I’m sitting on my bed this morning next to Job who is working in his new math workbook. He’s very excited about it. I am grateful that he is excited because Silas is anything but excited about doing schoolwork ever. Yes, it’s summer. Yes, most of my kids are still doing math. Job is the only one who is ahead of the game at this point.
Mabel is trying to decide between a diaper and unnies this morning and wondering what’s for breakfast. (She went with the diaper. Sigh.) I have a million things on my mind, breakfast not being one of them. We are in the midst of contemplating an out of state move, Jonny having had a second interview early this week and another coming up soon (two different states). I’m trying to plan a homeschool year around all the possibilities, and help my oldest son who starts community college in August to come up with a plan as well. I’m a little bit emotional all the time. Beware to friends who run into me at the grocery store and ask how it’s going….
And of course, there is regular daily life going on while we wade through all this unknown. Mabel turned three a little over a week ago and we had the best time celebrating her birthday and hosting a surprise 18th birthday party for our sweet friend, Phoebe. We typically celebrate birthdays in the morning, so it worked out to focus on Mabel in the morning and then shift into decorating and preparing for the surprise party after lunch.
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Mabel loves books, and also asked for a pony for her birthday. I’ll add the books that we chose to my sidebar, but tell you that this copy of The Three Little Kittens was her favorite. Thank you, Kelli for recommending it in a comment a couple of posts back! And Martha, you recommended this stable play set-perfect! That covered the pony request!
Mabel is such an enthusiastic little girl and has been from the time she was a baby. She sang happy birthday to herself along with the rest of us and was just thrilled. She didn’t mind that her cake wasn’t anything fancy (my older girls were dismayed at how pitiful they thought her three little candles looked.) The recipe was the same that I made for her first birthday. It’s simple and pairs well with berries and whipped cream. Later in the day, we had homemade ice cream and cream cheese pie for Phoebe’s celebration, so there were plenty of sweets.
My kids had a great time decorating for the surprise party. I am not a big decorator, so this was a lot of fun and felt very special. Telling Phoebe that she had to make an appearance at Mabel’s birthday party proved to be the perfect cover for her own surprise! Phoebe’s mom is one of my best friends and we had lots of fun plotting and planning. I guess we’ll never know just how truly surprised Phoebe was, but we think we got her… I loved the double celebration and I love both of these birthday girls.
nadya kotik says
I love the dress on Mabel. Is it the same pattern Geranium Dress Made by Rae? Sorry if you already answered this on other posts. Thanks!
Heather Schwarzen says
Another voice who has managed interstate moves (4), cross country moves (2), and an international move (1). It’s stressful, it’s daunting… and it’s doable. God knows the details and I will pray that He gives you a wide, clear path to follow! (And I’m in East Tennessee, in case He sends you this direction!)
Vera says
May God’s blessing surround you each day
As you trust Him and walk in His way
May God’s gift from above fill your life with love
Go in peace
Go in joy
Go in love.
Bindy in Australia says
HI Ginny,
Thanks for sharing the lovely birthday pics and stories.
Possible move…erk! My stress levels went up (in sympathy) as soon as I read that. Not that I hate moving, per se, but your life is so very home-focused that moving house to another state sounds like a very big deal. I hope and pray for lots of support for you and Johnny as you make decisions and discern the way forward.
Love, Bindy in Melbourne.
Julie says
Please note that all of your friends on this blog are hoping that you will move to their state. No matter where you go, and if you do or don’t go, you will always have friends…God makes certain of this, that Hos Grace is felt powerfully through the bonds of friendship. Also, please consider Michigan.?
Julie says
His, not Hos. Proofread Julie, Proofread.???
Antonia says
My circumstances are different, but I’m rather emotional lately too – that could be me at the grocery story. ?
The tablecloth is extraordinary! Where did you get it?
RITA says
Hope your move is somewhere else in the south or the midwest. Please, God, that it is not California. I live in Northern California and can barely afford it. The LA area and the Bay Area [San Francisco to San Jose] are the most expensive. My daughter just moved out in March and now lives in Idaho and absolutely loves it. But, whatever happens you will survive with your good common sense and the helping hand of the Lord. Your “new” house is beautiful and I can imagine the misgivings and heartache involved in even the thought of leaving. I will pray for you all. Mabel looks delighted as she should be at turning THREE!!
Gwen says
Oh how exciting. I think if it weren’t for all the work in decluttering I would move every year. I love changes. I guess that’s why I move my furniture around frequently. So excited for you. Maybe Iowa?? Ha! I’ll be praying for you. You never know. This new state might be where your kids find their mates. Your house looks very pretty and I loved the pictures.
Cathy says
I love Mabel’s expression with her crown and cake, so sweet.
And the stars for decorations are very cool.
I can feel some anxiety for you but the Lord knows the way we take. Hugs.
Kelli Ramey says
I am so glad she likes the book.
That may be the prettiest table cloth that I have ever seen.
karen says
If you are moving to PA ask me what you want to know. I pray that wherever you go you will be beyond happy with the adventure. I’ve moved many time (pa to oh to tx to mi to pa) Mostly in early marriage years.
MELISSA NICHOLS says
I know that feeling of uncertainty as we went through it two years ago when we moved from Vermont to North Carolina. So much change all at once was just overwhelming, and wondering all the while if we were doing the right thing for the kids. Hoping for your situation that the path is very clear.
