New House Update

We seem to have forgotten to update our blog with the latest progress on our house.  We were able to move in November 17th with the help of many of our neighbors, My parents, and their friends.  It was a HUGE task.  I never realize how much stuff I have accumulated over the almost 7 years we have lived here.  But we did it, and just in time for us to fly out of state on the 18th to visit Aaron's family.  It was a move and go, and I knew that we were going to come home from vacation to quite a mess... But that was okay! 

Our Trip to Michigan...

We were in Michigan for just over 2 weeks and were able to speak at Aaron's home church, and share the Doulas program with a few potential groups for this summer.  It was a good time to share what God is doing at camp, and help keep some of our supporters up to date on what is going on in our ministry.  Aaron and I were also able to get away just the 2 of us for National Youth Workers Convention in Atlanta, Georgia for a few nights.  This was a GREAT time for Aaron and I to hear about what is going on in youth ministry all over the country and to reconnect with each other.  Then we were back to Michigan and able to do all sorts of non alaskan things, such as a trampoline park, giant indoor playgrounds, and paint a pot...  It was a good and much needed family time!

Back to the house...

Coming back to the house we had just moved into, When we returned the only working sink was in the bathroom, so our house was livable, but not super comfortable...  Aaron quickly got a laundry sink installed and the washer and dryer working and we started to sort through the mess of all our life possessions.  We moved into a project, but are super relived to just be here and not living at 2 places as we try to complete this house and maintain another one.  So we just started plugging away at projects and knew that we would get a lot done when Paul and Karie came for a couple weeks in December.  And we survived until they came! 
While Paul and Karie were here we were able to get the kitchen sink and dishwasher installed (AMAZING!) kitchen cabinets painted and in place (I can unpack boxes), the Garage cleaned out (it was floor to ceiling stuff), the entryway tiled, the shower tiled, and the girls room painted and closet organizer installed....  They left us with a house that feels livable, and places to put things.  Here are some of the pics of what they did...
Paul grouting the shower...

 The new entryway tile

 the Garage fits a truck in it!

 The kitchen "island"...  countertops are still on the "to do" list

 shot of the kitchen from the living room...  do you notice the way our dishwasher currently drains?

Overall we are loving our new house...  It is fun to work on and know it is ours and we know that it is a long way from done, but Lord willing we will have the next 50 years to work on it!