Leah is 9!

This girl is 9 today! We've watched her change and grow over the years, but this year has brought some fun changes that have been special to me. She still loves to read, still loves soccer and to compete, but this year we've seen her heart do some changing. She has softened in a very special way and it's so fun to watch! She's always loved her brothers, but watching her care for Brady and comfort him is precious. She puts him to bed and changes his diaper when we have a sitter. She cuddles him when he wakes up and when he gets hurt. I accidentally bumped his head a few days ago and he wouldn't let me comfort him. Only Leah! She likes helping me cook and helps clear the table and wash dishes. She's exploring thoughts on what it means to serve her Daddy and brothers, and wrestle with allowing Daddy and Logan serve her, even though she can do the things they're helping her with. 

 I see The Lord changing her heart and I pray she will choose Him early. 

 I feel so proud and excited to have a daughter that I hope will someday call me friend. We love to shop together, and she asks for special girl days. I wasn't the girl who dreamed of dressing a baby girl in frills. I dreamed of having a creative, motherly, tough girl that I'd love spending time with...she is all those things and even looks great in bows! 

 We love you Leah Beth! Happy 9th birthday! 

Logan is 7!

 Logan is 7! I simply can't believe it. So much has happened for us in the last year. A year ago, we were in our Justin house trapped by an ice storm! 

 Logan has adjusted to our new home very well. He has made some very nice friends at school and at church. He loves to learn and has a very mathematical mind. In true Logan form, enjoying tidy and clean, his handwriting is very tidy. He even won an award for it lasting at school! He enjoys Legos and remote control cars, trucks and Bey Blades. 

 Logan still has a very tender compassionate heart, although Brady and Leah test him. We noticed that as soon as I was home again full time his temperament changed for the better. 

 He continues to ask questions about God and His omniscience. We do our best to show him what the scriptures tell us but he gets frustrated that he can't really wrap his mind around it yet. 

 He's looking forward to wrestling next month and wants to try soccer again in the spring. 

 Here are a few pictures from his birthday.

 We sure do love you, Bud. Proud of the young man you're becoming!

June 2014

Just want to document our June:

Logan's kindergarten graduation

Leah's award assembly. She's such a little lady.

A few days at my parents in Austin. 

Pedicures for the girls!

And the work begins! Brady was very helpful.

What did Brady do for 9 hours of driving with no Leah or Logan to entertain him? He slept a little.

He played a lot.

I know people were praying for him. He was a champ and i was so thankful!!

We're here and settled and feel very safe and comfortable. We bump into people we know, a lot. That will take some getting used to! I'm still adjusting to being able to leave the house for an appointment 5 minutes before it starts...we can walk a block to the local coffee shop! Ryan took Brady for a bike ride last night...all over town and was back in about 15 minutes. We're so thankful for these blessings and plan to be good stewards of this job and this opportunity for our family. 

These Days

Here's what we're up to these days...

Bike rides around the lake with this little fella...

Early morning rides to school with kids that are growing too quickly.

Enjoying some Texas.

Last soccer game

Playing with their friends who are more like cousins now❤️

More bikerides...this one didn't start or end very well. 

Loving these babies to pieces!

On another note, we have a place in York, we have a storage unit, we have a truck, and we have a date! Leah and Logan are finished with school on June 5th and we will drive them to Austin that day. They'll get their annual week at GG and Papa's house while Ryan and Brady and I set up house in Nebraska. They're super excited and I'm excited for them! 

 Today begins the next 3 weeks of goodbye parties and farewell lunches, play dates and hugs. I'm not gonna lie...it's getting harder for my heart to be brave. 

 We've started and grown as a family here in Texas. We've made dear friends, found our church home, and body of Christ. We have family here. We built and sold a home...the home all three kids learned to walk in. 

 I'm a sucker for a home. I understand a house is just a house, it doesn't matter how big or small, fancy or simple. I'm sad to leave the familiarity of our comforts here. There will be tears, more than I've already shed. 

 So today I choose to remember that I'm ready to open our boxes. Pull out our blankets and pictures and books. Because those things are the things that will make a new place our home. A place to make new memories, share new milestones, and take new steps...together. For that, I'm greatful...and not at all sad. 

 

Brady's 1!

Happy, happy birthday, Brady Boy! What a quick year this has been. You are a joyful soul, active and have non stop energy. You say hi, mama, dada, down, uh oh, more, deer, Jett, "Ah-lah" (Leah), lights, and you sign more, please, all done, and thank you. You have a temper starting to show and you wipe off your hand after a pop or a redirection. You do not like to be corrected. You dance to music, tapping that right foot and you still love Mickey Mouse. 

