The dust is settling

Exactly 2 months ago we came here. It is hard enough to understand time when you're not caught in a whirlwind, but I can hardly grasp time at all right now. It feels like we have been here for a lifetime, but yet not at all.

Somedays I've cried about how amazingly perfect we are for this place and this place is for us. Other days I cry because this is so hard. I've shed tears over missed loved ones. And random, unexplained tears when the downtown skyline comes into view... we seriously live here?! Is this a good thing?! I've remained completely calm and had complete meltdowns. I've driven most places without getting lost or stressed (but a fair amount getting lost and stressed, usually with a non-car seat loving baby screaming). When the dust settles, or even when it is still swirling around us, I am in awe of God's faithfulness, goodness, and provision to us.

By grace and with lots of help and support from family and friends from all over, this is a synopsis of the last 2 months:

Thanks Steph for the fun gift of a s'mores kit 

• Moving a huge 4-bedroom house into a small (to us) 2-bedroom duplex. I love small. I can vacuum the whole place without unplugging the cord once! Chris says he wants to live in a one-room house with dirt floors someday. I think we have a ways to go before we can manage that, but this is a good start. We have both felt a strong urge to simplify our lives by simplifying earthly belongings, and the easiest way we have found so far is try and fit it all in here. We are nowhere near our goals and have been graciously granted some extra storage space in the basement by our amazing landlords while we sort through things some more.  BUT, the boxes are out of our living space, which has cut down on my stress levels. The kitchen and I tolerate each other. Some of my most "normal"feeling moments have been doing normal things like cooking dinner, even in my tolerated space. Love that even though we lost so much counter space, a dishwasher and a microwave, we have a quirky old gas stove. It was a secret prayer of mine to at least have a gas stove :). 

• Moving 3 small children, including a 2 month old baby. Wow. The older kiddos have had some huge life changes that are really sad to them, but at the same time are showing amazing resilience and we are glad to have made the changes now while they are young. I have not been great at communications with family and loved ones (sorry!) to keep everyone updated on their growth and fun here. I'll work on it! They have really begun to adapt well. 
• Brielle has been fairly fussy and not slept well the first 4 months of her life. But our routines have been non-existent, stress levels higher than normal and her sense that I desperately want or need her to sleep has been met with strong opposition. She would rather be held and snuggled and nursed. And that's what I would rather do too. We're making it work. I've cut dairy from my diet and that seems to be helping with fussiness, although it's hard to tell for sure. She really is a joyful baby and a joy to be with. Her smile pretty much melts my heart each time. She's rolling from tummy to back, grabbing toys in front of her, drooling, and bringing everything to her mouth. We just met (and are very happy with) our new doctor, who noted how strong she is. She has passed the 12 lb mark (still a peanut) coming in at 12th percentile for weight and 63rd percentile for height. She manages to draw a crowd wherever we go with her charm and pure cuteness.
• Avdon also draws a crowd with his beard hat. He can't go anywhere without someone commenting on it. He gets some time with just Mommy and Brielle while Shiloh is at school and he loves it. He may have had the hardest transition with giving up Mommy to a new baby and then shortly after moving everything he knows to a new place. He has gone from good to horrible to almost good again with potty training, a sign that he is doing better now! He enjoys going to Splashville (our version of Sunday school) and interacting with kids and exploring wherever we go. Just in the last couple weeks we have noticed a problem that was corrected with a minor surgery last year has reappeared. We have a referral to a new urologist here, but would appreciate prayers for healing. He has had fun exploring a huge indoor park, but really wants to take Shiloh with him. We need to work on finding some friends for him! He'll start preschool back up in the fall when potty and being away from Mommy are easier things.
• Shiloh will tell you "icky Spanish" if you ask her about preschool, but it is evident she loves her new school. And she loves learning Spanish in this immersion setting. Her teacher is wonderful and our short walk to school and violin lessons makes us wonder if we really want to leave this place when our lease is up. She has some great people skills in comforting new friends at school and Splashville. She is really excited to do anything we do. Except talk about kindergarten. I suppose one more change is a little too much to handle. We are entering the crunch time to choose schools. We have three tours set up to visit elementary schools (so we've narrowed it down quite a bit already). We'll go to a school fair and have already done a fair amount of research. Then we'll turn in our top 2 choices and be entered into a lottery system. Over 90% of families get one of their top 2 choices. Prayers for our process would be lovely.

