Goodbye to the Garthes

We will never be able to thank the Garthes enough for all they have done for us in the last 3.5 years.  They are the best landlords in the world and I am so thankful God ordained us to spend our first years of marriage there.  (I am so thankful God had other plans even when we put a deposit down on another apartment.  He truly knows whats best for us!)  There is so much to say!  I decided to add an excerpt from my journal as I was trying to process the feelings of moving, saying goodbye, buying and remodeling a new house (and moving into the farm and then into the migrant housing.  When it is all said and done, we will have moved three times!)

June 2nd, 2013:  "I was doing good (keeping my emotions in check.)  The busyness of packing side tracked me.  But when Aaron and I returned and cleaned it was different.  Seeing it empty was strange. It really hit me once I reached the nursery.  I choked up and am still choking up.  that room holds so many memories of trials, hardships, joys, laughter, frustrations, firsts, smiles and hours and hours of our time.  It represented change, transition and motherhood.  It was a prison, it was used to grow me, it was a gift and it held my heart in it."

Saying goodbye to the bay.  It was so wonderful to live on the lake!

                                               Malachi touches lake Michigan for the first time...not a huge fan!

Saying goodbye to our neighbors, Kim, Tom, Michael and Maleia

             "Oh, hello mother.  Yes, I am just doing some light reading while I watch you pack."

 "No really, it looks like you have the packing under control..this book is too good to put down!"

                                                           Helping daddy pack

Where did all this stuff come from?!

Thank you Jose and Augestine for helping us move!

                                                                      The Garthes <3

Memorial Day Weekend

  We had a busy but fun weekend!  We got to spend more time with our newest cousin, Clara.  She is growing fast just like the rest of us!  Mommy and I drove to GR for a quick trip for cousin Vanessa's first birthday.  I made sure mommy knew I was not a happy camper in the car on the way down.  She used very interesting techniques to try to entertain me.  We had a good time at the party and enjoyed seeing family and friends.  We came home in time to spend one more day with the Spinniken cousins.  I was a much happier boy in the way home, thanks to lots of prayers.  A special thanks to cousin Vanessa for letting me play with Sophie the Giraffe on the car ride home.  She is great to chew and slobber on :)

-Malachi

Cousin Clara

Me and my newest cousin

                        Mamas and babies.  Wouldn't be half the mother I am without 

                                 these women and all their love, help and support!

Malachi took a bath and then took a nap.  This is how we found his hair. :)

Happy Birthday Vanessa!

So many pictures! :)

Me and Grandpa Deal

Style'n!

I love my daddy!

Going on a walk with Cousin Walter and Uncle AJ

Auntie Lauren helping push the stroller through the orchard on our walk :)

Blossoms

Malachi and I love walking outside.  Having the trees in bloom has been an added bonus!  It has been so much fun showing him spring and listening for the hum of the bees pollenating the buds.  Daddy brought Malachi along with him while he worked on scouting orchards.  He showed him the ropes and the view was spectacular!  We were on a bluff over looking Suttons Bay surrounded by white trees in bloom and the setting sun.  Oh yeah, this is why we live here.  I was starting to wonder this winter. ;0)

Bees doing their job

Hanging with daddy, learning how to inspect for any tree damage :)

                                                                     Gorgeous view

<3

                                           Hey bubs, daddy is trying to teach you about the leaves!

Some body has eyes for mommy instead <3

So gorgeous!