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

October 25, 2017

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

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Natasha and family posing with shovels in hand

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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!

Natasha and her son shoveling dirt and her daughter playing with it

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.

A son and father shoveling dirt

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.

Natasha, her husband, and son smiling at the camera with a plane behind them

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 ;).

Two photos one of two children and one of Natasha and her daughter sitting in an airplane

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.

Two photos one of two couples and one of woman and children

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.

A group of people walking down a dirt road

Two photos one of Natasha and one of her husband

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

Natasha and two other women posing for the camera

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.

A group of kids posing for a photo behind a farm cutout

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

Two photos of Natasha holding her daughter and smiling

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. Natasha and her two children looking at a woman that is holding something

And we took this hilarious picture because who can resist?

Two children posing behind a cutout of kangaroos that says Sacramento Zoo

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

Natasha and her daughter sitting at a restaurant booth

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!)

Natasha and her two children walking through a corn maze

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?

Natasha cuddling her daughter and holding a to-go cup with a field behind them

Two children one riding a bike and one running down a dirt road

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

Natasha riding a bike with her two children walking beside her down a dirt road

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

Natasha on a bike with her son pushing her

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

A close up of a barb wire wooden fence

Spending time with family is good for my soul 🙂

A father and his two children hugging each other

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 ❤️

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.