These two

You can't see from the picture, but the mantel is lined with about 6 giant coloring pages that I am "not allowed" to take down. Eleanor has had so much of late coloring and displaying her work.

 And then there's these two...great little buddies. Ellie generally does a little more mothering than I like, but I'm powerless before these faces.

Snow

We recently had only like our 3rd snow fall of the season...absolutely crazy considering It's the middle of February in western Michigan. It's funny how I hear people talking more about the weather this season than anything else it seems.
I have tons of pictures of Jack and Ellie when they were little in the snow. I thought I should try to get a few of Max before there's none to be had.

Max is now just over 18 months and has personality galore...more than either the other two at this age. His such a ham and makes us laugh all the time. Being the third, he loves to copy and is surprisingly very independent.

P.S. Happy Valentines Day!

Foster Ave. Goodbye

It's been a month and a half now since we moved from Foster, our first home. The sale and move itself was a bit crazy as it all happened within the 16 days over Christmas break. I've hardly had time to really process the change. It was completely bittersweet! The house had been for sale for 20 months so we were anticipating a sale at some point. I think after so long though we almost thought we might never have to say goodbye. Really, how do you say goodbye to your first house, all the memories... 

Originally I thought we'd bring maybe one baby home to that house...certainly not 8 eight years later and three babies! Below are just a few pictures of 'lasts'...

Last night

beds are gone, just mattresses

Last breakfast

Max enjoys eating like a big kid as we prematurely sent off his high chair

Last bath

Last walk through

...to make sure there was nothing forgot in closet.

We are grateful for God's leading and directing us to what's next. As Josh and I reflected over the past two years (the for sale process) it was so neat to see just how we've grown in trust for our Lord. You could even see a significant difference in the way we were praying for a sale two years and the way we were praying two months ago. God is good in his own time.

"He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10

Christmas Past

Almost a month past due, this post is really only for me and archiving purposes. We are all well beyond the Christmas season around here but I felt like still wanted to recap a little...

Christmas with the Goads...Jack was just getting over the flu and so the family didn't stay together for too long...just enough to do some legos and play Sorry!

Our last Christmas morning on Foster Ave. complete with a Doodle Bear and new sleds for the hills at Nana's house. (where we are currently living)

Other than the craziness of selling the house and moving within two weeks, one of our favorite things this season was actually getting to attend church on Christmas morning. It was a memorable service and allowed us to really share in a tangible way with our kids the reason we celebrate to begin with. 

Merry Christmas.