 We spent your birthday at the zoo in Omaha. It was so much fun and you loved it! You love deer and you even got to pick out your own special one. You make a few animal sounds so it was fun to watch you see the real things. You saw the monkeys and started, "who-hoo!" Ing. 

 You dribble a soccer ball and wrestle with daddy and Logan. You're coordinated and we're looking forward to seeing what sport you love as you grow up. 

 We love you so much, buddy. We pray that you'll choose to follow Christ early, and be a light for Him. 

It's a Tricky Thing, Moving

It's a tricky thing, moving. On one hand, there's the obvious excitement of a new adventure, house hunting, a fresh start, and the much anticipated new schedule for our family. All of these things are so exciting, they overwhelm me. 

 On the other hand, we are uprooting our family after 10 years of relationships and community. Leah will start her third school and Logan his second. We are moving 9 hours further away from my family, those that have invested themselves in our family and kids generously, heart and soul.

 It's a tricky thing, this moving. If I sit on the hard stuff, it hurts too much to be excited and feel confident in our decision. So, I've chosen not to sit there. 

 I choose to remember that Lord willing, Leah and Logan will get to ride bikes with me and Ryan and Brady to school for a long, long time. I choose to dwell on family dinners most nights, where Ryan leads our prayer. My family is generous with their time and will come visit. Four seasons. Date nights. Trees. Hunting for the boys. No city driving. My dream of watching my kids play in the yard together, riding on a swing hung from a giant oak tree...seems very close to my fingertips. 

 God has promised us that He will go before us and make a way. Tonight, with the back door open while I made dinner, I felt great peace regarding our decision to uproot and go. The kids, all three, played outside in the sun. They laughed and ran and rolled and enjoyed the sunshine together. And that's when I remembered moving all those times with my family. We had to pick up and move lots of times. And we were always just fine. 

 It was an adventure. We knew God had a new work for us to do in every new place. We had each other. I had my brother and my sisters there every step of the way. 

 That's how I know we're going to be just fine. The kids are going to be just fine. God has a new work for us and we're ready to start. What an opportunity for me and Ryan to demonstrate our faith to our kids. Im excited to go, and I'm thrilled to have my husband back! 

 And I have a pretty good feeling that we just might find a good yard for swinging and twirling and laughing.

11months

He runs. He laughs. He signs please and milk and more. He says Dada, Mama, milk, deer, "ah-da" (Leah), makes animal sounds. 2 naps a day, wakes up happy even if he only slept for 10 minutes. Doesn't like Bible class. Finished nursing.  Tries to wrestle Logan. Loves books and the muppets and bath time. Knows he's funny. Has the cutest little buns in town! Currently unpacking the boxes I'm packing... 

10 months

You eat everything! You're walking! You moo, say Mama, Dada, tree, ooooh, and more. You growl and whistle. Your teeth are fabulous...they remind me of mine when I was little and I just love them. You light up for Leah and Logan. Leah soothes you and Logan is so much fun! You understand now that you're funny and we have so much fun watching you ham it up. You're still very friendly and happy all of the time. You're sleeping through the night and mommy is happier because of that. You nurse 2-3 times a day and love, love, love food. You're starting to wrestle with Logan and you let Leah tote you around and tickle your tummy...you melt right into her. Your first snow and first Christmas were so much fun this last month! You're hard to keep up with, fella...slow down the growing up!

Leah

Leah Beth...you are your own little person! It's fun to pick parts of your personality or your features that remind us of someone in the family. This last year, and now more than ever, you have come into your own and shine so brightly! I am now more excited than ever to watch you bloom, see who you become. You drum...all the time. You love to dance and enjoy telling stories and even being the center of attention. I have a feeling you will be on the stage in some form someday. You love soccer and are talented. You are fast and are beginning to understand the strategy and appreciate your ability to be aggressive. It's fun to watch you play! 

 You're very smart. You still love to read, chapter books especially. Last week you brought home Lord of the Rings from the library. 

 You're just the best big sister. You and Logan play so well together for hours. Forts and tents and music and writing stories...you're still the best of friends. Another little guy has captured your heart, and he softens you right up. You love Brady too and are very helpful when I need a hand. 

 You are your Daddy's shadow. Whether its food, soccer, movies or an opinion on something simple, he speaks your language. And he loves you to pieces.

 We all do, sweet Leah Beth. You're so much more than I ever imagined...and you're only just 8! Keep up all of your hard work and determination. We pray that God will call you early to Himself and that you will choose to serve and obey Him. We love you, Boo-Ba-Loo! 

 Mom, Dad, Logan and Brady