardwood floor, doors and more so far.
Here are a few photos:
Eli really wanted to help paint, so we had them helping for a few hours Saturday morning. A stressful start for me, but they loved it.
The boys read a caution label on this ladder: Do not sit or stand. So they were alarmed to see Grandma doing that very thing. Now that I see the photo, I'm a bit alarmed too.
Coffee break. I forgot spoons, so a paint stick had to do the job. And yes, I realize my 7-year old is stirring his cup of coffee. No comment.
Grandpa and Grandma have been amazing in how they involve the boys after school. Unfortunately, Mom and Dad don't have the same patience. Here Eli and Evan "help" with the hardwood. I say "help," but Grandpa insisted that they really were a help.
Yet another scheming session...
Here's our green bathroom. Almost the entire house is done in neutral colors. So it was exciting to finally open a bucket of non-neutral paint. Evan is calling to Grandpa in the basement through a hole in the floor.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Unexpected Relaxation- Part 2
We're home. Safe and sound in Red Lake. The deep snow outside sets a slightly different scene than the green grass I was looking at a week ago, but this is nice too.
To continue where I left off on my last post... We took over the poor Super 8 we were staying at- with the permission of "Grandma" at the front desk. She let us know that we were the only ones there and suggested that the boys and I take a tour of the hallways. She also informed me of the locations of the candy and pop machines and suggested that I cover the boys' eyes at those places.
By this time, the van had been towed to a nearby mechanic. They called and said that the problem had to be fixed at a Honda dealer. So Honda sent someone to pick us up at the hotel and our van was towed to Mechanic #2. We sat at the Honda dealership for awhile, then the shuttle took us to the airport to rent a car. From there, we went to the mall to eat.
Eventually, Mechanic #2 called us and said it had to do with the remote start Kendall got me for Christmas. He had it installed while we were in Indiana, but it was not installed right and was somehow tricking the van into not starting. So we sadly told them to go ahead and disconnect it. Well, I was sad that I couldn't have my remote start, but very happy that it wasn't something more serious. The van was done by 4:30, but we didn't want to drive 8 hours in dark, moose-infested country. We could have gone 3 hours to the border, but by then, we had already hit the jackpot: A waterpark hotel! When we called in, we were given a great off-season rate- only $14 more than the Super 8 and this one had a real hot tub and more!
The boys had so much fun and so did we. If we had to stay over an extra 24 hours, this was the perfect way to do it.
To continue where I left off on my last post... We took over the poor Super 8 we were staying at- with the permission of "Grandma" at the front desk. She let us know that we were the only ones there and suggested that the boys and I take a tour of the hallways. She also informed me of the locations of the candy and pop machines and suggested that I cover the boys' eyes at those places.
By this time, the van had been towed to a nearby mechanic. They called and said that the problem had to be fixed at a Honda dealer. So Honda sent someone to pick us up at the hotel and our van was towed to Mechanic #2. We sat at the Honda dealership for awhile, then the shuttle took us to the airport to rent a car. From there, we went to the mall to eat.
Eventually, Mechanic #2 called us and said it had to do with the remote start Kendall got me for Christmas. He had it installed while we were in Indiana, but it was not installed right and was somehow tricking the van into not starting. So we sadly told them to go ahead and disconnect it. Well, I was sad that I couldn't have my remote start, but very happy that it wasn't something more serious. The van was done by 4:30, but we didn't want to drive 8 hours in dark, moose-infested country. We could have gone 3 hours to the border, but by then, we had already hit the jackpot: A waterpark hotel! When we called in, we were given a great off-season rate- only $14 more than the Super 8 and this one had a real hot tub and more!
The boys had so much fun and so did we. If we had to stay over an extra 24 hours, this was the perfect way to do it.
The 8-hour drive on Wednesday went well and we were ready to sleep in our own beds.
As a side note- Thursday morning Evan puked and continued to puke throughout the day, though he was quite happy between episodes. My favorite was when he did it on the basement floor at the new house. All the other times he managed to make it to a sink or container. I guess this was my favorite because Mr. Nurse was present and pulled out his trusty and ever-ready supply of rubber gloves and cleaned it up. I love being able to say, "You're a nurse so you're used to it." Thanks, man!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Unexpected Relaxation
I'm writing from a Super 8 in Superior, Wisconsin. It is 11:00 am, Tuesday. This was not the plan.
Let me just start at the beginning...
We left Mom and Dad's house at 8:45 yesterday morning and headed north toward Canada. We were pulling a trailer full of trim and doors. It was quite heavy. About an hour down the road, Kendall saw smoke from under the hood. We pulled over and tried not to freak out. Kendall got out to inspect everything and I seized the opportunity to give the boys a pep talk- "Don't ask Daddy lots of questions when he gets back in the car. Don't complain. We'll have to be patient. He needs to be able to think." Then we prayed.
