YEAH!!!

Internet we HAVE!!! :) The cord to transfer pictures from the camera to the computer we do NOT HAVE...as of yet. I think it's in the box in the office, which happens to be right next to Micah's room, where Micah happens to be sleeping! Yes, small miracles that Micah is sleeping. Last night was a battle of wills to get that boy to sleep. Hmmm, does he take after his father who cashes out precisely at 10:20pm nightly or his mother who wishes she could live on no sleep because there's so much she wants to do?? Since we've moved it seems Micah has some good nights but many not so good. We have weakened at times to having him in our bed. A few nights I was tempted to crawl into his crib as I was being kicked in the ribs by the restless sleeping boy. I'm praying that if we stay here for the weekend we can actually get him on a better routine.

Last weekend we jetted to Minneapolis again. We enjoy being closer, but are finding that when we are gone for the weekend we don't get anything done here. At this rate we might be unpacked before Christmas. We have discovered that Micah likes trains. Ok...REALLY likes trains. I guess it's only fitting as his middle name is the same as my dad's. My dad REALLY likes trains too! It was quite comical to watch Micah at my parents last weekend. He would stand by the door to the basement...where MANY trains exist. He would pound on the door until Grandpa would carry him down to run the trains. At one point, my dad set him in the middle of the pingpong table with a train that ran around Micah. Micah was mesmerized. He loved it! I'm quite sure my dad had a good time as well! In fact, I think he's relishing in the fact that FINALLY one of the kids/grandkids has caught the fever! (train fever that is!). While we were in the cities we also had a good time visiting with Steve's family...it's been a while since we've all been together and so good to catch up.

This week has been a blur. I've been working with an old computer at work because the one in my office froze 2 weeks ago. They ordered a new one and at the time, they were thinking they would still be able to get the info off the old one. Good News: today the new computer came. Bad News: old computer...dead...completely dead! There has been talk of sending it to computer people in white coats to dissect & hopefully resurrect what has been lost. Time will tell. Just means the learning curve at work just got much steeper as I now have to learn a new computer and new systems. Exciting...but extremely challenging in the process.

Tomorrow Micah is going to hang out at his new day care for a few hours before he goes for the day on Monday. I'm praying all goes well. I have no question about the day care provider, or the kids at the day care...I'm more concerned about my ambitious son playing fair and being nice. I'll keep you posted!

YIPPPeeeeeeeeee!!!

Yes!!! We have internet at home!!! Thank you Jesus for the small things! I have some fun photos to add later today. I had to run home quick from work so Steve could visit the local Radio Shack to get his cell phone fixed. Yes...we have technology issues everywhere!!! I think he's actually going to lobby for a different one. He hasn't had good luck with this model of cell phone. It's basically a knock-off of a "smartphone" but hasn't proven to be very smart. He's employing one of his baseball techniques...strike 3 your out. Out with the old phone...hopefully home with a new one!

Pictures to come :)

No...it's not the day.

Sadness....Steve said there was absolutely NO SIGN of the internet guy today! What's with this? God has a funny way of teaching me patience!!!

Could today be the day???

I'm wondering if today could ACTUALLY be the day they get DSL hooked up at our house??? The other day it SEEMED to be working. That is until the guy left the house. NOW it looks like it will have to be rewired or something to that effect. I never knew it could be so difficult.

This week the weather has been a bit more mild. Micah and Grandma were actually outside for about an hour yesterday. He has yet to graduate to the sled without sitting in a box. For some reason, when he sits in the sled he doesn't put his hands down and falls over. So, to remedy the situation, we have him sit in a cardboard box IN the sled. Yes, our child cannot escape boxes!

Big accomplishment of the week was that my clothes have come out of the wardrobe boxes they were packed in. AND...the lost slipper is now FOUND. Ahhhhhh life is good.

Hoping to post pictures SOMEDAY. :)

On the internet front

Not much progress on the internet front at home.  Steve is doing his best to get us "connected."  I have reverted to ultimatums...."I'm taking your dish tv until we get internet."  Ahhhh... the supportive, understanding wife that I am.  More like desperate times call for desperate measures!  We have discovered the phone lines in our house are old so DSL is not really capable of running on them.  There are other options...which we are exploring.  Until then...it's hit or miss.