Kristin says
Ginny I will pray for your beautiful family. I just did a cross country move (Virginia to California… we’ve been here two weeks) for a new job for my husband. It’s scary and exciting at the same time, and definitely a lot of work. Prayers for finding peace, however it turns out!
Katie says
oh Ginny, I will definitely be thinking of you and your family and keeping you all in my prayers! We did a major move about 6 months ago and we are still adjusting. We definitely felt led to move and things have fallen into place beautifully, but I am still an emotional wreck! I feel your pain mama. sigh. It is a very stretching experience and each day I try to be open to growth. p.s. We also have that sweet little stable at our house and it has been cherished for years!
Pamela Hans says
I’m looking at Mabel’s photos and I’m aghast at how grown she looks. My grandson was 3 in March (you know I’ve paired them together) and it just seems like the time goes so fast. I’’m so shocked at the news of your possible move. It feels like you just got settled there. I will keep you in my prayers for a peaceful journey.
Joan says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOEBE The decorations are beautiful. Love the strawberries and the cake looks yummy.
Joan
Marilyn says
Thank you for sharing the Mabel and Phoebe’s birthdays. It looks like a good time was had by all. The animal house is cute. The cake looks delicious. It is hard to believe that Mabel is three years old.already. Where does the time go?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MABEL
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHOEBE
Marilyn
Marion says
Mabel you are such a big girl now. HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY. Blessings and happiness to you. Ginny I will pray for you and your family to be guided by the right decision on the move.
Marion
Kate says
We moved from California to Ohio two years ago. It was one of the best things for our family. My boys love their new home state and have made more friends than they had in CA. The sale of the house and the move were drama free, but moving is never easy. We probably lost half a year of homeschooling from it and I had my two boys repeat their grades (not a big deal for them). I found that is was not the actual move, but the packing that is awful. The bright side is that you get to declutter; the downside is that you have to declutter. My friends who’ve had their moves paid for my an employer can’t praise professional packers enough. It really takes some of the chaos out of uprooting and displacement.
I’ll pray that all goes well for you!
Barbara Waldron says
Happy Birthday Mabel. A big girl now.
Lots of changes and mental energy required now with a potential move. I will be praying for you. I feel like such a part of your world because of your blog. The Lord be with you in all these days. Follow His lead. ?
Tisha Friesen says
The home in the picture is so beautiful. Idelic really. You are in the midst of much change and I will pray now for your family.
Alva Clark says
My husbands job was moved from Scotland to California in 2000. Our youngest son was finished school and due to,start university , he was accepted in Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen and we took him all the way to,USA. (I don’t think we have been forgiven!) but we are back in Scotland and he has married and has two darling baby girls and lives in Idaho. They are visiting us in two weeks time and we are so,excited about them coming, his wife’s first visit to the UK.
It was a huge move, lots of anxiety, but treat it as an adventure. I found it a very hard to re-locate, but made lots of new friends, had lots of family visits and had new experiences. It will work out Ginny, the Lord has often gone on before, trust in him. Xx
Emily DeArdo says
Oh my gosh how is Mabel THREE?! Wasn’t she just a baby? But what an adorable girl she is! I love her enthusiasm. She takes after my own heart. 🙂
Prayers for you guys as you try to figure out all these big things! (Including math!)
Donna says
Ahhh…your life is so exciting! You may get to move to another state?! Wow. What an adventure! It will be fun for you. Just wait and see! Sure it will be change for all. But with all your skills and your outlook on life, I am sure you will enjoy the journey.
Your baby turned three! I loved the pictures of her party. She is just a doll baby. Seeing the differences of each of your children is interesting. As all kids are different. For me it was not as easy to see in the midst of the raising my kids. But it is distinct reading about yours. I miss having a house full of kids. But I also am loving the quiet, the true serenity I experience. Just the age for it, I guess. I enjoy your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Becky Miller says
Can I please ask where you got the paper stars that are hanging from your ceiling. They’re gorgeous!
Maggie says
Moving is hard, especially if it’s by necessity, not by choice. Wishing you all the strength you need!
Martha says
Oh, I’m so delighted to see that little stable in your home! I hope she loves it as much as our Philippa (and all the children) have. I cannot believe the mental jungle gym it must be to contemplate such a big move with all the factors involved, meanwhile carrying on “normal” life! I’ll be praying for you guys in this process of discerning. I can only imagine the overwhelm and emotion. DO keep us posted, I’m sure you will when the time is right. I would so miss seeing your little usual homestead, though change is always exciting on some level. Trite as it sounds, it is a true comfort that the Lord knows best and He is the one who goes before us.
Elizabeth says
Oh that is so hard potentially moving! Prayers for you all! What sweet Sweet pictures!!! Big hugs. You are doing wonderful in all of this, hang in there, God has a plan and I will pray for you all today! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Myriam Legault says
I’m going to Southern Ontario. I’m originally from Northern Ontario, but haven’t lived in Canada for 8 years! I’m sure it will be quite the adjustment… 🙂 Where are you from?
Sophie says
Spent the first 30 years in Quebec.
Now in Alberta.
Happy transition to you.
Sophie
Myriam says
We’re also on the brink of a big move – from Guatemala to Canada – and the feeling of anxiety/excitement is constant. It’s kinda fun, and kinda scary, no?
Sophie says
Oh Myriam,
the weather will be very different…
But Canada is a great great place.
Which part of Canada are you moving to?
Canadian Sophie