Visas...Finally!

It's kind of weird to think: we were supposed to be flying to Monterrey today. But this latest visa delay happened and we were told that the most plausible day that the visas would be completed would be April 4...that didn't include work at the consulate to be done afterwards. We were mentally tallying days and realizing that we probably wouldn't leave until after Easter. It really wasn't upsetting to us, and we planned accordingly, including a trip down to my parents and a business trip to Monterrey for Ben.

Then, abruptly, mid-day Monday we got an email letting us know that our visas were approved. Over a week ahead of schedule: go figure.

I had hard time shifting expectations. While I was thankful that the visas had been approved, honestly I felt pretty jerked around. All that stress that had melted away with our restful "extra" days at home came rushing back to me like a hurricane. The pressure of seeing everyone one last time, trying to squeeze in last homeschool days, a trip to Lakeview, a last church service, etc. overwhelmed me once more. We figured that we'd fly out in a little over a week. 

Thankfully, our initial thoughts of having to leave ASAP were dispelled when Ben realized that his boss wanted him to stay in town for a workshop on April 13. That happens to be the Thursday before Easter, so we're actually going to stay in town through the holiday. We're thankful that we'll be able to celebrate our Savior with family. We'll also have a full three weeks left to visit Lakeview, see lots of friends and family and watch some of my favorite flowers bloom.  

We move April 17. For real this time. Visas approved.

Viva la Mexico!

We dropped off paperwork at the Mexican consulate on Wednesday; we'll return in a week or so to get pictures and fingerprints taken and temporary resident cards made.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Today was a great day. Ben and I took the kids down to Salem to see the cherry blossoms at the State Capital and then to walk around our old college. We have so many memories in those places; we smiled from ear to ear the whole time. 

When Ben and I first started dating in our sophomore year of college, the capital was the place we would go to get away from it all. We'd spend hours walking around the grounds hand-in-hand. We'd go late at night, but it was always lit up and beautiful. We got our engagement pictures taken there under the cherry blossoms, which has always been my favorite bloom. It is just such a special place. 

Then, walking around Corban (used to be Western Baptist) again, pointing out things and telling stories to our kids, was just a blast. The boys had so many questions for us and it was wonderful to remember those times in our life: the years that we met and fell in love with each other. 

 We may not be as young, but we're still just as in love

Twelve years ago we were taking engagement pictures here!

We hit the blossoms in perfect bloom. They were spectacular. (Josh, Sam, Seth)

 Me and my boys...Josh with his "new" smile. (Seth, Sam)

Sam

Seth

And Josh (and that smile)

I love walking underneath them and smelling their scent

Pure beauty

There were tons of photographers out taking pictures, and much to Ben's dismay, I asked one for a family picture. They turned out pretty good!

We've got to work on those boys' photo smiles!

Joshy and his daddy

We weren't expecting there to be protesters on the steps and hoards of policemen milling around watching them, but oh well. Seth was really stressed by the protesters and was very worried that they were doing "something illegal." We just tried to downplay the whole thing, but even as we got home, he was still talking about it. It's hard to explain these complicated matters to your children!  

 There is some really awesome trees around the Capital. The boys are always up for a climb.

 We took the boys to Riverfront park to ride on the carousel.

It's a beautiful carousel and the boys loved it.

 There's that "picture smile again"

Our final stop was Corban. Ben and I had actually never seen the clock tower. There were many things changed about the campus, but many things just as we remembered them as well. We were impressed by how much they had cleaned up the appearance of a lot of the buildings and surprised that the foot bridge across the rode was gone. There were just so many delightful memories here. 

Delayed...Again

Our visas have been delayed again. Apparently increased pressure at the border due to new presidential policies has bogged down visa officers and they haven't had the manpower to process our application. No joke. Crazy, huh?

The new hopeful date for our visa to be completed is April 4th. They have asked us to hold off setting a move date until the visa has officially been processed. "Finally!" was our mental response as it's been ridiculous to expect us to arbitrarily pick a move date while we're not privy to any information from immigration office as to how our visa is coming along. Once the visa is approved, then we'll have a couple days process at the Mexican consulate here in Portland, then we can be on our way. 

We've been joking that it's getting kind of awkward: we've been saying a lot of "goodbyes," Ben's work had a surprise going away party for him, etc...and we're still here. "Goodbye...again...and again....and again."

The movers have came and gone, therefore we are without most of our toys, boys, games, etc. But we really haven't missed it much. There's been a couple moments like, "Where are Josh's ear drops?" Or, "I want my popcorn maker!" Then there was the moment that Josh had a complete meltdown because he couldn't build a trailer with his legos. It will be such a treat to open up our crates in a month or so!

Overall, however, we're feeling really relaxed about the whole situation. A little irritated, but definitely not stressed. We're thankful that we didn't know about the delay back in January or February, or we're sure that they would have wanted Ben to temporarily move to Mexico without his family. We're also thankful that we didn't decide to sell or rent out our home, or else we would have been homeless these past few weeks.

We feel like each day here in Scappoose truly is a gift. Today, I got to mow the lawn (with Josh and his mower along side me) and work in my flower beds., while Ben shot baskets with the big boys. We also had a fire pit and s'mores. These were things that we weren't expecting to be able to do this spring. It was so special. 

I wish that I was a really eloquent writer able to better express how we're now feeling about the move, but here's the best I can do: when we were approaching the first move day, we were dragging our feet, looking behind us at what we were leaving, bogged down by the stress and details. There were moments I felt like I could barely breathe. But now, we're ready. We're walking straight ahead, shoulders rolled back, looking the challenge of living in a foreign country straight in the eye. We've been given more time of mental preparation, more language training, bonus time with friends and family, and blessed time at home. Whenever it is, bring on Mexico!