  

  A blurry but good idea of Avdon's hat. Taken while learning about public transportation on a bus

• Moving right as the holiday season kicked off. In some ways this was one of the hardest things. Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Years and everything in between is enough to drive me bonkers any year. But we managed. This season included two trips back to IA, a flood of guests here at our home (we've loved each and every visit!), a beautifully quiet day on Christmas, homemade gifts to cut costs, putting up a tree for the mood of us all but quickly getting it down to make space, and a busier-than-normal season to start a new job at a church, which brings me to...

One of our many guests-my sister Laura. Note the uncontrolled mess in the background, but tasty homemade pizzas and an enthusiastic prayer of thanks to God in the foreground

• Starting new jobs. While new jobs always come with a fair amount of stress and learning curves, the way Chris' position at Jacob's Well has gone (at least in our eyes) makes the move worth it. Hopefully they feel the same! He did feel overwhelmed starting out, much due to the busy church season, but has amazing co-workers, good support, healthy challenge, and lots to work on. He's getting to the point now of working ahead rather than playing catch up, which feels really good. We love, love, love being a part of the community and both can't wait to dig in deeper, get to know others better and serve in this unique place. Moving to a job within an established community has made this move so much more manageable. It's pretty amazing to come to a new place and have built-in friends and support. Wow. I didn't have to cook for the first 2 weeks, have had play dates, attended a marriage conference, co-hosted a party for the band, had Brielle baptized, and got 200+ personal tips for living in the Cities all from Jacob's Well. 
• Chris has his first guitar student, and we're feeling ready to have a few more. They help support our hobby of eating 3 times a day :) and Chris has really discovered joy in teaching.
• My new job is starting to seem real, and I'm wishing I could have some training! I've felt fairly inadequate with my role of "homemaker" (seriously? one can hardly call this a home!!) or "stay-at-home-mom" (get me out of here before the kids kill each other!!) and slightly lost without a "skill" or "profession" (I supposedly used to have them...). But it goes to show I have plenty of room to improve. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to do this for and with my family and can't imagine having to do it another way.

Love this face!

So let's see. Is that all we've done in the last 2 months? More or less...

2013-Our year in pictures

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A season of blessings-Merry Christmas 2013!

As we enter the advent and Christmas seasons, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the seasons of 2013, which have been amazingly full of blessing.

This year has been an interesting season of growth, change, and new life. We started our year by celebrating our 30th birthdays with a trip to Sanibel Island, FL. Chris and I spent a lot of time doing nothing but sitting on the beach, relaxing, and exploring the beautiful and somewhat exotic place (we came face to face with a panther one evening!). We spent some needed time reflecting on our lives and praying for our family. Our hearts were stirred to pray for change.

The day before we left for Sanibel was marked with the season of new life. I assisted my dear friend Nicole with the birth of her first daughter. I also discovered on that day that new life was growing in me! Once the season of extreme fatigue and nauseousness was done, we entered a season of fervent work on projects around our home, knowing now from experience that it is very difficult to do anything "extra" once a new baby arrives (this is quite ironic if you know the rest of the story and know what we did when our baby turned 2 months old!).

Amidst our hard work around the house and cleaning out our belongings, we kept sensing a season of change was upon us. We prayed about and explored quite seriously the possibility of joining our good friends, the Clarksons, in mission work in East Africa. As it eventually became clear this was not our path, we made what I call "the poster." We drew circles on a large piece of paper and in the circles made lists of our gifts, passions, values of priority, and hopes for community. In the middle of the poster was one large circle that we left empty. We began praying for God to bring all the other circles together, somehow, in the middle.

In the midst of our prayers and preparation for a new baby, a season of busyness and activities for the kids began. In August, Shiloh turned 5 and Avdon turned 3, and shortly after, both started preschool. Shiloh loved going to school 5 days a week and spending time with her new friends. Avdon was a little hesitant to go to school, but enjoyed his time there, nonetheless. Shiloh also began taking Suzuki violin lessons, using Chris' 1/4 size violin and joined a dance class. She loved both of those activities. Avdon participated in another semester of Kindermusik. I continued working part-time and the kids spent time at Robyn's when I was working. Time with Robyn, and friends Ernie and Vera, is hands-down their favorite activity of all. We all love her and have been blessed beyond measure by Robyn! 

The beginning of August also brought a season of exploring, applying for and waiting to hear about a music and worship position in Minneapolis. A friend told us about the job opening that seemed perfect for Chris. 

