Welcome to Seattle!

After flying by grandma's farm, flight delays, and being totally exhausted, WE MADE IT! Our room has a beautiful view, we have seen a few friendly faces of families that were here back in late March. I love how the children feel totally at "home" here. They know all the nooks and crannies of the house. We are on the third floor which we like best. There is a extra den and the library is just a few doors down. We are in the first of two kitchens which we like best as well.

I cannot not get over just how exhausted I am. I feel like I could sleep for a couple of days. Joseph is caught between the two time zones. He is not going to sleep until around 8-9pm but he is getting up at 6am, arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggg!

Today we went to the aquarium with Neil, his new wife Lilly (who we had not yet met and she is darling!)and Smelly! I do not know what the kids were more excited about seeing Smelly and Neil or going to the Aquarium!

The afternoon was wonderful! Since Neil is a volunteer at the aquarium he was able to get some things out of the touch tanks for Joseph to feel. HE was not too crazy about it but he did touch them! He did not seem to mind the sea star so much. We went through fish tanks and it was great to have our own personal guide! Joseph and Neil were inseperable! They are crazy for each other and Neil is just a big kid. Lilly and Emily bonded very well as did Sarah but Emily and Lilly hung out more together which was wonderful. Barbara and Sarah hung out together and Jeff and I were able to find a minute or to for us. As per usual Joseph flipped out with the seals!

It was a great day had by all. The sun came out around 5:30 after a day of hit and miss light rain. We all headed over to the Lockspot Cafe for awesome clam chowder, fish and fries. Poor Jeff was about to pass out after he got a full tummy. One last fun stop on the way home was to Joseph's favorite spot the Seattle Troll. HE loves it!

Tomorrow it is off to the zoo!

Will post pictures as soon as I can. I killed our laptop before we moved. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow one for the RMH but it is not allowing me to upload pictures and make posts to Joseph's caringbridge

Six days and counting till moving to Seattle

First I must apologize for not posting in awhile. As you can imagine, things are quite crazy around here. We are now down to 6 days and counting till we move to Seattle!

Several things have changed since I last posted.

** The kids and I were driving cross country. I developed an infection in my leg and had to have surgery to help it heal. Because I am diabetic it has not been healing as it should so the surgeon does not want me to drive cross country. So now thanks to Miracle Flight, we are flying to Seattle Thursday, May 29Th.

I do better updating Joseph's caring page than I am here. Make sure you stop over there for better details. www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephsprouse

**Jeff is now coming with us! I know, several of you said to be patient that he would come, and you were right! Praise God! I just could not imagine making this move cross country without him.

** Miracle Flight was able to make flight arrangements for us. We are going by the way of Grandma's barn. We fly from Charleston to Cleveland, Cleveland to Newark. and Newark to Seattle. Joseph is not going to be the only one exhausted!

**We will not know if there will be space for us at the Ronald Mc Donald House until Wednesday afternoon. They have been turning families away right and left we have been told. please keep your fingers crossed!

Well. it is back packing and tackling Mt. Washmore. The hard I try to get to the top, I find another load of laundry lurking in the corners, and hiding around the house! :0)

Mother's Day

Dear Friends

Mother’s Day was absolutely wonderful!!!! Sarah Elizabeth planned my entire day. I was pampered with breakfast in bed, attend church, followed by brunch at one of my favorite spots, First Watch. Later Sarah and I went to Lowe’s where I was asked to choose a favorite plant to be used in a gift I would receive later in the day. I chose a beautiful pink cone flower. Later Sarah Elizabeth surprised me with a flower pot that she decorated with each of the children’s hand prints painted on. I was treated to a nap and awoke with baby pink roses on the nightstand. Heather surprised me by squeezing in a visit. She just started summer school this week and is swamped. The girls and I spent several hours snuggling and watching movies in bed our bed, what a treat! For dinner I was surprised with dinner ordered in from yummy Main Tin. Sarah Elizabeth and I both love Willow Tree Angels. She gave me a beautiful memory box with a Mom and daughter on the front. Joseph gave me a sweet gift he made at school. He actually let his teaching team paint his hands and feet and surround a tear jerking poem plus he made me a card! ;0). Heather gave me a beautiful card and my favorite chocolates. Does it get any better than that, spending time with those that you love and adore?

I cannot explain the emotions that hit me at church on Sunday. I was watching Joseph’s choir, the darling Cherubs sing and it hit me like a ton of bricks that this was our last service before move to Seattle. Suddenly I could not control the flow of tears through out the service. I looked around at the people I love and how much I was going to miss them. How they have embraced our family in love and support in so many ways.

I do have to share I am bummed we will not to be able to experience the blessings of the new leadership in our church. In the past few years our church has under gone a huge transformation and become an amazing place. Sarah Elizabeth will miss confirmation next which makes me sad. I know that God will send us to a new church where we will be welcomed with open arms. I look forward to meeting these new friends and growing in faith with them.