A great surprise

A big boy bed, visit from my mom and Nic, a new hair cut and lots and lots of painting. That's what we have been doing. I wasn't expecting my mom. On the Sunday before Thanksgiving she was waiting in our driveway for us to wake up. That was a really GREAT surprise!!!!Reading books with gaga

Playing with Playdo

Eli's first night in his new bed

It's time for a big boy bed. The first few nights where a little tricky but in no time he stayed in his bed and hasn't fallen out once. It does sit low to the ground just in case he did it wouldn't be far!!

We took Eli for a trim/haircut and Justin wanted a full hair cut. So that's what he got.

I like the shaggy look. But he sure is cute like this too. Really he's always cute. The short cut makes his cheeks more lovable then they all ready are!!!

And if you look in the background of the picture above this one and the pic with my mom reading to Eli, the mantle is black....it started like this and we painted it black. We also painted all of the trim in the house white....and I love it. I was really nervous painting it for many reasons but it's done and I LOVE it!!!

That's us in a nut shell......I hope you find joy this week in the things you do.

Grace and Peace from the Metiva's!!!!!!!

Eli at his pumpkin party at school

The adoption is moving along very smooth so far. We have had 2 interviews now and the third and last will likely be the week after Thanksgiving. Then we wait for the home study to be written. Once that is finished and we are approved, which there really is no reason for that not to happen, then we go onto the profile list. Bethany will share our profile with birth moms that match what we are looking for, ie race (any) gender(either) and openness (open). Then we wait for a birth mom to pick us. A few things you could pray about for uspounding golf tees into a pumpkin. building motor skills

1. that God's hand be in all of this

2. If there are any hiccups this time that we will draw strength from God and not get discouraged but us that as a building block for our dependence on God

3. Lastly, for Eli, that with a new baby coming to our family that the transition for him would be a positive one.

Thank you for your support as we begin to build our family, it means the world to us to have family and friends behind us!!

I hope your work is filled with joy and peace. Talk to ya soon!!

Life

So tomorrow we have an appointment with Bethany Christian Services. This is the interview process. They will ask all kinds of questions to be sure we are competent. Some might say this is questionable....for Justin....I am perfect....hahahahahaha.

Pictures from the family farm field trip with school

Boy do I love this kid!!!!!

Wish us luck!!!!

Grace and peace!!!!

reminiscing

A day at the children's museum. Josiah and Lynsey went with us and we had a blast. We painted, made bubbles, played in the kitchen and farmed the day, well 2 hours, away!!!

And this pic (below) is their attempt at mean faces/muscle flex......too funny how natural these things are for little boy's. He knew just what Justin was doing. Well, Eli's face isn't so mean, he's too cute to have a mean face!!!!

SOOO hard to believe that 3 years ago Eli was born.

2nd birthday

3rd birthday

What a difference. This year he used a fork to eat his cake rather then his fingers!!!
He has grown into a fine young boy. Not a baby anymore and really not a toddler.

Parker, one of the boys in the youth group, gets made when people call him a baby. It's really cute.

One last thing, FINALLY we have another appointment at Bethany next week to get the ball rolling again. Excited to see what God is going to do with this. Boy or Girl?????? Really ready for this next chapter.

Grace and Peace to you all!!!

Pure Michigan

I love my state. This past weekends weather was FANTASTIC. When I heard earlier in the week that it was going to be in the high 70's I decided to take my annual trip to The Two Hearted River in the Northern UP. It's kind of a memorial place for my dad. He used to fish up there and when he died it's where Mark and I decided to "lay him to rest". Lynsey went with Eli and I, and we couldn't have dreamed of a better weekend. It took way longer then I thought it would and it's a good thing it did. On are last stretch of a 16 mile trip down the dirt roads, 2 miles from the camp ground we saw a mama bear and her 3 cubs. It was dust and they quickly scurried into the woods so we don't have pictures. But while on our float down the river we stopped to have a snack and enjoy the beautiful day and there where bear prints peppered all over the sand. The picture of that is down below.

Eli digging into the snack bag looking for "ogart"

Eli did so great while we canoed. He sat perfect the entire time. Once in a while he would shift from side to side, but never tried to put his hand in the water. THANKFULLY!!

The colors where picture perfect. I really don't think anyone cold have drawn it better.
Gods paintings are unbeatable.

On Sunday we packed up right away and headed to Pictured Rocks for a "little" hike to the lake shore.. The map read that it was a 6 mile hike. I beg to differ. Well, when your carrying a 30+ lb boy on your back it feels more like 60 miles.

Thankfully Lynsey has a fighting spirit and she carried him about 56 of the miles.
THANKS LYN"S

As hard as it was I was well worth it. We let Eli walk at the end to lighten our load and he LOVED that!!

This is "Pure Michigan"
This is my joy in life!!!!

Grace and Peace!!!!!

This week

www.100daysofrealfood.com

My goal this week is "meal planning". I made 3 trips to Meijer last week and well that's not very productive....so today I will come up with a list so that I don't have to go back a million times.

