January Happenings and Pictures

Things continue to progress here. Slowly, decisions are made and necessary steps towards the move are happening. It is interesting moving to a location where you don't know where you will live or who already lives there. I guess it is kind of like forced lessons in trust. Brandon and I have been talking about how much we like to have such a controlled environment, thinking it is best, but maybe that isn't always true.

Brandon and I have also realized more and more this month the need to be deliberate. As we think about our future, it is easy to envision life looking a certain way, aka, picturing our "perfect" family, living a particular way, invested in particular things. However, this doesn't just happen. It takes planning, discipline, desire, and wisdom. It's not just like, one day, we will stop and examine our life, and just by chance, our kids are going to be joyfully obeying their parents who wake up in the wee hours of the morning to pray whose house is always open to the needy. We have to make goals and steps towards what we desire our family to be about. Alaska is a great opportunity to step away and refocus, but there will still be deliberate choices to be made. I look forward to the days ahead, when we can plan and pray and think and redirect and decide and seek. May that day wait no longer. May the deliberate preparation towards the parents we want to be and the followers of Christ He has called us to be never be far from our thoughts and actions. Otherwise, like they say, life happens.

This month, we are also preparing to say good-bye to dear friends who are heading to NC. God has blessed us with wonderful individuals to journey with in Colorado Springs and we are grateful. We pray He blesses this sweet family with a family in Christ who will encourage and grow them as they settle into a new home.

Kaylee playing with her little friend who is moving to NC. 

Wish the two could be BFFs as they grow but thankful for the short time they had together.

In January, we have also tried to have a little fun, in the midst of the stress and work required for the move. This past weekend, we went up to the mountains. The military has a big event at Keystone every year, which allowed for a fun day together. While we were up there, Kaylee went sledding for the first time (since we have NO snow in Colorado Springs). She didn't really know what to think, but she didn't cry. I am sure this will be the first of many sledding adventures.

Her favorite part was getting toted around in the sled. 

Didn't get any pictures of riding down the hill with Mama. 

Fun, quick stop at Krispy Kreme to end the night off.

This month wasn't all fun and games for little Hootie, though. Once again, she came down with another bug. I guess I'm realizing first-hand how often kids get sick. Not sure what it was, but it knocked her out. 

For almost 2 days straight, all she wanted to do was be held and sleep in Mama's arms. They were sweet moments but I was also glad when she started feeling better.

 Lastly, even though I am somewhat dreading having Smokey along for the ride and extended stay in California, it is moments like these when I am glad these two cuties will grow up together. 

 Smokey is quite the ball of spasticness but he is a good dog for Kaylee and a 

much-desired companion for Brandon.

Until next time...

Life continues on...