Moving time - again - and now we are in!

Yes, I counted - this change-of-address makes 13 times that Jim and I have moved in our 16 years of marriage. Yes, we are exhausted. Yes, we still have too much 'stuff' (even though we keep trying to get rid of things!). And Yes, we are really happy about the new house and location!! It was an incredible, last-minute provision to find this place after months of looking (we knew our lease on the Hooper St house was finishing and the landlord was planning to sell the house, so we needed to find something else). It is just a mile from our previous house, and still next to sidewalks (very unusual to find around here) and close to downtown Sylva and all our favorite daily life spots, like church, parks, pre-school, and some neighbors. In the end, it was a friend of a friend of Hawk's social worker at Social Services who heard about this house (and it wasn't even listed for rent yet), and the first house we saw that was still in Sylva and at nearly the same price. Plus the house has been taken good care of, and is clean, spacious, and with a safe yard for the boys. We have signed a month-to-month lease. Since that is open-ended, it gives us the flexibility and freedom to be able to move out when we are ready without having to be locked into a year lease. And hopefully the owner won't end our lease before we are ready to go...

So - here's to the hope and uncertainty of being ready to move to the next phase of life after Sylva, whenever that may come about! Unknowns and hope go together, don't they? As do unknowns and fear. But we are slowly learning to lean into the hope, and not get gripped by the fear.

a view of the back door which leads into the kitchen

The house is about 100 years old, and was originally built by a family who owned a car dealership on their property, which is just below the house and on Main St. The house sits above that building and parking lot, though after the dealership closed, other businesses have rented the space. It's currently vacant as the brewery/restaurant that has been there is just closing.

Here are some shots from walking around the Crescent (the house is on a crescent road which curves around from Main St). There are only 4-5 houses on our street, and then the Masonic Lodge and a large warehouse/business.

at one end of the Crescent; the white building beyond is the old car dealership

view along the street; our house is at the bottom of the hill but you can't see it from this angle

the view directly across from us is the cement factory - perfect for boys' entertainment!

Going back... the craziness of the week before the move! Phew!!! Jim had just returned from Cape Town, so we were spending our evenings organizing and packing, but there was simply too much to do - and since we were just moving down the road, we didn't pack as thoroughly and as 'cleanly'. For example, I took this photo of the boys on Friday morning (we moved on Saturday) and you can see that I still had work to do in the bedroom. When moving day arrived, people were helping us pack up the kitchen and the laundry room and the bathroom, just putting things in boxes and crates as best we could. It was a bit crazy and I was honestly glad to take the boys and get away for most of the day.

Timo said, "Let's sit on the bed and read books and listen to Spiderwick."

When moving day arrived, we weren't really sure how many people would show up; we had sent out an email to people at church and told a few friends. We ended up having 8 cars and about 10 people, and got everything packed up and transported in 2 1/2 hours. "These people from church are so nice," Timo remarked. It really was incredible and we felt so supported and cared for! Phil and Gayle Woody went above and beyond to help us on numerous days, too. The boys and I packed up one car load (Timo thought it was the greatest and was really helpful and excited), and then we spent the rest of the day at the Woodys to get away from the chaos. Meanwhile after everything was moved Gayle went over with Jim and put together the beds and got everything ready for us to sleep there that night. Wow.

Let's get going!

Unloading

This chapter is over; what's next?

Life is about to change for us, although how and when still remain a mystery! We stand at another transition - another opportunity to see God at work. We want to be salt and light and to serve him and are excited to see where he wants to place us next.

We moved here to Colorado Springs in July 2013 to join Development Associates International, an NGO that provides leadership training throughout the majority world (Africa, Asia, Latin America). I (Jim) arrived to help direct their MA in Organizational Leadership program. The program enrolls about 1000 part-time students in Africa and Asia and is offered in partnership with 17 higher education institutions located in those regions. These past 2 1/4 years have been wonderful! I have learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the many relationships I have developed all around the world through my work.

With some recent changes in leadership, including hiring a new Director, my responsibilities shifted and it became clear that it was time for me to move on. I resigned on October 30. It is amazing how much peace I/we have about this decision. The overriding feeling is one of "rightness" about the decision. Yes, the future remains unknown, which gives us another opportunity to trust the Good Shepherd. 

Julianna and I continue to have dual passions: 1) to be on a more typical campus with college-aged students (which this organization and this program were not), and 2) to be overseas again - or a combination of the two. My training and experience have been in higher education administration, specifically student affairs (such as campus activities and co-curricular activities) and international affairs (such as study abroad programs). We are trying to maintain hopeful, expectant attitudes as we seek out my next position.

In the meantime, I have been reflecting on what I have learned in the last 2+ years, networking, and looking for openings (although there aren't many posted at this time of year) - and I've been able to spend some much-needed and much-enjoyed extra time with Jul and the boys. 

