October - "Feelin' the Zeel"

October was a very full month...a month where we hit the ground running, and never stopped! I could journal about the disappointment of still not having our I800 approval for Colombia, but, we trust that is just around the corner...or I could write about how difficult it is waiting to meet our hijas, the wait has become an agonizing process for me...but, God is in this, and I trust Him completely to why we are here and not there right now! So, I'm going to focus this entry on the many highlights of the month...as it is one of my favorite months in our new hometown of Zeeland!!

We definitely are "feelin' the zeel!"

Our favorite parade in Zeeland (they have many) is the "Pumpkin Parade," during Pumpkinfest Weekend. The El Puente preschoolers of ZCS road on the wagon. Silas thought it was his moment to becoming a "star." Seriously, he asks me often how he can get on TV, and I think he thought the crowd came out just for him...ay!

This month my Dad and Mom celebrated their 45th Wedding Anniversary! They are the most amazing parents! They have left a legacy for our family of their love for Jesus, the love of their family, and the love they have towards others. They live out the Gospel everyday, starting in their marriage and taking it toward everyone they come in contact with! They have huge hearts for the "underdog" in life, the gift of mercy, and helping others! They also have the gift of encouragement and are always sharing their testimony of the goodness of God, whether it's in good times or difficult! I pray John and I can carry this legacy on to our own kiddos!




We celebrated their special day on a Sunday afternoon at my sister's house. Life gets crazy, so, it is difficult getting us all together, but, when we do, it's always a fun time! Isabel thinks the world of her cousins, Ally and Cate!



Silas loves being around all his big boy cousins! They always include him and make him feel so special. Below he is hanging out with big cousin, Taylor!



Ahhh...and then the day finally came. MOVE DAY! 28 E CENTRAL AVE! Here we come...Our home was not quite complete (still working on the kitchen) but, we were so ready to move in. We had unexpected helpers, as my nephews football was cancelled...dear sisters Marcy and Kim worked all day with me, keeping me focused in all the craziness...






...my big strong nephews were workers, too! Running things in the house, as the rain was pouring down! I love you guys!

And my really big strong brothers, Curt and Kevin, helped get all almost all our big pieces up the tight stairway!! We couldn't have done it without them...

...a few more people who blessed us were the VandeWege's, Brent for helping John, and Melinda watching the kiddos! For my mom and dad who helped clean, clean, and clean...from the dark dreadful basement, to the condo's dirty bathroom. For Dad VM who was busy hanging door knobs, or whatever else John needed to make things function for us, and for my moms, and dear friend, Courtney, who brought over yummy meals that lasted over a week!

After a few years of building and selling -we've moved quite a bit, simplifying our lives, and paying off all our infertility/adoption dept...we have landed!! 28 E Central is HOME and it feels great (even among all the boxes and chaos yet of remodeling)! God has been so good to us, as we have moved toward Him in obedience! This town is amazing, not more amazing than other towns, amazing because we know we are where we need to be...and with that comes great enjoyment and reward for all the efforts of getting here!

So, we've already been having loads of fun in our neighborhood with our new neighbors! And let me tell you, Central Ave. is a fun place to be on Oct. 31!!! Isabel and Silas had a blast last night!

Izzy dressed as a "Groovy Girl" and Silas as a"Pirate!"

Daddy had so much fun walking the streets with the kids and the neighbors. He was so smiley and said "I have to pinch myself...I love this place!" He's been working so hard, he's hardly had time to enjoy it, but, last night he took it all in, and to, is almost "giddy" that this is where God has brought us as a family!

Below is our sweet neighbor friend, Sage. Silas is not in to girls at all, and only likes the "boys" at school...but, when it comes to Sage, we have seen nothing like it. Yesterday for an hour, yes an hour, he sat and was looking out the girls bedroom window to see if Sage was coming out to play. Yikes! Good thing Caroline and Marta had to take what was going to be his bedroom!!

One of the great things we discovered about living in the city is that you can rake up your leaves and leave them on the side of the street! How easy is that!? We had a fun afternoon of raking, and the neighbor girls and our kiddos had fun jumping in the leaves!

We're going to miss Izzy's toothless smile. Not to much longer and her big front tooth is going to poke through!

So ends the month of October. Although it was a blur, I'm sure we will look back and have fond memories of the many great things God allowed us to experience. We look forward to the next few weeks of wrapping up the inside remodel and getting settled in...ahh, we can catch our breath and breath...and Lord willing, if our adoption paperwork gets approved next week (as we are told), there is a chance we could also be packing our bags for the next chapter in our journey...Oh God, please bring us to our girls soon! You are ABLE and we are READY!