Nathan and Starry...

I haven't posted new photos of little Nathan and Starry for a bit. Jess and Josh post a lot of photos on Facebook, but this grandma has trouble keeping up. It's so much easier to take photos these days that they proliferate faster than we can categorize and put them in virtual albums, blogs, etc.! Anyway, these were pretty cute, so I thought I'd share.

 

Nathan seems to be enjoying his new home in 'Tucky, as he calls it. Josh said that the other day Nathan climbed up into a patio chair and got stuck and couldn't turn around. When Josh asked if he needed help Nathan said, "No, the firemen will come and help me!"

 

 

The bathtub was having technical difficulties, so Nathan and his pirate ship adapted to the situation.

 

 

One of my babies...

 

 

 

Starry eating Goldfish and giggling...

 

 

Those little barefoot southern kids!

 

 

Old Jord playing at a church concert on Saturday, I believe. (I probably wasn't supposed to steal this photo. Shhh...)

 

There's a cute video on Facebook. Glenn, you may be able to see it if you click on this link:

 

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10200965295232108"

 

Gittin' late. God bless y'all and shalom on your households!

 

Things keep changing some more!

A few posts back I mentioned that my son Josh and his family only stayed a short time and then returned to Texas. Well...they're back!

Miss Starry

Yup, a large potato processing company that he had applied to here called him up in Texas and offered him a job, so the family packed up again and made the trip once more. Poor kids!

Nathan and Audrey visiting.

They stayed with a friend for a couple of weeks and now have moved into their own place; a nice little townhouse on the edge of town with a view of fields and trees out their back window.

So, we're glad they are back and hopefully when they get their routine established for the kids we'll see more of them.

Meanwhile, Audrey is learning to help out in the kitchen! (And someday I'll get better at waiting 'til my camera focuses before shooting pictures.)

Just an update for Grandpa down in Texas, or anyone else checking in! :)

Shalom!

Things keep on changing, don't they?

Well, what we thought was a permanent move to Minnesota by our kids from Texas turned out to be a short visit. As Josh explored the job market and cost of apartments he came to the conclusion that the cost of living is actually higher here, in our little backwoods community, than it is in the Ft. Worth area! There are a lot of complicated issues behind the scenes, but the end result was that they decided to call this a vacation and turn their van southward once again.

This mom was disappointed, but I really feel that they will be happier in Texas. They are still unsure about whether Jess's parents and siblings will be moving, so they will stay with them while Josh finds a job and they can get an apartment there. I think they are really attached to the community there and that's where they feel at home. So, once again, we let them go. We didn't really have any control over that anyway. They're grown up and have to figure things out for themselves.

We sure loved seeing them and they promise to visit again before a year is up. Here are some photos from our visit.

The first meeting of the cousins who have only seen each others' photos on Facebook!

Audrey and Nathan playing with her little house filled with balls. His favorite toy!

Starry borrows Audrey's jumperoo...

Grandpa's loving it!

Nathan meets Dachessa...

...and Jesse.

And drives Grandpa's tractors...

With Mommy Jess...

and Daddy Josh.

Well, sometimes these big decisions about moving are trickier than we think. Our love follows them wherever they may live, and I'm very happy for Josh's brother, Jordan, who will be glad to have him around. Also, I can't imagine how Jess's family felt when they left; not knowing when they would see them again. These babies have lived with them most of their lives and to see them move away must have been heartwrenching. I know they're rejoicing at the news of their return. I'm praying that these young folks can make some wise decisions and get their family settled in a place of their own soon!

It looks like our lives will settle back into their regular rhythms, until the next change comes about. :)

Praying for safe travels for our loved ones. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us with them!

Shalom!

The kids and grands are on their way!!

As I type this Josh, Jess, Nathan and Starry are on the road. They last checked in from Kansas and hoped to reach Des Moines, IA to spend the night. Then they will arrive late tomorrow. Josh and Jess both have job interviews Tuesday, so there's not much breathing room.

Praise God, Josh reports that the kids are traveling well. They have a video player, so Nathan is enjoying movies. (What a difference from when WE were traveling with little ones!) They are renting a nice little house in Park Rapids, which is about 12 miles from us. They will be close to work, when they find work.

Please pray for safety as they travel and that they will be able to get at least one job between them. They're still trying to figure out if it makes sense for Jess to work, or if she should stay home with the babes. With the cost of childcare she might be better off staying home, which would be her dream!

The Lord is good! When they moved to Texas I never expected to have them back here in Minnesota. You just never know, do you?

It's hot everywhere, so STAY COOL...somehow! :D

Shalom!

Exciting news!

We've had some joyous news at the Richards/Yliniemi household  (aka The Commune)! We've received reports that son Josh and his little family will be moving back to our area! We are now in the process of making numerous calls back and forth to figure out the logistics of moving a family with two small children to a new community where Josh does not yet have a job nailed down. His old employer at J&B Foods (where I work) has expressed interest in rehiring him, but they haven't solidified that. They have an apartment spoken for, but have only a small stipend with which to get here, so Josh will have to work for a bit to come up with rent money. It's really a leap of faith to make this type of move! Of course, we can shoehorn them in here to keep a roof over their heads for a while, but we're praying things will fall into place quickly. It will be SO wonderful to have them here and to get to know our little grandkiddos!

Josh and Jess

Mr. Nathan Aslan Richards

Miss Danielle Starry Hope Richards

Their little cousin Audrey can hardly wait to have more cousins to play and grow up with! (She has one cousin on the Yliniemi side, but these will be the first Richards cousins she will meet!)

Miss Audrey..."Are they here yet?"

Besides this good news, I've gotten to spend a lot of time outside this morning. I did a little hoeing in the garden, helping daughter Micah with her horse and dog chores and snapping a couple of photos.

Bob and I are going back out to play now, so I'll talk to you later!

Shalom!

Photos...

Uncle Jordan is getting lots of practice with babies. Someday...Jess, Josh and Starry Hope ready for a Valentines date.
Miss Starry...
What to do with all that long hair, Miss Audrey?

All dressed up to visit the cousins!

Just a few photos I wanted to show off!:D