Saying Goodbye

On this past Sunday we had to say goodbye to our friends, Stacy and Hans and their children, as they follow God's leading to the mission field. We met Stacy and Hans in our Life class and our kids have become good friends as well. As crazy as this time is for them they had us and two other families over for one of their many farewell parties. Hans had gotten 4 deer this year and so we had a cook out. It was such a special time of fellowship, singing songs, and time spent in prayer over this exciting journey for them. As we all have felt, this is so very sad for us to say goodbye, yet happy to see God's calling and provision for their family. They have a special place in our hearts and will be in our prayers as they follow God's leading.

Their son, Joshua, helped plan this party and all of the kids were thrilled to see that he had planned a pinata for this get together.

Christmas concert rythm section

The Christmas concerts went well this year and here is pictured Brian with the rest of the rythm section. There were four concerts in all and it was a blessing to see it all come together.

The Wachtels visit to North Carolina - UPDATED!

What a fun time we had, a couple of weekends ago, when Eric, Amy, Ben and Olivia came for a visit. We enjoyed hanging out at Shelly Lake, spending a day at the Marbles Museum and even competing in tennis on the Wii.

Logan visits

The kids had a great time visiting with Logan and it was great to see Paul and Dena again. Here are some pictures of the kids.

Hilton Head Vacation

Here are some random pictures of an impromptu getaway to South Carolina.

It's hard to ride your bike, hold the camera out in front of you pointing back, and hope that you get the little girl riding the tandem attached to yours. Lindsey didn't miss a beat and was ready with her smile.

Let's go fly a kite! Reece's kite is at the top, Austin's in in the middle.

Lindsey "Makes" a Bear

It was Elliana's birthday, and Lindsey was invited to make a bear with her. What a pair!

Bumper Bowling

It was great to have Miss Emily visit over the long Labor Day weekend. One of the many things we did was bumper bowling. This is bowling in a regular bowling alley, but they pull these little fences up on the sides of the lanes so that the ball doesn't fall into the gutter. Kind of a cool idea! Unfortunately, it's only intended for kids so the fifteen or so balls I pushed right into the gutter (and the one time I fell into the gutter) did not benefit from having those up on our lane!

Here are some pictures of the kids giving it a try.

One of the funniest things was watching Reece, who always wants to do everything all by himself, pick up the six pound ball, carry it to the front of the lane and push it while we wait, and wait, and wait for the ball to knock over a few pins.

Here is a audio-less video of just such an event:

Cast off Party

We were so relieved that Lindsey began walking again after her cast came off. It did take her a little while, but she finally got the confidence to start walking and now she's doing pretty well. While she had her cast on, we asked her what she would like to do to celebrate when it comes off. She wanted to have a little party with her new little friend Elliana. So they had a fun adventuresome day. They played so hard, they could hardly stand it.

Keels weekend visit

It was great to have some Ohio friends visit last weekend. We enjoyed having Brian and Pam and their girls all down for a quick weekend trip. Well, it was quick for us, their weekend was book-ended by long drives.

When they got into town late Friday, Brian and I tried to hook up to go hear some live jazz at Bogart's. Janet and I were just there the previous weekend with some new friends from the worship ministry at Providence and had a great time. I thought it would be a good place for Brian and I to hear some good tunes. I think they had a quartet called the "Lounge Lizards" playing that night. Who could turn that down?

We went down town at about 10:00 or so, got there at about 10:30 and found out that Bogart's had transformed itself from a high-end restaurant with dinner music to a hip bar/dance club/ pretty-people-social-place. We clearly didn't belong. When I saw the sign on the door outside that said something about "dress to impress," I knew we were in the wrong place! It was loud and packed--and oh yeah, the NCAA tournatment had started. What were we thinking? That restaurant and all the restaurants on that corner were PACKED with NC State, UNC, or Duke fans. There wasn't a seat anywhere, and we just weren't hip enough to belly up to a bar!

So, after overpaying a coverchage only to leave (the music and atmosphere was way too loud for a conversation) we walked down the street to the Armadillo Grill, which was perfect. Ordered Nachos and Wings. What could be better?

