Fall Colors

While there were still leaves on the trees, the fall colors were AMAZING. Here are some pictures from outside our front window.

A year ago today....

...was my (Renee's) first full day in Wausau, WI. A year ago on Nov 8-11, 2008, Andy and I flew out to Wausau, WI to check out the town and Andy to officially accept the job out here. Kind of crazy.

Change can be exciting and trying

Not only is the weather changing from beautiful summer days to cool fall days and evenings, the leaves on the trees are changing from lush green colors to bright reds, oranges, and yellows, its been a season of change for our household. Even though the change is exciting, it can be trying at times.

Changes for Andy:

The BEST news lately is that Andy is moving to day shift on Oct. 12th. He has been working 2nd shift (swing shift) since he moved here in Jan. We have had our mornings together, as Andy doesn't leave for work until 11:45 am, but he doesn't get home until 11:30 pm at night. (He does have a 45 min. commute to work) It's been lonely at times for me (Renee), because Andy has been gone in the evenings, and the friends I have made are home with their husbands in the evenings. So, it will be nice to have Andy home in the evenings, eat dinner together as a family, and just have a normal family schedule.

Andy also started his MBA program this past week. So, more changes to our schedule, because Andy will be studying and doing homework. He has really long days on Wed., as he works all day and then has class at night. If all works out on schedule, he should finish up in about 2-1/2 to 3 years.

Changes for Renee:

After being off for 7 months, I returned back to work. When we lived in Portland, I worked for Medical Teams International, a Christian non-profit organization. I worked 24 hrs/wk; 3 days per week. Recently, I started a job in Wausau, working for Compass Properties. Its a property management company that owns and manages buildings in the downtown area of Wausau. I'm working 25 hrs/wk; 5 days a week. It's a change to be working 5 days/wk, as I have not worked 5 days/wk since Rose as born. I am very thankful I'm off by 2pm each day.

Changes for Rosie:

Since I'm back at work, Rosie gets to go to "school" (childcare) We call it "school" for her because they do pre-school type activities in the morning, have lunch, quiet/nap time, snacks, then play. Its a change for many reasons. In Portland, Rose was in childcare at a friends house 2 days per week, she became part of their family, and 1 day a week a Grandma Donna's house. Now, Rose goes to "school" at a childcare center. We really like the childcare place she is going to because they do all sorts of activities and they let the kids feel safe and loved while they are at school. The first week Rose went to school, she LOVED it. The past couple of weeks, its been a tough transition for her, but its getting better each day we go.

All these changes are exciting but they can be trying at times. Once we get settled in a routine, I think things won't seem so hectic and we will have time to relax.

Ryan's Visit

Ryan came out for a visit this past week. It was great to see him and for him to see how pretty Wisconsin is in the summer. Just wish the weather was a little nicer for him while he was here. We had a nice relaxing week. Rose did not let him leave her side, it was very cute. Here are a few pictures from our week.

Ryan climbed to the second highest peak in the state on Rib Mountain at 1,940 feet

Rosie was glad to climb the rocks too

Checking out the interesting looking catapillar

Eating Briq's Soft Serve ice cream - YUMMY!

Took one day and drove north to Minocqua, WI. Nice little touristy town about 1 hr north.

Thankful Thursday

Thanks be to God....

1. Wonderful visit with Ryan. We miss him already.
2. Two job interviews this past week. Both jobs I would really like. Hope to hear something soon.
3. Peace.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus"

-Philippians 4:6-7

I like this verse because it says to present our request to God, and the peace of God will guard us. It doesn't necessarily mean what we pray for will come to be, but we will have God's peace in whatever the outcome will be.

Thankful Thursday

Thanks be to God for....

1. A very patient husband who loves me and takes care of our family
2. Family who is very supportive, understanding, and loving
3. An upcoming job interview for a job I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY want
4. After sorrow comes great joy (John 16:17-24)
5. A reminder from a friend not to worry, that God is in control and all things in His timing

This in an excerpt from a friends email, and it really reminded me that God is in control, loves us and will take care of our needs.

