FIVE.....

Amidst all the chaos in this household, a certain girl in this family turned FIVE last week!

I'm not gonna lie.... I've been in some serious denial about this birthday!  I've been telling her for months that we are counting her years backwards from now on, and she was turning three this year.  She loved to taunt me that she indeed was turning FIVE!  She wouldn't play along with my game, and I'm a little bitter!  Love this girl to pieces, and I know that with being FIVE, comes another forbidden subject in this house..... kindergarten.

This girl is beyond ready to head off to school every day.  I know what this means, though, cause I remember when two certain boys in this house started kindergarten, and it feels like yesterday.  From this year on, time will fly, and I know how fast it's going to fly!  She couldn't be more excited, though, and I will try to hold it together and be excited with her! 

 Ally girl, you are loved beyond comprehension!  We are priveledged to call you our sweet daughter.  You've taken on a big roll this year, the roll of being the BIG sister in this house, and you have come through it all beautifully!  Ella Grace thinks you are the best thing in the whole wide world!  She follows your every move, and I'm so thankful that you roll with it, and don't get bothered by that!  So very proud of you big girl, and I guess it's okay for you to be FIVE now! 

Overdue.....

This update has been long overdue, so it's time to fill you in on what's going on in our world.  When I last left you, we were flying out for an interview, where we interviewed with a wonderful church in Oklahoma.  The interview process here was for a music ministry position.  Through the weekend, we really felt like God kept confirming over and over to us that He wanted us to wait and to continue seeking a pastor position.  It was very difficult to come home with this realization, as we had pretty much all but packed up the truck to move.  Before going, we really felt like this was where God was leading us, and we were both surprised that it was not where He was leading.

When we got home, we were contacted by a church in Oregon.  We went down there this past weekend, and met some more very lovely people, but we both knew very quickly on that this was not the  place for our family.  The church is 99% senior adult, with no other children/youth at all, and we knew that this was not going to be a fit for our kids, or for us.  It's hard to understand this process, but we both feel that if God has definitely not made it clear to us that He wants us there, then we need to continue to wait upon Him.  This might not make much sense, but we know without a doubt that this is what we need to do.  We both came home feeling very overwhelmed and sad..... we know that He has a place for us, somewhere.

 We are officially down to no income coming in, but over the months God has blessed us through our adoption tax credit refund, a huge, generous gift from our church in town, and several others who have given to our family.  Each gift has been deposited into our savings, in anticipation of this day coming, and now it is here.  The Lord has continued to supply all that we NEED, and we are trying to be wise with what we have and how we use it.  I can't begin to tell you what an amazing God we serve, and how He constantly reminds us that He loves us and will never leave us or forsake us. 

Thank you for praying for our family, for asking us how we are doing and for loving us through this time.  We are so blessed to have so many who care for us and love us, and we are so thankful. 

We called our rental company, and our house had not yet been rented, so we are able to stay in our house, boxes and all!  We officially got Allyson registered for school today, since school starts next week and she's going to be a big ol' kindergartener.  My dear, sweet husband is applying for everything imaginable, and we know that God will open the door He wants for us to go through....

AND,  my sweet son just brought me the last chocolate chip cookie with a glass of milk, just because he loves me, so I know we are going to be OKAY!!!!

Too busy

Climbing mountains (at least the boy half of the family)...

Swimming with cousins.....

Celebrating birthdays a little bit early.....



 Sliding down slides.....



Jumping off high dives....

Loving the splash park......

Body surfing.......

Snuggling with Papa..... 

Having rootbeer floats with Great Grandma......

 Visiting with Papa and Grandma.....

and lastly, trying to find some time to do this.......

to find any time to blog around here.... I promise a more thorough update is coming, but please remember us in your prayers as Brad and I are flying this weekend for an interview at a church....