BABY is HERE!

So, I case you do not know. CANYON is here! He was born on Wednesday at 2:54p, after Jess's water broke at 7:45a. It was a beautiful day and everything went as well as it could.

I almost didn't make it to the delivery though. I needed to put Tildon down for a nap, the doc was sure she wouldn't have the baby for hours still at 1p. So I went home and put Tildon to sleep. At 2p, Sharon (My mother-in-law) called and asked if I was on my way because Canyon was crowning. So Keisha came to the house and I flew to the hospital, I was driving 70+ mph down the road in hopes of making it. Well I did make it, barely, but I did.

Canyon is still at the hospital, he is a little yellow so they are gonna put him under the lights for a bit. Because he was only 34 weeks he has a breathing issue but improving everyday. So everything is great. He loves to eat and sleep. All the things a baby should do.

Jess is doing well, she's excited because she fitting into here normal, non-preg cloths. SHe was discharged last night and is going to go back to try nursing today.

Tildon is really not understanding things yet. He knows Nan-Mur has been in town, that mommy and daddy have been in and out, and he met some baby that gave him a toy. Woody from Toy Story. But all in all, he's just excited mom and dad are home.

So that's that. I will post more as the info comes in. Thank you for the prayers and support.

Hott-mann! and busy

Sorry everyone, It's been super busy these past few months. So here it is in a very condensed short cliff-note version.

We have been surviving extreme heat, and a small hail storm on Easter. It's been 100+ since Mid-May. In the evening it drops to a chilly 95 degrees. Brrr. So here's a brief summary of each of us.

Me- Work is going well, it's been a bit of a transition because me getting adjusted to Texas, getting use to 40 work weeks, and learning about a product I have never used. Also the usual with Tildon and Jess being Pregnant. Which moves me right into my next person.

Jess- Jess has been pretty good overall, but she has been in and out of the hospital over the last few weeks because of contractions. No Idea why they are happening, but she having them. No other signs of the baby coming early or anything. So she has been so strong, but I know it's tough on her.

Tildon (Moose Man)- Tildon is doing amazing! He's has grown so much the past few months. He's all boy though, running jumping off the couch, throwing things. Just being a boy. He loves the sunshine and because is so warm, he loves swimming in his pool and playing outside. He is finally eating more than just Chicken Nuggets and chips and is a chatterbox, asking questions reading books and caring on conversations. I can tell he's ready for Canyon to get here.

Canyon (nick name established at a later date)- He's healthy and doing great. He's 34 weeks and is at this point as big as Tildon was at 35 weeks. So we think hes gonna be bigger than Moose Man.

So we have a lot of stress going on the past few weeks with Jess and Canyon. But all in all we have to look short term stress for Long Term Blessings!

A one week review

Sorry it took so long to repost.

So, it's actually been more like 10 days, but it's only been a week since we moved into our home. So I guess I still feel like I can title this accurately.

The house is slowly coming together. Items are finding their homes, decorations are being hung, and we are starting to know our way around Abilene. I have to say that I love living here. We stayed with Brian and Keisha Gage for a few nights because it took a while to get our stuff down here. But thanks to new friends we unloaded the truck in 1 hour and 45 mins. I cannot begin to thank everyone who came out to help. People who I met for the first time that day where here moving washers, furniture, and boxes. Thank you again!

Uncle David and Mom (Porter) stayed for a few days to help get a bulk of the stuff opened and put away, and Keisha was a trooper, while being pregnant spent the entire weekend helping us by putting away our entire kitchen. Wow what a relief. Uncle David stayed until Saturday and took off for Weatherford, and mom stayed through Monday to help us get a bit more comfortable. My parents came into town and stayed until Yesterday morning. They were a bit help this week while I started the new job. They helped take care of Tildon, did some small jobs around the house, and help ease the transition to living here in Texas.

