The Flip Side

I'm nearly to the end of my goodbyes and about to start hellos!

Have I mentioned I'm no good at goodbye?

I like to think that I soak in every moment. The happy ones and the sad ones. 

When there's happiness, I'll be there basking in every ounce of sparkle and joy that arrives with that moment.  The same is true with the flip side. I feel every tickle of every tear, every brick that arrives with the weight of sadness and despair. 

Sensitive.

My double-edged sword.

Husband doesn't quite know what to do with this yet, but he's learning. 

The great thing is that with every sad goodbye, I know there's a more exciting hello waiting for me!
Specifically, this little hello.....

Really, could the flip side be any cuter?

The Announcement {& lovey, dovey pictures}

Honestly people, did you really think I would make you wait a month for the announcement?!

Let's review.

1.) I'm a girl. Keeping secrets is not my strong suit. So unless you don't mind my husband, best friend and sister knowing, it's best if you don't ask.

2.) My attention span is that of a toddler. I would forget the announcement if I had to wait a month.

3.) Most of you reading are already aware of the announcement.

Cuatro.) Although I was flattered by all of you assuming that I'm mature enough to grow, nurture and raise a human being {cough, cough...pregnancy}, I'm hoping that it's not because all of these pumpkin bars I've been eating are starting to show.

5.) When I posted the "In one month..." part of the announcement, I meant it in the fact that the surprise is actually happening in one month. Obviously it's not a baby.

But aren't our family pictures so cuteeeeee?!!!!!!

If only you know what it took to get the dogs to hold still for the long length of a camera click. Their attention span is almost as bad as mine! You'll notice that Lola has obviously spotted a squirrel.

A few of you sweet souls thought that we were possibly starting the adoption process......well that's not what the announcement is this time, but I would like to think it's the first big step toward making that happen.

I'm sure you're done with my rambling and ready to hear our news. Here it is:

We're moving to Utah!!!!!!!!

Yes, folks! I'll be reunited with my beautiful mountains, precious niece and lovely family!

The moving decision actually came to be reality in October when Matt was offered a job to be a project engineer at an excavating company. We both have been praying so much about this decision and have had so many little "signs" that there's no question on whether or not God is going before us in this next step! There's a lot of emotions going on as we get ready to take this big jump, but excitement is definitely predominant, especially as it gets closer! 

Our days of living on Tulsa time have nearly come to a close, and we are cherishing every single one of them! Tulsa has been a place of tremendous personal growth and we have made many friendships that will carry on long after we have moved. We're so grateful for the times that we've had here!

Now, it's on to the next adventure!

Long Drives and Serenades

Husband and I took a drive this weekend.

A long, romantic drive.

The ones where you hold hands and no words are needed.

But words were spoken, because let's face it, I'm a girl!

That's when the sweetest thing happened....

One of the most beautiful songs of all time came on to serenade our drive.

Things just sort of hushed and we squeezed each others' hands a little tighter and listened to the sweet sound of Adele's "Make You Feel My Love".

Naturally, you tend to remember the treasure you were given in each other.

Husband took it one step further.

During the song, he said "I just got the feeling that God wants us to know that this is His song to us."

Tears came to my eyes, because I knew it was true. 

And I knew that God was right there with us in the car.

That moment, that song, was instantly turned to one of very, intimate romance.

Not just romance between a husband and wife, but romance between an ever-loving, never-giving-up-on, knows-just-what-to-say kind of God and his two little kids.

The kind of God that sees exactly where you are, knows every ounce of fear you're feeling about the next step, and knows that despite all those things, you're stepping out and putting all your trust in Him. 

It's in those moments, that that sweet, gentle Jesus shows up in the car and whispers of the lengths he'll go to reassure you of his love 

That, my friends, is true romance!

My prayer is that each and every one of you reading this will experience a moment of romance just as intimate as this with the God who is not mad at you, but madly in love with you! Those moments are the ones that can not be made up or manipulated by emotion, rather, they are made up of the reassurance that your life is full of potential and purpose, never to be taken away.

True romance.

Surprises...

....for surprises!!!

Big announcement coming soon! :)