Va-Cay

Ah, vacation. A much needed vacation. Let me first backtrack to a few months ago. When we moved out to Virginia last year we were in complete shock of the cost of living increase it took us a while to find a home that would work for us. So we thought it would be brilliant settled for a condo. Needless to say that we were miserable not so happy in our condo. No yard, no back door, just not the lifestyle we were looking for. We thought we could settle in the condo for a few years but we quickly realized that was not going to work. So last August we thought, "we should put our home on the market, what could it hurt?" So we laid it in God's hands and listed the condo, after living in it for only 8 months. In this market what would be the chances of selling right? In God's hands anything is possible, and on the second day it was listed we had two offers, accepted one, and sold...breaking even. We didn't gain, didn't lose. Just back where we were just a year before. So now, our next quest...finding a home...again. The kids and I packed up and moved in with Brent's parents while Brent moved in with a friend. And in between we looked, and looked, and looked at homes. We even looked at land debating building our home. We knew that God would show us a home with just some patience. We were looking to be a bit further from the DC metro area and finding some land. Then a home was finally shown to us and we closed on the exact same day as we closed on the condo the year before. It truly felt like we were given the reset button to the last year. We are finally feeling like we are in a home, and one hoping to be in for a while as well. Since Brent and I have been married the longest we've been in a home was 3 years, only 3 years. Yes, he was in the military but we are feeling like we want some roots to sit in. So since we have been in this whirlwind (really since before we left New Mexico) we knew we needed a vacation. Our plan was to head to the mountains to do some tubing in the snow and possibly have Keely try out some skiing, but the unusual warm winter had some other plans for us.

So we spent our first day out doing some family bowling. Look at Keely's form, not so bad. (And notice Dad needing to help Brayden out).

And who spends their winter vacation going to the waterpark?!?!? Well, an indoor waterpark. The kids had a blast going down the slides over and over a few times.

Then we spent a day at the local Children's Museum/Discovery Center. This place was full of fun around each corner. From the trains, to the actual stage, practicing milking a cow, and even doing some work on the car this place had about everything you could think of. So much fun!

And finally, we spent our last day getting a little winter experience doing some ice skating. Brayden was such a trooper insisting "look at me, I'm skating!" Keely took to it pretty quick wanting to be on her own, she had a few falls but kept getting right back up to keep practicing. I love her persistent heart and good attitude to try to conquer anything. I pray that trait stays with her always. 

We had a wonderful time enjoying some much needed family time now that we're back together as a family and looking forward to more family time with Nana and Pop Pop spending Christmas with us in our new home!

Turning 30

Who knew that 30 could be so beautiful? When I woke up on my birthday, it was just an ordinary day. Sure I was getting phone calls from my friends and family, wishing me a wonderful day which always makes me feel loved. However, I had no big plans. Got the kids ready, went to the library, ran a few other errands. It was when I was included on the little gift from one of my dearest friends that really made my day. Being so far from my friends and family, she thought a great way to ring in turning 30 would be to reach out to those in my life and request "30 Random Acts of Kindness!" She challenged that they would do something to pay it forward to celebrate the day. Then they could share their good deed to say Happy Birthday. Truly, what could be more beautiful! I had to share the wonderful things that were done on October 16, 2012 to honor the big 3-0!

