Thursday, March 31, 2011

Moving.

is nearly packed.

The closets and cupboards are empty.

Stacks and piles are waiting . . .

to go.

The truck comes tomorrow

to load it all up . . .

and I'm feeling kind of sad.

We've been here for nearly five years --
way longer than our average stay.
We have watched many friends come and go
and now it's our turn --
to say goodbye.

It makes me very thankful . . .

that it is not about the structure,
but what's inside
that counts!


We have plenty of love
(with a little side of crazy)
to make this new nest as
blessed as the one we are leaving.


A final blessing from our sweet Randolph nest ~

I'll be back soon . . .

Tina

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Happy Birthday Brogan!

Today we celebrate Brogan Elijah
and the March day he was born
seven years ago.
What a sweet seven years it has been!

Our prayed for son --
a blessing not taken for granted,
conceived at age 40.

Born shortly after my 41st birthday,
just nine months ahead of Teddi --
who had already been a prayer of my heart for
five long years.

God's promise fulfilled.
In His perfect timing . . .
bringing Brogan along first
to be the best big brother.
Ever.

Oh joy of joys!

The faces of Brogan tell
the kind of little man he is . . .

contemplative . . .

with a side of shy.

A serious thinker . . .

who loves to ask questions
and learn by "doing".
Brogie lives life . . .

out LOUD and on purpose!

The sillier the better . . .

Brogie style.

Brogan ~

The craziness you add to us
is the perfect portion.

You are thoughtful and kind --
you love Jesus and others.

You are a blessed little brother --
and the best big brother.

I am so very grateful that
God blessed us with
your silly face
for such a time as this!

Keep singing,
keep loving,
keep living out loud!

Happy 7th Birthday Brogan Elijah!

We love you!

Blessings from my nest ~

Tina

Monday, March 21, 2011

Checking In . . .


Have I seriously not blogged since before leaving Spokane? Oh me.
Our trip and our time in Washington State with the boys was wonderful . . .
I still have one more post full of pictures to do.

In the meantime
this precious daughter of mine

gave up her spring break
to come help her mama go through messy closets,
and junk drawers,
and her brother and sister's toys . . .

and more.

Thank you Taylor.
And thank you FZ for letting me have your wife for the week.

So this is where we are . . .

the playroom is now pulling double duty as the
"Pack n' Stack Headquarters".

Another sign of the times would be the
"new to us" craigslisted bunkbeds,
purchased for the Littles . . .

and currently sitting in my dining room --
as they wait to go to the new house.

Speaking of which, here is a sneak peak.

We were able to see the inside last week.
I have more pictures, but it'll have to wait
as there is homeschooling and much packing to do!

For now we are relishing the days in our
Randolph house. I will miss the character of this 80 year old home--
the hard wood floors, the fireplace, and the beautiful french doors.
Not to mention the huge old trees out back --
and our sweet, sweet neighbors
(thankfully we will only be a 45 minute
drive across town from them).

There are some things I won't miss --
like the squirrels in the attic,
the mold that tends to creep into the closets when it's rainy,
and the other "issues" that come with an old house,
all in all
it's been a very sweet "home sweet, home".

For a certain someone

it's been the only "home" she knows.
There are struggles as she sees the boxes piling up.
Why wouldn't there be?
The last time she "moved"
her entire life was turned upside down.
Please say a prayer for her little heart to feel
secure in the midst of this big change.

Another certain someone

will turn seven in two days!

Taylor and Frankie will
be here on Friday to help Brogan
"pirate this place up"!

We'll celebrate with his mateys on Saturday!

I'm so thankful for the help from my Newlys . . .
and with that I have one last newsworthy note to share.

After much prayer . . .
and waiting . . .
and fasting . . .
and more prayer,
Taylor and Frankie have
decided to move back to San Antonio from Houston!

While Frankie seeks a new job, and Taye goes about
transferring to a new university they will
make their nest with us!
Their lease runs out mid April
so as soon as we get moved it'll be their turn.

I am excited and thankful that the two years that the Air Force told us we would be in San Antonio turned into three, enabling Teddi to "get settled" upon her arrival from China. It also allowed us to be here as Taylor planned her wedding, and then got married the following year. With Bry's first job transfer across town (15 months ago) the three years turned into four . . . and we were able to get Brady graduated in Texas and then flying on his own. And now one final job "transfer" to a new building (on the same base), has pushed us into year five . . . which will allow us to finish our military career in Texas-- unheard of when we have moved every two to three years for the previous 22 years. The gift of these final two years will allow us share more time with Taye and Frankie until Bry retires . . . and we head northward.

Despite what we thought would happen with our Texas assignment, or even at times tried to make happen, the Lord knew what would be best for us--and He made it happen. For that I am grateful!

"Many are the plans in a person's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
-- Proverbs 19:21

Thank you Lord for Your plans for us. Thank you for an "extended Texas stay". Thank you for our sweet old house, and for our brand new house, and most of all thank you for being with us wherever we go!

Blessings from my messy, moving nest ~

Tina



Monday, March 7, 2011

Not Everything is Bigger in Texas . . .


Washington State has some pretty
BIG cookies . . .



Some REALLY BIG
trees . . .

one rather
HUGE wagon . . .


and the smiles are
BIGGIE size, too!

(Heading home tomorrow . . .
not looking forward to "goodbyes".)


Blessings from our traveling nest~

Tina


Friday, March 4, 2011

Spokane!

It's beautiful!

Wednesday we drove into town.

(In case you missed it we're here visiting our big guys,
Bryce and Brady.
They live about 20 minutes out of the city.)

Oh my . . . we're not in Texas anymore.

Look at the view!

We visited Riverside Park, in the
heart of downtown.


It was perfect-- sunny and 45 degrees (happy mama), with enough snow on the ground for snowball fighting (happy kids, big and little).


A giggling Teddi pegs her brother
with some nice wet snow!


Other brother gets her back!


Let the games begin!


Who is next?


I love the sound of . . .


rushing water . . .

and the sight of my

bigs and littles together.
(Wishing we had Taye and Frankie here.)



One happy vacationer.

One more happy vacationer.


This next one reminds me that
God is our . . .

ROCK!

Standing firm when life
swirls around us.
So much power in the water,
yet such safety on the rock!

I wish I could put sound with the photo,
it was intense.


Thank you Brady for snapping this,
we're so happy to be here!

The power of the water is put to
good use, "lighting up" Spokane.

Another cool bridge.

Great metal sculptures --

racing around the park.

I took this picture from the van
when we were coming home --
on Sunset Highway in Airway Heights.
Very appropriately named!

Brady "patted" out dinner --
grilled gourmet burgers . . .
on onion buns
with tomato, red onion,
guacamole
and Stubb's Texas bar-b-q sauce!
Oh yum!

The littles (determined to make
a snowman before the day ended)
worked by patio light, while Brady made dinner.

Good job Brogan & Teddi,
he's really cute!

Yesterday the guys went skiing and snowboarding, and mama and Teddi had a girl's day. Pictures to come--of the guys anyway. Today we're driving about an hour north to meet up with one of my best, old military friends, Anne, and her husband Brian, for lunch. We haven't seen each other in about 16 years (that's what I mean by old, of course we're not old.)

I'm thankful for this time to enjoy our guys!

Blessings from my traveling nest ~

Tina