Detroit Zoo

This zoo in Detroit is well worth the $45 to get in. Despite the fact that we went into debt in order to see the animals, atleast the animals were out and not hiding like at the National Zoo in D.C. One of Faith's favorite sites was a male lion that just woke up and exited from his cave into the yard with his girlfriend. This lion roared for atleast 5 minutes. He started on one side of the yard and roared all the way to the other until he reached his girlfriend. It was then that he layed down, rolled over on his back, and stretched out. It was like he was letting us know he was awake and hungry. Another favorite was the baby zebra born in April and the white rhinos that began to run towards us in their outside yard. The weather was cool and pleasant and we arrived early enough that the animals weren't tired. They were refreshed and ready for their day; everything except the aardvark. He was upset because they shut him outside for the day. Faith had little complaint about walking because she was given a shoulder ride for most of the time. The fences were tall to look over for little kids so of course the parents had to do lifting up most of the time. Made us a little tired by the end of the morning. But it made it fun for her. What better way to end the morning than to ride the Chrysler locomotive train back to the front of the zoo. The train went through a tunnel and complete darkness was there. She didn't get scared because Bud decided he was going to tickle her like a spider crawling on her. A wonderful zoo but I think that being a member of the zoo would be a better option; no entrance fee and no parking fee. This would leave money for the polar bear exhibit and dinosaur trail. A fun day though. Would definitely go back.

Cheater pants

As the summer dwindles down and Faith prepares herself for first grade, we found the perfect book yesterday at the library. The famous Junie B. Jones strikes again. This time in a cheater book in which Junie B learns what cheating is, even if it is taking a friends answer without asking them for it. Junie B. Jones is in first grade and her journal entries just crack me up. Although she often uses such words as stupid, and talks about clunking friends on their head, and disappearing into thin hair because of embarrasment, she makes for good conversation between us at nighttime. Things that are ok to say and not to say, things that are ok to do and not to do, etc. Junie B. Jones makes Faith excited to read and she looks forward to sitting down and listening to her adventures at school.

Boats at Bay

The sailboats were sailing today. Faith and I found that when looking out from our upstairs window, we not only see the airport and airplanes we also see the boats on Lake Erie. So we hurried downstairs to grab the binoculars and rushed back upstairs to see not only the sailboats, but a huge carrier boat and lighthouse in the distance. The lake is so clear and beautiful. I wish we had a boat to go out on. Maybe we'll make a friend and go out one day with them. Until then, our binoculars will have to do and our imagination as to what it would be like sailing on the water.

Keeping up with dad

So Bud is running a half marathon in California with his best friend this Fall. The island here has miles and miles of bike and running paths. Bud took Faith on a bike ride today; a three mile bike ride to be exact. When she got back she said that she left him three times and got in trouble however his story didn't quite match hers. Whether or not she went too fast for him we'll never know but they had lots of fun together. Faith had no problems on the bike ride. I think because the island is flat it creates a perfect path for her. She has become quite the bike rider. It is hard to believe that just a few months ago she just got her bike and learned to ride on her own. We couldn't ask for a better place to be active than our new island.

The children's garden

Here on the island there is a community owned farm where we discovered horses, playground, animal shelter, pond, butterfly garden, dog park, and best of all a children's garden. I didn't realize what exactly a children's garden was but after experiencing it I want to spend time next Spring building one. As we entered we immediately went to the wrought iron white table that was set for tea. It was complete with tea pot, cups, and chairs. As I looked around the garden and really got down on my knees to examine everything, I found that the areas were named. There was Pooh Corner with a Pooh statue lying in the flowers. My favorite was the fairy corner where the space was designed for fairies to live there (little chairs, thimbles for cups and fairies hiding amongst the flowers. Faith's favorite was an old sailboat filled with sand and toys. She spent most of her time here. There was also a ladybug area, kitchen area, rainbow of colors found in marigolds, periwinkles and other flowers to represent the colors of the rainbow, and lastly an area with stepping stones and wooden painted X and O to play tic tac toe. I am happy to say this is an inspiration to me to get back in to what I love, gardening, when I am home during the day.

We made it!

We have made it; and with much success. With only being here on our new island home for three days we have already purchased our house. I can't believe that we are now going to be home owners again. Faith hasn't lived in a "home" since she was six months old. This island community is by far the best place one could imagine to live in the Motown area. Everyone is so nice. There are bike paths everywhere you turn, two river roads to watch the water, an air strip to watch the airplanes come in, five golf courses, nice people everywhere, and beauty that is comparable to our last home, the mountains of northern Virginia. Faith spent the day with two other girls yesterday while Bud and I went to look at houses. She had so much fun playing outside in their fenced yard. Little Melody had a tree fort complete with slide to slide down, rope swing in the tree, basement filled with toys, and lots of fun to be had. I'm trying to get her to make some friends through church right now and soon school. I can't believe school begins in a little over two weeks. Gymnastics starts also. She tried out for the pre team and they accepted her so she is all excited about learning new tricks in class. Like I said before, there is much to do here and at a cheaper price than where we came from. We look forward to many years to come here on this little island on the river.

All packed. Ready to go.

