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!