Home Sweet Where?

Above: These mountains are called the Bookcliffs, with Mount Garfield on the end. These mountains are on the northern side of the valley.

Above: This is the Colorado National Monument. This on the sounthern side of the valley.

Above: This is the Grand Mesa. The world's largest flat-top mountain. There are over 200 lakes that are great for fishing and camping. Also Powdernhorn ski resort is located here. The Grand Mesa is to the east of Grand Junction.

This will be our new home!

Here is Grand Junction: Population is 100,000, there is one mall, but I am excited to have the option of shopping at Old Navy and Kohls now! Denver is 4 hours away and that is where I will have to go to do more serious shopping like my favorite Children's Place.

Our House. We went out over Spring Break to find a house and we did. It is a cool story so here you go. We were looking for a 4 bedroom house that had 2 living spaces so that Luke could have a YL meeting and I don't have to hide somewhere. With the market being soft we were hoping to find a house that we could have our family grow and the girls to be able to have their own space when they are older. And so we chose the first house we looked at. It is old, built in '66, the description of it was stately. Which is not Luke and I's style but it has such a homey feel we were soon over it. It has 2 living rooms a dining room. Lots of window and sunlight coming through. A huge backyard with a porch, lots of land behind us that we saw kids exploring in. The master bed and bath are not a dream come true because it is old. But it has an unfinished basement and so someday we will redo the basement and then we can take out an upstairs bedroom and make it part of the master. Lots of space and lots of hidden potential. But we can move in and have lots of space right away. we will not be doing in projects any time soon.

So we decided to make an offer on the house. The asking price was out of our comfort level. So we offered 14,oo0 less than they were asking. Our Realtor mentioned that others had said they were going to put offers on this house too. We did not know if that was a bluff, or just talk or what. The next day we got a call that there were 2 additional offers on the house. How high are we willing to go? WHAT? This house has been on the market for over a month they had moved out, and now we have competition. At this point I was not going to get attached to this house because we did not want to end up paying more than we were comfortable. We said we can not do much more and hope for the best. The next day we get a call from our Realtor, Well they want to go with you, they countered $3,000 more, and I won't take a commission and the other relator will pitch in some too. What about the other offers? They were significantly more than yours but the family really wanted to go with you. My heart swelled with such a blessing. Our relator had given the sellers an idea of who we were and how we wanted to raise our young family in this home and to do ministry. I could tell that both the relators and the family worked so hard to make this work. I know that we are paying for this house but it just felt like such a gift. We got a great interest rate and our house payment is exactly where we are comfortable. Confirmation that God will take care of us. If we ask for bread will he give us a stone? No your Father above wants to give you "good things". The home is such a huge piece of me feeling at home in GJ. I feel so blessed!

We close on April 27th we will move the first week of May! Please pray that we sell our home in Manhattan. I know that this too will be a God thing.

Who are these kids??

Hi Friends, so I am feeling out of touch. I see your pics and I feel like I have not seen so many of you. You are your kids are changing. Here are the Feather girls. Ellie eats and eats and eats. After she gets food in her she gets a little crazy. These are pics of Ellie showing off to high school boys that were having dinner with us. She was pretending to be smoking a doobie with her green bean. She has a tough act to follow to get peoples attention with a big sister like Annabelle but she is carving her own path no doubt. This is a typical day with Annabelle. She is the fairy princess trying to catch the monster fish. We "play" alot. She is very busy and wants me to join in too. Miss you people that live far away. I need to make plans to see you all before we are gone, sad. House going on the market tomorrow off to go clean.

Christmas Pictures

So we needed some family pics. We got an appointment for the day before thanksgiving, at 4:00pm. All three of us girls had this awful cold thing, we drive to Lee Summit straight to Portrait Innovations to just get this done as I kept saying. We got our pics and they are fine. Not my favorite, but I don't have to worry about it for another year. Oh by the way I went in only wanting to buy the $10 package and Christmas cards and that's what we walked out with.

6 MONTHS

So Ellie is 6 months now. WOW! She loves her big sister, her pacifier, green bear lovey, and her dad. She needs to be rotated among the different entertaining contraptions around the house. Had her first hair cut, the sides were longer than the back. She is getting closer to sitting up on her own. NOT sleeping through the night. She needs her pacifier to sleep. She makes us smile. She is a calm, laid back presence that balences out our family. She can be very social and engage strangers in a fun way.
Here are some fun pics.
This one I call pigeon. That is her nickname sometimes as she caulks her head side to side and just stares with those BIG Blue eyes!

What a joy!
Ellie's first snow in Denver in the beginning of November.

Halloween

Annie-butterfly, Ellie-catterpillar, Luke-entomologist, Stacy-Spooky

The last couple of years the Goff boys have joined us for Halloween. We had mac-n-cheese and hotdog mummies. The "big kids" went trick or treating and we all met up at Westview church. It was a fun evening.

Last night we had a pumpkin carving party at our neighbors house. Annie loves the twins across the street Tyson and Wyatt are 3 1/2 and have taught Annie how to play bumper bikes. We have enjoyed having these fun neighbors, hope they stick around.

