Loading Day!

Silence...

Well, the end of one part of the crazy is near.  I'm in Texas helping to get the house packed up, to close on the house Wednesday, and then to fly to Ecuador next Sunday with J.  I'm tired!  And the house is too big and quiet!  I have to admit though, that after the month I have had, the silence is somewhat soothing.  Since I have no TV or Internet, I looked at and watched old pics and videos of Ry.  It was a good reminder of why we are doing what we are doing...taking a step back, slowing down, and enjoying life.  Just even being back for a couple of days has reminded me of that.

I had a group of girlfriends over last night to hang out one last time.  I'll miss my friends here, but I know that Katie is waiting on the other end and there are new friendships in store.  My friends Sarah, Audra, and Megan gave me silhouettes of the kids...

PRECIOUS!!!  These will forever be treasured.

You know, as much as I have kind of rolled my eyes about no preschool this year for CJ and only 8-10:45 Kinder for Ry, I'm reminded continuously that this is what I want.  I'm beginning to get excited about exploring our new digs with both my kiddos.  The seasons, the metro parks, downtown...there is so much to do!  And they are only little for so long.  And we have them under our wing for such a short amount of time.  And I don't want to have regrets.  SO, even though I will have days of wanting to wring their little necks ;), you all can remind me that life is too short to be frustrated, impatient, or too busy for the people I love.  I'm keeping them home and close as long as I can :-)!

❤

 

Yay Ry!!!!

SO bummed I missed this moment!

Sand Angel

Whee....

____Eckel

Up North Michigan ❤

My silly and crazy 2 year old!

Glen Arbor Miniature Golf

Four wheelin' sibling fun, brownie batter lickin' yum, lunch chillin' in the sun, up north days are so much fun!

Hotel living

Chik-fil-a

Feeling some familiar comfort only about a mile from our new home.

Orange Leaf in Ohio!

Orange Leaf made us happy in Texas!  So glad to see one near Missi and Pops!

Puppy love!

CJ loves Rocky!

2013. The year of emotion.

J and I were discussing the past 6 months the other night and I was expressing how emotional it has been.  Jason said something to the effect of, "that means we are living a full life."  I'm still trying to wrap my head around that one.  There are so many choices that we make in life.  I sure hope and pray that we are making the right ones.  I felt for the first time the other night that we were.  I have always felt like moving was the "right" thing to do, but I kinda got the yes, for sure, this is it feeling the other night.

My sweet Grandma peacefully passed away tonight.  This was the only picture I could find on my phone.  She was my last grandparent on my side.  It feels very bittersweet because I feel all 4 of their united love so very strongly, but I wish I would have gotten more time now that we are back home.  I know they are all so happy together in a place that we can only imagine.  

Coincidence that we are here, have bought a house, were able to go visit and talk to her?  I think not.  God is so good. A good friend said "I'm so sorry. No doubt now that you are EXACTLY  where God wants/needs you to be. ❌⭕". So true.

Life is a roller coaster no doubt.  And if what my amazing husband says is true, I welcome the emotion that comes with living a full life.  Whether it means crying my eyes out when driving away from a best friend or crying when driving up to another best friends home and seeing how excited her family was to see us and know how close we will now be, I realize that this emotion means that there is a whole lot of love in my life.  I love hard which means I also hurt hard.  However, knowing that through it all I have a rock to lean on that I can fully entrust my life to, is a feeling that I would not trade for anything.  Thank you God for love, family, friends, but most importantly, you.

Ry and Caroline

LOVE!

Build A Bear

On Monday, Kelli and I took the kids to Build A Bear so that the kids could make best friend bears.  CJ and Anns chose bunnies and Ry chose a teddy bear for him and Ezra. 

The gang looking at the fluffy stuffing.

CJ is eagerly awaiting her turn.

Waiting with Ms. Kelli.

Ry practicing the heartbeat to put into the "Rylan Bear" to give to Ezra.

Giving "Annslee Bunny" hugs.

Mommy will never forget this special day!

...and we are off...

We just left church and our Ecuador meeting and are heading to Baton Rouge tonight.  It should be a 4.5-5 hour drive we think.  That will get a good chunk out of the way with a possibility of reaching Cincinnati tomorrow night depending how everyone does tomorrow.

Wow, it's been a hectic and tough few days.  Many tears have been shed with the women that I have grown to love like family.  My heart aches but God has great plans in store for the Eckel family.  I trust Him and am looking forward to see what's in store for us.

First sleepover

Rylan is at his first sleepover at Ezra's house.  We celebrated Ezra's 1/2 bday today (they have a 1/2 bday party instead because he has a Dec 27 bday).  It was a blast.  Apparently Ry gets to sleep in the box tonight!  It's going to be a tough few days of goodbyes.

the boys

My little comedian.

"Mommy, look at me!"  Does this mean I can officially send her to the circus?

Cars!

Painting Ceramics

Today we hung with our besties and enjoyed some painting fun!  Rylan painted a car bank and CJ painted a cupcake/candle stand.  Mommy made a hand print plate.  Can't wait to see them in a week!