in other news...

We've been in Lansing nearly 3 1/2 years now. Tim's research has gone wonderfully and it was clearly the right thing career-wise for him to end up at MSU for his postdoc. However it's starting to be time for him to wind things up here- that's right, after 4 years of undergrad, 2 years of getting experience in industry, 5 years of grad school, and 4 years of postdoc, it might just be time for him to land an actual, honest-to-goodness job.

He's put in some applications for a number of positions. The process of hiring for professors/researchers is terribly, nail-bitingly slow. Though some of the apps have been in for two months, he just heard back today for the first time concerning any of the positions (some encouraging news on one spot but nothing earth shattering). Actually I am kind of glad because I would rather have this whole issue put to the side over the holidays.

We know just what we would like to happen for him and our family- a job in my hometown or at least somewhat nearby or maybe closer to family than where we are now. And we know just how much control we have over that actually happening- none- and what the statistical chances are- rather slim. So we are trying to pray with faith and trust for God to provide the kind of position we want, yet also to believe wholeheartedly that His will is perfect whatever the outcome, and to be prepared to accept that outcome thankfully and gracefully regardless. It's rather tricky to hold those things in juxtaposition, especially for as long as this is likely to go on- months, if not another year since it isn't a given that Tim will find something this year and we may have to repeat the whole process. Never before have I had some understanding of why you might get into prosperity gospel... it would be nice to name it and claim it here, but I think God is going for more of a character development approach with us this winter.

I'll be sure to update with any significant results!

things he's been doing lately

he never sings if he realizes we are watching!

and today... we did this.

with much sampling, of course.

walking!

we are experiencing a lack of photographic success..

Please be patient while we attempt to catch Helen walking on camera- we've got a huge series of sad little videos where she seems about to take off and then *bump* on her bottom she goes! I assure you she walks and can even stand up all by herself without pulling up. She says mama, bye bye, hello, and uh-oh. She's getting her first molars, all four at once, and the three of us have each gotten significant bites from her in recent weeks. Helen likes to color and rummage through drawers and cupboards, and prefers her food in non-bite-size format. I've just put away most of her 12 month clothes and put out 18 month. (*sniff*)

Not to leave out the big brother- he is in a learning about the world sort of stage. He wants to know what rainbows eat and where squirrels live. Dr. Seuss reigns supreme at bed time. He can put on his own socks and take off his own shirt. He's incredibly neat and tidy and sometimes goes around cleaning up behind Helen telling her "don't make a mess, baby! no no no no!" He likes the idea of being potty trained but sadly his ability stops short of his ambition. He's been through a series of shots lately- seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations- and every time he is very sweet about it, his lip maybe trembles for a second, then he announces "I'm so brave."

get ready to wiggle..

naturalization ceremony

Tim took the oath of citizenship last week. It was quite a cool little deal, with a choir (at the end of a song George would always say in a slightly-too-loud voice "MORE SONGS!"), and speeches, and an honor guard. Tim was of course the only Zimbabwean; there were lots of Bosnians and Brazilians but very few other Africans other than a couple of Sudanese.

Any bets on how long it'll be until he gets summoned for jury duty?

we laughed, we cried, we ate and ate and ate

My cousin was married in Wisconsin two weeks ago. We made the long trek up in two days of driving to be able to attend. It was lots of fun, the kids really enjoyed themselves:

ringing the bell to get the couple to kiss...

no comment here...

Here is my grandpa with his five daughters and daughter in law at the reception. We hadn't initially planned on coming to this wedding but changed our plans after we got some bad news about his health this summer. We wanted to be sure to see him just in case. He had never met Helen who was named after my grandma. The night before the wedding we all went out for pizza, and he got to see Helen for the first time and he was so sweet and funny and charming with her.

God's timing was certainly in operation because my grandpa was taken ill the day after the wedding and died a day after that. It was a very hard week but a blessed one because we had planned to be in WI the whole week anyway so we were able to be present for the visitation and funeral (which would have been a big challenge if we had to come from MI), and were able to spend a lot of time with my dad's family. We are so thankful that we were there, that grandpa got to meet Helen in time, and that his death was so peaceful and without suffering. One night he was out partying, then he just slipped away easily with his family there with him. He was the best example of living faith I have ever known and even death had no fears for him. He was ready. It was the rest of us that weren't.

All the in between times of the last week or so were spent eating. I made over 200 cookies for the visitation just because I needed *something* to do. The morning of the visitation we went to grandpa's favorite diner (he had breakfast there most every day). George scarfed down his special pancake without any hesitation...