The packers came yesterday and our house is filled with boxes. It is bittersweet; our move. We are excited about change and the hopes of a new life in Motown. Opportunities arise with a lower cost of living. I am most excited about being able to be a stay at home mom. To able to walk with Faith to school each morning, take her to Girl Scouts, gymnastics, and walk home on those snowy days has me looking forward to the coming year. Today we are spending the day in the city. We are going to take Faith to one of her favorite spots, the old carosel and National Mall. We plan on riding around and around for a while and then just running on the lawn. No place to go. No place to get back to. No hurry. Just time to spend together for our last morning here. This afternoon we head north leaving Bud behind for the movers and cleaners. It has been a great 3 years here. Goodbye.

Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened. ~Theodor Seuss Geisel, attributed

Let it not be goodbye

Goodbye means that we won't see you again. Let us go our separate ways and may God cross our paths again. I hope that is true for this goodbye. Although last night was a night of good food, running, wrestling, and just hanging out, I knew the time would come to walk our friends to their car. I just wasn't ready for it and how it would affect Faith. Faith loves Mrs. K; really loves her. I think that she could care less about her friends here as we move on our way but this is really a heart felt "goodbye." As Faith made one last run out to her car to show her her unicorn and fairy, they blew each other a kiss and so it was done. She cried in my arms. All I could do was let her know that we'll cross paths again someday and we won't forget how special Mrs. K. is. Kindergarten made Faith grow. It prepared her for 1st grade. It made her love school. I am so thankful for these friends. Once again, God made sure that we had lots of people who loved us here. Until we meet again, so long friends.

Smithsonian gems

Faith loves this plaster of paris activity. Little gems are hid within the mold and she uses a pick and hammer to chip away at the limestone. She loves looking for them and I love her looking for them because it occupies her time for hours at a time. So far she has found 6 gems and a few rocks from the sand. She uses her brush to brush the limestone away when she thinks she has found one. Earlier this year Pa Pa showed her how to chip away and find them. Faith isn't quite sticking to her teachings. I often see her throwing the mold down to break it down further. I just hope she doesn't lose any gems with this technique. Her safety goggles top it off as she decided to wear them into town yesterday also to pick up the van. I'd probably buy her another one. She'll end up with a whole treasure chest full.

Time to go!

Bud's new job position is cleared along with our moving package and on Friday the movers come to pack the rest of our belongings. We've been waiting 8 months for this and it has come down to the final days of saying goodbye. First was church on Sunday. What a lovely little church that we have been blessed with the last three years. A church that started as a hospital during the civil war and continued to grow and flourish in Jesus Christ through the many years to follow. We have made friends and Faith and Champ have loved going to church. Whenever we couldn't go Faith would be upset and ask "why?" She has grown alot in church. Next was goodbye to our school. Rainbow Station is the best private school that I could ever imagine. Not a day went by when I didn't want to be there. Both Faith and Champ loved their teachers and never wanted to come home in the evenings. We would play on Station Square for a few minutes and then shed tears because we had to go. Tomorrow night is goodbye to Faith's favorite teacher. She's going to miss her. I'm not sure what I'm going to do besides let her know I feel the same way about leaving my friends. It is sad however I believe God sent us here for a reason and he is about to send us back to Motown for another reason. Virginia has been the best place to live. A home filled with 8 horses, 14 chickens, 2 alpaca, 2 pigmy goats, three barn cats, a rabbit, a tractor and lawn mower, sandbox, large tree filled back yard, and wonderful landlords who love my children probably as much I we do. The kids and I leave on Sunday while Bud stays back for the movers to load the truck and cleaning crew to come. It is a prayer of mine that we will continue to be blessed in all we do wherever that may be. May Faith make friends, enjoy school, love gymnastics, and be an leader to her friends. Goodbye Virginia. We will miss you.

Lean on Me

Tears fell this afternoon as the week at VBS came to a conclusion. Faith loved spending time with her good friend Ryleigh all week. She misses school but it is just something that we must do. Faith is a very loving individual. She knows that we are on the verge of moving however she is not quite sure what is to come with her relationships from here. Will she write to them, send them pictures, make them things, send holiday cards? I'm not sure. Will the relationships end when we leave? I'm not sure of that either. What I do know is that she needs someone to lean on. We are all going through this together. I'm leaving my friends too.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Son Surf VBS

Faith has been in vacation bible school all week. We both look forward to this week all summer. Our reasons are different of course. This year has been quite special for Faith. Knowing it is our last year for VBS at this church, she has brought along a friend, Ryleigh. Now Ryleigh is a good little girl with a mom who knows the benefits of a week long church program. I'm so grateful that she is able to enjoy it with Faith. So far this week they have learned some fun new songs, made some sand art, made a surfer girl, watched Veggie Tales, and ran some fun water relay races. I know she is learning about Jesus. I hear her songs she sings softly in the van. On Sunday church typically puts out a copy of the CD for all to purchase. We wouldn't miss it. We have donated canned goods for SERVE and placed them in a large canoe. Will it get filled by weeks end? I hope so. They work so hard. Friday is the end of the VBS picnic. Champ and I will staying in the nursery for a little bit so we can sit with both girls and eat. It is my prayer that Champ will be in good spirits and not too cranky.