well, wouldn't you know

Hank and I are not "pet people." I have a greater tolerance/appreciation of OTHER peoples pets than Hank, but that still isn't saying much. Well, wouldn't you know that Henry is drawn towards anything that is harry and on four legs. Rigby (my Mom and Dad's dog) was such a trouper last week. For the most part, anywhere Rigby was, Henry was army crawling as fast as he could towards her. Surely this is just a stage, right? If this keeps up, I'm afraid that our hand will someday be forced to buy one of these (dogs that is).

Winter fun

Hello 2011

It's a new year and I'm thankful to be experiencing change rather than preparing for it. Hank is loving his new job and I am... hmm well, I'm just here. I don't hate it, nor do I love it. I'm sure that will change at some point, but I think that I just need time:)

We are some what settled into our new home (we're to the left)




and have even had our first guests!



Hank and I are getting to know our way around campus by training for a 10K we're doing in April! Its no Auburn, but its a beautiful campus:) (no, Henry has not gained 20 pounds! ha, he looks huge here. it has been so cold that this is the only way that I'll get out with him for a jog.)



This 7 month dude is growing up fast! I'm so thankful for his cheerful spirit and ability to make me smile. He has a ton of energy which makes me a little nervous for when he becomes more mobile! Just in the last week he has become super clingy. Hopefully this stage or whatever it is will pass SOON!



Charlottesville is actually a pretty cool town. Please come see us!!!

**Thank you to Beth Peele for the new face lift on the blog! So thankful for her mad blog skills,creativity, and friendship:)

family family family

We've been busy this week! Since last Friday, we have been in Raleigh, Greenville, and Charleston! We are blessed with a BIG family. For those of you who care (aka our family) here's some pictures from our time together!

Raleigh, NC

Henry's G-mama



Hank's mom, Sally's side of the family



Henry's great-grandmother, Gannie




Greenville, NC

Hank's Dad, Sam's side of the family



Henry's cousins, Holland (Woody)and Jackson (Buzz Lightyear). Toy Story is their favorite movie! Holland has named everyone in the family with characters from the movie. Hank, Henry, and I are the aliens:)



David, Hank's brother and Pop



Jackson and Henry were so cute together! They would growl at each other.



Henry and Bo



Charleston, SC

Henry learning how to share. (look closely and they are sharing "joseph")



Griffin and Henry with Gigi. I hate that I didn't get any pictures of Oliver and Katie! We only got to be with them for a day!



Henry and Granddaddy

the move and 5 months

This past month has been crazy, thus the lack of blog posts. Also, I haven't really processed the move yet which makes me not want to say anything at all. It's no secret that saying goodbye to Auburn has been hard on me, so for this internal processor, it may take a while. There is so much to say. From our dear friends giving us a goodbye party, to the Auburn team helping us move on one end and the Lifelines team on the other, to closing up our first house where we brought our firstborn son home for the first time, a lot has gone on the past two weeks.

I feel like I'm going to learn a lot of lessons about where my identity is found. There is something about moving to a place where I don't know anyone and people don't know me that has started that ball rolling:)

The good news is that the move is over! I had been dreading saying goodbye, driving the 12+ hours with Henry, and unpacking. Two of the three are done and we are about 80% unpacked!

Henry's 6 month bd is tomorrow, so i'll post some 5 month pictures while I can:) This month he experienced his first haircut! I hated to cut it, but it HAD to be done. Notice how long it had gotten in the back.

we're here

we're here ... and still alive, though buried in boxes:) When we get internet hooked up, I'll have pictures! Merry Christmas!

Dec 10th

As of two days ago, we have renters for our home. It is a precious couple and their 6 month old son. We are so overwhelmed and grateful for God's provision! When they came to look at the house, they said that they wanted to be in before the holidays. My first thought was, "what constitutes as the holidays?" "Surely not Thanksgiving!" I'm grateful that the "holidays" meant Christmas:) However, they want to be in by December 10th and that is a mere four weeks away.

There are definitely mixed emotions with this date. Part of me is just so thankful that the time of waiting for the next step is over and the other part of me is really mourning the loss of Auburn. I've known for months that we would probably be moving, but to have a date makes it super real.

I was reading the book, 31 Days of Praise, and this is what a quote from an unknown author had to say,"I can be willing for You to shift me anywhere on life's checkerboard, or bury me anywhere in life's garden, gladly yielding myself for You to please Yourself with, anywhere and anyway You choose." This is a desire of my heart, that we would be so surrendered to the Lord that we would always be willing to go or stay. Because He is our dwelling place, we can be content and secure with wherever God places us, for He is our home.

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" Romans 11:33


A few pictures from the last month!

father/son bonding in the backyard..





Henry's first time for baby food!



Henry is happiest when we are outside, so we spend a ton of time in our front yard;)