Until next time...

We had a wonderful last weekend in Indiana.  Now the real fun in is about to begin.  Our movers will be here in about 5 hours and we're still up sorting, packing, cleaning, and the list goes on.  But enough about that...on to the fun weekend.

My parents came up from Alabama for one last visit before we move out of driving distance.  The kids so enjoyed them and so did we.  It never seems to be "work" when my parents are here.  We can just truly relax and enjoy their company.  I know the kids feel the same way.  Even though it's been several months since they've seen them, they picked up right where they left off.  

The first day they were in town we met them at their hotel for a swim (they stayed in a hotel to avoid disrupting our packing progress....and let's be honest, it's a little more relaxing. :)  Then, that night, they went to a George Strait concert.  Certainly a fun date and much needed get-away for them.  While they were doing that, Ken and the older kids camped out in the backyard with the neighbor kids.  I know I've mentioned before how much we will miss this neighborhood, haven't I?  They roasted marshmallows, played games and slept in tents (at least until the 2am thunderstorm hit and everyone moved it inside).

On Saturday Ken and I got to go on a date...a rare treat!  We went to a yummy fondue restaurant and enjoyed a fun evening together.  My folk and the kiddos ordered pizza and played and had a movie night.  Then, the girls wanted to have a sleepover with my folks, so I dropped off the older 2 and they had an absolute blast!  They slept on the fold out in my folks room, went swimming at 10pm, had snacks and got to eat the "best breakfast ever" at the hotel the next morning.  I'm so glad that they are having these opportunities to make fun memories.

On Sunday our church prayed for us and sent us off.  (I know I have also mentioned that we will miss this church.  We really will.)  Then my Dad and Ken went to the Brickyard 400...yee-ha...and my Mom and I took the kids for another swim.  Could you really ask for a better weekend?

But (sigh) it's over now and time to get to work.  The movers roll in this morning and we're off on a week long adventure as we head to RI.  We'll likely be offline for a while, but I'll email our new address to those who'd like it as soon as we get there.  I do so enjoy the fellowship I have with so many of you via blog and email and I know that several of you pray for our family.  This week, if you would, will you pray for a safe and smooth transition for our family?  And for the hearts of our children as they move away from friends they love.  And, give thanks with us for the blessings that God has given us in our last 2 years here.  Now... let's head 'em up and move 'em out!

family ties

We're getting back into the  swing of things this week here at the McNeill house after a short but fun visit to Ken's sister's house.  We were supposed to go early in the week, but I somehow injured my back and was basically bed bound (which was not all bad, I might add) for the first part of the week.  My better half took on all the household and kid duties for the week and did a great job.  However, I must say that he now has a new found appreciation for managing the daily happenings here at the zoo.

While we were visiting family, the kids got to play with their cousins and see aunts and uncles that they don't see that often.  Between our family and Ken's 2 sibilings' kids, there are a total of 13 children.  A few days there made our house seem almost quiet...almost.  The kids ran and played and stayed up late and enjoyed their cousins the same way that I remember doing as a kid. For all the fun and adventures our kids get to experience as military brats, those family connections are the one thing I miss most for them.  Of course we see family when we can and the grandparents, aunt and uncles are all great at loving on our kids from afar.  But there is something special about having a Grandmama up the road and cousins to play with after school.  Knowing and being known like that, in irreplaceable. Families give us a sense of belonging, of who we are and where we came from.  There is a security in knowing there are so many people within arms reach that love you unconditionally.  I still long for that closeness and security, but know that truly my help comes from the Lord.

I know that God created our family the way He intended and has placed us where we need to be.  Even though there are things that we miss, I know that He is withholding no good thing from my children.  As we move from place to place, separated from those we love, I know that we are not lacking.  I know that my Father an be trusted to mold my children just as they should be through these circumstances....and certainly mold my heart as well.

 

Although my children will not grow up with family down the road like I did, I hope that we can always make the most of every visit, every phone call, even every Skype call in this computer age.  They are blessed beyond measure to have so many grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that love them...no matter where we all live.  We do miss our families, and even more so, miss them for our kids.  But we trust and know that God has provided all we need through His abundant riches. We had a fun visit with family and we're looking forward to another fun visit next weekend.  So...of course...here are a few photos what are sure to be some fun memories. And we can take memories to every duty station!

Like, wagon rides with the cousins behind the tractor.

The babes.  Here's our youngest with Ken's brother's youngest and his sister's youngest.  

So sweet.

Of course the pool was a big splash..hehe.  Here's Jake getting in on the big kid action.

Beautiful sunsets over Illinois corn fields.

 

Really, when you're 7....does it get any better than this?

splishin' and splashin'

Mom may be down in the dumps back, but that's no reason for everyone else not to have fun! There are loads of splash parks around here and that's just what the doctor ordered for these unseasonably hot days we've been having lately. As exciting as water parks are, the kids can't wait until we're living near the beach again. We've enjoyed our time here, but this Navy family has been landlocked long enough! In about 6 weeks we'll be beachin' it in (sunny?) Rhode Island! And if all that excitement isn't quite enough, murmurings are now beginning for our next set of orders. You know, where we'll live after Rhode Island, since we'll only be in RI for 10 months!  Hopefully, that announcement will be coming next week...but let's just say, it looks like it might be a doosey!  In the meantime, I'll just leave you with some pictures of our 4 oldest splishin' and splashin' the summer away!

Our week in pictures

I feel like we've had a such a busy week, it would be hard to put it all into words, so this week, I'll give it to you in pictures.  That's more fun anyway, right?

