Then There Was One

Update on our little family life for you:

As of a few weeks ago sweet Nathan went back to his Mom full time. They are only 20 mins a way and he has become part of our family, so it isn't the end. Just a new chapter.

It has been an adjustment for us going from saying "our kids", or when people ask if Nathan will be coming with us somewhere, etc. It's been hard on little Abigail too. She doesn't get why her big brother isn't around, or why he isn't in their room when she wakes up.

Honestly, my heart feels like a piece is missing. Don't get me wrong, I am SO glad that his Mom is doing well enough to have him back and we have been sooo busy these past few weeks it's been a good distraction. But right now, this very moment, when my 12 month old nephew slept over and I've been caring for 2 babes today, it just seems right.

People ask us a lot if we plan on having more kids, etc. We would LOVE to have a big blended family! Our heart beat is for foster/adoption. We are just trying to figure out that balance with having a 15 month old daughter, being young and virtually no savings account, student loans to be paid off and living in a tiny 2 bedroom apartment. Don't get me wrong- these are not reasons to NOT foster or adopt right now, we just want to be patient and wise, waiting on our Lord's timing. We don't know if or when we will have more bio/ adoptive/ foster kids, but we have been preparing our hearts since before we married for this calling on our life.

Our "last weekend" with Nathan being in our home, we took care of my sister's 3 kids... 5 kids for 4 days! It was incredible! Incredibly fun, silly, loud, stinky, messy, whiny, dirty, outdoorsy, hard, exhausting, I could go on. But we loved it. Both of us. Craig AND I. God just wired us that way. And then He put us together. XOXO
Here is my fav pic from that Father's Day weekend.

 Did I mention that there was 5 kids all under 5? Ages: 5, 4 1/2, 4, 15 months, 12 months.

* As a side note- I started REDEMPTION soap 3 months ago as a way to support our friends mission work in Zimbabwe, Africa- working with the orphans, widows, prostitutes and other "forgotten" people. I also did it as a way to bring in some money to help pay off my husbands student loans ASAP then use it to help fund raise for our own overseas adoption. Go check out the website, Like it on facebook and follow it on Twitter. Spread the word, share the mission, join us in our journey. I mean, everybody does laundry? (REDEMPTION soap is an all-natural laundry powder on a mission)

Big Thangs

Some BIG thangs are happening around here.

Not necessarily changes for us. But changes around us.

And I have to say, I love me some routine.

So my hubs and I are really close with this other couple our age. We actually see each other a few times a week. And it rocks my socks off. I loooove community.

Well, they are moving to South Carolina. Next week. 

It's a weird emotion when you are so excited for someone and sad they are leaving at the same time.

I have had to conciously decide to not be selfish and wallow in what I am losing, but to REJOICE in this opportunity for them. 

Did I mention that I have known this friend since we were 10? Yeah, she isn't going anywhere on the friends list. Just the country. 

But get this quirkiness- 

my sister/ best friend/ Andrea and her 3 CHILDREN are moving here that SAME week our friends leave. My beloved Andy-Bear is trekking up from Georgia with her hubby, 3 kids and dog. Phew! (Pray for their journey, yeah?) They will be here for 6-18 months while her husband finishes up some schooling with the Army. 

So on the one hand, my friend that I hang out with the most is moving, but at the same time, my sister is moving her. I NEVER thought I would have the chance to be near my sister for more than 2 weeks at a time. With her being a military wife and us living in New Hampshire, it was pretty much never going  to happen. 

We are going to have pictures of Abigail with her cousins that span over MONTHS, not just several DAYS! 

And more than the pictures, we will have so many sweet memories and fun times! My husband Craig (aka Father Goose) is pretty excited too! 

Did I mention- 5 kids (Abigail + Nathan, and my sister's 3) all 5 years old and under?! Oh! And we are watching them for a week while my sister and her hubby go away for a romantic getaway to celebrate their 10 year! EIK!! I have my planner out already and am eager for the keys to her mini-van to run around doing fun-tivities allll that week!

Lastly on our Big Thangs list-

Craig and I have started the process of raising support to do CWTrials full-time as missionaries to New England. It's not just about my hottie-hubby riding his bike for kicks- it is S.O. M.U.C.H. more than that! It's about sharing the Gospel. 

God has burdened our hearts to disciple and train up leaders who can better minister in their communities. Our mission field is our community. Our city. Our great state of NH which is in desperate need of knowing what a relationship with Jesus looks like. 

To learn more, check out our website www.cwtrials.com