A Glimpse of Our Whirl-Wind!

The time between C’s job offer and our actual move was quite short…just a few weeks. Initially C and I were daunted by the idea of  trying to close such a huge chapter of  our lives in such a short period of time…but God, in His awesome providence provided us with ample opportunity to spend time with family, friends and pack. 

I don’t know that I will ever be able to adequately articulate the myriad of emotions that we felt during our last few weeks living in Fort Worth…but here are some photos that we were able to capture (though, I wish we could have captured more) of  some of our goodbyes.

We were able to host Auntie B for a night and special day in Cowtown…we ate at one of our favorite Fort Worth breakfast establishments (Yogi’s) and then enjoyed a train ride and a trip to the museum…

B, Little A and I drove to Dallas to meet Gigi for lunch at one of my favorite lunch establishments for a delicious chicken salad sandwich and legendary Nieman Marcas Cookie.

We also met our dear friend Ms. J for lunch at yet another favorite restaurant…Oh, how I will miss McKinley’s and their DELICIOUS chicken salad!

We were blessed to have friends stop by throughout the packing process…S kept me company on my birthday…it made a rather overwhelming day of packing much brighter! (She got to experience us at our finest…notice B’s lack of pants!!!)

B loved playing with his buddy,L,…she even brought a special Texas treat for B to play with!

This is how we spent several nights…and wee hours of the morning! I still am amazed that we got it all done!

I was able to convince another dear friend, L, to meet B, A and I at McKinley’s…I think I got my fill of chicken salad…at least till this fall!

Some friends graciously hosted a come-and-go going away party at a local pizzeria…we had the entire patio to ourselves that was filled with friends from church, college, school and other avenues of our Fort Worth life. I wish that I had been more deliberate to snap photos…I was able to snap one with K (a college roommate) and her beautiful daughter S…

And Mrs. T who I taught with for several years!

Some friends from church hosted a sip n’ see for little A…this shower had been planned prior to our decision to move…I truly believe this was God’s gracious gift to place several sweet friends all in the same place to spend a little extra time together. I wish that I had more photos from the shower downloaded on my computer…it was GORGEOUS!!!! The theme was vintage-sweet…these little birds adorned the tables as decoration. I left the shower in tears…feeling so honored and loved!

J acted as a baby whisperer while I visited with friends at the shower…A loved it!

Some friends invited us over for dinner to provide a reprieve from packing…B loved playing with their daughter, J, and seemed to think that it was novel to not be playing around stacks of boxes!

I was grateful to be able to spend some good time with these three girls despite the chaos of packing.  The four of us have been in a prayer group together for several years. We started meeting on Mondays to pray as newly married wives and have grown together as moms…there are now six kiddos between the four of us.

We were blessed with the chance to spend some good time with C’s family…

C had to head to Minnesota to start his new job the week the moving van came…this meant the last bit of packing was left to B, A and I…amazingly…(truly by the grace of God!) we got it all done!

This photo makes me laugh…look at little A’s facial expression…as if to say… “Yay! The boxes are finally all packed!”

Gigi and Papa were gracious to come over and keep us company as our things were packed onto the van…B loved having a “big truwwk” in his front yard!

We were honored to stay with some friends from church as our personal belongings started the trek north.  B loved having LOTS of time to play with H…

The two were adorable together!

Little A even got some good play time in with baby N.

We felt it only appropriate to spend the night before we moved eating one of C’s all time favorite meals,Grandma’s Enchiladas… around one of our favorite tables with Gigi and Papa.  We played in the swimming pool and got B nice and tired in preparation for the start of our long drive.

As tradition would have, we very appropriately closed our chapter living in Fort Worth with breakfast at the bakery.  The three of us ordered what we always do, sat in the table we always sat in…got hugs from our bakery friends and then headed north up Interstate 35.

I wish that I had done a better job of capturing photos of our precious community in Fort Worth, these don’t hardly scratch the surface in regard to everyone who graciously took time to hug our necks and come say goodbye…I hope to be surprised as I continue to come across photos that have yet to be downloaded.

Fort Worth will ALWAYS hold a special place in out hearts as we remember (and miss) family, our church community, friends, TCU…! 

As we reflect on the ten plus years of Cowtown living and almost five years of marriage, we are humbled by God’s goodness.  Choosing to start a new chapter continues to be one of the hardest…yet one of the most exciting things we have ever done. We are confident that God’s hand is present in this new chapter and are anxious to see what He has in store.

Be blessed.

Radio Silent...

We apologize for the radio silence as we are still trying to get settled into life in our new neck of the wood.

As soon as the computer box surfaces...I will be sure to download photos from the past month and a half of our little family's life...photos of a beautiful sip n' see for baby A, photos with dear friends from cowtown, B with the moving van, time at the cabin, etc. etc.

Until then, a little update...

Our little ones made the trek up I-35 like champs...it was a long drive that we are thankful to have behind us. I can't quite describe the emotions we felt as we headed north, we started the drive off with breakfast from our favorite bakery and then hit the road. Our car's DVD player became a dear friend as B watched "Thomas" while I listened to a book on tape (side note: The Blessing by, Dr. Trent is FANTASTIC!!!).

