Lake Michigan

What I really wanted to do during the shutdown was to take a trip to see lighthouses. (Surprise, Surprise!)  I contacted my cousin in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and lined up a place to stay with them.  We had no idea how long the shut down would last, but we decided the sooner we took off, the better.  We listened to general conference in the car on Saturday.  On the way we stopped by Grand Lake, Ohio, which has three lighthouses.  James attended priesthood session that evening with my cousin.  It was fun to hang out with them for a while.  I've been in the DC area for 15 years, and really haven't had any family live close. 

The weather was pretty interesting for our trip down Lake Michigan.  It was cold and wet and windy, so after our first lighthouse stop, we purchased some hats and ponchos, to be better prepared for our trip.  By the end of the next day, it was 80 degrees, and there were people out in swimsuits on the beach. The Grand Haven Lighthouse was under construction, but we were there at sunset and compensated by a fabulous water show as the waves crashed against the pier.  We climbed sand dunes, and enjoyed the rocks, shells, birds, and other 'treasures' along the beach.  Some of the leaves were changing along the way to add to the beautiful scenery.  The best part was spending this extra time with my amazing husband.

First Things First

October 1 James and I went into work just long enough to complete our timesheets, set up an out of office message, get our plants, and whatever else we needed to do to conduct an orderly shutdown.  As long as the shutdown doesn't last for too long, the time off of work isn't a terrible thing.  Tuesday we went to Lowes to get our shed.  We (i.e. James) did some more planning and prep work for the base, and Thursday we had two friends over to help us build a new shed.  No longer do we have the embarrassing rust trap out back off its base, but now a respectable looking shed.  I won't lie.  It was a lot of work... and I did very little of the heavy lifting.  I'm glad that I have an office job!  Or at least I still think I have an office job....  

 

 

Huntley Meadows

Sunday walks are the best.  Especially when you see frogs and turtles along your way.

 

The Miracle of Life

This week we have been dealing with a variety of loss.  Grandpa Butikofer passed away.  I am grateful to have met him, and am grateful for the legacy of faith and testimony that he left.  James is particularly grateful that his grandfather is now reunited with his sweetheart.

I am in the midst of my second miscarriage.  I postponed getting the physical care I needed.  After a trip to the emergency room, I realized that this is not going to be a simple process.  And that I need help.  I still have more follow-up visits, but am grateful for the help I was able to get, and am more confident that I am on the road to recovery now.  Our first miscarriage was a fairly quick discovery - no heartbeat on our first ultrasound.  The concern this time has been more drawn out... with some light, then heavier, then extremely heavy bleeding.  We were hopeful for a while that things might still be okay.  While one miscarriage is often "normal" and I was told not to be concerned, I have found this second miscarriage to be quite depressing.  I am of course concerned what it may mean for additional chances to have a successful pregnancy.  I have also had other difficult emotions to deal with.  It took me a little while to realize the source.  In 2005 I had someone I love die.  In 2007 I met someone, and found many similarities to the relationship and the circumstances.  I had a fear that he might too die, but told myself that there was no need to make that comparison and that it was an unreasonable expectation.  Unfortunately I did experience that double whammy of a loss.  With my first pregnancy, my brother and his wife were also pregnant at the same time.  "Ironically" they also miscarried at the same time.  With this recent pregnancy, another brother and his wife are also pregnant.  In addition to my own heartache, I have been distraught that they too might experience a similar loss.  There are things we can control and things we cannot.  I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven.  It is supremely comforting to know that He is in control.  He knows our weaknesses, our fears, our perspectives, and what we need.  I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost.  I am so grateful for the priesthood power.  I am so grateful for eternal families. I am so grateful for the many reminders of how precious this life is.   I am so grateful for first, second, and third chances. 

Primary Field Day and Dyke Marsh

Making Pickles

I'm not a big pickle fan, but my husband makes some awesome bread and butter pickles.

 

 





Labor Day Weekend

We debated about going camping, but with Labor Day being the first weekend we had the children in our home overnight, we decided to say local and work on settling in.  Turned out that we did a fair bit of exploring as well.  We had a lot of fun going clothes shopping, planting grass, going fishing, going to church, playing games, and visiting Great Falls.

Happy Birthday James

James got a fishing pole for his birthday.  For his birthday, he wanted to cook with his dutch ovens. 

We had a lot of fun with friends.  I have an awesome husband.  Not only does he cook, but he cleans too!

 

One year in court

Right after our wedding, James and I submitted a request with the courts to have the custody agreement changed.  Even though he had moved, the children's mother was not willing to let them come to our home in Alexandria.  It was not prohibited by the custody agreement, but she simply wouldn't allow it.  We had a court date in February where the judge set up a temporary agreement to transition the children into more time with us.  It's been more money than I imagined, and a lot of stress and uncertainty.  But, we finally got close to a normal custody agreement.   We will have the children every other weekend (Sat - Sun), and two weeks over the  summer, and alternating holidays.  It will be so nice that the children will finally have a chance to meet some of their Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. 

 

We spent a fair bit of August getting ready and personalizing the rooms.  The brown room is now yellow and has two twin beds instead of the queen.  There are bunkbeds downstairs for the boys.  They fit snuggly in the space, so it was a little challenging to build and fit it in.  But, it's been a lot of fun, and I'm glad that visits are finally back to a more normal situation.  The 10 - 12 hours in the car every other weekend was definitely taking it's toll.

 

 

 

Just Another Day at the Park

I didn't get any good pictures of the water rocket in action, but we had a lot of fun setting it off.  The kids took turns pumping it up, and the rockets shot to an impressive height.  (Over 100 ft???)  It was fun to get together with a few other families from the ward, and have them meet our kids.  Our hope is that all goes well in court the end of the month, and they will start spending the night with us, and attend church here every other weekend.  This activity gave them a chance to meet some people in advance.