Success and Freedom!!

What will this week hold, I asked on Monday? 

For Jim: his Dissertation Defense went very smoothly on Tuesday. Completed and "signed off" by his dissertation advisory committee.  He will make some minor revisions to his concluding chapter and then will be 100% complete and ready to print out on his fancy linen paper. YES!! He will graduate this May from IU with his Ed.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Jim with 2 of his committee members: Don Hossler and Sylvia Martinez.

For Jul/Mommy: we are now the proud owners of a double jogging stroller! (thanks in part to a kind gift from a wonderful uncle of ours) We live one block from the trail; half mile from the park and from the Freys'; half mile from the mall; one mile from East Campus; one mile from the YMCA (hopefully can get a membership soon...); and just under two miles from Dad & Mom's. To have the ability to get out of the house for fresh air and to exercise is, you guessed it, so freeing.

Our inaugural walk. It was a bit chilly but no problem! (thus no sunshade on for this walk)

For Timo: "I can sit in the Bumbo all by myself and slobber on my blankies and toys to my heart's delight! All while watching my older sister dance around the living room, of course. I just love to do that."

For Gemma: no more diapers!! "I'm so glad I wear underwear now!" (that quote is verbatim) We are currently on Day 3 of the Underwear Celebration. Thankfully we all are still feeling the energy and momentum to keep going. (though we haven't actually left the house yet...except for a quick walk around the block...) More on this later.

First sink bath at 808 W Knox

We are now officially moved into our new basement apartment at 808 W Knox! We've been here one week exactly, and are slowly adjusting to the new rhythms and noises and feel of this house. It is a one bedroom apartment, but with a large back hallway (Gemma's "room") and large pantry closet (Timo's "room") plus a big kitchen and living room. We are loving the extra space compared to our condo in B-town. In addition, it is just under 2 miles from Grandpa and Jaja's house, and a half-mile to the Freys - which we can walk to on the Ellerbee Creek trail. It's been fun to have some mild weather this week and explore the trail and friendly neighborhood and a nearby park (in between naps and wiping noises and grocery shopping to stock up the kitchen).

Will try to get some more pictures of the place up soon - but in the meantime, here are a few of Timo having a bath in the sink. The apartment only has a large shower, so Gemma is learning to take showers and Timo is managing to squeeze into the sink for bath-time for a while longer.

Timo loves to look at his sister

He likes it! Our cheerful boy!

Our newest nephew!

Welcome, David! 

Kuyper David Brink

born Friday, 17th August 

10 lb and 21 in. 

(named after the Dutch theologian & after his Gieser grandfather)

Following in HIS sister's footsteps

Looks like our baby BOY will soon be following in his sister's footsteps! 

Yes, folks, that's right! There's no mistaking those boy parts and there's no mistaking these two cute little feet (viewed from below) on the ultrasound pictures. He is now at 21 weeks and so far following his big sister step-by-step; that is, kick for kick and roll for roll.

...for reference, here is the post from Gemma's ultrasound at 21 weeks and that awesome pic of her leg and foot.

And how is Gemma handling the news, you ask? As a matter of fact, just this past week we finally brought it up with her that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. Now she  initiates by pointing at me, "Baby, tummy. Baby growing. Hi, baby!" 

Today she lifted up my shirt and said, "Baby tummy. Open it!"

Top Ten Signs

1. Every night (and every afternoon nap) I dream of a variety of situations that I find myself in when I have to go to the bathroom - and then I wake up, realizing I really DO have to go to the bathroom.

2. What was once gloriously comforting in the mornings -a steaming mug of coffee to start the day - I can no longer bear to smell (or be near while husband is drinking it).

3. I open the microwave or freezer or cupboard door and think, "Wait, what am I doing in here?"

4. Forgetfulness continues in a harsher way:

A few weeks ago Jim asked me, "Why isn't the umbrella stroller in the back of the car anymore?" 

I replied, totally baffled, "What?!" 

And then the light dawned. 

Three days (3 days!) earlier I had parked on the street downtown to take Gemma to the library, as usual, and after leaving the library and returning to the car, we packed up and came home. Leaving the stroller on the sidewalk. 

5. "Food...food...food...What food is next on my list to consume?" (the refrain echoing through my head every two hours.) Common answers: Cereal. Tea. Muffin. Cereal. Granola bar. Okay, I'll try a piece of fruit now.

6. 8 PM rolls around and I stumble downstairs, flop on the couch, and groan to Jim, "Is it bedtime yet?"

7. I can smell the fake, nauseating 'charcoal' burgers from Burger King a mile away in our neighborhood, depending on the day's breeze.

