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