"It's easy for me to worry about these things, but God has been reminding me not to worry, because of WHO He is and how that relates to His promises.  Matthew 6 talks about all the things in nature that God takes care of, while we are fretting if we will have enough to eat, drink and wear.  He reminds us again how much God loves us by describing us as "valuable" to the Father.  Then He says: "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  

The verse being referred to is Matthew 6:31-33

Chalkfest & Balloonfest

It was a weekend of Festivals!  July 9-12th was the Balloon Rally and Ribfest at the Wausau Municipal Airport.  On July 11th and 12th was Chalkfest on the 400 Block, downtown Wausau.  Andy, Rose, and I did both events in one day.  Here are some pictures from the day.  If you want to visit us in the summer time, the weekend of these events would be a highlight.  The best thing about the events is that they are FREE.  We did have to pay for the Ribs and food that we ate, but that was very minimal for the afternoon of fun we had.  

Balloon Glow at night

Family picture with balloons in the background

(we're missing the boys)

Balloon glow as the sun is setting

Rosie with her Energizer Bunny Ears

Balloon glow of "Wally", we told Rose it was Nemo's cousin

Moving onto Chalkfest. 

For Chalkfest people register for space to draw their art for others to enjoy.  Its only a $12 registration fee and that includes your materials.  Not a bad deal.  Hoping Ryan can come visit next year and share his artwork with onlookers at Chalkfest.  Here are some pictures of what people created with chalk on the sidewalk.

View of the 400 Block, people working on their art projects

Kai Lan from the show Ni Hao, Kai Lan

One of Rosie's favorite shows on Noggin

This picture I took for Kevin and Ryan because of the caption

"Support Music and Art in our schools"

Portland Public Schools needs to do that!

This is a picture done by a middle school student

Visiting Portland

Here is a snap shot of our time in Portland earlier in July.  We had a great time visiting friends and family. 

Rose got her face painted on the 4th of July.  We celebrated the 4th of July in Manzanita, OR. A beautiful small town on the Oregon Coast.  We have a few friends who live there so we split our day with both sets of friends.

Evan and Daddy being 4th of July Princesses

4th of July Parade

Watching the parade from our friends deck.  

Evan, Sue, Andy, Rosie, Evan's brother and his girlfriend (sorry, I don't remember their names)

After the parade we went to our friends Kristi and J's house.  

Here is Rosie and Daisy playing so good.

Here is our day to the Portland Zoo.  Rose was looking so cute waiting for the Max Train.

Visiting Sammy the baby elephant at the zoo

Selle Cousins

Ryan, Kevin, Rose, Laura, and Kayla

Grandma Donna had a wonderful time have all her kids and grand kids at the zoo with her.

Riding on the zoo train

We got to spend one day on the River.  I begged Chris and Tracey to take us out on their boat.  :o)  

Hanging out on the banks of the river

Casey and Maddie Spencer playing in the water

One night we stole away and had dinner with some friends from our old church small group.  Sure do miss these guys.  The food was EXCELLENT and all the kids played great together.

Andy, Jody and Bill Dolan, Heidi and Dave Moore

Hannah is Rosie's "sister"  She lived across the street from us in Portland and was over almost everyday from the time Rose was born to play with her.  We had a Hannah Day went to Bridgeport Village and walked around.  Rosie sure does miss Hannah.  

Thankful Thursday

Thanks be to God for.....

1. A clean house
2. A patient husband
3. A daughter who is 95% potty trained
4. New friends
5. Free tickets to the baseball game

My the Lord Bless you this week.

Celebrating Rosie's 3rd Birthday in Portland

While in Portland in early July, we celebrated Rosie's 3rd birthday.  I can't believe my baby is already 3 years old.  We had a BYOPL (Bring Your Own Picnic Lunch) in the Park.  It was a beautiful day out, the playground was a great place for the kids to play and us adults got to hang out by the picnic benches, watching our kids, of course.  It was so great to see friends we haven't seen since we moved out east.  Rose had a BLAST hanging out with her friends too.  She missed them so much.  Here are some pictures of our afternoon at the park.

Rosie the birthday princess

Rose and Hannah hanging on the bar

Kevin trying out the crown

Rose and her big brother Ryan

Maddie Spencer and Laura Selle

Kayla Selle and Uncle Dave

The Nasland Family visiting with Grandma Donna.  The Naslands are the wonderful family who watched Rose 2 days a week when we lived in Portland.   The were like Rosie's second family.

Kristi and Daisy Woika

Can't forget about Baby Carter Woika, who's not a baby anymore.  He is growing up so fast.

Rosie and Jessica

Aunt Sharon modeling the princess crown

Tracey and Chris Spencer

Ahh, don't they look cute

Rosie and Christopher

He is such a gentleman

Rosie in her Cinderella Outfit.  Thank you Aunt Sharon, Uncle Dave, Laura and Kayla

Time for cupcakes.  :o)