On September 21, our new life arrived. We were thrilled to welcome Brielle Ronen into our family. While we began thinking of names for this child while we were in Florida, it wasn’t until several hours after she was born that we finally chose her name, which means “God is my strength and song.” We fell in love with her immediately and her siblings did as well. 

Our season of adjustment to life with a newborn was wonderful, although a bit challenging as we dealt with sickness the 2nd and 3rd weeks of her life. Everyone was finally on the mend when Chris was offered and accepted the position we first found out about in August. Then the madness really set in!

We began a season of goodbyes. The time went quickly, but we were able to spend moments with most of the people we treasure so deeply. We were richly blessed with many offers of help, gatherings, gifts, love and support. We could not have felt more loved and cared for. We miss our Iowa friends and family so much and already anticipate our next return trip so we can see you again!

We officially moved to Minnesota on November 23 and are in a season of boxes and new beginnings. On the home front, we’re plagued by way too many boxes! We cut our living space alone in half, not to mention the storage! So wading through our things and taking trips to Goodwill is filling lots of time! We are renting a perfect little duplex for now while we get to know the area and wait for our Iowa house to sell. 

It seems as if our poster and the empty middle circle is quickly being revealed to us in this place. While we know all the pieces are not yet in place, we feel so convinced that this move is perfect for us. Chris loves his job and is daily growing and being challenged. If we were overwhelmed by love upon leaving Iowa, we were certainly overwhelmed by love upon our arrival to Minnesota. The community at our church is fabulous and we have been immensely blessed! By the way, the church we gather with now is called Jacob’s Well. Take a minute to check out their website at www.jacobs-well.net. 

As for me, I will be staying home with the kiddos, or rather going out with them! We were blessed by season passes to both the zoo and the Children’s museum, and we made it our goal to explore the Cities every day we can. The season is just beginning, and we are so thankful for the One who orchestrated it all and eagerly await the ways we will serve him.

I could probably keep writing forever, but imagine you have something else to do! We pray this season will be a blessing as you anticipate and welcome Immanuel, God with us!

Our Year in Pictures-Enjoy!

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Merry Christmas 2012!

Shiloh...turned 4 in August and really keeps us on our toes. She loves art and threatens to use up the world's supply of glue and tape on a regular basis. When I asked Shiloh what she would like me to say about her, I got this report: "I love green, fruit, to watch Dinosaur Train, the Christmas tree, and to go to preschool."  I will add that she really loves learning and reading, being outside, her friend Ernie ( and being at Robyn's house), Kindermusik and Kindergym and her dollhouse. And while she may not say it, she loves her brother, is a wonderful big sister, and is developing a generous heart!

Avdon... turned 2 in August and is a ball of energy. He is a joyful little boy with the excitement and curiosity that comes along with being two. His language skills blow us away, and while he remains a little guy, he is very bright! Avdon likes diggers, reading, playing outside, Kindermusik, Shiloh and doing whatever Shiloh is doing.

Chris...Still teaching music lessons and still leading worship a couple times a month on more of a contract basis. This year was spent adjusting from going from the world of full-time ministry to full-time auto parts. It has changed our family life tremendously by having him home more often and he has learned incredible amounts about life and business from all the changes at his current job, including the set-up of an entirely new business of online auto parts. See www.virota.com (they go live in January!).
He's also learning a lot about remodeling as we gutted and completely remodeled the kitchen. He spent a couple weekends in Minnesota recording his new CD, which we hope to release early- to mid-2013. He is such a blessing to our family!

Erin...I keep up with the three mentioned above while still working part-time as a home visitor for Head Start :). After enduring the kitchen remodel from October through December (and hopefully not too much beyond!), I look forward to more time in the kitchen, and have already had priceless moments with the kids doing art or eating a snack at our new countertop spaces while I work away. I have started doing some of the premarital counseling sessions at our church, and found I really enjoy that. Another highlight of my year was standing in as a doula for a dear friend who had a baby this fall. I am very excited for the opportunity to help another friend through labor and delivery in  January. If that isn't enough to keep me busy, I also greatly enjoy investing in my small group from church, and teaching Sunday School and Bible studies.

