Our ALMOST Up North Life

Greetings, Family and Friends!

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything. Mainly because I couldn't talk about our life and all of it's new happenings until now. I am sad to say that very soon the title of this blog will be changing. I can finally announce that we are moving back "down state!" Boy, I never thought I would be saying those words!

To make a long story short, Dave will be working at his Grand Rapids branch starting June 6th! We are happy but this move is also bittersweet. We love living in Northern Michigan and especially love our friends that we have made over the past 6 and a half years. We will miss everyone here so much but know that even though we are moving, the friendships we have made will last a lifetime!

We know that God is the one in control and that He will continue to take care of us no matter where we are. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us in Grand Rapids. Our Up North Life was amazing while it lasted and we are so thankful to the Lord for the time we did have here. We would not be the family we are if it wasn't for this time in our lives.

Much love and blessings to you all,

Trish

Dailiness

one of my dearest friends sent me a wonderful little book called, "mitten strings for God" by katrina kenison. it is a book of reflections for mothers in a hurry.

i have started reading it and about 5 chapters in i realized something. i am not a mother that is in a hurry and i am so glad. i know there will come a day when maybe i am, but for now, life is simple and i love it.

this is a note that the author keeps on her desk. i think i will print it out and hang it somewhere close so i too have a daily reminder to enjoy the "dailiness" of life.

"i have learned to quit speeding through life, always trying to do too many things too quickly, without taking the time to enjoy each day's doings. i think i always thought of real living as being high. i don't mean on drugs-i mean real living was falling in love, or when i got my first job, or when i was able to help somebody, or watch my baby get born, or have a good morning of really good writing. in between the highs i was impatient-you know how it is-life seemed so DAILY. now i love the dailiness. i enjoy washing dishes. i enjoy cooking, i see my father's roses out the kitchen window, i like picking beans. i notice everything-birdsongs, the clouds, the sound of wind, the glory of sunshine after two weeksof rain. these things i took for granted before.

i too don't want to learn this lesson as a result of 10 years of cancer and a few brushes with mortality. losing my father at age 18 changed me. i know life is short. i want be aware of life's beauty. i will close with this...

when i stop speeding through life, i find the joy in each day's doings, in the life that cannot be bought, but only discovered, created, savored, and lived.

blessings to you. enjoy your dailiness...

trish

Sleepover

this past week has been Spring Break and

we had our first real "friend" sleepover.

i was a little nervous. i have many memories

of my own sleepovers where we kept my parents up half the night.

i guess 5 year olds aren't quite readay for

all-nighters. thank goodness!

simon, ethan, bianca and carter getting ready

to watch a movie...popcorn was coming too!

after the movie the kids brought their sleeping

bags up to ethan's room. simon was out like a light right away.

ethan and bianca talked for awhile but all were

fast asleep by a little after 9pm.

looking forward to many more sleepovers in the future...probably sleepless ones!

today we are anxiously waiting for kev, katie and the twins to arrive.

tomorrow erin, matt and the girls come. looking forward to a fun few days with my brother and sister and their families.

happy saturday to you...

blessings,

trish

New Mercies

Yesterday was not a great day.

I found myself on edge...anxious as you can see from my post yesterday. I felt snappy...correction, I was snappy with the boys.

My white haired two year old decided to spill his milk TWICE.

My almost 5 year old seemed to whine and cry over EVERYTHING!

I, an almost 35 year old, seemed to whine right back!

I am happy today is a fresh new day. I love that mornings bring new mercies.

I need them!

Not every day is going to be great. I know that more milk will be spilled and more whining will happen. I am reminded to cherish every day and those who are in it!

As promised...the above is an update on our master bedroom remodel. Still lots to do but you get the idea...

New mercies to you...

Trish

Anxious heart

I feel like too often this is me...

I worry. I worry about everything.
I ran across this verse...