• I made my lovely daughter in law a well deserved breakfast with a flower on the plate :)
• In honor of your birthday I just baked an apple pie and going to give it to our sweet, elderly neighbors who live next door to us. Hugs to you!
• In honor of your birthday, I bought diapers for a co-worker who is fostering a 5 week old baby girl.
• In honor of your birthday I have made myself available Friday for the gal who lives across the street from me. Her family will be gone til Sunday. She is new to our state and is pregnant. Happiest of days to you sweet girl!!
• In honor of your birthday I bought Starbucks for the girls behind me in the drive-thru today, Happy 30th!! I hope you had a extra special day : )
• In honor of your 30th birthday (WOW!!) I made a welcome basket for my new neighbor. Happy birthday!! I hope it's magical :O)
• Today in honor of your birthday I baked up one of your favorites, pumpkin chocolate chip bread, and took it to a neighbor I've yet to meet. Happiest of 30th Birthdays. May all the blessings in the Lord be yours this year!
• I went to get an iced tea and apples. I put ten dollars towards the bill for the person behind me. Happy Birthday!!!!
• I will give my boss a loaf of banana bread as she has had a very stressful week and know this will brighten her day. Love you sweetie!!! Happy 30th B'Day!!
• When someone called asking me question about not only our campaign, but two other campaigns, I called and got information for all of them and called the individual back so he wouldn't have to make an unneeded trip form the East Mountains. He was appreciative. Happy birthday dear Lorena.
• Happy 30th Birthday!!!! Today the kids and I ding-dong-ditched a friend going through a hard time with flowers.
• I sent a package of my "gently used" maternity clothes to a friend in CO and another package of clothes to a friend in OH and lined up a friend to receive the kids' "gently used" high chair and swing. 
• Happy Birthday!! I purchased baby formula for a family in need.
• Today, I bought a couple dinner in your name at flying star and bought desserts for some friends and delivered them to their house on your behalf :) 
• Helping new flight nurse feel more at ease with new job. Reaching out, and encouraging!
• I bought dinner for a family in the same restaurant. Rene - hope your birthday was as amazing as you are. Love you!
• I helped my neighbor in psych stats on our homework. I also let her look over my paper to get the last 2 answers (that took me about an hour to figure out, haha). HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Birthday to the sweetest auntie of all!
• I volunteered at the Presidential Debate in NY and worked with the college students to foster their interests in politics and voting! Happy Birthday Lorena!!!
• Happy Birthday, Lorena! In honor of your 30th, I have purchased three chickens to be given in your name to a third world family on need through Child Fund International!
• In your honor a single mother if two asked to borrow $5 for lunch. As my good deed, her $20 for the week & told that it was for your birthday. No need to repay. Hope you have a wonderful birthday! Love ya!

It really brought me to tears reading all the wonderful things being done throughout the day. I felt so, so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Thank you everyone for taking part in this wonderful, thoughtful gift. Most of all to thank The Creator for the most amazing birthday:

PSALM 139: 13-14

"For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother's womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well."

Double Take

When we celebrated Brayden's 3rd birthday this year he went all cowboy. He'd been asking for his own boots for some time now and that captured the theme for big number 3! After his birthday I started thinking about a picture at my parents house. Can you see any resemblance???

Brayden (left)   Lorena's Dad, PaPa (right)

And of course baby girl wanted a picture with her brother the cowboy, she makes a pretty cute cowgirl too!

Masanutten Getaway

A few weeks ago we went to a local baseball game and while there placed our name in a drawing for a weekend getaway to Masanutten resort and wouldn't you know we won! Receiving a phone call not long after we were talking about making a trip to see the Luray Caverns. So, Saturday we drove out to the Caverns. On our way I realized how strange that all those years I lived in NM and never made our way to Carlsbad Caverns. We were so excited to get away and the kids couldn't wait to see the caves! They really were incredible!

Thunderstorms

The other night we had a thunderstorm that shook the house and I thought for sure I would here the pitter patter come down the stairs. I waited and waited but never heard a thing, I figured the kids just slept right through it. This is what I found in the morning....it was just oh so sweet. Funny that Keely never knew who was by her side until she woke up.

Where have we been???

How many times have I done one of these postings? It's been months since the last post, and each time I make a promise to myself that "I will be better" and beg my few followers not to give up on me. I then sit down, dedicated for a few weeks and then life happenings work, commuting, toddlers, commuting, spring fun get the best of me and next thing I know it has been 4, yes 4 months since my last post. How could it be! Well unfortunately it is and now how do I make up for the lost time? 

I guess to start is why the silence? As I've sat here always looking at my blog not knowing how to begin to share all of the changes that have occurred over these past few months I feel overwhelmed and can't even begin. So after a plea from a fellow blogging friend posted to my facebook {Sarah} I realized I need to get over it and get posting. 

So here I am, with my first posting in quite some time. And as I write I'm still struggling with where to start. The first and foremost news is that Brent has been saved! As he was recently greeted, "Welcome to the Kingdom," and I couldn't agree more. To say that the shift in our home and direction we lead has been a 180 degree change is an understatement. There wasn't one moment, one person, one thing said that did it, what it was honestly was God, working in his life for years and what's important was that it happened. He loves God, loves Christ, and there's nothing more amazing to see the man you love have a love for Christ. This of course made me take a very close look at myself and realize how I have not been walking with Christ for many years and brought me to my own knees asking for forgiveness and guidance on where to begin. Mostly these past months have been spent away from a focus on worldly things such as the TV and the internet and just making time to be with Him, in his word, and praying. 

