settling in....almost

Good grief - I feel like I have so much to say that I don't even know where to begin. So pardon the rambling, but here is what's been happening for the last couple weeks.

We have moved out of Tyler and Jenn's and are now staying with our friends in Charlotte. It just so happens, he is also our Realtor - not a bad combination!! We are sooooo very thankful to Ty and Jenn and Boaz for letting us crash at their house for a bit longer than expected - what a blessing!

It's been fun hanging out in Charlotte and getting a bit of a taste of the "big" city. Though it is not near as busy as Seattle, and way cleaner feeling. We took the kids to the Discovery Center in uptown (downtown)? Charlotte last week. There was a dinosaur bone exhibit. Caleb was very nearly overwhelmed - going back and forth from one thing to another and then running off to the next and next and next. So fun to watch! I'm pretty sure this will be a regular outing for us.

Kylie starts school next week. I always imagined that I would be SO ready for her to start - to let her socialize and for me to spend some more one on one with the other three kids. But, instead, I find myself a little panicked (weird, I know)! What if she gets lost, what if she doesn't make friends, what if she doesn't like her teacher --- ahhhh! But, I do know that God has it so under control and has set out everything perfectly...it'll be quite the adventure for all of us!

We close on our house on the 21st! It will be so amazing to be in our own space and get things set up and arrange and just "be." I don't think I'll be leaving the house for months! I'm not quite sure how I feel about the roaming lifestyle?!?!

Jason's job is going well. He has been working really long days in anticipation of a product launch (I think that's what it is called). It amazes me how he can juggle so many things - family, faith, friends, work - all with excellency. I truly am blessed to be married to him and walking out this journey by his side!

In other, not so great news, my niece, Ana, has been hospitalized for the week or so. It seems she had a sever case of rota virus that eventually caused her kidneys to fail. She has undergone one round of dialysis so far and the docs will continue to do gentle dialysis (spreading it out throughout the day) for the next few days. They are still optimistic that her kidneys will restart on their own, but it is still pretty intense. Please continue to pray for this little two year old and her parents and brother as they weather this storm. They are an amazing family with an amazing faith in a really HUGE God!

I think we have found a church home. We looked at some online and visited a couple and am pretty sure we are going to be attending Morning Star for a while. The size is difficult for me, but I really do feel like God has us there for a season and a reason. The worship is amazing and the word is solid. I am a bit apprehensive about the kids program, but feel that it will work out for the best. A funny thing about the church: the first Sunday worship was lead by Molly Skaggs - "hmmm," I thought - "I wonder it that is Ricky Skaggs daughter?" I realize most of you have no idea who Ricky Skaggs is. I, on the other hand, have very fond memories of listening to his tapes in the van with my dad and drawing and playing in my room with his tape blaring on my player. Turns out, he and his family attend Morning Starr and play on the Worship Team. Kinda funny! Where else can you hear Bob Jones prophecy and Ricky Skaggs play his fiddle on the same day?!?!?

Overall, life is good, God is faithful and we are blessed to overflowing!

Till Later --

D-