New 'Do, New Porch, Free Landscaping and an Old Friend

For the past 2 summers, Malachi has asked for a Mohawk.  This year we appeased him and James gave him the new 'do yesterday.  Oh boy!

The new porch is finally finished.  Yesterday I finished applying the stain.  It looks great!

Recently, we discovered that our landfill offers free mulch.  It's not as decorative as the mulch you buy in stores, but did I mention it's FREE?  So James took the trailer and came back with a few loads.  We put it in the flowerbed/pots and planned on putting it a few places around the yard where growing grass is challenging.  Yesterday our neighbor told us about another neighbor who needed to get rid of decorative stones.  Again, for FREE!  James borrowed a wheelbarrow, made a few trips across the street and placed the stones in a few spots.  I was in charge of filling the areas with mulch.  It was tedious, but the end result was worth it.  In addition to the rocks in the front, we also placed rocks on the sides of the house with mulch.  Hopefully, the prospective buyers will appreciate this added FREE element ;-)  Now we just hope and pray that the grass James is planting will come in A-S-A-P!!!

Last night a dear friend from high school was in town for a wedding.  She came to our house to stay the night and hang out.  Because I wanted to be able to catch up without 3 little ones trying to get her attention, we escaped to a restaurant and enjoyed some sweet potato fries (my fav!) and I had a spinach and artichoke quesadilla; she had eaten at the wedding.  It was so nice to hang out with some from the past and she lives in KC so we are already planning on our next get-together.  Old friends are great!

No news yet on the job.  The interview went as well I could expect and I really hope that I get it.  But, if I don't, then it's not what was meant to be and I'll be ok with that =)

Change is A'Comin'

If you've been a reader for awhile, then you know that James has been trying to get into med school.  It's been a 3 year journey of pre-reqs, MCAT's, applications, interviews and waiting.  Lots and lots of waiting.  This "interview season" James had 3 interviews and was placed on 3 wait lists.  But a few weeks ago James received an email from KU (one of the wait list schools).  They were extending an invitation for James to apply to their Post - Baccalaureate medical program.  Basically, he will take grad level classes for a year and if he doesn't flunk, then he is guaranteed a spot in next year's med school class.  Only about 50 students who interviewed at KU and who didn't immediately get accepted (also met certain criteria) and had a strong essay/interview were given an invitation to apply.  Then out of those 50 only 15 were given a spot.  James was told he had a very good chance of acceptance into this program.

And so we waited a few weeks to hear the decision.  Then yesterday around 4:30pm I received a text from James I had been praying for.  "I'm IN!!"  Those words have rocked our world!  Everything in our life is going to change. And FAST.  James' classes begin June 4th up in KC.  Relocation. I have to find a job, we have to sell our home, buy a home, find a daycare, etc.  But, I believe that God is in the details and He brought us to the here and now and He will not leave us nor forsake us.

Today I woke up and was overwhelmed at the daunting task that was ahead.  Where to begin?  I decided that I would apply to a job I saw listed last week.  It's pretty much the same position that I had before I resigned to stay home with the kiddos.  I loved the job; loved my co-workers.

At 8:30 this morning, I officially emailed my resume.  At 9:15, the hiring manager called me to screen me a little further for the position. He said it would probably be next week before I would hear if I would get an interview. But, at 10:57, he called again to invite me for an official interview!!!!!!  The department I would work for is based mostly around the Columbia, MO area (the manager lives in St. Louis), but it sounds like this is a new position that is based in Kansas City.  The interview is THIS Thursday from 10:30-12:30.  He will interview me first and then I will have a peer interview with the rest of the team.  I will leave for KC tomorrow evening and then drive to Columbia on Thursday morning.  I was just blown away about this prospect.  I was not expecting to hear back from any job for at least a week or two.  But the same day?!?  It would be a huge weight off of my shoulders if this was "it". 



Since I'll be up in KC, I will also be looking at a few prospective homes.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.  Our home will go on the market on Saturday and it's our prayer we will get an offer ASAP. 

It will be a stressful time, but I am confident this is where we are supposed to be.  I have cried and will continue to cry about those we will leave behind.  I have smiled and will continue to smile about those we are moving to.  Bittersweetness.   
   

First Dance Recital

This morning Samara had her first dance recital.  We were blessed with family driving from all over to attend her 1 1/2 minute long routine.  My grandpa had never been to our house and my dad graciously offered to let him ride along (my mom had to work, but sent a beautiful picture frame for her dance picture to be in.)  James' parents and older brother made the trip down as well.  After the recital, we had cookies and punch at the reception and then came back to our house to hang out and eat lunch.  We had a wonderful time and Samara did a great job.

