Where have I been?

Wow this new blogger layout is weird.  I'm not sure I like it or not!  I have been meaning to post for some time but it must not be quite a priority these days.  We've had a busy time of birthdays, we went to Kansas City to visit some friend and have began school (officially).  We're just trying to keep busy now as we're nearing the end of this deployment.  Hopefully less than 30 days to go!  Unreal.  I can't believe we did it (almost).  What an accomplishment.  There were so many times I was at the end of my rope.  I thought I was going to lose it and couldn't continue on another day on my own.  But GOD sustained me.  He gave me strength.  It is only through Him that I have gotten through every single day, every single good and bad moment.  From delivering a baby without my husband to something as simple as putting the kids to bed every night.  I know Zach can attest to the same- he couldn't have done this without the Lord's strength either.  Whew.  All that saying, I've had some trying days lately.  Lots of tragedy for those I love lately and it's almost been too much to bear sometimes.  I know the enemy is trying to get me down, to cause me to stumble and to discourage me these last days until my husband returns.  I will not let him!

Anyway, this is our second full week of school and it's going pretty well.  I have an AWESOME Bible book we all do together in the morning.  Really is thought provoking and eye-opening and I hope will cause the kids to ponder God and grow in Him.  Each of them has really surprised me already this year and taken off in their work. 

As I said, we went to Kansas City to see some friends.  They live in the country on a 'farm' (they pretty much just moved there so are a small farm but one day will grow)!  It was wonderful being there with them.  So peaceful out there.  That's the first time ever I've seen the advantage of living out of town!  I think because as my boys grow I see their need to be outside- and they were always outside over there!  Our yard is 'boring' to them :)  We don't have trees to climb and land to explore (nor animals to chase).  You'd think, having only met these friends ONE time in real life it would've been weird going to stay with them, but nope.  I wasn't even nervous about it.  I've known Amy for years via the internet and we have a special bond.  I think losing a baby really bonds people together.  It was a blessed time for our family and I hope not too much time goes by before we can see them again!  We did discover that Gabe is allergic to cats, though, much to his dismay! 

Anyway, that's a bit of what's been going on here.  Time for me to get back to my to-do list!  I'm not even sure who comes around the blog here anymore, so let me know if you read still (please)!