I have to say that two of the biggest blessing up to this point have to be having new amazing friends who welcome us with open arms, and having an amazing job. When Brian Gage told me "You guys are gonna fit right in with our friends" he was not kidding. The Gage's and some of the new friends all had a small "welcome" party for us last week. It was so great seeing all these people and knowing they truly care and want to get to know us, as a matter of fact, we just got back from Dave and Amy's house. We had an amazing dinner tonight and let the boys all run around like crazy kids tonight. We also joined the Gage's small group but had to cut it short because my parents came into town last week.

Well, this is enough for tonight. I'll post more consistent now that I have internet at the house.
-Nick

Bring on the Shorts!

Today has been a good day, minus one small snag.

I went to work today, just to stop in and let them know I am alive and made to Abilene safely. It was great to walk in knowing that was my new job. Everyone was so friendly and wanting to get to know me. I can't wait.

I then clocked the distance from Dansco to our townhouse. It's only 11 miles and 9 mins to get there. So I dropped a few items off at the townhouse and traveled around the house to see where some "attractions" were. It's nice having a chick-fil-a just around the corner from the house. I stopped and grabbed lunch for me and the girls and headed back to Kiesha and Brian's house.

Tildon met some new friends today, Eli (3 1/2) and Ari (almost 2). Amy, Kiesha's friend brought her kids over to play for a bit and the 3 boys loved running around out on the driveway. It was awesome to see the boys out playing and having a good time. This kinda thing makes me realize this was a good choice for the family.

Small bummer... My truck driver now delayed us from having our stuff yesterday, to tomorrow, and now to Saturday morning... not real happy but Keisha and Brian have been amazing and are letting us stay with them until Saturday. God Bless them.

Moving Day/ Texas trip (Blog 1 of 3)

Well, since I've been so busy the past few days I can finally update. So I am going to update the past few days over a few posts, so keep reading.

1. So the truck came almost 3 hours after it was suppose to on Saturday. It was not OK, but I have to go with the flow. Close to a dozen of my close friends all came over and helped get the truck packed.

Let me jump back a min, the "truck" was a semi rig and had a couple different loads in it as well. So it was fun building walls and shelves in the truck. Jim, the driver, was awesome and packed the truck tighter than a drum.

So, back to the move. The guys were great and helped pack up everything. Jess ran out and got pizza for everyone. The truck pulled up at 11:30a and it pulled away at 3:30p. A 4 hour pack job was awesome seeing that we loaded the entire house up. We then helped Josh get settled and we left for my parents house. It was kinda weird walking out knowing it was my last time in there. (Unless we come up and stop in at some point)

I have a few picture here, but you can see all the moving pictures here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2015723&id=106800199

It's a Boy!

Boy oh Boy what a day!

Today has been just all over. Actually the past few days have been all over. But first the big news.
WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BOY!
Yup we went to our ultrasound today and there was our little boy. Mouth moving like he was chewing something, hands flailing and everything. So we are excited and blessed to be having another boy. What made the day was Jess's mom, uncle, sister, and brother were all there with us. So we all found out. Then Mom and Uncle David cruised back to Indiana to get mom packed for her big move to Texas as well.

So I ran around today and got my artwork collected and brought back to my house and Jess went to work for her last day. It was kinda neat thinking it's her last day of work until at least 2012. Wow, 2012, that's a long time out. But it's exciting knowing Jess is gonna be able to stay home and be with Tildon and our new son.

So, tomorrow is M-Day.. Moving Day. I have to say it's a little sad knowing that tonight is my last night sleeping in this house. But exciting at the same time. I honestly don't know what think at this point. People have told me to wait a month, then the vacation affect will wear off. I'm not looking forward to that day.

I will be posting loading photos tomorrow. So check back!

Babies are smarter then all of us.

Well it seems that I am writing every two days instead of everyday. But honestly who's reading this beside me?

