Our new spaceship, bringing visitors from afar

With lil baby Ruth #2 on the way, we've been shopping around for a Honda Odyssey mini-van for the past several months. Long story short, God is SO good and is in the DETAILS, and we purchased THE Odyssey that fits us this week. Thank you, Lord! We traded in our faithful Mr. Car (Scotty's first vehicle, fresh out of college - 2005 Civic), for Mr. Van (also 2005). Scotty says he thinks the Odyssey looks like a spaceship, and little did I know it would soon be bringing home some very special guests from a distant land.

On Thursday night I thought Scotty was getting together with a new iPhone Developer buddy at Starbucks, but he was actually picking up my parents from the airport! When he got home he asked me to help him get something out of the car because he had ran a couple errands. I knew something was up. My thought was that he had purchased a sit-n-stand stroller I've had my eye on, but it was a gazillion times better than that. The spaceship door slide open and there I saw my parents. I was completely baffled!! This pregnant lady couldn't hold back the tears and bear hugs as my mom and dad climbed out of the van.

This weekend has been more than GREAT. What a blessing to have my parents here. This is the first time that they've been able to make it to Michigan since we moved here, and it has been so much fun to show them around our neck of the woods, give them the grand tour of our house, and to see Micah have a blast with Papa and Mama Sovilla. Thanks for making the trip out, you two! God is good!

P.S.  Did I mention that God is in the DETAILS?  I still can't believe that after having an unfinished downstairs bathroom for over a year, God gave me the energy and determination to complete it last week while Scotty was in Texas to surprise my husband.  I just have to laugh!  God knew my parents were coming into town to surprise me and He gave me the motivation to get things in order for our first B&B guests this week, unbeknownst to me. :-)

Ruth Family B&B - now open!

As I mentioned in the previous post, Scotty was out of town last week. I got this idea in my head that I could finish the downstairs bathroom as a surprise for Scotty. I've had this desire in the past, but this time around I actually sat down to map out each day carefully from the shopping, prep and work that needed to get done in order to stay on track to complete the project in 5 days.  This may've looked all well and good written down, but I knew I would need God's help to stay motivated!  A verse that came to my mind was Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the Lord." I have to say that it is only God who gave me the determination and wakefulness each night to stick with it! He gave me the able body to complete it, and the people to help me on the last day (Lisa watched Micah on Thursday as I decorated and cleaned, and our handyman came in to finish up electrical, plumbing and some misc).  Thank you, Lord!

Here's a snapshot of the bathroom Sunday night after spackle and tape.

Here's the finished project on Thursday night just before Scotty got home.

This little bathroom is just down the hallway from our bonus/guest room, so if you come and visit, we'll aim to take really good care of you! Ruth Family Bed and Breakfast has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

Papa's iPad

This past week Scotty was able to attend a conference in Austin, TX. He won a drawing for the conference ticket last month at his CocoaHead's meeting. He had a GREAT time, but Micah and I are definitely glad to have him back home again.

Towards the end of the week, Micah asked me, "Is dad working?" I explained to him that he was in Texas learning about things for the iPhone and iPad. Without skipping a beat, Micah said, "Papa has an iPad." That's true, but his statement made me laugh. It's not everyday that he sees this electronic device, nor do we frequently talk about. But this kiddo has an amazing memory and had to state what he knew to be fact.

Well, it was a special treat on Sunday after church because Papa let Micah play with his iPad for a bit. Micah was glued.

Indoor and Outdoor Play

This little Ruth family has been keeping busy, but we're never too busy to have a good time together. The other day Scotty and Micah enjoyed some t-ball time:

And mommy and Micah (plus an occasional stuffed animal or two) have been enjoying indoor "picnics" this week: