Adulting

February 24, 2022, Jacob got the key to his first apartment. It has a great view of the pond where we were greeted by three of the cutest ducks.  Pretty sure they were looking for food.  We cleaned and organized for a few hours.  Jacob officially moved in on Feb. 25th...after take-out/movie night. We will miss your sunshine, Jacob, but we're so proud of you!

 

Farewell Illinois

Jamie and Charlie traveled back to Illinois to get Gus, and to oversee the load-out of our home.

The He family...Mason, Jennifer, Lawrence, and Lucas loved on Gus for a month while we got settled.

Randy & Denise treated them to dinner one night.

Best buddies together again...Greg & Charlie.

The movers loved Gus!

This truck didn't even hold it all.  Thankfully, it was able to take off before the snowstorm hit.

Friends are a HUGE blessing! Darrel brought his massive tractor to help load the gun safe.  Randy was there to help, as well.

Moving out ahead of the storm!

 

Local Adventures

We visited a couple parks in the area.  It was amazing to be outside like this in February!

 

Paradise Peninsula

One month later, we moved into a new temporary home.  The setting was just as beautiful on the lake.

Laura doing one of her favorite things...eating!

Valentine cookies from Grandma!

Love this view

This home had a retro video game.

Laura and my favorite spot to soak in some warmth and sunshine.

 

Jenna’s 15!

Happy 15th birthday, Jenna!

Jacob and Jenna enjoying a Sun Drop, a local soda, for her birthday dinner.

Dairy-free icecream cake from Brewsters

Daddy brought her flowers.

Gifts from family and friends arrived in the mail.

 

School!

Jenna's first day at Liberty Prep Christian Academy.

Laura...well, she's off school until we move into a house.

We found our favorite icecream place...even if it is cold outside!

Jenna ironing her school uniforms

Charlie's first day at Cornerstone Christian Academy.

Her favorite uniform piece is the skirt!

 

North Carolina, here we come!

January 7th we left our home in Illinois and arrived on January 8th at our new temporary home in Mooresville, North Carolina.  Jamie surprised us with a house instead of an apartment. Bonus...it was on the lake!!

Jamie said Jacob looked like the Pope up there talking to us!

Charlie's bed

Wouldn't you know it...the worst snow/ice storm in over 5 years occurred the weekend after we arrived.  Everything shut down!

Saturday morning, Jan. 8th, as we crossed the border of our new home state of NC. Yep...with snow. We missed driving in a nasty ice storm by one day. We did hit some icy roads in the mountains the night before, which caused some tense driving, but we made it!

Family and Friends

It was time to start saying our goodbyes to friends and family.  Chillicothe has been an incredible blessing in our lives in ways more numerous than could be mentioned.  We will miss our sweet friends, our favorite local hang-outs, and our home.

Carrie, Angie, Ember, Dawn, Rachel, and Sophia (Safe Families).

Bamboo and Panda went to a new home at the Probyns.

Mr. Lonnie taught small engines to these young men.  This was their final day, first semester.

Jacky and Angie...I will miss our wine evenings and fondue!

Ella visited for a few days before we moved.  It was such a blessing to spend time with her.

Puzzle sorting on Grandma's new mat

Randy & Denise...dear, dear friends.  You have meant the world to us in so many ways.

Jacob and Ella exchanged Christmas gifts.

Dinner out on the town

Bryn, Charlie, & Jacob...final day of small engines

Ella & Jacob.  We wanted to eat at Brasky's once more before we moved.

Papa & Jacob

Clay, Jacob, and Charlie showing off their new shirts, thanks to Carrie.

Gus...aka...Mr. Needy

Papa & Laura

Brasky's

Jacob and Ella hiking through the woods...it was super cold!

Clay, Charlie, Lauren, Jenna, Rebecca, and Hannah at Coffee Hub

The two Jacobs