Old friends & New friends

My dear friend and old neighbor Robyn came into town a few weeks ago. They had 2 boys when they moved away and now they have twins. Unfortunately the boys couldn't come, but we loved meeting the girls- Adelyn and Maryn. My boys were completly smitten with them. I miss Robyn so much as a friend and neighbor! Who brings over home-made cookies, makes birthday and baptism cakes for your kids, lets you borrow endless ingredients and is an amazing friend. It's too bad Canada is so far away.

a NEW park!

Last week we went to Virginia to look for a new house. We took the boys to a park and I have a feeling we will be visiting this park on a weekly basis. It's a huge wooden park and they loved it! We are ready to move and start settling in, but thankful for our last few days (for Nathan) and weeks to be in Durham.

You've Got a Friend

Our dear friend Sandy had a brunch for Lisa and I in January. It was the highlight of my month.(Well, let's be honest that and finding out about my girl!) Many of my favorite people were gathered in one place for a sweet time of fellowship. There were friends who were our age and dear ones who have mentored us throughout our time at CGS. Times like this are what put the bitter in bittersweet. Although it has taken years to get to know these friends, I can't imagine living life without them. It's hard to imagine that when we moved to Durham 6.5 years ago, I just cried on our couch because I didn't know anyone here. I didn't have any friends, we were so lonely. How faithful the Lord is to have provided so many dear friends over our time here. We have one more week at church and as I slowly say good-bye, the tears will quickly be shed over the joy of these friendships and the loss of them on a daily/weekly basis.

It's with these friends who walked with my through losing my first baby in a miscarriage. It's with these friends that I've celebrated the birth of my two boys. It's with these friends who I've learned how to be a mom. It's with these friends who I've been honest and real with about life with young kids.

What a gift we have shared.

Little George

Guess what? Hunter also has a baby in his tummy

It's Little {Curious} George.

He came and showed me his stomach the other day. I also found Little George in his shirt while he was asleep. (And yes, he's in his underwear. He would chose to be naked all the time so underwear and a shirt are a huge compromise for him.) He told me that Little George would be coming out in June, but aparently he wasn't too comfortable. To that I say-understood!

Bathtub fun!

Shaving cream + bath time + food coloring = Best bath time ever!

trust.

It seems like there is a constant battle between our will and God's will. Our time and God's time. Do we trust Him? Are we willing to LET GO and let Him have the reins? Last week was one of those weeks that as much as I like to have control, there were so many circumstances that I was humbly reminded that we aren't in control of anything.
As you might expect during this "transition" time between a new place to live and job brings about a great amount of stress. Nathan especially feels the tension in finishing well here and looking ahead to have things ready so he can start his new job. Of course, the greatest unknown is our house and trying to sell it.

So in the midst of the new normal amount of stress, there have been other things that God has put in our path. Last week Nathan had probably the hardest week of his entire 12+ years of ministry doing grief counseling with many of our middle and high school students as they lost a beloved friend through a tragic accident. I'm thankful that we are still in Durham so Nathan could talk to and love on these broken-hearted students that he has spent the last 6.5 years getting to know. On top of that I had a horrible case of strep, both boys were sick, a friend had a miscarriage and my grandmother was in the hospital. This week has been much better although Andrew's eardrum ruptured.

All of this to say, these circumstances have been like God shouting, you aren't in control. I'm not in control of my life- as we saw first hand last week how short life can be. I'm certainly not in control of our timing in moving and selling our house. What a great reminder too of how blessed I am- so thankful for so much. Especially these two:

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

Blondie

My blonde boy. I never imagined that I would have a blonde child. People ask me ALL the time where Andrew gets his blonde hair from. In case you were wondering, Nathan had blonde hair when he was young as did my brother. I can see that Andrew's hair is getting darker so before I gave him a hair-cut, I took a few pictures so I can remember my blondie.