I don't know where to begin describing what's going on or where my heart is in the midst of this move, but one thing I know for sure -- change makes time fly. Too much has happened to really fully catch up, but hopefully if I just start writing, I can capture a few sweet moments of this time.
(Also, we got a new computer when we moved, and we haven't bought any photo-editing software yet, so I do apologize for the vertical length of this post. Happy scrolling!)
This move has been in many ways an easy one, because we are moving back to established relationships, especially family. I love that the girls are getting to see their cousins on a regular basis, and we felt so blessed to move back just in time for the arrival of our newest cousin.
House-hunting is such a crazy process. I've lost track of the number of homes we saw, but none were creepier than this one, which had an interrogation chair and tiny closet in the basement... needless to say, I did not get a good vibe. We are under contract for a home, but long story short - the original October 31 closing date got moved to November 30. More on that another time.
Another way the Lord has provided for us is in reconnecting with old friends who, even several kids later, we still have so much in common with. The girls get to benefit from that as well, because they have several built-in friendships already!
Oh, Kansas... your beauty is unique and near to my heart.
Cousins and besties. Also... those fairy wings which cost me $2 at Target but have been worn almost every day since.
The girls and I spent a few days with my parents in October, and I got to start working on their quilts. Hopefully they'll be ready by the time we can move.
Daniel had about two weeks between jobs, and while we spent a good portion of it house-hunting, we also got to make some really fun family memories, including glow-in-the-dark bowling.
I have so missed Kansas' thunderstorms, so at the first one, Caroline and I snuggled up by the front door to watch and listen.
Possibly my least favorite part of moving - learning a new grocery store. Every trip takes at least double the time it should.
The next three are from our trip to Silver Dollar City with the girls. We all had such a great time on our first "just us" vacation.
More adventures with new/old friends!
I've realized that I have very few pictures of Elli and Micah, but these two just seem to create picture-perfect moments at every turn. Here they are helping Nonna harvest some tomatoes.
We are pretty pumped to be back in Wildcat territory and were especially blessed to take Elli to her first game last month. We were given some pretty amazing tickets, however, so her next experience may be a bit of a letdown. :)
Daniel even got to go down on the field to watch the team warm up.
Pajama party at Grandpa & Mia's. These little lets are getting so long!
Both of the girls just adore baby Tevy. Seeing them with her makes me so excited to give them a baby sibling!
Speaking of, here's the little bump at 20 weeks. The pregnancy is going smoothly, and we just feel so tremendously blessed and excited for his/her arrival!
We got to see Baby on Wednesday, and our hearts are so full of love already. Baby was moving around quite a bit, and the girls were excited to see the hands, feet, face and hear the heartbeat. Elli couldn't stop smiling when she wasn't feeling the strange goop on my stomach; Cara's response was, "Ahhh, it's so cute!"
Routine has become a loose term over the past few months, but we're choosing to see the blessings of that, rather than the challenges. We are thankful to have a comfortable, familiar, affordable (ahem - free!) place to live while we wait for our home.
We have very few things filling up our calendar, so we are fully able to enjoy the outdoors, which have been close to perfect this autumn. Caroline and Elli collected a bucket full of acorns.
I'm so excited that my kids get to be friends with my childhood best friend's kids. In October, we got to go to a farmstead with them and see all kinds of animals.
Have I mentioned my adoration for this season???
We were pretty relaxed about Halloween this year (I guess we really are every year), but the day included face-painting with the cousins...
Trick-or-treating with some friends...
And of course, being goofy with their daddy. Smiling pictures were hard to come by, because the girls are clearly method actresses and growling was really more their thing.
So, here I sit... enjoying the perfect fall weather and a cup of pumpkin spice coffee. Thankful for what God is doing in our family, but still feeling a bit discombobulated. I know this season will not last, we will find our place and purpose here... we will grow roots in good soil. In BSF this year, we've been studying the book of Matthew, and I've been so struck with the stories of both the wise men and of Mary and Joseph. God took them on some pretty extraordinary journeys, and what stands out to me is that they didn't waste time asking God, "Why?" or "When?" or "How?" or "For how long?" -- no, they simply obeyed the next step that had been asked of them and then waited for his further revelation. I'm so inspired by their simple, humble obedience that didn't need to know the whole story or have a detailed outline of the plan. I'm striving to live that way every day, content with what my heavenly Father has revealed to me... patient on His timing and plan.
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