Strange

Things just feel strange. I am surprised how hard this move is for me since I moved so much growing up. Maybe because it is my first move with kids, maybe it is because we were so settled and connected in Cincinnati, I don't know.
I am trying to think of it as an adventure, but it is hard. I sit here typing and my eyes are welling up and my throat it tight. It is an adventure and it really is a good move for our family. It is great for James, thus great for our family. That doesn't make it any less difficult.
I'm going to throw the kids in the car and go explore. Maybe I'll feel more at home once I am more familiar with my surroundings.
Thankfully the kids haven't seemed to be that affected, especially Jack. Look how happy he is!
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We made it!

We left after a frenzy of packing, cleaning, and organizing. Some of our dearest friends pitched in to make it happen. It was chaotic, but a farewell befitting our great neighborhood and friends in Cincinnati. We cried, laughed, hugged, packed, and chased a gaggle of kids around, but got everything done in the end.
We took two days to make the drive, but the weather was good. Not as cold in Kansas City as it was when we left Cincinnati.
Hopefully we can spend tonight and tomorrow settling in before James has to go back to work on Tuesday.
I miss everyone in Cincinnati terribly, but am finally feeling glimmers of excitement as we explore our new surroundings and recognize places we used to go when we lived here almost 9 years ago.
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First snack in Kansas City.

We just drove in, got the keys to the new place and the kids are snacking while we settle on strategy for moving stuff in.
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No nap catches up with her!

Hours before her normal bedtime and she has crashed on the floor, right after a bowl of ice cream!
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New toy for the family!

We got a Flip for Christmas! Here is my first video post...the princess playing and Grandma and Katherine making cookies.

In January we will be moving. Currently we are about 3 1/2 hours away from James' parents. After the move we will be more than 10. So, we will see them much less frequently. My hope is to use the Flip to post videos fairly frequently so they can see the kids. I hope this works out well!

Merry Christmas...Eve

I am sitting here, getting ready to bake a couple pies for our Christmas dinner tonight and marveling at how good God is. My mother and brother are here to share the season with us. My family is safe and in good health. My kids are aglow with the excitement of the season. We are blessed with truly amazing friends. Even in this terrible economy we have so much to be thankful for. I am blessed well beyond what I deserve due to the grace of God.

Prayers, Please

I know it has been forever since my last post - more on why later. Right now I just want to ask for your prayers. Two days ago a member of our church fell to her death during the first performance of our Christmas show.

Please pray for her family, her friends, our church community and our church leaders. We are shocked and saddened by Keri's untimely and tragic passing. When I've processed more, I'll post more about the amazing show she was a castmember of.