We ended up leaving the trailer at the side of the toll road and got to the nearest exit. Kendall talked to a couple mechanics and they seemed to think that the transmission fluid had overheated and boiled over. They thought we would be okay to drive the van since it seemed to be driving fine. But we couldn't take the trailer all the way to Red Lake. Kendall arranged to have a mechanic flush the transmission in Goshen. So we slowly hauled the trailer back to Goshen, stopping to let the van rest. In Goshen, we ate lunch at my parents' house and I visited Jodi while the transmission people did their work. A few hours later we were back in the van, heading north once again. (My parents will bring the trailer when they come to help out again in a few weeks.)
Wow. What a long day of travel. Kendall and I kept being amazed at how little time had passed on the road. For some strange reason, it felt like we had been traveling 10 hours, when we had only been traveling 6 hours. Oh wait, we had been in the van for 10 hours, but had only made 6 hours of progress.
By 10:30 or so, we were wearing out, though the van was doing great. For some reason, though, we kept pushing it. Finally we pulled into a hotel at 12:30 (1:30 IN time), completely exhausted. I sat in the van with the boys while Kendall made the arrangements. He came out to get us and I turned the van off. After helping get the boys to the hotel room, Kendall went back out to park the van and get our stuff. The van would not start. What?! Are you kidding me?! By 1:30, Kendall had pushed the van off the driveway and thrown in the towel for the night. He was up before 7:00 to work on getting it to a mechnic.
So here we sit. The boys are getting restless. I mean, what are they supposed to do in a confined space where the only means of recreation are a television, lots of pillows and 2 trampolines? I just made them a "hot tub" in the bathtub, so they're sitting in there in their swimming trunks (aka tighty-whities). I hear them blowing bubbles right now.
We have no idea how long this will take or where we'll sleep tonight. Kendall just talked to the mechanic and he still doesn't know why the van won't start. This morning Kendall asked me in an accusing tone, "Did you pray for patience?" I assured him that I know better. :) I'd say we're actually doing pretty well and not terribly stressed out. And last night I was thinking how glad I am that we're all safe and together in a hotel room. There are many worse things that could happen on the road and the grandmotherly employee assured us that we can hang out here as long as we need to. And, now that I think about it, this plain ol' sitting is a change of pace from the last 2 weeks and from the weeks to come. Maybe we needed it.
And with that, I'm off to get a leisurely cup of tea in the hotel lobby.
Let me just start at the beginning...
We left Mom and Dad's house at 8:45 yesterday morning and headed north toward Canada. We were pulling a trailer full of trim and doors. It was quite heavy. About an hour down the road, Kendall saw smoke from under the hood. We pulled over and tried not to freak out. Kendall got out to inspect everything and I seized the opportunity to give the boys a pep talk- "Don't ask Daddy lots of questions when he gets back in the car. Don't complain. We'll have to be patient. He needs to be able to think." Then we prayed.
We ended up leaving the trailer at the side of the toll road and got to the nearest exit. Kendall talked to a couple mechanics and they seemed to think that the transmission fluid had overheated and boiled over. They thought we would be okay to drive the van since it seemed to be driving fine. But we couldn't take the trailer all the way to Red Lake. Kendall arranged to have a mechanic flush the transmission in Goshen. So we slowly hauled the trailer back to Goshen, stopping to let the van rest. In Goshen, we ate lunch at my parents' house and I visited Jodi while the transmission people did their work. A few hours later we were back in the van, heading north once again. (My parents will bring the trailer when they come to help out again in a few weeks.)
Wow. What a long day of travel. Kendall and I kept being amazed at how little time had passed on the road. For some strange reason, it felt like we had been traveling 10 hours, when we had only been traveling 6 hours. Oh wait, we had been in the van for 10 hours, but had only made 6 hours of progress.
By 10:30 or so, we were wearing out, though the van was doing great. For some reason, though, we kept pushing it. Finally we pulled into a hotel at 12:30 (1:30 IN time), completely exhausted. I sat in the van with the boys while Kendall made the arrangements. He came out to get us and I turned the van off. After helping get the boys to the hotel room, Kendall went back out to park the van and get our stuff. The van would not start. What?! Are you kidding me?! By 1:30, Kendall had pushed the van off the driveway and thrown in the towel for the night. He was up before 7:00 to work on getting it to a mechnic.
So here we sit. The boys are getting restless. I mean, what are they supposed to do in a confined space where the only means of recreation are a television, lots of pillows and 2 trampolines? I just made them a "hot tub" in the bathtub, so they're sitting in there in their swimming trunks (aka tighty-whities). I hear them blowing bubbles right now.
We have no idea how long this will take or where we'll sleep tonight. Kendall just talked to the mechanic and he still doesn't know why the van won't start. This morning Kendall asked me in an accusing tone, "Did you pray for patience?" I assured him that I know better. :) I'd say we're actually doing pretty well and not terribly stressed out. And last night I was thinking how glad I am that we're all safe and together in a hotel room. There are many worse things that could happen on the road and the grandmotherly employee assured us that we can hang out here as long as we need to. And, now that I think about it, this plain ol' sitting is a change of pace from the last 2 weeks and from the weeks to come. Maybe we needed it.
And with that, I'm off to get a leisurely cup of tea in the hotel lobby.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
