What We're Up To...17 Months Later

When starting up again, after 17 months, it's hard to know where to begin.  Where did we leave off?  

I believe we left off with me having a long-term substitute position in a small school, close to where we live.  In June 2012 I got a full-time kindergarten teaching position in a different school.  This was another great opportunity with a wonderful group of co-workers.  

In February we were able to take a vacation with Tom's family to Montana to go skiing.  Riding the train for the first time was a great experience, but skiing in the mountains was even better.  

In March we were thrilled to take another trip to CA for the wedding of my sister and fiance.  Their wedding was BEAUTIFUL and we loved getting a break from our long winter, as well as spending time with family.  

In April we announced to our family, "We're pregnant!"  This sweet baby is due to arrive in November and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Because of our late spring, planting did not begin until the end of May...a stark contrast from last year!  At the end of June we became Aunt and Uncle for the 4th time when sweet baby Jonas joined the family.

July was a very busy, but great month as it was all spent with family!  We had our bi-annual reunion with the Espes, a wedding reception for Ingrid and Doug in Roseau, and time at the lake with Stinars.  

We were forced to slow down in August as we awaited the beginning of wheat harvest.  As we waited for the crop to be ready, we got our baby room ready!  (A great distraction, if I do say so myself.) :)  

As school began in September, I began my new part-time job; watching my nephews, Ezra and Jonas.  At the end of last school year Tom and I decided that I would resign from my kindergarten teaching position.  We understand that many moms aren't able to stay at home with their children or choose to work.  For us, we both agreed that me staying at home with our children was the best choice for us and we would make it work.  I am thrilled that I will be able to be at home with our new baby.  I have met some who don't think of "stay-at-home mom" as a real job or wasting a college education.  I however, think it is one of the most important jobs God has been preparing me for, and will also be extremely challenging.  I can't wait to begin the journey!

I believe I have brought you up to speed, quite quickly I'd say, too!  It is my goal to keep this updated more frequently for my family and close friends.  So, if all goes well, we'll talk again soon.

Oh yes, here's a few pics from the year, too.

 Our first camping trip, just the two of us, to Itasca State Park.  It was a chilly night (getting down to 40 degrees!) but we had plenty of thick quilts with us.  :)

 Ingrid, Doug, Uncle Rob, and Aunt Caryn at Ingrid and Doug's Roseau reception.

 Stinar family at the strawberry patch over the 4th of July weekend.

31 weeks pregnant this past week, and feeling like I'm growing by the minute!  We can't wait to meet this little babe in just over 8 weeks now.

Just a heads up to you all (if anyone is still reading!).  There is an update coming, and it's going to be big.  Big as in, I have given an update in over a year.  Uffda. 

Just one more picture of Silas

I said I'm a proud Aunt, and I meant it :) Here's one more picture of the sweet man...

We have a bit of catching up to do...

Uffda, it has been too long, again. Well, don't worry, I can get you up to speed quite quickly because I have been HORRIBLE at taking pictures this past year. (It's one of my New Year's Resolutions...take more pictures.) We left off in July, so we'll start up mid-August. :)

In August we were blessed with a fine crew of painters to help us paint our horrific "Peppermint Paddy House" something a little more pleasant. My Uncle Paul was the leader of the pack and kept us encouraged and going strong all day (we painted the whole house twice in 6 hours!!). It is a day I will always remember, as my Uncle Paul passed away this past November. Oh how we miss him even now.

This past fall I student taught in 3rd grade (above) for 10 weeks and kindergarten (below) for 7 weeks. It was the best student teaching experience I think I could have ever had. I loved the students and my unbelievably amazing cooperating teachers--thank you for everything Betty and Marilyn!!
On December 15, 2011 I became a college graduate! My very supportive husband, parents, and parent-in-laws were all there to cheer me on. :)
In November my cousins Mark and Liz and their girls, Kajsa and Greta, came for our 2nd Annual Christmas baking. Liz and I baked up a storm while Tom, Mark and the girls were busy with games and exploring Warren. :)

We managed to get Christmas picture, barely.

On March 9, 2012 we became the VERY proud Aunt and Uncle to Silas Aaron Espe. My brother Aaron and his wife Heidi had a beautiful baby boy who we fell in love with instantly. Tom and I were able to be with them over Easter and meet Silas for the first time. The time went way too fast, but we were so glad we were able to get some good holding/snuggling time in with Silas, and just be able to hang out with Aaron and Heidi. (We are secretly arranging jobs for them in Warren, we know they'll be thrilled to move here. Just kidding, but I wish.)
The proud Aunt Greta and Uncle Tom. :)
Aren't his overalls the cutest?!?

He is the sweetest little man!

On April 11th, Tom and his dad started planting their wheat. Tom was truly in his glory when he was finally able to use the LONG awaited new air seeder. This is a pretty fancy deal. If you'd like to see it for yourself we would LOVE to have visitors!

I got to the check the air seeder out for myself when bringing Tom his supper. (Auto steer allows for us to take pictures while driving the tractor.) :)

Camp

The first weekend of August we had our Espe Reunion at Bluewater. We were able to see the majority of my cousins and their kids and all of my aunts and uncles. The weather wasn't perfect but it was perfect for visiting!

I forgot my camera but I got this picture from my dad. We were excited to see Kajsa and Greta after moving from Moorhead where we saw them on a weekly basis; I think they were excited to see us too. :)

The Lake

We've been lucky enough to spend two weekends at the lake in Bemidji this summer. It's always a relaxing and refreshing time. (Above: my nephew Ezra enjoying his popsickle Below: Merle and Deb-Tom's parents-watching the 4th of July boat parade)
Tom driving the boat :)
This is my sister-in-law, Kari.
My good friend, Leah, came with us to the lake for the 4th of July weekend. It was so great to have her there and I just loved getting to spend time with her.
Going for a ride in the jeep
Tom and I took Jorie and Ezra for a paddle boat ride...they did a pretty good job of sitting still, too!

In The Summer Time We...Take Trips!

Hello patient blog readers. I know it has been a looooonnggg time, so I'm going to bring you up to speed right now. So, strap on your seat belts 'cause here we go!

June seemed to fly by as Tom was busy planting and spraying while I stayed busy at the coffee shop. In July I was able to take a week off and my mom and I took a trip to Bozeman, Montana to visit Brock and Amber and their family! It was so good to finally be able to see in person where they are and to just spend time with them. We enjoyed every minute of our time with them.
They had awesome bike/walking paths throughout their neighborhood that we took a few walks on. The weather was perfect!
Brock and Amber took us out for sushi one night...we weren't quite sure of how we would like it, but it ended up being pretty good! We had to take a picture to prove it to Dad and Tom. I think they were pretty impressed. ;)
One evening we went on a hike up to a BEAUTIFUL waterfall! We took quite a few pictures in that area, trying to capture the beauty and bring it back to Warren. :) (Don't get me wrong, I appreciate Warren's beauty, as well...just a little bit different than Montana.)



I think I might frame this picture and put it in my house! Thanks Brock, Amber, Madison, Isaac, Hannah, and Audrey for a wonderful trip! We hope to make it an annual event!