I'm liking it

We did a reasonable amount of work yesterday and drove straight west to the closest beach. We weren't coming from the house so we were rather unprepared. I'm going to have to get used to a sandy car because we will be taking many more spontaneous trips like this.

We watched the surfers and ran along the glassy sand. The kids collected sand flees, chased the birds, and carved a system of canals. It was the perfect way stretch our legs.

On our way home, all wet and cold, we stopped to pick up some ice cream to celebrate Olivia's half birthday.


~Katherine

For our family, mostly

The good-byes have been said, the last weekend was enjoyed, the cars were loaded up past capacity, and we're slowly beginning the process of making this new location our home.

Since I am without internet service at home, and we don't have cell phone reception, I thought I would do a quick little factual update here so that everyone back home has an idea what we've been up to. Though it's been years since we've had a land line, we may have to go that route once again.

We spent all day last Wednesday loading up the 26ft moving truck. Unfortunately, since all our things didn't fit, we had to spend the following day moving again. We had help unloading our furniture, but since we needed to be in L.A. through the weekend, we returned to camp out in the empty house. We've had many very enjoyable late nights with friends, and our dear fellowship group at church planned a farewell party on our street this past Saturday. Sunday was extra sweet, through and through.

Monday we packed up all that was left. It was reminiscent of our first trip out to L.A. twelve years ago, with our little Ford Ranger overloaded with few possessions and topped with our mattress. This time Jon's Ford F-150 was loaded with suitcases, boxes, and our mattresses. Leaving L.A. now, we have two cars, two truck loads of belongings waiting for us, and four precious children. I hope we are leaving with more maturity as well!

Jon left last night for trip overseas, and I'm slowly beginning the process of unpacking and learning my way around town. The ladies from our new church have been sweet and I have felt loved and welcomed long before arriving.

The children are doing well. They miss their chickens more than I had hoped. Our new house is hopefully a temporary place to be, and chickens are definitely not welcomed.

We have spent the morning at Jon's office in order to get online to locate a Trader Joe's and a Target, and to do a little school away from the distractions of a chaotic and disorganized house.

We are tired but excited about all that is to come. I have determined not to wait till this church and this city feel like home, but to make it home. As soon as we can, the children and I will head out to the beach... that should help a little!

Love to you all.


~Katherine

A Single Shot

Because words are few, because emotions can be raw, because my body aches and my eye lids are heavy, and because some things are best left to ponder alone at night, a single picture is all I want to post today.

As tired as we are, we are so thankful and blessed. Plus it's been fun to smooch on my husband in the middle of it all. We're diving into this adventure together.

~Katherine

Amazed by His Love

Every now and then I write a blog post in my head - lines here and there about the thoughts and events of the week - but I am afraid they are not meant to be recorded. Suffice it to say I am looking forward to not hanging out with these anymore...

...and to spending time here instead!

I have been reminded of God's love for me many times recently, and I have been comforted by the truth of His Word and by His faithfulness to me. My devotion to Him, my love for Him and my obedience to Him, fails so very often. His love for me is steadfast. It is forever.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.
Ps. 13: 5-6


Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
Ps. 63: 3


How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
I awake, and I as still with you.
Ps. 139: 17-18

You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Ps. 16:11

Teach me your way, O Lord,

that I may walk in your truth;

unite my heart to fear your name.

I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify your name forever.

Ps. 86: 11-12

~Katherine

Five

It's a rare moment when everyone is busy with something and no one is looking for me. Olivia is painting, Andrew and Jacob have gone out to get the mail (and are probably sidetracked looking for lizards), and Michael is on the sofa listening to an audiobook.

...In the time it took me to write the first sentence, Andrew came knocking at the door with an armful of mail, and Michael came in looking for the next disc. So its not the case that no one is looking for me. I wonder what would happen if I hid in the closet for a while. Maybe the pantry would be better because at least I could snack.

Now Andrew just came back in to see if he had something crawling on his neck. It's pine sap. Great. Olivia is looking for a container to mix paint. My chicken, Clementine, is at my window and I have to get up and ask the boys to catch her and close the gate...

We'll see how far I get with this post.

Its been a good week. We're trying to get in some good days of school before school days are disrupted. The hunt for housing continues, as does the organizing and packing.

Jacob turned five on Monday. It's hard for me to believe it. In a perfect world I'd have a chance to write down a few memories and some thoughts about my sweet boy, but I think I'll have to be brief.

If he could, he would proudly tell you that he can swim without floaties, he uses a booster seat and NOT a car seat, and he's in kindergarten now. Being five is a big deal to him. Now if his teeth would only start to fall out like everyone else's, he'd be even happier. Today he told me he has a grown up tooth now and pointed to his tiny canine tooth. I smiled and nodded. 

He's a confient little boy and I love that about him, even though I sometimes wish he felt he needed me a little more! He loves to be out, and he's always disappointed when its time to come home. I wonder if he'll be eager to fly the coop at a younger age than anyone else.

He's quick and he's agile. This year he learned how to do pop-a-wheelies on his bike. He often prefers to hoist himself up on the fence and swing his legs over rather than use the gate that's a mere two feet away. Last week when we had company, he did this little fence jumping maneuver and he fell flat on the concrete. I knew he was hurt, but he got up, stuck his chin out, and followed the men into the garage.