I'm sitting here eating venison jerky, drinking a Mountain Dew, and watching GAC country music videos (reading up on the culture... kidding). I just thought to myself that after watching Biggest loser tonight that the next time I watch it, it'll be in Texas. (BTW, not happy Justin went home)

So the last two days has been days or realization. It's scary but exciting at the same time when I am giving gas companies notice and cancelling cable. It's just a fun thing knowing I'm starting new somewhere. So I've been getting all our affairs in order. The house has been slowly transforming due to Mom Porter and Nicole helping pack-up and playing with Tildon. It's been great having them here and I know it's gonna be bitter sweet when I leave my family in a few days for Texas. But we did get skype finally set up tonight and tested it out. It was pretty neat seeing my parents and seeing Tildon interacted with the computer. It gives me a little peace.

Speaking of peace. Although I've been going crazy and feeling super stressed, small moments have been helping me realize everything will work out. I just went in and held my son and rocked him back to sleep. Seeing him peacefully sleep in his bed helps me to realize I need to slow down and enjoy this. I just love my family so much I don't want to disappoint or let them down.

Anyways, I'm out. Need to get some more stuff wrapped up before bed. Goodnight and Love to Ya'll (hehe I said something southern)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

I realized today that in 8 days I'll be loading a truck, and in 9 I'll be on my way to Texas to start a new chapter of Our lives. It's scary and emotional, stressful and exciting all at the same time.

Now, here's the time where I sit down and evaluate things.

I realize that during the past few weeks that I have been dwelling on Jess's and Mine's moving to Texas, Life has been going on. I need to realize that although I feel like my life is most important I know there are others who are not having the life they want to have.

A good friend of mine (I'm not saying his name because I do not want to make his business everyone's) has been dealing with his Dad's fight with Cancer. It came on very sudden and although he is trying to be strong for his family, I know he has dealt with a lot over the last 2 years. They are not giving his dad long and I know that they are real close. It's hard for me because I have been close with him and I have been close with his family since High School.

It has opened my mind to realize that not everyone is sitting on pins a needles waiting for me to move. I need to stop just thinking about myself. I have been being negative the past few days and thinking that a certain string of events have been a sign that I shouldn't be moving, that I am making the wrong decision.

-Struggling to find a house
-Tight on Money
-Tildon Getting sick
-Me getting sick
-My mother-in-law splitting her head open
-My Friend's Dad being sick

But Jess reminded me that these things, (minus the house, which we now have) would have happened whether we were moving or not. It's these moments that help me realize that I have the most amazing woman as my wife. I have a strong family who supports me, and a God who will be there and guide me through anything.

Someone once told me "Sometimes you find your calling on the road you take to avoid it"

Prayers for My close friend as his family during this time.

Matthew 7:13-14
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A rollercoaster baby baby!

I love the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, so I had to use it.

So the rollercoaster continues. Highs and Lows, lows and highs.
Jess and I spent the day yesterday working on the garage, and let me just say... HOLY COW! I never knew we could pack so much "Junk/Stuff" in one place. Granted Josh's stuff is also in there so it does fill up quickly.

The pictures you see are just some of the piles we had spread through out the entire driveway. So we got a lot cleaned out and a lot taken to Goodwill. So that was a huge emotional and physical high to have finished. We also cleaned out enough stuff so we can donate a couch to one of my mom's friends. So I felt good knowing we could help some other people out. Don't get me wrong, I did list some stuff on Craigslist and have sold some of it. So all around a good day.

Today has been a little different, we have hit a few snags with money. People and bills don't go away and with me having an inconsistent paycheck we are trying to create money. It's not going real well, but we will make it.

Another bump in the road happened today. Mom (my mother-in-law Sharon) slipped and fell and split the back of her head open this afternoon. With Nicole by her side they got to the hospital and Sharon got 2 staples in her head. So all being said she is ok, but they are still running tests as I type this.

But on a big High, Josh won tickets to the Redwings game for tomorrow night from the WRIF. So it's a high-low sandwich!

So please keep us in prayers and if you have an extra million dollars laying around, you can send it my way :)

Yay... kinda

My car broke tonight... Had to take it to the shop to get fixed. Fortunately it was under warranty so it was a free fix. Apparently they had to replace the entire shift column. So now it works and thats awesome!