The weekend went by quickly--as they always do.  My dad and brother came up Friday with my mom and took Steve's mom back with them.  Saturday we had our first visitors in Fergus Falls.  Some friends were here from Little Falls to watch their sons/nephews play the Fergus Falls hockey team.  They spent the afternoon with us & Steve was able to go to the game with them.  He now thinks we should get to all the Fergus Falls winter sporting events--at least one game.  We'll see.

Last night we were cracking up at the new vocabulary we are learning as we watch the news.  We are reminded that winter has it's own language in Northern MN.  We discovered that it is "mild" when the temps are in the single digits, "cool" when it is single digits BELOW zero, "chilly" when it's double digits BELOW zero, and "frigid" when it's in the 30 below zero range.  Quite hilarious!

The other EVENT in Fergus Falls is that the Fergus Falls High School Marching Band was chosen to march in the Inaugural Parade.  Yes, it's been the talk of the town.  A huge honor.  Some of the people I work with have kids in the parade so they've been keeping me up to speed on the trip.  

With the grandma's here we've been making the rounds at the dining establishments in Fergus.  It's amazing the extent of the options when you move from a town of 6000 to 16,000!  Don't worry, they still have their share of pizza places.

Micah is teething...AGAIN!!  Poor guy!  I suppose once he gets all his teeth...then they'll start falling out and we'll go through this process again!

Thanks again for all your prayers.  We've managed to unpack a few more boxes and rearrange a few things.  The highlight this week was that I found the corningware dishes and ONE slipper.  I'm hoping next week I'll find the other slipper!

Until next time.....

  

New child care

We are pleased and thankful that we have found someone to watch Micah. She seems like a great person/mom with 2 of her own kids. One about 3 weeks older than Micah and a 2 month old. I'm praying that it all goes well and Micah does well. I'm concerned that I'll go to pick him up one day and she'll say, "I'm sorry, Micah doesn't play well with others." AAAHHHhhhhh. Praying he's a good boy and will obey & play nicely. He'll be there 4 days a week for a little less than 5 hours a day. Steve will watch him the other times until I get home from work. I'll take the night shift and weekends. It's hard for me to leave him but I know this is what has to happen for the time being. I'm praying it all goes ok.

Steve has enjoyed easing into Seminary life. He really enjoyed the sessions this last week and is looking forward to the upcoming weeks. He's also gotten together with some guys to play basketball a couple times. He hasn't come back too mangled for which I'm thankful.

well...again...I keep saying I will try to post pictures...but until our internet works better...looks like you'll just have to imagine them for now.
Thanks for your prayers and support with this whole transition. To say it's been an easy one would be the furthest from the truth. We are getting there....off again...

in spurts...

guess i'll just post in spurts when it seems like I will have a connection. Grrrr. I don't think I'm doing well with Technology. When I was teaching in DeWitt we struggled with our internet the whole first semester. Now, I have the same struggle...just at HOME! Oh...I guess that's not all. At work it seems my computer crashed the other day. Yes...CRASHED. Even the tech guy said he's never seen anything like it. They've ordered me a new computer...so that will be fun! In the meantime...I'm doing all kinds of uncomputer related tasks. It's amazing how much my job is based on the computer however...not just my job, my life!

I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable at work. Granted, the learning curve is still steep, but I'm not feeling quite as overwelmed. I'm so thankful for the person that had the job before me. She's been SOOOOOO helpful. Definitely a Saint!

Micah is adjusting. Still not sleeping everynight, which makes for some interesting days.
ugh...losing connection

Maddening...

It is so maddening that we don't have reliable internet YET!!! Grrrr...I have spent the last 4 nights trying to get us hooked up...HA. One of these days.

We've made it through EXTREMELY cold weather. Yesterday it was 33 below zero. YES. It was brutally cold. On my way to work it was almost surreal. How does it go...what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!?!

Steve had 3 days of J-Term and his mom was an AWESOME help to stay with us for the week. She was a real sport with having to be cooped up inside all week. Micah loved watching the birds and dogs through the window...as well as playing in the house with her. Today my mom came up and Steve's mom went home. My mom will watch Micah next week when Steve has an intensive course. Then Steve will have a week off before he starts on Feb. 2. PRAISE THE LORD...we've found someone to watch Micah.

more later...must post before I lose it...