I love his humor and his expressions. I love that he has a tender heart. He's a good hugger and will snuggle with me longer than anyone else did at this age.

Michael wrapped up his suspenders and gave them to Jacob for his birthday. They have been a favorite by far. I had to find pleasant ways of asking him to change from his plaid shorts, spiderman t-shirt, and suspenders (and other interesting combinations) when it's time to leave the house. He looks adorable with the suspenders and a little news boy cap.

He brings a lot of happiness into our home and I am deeply thankful to be his mother. 

Now I'm off to finish up making dinner...

~Katherine

A Hard Pill to Swallow

A hard pill to swallow would be the big, chalky kind that sticks to the inside of your throat after you swallow it down with several gulps of water.

We received some news last night and the acceptance of it is, as they say, "a hard pill to swallow." It's on its way down alright, but I can still feel the discomfort of it in my throat.

We put an offer on a house this week and it looks as though it is going to another buyer. This is not exactly unusual, I know, but I had been so hopeful. Originally, after all our visits and online searches, it was the only house that fit our criteria. Just as we were deciding to pursue it last month, it went into contract with another buyer. Then recently it came back on the market and we went for it.

So now we need to come up with another plan. What I do know is that we have to be out of here by the end of this month, Jon has travel plans to China, and immediately after that we start at our new church. I have this nagging sense of instability along with the unpleasant reality that there may be more moves ahead.

I don't thrive in these situations; I don't naturally view them as adventures until long after the fact. In my life there have been many instances when living arrangements have been unusual or uncertain, and yet I still don't roll with it very easily. As a child, my family moved often and we lived in some very trying circumstances. One semester in college I lived in (or slept in) seven different locations between August and December, most of them being less than ideal. Then when Jon and I drove across the US from Ottawa on our way to Los Angeles, we had no idea where we were going to live. We had never visited and we knew no one. The day before arriving, Jon called the seminary from Las Vegas to see if they knew of any vacancies in the area.

Yet each time there was a need-- each time I didn't know what to expect as I took the next step-- God faithfully provided. He is true to His word. I am His child and He is my loving Father. I know that He only gives good things, even if they are not packaged as I would hope for. In the end, it is always for my good and His glory.

This is a tiny blip in the story of my life, and no doubt soon to be forgotten. For today, however, it is a bigger deal that is forcing me to take every thought captive. It's an opportunity to remember (to really believe and live out) the amazing truth that my security is in Christ, and not in a house.

And it's my chance to grasp Jon's hand and joyfully lead our little crew ahead, fully trusting and watching as God provides.

The medicine from this pill is surely for my good.


~Katherine

A Saturday afternoon post.

For a Saturday, today has been a nice mix of work and moments of quiet and rest. We ran a few errands this morning while Jon was at church working, then we came home to a what the kids call a "work day." Michael mowed the grass, then he and Jack trimmed some ivy. Andrew and Olivia carried all the furniture off the veranda to be washed, and the veranda was pressured hosed and mopped by Olivia. The boys organized the bikes and scooters, and the bricks were stacked against the garage wall. I packed up the art supplies that were being housed in an old Ikea armoire in the garage. That armoire hardly made our last move, and it has been held together by duct tape. Since it's going to be demolished, Michael had fun hacking away at it with a small saw and knife.

I've just finished assembling an ice cream cake, and decided to pay a little visit to Jack who is playing alone outside. He didn't know I was behind him so I listened to the conversation he was having with the ants before smashing them with the knob of that old armoire. He has a baby lizard clinging to the front of his t-shirt. Earlier in the day he kissed me on the lips, then lifted the lizard up to his mouth and kissed it too. I've heard they carry salmonella...

It's hot out, though not nearly as hot as it was last weekend. The lawn has large areas where the sun has burnt away the grass down to the dirt. My skin is parched. My finger tips feel like sandpaper, and my knuckles are all wrinkly. It doesn't help either that on our last day at the beach I got a sunburn and now my legs are peeling. We really need rain. And I need to drink more water, use lotion more often, and wear gloves when I clean.

The dining room, kitchen, and hallway are lined with boxes. I still feel like I've only scratched the surface of what needs to be done, but I am thankful for a friend who came over yesterday and spent time with me pruning rose bushes and packing boxes. The company was especially nice!

I recently read this quote and it fits perfectly with my packing philosophy:

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."--William Morris

I'm a slow packer. I want to make sure that I'm not packing things I'll get rid of shortly after the move, so there are piles of things to give away to certain people or to donate. I don't like packing items that are in disrepair, so I've spent extra time gluing toys and taping the kids' favorite books. Also, frames need to be dusted, drawers wiped down, etc. Then there's the problem of making sure things are in the right category so that unpacking will go smoothly. And there are many moments when I come across items that make me get all sentimental and I lose track of time. It's not a simple matter of just throwing stuff into boxes. 

It could also be that I have a touch of OCD.

(Pictures from last spring... I like these because Andrew calls Lucy his "girl")

~Katherine