The Update to End All Updates!

To say that this month has been nuts would be quite an understatement. I apologize for leaving everyone hanging, but it's very hard to update when you don't really know what's going on! So, I'll give you a little window into what's gone on in our house this month:

(1) We have learned that purchasing a home in sunny California is perhaps the most maddening experience one can undergo. That being said, we do love our new home and we trust the Lord that we might actually get to move into it one of these days. They have completed everything...the counter tops are beautiful. Gustav picked them out...a fact of which he is most proud. The wood floors are great and the new appliances... Well, what can I say? I am in love! Here are some pics of the inside of the house (these were taken before the appliances were put in):


So, here in CA closing on a home is a multiple-day adventure. We had the walk-through on Wednesday afternoon, and were supposed to sign all of the closing documents that afternoon. Unfortunately, the bank had not finished putting the documents together. So it didn't happen on Wednesday. And so far today we have still not heard. Needless to say, we have called off all those who volunteered to help move us on Saturday. The truck will have to be rescheduled. USPS will have to be contacted...we'll have to change the change of address. Oh yeah, and maybe I'll have to call the electric company, etc. We have the added issue of our lease being up on Monday.

But we serve a mighty God and nothing is impossible with Him!

(2) So many of you have asked about my novel-writing experience. Here's the scoop: I didn't finish. I got about 9,500 words into it and realized that I had become crazed evil-Mommy. Every interruption (of which there were scads) irritated me to no end. I realized that novel-writing is for the childless, or at least those who are ridiculously good at ignoring everything going on around them. And obviously I fit into neither category! So...it will keep.


(3) Lillian was named Clubber of the Month at AWANA for the month of February. That was exciting and such an honor for her. Here she is getting her award on the left. She is posing with my dear sweet friend Suzanne (and her Sparks leader) in the other pic. We have all been so blessed by our amazing church family here. The AWANA program is just phenomenal.



(4) I am continuing to work hard on eating better and exercising faithfully. I am down 9lbs. in the past 3 weeks! Let me just say, Sparkpeople.com is AWESOME! If you have tried to change to a healthier lifestyle and failed in the past (as we all have at one time or another) check them out. The helps and articles and other members are so helpful and encouraging.

(5) The kids continue to grow like weeds. For the first time in my parenting adventure, I am having trouble making sure their is enough food at every meal! They are eating me out of house and home! (Esp. the older 2!) I recently bought Nicholas some new church shoes and he was a 5 1/2!! No wonder he was complaining...his old shoes were 3's!! Woops.

(6) Gabriel and Kurt are becoming buddies. Here they are playing Legos together:
They are actually the perfect team: Gabriel loves constructing. Kurt loves de-constructing.

Here is Gabriel spoon-feeding Kurt his morning coffee. I told you they were buddies. Yeah, I thought you'd all like that.

I am going to end with a little humor. Needless to say, it's been a stressful week. So, here are 10- reasons why the Hoyers need to move into their new house:

(10) I packed the pencil sharpener, and my obsessed weapon-drawing 10-year-old is never going to forgive me.

(9) If I keep purging, there will be nothing left to move.

(8) I canceled school and packed up all the books. (A fact which delights the under 11 crowd and distresses the over 30 crowd.)

(7) The next time Kurt is missing, we may find him flattened under a pile of boxes.

(6) I packed all of the books Gretchen has read, re-read, and re-re-read, and she will go mad without something to read very soon.

(5) We are hosting 4 people for the Shepherd's Conference in our new home beginning March 4th. That is only 12 days away.

(4) The Post Office is going to think I am schizophrenic if I keep changing my address.

(3) I have things I want to order online but can't, because I don't know which address to ship to.

(2) My refrigerator will be in my KITCHEN!!! (For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about...don't ask.)

And the NUMBER ONE reason the Hoyers need to move:

My new house has a dishwasher. 'Nuff said!


Have a great Friday everyone!

Small Changes

Hi All! It has been a long time since my last post...so sorry! Things here have been humming along. We are still (yes, still!) waiting on our final loan approval for our 2nd mortgage. The Lord is working on my heart. My desire is that, should the loan fall through, I will be content in Him. He is all I need.

I have been making some small changes around here lately. Clearing away the excess, as it were, and focusing on the priorities. We have dropped from our school schedule those things which had become arduous (handwriting) and more like busy work (logic). We have mixed up our daily schedule a la Managers of Their Homes to assure that those things that were getting skipped (Science, History, and Art) happen first in our day, right after our morning bike ride, which is also relatively new. This has all caused our days to be more calm and less frantic. More relaxed time to read and play after our work is done. This, in turn, has caused more happiness and tranquility in our home. You know the adage, "all work and no play..."

I have also had a resurgence in my commitment to Sparkpeople.com. I am trying to be less sinful in my approach to food. I am an emotional/bored eater. I also had gotten out of control as far as portions were concerned. So, with Sparkpeople, I log in all my food choices for the day and stay within the calorie range specified for me. They also create a workout routine for you if you desire. I have done 25-30 minutes on the elliptical for 7 straight days! WooHoo! The message boards are a great place for support and their nutrition and health articles are very informative. Go on over there and check them out. It's a great place. Let me know if you join...I'd LOVE to be your friend. (I'll even let you see how much I weigh :-)

Gabriel got this new Star Wars clone suit with the remainder of his Christmas money. I kid you not when I say that he wore it for 5 straight days. Yep. The enthusiasm of a 4 year old!


Of course, he had to wear it for our morning rides around the block! As though the neighbors didn't think we were weird enough. He capped off the five days by wearing it to the post office.



I will update the blog as I find out more on the house. Keep us in your prayers if you would. Many thanks from all of us!