Sunny California

We made it down to California the end of last week and have spent the last few days visiting with family and friends and soaking up the sun.

Tyler and I have loved being back where we went to school. It has been a little strange 'cause everything looks familiar but at the same time very different then when we were here (7 years ago). It was strange to walk around The Master's College and see how much the school has changed. Also, seeing Neal walk around with us on our old stomping grounds was fun and weird at the same time. A lot of our friends down here have kids right around Neal's age and so Neal has made lots of new friends.


We got to spend an afternoon with Aunt Bud, who is currently in her second year at Master's College, and we got to spend some time with Uncle Zach who lives close to the school.



When we weren't visiting with people Neal was outside running around and soaking up all the sun. He loves running in the grass and playing outside on all the playgrounds. We have had a great visit here so far and are glad that we were able to take some time to relax and just hangout.

Baking Mishap

Neal was helping me bake some cookies the other day and then this happened....




He slipped off the chair and as he was falling grabbed the bowl of powdered sugar and was covered under a cloud of dust. He was startled by the whole experience but once the initial shock passed he decided the sugar wasn't so bad and actually tasted rather good.

Our time in Seattle

We just spent a few days in Seattle at my parents house visiting family along the way to NC. We had a nice visit and Neal really enjoyed being at Grandma and Papa's house and getting to play with his cousins.




It has been nice to be out of the cold and snow and be able to enjoy the outdoors, even in the rain.

Our Big 2 Year Old

I know I am going to say what every parent says but here it goes, I can't believe where the time has gone. Neal turned 2 today and I can hardly believe that 2 years have come and gone. We were in Seattle this year for his birthday and got to celebrate with my family.


Neal loves lots and lots of different things so choosing a theme for his party was a hard choice but we settled on a Cookie Monster theme. We had dinner with the family followed by cake and presents so it was a low key family focused party (the perfect kind).


It was fun to watch Neal devour his cupcake and them get excited about all his presents.





Tyler and I got him his Woody Doll and he loved it. He walked around the house talking to him and giving him lots of hugs.


Happy Birthday Neal! Your Dad and I love you so much. You are such a sweet little boy, always polite and making sure everyone around you is happy. You love to give hugs, kisses, and licks. You always want someone to play with you and are always trying to came up with funny words and phrases to make us laugh. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and be able to call you our son. We love you tons, our big 2 year old!

The ALCAN

We left Alaska Monday morning, February 6, and headed down the ALCAN to the lower 48 on our way to NC. It took us 4 days to get form AK to WA. It was a beautiful drive with sunsets, sunrises, mountains and lots of wildlife.


Tyler and I enjoyed lots of books on tape and just time visiting. We are now spending a few days at my parents house to visit, and rest before the next leg of our cross country move. Early next week we will be on the road again and headed closer to NC.

Farewell Alaska

This morning Tyler and I headed out of Alaska and are on our way to North Carolina. This is the beginning of a long and adventurous road trip. Neal flew to Seattle with my mom yesterday and we will pick him up there where he will join us for the rest of the road trip.

We'll be updating along the way as much as possible as we travel cross country as a family. Looking forward to what God has in store for us and already missing those we had to leave.

February

I really love the month of February for so many reasons. I love all the Valentine's Day decorations that come out, the reminder to charish and appreciate the ones we love and the fact that February (2 years ago) was when we became a family of three.


However, this February has been a litter different. We have had to say many goodbyes this past week and it has been a little harder then I anticipated. I have been reflecting a lot on how gracious God has been the past 6 years to bring us such great, life long friends and allow us to be near family. I have been reminded of this great blessing as we have said goodbye, and finished packing all our belongings for our move.


It may not be hard to leave the snow and cold temperatures but leaving our family and friends here is a different story...



As I look back on the last 6 years I remember how we have walked through so many different stages of life right along with our friends; such as being newly married, becoming dog owners and then becoming parents.


I have been challenged, and encouraged in my walk with God by my friends here and have so many memories of laughing and learning how to live life together. We have walked with each other through so many different situations, joys and trials that my life is forever changed. So, this February is filled not only with the joy of Valentine's Day and Neal's birthday but also a few tears of sadness as we say goodbye.


I am confident that the Lord has great things in store for our family and all those dear to us in the years ahead. So, as we prepare to leave AK, family, and friends we are filled with love and gratefulness for all those who have had an impact on our lives and will continue to be a part of our lives even over the miles that separate us.

Commissioning Service

This past Sunday we had our Commissioning Service for our transition into full-time ministry with TWR. Tyler spoke some at the service along with Pastor Tim and Chris Johnson from TWR. It was a great time of encouragement and Tyler and I walked away feeling incredibly blessed by our church family.


We are so grateful for our church. The individuals within our home church have been not only a blessing to us but have had a lasting impact and influence on our lives as individuals and as a family. We look forward with anticipation and excitement to where God has called us to serve, but this is a bitter sweet time for us as we have to say goodbye not only to family and friends but our church family as well.


There are lots of changes and unknowns ahead of us but we are feeling beyond blessed as we move forward. We have many incredible friendships established here in AK that will last for a lifetime no matter how far away we may move.

An Unexpected Visit

We had an very friendly visitor last week at our house....



...he almost came in our house. Neal thought it was great, Tyler and I on the other hand were a bit nervous about him being too close. But the moose stayed outside and eventually walked away to find someone else to visit.



Neal continues to look out the window now throughout the day and says "here moose, moose, moose."


To Neal's delight the moose came back the next day. We'll be keeping a close watch outside next time we leave the house.