Thankful for a big move

It's been a long road, but we are at the end of it.

We've known for a while that the house we live in now doesn't suit our family's needs.  We live in a bi-level and with Nate in a wheel chair it has been trying.  Plus, with the addition of Lucas it just seems smaller.  Nate really has nowhere to go here, is constantly bumping into furniture and we have a family room downstairs that we barely ever use.

We've been searching for months and months, considered the idea of building and have looked at several houses.  Along the way we found one we thought would be perfect for our family.  It's actually a long story, but the short version is after a few different tries the sellers accepted our offer and we put our house up for sale. 

I was really overwhelmed with the whole process because it started while I was still in the hospital after Lucas was born.  Having a new baby, showing our house, buying a new one and moving was a lot to think about.  But we knew it was the right move.

The first couple who came to look at our house ultimately bought it.  It wasn't the smoothest transaction but it's over.  We've owned our new house for 3 days now and I just can't wait to move in (moving this Saturday) and get settled.

 I really don't think this new house could be any more perfect for us.   We had very specific needs when we were looking and all the other houses didn't fit them.  Here are a few of the reasons we chose this house:

-It's a big, spacious ranch with an open layout.  Plenty of room for Nathan to get around, all on one level! (Bonus: it has a finished basement!  Someday we hope to put in a lift for easy access downstairs).

-It has a three car garage which is big enough to fit a ramp for Nate.  I am so excited at the prospect of him being able to get in and out of the house completely on his own (except for me helping him in and out of his chair).  This is not only because it will make him more independent, but also because it frees up my hands and saves me several trips (at our current house I have been making several trips up and down the stairs to load him, his chair, the baby, the diaper bag...)

-The bathrooms are large.  Like, really large.  This was a big problem in all the other houses we looked at.  We would like almost everything else about it until we got to the bathroom.  It was always too small for Nathan to get around in.  In this house, he has plenty of room.

-It's 2 miles away from where we live right now, in a nice subdivision.  Not adding any time to our commute to work and still living in the area we are in right now and love.  (Bonus: I called the other day and Nathan will still be able to attend the school he is currently at.  Although his new school is in the same district, I was afraid having to start over at a new school with new teachers and faces would be too much for him with the move.  Plus, the bus service will pick him up and drop him off at the new house!)

It's been a long journey and for a while we weren't sure it was going to work out.  I really feel that God has had his hand in all this, and although I am sad to leave the house we started our family in (I really do love this house!) and the friends we have made here (and we are talking about some awesome people!) we couldn't be more excited to be moving into a home where Nathan can grow and become more independent.  And a big, HUGE shout out to all the friends and family who have helped and supported us during this process.  Watching kids, helping pack, ripping up carpet, bringing meals, and just offering support and encouragement along the way.  We couldn't have done it without you.  SO much to be thankful for this year!!! We are so blessed!!!

Halloween

This was from Trunk or Treat at our church Friday night.  Thanks to Grandma D we were the second ones in line and didn't have to wait in line for 2 freezing hours like last year.

I had fun incorporating Nathan's chair with his costume this year.  It's amazing what you can do with some cardboard and a couple cans of spray paint. It's something I plan to do in the years to come, as long as he is using it.  I kept talking about it in the days leading up to Halloween weekend, but he didn't see it all put together until we went to trunk or treat.  I got it ready while he was still in the car and when I brought him out to show him he was really excited.  He said, "Wook!  It's my digger, like Scoop!"  I was inspired by another mom and was happy to find that there were several awesome wheelchair costumes including a spaceship, ice cream truck, Thomas train, and Batmobile (check out Caleb's Batmobile here).

This was from Nate's preschool Halloween party.  Notice the construction worker with his hands over his ears. 

Baby's first Halloween.  He's growing up too fast!

And the best part of Halloween?  Nathan actually requested to hold his little brother!

Pumpkin patch

 

 

Cousins

Our family has really been growing.  At the beginning of this year, Nathan had 3 cousins.  Now he has 6!  Had to do a post about all these cuties!

My sister's baby, Zachary, is 7 months already and smiles all the time.  He is too adorable and has the chubbiest cheeks! I can't get enough of him!  Nathan has been more interested in "playing" with him lately, too, now that Zach is sitting up and starting to play with toys.

Look closely-you can see his first little tooth!

Recently we got together with my cousin Erin and her 2 kids, Fernando Jr. and Millie.  Nathan was just used to being the only kid at Gramma's house but that day there were 5!  It was the first time we were all together with the addition of Lucas.  It was a busy but fun day.

This is the best I could get with 4 kids under 3! (Lucas sat this one out)

Beautiful Millie

Junior (look at those curls!)

And then there is Ryan's sister who was due 4 weeks before me, but had her baby boy, Dylan, 3 weeks after Lucas was born.  He was 10 lbs 4 oz!!!!  Crazy how things work out sometimes.  We were excited to finally meet him last week.

Jake holding Lucas

Hailee holding Lucas

Hailee holding Lucas and Jake holding Dylan

Baby cousins- Dylan at 2 weeks and Lucas at 5

Can't wait for the holiday season-with all these little ones, it's sure to be a fun time!

Wordless Wednesday

4th of July weekend

Our holiday weekend was pretty low key.

We finally swam in our pool,

 Nate played at the beach (still doesn't like the sand, though),

 went to the water park (he looks happy here but was really timid about wheeling through the water),

 Gramma was more brave than I and didn't mind getting wet with him.

 Then we hung out with family near the lake and tried out his new bubble machine.

On the 4th, we went to a local parade.  My sister, brother-in-law Tim, and nephew Zach went with us.  We got there early and found a perfect spot in the shade.  Last year's parade didn't go so well so I wasn't sure how he would react this year. 

Well, he made it through the line of firetrucks, police cars and ambulances...barely.

Zach loved the whole parade.  He was such a good boy! (And pretty darn cute, too) :)

But once the bands came along, Nate was less than impressed.  Although he loves music and instruments.

I think this picture says it all.

Most of the parade was enjoyable though

at least for the rest of us.

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th!

The Big Birthday Post

I don't know how to do a *small* birthday party. 

I tried.

It didn't work.

I guess it's because I really think that birthdays should be done up BIG.  Since they are such a celebration of life.  So this one was no exception.

Our little boy, ahem, I mean big boy turned 3.

Can you guess the theme?

The Wonder Pets, of course!  All the kids got their own capes

and a note in their gift bags telling them that there were some animals in trouble!

There was even some face painting courtesy of my very talented sister.

The birthday boy actually had a wardrobe change due to some serious fun in the sand and water table (good thing we have more than one Wonder Pets shirt!)

We were blessed to celebrate with lots of family

and friends.

In lieu of a cake, we opted for colorful cupcakes and ice cream sundaes.

 

 

 

It was a super,

super day!

And as for the birthday boy? This big birthday boy didn't even cry when everyone sang happy birthday.

AND he even blew out his own candle! Best part of the day in my opinion.

The day was pretty amazing.  Just like him.  I already have idea's for next year's celebration.  And to think, next year I'll be planning 2 parties!

For the love of grandparents

Grandmas and Grandpas are everything nice.
Like presents and candy and raspberry ice.

And chocolate fudge sundaes, with cherries on top.
And popcorn and peanuts and grape soda pop.

In winter or summer, in rain or in sun,
Grandmas and Grandpas are wonderful fun!!!