New House - way over due

I know I know, we are way over due. I think it has been almost 4 months since I have posted anything. Life has been busy - per usual. We have moved into a new house! We live in Frankfort. Mike's commute is now 30-40 min depending on traffic. That is almost half the time it was when we were in Glen Ellyn. It means the kids see him in the morning and we have breakfast together. We have dinner together early (5/530) then have tons of time to play! I am so grateful for extra time with Daddy.

YAY! Our Stuff! Only a few things broken so that is a plus!

Mike W (B-I-L) was a rockstar and helped me unload the pod while my Mike was at work. 

We accumulated so much stuff at the White's we have to rent a truck 

We have a family dinner table! Meals together are so important!

Being close to family, we have had lots of visits and have visited others! MeMaw and Papa stop by once a week or we go up there. We have been to Gam Gam's a few times. Aunt Missy, Uncle Jon and Harrison have seen the new place and we head there to Indy next weekend! Gam Gam and Uncle Bry are coming in 3 nights to see the new house! Right now we are an easy 40 minute drive to the Whites. Now that Baby Ryan has been born, I am guessing we will go there to see him more often...and MeMaw and Pappa too. ;)

Downtown Frankfort!

Asher has started preschool at the church we are attending. He is an afternoon preschooler and loves it! Naps have really gone away since the move, so now he has something to look forward to after lunch. When we drop him off (we all have to go in to drop him off) Ayla gets upset that we leave him. Kelvin and Ayla nap and when they wake up, the first thing she asks for is to pick up Asher. She gets so excited when his door opens and we can go in. I love the conversations he has with Ayla about what he learned. I am very impressed with what he comes home telling me. I don't know much about preschool (I taught 4th and 5th remember) but it is more than just play. :) Asher feels so proud when he gets to use a pencil! His face lights up when he tells me those details.

First day of School 

Waiting to get Asher. 

VBS at Church had superheros!

Asher was star struck. 

We have started attending a Bible Study on Thursdays and a Mom2Mom group on Tuesdays. Ayla likes this because, "Mama we ALL go to Bible Studies!" I like having an outing everyday and these two things give me and the kids something to look forward too. Our Thursdays are very busy because the Bible study is 40 min away. So we leave at 8, Bible study at 9, leave at 11, go to McDonald's and drop Asher off by 12:30 at preschool. We are all tired by Thursday night. I like routine and the kids do well with routine, so it works for us.

Frankfort is great! We have met many neighbors and have really connected with the family across the street. Our kids are similar in age so that makes it easier. We have a park near by that we walk to at least twice a week. Downtown Frankfort on White Street (hehe) is beautiful! Cute shops and restaurants. A great little popcorn/ice cream shop too!

Rainy afternoon fun!

I felt like I was in a movie. My family was having a dance party on the deck while eating Ice cream. Mike is such an awesome Dad!

Mowing. Our yard is a weird layout and we haven't found a good pattern for mowing. 

We go for walks on Sundays. This past Sunday we saw Deer!

Waiting for Daddy to get home!!

We have a whirlpool tub in the master bath. Not much use, but a fun novelty for kids. They get to take a bath in there on special occasions. 

Asher has taken much more responsibility with Rex. 

A Block party  in our neighborhood. Kids loved it!

Becoming a power ranger!

I love that we are settling in and making friends. I love our house and neighborhood! God knew what he was doing leading us here. Now, hopefully we break a record and stay more than 2 years!

God is so good!

So it's been a little while. A lot has been going on.

"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

Mike accepted a job offer today. Woo! And this job isn't one that we originally thought we had moved here for.  Let's back up to November. Mike found out there were going to be merges and lay offs at his job in Tulsa. After a lot of prayer, we felt the calling the move back closer to family. He interviewed and was given a 3 month locum (temp) position at a hospital in Aurora. It was a great job, but being that is was a temp position, he continued to search for jobs and we continued to pray for God's will and direction. His 3 months ends this week and he will start his new job on June 20th. It's funny how God's timing is always for the best right? This process has taught us a lot about praying for God's will, discernment, clarity and patience. There were many times when I wanted, almost demanded that God give him a certain job, right now! But then either Mike or I would read a daily devotional that popped up about patience and prayer. We knew the Lord would provide and that his plan was far better than we could ever imagine.  We have had quite a few laughs at God's humor during these past few months.

These past few months have been a little stressful, but we have had a whole lot of fun this spring. For the first time in 4 years I am not worried about crazy poisonous spiders or fire ants when we play outside. The weather here in Chicagoland has been absolutely beautiful! Mike and I have had many date nights and date days to talk about life and the crazy season we are in right now. We have seen all of our family (and more than once too!).

Our babies are growing like weeds. Asher is learning his letters and the sounds. Ayla is talking like crazy and has really expanded her vocabulary. Kelvin skipped 9m clothes all together (He is a giant compared to our other kids. How does that happen??), is pulling himself up and creeping along furniture. He is really fun to watch. He will sneak over to one of his siblings or Rex, and just bug them to death - grabbing them or eating their toes....he's funny. This area of life I would like to slow down!

We visited Gam Gam. The bugs were getting Asher. He doesn't like bugs. 

Hats for my cousin's bridal shower.

Asher is practicing H. H is for Hot Wheels. 

They can be so nice to one another...sometimes.  Asher is helping her up the stairs.

 pool fun

Our personal porta-potty for Ayla. Who wants to go inside to go potty when they are having fun outside??!?

I got to escape for a girls weekend back home to see Garth!

Mother's day fun and jumping in puddles (our new favorite thing to do)

The Zoo!

Indy to visit Aunt Missy, Uncle Jon and Harrison!! The boys ran in a race for the Indy 500 fest. Hopefully we will visit a lot more now that we are closer. 

The Taste of Glen Ellyn and our fist time riding rides!

Train ride to Geneva with Papa for lunch!

Some videos...