Ask, Seek, Knock

It's a little overwhelming actually. It all happened so fast. But, it all felt so right.

I was doing my devotions last night, and they led me to read Matthew 7:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

We bought a house yesterday.

The Lord has obviously had His hand in this ENTIRE process of coming to Upland, dealing with our housing, etc.
1. If we would have moved a year ago, we would have bought a house (for close to the same price) and settled for something we didn't LOVE.
2. If we would have moved out here any later, we would have missed this house entirely.
3. If Ryan would have been gone this week instead of the last week--we would have missed this as well (I don't check realtor.com as often as he does!)
4. If another family wouldn't have pushed back our meeting to see their house that might be coming on the market, we would have probably seriously considered that house--even though it was more than we wanted to spend.
5. This house was the exact price we wanted to stay at...but we were truly wondering if it would be possible to get what we 'want' in a house for the price we wanted to spend.
6. Ryan has always dreamed of having some property--a place where our kids can run and explore like he grew up doing on his grandparents farm. This place has 7 acres (with some slight elevation change and mature trees)!
7. I like having neighbors and not being out in the middle of nowhere. This is right at the end of town. The couple we bought the house from will be building a house on the 3 acres next door. Plus, Ryan was talking to a mortgage broker yesterday who actually knew this couple because the woman is in her small group Bible study. I can't tell you how comforting it is to me (especially when Ryan is traveling!) that we will have great neighbors!

The Lord has truly blessed us beyond belief in this entire process. It's overwhelming to see so many blessings poured out for us...we are so thankful...so grateful!

Here is a picture of the front and back of the house:


We won't be moving in until the end of November--Thanksgiving weekend. Just in time to attempt to get a few Christmas decorations up!=)

TU Baseball Alumni Day

Ryan's still got it! He had fun playing in the Alumni vs. Alumni game!

All the guys that were involved in the Alumni Day. The guys in the black shirts are the current players.

Alexa and JD playing with Isaiah and Logan Ross in the big coolers of ice

The ate a LOT of ice I think!

JD actually cashed out in the stroller this afternoon. Not for long, but it was a good rest=)

Mommy's Little Helper!

This girl decided she wanted to help me clean up tonight after dinner (and after a quick trip to Ivanhoe's!=)....so, that is exactly what she did! She cleaned the kitchen table, then the sliding glass door, then her stool and then on to the bathtub. Life is good!=)

(PS...I hope you all noticed our sweet stiletto shower curtain! I know all of your husbands are SO jealous of Ryan right now!=)

JD and the Gator formally met yesterday...

...and he got his first good black and blue eye. It actually doesn't look too bad, but he even added a few tears for this shot for you =)

I know...I cut his eyes off, but I love this picture. His smile says it all. And it's JD's big smile that he shares with us oh, so often...

Fun in the tub...

Too much fun in the tub...=)

We've moved to Indiana....

...and my daughter INSISTS on wearing her cowgirl boots =)

Take me out to the ballgame....

...so I can play in the dirt!!!



...and climb fences....

...and beg for someone to let me through the fence...

...and ride the gator!!!

...and shake it to try to get it to go!

And, Alexa joining in the action to drive it

However, JD wasn't wanting to share the wheel=) But, don't feel too bad for Alexa. She actually got two real rides on the gator. One with a guy on the team when he went to go fetch a foul ball...and another ride with daddy when the game was over!

T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!!! =) I was talking to Emmy last night and I look over and JD's crawing up on the gator. I pretty much hung up on her (sorry, Emmy!), but, I know that they just keep the key in there...OH...can you imagine if JD would have figured out how to make that thing move!?! Disasterous!

My two little (Cute) dirtballs=)


He was just having too much fun!

JD...at the end of the game was spent. All that running around and playing! I had two very dirty, and very tired little kids! Can't wait for the next game!!

Popcorn and Payback!

The other evening, I made popcorn and let the kids watch a cartoon while I tried to unpack a few things, etc. They had fun and Alexa asked for popcorn instead of breakfast this morning so she could watch a cartoon! =) Kids!

And, Alexa and JD received this cute little dog (That is more annoying than anything on the face of this earth!!!) from sweet Aunt Jessica=) This dog was originally at GG's house...so, I'm sorry Jason and Jessica...but payback is coming!!!

(And, unfortunately for me, Alexa thinks that dog is HILARIOUS and plays it constantly!)

Sunday's Pictures

After church, JD was WAY too tired to smile for the camera=)

This is usually what happens when I attempt to take a "nice" picture of the two of them. I am way too slow!

Hmmmm....Yes, this looks like trouble.

JD...what are you doing in there????

Oh, just finding raw potatoes to eat, that's all!

Since Alexa didn't want her picture taken, I got one of the little stud posing for his photo=)
He did get 2 molars this week...and, he's working on a third. From what I can tell, the third one hasn't come through yet...but, I'll be honest...I don't stick my fingers in there very often to check--I want to keep all 5 of my fingers!

Saturday Evening

I don't remember having such a low-key weekend in a VERY long time! Last night, the kids played at the park, then we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows out at the fire pit. It was a fun and very relaxing evening....

Can you tell she likes the playground?!

JD climbs up this little wall and then goes down the slide (head first of course) all by himself. He thinks he's pretty big stuff.

Giggling at Mema who was pushing him....

Going UP the slide...


Alexa tends to "hop" everywhere she goes...so, she felt the need to hop on the ladybug as well=)

Alexa cooling down with a drink while Papa got the fire pit ready (she was very good and kept her distance...I don't even have a good picture of the fire pit b/c of it!)

My parents have hummingbirds EVERYWHERE...and Alexa likes to sit and admire them!

JD in his typical squating position (catcher?!)...playing with rocks. He's all boy!

Alexa checked the garden over several times to look for more ripe tomatoes and raspberries.

Baseball and Basketball-Soccer

JD likes to hoard the balls when he can=) He is now saying "ball" and "bat"....and he has said "dada" this week but I'm not sure if he means his dad or not! It's been at random times, but at least I know we can teach it to him this week when Ryan gets home!!=)

I know a few people that may croak when they see this picture (Sorry Uncle Roger and Ashley...you two may be the first to have a heart attack!)....but, Alexa just really likes to kick balls right now and doesn't seem to understand that a basketball is not to be kicked!!!=)

She did play some baseball with Papa Doug yesterday and she had some pretty good hits! May not be a perfect swing but at least she's getting a hold of it! Perfect swing will come, I'm sure (does she have a choice!?!)=)

Friday Night Football

Since Ryan was out of town this week, the kids and I headed to Archbold for the weekend and to see David's football game. And, Jordan decided to take a break in studying to run home to play with the kids, see David's football game and grab the golf clubs Ryan was able to snag for him=)

David's Super Fans!

We took both kids to the game this time b/c it was supposed to be a blow-out. I figured if they weren't doing well I could take them home at half time. Well, football doesn't always go as planned=), and they weren't winning by much at half, so I'm glad the kids were good b/c they survived the whole game! We had a fun time! But, in a few weeks when they play games that will be intense...I think we may get a babysitter=)

Thank goodness for the park behind our parents house--Jordan didn't have to wait to try out his new clubs!