That has also lead us to other big decisions about what is best for our family and we realized that having me at home with our kids rather than working would serve our family for a greater purpose than a career at this point. So with that I gave my notice to work leaving Advising at the beginning of May. Since then we have been trying to find our grove again. Now after some time I am finally feeling like my old SAHM again. I'm enjoying the days with Keely and Brayden. Finally getting back into my kitchen, baking and cooking. Having dinner as a family, and most importantly teaching our children to love the Lord. It's been incredible really. 

I of course wanted to give some account to what else we've been up to during this time. Over Memorial Day weekend when Keely turned the big FOUR we went camping for the first time ever down in beautiful Asheville, NC. The kids had a great time swimming, fishing, hiking, making smores around the campfire, and sleeping in a tent. It was so much fun and after a very expensive trip to REI I believe that camping will be a staple in our future adventures. 

 We made our first trip to the National Zoo! We joined our friends to celebrate Keely's "bestest friend" Gracie for her birthday. We had a great day seeing the llama- llama's, the active elephant's and my long awaited check on my bucket list to see a Panda!

 We are experimenting with different ways to do Miss Keely's hair and came across this web site that showed us the fun Sock Curls! She is digging this one these days, asking to put socks in her hair and enjoys the curlies the next day. 

 July we made our way down to Brent's folks to enjoy the holiday with family relaxing by the pool. This kids helped Nana pick strawberries from the garden and then enjoyed dipping them in chocolate for a tasty dessert. We spent each day in the pool enhancing the skills of the little fish our kids have become.

It's been another whirlwind few months {wouldn't be us if it wasn't} but it's been amazing. I am looking forward to see what the Lord has in store for us and where we will go from here! To my fellow bloggers, my family, and my friends I'm back and hope that you will be too!

One fish, two fish...

Brayden and Daddy went on their first fishing trip to our little pond across the street. They were ready with snacks, fishing poles and worms. Brayden caught two fish on his first day! He reeled it in with such excitement!
When it came time to see the fish not all fared well. He says "I don't like fishies anymore!" He'll get used to it!

.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

So while browsing and researching nook's I saw that our local (local in these parts would be about a 25 minute drive north of here) Barnes and Nobel would be having a visit from Clifford the Big Red Dog. So who couldn't resist, not this Mama! I packed the kids up and we headed out. What a great visit!

Look at that face, Brayden was SO happy to see Clifford!

We colored some pictures of our favorite big red dog and heard stories of Clifford growing up...

Some of us couldn't wait through story time to share with

Clifford our art work, I think he was ok with it :)

Fun visit with Clifford, couldn't leave the store without a new Mercer Myer book for our home collection!

They Did it Again!

Super Bowl 2012 Champs! We enjoyed our evening watching the game right down to the famous down to the minute of the 4th quarter watching our beloved New York Giants take the win! It was a good game and of course a glorious rematch win to the Pats. Go Giants!

HOPE for Peyton

Hello my blogging friends! I want to introduce you to the Badger family. Brent and I were stationed with Todd, Melissa and their little girl in Italy. Brent worked with Todd and I was bunco buddies with Melissa. While there Melissa became pregnant with twins, Peyton and Aiden. Peyton and Aiden are twin to twin transfusion survivors. Not only is Peyton (on right) a survivor of twin to twin transfusion, he has spastic diplegia (a form of cerebral palsy). Peyton will be going through Selective Dorsal Rhizontomy (SDR) in March. His mom will be following his journey on her new blog HOPE for Peyton. I hope you will join me by following their journey or at least sending your thoughts/prayers/positive energy their way. As a mom any surgical journey with your child is full of emotion and challenges. I can not begin to understand what they are about to go through, but when Brayden had his surgery this platform helped me throughout the process. Especially, the support from family and friends who followed our journey. I'm hoping to extend their HOPE for Peyton with support from my blogging friends!

First Day of School

This Mom was not ready for this. The kids were starting their new daycare this week and when I went to drop off the final paperwork we were given our first school supplies list. We made a quick run to the store picking out our new markers, scissors, glue and more and next thing I knew it looked like we were ready for our first day of school! I thought I had a few more years before I was marking and labeling each item for my two little ones, it was a bittersweet moment for this Mamma! The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to start their school. Keely has been asking for a while to go back to school so she could play with her friends, read stories and learn so she can be smart. It was a very exciting morning and no tears for anyone (including Mom). We're growing up!

(Couldn't get the kids to sit together for a picture so I settled for single shots)

Duncan Christmas 2011