Saturday we found took the kids to Krispy Kreme, not far from where Brian and I went the night before. This was a fun place for the kids (and us) because you know you'll find something yummy to eat. They make the doughnuts right there as you can see with the conveyor belt in the background. There's a couple more pictures of the kids here.

It was only later in the week that I found out we did it all wrong. We were supposed to order the glazed doughnuts fresh, right off the conveyor. They're supposed to be amazing. The good thing (or bad thing) is that this place is only about a 20 minute drive downtown--I'm sure we'll have opportunities in the future to get it right.

Sunday the college band led so we took our time and went to one service--my responsibilities were only to close the third service with Eric. Sunday afternoon we went up to the Y and took the kids swimming. Somehow Janet and Pam got away with only sitting and watching while Brian and I sat in the kids pool and tried to keep them from drowning eachother. If you think you're going to see pictures of us in the pool with the kids, you're sadly mistaken. Instead, here's a picture of Reece, waiting in anticipation of a large bucket to dump water all over him. He loved it. It's one of the play area toys that they have in this pool that just keeps on filling and dumping, filling and dumping all day.

Sunday night, Brian and I got pizza for us and the kids while Janet and Pam disappeared for a while to the Cheesecake Factory. A good time was had by all.

Who's coming to visit us next weekend?

We Made It!

It's hard to believe that a week ago we were busily packing up our stuff in Hartville, taking things apart, and polishing details for our move. Now, a week later, we sit in our townhouse in North Carolina, completely unpacked and, with the exception of the three kids, mostly cleaned up. The following post chronicles our past week or so.


As I mentioned, there was a ton of stuff to pack. It wore us out! We were so grateful for the help we got. Several friends helped with the kids, and even Aunt Sharla flew up from Texas to help entertain the kids and help pack. We couldn't have done it without everyone's help!


On the 10th, the truck came. Somehow, the driver was able to back it in to our driveway and still allow for cars to get by on the road. There were three guys that came and did the packing and loading. We tried to have everything ready for them by labeling each piece of furniture as "apt" or "storage." They loaded all the storage stuff first (including our piano, couch, refrigerator, and a ton of boxes!). We were grateful too for decent weather. It didn't even sprinkle until later that night. It was in the 40s that day--not bad for a NE Ohio January!

The kids and Janet were with the Wachtel's in the morning and at Paul and Dena's the rest of the day, but it was important for me that they come and see what was happening to their things so they had an understanding of the move. The only question I got from them later was from Austin, who wondered (while we were somewhere in WV just where the truck was and why it wasn't following us.)
After staying over night at Dena and Paul's we left on Wednesday, the 11th. We drove as far as Wytheville, VA. Janet drove the car and I had the kids with me in the van. They travel really well, especially with the help of the TV/VCR, Monsters, Inc., Peter Pan, and a couple other long favorites! We left for Raleigh on the 12th, Thursday, and got in at 2:00 where we met the manager here and signed the lease for the townhouse. We then went to a different hotel and the kids napped while I reserved a 10X20 storage space close to where we now live.

The truck and the movers came on Friday morning the 12th with just two guys. They arrived at 8:30 and had unloaded the "Apt." portion of the load by 12:30pm. From there, they followed me to the storage facility and began to unload while I went to get Janet and the kids and took them back to the apt. The weather that day was perfect! It was nearly 70 degrees and sunny on both Friday and Saturday. Great days to unpack and unload.


The boxes never end! Now we began unpacking everything and setting up shop. It went well and here we are Sunday night with all the boxes unpacked, and we're ready to start our week with school for the kids and (hopefully) a YMCA trip or two, and of course, I have my first day on the job on Tuesday (17th).

We thank all of you so much for your prayers and for the help and encouragement so many of you have been as we endured (and continue to endure) the most stressful time of our family's life. So many of you helped in so many little ways (thanks, Julie for letting us borrow your vacuum cleaner!), and we appreciate it so much! Thanks, too for the phone calls from many of you just checking in! We love to hear from you!

Our biggest concern now is that our house will sell. Once it sells, we will feel released to really begin working on looking for a house in the Raleigh area. (Can't wait to move again!) Beyond that, we pray for great friends and connections for everyone in the family. We know they're here, we just have to meet them!

Communication has never been so easy or affordable! Please keep in touch with us! We miss you all already!