Well, It’s About Time! + Fall 2017 Happenings

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We’ve been busy! Over the past few months, we stepped back a bit and realized we’ve been working too much and really stretching ourselves thin. We made a conscious decision to set some boundaries in order to work a little less and play more. Fall has been so fun since we made that decision. We’ve been getting out more; making memories with the kids and have begun a most exciting project!

Groundbreaking!

We are breaking ground TODAY on our dream home!! We took a few photos to remember this day. We hope this home will be our forever home (God willing). I honestly don’t ever want to move again. By the time we move into our new home, it will have been 2 years living with my parents, which has been the best possible scenario for us but it gets hard since we live and work at home. I just want to move in already and camp in the big hole they are digging. In my mind, I’m already moved in and have placed the Christmas tree. Eeeek, I’m just bubbling with excitement.

Home Search Update:

After a year and a half of searching for our dream home, we realized it didn’t exist. We weren’t ultra picky – there just aren’t very many homes on the market. It’s a tough market! Prices are soaring in Idaho for homes and land so when this gem of a property came available, we took it as a gift from the Lord.

This lot sums up all of the desires of our hearts and if you question whether God really gives you the desires of your heart, HE DOES! It is 1 acre on a quiet street, in the heart of where we wanted to live, next to a grocery store (yes that was a dream of mine!), close to school and my family, very private without backyard neighbors. It’s just as dreamy as it gets and when I think about how it’s ours and that realization hits me, the waterworks start – it’s overwhelming joy and thankfulness. I feel undeserving of such a blessing and we know it is an answered prayer.

The Story of our Dream Lot:

We initially called the builder about this lot while driving around in the summer months. It was already reserved for someone else so we moved on and kept searching. After that, we put a solid offer on another home that did not work out despite a personal letter with pictures of my cute children – lol. It’s funny now but I was in such turmoil over it. And then out of nowhere, the builder calls me and tells me his buyer switched to a different lot. THANK YOU LORD!! Now we are praying for an extended Autumn so we can get the walls and roof on before it starts snowing :).

P.S. Scroll back up to that first family photo and notice how baby D is posing with her mini shovel. We did not plan it that way but her little pose is priceless. I can’t get enough of her sweetie pie-ness :).

FALL HAPPENINGS:

We’ve been getting out more and taking the opportunity to create lasting memories with our children.

Traveling to California:

We flew to California to visit Vadim’s family and stayed a little longer than usual.

The baby loved being on the airplane. Now anytime we mention airplanes, she says, “Can I go on airplane, please?” and then she asks for the rest of the day. It’s best not to mention airplanes to the little dear unless we are flying out that day ;).

Our primary goal in California was to visit family and friends. My husband is from Sacramento so we visit annually and hope to make the trip bi-annually going forward because life is just too short not to.

We stopped at Apple Hill in Cali where we loaded up on apples, 2 giant apple pies and several jugs of the best apple cider I have ever tried.

With my beautiful sister-in-laws, Zhanna and Alina.

I’m so glad these boys have each other as cousins. They are all close in age and have so much fun together. I only wish they lived a little closer.

I can’t get over how big she looks in these photos. My baby is growing way to fast. Time, slow down!!

We also stopped at the Sacramento Zoo, which was neat since the variety of animals was completely different from our zoo, probably because we have cold winters in Boise. Baby D still talks about the flamingos. 

And we took this hilarious picture because who can resist?

In-N-Out!! Every.single.time we are in California, we stop here. It’s tradition since we don’t have one in Idaho.

Back home, we’ve been doing some casual adventuring; taking the kids to the local corn mazes (and we have 2 really good ones in town!)

We’re getting out in the crisp Autumn air, taking random walks and trips to the parks. It’s so good and the kiddos love it. And is it just me, or does baby D look SO grown up?

When my son decided he didn’t want to ride his bike anymore…

…and I just wasn’t fast enough. It’s hard to pedal on a small bike – ok?

And my husband has been brushing up on his photography skills seeing the beautiful in everything.

Spending time with family is good for my soul 🙂

Well, if you’ve hung on this far, tell me about your adventures in a comment below! What have you been up to this Autumn? I just love connecting with you here :).

Loads of Love,

Natasha, Vadim, Big D and Baby D ❤️