This site above seems to be my favorite right now.....it's healthy and delicious.

I hope you had a great weekend. Enjoy the weather this week, it's going to be a good one.

What are your plans for the week. How will you enjoy the wonderful fall in Michigan. I would love to hear what your favorite fall activity is! Post here and I'll bake cookies for my favorite entry. REALLY I WILL......

Grace and Peace

Rain

What a perfect first morning to be a "stay at home mommy". As I sit here and catch up on my BSF (bible study fellowship) lesson it has started to down poor. I love a good rain shower. (photo credit/Jenny Rohrer)

And I love BSF. My prayer this year is for God to fill my spirit with joy. Something I seem to be lacking.

I pray the Spirit fills you with Grace and Peace today......

A new chapter

Well, it's official......I am a full time stay at home mom. I heard a woman once call herself a "domestic goddess". This is a new adventure. I have worked since I was 16 and many times had 2 or 3 jobs at once. This is a foreign idea, to stay home and not "work". Although raising a family is a job in itself.

This will be a true test of faith. I am a little nervous about making ends meet but I know that God will provide. I'm looking forward to the challenge of managing life in a new way. Eating at home more and spending less.
Thanks to team Hannapel for such a great place to work and great friendships. I will miss you dearly. We went to lunch to say good bye and took a group photo. I received a NICE gift card to Fields Fabrics to help pursue my passion of quilting.....I can't wait to start my next one....

Monday mornings will be strange, not having anywhere to be. Just think, I will have some of the cleanest closets on the block.....I can't wait.

Until next time....Grace and Peace....

The first day of school

Getting ready for the big day started with a bath and a lot of anticipation, from me not Eli. We had eggs for breakfast, then made our way to the classroom. Eli jumped right in and in true Eli fashion went straight for the kitchen set. Past the slide and the horse, past the blocks and tools and right to the stove.
Look out Emeril there is a new chef in town!!!! One could only dream, right!!!


Sharing hugs before we go





























Exploring the classroom (after the kitchen)

















Getting to play for a little while

Taking a trip around the block on the bus to see what it is like before the big trip tomorrow

A lunch date to Panera Bread after our visit. A glimpse into the future, this is the way he looks when he gets off of the bus each day.











1 week and 1 day we are still trying to build a new routine. Day by day it gets better.

Grace and peace

SO I haven't been camping all summer. Eli
I have been so busy doing life that I haven't done one of the things I enjoy the most about summer. We planned this trip last minute, last week on a beautiful summer day.

Carter

And wouldn't you know it when the day comes to camp it's 90 degrees outside. When you tent camp with 3 young boys that can be a bit of a bummer!!

I went into the trip knowing Eli would be a dirty mess from head to toe and I had to be okay with that.Ethan

All together we had a great time. The boy's had fun playing. We roasted dogs over the fire and went for a drive (really just to sit in the air conditioning for a minute) to get ice cream. I could go on and on about all of the seeming miss hap's for the day.
The trip wouldn't be complete without what was going to happen in the morning, around 5 am I woke up to thunder and lightening. Of course I didn't put the rain shield on because it wasn't supposed to rain. As I listen to the storm get closer, I woke Trish up and we decided to pack up and get the heck out of dodge before the rain hit. As I drove west toward the highway the rain came and I breathed a sigh of relief in the comfort of my dry, cool car.

It would be as memorable of a trip if the crazy stuff didn't come!!! Maybe next time we will go earlier in the season and try to avoid the heat.

Grace and peace.

A night to remember

Justin didn't have school a few weeks ago on a Monday when he usually does so we went to Holland. First for dinner at Fricanos, yum yum. Then we went to Collins park to play a little bit. We kinda stumbled upon the park as we where driving. So we played and walked and then played some more before we headed home. It was a nice change of pace from our busy life!!!

Grace and Peace.
Have a great weekend making great memories!!!

O happy day's

Now these are in no particular order.

ENJOY!!!!!

This was our trip to the Allegan Antique market. I found an amazing trunk for the basement. Justin had as much fun as I did. I was searching for antiques and unique finds and he was in search of food. Elephant ears and FRESH squeezed lemonade. He also found Tops baseball cards still in the original box. I consider this a win/win day!!!!

Our anniversary. A day on the links. It was fun but I am a long way from where I used to be out here. Justin kept telling me to relax and enjoy the day. And yes, I will do that, as soon as he relaxes while watching the Tigers and the "terrible coaching staff"

The boy's reading to "Eli" in MO. I think they were into it more then he was. Just sayin.

The first fruits from the garden!!!!

Byron Days. We road the bike to watch the parade, as it was just down the street. Eli had a great time watching the horses and the tractors. A country boy at heart. Someday Eli, maybe someday we will have a farm.

And last but not least................

Eli going #2 in Toronto. A mom just can't resist the need to take this pic!! Amen?

Grace and peace, I hope summer has been great. Get out and make it count. It's almost over!!!!