Other highlights of 2012 include a summer trip to Colorado to visit family; celebrating with Chris' sister Noelle at her wedding and welcoming Uncle Chris to the family; a trip for Erin and Shiloh to  Columbus, Ohio to visit Jacque; weekend family getaway to Dubuque; weekend trip for Erin back to Colorado for Elicia and Dustin's wedding and a girls weekend with Erin's college roommates in  Chicago; time spent with dear friends the Clarksons, back in Iowa on a break from their work in East Africa; a ride for the kids on a boat, canoe, train, and horseback; Thanksgiving with Gram in Omaha, and lots of wonderful moments right here with family and friends.
 
Wow. When I type it all out like that, I am overwhelmed by the beautiful year we have had. We give  thanks to God for this special season in our life, while praying especially this time of year for those who have had to search much harder for their blessings. May you all experience the love and presence of God with us this Christmas!

Love,
The Family Trip

Merry Christmas 2011

Just last night we started making a list of the many, many ways God has blessed us and provided for us this past year. It moved us to tears to look at the ways we are taken care of and the many friends and family we have to be thankful for. This Christmas, we give thanks to a God who humbles himself and loves us enough to be born as a baby and a God who continues to care for and love us more than we can understand. May you be blessed this Christmas, and may Christ dwell in you richly!

Now for the family updates...

Shiloh turned three in August and continues to amaze us with her liveliness and strong will! She started preschool at St. John and her teacher reports that she is always excited about whatever activity the class is doing. She has enjoyed playing with the baby dolls and the playdough, making new friends, a field trip to the dairy farm, and just learning and playing. At home she spends lots of time playing with her dollhouse and can pretend that just about any object can be anything or anyone. She loves Clifford the Big Red Dog and often assumes the character of Clifford's owner, Emily Elizabeth. She is very creative! Shiloh loves to go to parks and be outside and she wants to know every day where we will go or who will come to our house. It is such a blessing when she chooses to be so kind, sweet, and caring towards others (and luckily this usually includes her brother!). What a wonderful little girl we have and what joy we get in watching her grow and learn! 

Avdon turned one in August. It's so amazing to think that a year ago he was hardly rolling over and now he runs all over! We have had to re-baby proof the house as Avdon finds ways and things to get into that Shiloh still doesn't get in to (such as being on top of the dining room table). He loves climbing, exploring, eating, watching his sister, Kindermusik class, and collecting things and carrying them around. He is always happy if he has a spoon to carry around and usually a cup or bowl to go along with it. Avdon's biggest source of happiness, though, has been Mommy this past year (which means lots of wonderful snuggle time for Mommy!). He just adores being with her and being held by her. We have recently enjoyed watching him come out of his shell, cry less when Mom has to leave him, and wave to anyone he possibly can at church. He doesn't talk as much as Shiloh did at 15 months, but he communicates very well with the few words he does use along with his sign language. Avdon's great laugh and huge smile bring us much joy.

Erin continues part-time work as a home visitor with Head Start and still enjoys the challenge most days. The rest of this year she has spent holding Avdon. That includes through potting training Shiloh, book club, cooking for another session of the Marriage Course at church, making bread, and participating and leading other Bible studies. It's a good thing he is a tiny guy (1st percentile for weight!), and it is a very good thing that she loves to snuggle her baby and to now celebrate his moments of independence! It is also a lot easier to make bread with two available hands, an art she has been working at perfecting with the addition of her wheat mill and Bosch kitchen mixer (7 loaves in 2-3 hours!).

Chris has had a very busy year working for St. John and really expanding his duties at the Lutheran Student Center at UNI. In January he will complete seven years of employment at St. John, and we are so thankful for the opportunity to serve in that place! To switch things up a bit, though, in January he will start a new job working for OneCall, an auto parts store owned by a wonderful man from our church, where he will be providing customer service, and possibly helping to expand some non-profit aspects of the company. While he will deeply miss many aspects of working in full-time ministry, Chris is looking forward to a change in pace, spending evenings and weekends with his family on a more regular basis, and spending more time pursuing his singer/songwriter passion. He experienced an incredible trip to Nashville this September where he got to spend time with most of his musical/spiritual influences and has felt a strong call to keep nurturing his skills and desires to write and play music.


That pretty much sums our year up. We managed to see the completion of the siding on our house, work on some landscaping, live without a shower for a month, enjoy a new shower, and demolish the kitchen walls (they do have insulation for the first time and at least have some drywall up!). We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Colorado visiting family, and somehow had activities going on every weekend of the summer. Thanks for reading and be sure to enjoy the photo slide show below!

Love,
Chris, Erin, Shiloh and Avdon
 

Some snapshots from 2011-Merry Christmas!

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