8. Hmm...to button or not to button these jeans, that is the problem.

9. Jim and I find ourselves once again ruminating on the family tree and the names of all our grandparents and great-greats.

10. "Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum": 160 beats per minute!

Any Pregnant Woman Would Be Happy -  with date night dessert of frozen yogurt and bag of selected favorites from Campus Candy

Do these sound vaguely familiar to 2 years ago? 

Gemma, working with fridge magnets, creates the following

Praise God with us! Jul is just entering the second trimester. We are VERY excited!!!!

Due date: November 1st

(okay, okay, so Gemma had some major help constructing that phrase...)

10th Anniversary

Last week - on 14th July - we celebrated our TENTH ANNIVERSARY!

It was ten summers ago, during the hottest week of the season in Durham NC, that we exchanged rings and pledged our love & loyalties for life. We have had an unexpected and amazing journey this first decade...
celebrating anniversaries in New York state; South Dakota; Durham; Vancouver, Canada; Wheaton, IL; Cape Town, South Africa; and Bloomington, IN.

To kick off the summer of celebrations (we like to get lots of mileage out of birthdays and anniversaries), on the evening of our anniversary we went out for a dinner date. Yes, we got a babysitter and went to dinner! Unfortunately there were no aluminum (traditional) or diamond (contemporary) gifts...but we did enjoy a glass of wine and delicious dinner at FarmBloomington, one of B-town's great restaurants specialising in a local, seasonal menu.

Jul was especially happy about the french fries - topped with parmesan, lemon zest & red pepper flakes and served with aioli. Yum.

Hopefully sometime in the next few months we will be able to do one or two more things to mark the 10th Year. At least that's what we are saying to help motivate Jim to get through his upcoming qualifying exams (three consecutive weekends of 20-page essays) and on to the dissertation phase. There are many restaurants and state parks still to explore in Indiana. Maybe we will get to one of those. And maybe for our 20th anniversary, we will finally do that longed-for week together at a beach.

Gemma Taylor Gieser! Her first two days of life!

What a remarkable experience: watching and waiting for nine months as this little being formed in Julianna's body. Then comes the day when she arrives in our world, living and breathing, squirming and dark-haired. What a wonder she is, a gift from God.

Gemma was born on Wednesday, September 1. Weight: 6 pounds, 8 ounces. Length: 19 inches.

At a routine check-up on Tuesday the doctor expressed concern that Gemma had not gained any weight for the past four weeks and noticed that amniotic fluid levels were low. She felt that Naartjie (as we called her in utero) was not getting the nutrition she needed to grow: it was time for her to come out. So, as ordered, we went to the hospital on Wednesday morning to have Julianna's water broken.


Jul had a quick labor and delivery: her water was broken at 8.45 am, which, as hoped, got her body moving into action. Contractions began regularly fifteen minutes later. From noon they became intense. At 2.08 pm Jul felt the urge to push. She did - and Gemma was born 9 minutes later! (We'll omit the first photos, as neither mother nor daughter are looking their best).


Gemma's first bath, given by a nurse shortly after delivery.


Grandma Hawkins, or "Jaja" (which means "grandmother" in a Ugandan language), arrived later that afternoon.





Grandma Gieser, or "Nonna", drove down from Wheaton on Thursday.


I appreciated friends who gave me permission to change their kids' dirty diapers, but long ago I decided that I would wait to learn that important skill until I had a child of my own. Here I am, in action...this was probably the fourth or fifth dirty diaper. How am I doing?



The journey from our recovery room to the car. Afterwards Julianna said that it was one of her proudest moments in life.


Gemma didn't make a peep during her first ride in a car - and I drove especially carefully with such precious cargo inside.


We're home!

Pete & Rita's Wedding!

Pete & Rita Hawkins, married Saturday, July 10th 2010
in Timber Lake, NC

We had a wonderful three days of 'wedding weekend' celebrating Pete and Rita! One of the best things of course was the fact that all of our family was able to be there together. On Thursday morning the 5 Hawkins ladies went out for coffee together and some quality chat-time. (No, we did not intentionally try to match our outfits.) Asher also joined us (as did the babies growing inside Hannah and me...).

Friday night was a fun, casual Rehearsal Dinner at Little River Park, complete with family & friends and a pig-pickin' with all the sides. Gotta love those hush puppies and being able to pull your own pork off the pig.


The kids had fun on the playground - I think Phillip set the record for the sweatiest child.



Here are the newlyweds taking the all-important 1st bite of cake together! (And what a delicious cake it was!)

...on their way out to the getaway car, graciously loaned by Rita's brother in-law - careful with that Mustang!

Here are some of the extended family that were present. It was good to have Uncle David & Aunt Kippy, Ruth Zuba & kids, and Grandpa & Gram there. And wow, where did all these kids come from?!