20 weeks

Here is the newest member of the Tolosa Family; due on May 18, 2011. We just had our level 2 ultra sound and all is well. We are so thankful for the good report and excited to be adding another little girl to our family. It has been almost 8 years since I got to shop for girly clothes. Sara Grace and I will have lots of fun shopping together for her little sister, which,I might add she is very excited about having!

It looks like she is laughing here! She'll fit right in.

Well, here's to a new start to the New Year. I am hoping to stay caught up on blogging this year--we will see how well that goes with a newborn coming and attempting to potty train my 2 1/2 year old. Stay Tuned . . . .

Saying Goodbye

I have not blogged in nearly 2 months. I posted about the move and the emotions of it, but skipped all the pictures in between. Homeschooling has kept me busy-WOW! I don't run and go and do like I once did, but somehow life is busier without the running. However, my busyness now involves my children more than it once did. Zeke and I were a duo for quite a while there-at least during the school year. Life changes so quickly and what once was a part of our daily routine, is now just a memory.

It was hard saying goodbye to so many good friends in Minnesota. We were blessed by God to build some lifelong friendships during our 7 years in Minnesota. God is stretching me and growing my dependance on HIM here in Delaware. I have taken with me many words of wisdom and Godly counsel from the mentors and friends God gave me at Fourth. I am thankful He often brings to mind those nuggets of truth that were taught to me and lived out before me during my time in MN.

So, I am hoping to backtrack a bit and catch up on some life from Oct. until now. No promises, you may not hear from me again for another 2 months. We'll see.

Our dear family in Minnesota.

The Stuckey Family adopted us into their own family and we have blessed beyond words by their love to each of us!

Lissa Sue with all her buddies!

Our Bible Study group from way back when got together with all of our brood one last time before we left.

Here we are!

Love you guys

New Beginnings. . . .

Here I sit, in our new home, in Georgetown, Delaware. It feels so strange. . .like I am living someone elses life. Matt and I have been married almost 13 years and this is our 9th place of residence. This should be old hat by now, but in reality it is the hardest move we have ever had to make. We left behind many incredible friendships that God allowed us to build during our 7 years of ministry in Minnesota. We are now beginning a new ministry and meeting new people and all of it seems so surreal. I know there are many dear friends praying for us during this transition and we are grateful for their faithful prayers! It is another reminder to me that this world is not my home. My heart aches right now, and although I know God will use this time to transform me into HIS image, the transition is still so difficult. So thankful that God gives us grace for each new day!

They're Everywhere!!

Boxelder bugs are quite popular in this area. They come out in droves at the end of summer and early fall. We have discovered that we have a boxelder tree in our yard and the boxelders are out in abundance! I went online and found out why:

In Minnesota, boxelder bugs emerge from overwintering sites during spring as the weather starts to warm up. Adults feed on low vegetation and seeds on the ground during spring and early summer, and begin mating a couple weeks after they started feeding. Starting in mid‑July, they move to female seed-bearing boxelder trees (fig. 3) where they lay eggs on trunks, branches, and leaves. They are rarely found on male boxelder trees. Boxelder bugs may also feed on maple or ash trees. There is no noticeable feeding injury to these trees. During years of high populations, you may find nymphs on the ground or in gardens feeding throughout the summer.

During late summer and fall, boxelder bugs start to leave the trees from where they were feeding to find protected areas for the winter. Although nymphs may be present in the fall, only fully grown adults survive the winter. Adult boxelder bugs typically can fly several blocks, although in some cases they can travel as far as two miles.

OUR BUG BOY!!!

Transition

We converted Ezekiel's crib into a toddler bed. He started climbing out and I didn't want to take the chance that one of these times he would end up with an injury. I wasn't expecting to have to fight the staying in bed battle quite this soon with him, but he had other plans. Thankfully, we haven't had too many escape attempts. He has learned his boundaries quickly;)

School Days

Our school year is going to be rather different this year for several reasons:
1. I now have two in school all day every day
2. This is the first year since Sara has started school that Matt is able to be home with us in the evenings.
3. Sara and Silas are only going to school at Fourth until the end of September.
4. We are moving in October so my children will have a few days off.
5. I will be homeschooling Sara and Silas when we get to Delaware, which will be whole new experience for all of us.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to have Sara and Silas at Fourth this month. I am glad they have some normal routine for a while and some extra time with their friends. Plus, I have enjoyed running errands and packing with just one child for the majority of the day.:)

So excited!

My big helper

K-5

Silas and Ella Stamper

(They get to sit at the same table)

My little girl is growing up TOO fast!

2nd grade

Little Man gets Mama all to himself for part of the day!

The Great Minnesota Get-Together

This is our last year going to the Minnesota State Fair. We only went once before the kids were old enough to enjoy it. But we have been the last 3 years and it really is a fun day as a family. . . a tiring day, but lots of fun. We always take self-taken pictures of all of us, but this time we asked another couple to take one for us.

They had a "hands-on" farm for the kids. They could pretend to feed chickens, gather eggs, milk cows, gather fruit, plant vegetables and then sell their produce at the farmers market. At the end they each got a box of cereal or bag of chips with the money they made selling their goods. We have never done this with them before, and I think they really liked it!

We had to wait in some long lines along the way. . .it was hot!

Zeke was contemplating a second ride on the tractors while we waited.

"Feeding the chickens and gathering the eggs"

More ways to pass time while waiting in lines

Silas "milking" the cow

"Picking Apples at the Orchard"

"Delivering our goods to the Farmers' Market"

After the "day of work" at the Farm, (and waiting in long lines) We were all ready to eat. Which of course is one of the few reasons we go to the state fair! We tried some new things this year--I just realized I should have taken a picture of all of the things we ate.

Here is our "Texas Tater Twister"

What else do our kids love about the state fair?

The Rides, of course!

Zeke watching Sara and Silas on the airplanes.

(yes, he is wearing Sara's hat, it was the closest one I could grab)

Silas got a little TOO excited on this ride and the ride operator had to yell, "Hey, kid, sit down!"

TIRED! But happy to have food--again!

This time--foot long corn dogs--sorry, no picture.

Next, on to the Animal barns. One of the last reasons my kids love the fair. We watched a sheep judging competition. We found it ironic that amongst all the jeans worn by these farmers and

4-H members, there was one lone man in the competition NOT wearing jeans.

Guess whose sheep won?!!

Yup, you guessed it. . .

The man in the bright yellow shirt and plaid shorts!

Petting a calf

The Cow Barn

This cow kept looking at us--I figured she wanted her picture taken.

The largest Boar in Minnesota--sorry, it was too crowded by his head.

Zeke thought the pig felt strange. He had a very funny reaction and then he giggled.

Signing "PIG"

NOT TOO SURE!

TOTALLY EXHAUSTED!!

Ezekiel fell asleep with in the stroller with his cochlear ON.