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
Isaiah 43:2

Lord, thank You that I can partner with You in my life...in raising my boys, in my marriage and my other relationships and that I don't have to do it alone. I'm grateful that I can have clear directions from Your Word and wisdom as I pray to You for answers.

God Bless,
Trish

A Sneak Peak...

This past weekend we FINALLY started remodeling our master bedroom and bathroom.

While we were busy working the boys got creative with empty boxes and whatever else they could find...

Why not let them make more of a mess? Sure kept them busy for awhile...

p.s. the pink carpet will be gone SOON!

My new way of hanging necklaces. Saw this idea on another blog I follow...love it!

When it is totally finished I will take full photos. Hoping to finish

the floor and baseboards this week!

Hope you had a great weekend!

Trish

Love satisfies...

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Love,

Trish

L.O.V.E

Just some photos of my "spreading the love" around our home...

Ethan came home from school on Tuesday with this Valentine present for me. Isn't cute?

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is LOVE."

I Corinthians 13:13

Happy Birthday, Avery & Owen!

After many years of trying to have children, my brother and his wife finally got pregnant with TWINS...a boy and a girl.

Today they are ONE!!! I can't believe how fast this past year flew by!

I am so happy for my brother and sister-in-law. They are awesome parents and Avery and Owen are the sweetest little things! I miss them so much.

Happy Birthday, Avery and Owen!
My wish for you is that you come to know the Lord at a young age and that you grow to love and serve Him all the days of your lives!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5&6

I love you,
Aunt Trish or Auntie...whichever you decide to call me :)

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of

his hands.

Day after day they pour forth

speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

Psalm 19:1&2

How great is our God!!! His creation speaks of his glory. I am again reminded of it in these photos. These our from our trip to Tahquamenon Falls and the Two Hearted River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula this past fall.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like like shifting shadows.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be

a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

James 1:17&18

God bless,

Trish

Getting Creative

We are a few days into February and cabin fever is starting to set in. We play outside a lot but I needed to get creative and come up with something else for the boys to do in ALL THE SNOW!

I remembered that in middle school we made snow sculptures and they gave us bottles of water with food coloring so we could color the snow.

I found a couple of old spray bottles and made red and blue water for the boys to play with. It kept them busy for almost an hour!!!

What creative ideas do you have for passing the WINTER days?

Hope you all have FUN weekends!

Trish

Snow Day!

Carter JOYFULLY woke us all up at 6:24am shouting, "Good Morning, Good Morning!" This has become his normal routine these days. I don't necessarily feel joyful when it happens but, when I see his happy face, my annoyance softens.

Dave went right to the window to see if we were "hit." Yep...it looked like a blizzard whirling outside AND the strip at the bottom of the tv revealed NO SCHOOL!

I was secretly happy. This meant we could stay in our pj's and not go anywhere!!! Daddy still had to go to work so while he was getting ready I decided to start the day off with a special breakfast...whole wheat pancakes w/apples and cinnamon inside. My good friend told me to try it and I am so glad I did. They were GOOD if I don't say so myself.

Once Daddy was off to work I stripped sheets from all the beds and began laundry...fun! Also starting another fun thing...potty training the little dude. So far we have had four successful trips to the potty and one accident. I am determined to have no more diapers in this house so am sticking with it. Wish us luck!

The boys also helped me make a chocolate bundt cake. By help I mean they licked the spatula and bowl clean and then Carter had to be stripped to only Diego underwear because he was covered with batter!!! Wish I would have had the camera handy then!

Finally digging in!

Oh Carter...what a cheese you are!

I hope this finds you all enjoying your day!

Happy Winter,

Trish

My first post of 2011...

These are just a few things that I want to remember this year...I want to...

Laugh

Give

be open

Pray

Create

be authentic

listen

Read

hope

share

Play

Serve

LOVE

I look forward to this year and all God has in store for me and for my loved ones.

Happy Be-lated New Year!

In His Grace,

Trish