Making our house a home

It's our 8th anniversary in Grand Rapids! It doesn't seem like it's been that long, but it has. We've lived here more than twice as long as anywhere else.

The city has more to offer and has become the hip place to put on a list.

We're fond of it.

We should get out more and explore it, but we're busy working on the house.

We have seen a great deal of the city. There are just so many restaurants we want to try, plus all the free concerts and other art festivals it can start to become overwhelming. Plus it's more fun to do with friends.

Eight years is a long time and I'm happy to be here.

we're going to the chapel...

It's Saturday. We're off to a wedding. It's for friends of ours, Josh and Stephanie. They are a part of the young adult group at our church. They also joined the leadership team for the Sr. High work camp a few years ago. They have been busy finished college and getting jobs. We are very excited for them and are happy to be able to drive across America's high five (that's where they grew up) to enjoy the celebration.

Honestly, we vacillated as to whether or not to go. We haven't seen them in awhile, and it's across the state. It's a Saturday in the summer. There are a lot of other things we could be doing. But, in the end, I came to the conclusion that going to a wedding is showing support for all the weddings we've missed. It's also showing our support for those who can't make it. Next time you can't go to a wedding don't feel guilty; think of it that way. Someone else is going to support the couple. Or the next time you can go to a wedding, remember that you're showing support for those who can't.

Can I get a high five?

Yes, I do have pictures from Christmas and I will post them.

But first I had to share this with you.

Of all the potatoes (and there were a lot), we got the bag with this potato.

Let me tell you how.

There are potato chip factories in Indiana that sample each truck load of potatoes. If the potatoes don't meet the standards of the factory, the potato shipment is rejected. Instead of throwing these potatoes out, a group has organized a distribution at a church. One of the men from my parents church said he would take 1,000 of the ten pound bags.

When he showed up, they had 1,500. He said he couldn't take that many. He was told take them or leave them.

It was all or nothing.

So he took them.

My parents have been taking bags to give to as many people as they can, like Spencer's baby sitter, my sister, Bill and me.

Last night, when I reached in the bag to pull out potatoes, I pulled out this one.

It's the mitten!

The Lower Peninsula!

I had to take a picture.

Can you believe out of 1,500 bags of potatoes that we got the bag with this one in it?

Now we can eat it.