Down side, although Jess thinks it's not a big deal.. They didn't have a Chrome trigger like my old shifter so its black instead.

But hey it works! Yay!

Home on the Range!

Yes! We have a place to live in Texas!

It's great day for us because one the biggest stresses I had just was lifted off my shoulders. Again, I cannot deny this being a God thing. Way to much has happened for it not to be.

Anyways back to the house. Jess called on this place randomly one night just because we were maxed out and had run out of options. The ad on craigslist had no pictures but seems really nice. So we called with zero expectations. Then... John Hill answered the phone. John is a great guy who owns the place and he was just awesome with giving us all the info we needed. He was actually at the place we were looking to get because he was laying down new tile throughout the whole place. So although it is not entirely finished, he is certain it will be by mid-week next week. So we will be essentially moving into a brand new home. WOW!

SO we have a two story place with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It's about 200sq feet larger then our current house here in Michigan and new tile and carpet through the whole place. We instantly fell in love with it and just hoped our credit would go through. Which went through with flying colors. And to top it all off, it's $500 less a month then what we are paying for our mortgage up here.

Now the reason why I say this is a God thing? John knows our friend Brian, who helped me get the job in Texas. Crazy right? Yea, so it's amazing to know that God's hand is in all of this. I thank hime everyday for placing the right people in my life.

P.S. Once I get some finished pictures of the house, I'll post some.

2 Tickets to Paradise!

Well not that I wanna quote Eddie Money, but it's a fun title.

I can say I think we have finally got the ball rolling on some things. Which makes me feel a little better about things. Not to say it was gonna deter me, but I just feel a bit better.

My Brother-in-Law Chad is gonna drive down with me to Texas. It will be nice because it's a good opportunity for me and Chad to hang, and because Chad has a lot of experience driving at night. Because Chad likes driving at night, we will probably live on Red Bull, Mt. Dew, and some loud music. Sounds like a good time to me. So we will probably drive through the night and stay at Uncle David's house in Weatherford (20 mins from DFW) and then I'll take Chad to the airport on Tuesday Morning. Jess, Tildon, Nicole, Uncle David, and Mom (Porter) will all be there over Monday night, which will be fun.

So that's one thing hammered down.

Jess bought plane tickets today for her, Tildon, and Nicole. So it's starting to become real when I see tickets confirmed for a one way trip. It's really exciting.

We are also still house hunting. But we think we have found an awesome place in Ty, (just outside of Abilene) it's actually just on the other side of the Air Force Base. So travel distance will be the same as if we lived in Abilene. The other nice thing is it's a lot less then some of the other placed we have looked at. So thanks to Keisha checking out some houses for us.

So I'm just feeling like things are moving along smooth. Which just confirms this is a God thing.

Home Sweet Home?

Today has been a day.

After being up kinda sick myself over night, I took Tildon to the doctors for a follow up. The doctor told me he had "a kiddie sinus infection" so he gave me a script for him and because he was a good boy we stopped by Mickey D's for lunch.

When I got home I sat there on my couch thinking about life and our house while I watched Tildon eat and watch wonderpets. I could not help but think about the fun times we had here in this house. This was Jess's and my's first purchase as a married couple, it was our son's first home, we celebrated all of Tildon's first holidays, bumps and bruises, happiness and sadness. Although this house has had some major repairs and issues, it has been a great home for us. Heck, I learned how to re-install a toilet here.

But then I got a text from Keisha (One of our besties from Texas) and she is going to look at a beautiful home for us tomorrow. As I read the text I began to realize that there will be so much more for us in the new chapter of our lives! There will be first houses for our new baby, first holidays, and maybe a third baby! (no need to get ahead of ourselves!)

Point being although there may be lots of memories here, there will be even more to come! And I can't wait for them.

