At last...

Not sure I fully grasped how different moving would be when your family is bigger and older. Maybe it's just my older age but it has been an exhausting month to be sure! I can't believe that it's been a month ago already that we became homeowners again. As to be expected, it's been a somersault of emotions as we've begun to develop a new kind of normal for this DeWilde family.

When we took possession of our house, we decided to spend one week painting and cleaning before we moved in any of our belongings. Without appliances, it was tricky to say the least. If you can't make it with a crockpot, coffee pot or fry pan, it ain't gettin' made! Thank goodness God loaned us a "walk-in freezer/fridge combo" to use for the two-weeks it took to get our appliances.

 Derrick, Aliya & I spent the whole week up getting situated while Madison & Breanne stayed at grandpa & grandma's house finishing their last week of school at Pipestone schools. The girls were SO excited to finally be in a home that was ours again! We were so thankful to have a place to stay with grandpa & grandma, but Derrick really missed being away from his four girls mostly every week.

 The girls quickly picked out colors for their rooms and we set to work getting bedrooms painted. We enjoyed many a "picnics" in the porch and sleeping bag parties in their new rooms.

 On Monday, Madison & Breanne left to finish their last week of school in Pipestone.
Madison was honored on her last day of school by being awarded the "Terrific Kid" award. We were so bummed to miss it, but she was well supported by her grandpas and grandmas. Mrs. Torkelson was sad to see her leave Hill Elementary.
Aliya was so bummed to be flying solo with just mom around during the day. A highlight for her was opening her present from grandma Barb and she quickly memorized the stories told in her new "laptop." Breanne said it was no fair because no only was the laptop pink, it has a mouse.

In my estimation, the best part of our new home is the 4-season porch. There's nothing like waking up in the morning, turning on the fireplace and watching the sun come up. Coffee, sunrise, Bible and God...priceless!

Move in Day was very efficient but busy. We were blessed with 16 people to help us get the storage unit emptied and carried into the house. It went pretty quickly even when though it's pretty stressful to see your home in boxes. Slowly, we've gotten everything unpacked and still manage to wonder..."where is..." I guess it happens. You're bound to loose somethings when you move.

Our neighborhood is very friendly and we blessed with 15 kids in our culdesac! It's a party everyday after school around here. Madison and Breanne are both doing well adjusting to their third school this school year. They've made some friends and even get to ride the bus with the other kids in the neighborhood. Pitching the trampoline was a magnet for making new friends...they seem to come out of the woodwork.

Since moving in and unpacking the bikes, Aliya's decided she is a manic on her little bike. Before this crazy warm weather came in, she would be out no matter what pedaling her bike around...socks, hat, flip-flops and all. It's so fun to see her pick up skills seemingly overnight.

Before we moved out of my parents' home in Pipestone. The Sechler cousins came to visit us for the week. The big girls got to go on a date with grandpa. He said it was pretty wild! I can only imagine! When they got home, the all had a turn to show off their reading skills by reading the Bible with grandpa.