Pre-Halloween activities

Tio Kevin came up last weekend. We trick or treated at the Zoo. That is Ellie's picture. Then we lit the chimanea, carved our pumpkins, and cooked smores.

Today we went to Britt's Farm for MOPS. Hay rack ride, corn maze, story telling with the kids, and a pumpkin patch. We picked up some more pumpkins for a pumpkin carving party we have tomorrow. Annie has a pumpkin party at school on Thursday too! Friday is the Big day! This holiday is so fun with kids!

A Roarin' Review

Luke took me to go see the Lion King Musical at Music Hall in KC for an early b-day present. We LOVED it!! Going to musicals has been many birthday and Christmas presents, here is my run down starting with my favorite:

1. Wicked(Chicago)-Best story and music
2. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat-Funny with a different genres for each song
3. Beauty and the Beast(St. Louis)- A classic favorite with over the top costumes and tech work.
4. Lion King- Costumes are reminiscent of Cirque de solei, fun african cultural songs and dances, lots of good laughs.
5. Phantom of the Opera- A classic must see.
6. Mama Mia(Vegas)- Fun tribute to Abba.
7. Jesus Christ Superstar- I enjoy the conservative version, the broadway tour is the liberal version.
8. Rent(Denver)- There are a few songs I like from it other than that, it was not a storyline that drew me in.

4 months

So here are the girls. They are enjoying each other. they giggle back and forth which is great to be apart of. Annie thinks it's funny when Ellie holds on to things. Like the produce bag at the grocery store. But it is not funny when Ellie gets Annie's hair. I will find Ellie with a fist full of hair---YIKES!! Ellie's eyes are wide open all the time, not just in pics. She just stares at people. It is pretty funny. We will be starting cereal soon. Nursing has become challenging, she bites, pinches, kicks, pull hair all at the same time. Ellie's hair is lighter and straighter than Annie's. This is not a good pic for that. But we are seeing their differences more and more.

September Update

This is where Ellie sits during meals. She is not on solids yet, but she mostly just stares at Luke. She is a Daddy's girl. I love it! She is starting to show her true colors! We think she is sensitive. Sometimes a sneeze by someone else will upset her. She is still great about going to sleep on her own. 4 Months!
Annabelle's first day of school (Children's Day Out). She goes to this on Thur. and on Tues/Thur she has K-state school 1-2:00 for her speech group. Our big girl is pretty busy. She still loves to go to the park, make new friends, wash her own hair, find a new bug to play with and can slice a banana all by herself. She does not like dresses. Four Feather!!

Later.....

So I have been encouraged to say later to my dishes and other chores rather than say later to the kids or time with God. People are always saying how fast this time will go and so on. But with summer coming to an end I feel like time is going fast. So this week, we have played. I went to the grocery store a day later, we have not been eating as good of meals lately (mostly becuase of a 5:00 feeding hinders dinner prep, and I forget to buy all I need while at the store), staying at the park for longer. I have had a great week of playing more Barbies, painting nails including Ellies, Littlest Pet Shop, a definite favorite. No regrets this week. Before long we will be back to a schedule where skipping the grocery store on Monday is fatal.

Other thoughts:
Welcome Henry Crabb can't wait to see you this weekend.

Reading the Shack anyone else?

While watching the Olympics Annabelle was cheering "Go K-STATE"
Sometimes trying to follow the Olympics is just as hard as competing, is this race a prelim, semifinal or for a medal? Gymnastics; are the practicing or is this the real thing. Try folding laundry when you can't take your eyes off the screen in case someone might fall!!!

Content

I would some up life in one word "content". Annabelle is 3. This is such a fun stage. I love that there are so many opportunities for her. I can take her to things and drop her off. Maybe ballet classes in the fall. And chatty, she is able to carry on a conversation at lunch with high school boys. Thanked Daddy for taking her to the mall last night. Elliana, 2 months has such a fun smile, loves to coo and talk. She even talked to Luke on the phone when he was gone. She is content to sleep in her car seat while we run around town. She is transitioning to the crib in the girls room. Luke is good, ministry this summer has been humbling in an amazing way. Luke feeling a little old and uncool going into camp, leaving the week being referred to as their "buddy" or a best friend. At the same time intorducing them to their newest friend, Jesus. And I have had a lull in life as I have embraced the oppurtunity to slow down while nursing. God has blessed me with some wonderful prayer time.

These pics were from Portrait Innovations--love this place. These were even pics we did not choose.

July 4th Annabelle's 3rd B-Day

July 4th

Feathers and Schmidts at Lake Winnebago

7:30 am 5K walk/run

We made it about 2miles before Ellie got hungry.

Breakfast Easy Lake omlets; where you make an

omlet in a ziplock bag and put it into boiling water for 13 minutes, AHH-MAZING!!

10:00 Ski show

Annabelle was more interested in this cute puppy names Chloe.

