A Chimney Fire

Last night was a long night. I had gone to bed around 10, and a short time later someone was knocking on our window downstairs. We were both scrambling to get glasses/warm clothes on and a man and a young woman were there alerting us that there was fire coming out of our chimney. Kevin had put some product in the chimney to help keep it clear, but it caused more fire instead at this instance.

We thanked them, they left, and after putting out the fire in the cellar we called the fire department and my dad as the fire died down. I didn't see any other problems, but they told us to get the kids out because it looked like there was smoke coming from the attic. I took the kids up to my dad's house and when I came back there were a few fire trucks, a police car, and an ambulance. They were being cautious, but I stayed parked outside of the house and was in a slight daze with what could have happened. They found there was a crack a few rows from the top of the chimney that made it look like there was more of a problem than there was, but it was better to be safe than sorry, and we learned a lot about our home, how things work a little better out here. They gave us the ok and we went back in, but won't use the wood stove again until things get fixed.

It got me thinking what if we lost everything. What if this was one of those worst case scenarios. I am thankful someone was there to wake us up, the kids had a place to go, and the local authorities got there in a good amount of time. But it is a good reminder again how fragile things are, and it is by God's grace that we get through life. And we are also smarter because of it.

Daniel is 5!

Before I chat on how life changing it feels to have a five year old, I'll share a few different pictures from the last few weeks. Kevin's company had a party to celebrate being in Forbes top 100 list of companies to work for, I think they were like 78th in the country. They had a nice semi formal event and Smashmouth come and play, and we made a fun evening of it.

For the last few weeks we have been involved in the Homeschooling Co-op. Here we are in the van on the first day and the next picture is of Daniel's class. It has been very refreshing being in this group, it is a very involved organization, and there are tons of activities. This week I took the older ones to a nature center where we learned how to make maple syrup, through the LEAH (loving education at home), and it has helped me get focused at home. I also see a wide range of families at different spectrums on the homeschooling journey. It has been great.

As I type the kids are playing in the backyard. It is sooooo great to have a yard the kids enjoy playing in, and as the snow melts it is exciting to see what is growing out there! We have some strawberries in the yard, beautiful flowers coming up, and I am in the beginning stages of a garden. It has been a long time since I even attempted a garden, but I have a lot of experienced folks around to help along the way.
And yes...I have a five year old in the family now. It seem the hardest with Daniel in the sense I am the most sentimental about him. He has such an amazing view of the world, and his creativity is endless. He is the best older brother Rachel and Noah could have, and he is just really opening up, but can be so focused. He is into Transformers now, and I decorated a cake for him, it has been a few years since I had done that.
I was thinking about Matt 6:34 where it says do not worry about tomorrow, and just how to take it one day at a time. The time really goes quickly, and I am so thankful for the time we do have with family and friends, and who God has put into our lives!

A day in the life...

After....

Here are a few after and before shots of the painting done in our room. Kevin did an amazing job, and I enjoyed taking a stab at the painting and color choosing.

Here are the kids doing some fun things...
Kayleen really helped me get organized in my "homeschooling/computer" room. I am very thankful to know where everything is now, and have a whole new motivation and group of ideas. ( Thanks Sandra for the table and rug!!!!)
Rachel is in a dance class now, and she did wonderful for her first time. It is a 45 minute class of ballet and tap, and I am happy that for now we have a class so close.

Love those smiles...

Our first visitor

We were happy to have Kayleen, a friend from MA, come at the end of last week for a visit. She was our first visitor, and it was so nice to have the space to welcome her. She took all of these pictures on her cool phone. I do have pictures too, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Rachel would go and visit her at 4 in the morning just to cuddle (sorry about that). We went to the zoo, mall, and just enjoyed the snow :-)

This was the first time in a long time I had gone to the local zoo, and I think a membership is in order. She also helped me get a little more organized and set up at the house, so I put her to work! It was refreshing to me, and it gets me thankful for the people that God has put in my life. I know that everyone reading this has had a huge impact in my life, and that no acquaintance is merely chance.

Rachel has her first dance lesson tomorrow, and Kevin and I have a semi-formal event that we are looking forward to attending with his work.

What can happen in a year

I was having a hard time finding some good pictures of me and my mom, and I ventured onto a Disney World trip about a year and a half ago. My what has happened in a year...

I know they say the first year is the worst after losing someone. All the little holidays, all the moments that happen, or things that change, and yet we made it through one year. I can say that I think of her everyday, and wonder what she would think about our move, our home, and how the kids are growing, but I also know that she wanted us to continue enjoying and growing. But it still hurts.

It's been a year,

we are still here,

and where did our other one go?

In heaven above

looking down in love

it's still tough for me though

The time went quick

the trials were thick

but they days still went by

In the good times and bad

My sister, brother, and dad,

were there as I wanted to cry

And now time to pick up and move

where the Lord will chose

and give Him daily my life

for it is not totally my own,

we can't do this alone

My strength is only in His might

Looking forward to summer

I am excited for summer not just because of the warmer weather, but my sis-in-law is engaged and will be getting married in VA in Aug! So here's to a reason to get the winter weight off, celebration with family, and a chance to get back to VT and see some old friends. In other news things just keep moving along, most of the boxes are unpacked, we got our cars switched over, getting all the details ironed out, and I am excited that I will have a MA visitor next week. In the mean time, here are some moments with the kids and their cousin. We love having Michael around.

I found a ginger bread house for sale, and the kids enjoyed putting it together.

New Pet

We are starting to settle in to this new home, the boxes are slowly going away, and space is opening up. Last weekend we enjoyed some time at a little train show, and it was fun to watch the kids enjoy it.

Here are the cousins playing.

It starts off cold in the mornings, especially when the fire goes out with the wood stove, but the kids are champs at getting cuddly and making the best of it. Here is a shot out of the window in the stair well.
And here is Leena, our new pet. She did come with the house, but she has been a very good first pet for us. Very low maintenance and good temperament. The kids love her, and she helps keep your lap warm.
There is still the laundry list to do, and I am still getting used to the country lifestyle, but it is a joy to watch the kids grow and settle in. Daniel is expressing himself a lot more, and is doing well in the big brother role. He can spend hours outside. Rachel and Noah are also talking more and more, and it is interesting to watch them all interact. Time to go now and empty out another box!