I couldn't zoom in on video.  In the beginning, Samara is the last dancer on the right.  After the teacher leaves the stage, she is the last dancer on the left.  Just in Samara fashion, it wouldn't be complete with a little of her personality.  At the ending, she should be on her hand and knees.  Instead, she is on her side and placed one hand on her chin for a pose.  Adorable!

James' mom took a lot of pics and I will post them once I get a copy.  Below is a picture of the girls in Samara's class.  Samara is on the left.

Out with the Old...In with the New

Two weeks ago I purged.  And it felt great.  Nothing like getting rid or bagging up toys that have been neglected because the kiddos have outgrown them, left you frustrated because they are cluttering up your house, or simply are broken but still managed to escape the trashcan.  Samara and her bedroom has always been a source of, hmm...how to say this nicely.  It's been a source of tension between us.  Yes, even at the young age of 3.  I don't mind toys being out, but she manages to get e-v-e-r-y item out.  Not just toys, but clothes and blankets, too.  I have to walk past her room to get to my room and there's times that I keep my focus straight ahead because my blood pressure may rise if I see the state of her room.

I decided that enough was enough.  She simply had too many toys (even though technically she had enough space for all of them.)  I knew that she had a core group of toys she daily played with.  Those items I kept.  Everything else was fair game.  But I couldn't stop at just her room.  I had to do the same thing with the boys' toy closet, too.  She has a bad habit of sneaking their toys into her room so I knew that if I didn't do their room, then I wouldn't achieve my goal.  It took most of the day, but I came out a much happier Mommy.  She hasn't kept the tidiest of rooms since, but the amount of disorder has drastically been reduced which has helped my state of mind.  Pics below to illustrate:

Samara's Room: View from Door

View from Inside

Her Toy Closet..Yes, with clothes

Ahh, MUCH Better!

You Can See the Floor =)

Very Few Toys in the Drawers

Boys' Toy Closet

Only the Favs Stayed

Last weekend the family did yard work. James worked on putting in our new porch while the kiddos and I cleaned the flowerbed in the backyard and planted some new flowers.

I consulted with Malachi on how the flower pots in the front should be arranged.  This was his recommendation.  The other side of the porch is identical. (Overlook the grass...James killed it to plant new grass)

Running Behind

And so I'm behind again on my blog.  It's been a crazy few weeks, but I wanted to get you all caught up on the happenings at the Dinkelberries' home.  A couple of days before Easter our dear, elderly neighbor brought over her specialty cake she made for the kiddos.  It looked amazing and tasted soooo delish!  We are truly blessed to have her across the street.

Sweet Bunny Cake

Unfortunately, our Easter celebration was hampered by James being extremely sick.  He ended up going to Urgent Care on Easter and was diagnosed with pneumonia.  So, he won't be featured in our Easter pics below.

Malachi was out of school for 5 days for the holiday so I wanted to have some fun while he was off.  Good Friday was spent playing games, reflecting on what the day truly meant and also dying some eggs.  (Samara may be a bit confused on the holidays because she insisted on wearing her Santa dress!)

Hard at Work

CHEESE!!!

Silly Face and Bunnies

 That Saturday I treated the kiddos to a trip to the donut shop.  Initially, it was going to be the shop in town, but it was closed so we headed into Wichita.  They had their first experience at Krispy Kreme.  I love me a good donut!

Sunday morning the kiddos and I went up to my aunt, uncle, and cousin's house in KC for an Easter celebration.  My parents along with my sister's family were there.  We had amazing food, awesome company and of course, an egg hunt.  When a kiddo found a "special shiny" egg, they got a big prize bag filled with a puzzle, cool drinking cup, bubbles, coloring book and other cool prizes.  I loved to watch all the kiddos race to snatch up an egg before the next kiddo came along.  It was also so nice to be around family if only for a few hours.

Precious Stella Has Quite the Loot!

Busy Guy

Grammie Helping Out

Malachi is on a Mission

Sweet Cousins

Last Tuesday night was the beginning of preparation for Isaiah to enter Kindergarten. <GASP!>, tear up, and take a deep breath.  I knew that once Malachi started school then the year would go by so quickly and before I was ready, Isaiah would begin his academic journey.  I took Isaiah to Kindergarten Round-up. The teachers took the *almost* students to a classroom for cookies and coloring while the parents received information and necessary paperwork.  It was very low-key, but still it was hard to walk beside this boy who is growing up way more than I would like to admit.  He is no longer a little boy, but a boy. Wow.  When it was over, he came rushing out at me and in the way only Isaiah talks, exclaimed, "It was AWESOME!"  Yeah, he's ready.