To start, let's have a "woot, woot!" for Ken who finished his tri-annual inspection at work this week and passed it with flying colors!  Yay Daddy!  I know how brilliant he is, but I always enjoy it when others get to see it too.   Since the inspection is over, Daddy is getting to spend alot more time here with us.  Here's how Jake feels about that.

Claire has spent the week being a ballerina princess and dancing with her sister.

Hannah has spent hours playing outside and remains the resident gymnast. 

Gracie performed a bit of Swan Lake...or something like it..in the backyard.

And Nathan spent most of his week just being cute.  

All was going well in the week...and then it happened.  Our good and faithful washing machine died.  I can't say that I blame it, considering the rigors that it endures washing for a family of seven.  Still, something had to be done.  Out with the old....

And in with the new!  I can't tell you how exciting it has been for us all this week (especially me, the primary doer of the laundry) to have a new high capacity washer and dryer!  We are indeed a high capacity family so this is a little bit on the necessity side of things.  However, since it's red and all... it's a little bit of a luxury too!  Like a red car is a little more fun to drive....so a red washer is a little more fun to use!  

But the very bestest part of all is that it can do this much laundry in one load!!!  Dreams really do come true!!!

And if all that wasn't enough, because it is a front loader, I now have help!  Lots of it!  Okay, so we need to work on  "sorting", but still...it's laundry fairies in the making!


So, we had a yard sale to pass along the old dryer and various other items that we don't care to move with us.  The kids had fun selling things and it was nice to clear out some space in the garage.  After that, we.... had a party, of course!

Well, we didn't have the party, but some dear friends and neighbors all got together and had a Western Hoe Down to bid our family farewell before we move next month.    We all had a great time.  There was delicious food...

and drink...

And lots of fun!  The kids had balloons and games and even a cowboy hat pinata.  They played limbo and even put on singing and dance performances...

And they bobbed for apples.  Which is no small feat when you don't have front teeth.

I did mention it was a western party, didn't I?  We had cowgirls and boys everywhere!

We are so thankful for all of the friends we have made here.  They have made our Indiana tour one of our favorite so far.  

And at the end of the evening, once everyone came down from their sugar high, we slept.  

What a fun week.

Summertime...

The girls got off the school bus for the last time this year on Friday... summer is officially here! The kids are excited and I'm in full planning mode, finding ways to entertain and stimulate 5 little minds during the long days of summer. Our move is coming up in July, so that will definitely break things up a bit. But until then, I'm trying to add a little more structure to our days so as to do some teaching and training along with our playing and resting. We're starting our first weekend of the summer off with a fun weekend with Bumpa and Grandma here.  

We took a trip to the local Farmer's Market this morning...one of my favorite places in summer. I love the colors and smells; the kids love the treats and throwing rocks in the nearby pond. They always have a local artist playing live music and beautiful flowers for sale everywhere. Here's a few fun pictures from our morning.

I scream, You scream....

I remember being at my aunt's house as a kid and hearing the distant music of the beloved ice cream truck.  All the kids in the neighborhood would make a mad dash inside to plead their case for 50 cents.   Just 50 cents was all that stood between a sweaty kid and a Rocket Pop.  Oh glorious day!

Fast forward a few decades.   I get to see my little ones' eyes light up when the white musical truck comes through our neighborhood.  Though 50 cents will no longer get you a Rocket Pop, for a little bit more you can get a Tweety Pop or a Batman Bar.  Totally worth it for the sweet messy smiles on chubby little faces.

"beyond what you can ask or imagine..."

Well, it's official....we've rented out our house!!!  Most of you know that we'll be leaving here in the summer and heading for new orders in Newport, RI where Ken will be attending the Naval War College for 10 months.  Since we first moved here we knew orders would be coming soon and we would have to decide what to do with our house.  However, when we made the decision to buy rather than rent 2 years ago, the housing market was much better and we had no idea we'd be making this transition in the midst of such an economic crisis.  Over the past months we've debated rather to try to sell (and likely take a major loss) or rent out the house (not knowing how to find renters in such a saturated market).  Either way, we knew it would have to come down to "showing" the house.  For those of you who watch HGTV, you know how important it is to "stage" the house and at the very least have it clean and clutter free.  Well, let's just say that while in the trenches with 5 small children... Martha Stewart, I'm not.  How do you keep a house perfectly clutter free with little ones underfoot all day, not to mention nursing a newborn?Well, God heard our prayers and answered them more graciously than we could have ever dreamed.   Seriously.  

Our neighbors, who are currently renting, heard from our kids that we were moving and, due to issues they were having with their house, wanted to rent ours!  They literally knocked on our door and told us they were interested in renting our house.  Their lease on their current house just happens to be up at exactly the same time we're leaving! They signed a 2 year lease and we couldn't be happier!  I'm sure they will be great renters and will take good care of the house.  And we have the peace of mind of not having to stress about showing the house, using a realtor, paying 2 mortgages, etc.    Obviously we couldn't have foreseen any of this working out this way and we know it is only our Father taking care of us.  I know that nothing touches us without first coming through the fingers of God.  Yet, it never ceases to amaze me when he provides for His children in such miraculous ways!

The kids in front of our house this winter...we're gonna miss it here.  

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to His be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21

Wordless Wednesday

Keeping cool...

Very close to our house we have a great park that has a sprinkler area for the kids to run and play in the summer. It's a great way for everyone to cool off without the stress of keeping everyone afloat in a pool. Ken's sister and her family were all here last weekend and we enjoyed some great family time a spent a couple of afternoons at this park. It's beginning to feel a bit like fall here already this week so here's a few photos of our kiddos enjoying the last few days of summer weather with their cousins.