Not enough time...

Ok...so there never seems to be enough time in my day! Go figure huh? I've yet to get the internet working to full capacity. But, you take what you can get! Speaking of taking what you can get: this morning my car read -22 degrees on the way to work...and still dropping. Yes... that is a MINUS before the 22. It has been cold and looks like it will continue to get colder as the week goes on. There is SUNSHINE! That's always the perk with extremely cold weather...sun!

We continue to slowly sort through stuff. Uncovering things we didn't realize we kept, yet not able to track down things we are really looking for...like my SLIPPERS. We will get there. We made a quick trip to Minneapolis on Saturday. We are thankful we are closer to family so we can do more spontaneous trips like that. Steve's mom is watching Micah this week while Steve starts J-Term which goes through Wednesday. Next week my mom will come to watch Micah when Steve has another intensive course. We are praying we can have someone in place for Day Care by Feb. 2 when Steve starts full-time. We are hoping to only have Micah in day care about 20 hours a week. Steve will watch him the rest of the time until I come home from work. Then Steve will have the evenings and weekends to do his studies...and whatever time Micah decides to sleep in the afternoon. (If Micah decides to sleep!!)

Micah has been adjusting. I think it's been good for him to have Grandma here. Another face in the house is nice...I think he got used to having lots of people around and now that he's just with mom & dad it's an adjustment. We have found that he really...yes REALLY...likes Grandpa Powell's trains. In fact, he would stand by the basement door and moan until Grandpa would bring him downstairs. I think my mom might even re-learn how to run them to keep her little grandson happy! I'll try to post pictures one of these days!

I seem to be getting a little more comfortable in my job. The learning curve is VERY STEEP right now as I'm learning so many new things. Thankfully the woman who had the job before me has been AWESOME at directing me through emails. She probably wonders if she has ever left! Through all of this she has also become a dear friend. I often think how fun it would be if we could tag-team the position. The rest of the staff--including the president who I work for--have been great, understanding, and patient! I am very grateful for their flexibility and understanding.

Last night I braved the cold to go to the grocery store. It's the little things like that that are monumental. Trying to learn where things are, how the store operates, etc. I don't know as I've ever shopped at a grocery store that doesn't let you take the carts in the parking lot. They have some sort of drive up. Then the question...do you tip the people?? It was frigid and late...and I didn't know any better...so what do you do? I tipped! Hopefully it made the older man's night. Speaking of night...it's open 24 hours!! What will I do when I don't have to quick run to the grocery store before it closes at 9pm!?!

Well...thought I should let you know we haven't fallen off the face of the earth...or frozen into the tundra! More to come...hopefully soon :)

Waiting for Internet

Ugh...the waiting to get life "hooked up" is really not that LONG in the grand scheme of things. However, when you are used to internet at your fingertips, it can seem borderline an eternity. We are hoping that Thursday they will be able to "flip the switch" and have us connected. Steve is managing ok without ESPN too...barely. Tomorrow I think is when he gets reconnected to that lifeline. He's been a good sport about it all. We continue to adjust and unpack. Micah had a pretty rough night last night. We're not sure what kept him up most of the night...but whatever it was kept us up too. After taking our "shifts" of staying awake with him, he finally slept from about 6-8am. We're praying for a better night tonight. That's the nutshell version of life. I am getting adjusted to my new job. It was sad yesterday to think that my students (former students) were walking into the same room but a different teacher. Again, I know this is all for the best and I have complete confidence that the teacher who took my place will do well. As soon as we're hooked up, I'll send out a few more photos. The weather has warmed up to a balmy 10 degrees but with the beautiful sunshine one hardly notices. (ok...so maybe you still notice since you can see your breath!)

We made it...

We arrived in Fergus Falls on Jan.1. We unloaded and are STILL unpacking. Will it ever end?? The weather cooperated on our trip here. Since we've arrived we were welcomed in MN fashion. Saturday we enjoyed 6 inches of snow to shovel. That added to the 40 they already have! Then Sunday we were able to get in on that MN cold...-15 plus a windchill (yes, that's a minus).

More to come with pictures...Thanks for all your prayers, help & support. We have definitely needed it!

Happy New Year...we're getting there..in Mpls.