Throughout last week I kept a close eye on the weather forecast.  There was a growing possibility for severe tornado weather on Saturday.  Ever since the Joplin tornado hit last year, I have taken these warnings way more seriously.  If I have the time to prepare my family for the worst and don't, then I would feel like I failed them.  So Thursday and Friday I cleared and cleaned out our "safe spot" in the basement.  I brought down a few chairs, had extra blankets, packed a few bags filled with toys, food/drinks, important paperwork, shoes, clothes, phone charger, etc.  Yes, you may shake your head at me, BUT if we were ever in a situation where we needed the above listed, then you would thank me for being a little over the top!  Anyway, on Friday, I went over to our dear elderly neighbor to remind her that if the sirens went off to just come on over and head to the basement.  Since finding out that she and her daughter do not have a basement, we have invited to come over any time the sirens sound.

Saturday afternoon I spent watching all the tornadoes pop up all around us.  The air was thick with moisture and very ripe for tornadoes.  Late in the afternoon the meteorologist said that we would need to pay close attention to the storm coming out of Oklahoma.  This was going to be our best shot at a tornado coming up in our immediate area.  It took hours, but I watched it slowly make its way to Wichita.  Once the warning was issued for Wichita, I got my running shoes on and grabbed my purse.  We were the next county and the storm was tracking our way.  A little before 11pm the tornado sirens went off.  I went upstairs and grabbed sleeping Samara and rushed her to the basement, under the stairs.  I then woke the boys up.  They were very confused about what I needed them to do. I had earlier warned them about this possibility, but it took a few minutes for them to grasp the seriousness of the situation.  Our neighbor and her daughter came over and we all huddled in the basement.  It was dead silent outside; no wind blowing.  The meteorologist said that it was headed straight for our town.  We knew that it had brought extensive damage to parts of Wichita already and so it was a little frightening to think about it coming down the highway right at us.  All of a sudden, we hear a wall of rain and wind.  I was trying hard to hear that distinct "train sound", but didn't hear it.  A few minutes went by and the meteorologist said the tornado was now north of town.  Praise God we were fine and from what we could tell, our house was fine.  We said goodnight to the neighbors and the rest of the family went to sleep.  There was one more severe storm system headed our way and I watched it approach until it no longer had tornadoes forming from it.  It was close to 2am before I slept; I was exhausted.  We later learned that right before making it to our town, the tornado went back up in the air and didn't make contact with the ground until it was north of town.  We were definitely spared!

Monday night there was a "Go Green" night at the middle school.  Local agencies promoting a "greener" environment had booths and Malachi's Green Club he is involved with after school on Mondays and Tuesdays made a poster for the event.  I went with Malachi to look at the displays, eat a snack and see the handy work of his club.  Here he is with one of the Green Club's sponsors.

Malachi by Green Club's Blue Poster

   Ok, so I think you are now up-to-date on our lives.  Hope you're having a fabulous week!

The Tooth Came Out

So at last we have a toothless little boy.  He was eating his cereal and felt the tooth in his mouth.  He came running all excited and I was pretty excited that I didn't have to pull it ;-)  He even had to make up a song about the day.

Loose Teeth Scare Me

I remember growing up that certain "individuals" in my house were freaked out about loose teeth.  I wasn't one of them.  It didn't phase me to twist the loose tooth until it finally gave up and came out.

Now that Malachi has his first loose tooth I am taking a more distant approach with the situation.  He came running out of Green Club to tell me about discovering his first loose tooth.  This occurred after biting into an apple.  He said that it was the best day ever...well, besides Christmas and his birthday.  I admired the tooth, but certainly didn't want to wiggle it myself.  He could barely contain himself when James walked in the door.  Oh the joys of a loose tooth.

I warned him that once the tooth is out there will be blood, but I know how to get it to stop bleeding so no worries.  He also showed me how he was going to sleep because he would hate to lose it in his sleep and swallow it.  I wonder if he's more excited about the impending hole in his mouth or the money that he will "earn" by the loss of the tooth.

Regardless, I hope that either he pulls it himself or James does the honors because I really want no part in that process besides being an onlooker and his #1 cheerleader.