Thursday, July 30, 2009

UGH! Packing, packing, packing

Will it ever end??? We've been packing the house this week for the big move next week. It's been OK; I'm just not very motivated! Chris has been a huge help! We keep each other going (once we finally get to work!). Not much left...bathrooms, little bit in the kitchen, and then just the random misc junk!

We pulled our toys out of storage today to clean out. Keep in mind, we've already packed what was in the playroom. TONS of toys...why do we have this much??? We got to give lots of the baby stuff to our friends who are expecting their first baby in Feb. I just wish they would have taken more! Now to repack into "keep" piles and "garage sale" piles!

The kiddos are getting ready for the move. Joshua doesn't get what's going on, but Caleb's starting to talk about it. I think he's finally over not being a Westside Warrior! We went to see G Force today. Wow..that's 2 hours I'll never get back! Great show for a 4 year-old, not so much for grown ups! Talking guinea pigs who save the world....come on! Caleb was happy. Joshua went for the popcorn! Love hanging out with the kiddos, even if it means watching a dumb movie!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Little Cassanova

Caleb is the ladies' man! He likes the ladies, but he's figured out it's fun to play hard to get. Oh, the trouble I have to look forward to....

First, we went to the mall the other evening, and Chris took the kids to the play area so I could do some fun baby shopping for a friend. Apparently, Caleb met himself a chick who chased him around the play area trying to kiss him! He comes running up to hide behind Chris saying, "She's trying to kiss me!!!!" Hearing Caleb retell the story was quite amusing, as well....

Then we go to his "wife's" birthday party yesterday. Caleb and Natalie "married" last year when they were the ring bearer/flower girl for our friends' wedding. So funny the way they still talk about being married. Natalie has even asked her mom when she and Caleb are getting their own house because "that's what married people do!" Anyway, Natalie runs up to Caleb and gives him this big hug when we got to the party, and Caleb just looks away and rolls his eyes. We had a great time at the party, but when we got ready to tell Natalie bye, she had on her new Bratz sunglasses and her new pink purse and proceeded to pay Caleb back....totally ignored him! How do these kids learn this stuff!?

Cute now, what'll it be like in 10 years!?

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Scoop

So I haven't updated in over a month, and there have been all kinds of changes going on around here. First, the move...

Our last Sunday is next week. I have less than 2 weeks left in the state of Arkansas. Kind of hard to believe! I'm excited to move, but I've made some great friends up here, and I'll miss them bunches!

Suprisingly, we're not moving to Albuquerque. We're moving back to Fairfield (my hometown). I'm going to be a Texan again! Before we went to visit in Albuquerque, we began figuring out what it would take to make it out there. We were starting a new church movement from scratch and needed good jobs out there to make it work. What we were finding were not conducive to a good family life. The kids would be in daycare too much, and the schools are not exactly what I want my kiddos in! If we mess up with these boys, our mission work is in vain, so we decided to go to Albuquerque to see if that was really what God was doing, or if He would open up other options. While talking with the missionary we'd be working with, we really found clarity in what we should do. We would love to work with Anthony and Mary, but right now we'd be going for the climate, the mountains, and the fellowship, not because we have this huge burden for Albuquerque.

In the meantime, we talked about moving back home and serving and ministering to others the way we feel like God would have us to but without all the ministerial constraints of being paid for it. While we were in Albuquerque, I spoke with my nursing school, who had been on a hiring freeze, and they had just that day opened a full time postion and were super happy to talk to me about it. So, it's looking like I'll be teaching at UT Tyler this fall. I just have to complete the application process. Chris is pursuing a couple of options and just has to make up his mind what suits him best.

We are so exited about being near family and friends again! I want to catch up with those I haven't been able to really see in a few years! It's going to be a great move for us. I think God is going to do great things with us. We've learned in the last 2 years that you don't have to be in some crazy place to work for the Lord. There are plenty of people in the Bible belt, some who even sit in a pew every Sunday, that don't know Jesus. May God see fit to use me to further His kingdom, wherever he may place me!