Family photos

Oh these babes. Sometimes I wake up and look in wonder at their little faces and can't believe that I have 3 boys! We haven't had pictures taken of us since Grady was a few days old and we thought it would be fun to have them taken right after our move to remember this special time. It was quite easy to find this location- right behind our house!

It's amazing to think that a few short years ago these little people didn't exist, and now their souls will live forever. It is a heavy responsibility and a joy at the same time to have been entrusted by the Lord with their lives for this time. Andrew reminded us today of the priority of evangelism, especially to our own children. I am freshly encouraged once again to make Christ the center of all that we do and say inside our home and out and pray that one day these seeds will take root in the hearts of our little men.

A new home

We can't believe it has almost been a month since we moved to Prescott Valley! It was a whirlwind at the end- tearful good bye gatherings, movers, strep throat and sweet new friends and family waiting for us at the other end. We took a couple days to drive slowly from Cali to Az. We won't ever forget first turning down our little street we had never driven on and opening the door to our home we had never seen- an adventure for sure! The movers didn't come with our goods until five days after we arrived so we had fun camping out in our rental...running around, eating all our meals on the floor, sleeping bags and time to explore. The boys have had fun with all the new sights. For one our back yard backs up to state property with miles of land and mountains, it's breathtaking! Almost every night the boys say "look mommy, the mountains! " as they turn all hues of pink and orangey purple at sunset. The best surprise so far was the 10 minutes of snow we had a couple weeks ago! The boys ran outside in their rainbows (california boys still) and caught snowflakes and threw snow at each other until they were frozen. 

We have enjoyed being a part of Canyon Bible Prescott Valley the last few weeks, our sister church. Next week is our first official Sunday as Canyon Bible Prescott! We have "boot camp" this month preparing everything and then Lord willing the doors will officially open middle of February.

Prescott is Arizona's Christmas city and it definitely is! We have loved being here for all the lights and small town festivities.

This is a sunrise view from our back yard

I have had my moments of sadness, missing friends and wondering what exactly we are doing in this beautiful place that feels so far away from the familiar. But then I have had many more moments of excitement and wonder. What a privilege and joy to be in a position of uncertainty knowing that God is with us and His plan is already under way. I'm thankful for the growing in faith that is happening in our little family and that we can share this new beginning with our children as well.

Grateful

This is the last fall mantel I will decorate in this house, in California! Yep...that's right, we are moving and soon! Andrew has accepted a position in Prescott, AZ to be a senior pastor of a church plant and we are so excited. It is also a bittersweet time. We have been blessed with relationships that have had years to grow and saying goodbye will be heart wrenching. BUT

The Lord has worked out the details and timing for all of this to unfold during a season of thankfulness and joy celebrating God's goodness and it couldn't be more perfect. 

Even though there are many unknowns in our future, God knows every one of them and He is a God who provides and cares for every sparrow and more importantly every child of His. We are never to worry or be anxious despite our temptations to do so because He tells us not to. We can rest in His love  when hard times, good times, uncertain times, happy and sad times come because we know He is in control and He is always with us. No matter what circumstances change- He doesn't.  Can you tell I am preaching to myself? :) 

I can't wait to share more of all that is happening but to sum it all up, we are Grateful. All that is happening is undeserved and we are so humbled by this opportunity to be used and stretched like we have never before. The new friends and fellow believers we will be joining in a few short weeks are some of the sweetest, caring, genuine and generous people we have met. To start a church that has been prayed for, for many years and in a place that hungers for the clear teaching of the only source of Truth is so exciting. Our family gets a front row seat in the making of something so beautiful! Please pray with us and for us as we help plant Canyon Bible Prescott. Stay tuned...!!!!

"Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised" Psalm 96:3-4a

Five

Five years ago I became a mom! This guy has blessed my life in so many ways and I am so grateful that the Lord chose Weston to be in our family. We had fun with a simple celebration at home with family as well as celebrating cousin Ryder's 4th birthday too. Weston loves Legos and building new things- so a Lego theme it was.

The Day before his birthday, Andrew took the boys to a baseball game. (Gabriel's 1st one) They had so much fun while I finished the last birthday surprises.

Omie and Grandpa came all the way from AZ. The boys hadn't seen Grandpa since Christmas!

He requested a Lego cake- I let the boys choose which kind of cake they want and try to make it within reason :) We have had some crazy ideas that mommy can't quite pull off! 

Our other birthday boy came all the way from TX- the boys were so happy to be with their cousin

Sadly our grass in the back yard hasn't survived this drought and heat, but they love the extra dirt

 This game cracked me up- they were pretending to be bulls butting heads, the winner was the one left standing. Boys!

Wings

Weston becomes more "boy" every month this year...so much growing up! In January he taught himself to ride his bike without training wheels. No Joke, in one evening he just did it. And he didn't want ANY help! You can see from the blurry action shot above the sheer joy of accomplishment and the new speed of his big kid bike.  Sometimes I get sad thinking about how time fast foes, but honestly each new stage we go through brings so many new joys that the sadness is quickly forgotten. 

Right now we are preparing him to start kindergarten this fall Lord willing and he is an eager learner. Each day he asks so many good questions and I am excited for him to jump into school with both feet. 

My little boys with wings!

Fam Photos

The Talented Whitney Lucas took our family photos a couple weeks after Grady was born and there were too many favorites...so be prepared for the deluge!

It is so fun to have these little people captured so sweetly. Our last family shoot was before Gabe could even walk. I am not great at taking pictures so it is such a treat to have such beautiful photos for our memories :)

:)