Seasons....

I'm not sure what type of season I'm in.  I'm sad sometimes & miss my friends & our life in IL.  Yet, overall, I know this move is what is best for our family.  I am thrilled to be here - I am thankful for Chad's great job that he loves, I'm thankful he isn't traveling, I'm thankful to be close to his family & have so much support nearby!  Most of the time, I'm doing great, but some days, something happens & it makes the grieving process more real again.  For example, a haircut...or two or three.  Yes, I have had three haircuts this week!  It was terrible!  The first place I went to really messed it up.  I'm not sure what she did, but it was not even in the back, there were long chunks by my neck, you get the idea....worst haircut EVER.  Which is saying a lot!       So, I called a friends stylist who came to our house & attempted to fix it.  Overall, it was a good cut, but it was not washed or styled, etc.  So I styled it when she left & realized it was still not even.  Ugh.  So, today, I got haircut number 3, which I think is a winner!  But, all that to say, I really wanted to call a friend & say....let me tell you about this terrible cut I got - who should I go to.  Thankfully, I do have some local facebook friends I could message, but it wasn't quite the same.  I am just missing my great girlfriends in IL & praying to make some here soon too!  I'm sure in a few months I will look back on all this & laugh....

One small change....

So, something happened at our house recently....our internet wasn't working.  It has been sketchy since we moved in for about a month & a half, but I finally called & someone came to fix it.  I was amazed that one small change with the modem could make it work so well again.  This made me think - what is one area of my life that needs a small change in for it to work better?  Food for thought, friends....

Feeling Out of Place...

As we are settling into our new home, new town, etc.  (Still looking for a church.  If you're a praying person, please pray for connections soon!), I feel a little out of place.  I'm used to being super involved, plugged in, connected & knowing lots of people.  Of course, when you move, you start all over, so I know very few people here.  It has been a challenge for sure, but I'm confident God will provide those contacts for us when the time is right.  (Yesterday, Lord?  Just kidding...I'm learning patience too!)  

I can't help but think about the birth of our Savior during this time of year & his mother, Mary.  I'm sure Mary felt a little out of place - being an unwed woman giving birth to the Savior of the world in a stable!  It is helpful to know that even when we aren't comfortable, our Comforter is always with us.  And, even people like Mary didn't always "fit in."  Todd White (another google for you if you are unfamiliar with him.  He's an evangelist & is awesome!), spoke at our church last year & said something like "if we are comfortable, we don't need a Comforter."  So, I am taking comfort (ha) in the fact that this season is making me more aware of my need for Him & not my connections.

2012: The Year of the Label

As 2012, draws to a close, I can honestly say I am relieved!  2012 was a rough year for us.  It had it's highs, absolutely, but overall, it was very challenging for our family.  In December 2011, I was diagnosed by my counselor with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder).  While this is something commonly associated with war, it can also be caused by other things - loss, abuse, divorce, etc.  I'm sure at some point I will elaborate on that, but that was how 2012 started off.

At first, I was relieved - I finally understood what was going on, why I would think or feel certain ways about certain things, etc.  It was nice to know what was going on.  I have always associated with labels.  For example, in high school, I was "involved" - poms (dance team), show choir, swim team, class officer, etc.  You get the point.  Then, in college, I was a sorority girl - a DG (Delta Gamma).  This was my pattern, I would identify with my label & live in that place.  However, I didn't want to live in the PTSD label!  That is one I didn't want!  But it was always in the back of my mind.  I worked hard with my counselor & processed a lot & a lot of healing took place.  I attribute that to the Holy Spirits work in my life as well as counseling.  But I digress....the labels continue....

Our daughter, who is 4, was recently diagnosed with SPD (sensory processing disorder).  Google it - it's too much to describe right here, but again, another label for our family!  And, another one I didn't want.  I'm thankful God led us to Sioux Falls & we found great care immediately!  In this journey, we also learned Lauren has wheat & dairy allergies, which is helpful to know.  We have been blessed with great providers here who are helping us work with Lauren & the SPD.  It's encouraging to see her getting better.

So now as 2012 is wrapping up, I am ready to be done with these labels & hopeful to see what 2013 has for us!  Onward & upward!

I'm back!

Hi again, I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted.  A lot has happened in 3 years - including 2 major life changes - a baby & a move to a new state!  Landon Jacob was born in July, 2010.  And, in October of 2012, we moved to Sioux Falls, SD.  I thought this blog would be a good way to keep friends & family who are far up to date on us, as well as a way for me to process some of the complex thoughts I have.  Welcome back & enjoy!

And the stockings were hung...

Sorry, again, for the delay in posting....I don't have a good reason other than life has been very full & very fun! We were in Wisconsin & Iowa for Thanksgiving with Chad's family, which was nice. We even came home with a "holiday bug!" I had it first, then Chad got it & we think Lauren didn't end up getting it, thankfully! We returned home from our travels on Sunday & Chad left the next day for a work trip to California for 5 days! Thankfully, my mom came in for my birthday on Tuesday & we were able to decorate for Christmas, which was awesome! I LOVE our Christmas decorations this year...I hope you enjoy them too! My favorite is the garland on the stairway, which my mom is a pro at doing! Then, later in the week, my best friend from college & her son came to visit us as well, which was also wonderful! I love having people come visit, especially when Chad is away. Lauren & I are both very thankful he is home now! She continues to amaze us with her vocabulary - she knows all of her colors, her animals, what noises they make, etc. She is a bright little girl & a huge blessing to us! We have much to be thankful for!

Getting TOO big!

Our little girl is growing up, people! She is doing so many new, big girl things now! Here are a few examples:

* She says "sit down," then sits down!
* She takes her cup to the fridge, tries to get ice out (she isn't quite tall enough...yet) & says "ice please."
* She wants to sit in all the "grown up" chairs in the house. See picture.



She is such a joy, but it makes me a little sad that my little baby isn't really a baby anymore...where has the past year & a half gone? It really does fly by....


Speaking of baby, everytime Lauren sees another child, she calls them "baby." My brother, his wife & 2 beautiful kiddos came to visit us last weekend. Lauren kept calling her cousins "baby," even though they are 6 & 4. It was a hoot! And, she sure was able to keep up with them - you should have seen her darting after them around the house...she is FAST! Here is another pic of our time together, it was a great, special day!