Fort is all done and the boys are loving playing in it (Sam, Josh, Seth)

 I get to see the daffodils! 

 These are some of my hellebores. I love these flowers. They are the first blooms of the year to emerge and are just gorgeous. I'm so thankful I've gotten to see them bloom.

 Fire pits and s'mores!

 Josh, Sam

 Seth

Levi's State Basketball Tournament

Two weeks ago we made the drive to Pendleton to cheer on Ben's youngest brother, Levi, at his State basketball tournament. We were thankful that it was only a 4 hour drive this year (compared to six to Baker City last year), that Josh didn't have a fever and the flu (also like last year), and were also excited to rendezvous with my parents there. My parents graciously offered to come up to Pendleton from Lakeview to spend some time with us before we leave for Mexico, because they knew it was going to be difficult for us to make it to both Pendleton and Lakeview. It was so fun to have both sets of parents together; I love having those I love all in one place...we're so blessed!

Unfortunately, Levi's team lost their first game. It was so sad to see the players' dreams of the championship game gone. They came back and won their next two games, however, earning them the fourth place trophy. On his last game as a Columbia Christian Knight, Levi made five 3's. It was so fun to see him end on a high note. 

Brothers and their kids

The whole family was there to support him

The boys look so sweet in their "knights jerseys" and are so proud of their uncle!

Best moment of the tournament (beyond Levi making five 3's in a game, of course) was given to us by Josh and Ellie. Those two when they are together are nothing but trouble. In fact, Jeff finally coined a nickname of "Bonnie and Clyde" for them on this weekend. After Levi's first basketball game, we were all talking while still standing towards the top of the bleachers. Holly and I were chatting a couple rows above Nate and Ben, when suddenly we saw both our husbands booking it down the bleachers. I assumed that they saw Levi and wanted to catch him before he left the gym. Nope. Josh and Ellie had made their way down the bleachers, past the scorers table and to center court where a rack of balls stood. Picture two teams warming up on the court and two little kids stealing balls off their ball racks. And two dads clamoring across the court to stop them from heading to the hoops. HILARIOUS. How they made it all the way to the balls without any of us noticing we will never know, but I cannot think about that story without laughing. Nothing but trouble, those two.

They spent the games taking off their shoes, trading beads, tackling one another on the bleachers and generally causing trouble. 

 Thank goodness my mom was there for some extra reinforcement

The kids all had fun playing in the lobby after the games and thankfully no one split their heads open hanging from the staircase railing

 This was all Ellie's idea. The girl has no fear (just like her daddy!)

 Cousins in a train

 We had some good times outside the court as well. We explored some of downtown Pendleton with my parents. It's such a neat little town. We visited an old saloon called Hamley's that has a copper roof and beautiful saddles; the twins loved it because they want to be cowboys. 

Seth and Josh

We went the Pendleton woolen mill as well, but unfortunately were 10 minutes too late for the last tour of the day. So we looked at the blankets, tried on cowboy hats and were shell-shocked by the prices (so expensive!!)

We found the coolest restaurant for dinner. It was such a sweet time with my parents.

 Caleb joined us as well and indulged Seth and Sam in a game of Mad Gab while we waited for food.

 We enjoyed some family meals at Jeff and Diane's trailer. They had the most beautiful view of wide open spaces and blue hills, and it was nice to hang out in a place that wasn't a restaurant or a gym.

Sam of course, found a climbing tree there.

I love this picture of Josh...he's such a rascal

But, in the end, the majority of our time was spent at the gym cheering on Levi. Which is right where we wanted to be. 

I wish I could have gotten a video of all the brothers' reactions when Levi started making his 3's in that last game. They all love him so much.

Ben is the best big brother to Levi

It was a great ending to our six years of watching Ben's brothers play high school basketball. We're so thankful that we didn't have to leave for Mexico before Levi's season ended. We wouldn't have wanted to miss it for the world.

The Gift of Time

Last week we were given the gift of extra time at home. 

Despite having months to get our work visa ready, and despite the fact that it was supposed to be ready by March 1, it is STILL not ready for a March 14 leave date. But, no complaints from us: we're thrilled to have some bonus weeks at home! Our new leave date is March 30.

It's funny how perspective changes everything. When we found out that our move date was changed, I had "space" in my brain for the first time in what feels like months. The stress just melted away and I could breath again. 

This coming week was supposed to be our LAST week at home. We were stressed. It was packed full of last visits with friends, last appointments, last day of school, movers packing our stuff...it was going to be a rough and emotional week. Everything was kind of a sad, last time.

Now everything feels like BONUS time. We were give MORE time, more last visits, more days at school, more Sundays at church. What a gift.

Check out the contrast in our calendars for February and March. Yep, all blanks days after March 14.

One of the great things about the timing of learning our move date would be changed is that we had already been hustling to get everything done. Ben had taken the week off and busted his butt in finishing up home and outdoor projects. I had already packed up most of what we will be bringing. Most of our appointments are done. If we had learned earlier on of the change of date, we would have probably procrastinated these projects, leaving the stress until the last week. Now we're still going to have the movers come on Friday (we're ready to get rid of the piles of toys, books, and picture frames around the house) and believe life will be simpler that's over with. It feels like we'll be able to relax and savor our last weeks here in our much loved Scappoose home. 

We're learning to trust the Lord through all this process, as so many things are out of our control. On one hand, it's great that Daimler has people taking care of our paperwork, visas, housing, etc. On the other hand, it means that we know NOTHING of what is happening. So we just wait. We wait and trust the Lord and his perfect timing. 

I'm so thankful. Thankful that I'll get to see friends and family more. Thankful that Ben and I might get a date in because we don't have a packed schedule. Thankful that I'll get to see daffodils and cherry blossoms blooming. We'll take anytime at home we can get!