A year ago today...

...we arrived in Wisconsin. Andy, Rose, and I drove across the country and arrived in our new town a year ago today. What a year it has been.

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