July 16th Update

Wow, how things have changed in six weeks’ time!!  The big news is that we have relocated to 1550 E French Line Rd, Carsonville.  We purchased our home 7/1/13 and are now south of Sandusky, only about 6 miles from town – ALL PAVED ROADS!!!  We had been keeping our eye out for houses, but not looking too serious.  Basically if the right house came along, we would act on it but otherwise we were content where we were.  It was a very stressful month of packing, moving, getting a mortgage and dealing with appraisals and unpacking, but I’m happy to say we are all settled in and almost every box is unpacked.  The kids really like the new house and had no problems with the transition.  We now have the old house up for sale.  It is bittersweet, but mostly sweet.  Our new house is 3 bedrooms, 2 bath with a full finished basement complete with my own scrapbooking room/office and exercise room!  We also have a garage with a garage door opener as well as a detached garage a.k.a man cave.  We are on 5 beautiful wooded acres with a pond.  We are very happy with our decision and pray that it was the right one for our family.  It was a risky move, considering we still own the other house and the housing market is not that great right now.  However, we feel that this was the direction that God wanted us to take.  Here are a few pictures of the house.

 view from the front

 playset for the kiddos

 A garage for me and one for Tom too!

 The backyard is very picturesque

 more of the back yard

 nature trail leading to our own little getaway

 path to the back of the property

 Here it is...our little slice of heaven!

 complete with a firepit!

 are you noticing all the PHOTO OPS back here?!?!?  I sure did!

  Main floor

 living room

We were very fortunate to purchase a house that was partially furnished that needed absolutely nothing - not even paint!!!

Blake finished his T-ball season in June and he really enjoyed it this year.  I must say it was more enjoyable for Tom and I as well.  Last year seemed like such a long season and Blake seemed to have a harder time focusing.  This year, he was much more attentive and did a really good job.  Cora finished her swim lessons and can’t wait to start again.  She did a really good job and loves the water.  They will both start lessons again in October.  We’ve gone on only one camping trip so far this summer.  We went to Caseville with Dad & Lyn and Jody & Brian and the girls the last weekend in June.  The kids had such a great time playing together.  We also had a couple of graduation parties in June for Tom’s cousins – Mike Wracan and Ben Edwards.  We also got to meet up with Chuck and Jennell when they were in Michigan on July 3^rd. 

So, what is new with Blake and Cora?  Again, I’m kicking myself for not writing this stuff down.  These kids crack me up on a daily basis and still continue to amaze me with their smarts and wit.  The one that comes to mind is Cora and eggs.  She wanted me to make her eggs, “the way you eat them mom…when you dip your toast in the oil.”  “Oil?” I asked.  “Yeah, that yellow stuff in the eggs – oil.” J  I’m not sure where she comes up with this stuff!

Blake continues to ask questions that I wouldn’t expect him to ask for a couple years now!  He always wants to know the details and “why”.  Of course, this certainly isn’t a bad thing.  He told me the other night that he wants to be a scientist when he grows up, and maybe a cop too – in his free time.

Other news is that I am an aunt again!  Jeff and Tricia welcomed Sophia Grace Regentin to the world on Sunday, July 14^th.  She was 5lb, 15oz and 19” long.  Tiny!!  The kids are very excited and can’t wait to meet her.  When I told the kids, Blake’s questions went something like this –

Blake -  “What’s her first name?”

Me – “Sophia”

Blake – “What’s her middle name?”

Me – “Grace”

Blake – “What’s her last name?”

Me – “Regentin”

Blake – “What’s her nickname?”

Me – “She doesn’t have one yet!”

Like I said, he always wants to know the details!  He is such a thinker too.  For father’s day this year, I helped the kids make a book for their dad “All About My Dad.”  They had to answer several questions about their dad’s demographics as well as his likes/dislikes, etc.  I did a book from each of them, so I questioned each of them on their own.  When I questioned Cora, she would shoot the answer out instantly.  Then there was Blake…he had to mull over every question and think it out, and then rethink it again. He just had to make sure he had the right answer and make sure he thought each question through and through.  It was cute.  Just a way to see the uniqueness in their personalities.

The kids have been playing really well together.  I don’t know if it’s their ages or because its summer vacation and they are spending more time together.  The only boxes not unpacked are a few boxes of toys and they haven’t even noticed that all their toys aren’t unpacked yet.

Blake will be turning six at the end of the month.  August will be kind of quiet for us, I think.  We will be having a garage sale to get rid of lots of stuff and maybe we will squeeze in a camping trip.

Before we know it, it will be “back to school time.”  Yikes.  How does this happen so quickly?  Blake will be going into first grade and my baby girl will be starting pre-school.  It really is hard to believe -  especially after holding a newborn baby the other day.  Time really does fly and it is so precious.