Sick Babies + Packing = No Sleep

So Tildon started having a slight cough Saturday night, and we didn't really think much of it, until I literally slept on his floor in his room until 9a the next morning. We decided he needed rest more then church so we stayed home yesterday and relaxed until we went down to my aunt and uncles for dinner and goodbyes (they are leaving for Florida tomorrow morning and will be gone until after we leave for Texas).

Tildon was great, crabby from time to time, but he made it a challenge to get packing done when he's at the phase where hes unpacking everything we pack because it's fun. So anyway we got home last night and I rocked him for bed. He slept about 2 hours at a time but kept waking up coughing and just uncomfortable.

5:30a came around and he had a fever and threw up... time to go to the doctor. SO jess and I threw on some sweats and went up to the doctors. They determined it's a virus and he got sick from all the drainage in his tummy. So Jess went to work and I took care of Tildon. He's doing better now and seems to be a bit more energetic, but packing is taking a back seat today. We will just have to double time it tomorrow to make up the day.

I have to look at this as a sign that God wants me to slow down, take time for family, and I don't need to be stressing all the time about getting the house packed. Everything will work out and be ready.

The Little things in life.

It's the small things in life that make it worth so much. My mom and Dad offered to keep Tildon this morning/afternoon so we could spend some quality time packing up the house. They came over with tons of boxes and tape, a complete surprise to us, but it was an awesome thing to do.
I have to say that it was one of the best afternoons we've had. I felt great packing and sorting stuff. (I know that this is a God thing when I enjoy packing my life up in boxes.) We sorted out for 8 bags of cloths for Goodwill, and some stuff we don't use we are going to donate as well. So I felt like today was good if even for that.
It was nice because we had some time to ourselves, not to say time with Tildon is a bad thing, but it was nice to put on our John Mayer playlist on Pandora, and really buckle down together and work on the house.
All in all a great day, I feel like even though we only had a few hours we did a lot of work. If anyone wants to help pack I will not turn down the offer. ;)
-Nick

The Day of Finalizing

Well I do have to say today was gut check time.
Jess put in her notice today at work and I signed our moving company agreement. The reason why I say it's a gut check is because I didn't think this would happen. Not only not happen, but not happen so fast.

When our friends Brian and Keisha Gage came up this last July, I had dreams of moving to Texas. (You need to know that I am a blue sky thinker, I think of something and thats all I focus on). But after realizing we had neither the money nor the jobs lined up, I knew that Texas was a pipe dream. So we moved on and focused on living here in Michigan. Then out of the blue, Brian says he has a potential job for me. Two weeks later I'm flying down to Texas for 2 day. I leave Flint Michigan at 6a, I land in Dallas at noon, have a Then a quick job interview at 4p. I then meet some of the staff Wednesday morning for Breakfast, where I meet the Pastor who leads worship at our company twice a week. Then Im off on a flight home to Michigan at 1p, land in Michigan at midnight. Then two weeks later signing papers to move.

Now that might not seem real stressful to you, but it is to me. I have never lived (minus my mission trip for a month to Australia) outside of a 20 mile radius of where I grew up. It's hard for me to think that I'll be leaving family and friends here to start Our new life in Texas. The fear that I might not see some family alive again saddens me. But I do know that this is the best for my family. I need to take care of my wife and children, and I will do whatever it takes to do that.
-Nick

The Beginning

Hi everyone,
I wanted to just take a min to explain a bit about what this blog's purpose is.

Jess and I are embarking on one our our most difficult and challenging experiences of our marriage. I recently accepted a job at Dansco (more on that later) and we are moving from Michigan to Abilene Texas.

We need to have everything packed and out by March 28th. Not too difficult you say? Did I mention Jess is pregnant with baby number 2 and I have never lived anywhere else other than Michigan?

So I started this blog so everyone can check up and see how we are doing through this whole process. I want to try and write at least once a day from this point forward. I also hope that Jess will take time to as well. So you guys can hear and see how we are doing.

The other purpose for this is for those we are moving away from, we want to post pictures, videos, and much more so everyone can see our children grow.

That's it for now, I'll post more later.
-Nick