My family has been gracious to open up their home us to us in this time of transition. We are grateful for place to stay, but so excited to have a place of our own. In that regard, we have hit the ground running in search of our new home.

We have a realtor and have honed in on the area that we hope to make our new neck of the wood. The neighborhood seems to be filled with young families, a great park and local elementary school just a few short blocks away. We have actually found a house that seems to have fantastic potential...it needs some face lifts but has the "bones" that we are looking for. We are in the negotiation process with the sellers and hope that they are equally as motivated to sell as we are to buy...prayers are coveted as we continue the process and hope that we are following God's will for our little family.

We are grateful to be able to be enjoying good family time up at my parent's cabin. Little A seems to love just hanging out in her cradle with the breeze coming off the lake. B proves to be a little fish as he LOVES the water and helping C throw Ella's ball to retrieve off the end of the dock.

We continue to be greatly humbled by God's provision throughout this time of change and transition. We are humbled to have families who have provided their blessing, a land lord in Fort Worth who allowed us to leave (no strings attached), C's new employer who helped defray our relocating expenses, safe travel, healthy little ones, a temporary roof over our heads, a knowledgeable realtor and potentially a new home!

All in all, life is good in our new neck of the wood...thank you for all the prayers (especially for community and a new church home)!!!!

Happy Weekend!

Be blessed.

I think we are committed…

This has been a humbling experience on several levels. We are hoping that we are nearing the finish. There are only a handful of truly life altering experiences and it is a bit surreal to be aware of it as the whole thing unfolds. Please keep us in your prayers, we will certainly need them this week.

Newport, Rhode Island

My brother, J, has always enjoyed building and creating…especially things that float. As a little kid, he built rafts at our family’s cabin and tried launching many a  Lego creation in the bathtub and kitchen sink.

About two years ago, J enrolled in a boat restoration program in Rhode Island.  Last weekend, we were blessed with the opportunity to celebrate J’s graduation from the International Yacht Restoration School…and blessed with some time away (from packing) at the beach!

Graduation consisted of a formal ceremony in the “shop” and then the actual launching of the students’ boats.

C was honored to be able to help J and his classmates carry their project to the dock…

Then J and his classmates launched their boat (as the crowd cheered) and celebrated the fact that it floated!!!

The launch was complete with the popping open a bottle of champagne which was poured over the boat’s bow!

After the boat’s maiden voyage…C and B were able to take a voyage in the harbor of their own.

Later, we celebrated by enjoying dinner harbor side with J, his wife A and our respective families.  Little A enjoyed some good cuddle time with her Aunt A.

The next day, we we walked (strolled really) the cliff walk in Newport. The walk is wedged between the water and beautiful old mansions.  At one point, Little A got to experience “off roading” as the sidewalk ended and we had to portage our way across large rocks.

The next day, C headed home while Little A, B and I continued our little adventure together.

We enjoyed taking a J & A’s dog, “Maddie”, to the beach…and found a great spot for a waterside picnic…(my dad surprised us by renting the bright red Jeep…we all felt like we fit in with the locals as we drove around town).

After lunch, we watched Maddie play in the water… J & M taught B how to skip (throw) rocks.

Little A enjoyed the beach via her car seat!

The next day, we were able to enjoy breakfast at one of J’s favorite local spots…the Handy Lunch.  The waitress knew J by name, it reminded me of our favorite bakery in Cowtown.

After enjoying breakfast we walked down to J’s school to sneak one last glimpse of his boat.

This is the “shop” and these boats are similar to the boat that J and a classmate restored last year.

This is the boat that J worked to restore this year.

B was willing to try the boat out…as long as his diggers could join him.

Later that day, we rode the ferry to Block Island to enjoy lunch and some time at  the beach.

B loved the water…he giggled as the waves touched his toes…

Little A even got her toes wet! (Though she didn’t love it as much as B).

At one point, B sat down in the chilly water and let the waves come up over his legs.

It was quite a treat to be able to pack us much as we did (around A’s schedule and B’s naptime) into just a few short days. 

As we headed home (my mom was gracious to fly with me to provide a second pair of hands) we tackled going through security with two little ones and a LOT of stuff, a four hour lay over, a grumpy two year old, spit up and dirty diapers with as much grace as we had left in us. Our motto was “Just Smile"!”  With the help of prayer, a portable dvd player, digger movie, fruit snacks and little match box cars we did it…and successfully completed a fun filled weekend with two little ones in tow!

(This photo provides just a glimpse of the antics that took place during our layover.)

Congratulations J, we are proud of you!

J & A, thanks for providing us with a glimpse of your life!

Happy Friday.

Be blessed.

The Saddest Happiest Blog Post Ever

We have decided to change the location of our neck of the wood to the Twin Cities. Any attempt at portraying the myriad emotions that have been experienced in the past days/weeks/months would fail miserably; so I will stick with the details. C has accepted a job with a company in Minneapolis and starts the third week of June. We will be headed North the fourth weekend of June.

We are holding strong to God's proclamation that '"I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29:11).

We are equal parts unbelievably excited and devastatingly sad at the same time. But we rest assured in God's promises and are eagerly looking to the future and the next chapter in our little family's storybook.