Children Cleaning and a New Kitchen Table

Just to let you know...(Shelly)

The quality of our pictures has been poor since April because they are all taken on my phone.

My camera was left in the realtor's car when we came up to look for homes in April.

She said she would hold onto it until we arrived.

Well, the building she worked in was evacuated and evidently the camera is in the secretary's desk which is in some storage unit. There is a huge dike around their building still so I don't expect to get it back any time soon.

Also, those big spaces between texts and photos started a few months ago. I have tried to work with the layout and format but can't seem to fix it. Sorry it is kind of obnoxious looking. I will continue to work on this problem.

Good news!

We have a Kitchen Table, which we haven't had in 2 years.

In Miami there wasn't enough room for a table, we just had barstools for the kids so David and I have been standing or sofa eating for 2 years, Imagine the Joy when this Beauty showed up. Loving the table and the stools. The living room is still empty and probably will be for awhile. Right now it makes for a great wrestling arena, tickling pad, and gymnastics mat. Ella Joy almost has her cartwheel. Por fin! I was beginning to worry since I spent most of my childhood doing carthwheels, handstands, and flips.

Summer was extended for 3 weeks due to the flood-- now school doesn't start til September 6. So the kids have been helping me around the house. They actually were fighting over who got to scrub the toilets, we had to take turns. Sure hope this enthusiasm continues. With the extra summer time we decided to take a trip to Utah to visit Grandma Jacobs. I am very excited about this trip, not so much the 1000 mile drive one way, but getting to see Grandma, BYU, family, friends, and mountains.

Hoping you are enjoying these last days of summer.

The weather here has been beautiful here.

I just hope its not cold when we get back next week.

Think the fall may only last for a couple of weeks and I don't want to miss it.

Noah is TEN

We celebrated Noah's tenth birthday at the North Hill Bowling Lanes.

He invited his new friends Charlie, Simon, Dallin, and Luke.

Noah was in heaven-- bowling, pizza, soda, cake, and icecream.

They had a special dinosaur that helped the girls roll their balls straight as well as plastic sides to prevent gutter balls. These only came down when the little girls bowled...so JuJu had the high score on our team. It was a fun night. Georgia spent most the night in the stroller chewing on pizza crusts which miraculously disappeared despite having no teeth.

I can hardly believe it has been a whole decade since Noah was born.

I remember his Birth day so clearly.

I remember looking at his sweet face and falling in love instantly.

I remember in the next moment becoming overwhelm with emotion as I realized that the great love I had for him was only a small taste of the love Heavenly Father had for me and all of us.

I remember the feeling of wanting to be a better person, my best me.

I remember perfect fingers, toes, the Jacobs chin, and McCarthy nose.

The memories are so clear and the feeling fresh.

Now 10 years later it is even more amazing to see the young man he is becoming.

He is an amazing brother--I love seeing him with the girls. He plays with them, teases them, and protects them like only a Big brother can.

He is responsible with his chores, concientious with his schoolwork, and reliable with time. When I tell him to meet me somewhere or be home at a certain time he is always punctual. Thankfully, not following after his always late mother. He loves basketball, baseball, rockclimbing, crafts, and creating miis on his wii. OH how I love this boy! And do you know what his birthday wish was....

A Baby Brother.

Can we get to Georgia's first birthday, Please!

Arrived in the Magic City

Sunset from our kitchen window

Georgia being oh so cute

Georgia stands

Found old Halloween costumes

Georgia crawls

JuJu repelling down the Y rockwall

JuJu's first climb

The amazing wall

Downstairs living room/playroom

Garage cubbies--oh how I love these!

Finally.
We are here.
In our cute little town of Minot.
Honestly I don't think we could have handpicked a more completely opposite place than Miami.
We are loving our new home and I am particularly loving the space.
So just as I noticed in my 2 short visits before --the people here are SO NICE!
Really its hard to explain until you experience but everyone is really nice. It feels a little like Leave it to Beaver where everyone is smiling and trusting and just happy to be alive.

Few examples:

Upon arriving we were welcomed by several people from the eye clinic with balloons, and a huge basket of treats

Our mailwoman brought by the mail key that I was supposed to go pick up from the office but she dropped it by so I wouldn't have to go down there.

