From the Northland to the Midwest

The past month has proven to be a whirlwind of change and transition for our little family!  July 1, Josh began a new job at St Lukes Hospital in Duluth, we enjoyed the fourth in Canada with some friends and came back home to a message from one of Josh's old classmates that there was a job in Des Moines that he really needed to look at.  We dismissed it in the beginning as we were very happy where we were and looking forward to a nice relaxing summer.  However, the Lord prodded our hearts and as we prayerfully considered it we were moved to send in a resume--just to see what might happen.  Literally in less than a week, Josh interviewed, negotiated and accepted a job at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.  We hit the ground running and by 8/8/08 our lives were packed up and we were leaving our home, church family and friends in the Northland and heading for the Midwest!

In the midst of this our 11th anniversary arrived.  For a special anniversary treat, Josh and I hiked a couple of miles to a raspberry patch near a trout stream that he had found earlier in the season.  We picked berries for a couple of hours then went to take a break by the stream.  As we returned to the patch we saw this mama deer standing protectively by the patch, as we got closer we realized that her two babies were creeping to our buckets in an attempt to steal our berries!!!

Minnesota GOLD!

We managed to pick enough wild raspberries for a batch of jam!  We also found some thimbleberries and blueberries to snack on along the trail.

Iowa GOLD!!!

When we arrived in Iowa, the sweet corn was in full swing--YUMMY!!

We just had to take the traditional Iowa family photo in the corn!

Pheasant over the corn--hunting season is not far off!

A week before we left I had the very difficult task of saying goodbye to the little ones I have come to love in my daycare.

Katie had a goodbye party with her friends.  Stella the dog and a bubble gun served as the entertainment at the house--then we went out for a cruise in the cruiser and a round of miniature golf.  It was a great day, although the good bye part of it was quite sad!

Katie's last moments in her very own room.  She had been distraught for weeks about leaving her friends and this was the straw that broke the camel's back--she cried for a good hour--we were all in tears before she was finished!

Micah has set his heart on a new career choice--he now plans to become a professional mover.  The movers were very patient with their little shadow and the constant stream of questions coming from him.  They even let him tape a few boxes.

Okay--so, even though it appears that Josh is completely basking in the moment and letting the movers do all the hard stuff--in reality I could only hold him here long enough to snap a picture before he was up and stressing about the next thing that needed to done.

The Moon over our home in Minnesota the night before we left.

Sunrise in Iowa the next day--and a new life begins....

A part of our hearts will always belong in the northland--with those we have come to love there--our church family, all my sweet babies, our wonderful neighbors and friends.......We love you!!!