Back to the house to open presents

BBQ Lunch at the Yacht Club

Naps

More Schmidts- My Aunt, Uncle and cousins and their families

Dinner

Fireworks out on the boat

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day!!!

We had a great day. Luke returned from Wyld Life camp that morning at 6 am. He slept for 2 hours and then the fun began. We went to some friend's house that live in the country. We chased chickens, fed horses sugar cubes, had a picnic and fished. Luke caught his biggest fish ever!! A 6 pound catfish. A great day we had together. I am grateful for Luke and his committment to our family and to his faith.

PS we are taking being parents of 2 so serioulsy that we are looking at purchasing a minivan. bring it on! I am not afraid to be the first!

Storms

So, Luke and I's motto lately has been to THRIVE not SURVIVE. But, since all the storms we are happy just to survive. First we had the hail storm. 3 inch hail that damaged our roof and Luke's Jeep. A total of $11,ooo damage. Then we had a tornado warning where we had to go to the nieghbors basement. Then there was the actual tornado that hit town, within a half mile of our house. Today it is stormy and I don't like it at all!! We are grateful for our safety. True Value hardware store

Well, here they are!! Life is good. I don't leave the house very often and if I do it is no earlier than 11 am.

Baby Feathers

Here are the two girls in their first week. Annabelle
Elliana
Do they look alike or different?

My MIL left yesterday and so we are adjusting to life on our own. Annabelle has a need to be entertained which is hard to keep up with. The other night during the rain storm Annie was having trouble sleeping, so I prayed that she would be able to sleep. And she said; I need God. Sure do love those moments. Ellie is getting more fiesty. She is getting more adament about her feedings. I was home with both girls for the first time yesterday and we survived. My mom will be here next week, we will be ready for that.

4 Feathers!!

Annabelle and Elliana, Sisters, Friends Bows already! Love the Feather hair.

Doesn't she just melt your heart? We love having a new little one around. We are all adjusting.

Easter in Denver

Here we are at Easter. When Luke picked Annie up from her sunday school class they said "oh you have the sharpie girl" She got her hands on a sharpie, tatooed her face and arms. They are still slowly fading today. Not an ink spot on her dress, it's a miracle.



Here we are, Luke Stacy and my belly.

Well, we made it to Denver. My body did not like it--I started having contractions at 31 weeks. But nothing to worry about. I am much better now that I am back in the flatlands.

We had a great time with Angie, Mimi, Grandpa, Nonna and all the Carr families.

Favorite quote: "Don't beat me Daddy!" We do a lot of racing to get things done.

Potty Update: We have been very successful since spring break. I think it may even stick.

Quick Update

Well, just a quick report here! I am 30 weeks! Yea!!

• My belly has been growing this past month.
• I am excited that we are having another girl. I am enjoying getting the girls room ready.
• We have 4 names this week. Don't ask.
• I am having a hard time keeping up with it all.

We are headed to Denver for Spring Break! I have a midterm due on Friday so this is well deserved.

Chicago

So, we went to Chicago to celebrate and embrace the 30's!
Pizza at Lou Manalti's

Valentines was wonderful! Here I am belly & flowers. I had heart shaped ravioli's
We shopped a little, not enough for me, Art Institute, and Wicked the musical. Wicked was wonderful. It is the back story of the good witch and the wicked witch from Wizard of OZ. Great music, funny, interesting story, no long boring parts or songs. We loved it. We have been singing the songs for a week now. Luke's fav- they call me wonderful!
It was a great trip--I am not a city girl, I could never live there. But fun to visit!

Update: I am 7 months, 3rd trimester! Bring it on--I am only going to get bigger SHEESH!
Annie- no longer potty training, but we are enjoying swim lessons. Oh my independent daughter! Luke- is continuing to do a great job with both kids leaders, and his seminary class.

4 days but We're Back!!

OK- Ice Storms in Kansas are becoming something that just happens in this wonderful state. We lost power about midnight on Monday. Got up Tues am, Annie was a mess, no lights, no TV, and we were off our schedule. So we left by 10:30- most of the town had no power and we did not want to stay. We went to my parents which was great. Having our own space, not feeling like we were in other people's way. We got some Christmas shopping done, and our favorite Crown Center. It was hard making plans, if we are in KC we will... if we have power we will go back and... I had a final on Thur night, but my prof made it online, it was already open book so it just made sense, the only problem I did not think to bring my bag on Tues. The prof said i could turn it in on Mon. It would have been real hard to have to come back for it if we did not have power. Friday afternoon we got power and most people we know have gotten their power on Fri and Sat. That's our update, and now I will go work on my final. Hopefully Luke will help me post with the other digital camera.

One more fun thing: Last night I got an early Christmas present and I love it. Luke ordered stockings from Pottery Barn and Tara put our names on them. They are awesome, big and really cute. When Luke gave them to me I cried. I think I have wanted to cry for the last couple of days and I finally had something good to cry about. The 4th one is blue with a sledding snowman, I told Luke if we find out we are having a girl I will try to return that one, it could be for either--it makes me anxious to find out. A boy would be fit right in here.