Bonnie,our builders wife, who is a wonderful sweet grandma herself, watched all 4 of our kids while we closed on the house. Then I asked about lakes to visit in the area and she sent me a list of 5 different lakes with info numbers attached.

Our neighbors brought our trashcan in because it looked like it was about to storm.

Drivers are polite and courteous. They let you over when your blinker is on and everyone takes turns nicely at all the 4 way stops.

The ladies at the YMCA childcare are wonderful--nice, sweet, hold the babies, play with the kids, always smiling.

Men everywhere hold the door open for you. (I don't think this happened once while I lived in Miami.)

Got my new driver's license in less than 10 minutes from a really nice, helpful, happy govenment employee. Yes they exist and all 10 of them work at the Minot DMV. Everyone in the office was smiling and laughing.

Walmart cashiers chat like you are the only person in line--really. Its kind of weird. There is huge line and they take their time and no one is annoyed-- just waiting patiently.

Called the elementary school to find out what I needed to bring to register the kids for school. Did I need to bring proof of address that we lived in the area for the school? "No, we trust you." Almost dropped the phone on that one.

So the list could go on but I'm getting tired.

One thing that I didn't notice when I was here in January and then again in April(perhaps because of the winter clothes) were all the tatoos. Seriously I have seen more tatoos in the last 3 weeks than I have my whole life. Did I miss something while I was in Miami? Have tatoos become really popular? Or is this just signature Minot? Everyone and their grandma has tatoos, literally.

Anyway, we are excited about our new home and a new adventure.

FYI

Sorry this post comes so late after the news of the flooding in Minot.
Thankfully our home is safe up on a hill.
My understanding is that there are about 4000 homes underwater. Residents have been asked to boil water and conserve when it comes to washing, cleaning, watering... FEMA and other aid organization have moved in to help with recovery. The town is not functioning normally and probably won't for awhile.

Despite all of this I am still excited to get there.
I am excited about our house, a new job, another adventure.
Miami to Minot.
I don't think 2 places can be more opposite.

We have had a nice few weeks visiting family and friends.
David stayed behind in Miami to finish up.
Tomorrow is his very last day!
Congratulations sweetie YOU ARE DONE!!!

The thing I think I am most excited about is getting to choose when we go on vacation.
Not having an attending say what 2 days we get before or after Christmas.
We can actually have a whole week. Imagine...
And that we can actully use all the vacation that is in our contract and not have someone giving David a guilt trip about it or having to find someone to cover it...blah, blah, blah..
Ohh the Joy!

We are flying out on Monday at 6am.
Hopefully the children will be "at there best" for all 3 flights.
Columbia to Charlotte to Minneapolis to Minot.
I kind of feel sorry for whoever happens to be on our flight from Charlotte to Minneapolis.
JuJu and EJ catfights are pretty dirty and in such confined area some may be surprised at what can take place between a 2 and a 4 year old.
But the TV's will be charged and we will pray hard before that everything goes smooth.

Happy Belated 4th of July.
I will post as soon as our internet is up and going.

Wish me luck
Happy flying!!

Goodbye Key Biscayne

Goodbye Key Biscayne
Thank you for making a wonderful home for us.
We will miss you.
But promise to visit.
We finished this week with a perfect day at the beach.
It was such a treat.
This is how I remember the ocean the first summer we were here.
Clear. Calm. Absolutely beautiful.
Below are a few recent pictures of fun memories with our friends and family.
Ohhhh how we will miss our island paradise.

Key Biscayne Community School

The main reason we moved here was for the school.

The kids have loved it.

Noah had 2 great teachers.

Ella Joy had a fun and Free preschool experience.

It was a 10 minute walk from our house.

It has been perfect.

Pictured above are the kids at the end of the year ceremonies.

Seaquarium

The Miami Seaquarium has been another playground for us.
It is only 3 miles from our house so we have gone often.
Noah loves petting the stingrays.
Ella Joy loves watching Lolita--the killer whale
JuJu loves the dolphins.
Becky took the kids for one last hurrah.

Adios Lolita!