the little one

sushi is doing well

and...he sends

kisses

*muah*

moved!

A big thanks to everyone who helped us move! We had 11 people carrying boxes and moving our furniture on a rainy Saturday!

It felt strange to have our entire lives in boxes and carried away.

We had donuts and bagels (Thanks Mary!) and coffee for the big day.

The Lord was watching out for us

 - - whenever we really needed to be outside, the rain would pause

- - we had strong guys to hoist furniture to the second floor

 - - one couch even went through a window (that no one thought would fit)

- - we had just enough hands

During all of this, Eric caught a cold and is exhausted.

Thankfully, I have this week off to unpack and get ready for my new job.

We'll post pictures soon!

quick update

Eric will be transferring to a new store in a couple of weeks!
This is such an answer to prayer. The new store would be closer to the apartment and would move him one step closer to a promotion.
Praise the Lord

dinner on the town

After the golf game, a handful of us went out to dinner at Fudruckers. We had never been to the restauarnt or Foxwoods, so it was a small adventure.

The fountains (many more than one story) were my favorite

pretty window

girl leading sheep home

Eric and Paul across the waterfall

an outfit with my name on the sleeve

Switch

On Wednesday nights, Eric & I teach a great group of 5th & 6th graders. Our group is called Switch and this year we will be tackling "Gladiators & Giants."

We started out the school year talking about David and Goliath and will be going through many of the giants that the kids (and we) face in our everyday lives - - having an invisible God, prayer, family, friends, divorce, and distractions.

This week, we made cards for a woman who was rushed to the hospital and a teenager who will be coming home from the hospital after a year of major surgeries and difficulties.

The kids were really happy to encourage Judy and Kyle. We were so proud of them.

Nicolas even made cards with pop ups!

In a wonderful care package, Mom sent us cheese balls. Most of our apartment is packed and we haven't had much time to do extra shopping or planning, so they were the perfect thing to bring for the kids. Thanks Mom!!

Emma is a self-proclaimed cheese ball addict.

Christian uncovered his face just long enough for me to snap this shot.

I love Rachel's smile.

Even though there aren't many of them - - these kids really made a difference. It is so important love others (especially when they aren't expecting it) and they were great examples of that.

It isn't about the big things we do in life

It really is about all of the small things that add up

(Emma guarding the cheese balls)

I'm still surprised what some colored sheets of paper, markers, and big hearts can do.

So...give someone a cup of cheese balls...

Or a smile as big as Rebecca's!

Moving!!

Saturday is our big day

Things are coming along for the big move!



So many friends have volunteered and we've accepted their help.



Thank the Lord, all of the details have been falling into place.

Fall is here!!

farewell

Tuesday was my last day of work and going away party.
I am excited to start the next chapter in my life, just a little sad that this one is ending.

I love when the conference room is used for more than meetings. They ordered my favorite Whole Foods pizza and had polka dot daisy plates and napkins (I <3>

my lovely girls gave me these beautiful boots filled with goodies

one of the owner's wives made me this mermaid pin

goodbye Stacy and Jen

I'll miss you!!

Longest Drive

The guys from church went golfing last week. There were several teams of four that teed off Saturday afternoon. The group pictured above:

Eric (in his fabulous golfing pants), Paul (the youth pastor and great friend), Christian (he walked with the guys), Ryan (my future co-worker), and Bryce (Christian's uncle).

Eric won Longest Drive!

They are still talking about it at church. No one could believe that someone from the "young guys" team (who weren't taking it very seriously) won! Now they all want to be on his team next year.

A special thanks to Scott who put together this great men's fellowship outing!

it's official

I got the new job

And we got the new apartment

It is strange, because we are finally feeling settled and now everything is changing.

My new job will be a five minute drive (not one hour each way).

The new apartment has two bedrooms, closets (!), a small backyard, parking, and is quiet.

There are things that I'll miss about where I work (my friends Jen & Stacy, Whole Foods, Langan VW, and the Salem Herb Farm). There will be things that I'll have to give up (my own office, my plant filled window, my door wreath) (the horrid commute, the stress, the long hours).

We'll miss living close to Harkness and Target. But won't miss the traffic, sirens, billboard lights at night, other things that go along living in the city.

Thankfully, everyone we seem to know is happily volunteering to help us move.

The next few weeks are going to be crazy!