1 down 2 to go!

It has been a full year since we moved (well - almost).  We drove away from our apartment last year on July 22.  Here we are the next July and I can't believe it.  2 more years until hubby completes his degree (PhD) and we find out what the next step in our journey is.  What has changed this year?  Our oldest has gotten taller - she is past my shoulder and encroaching on my ear.  It is exciting and a little frightening all at once.  The only frightening part is that her tallness indicates we have less time with her at home... and that ends up being more sad than anything.  But we work hard to treasure every moment and trust God with all of it!  We have learned that a strict budget allows us to be creative - so when fish is on sale... we have fish for dinner!  We have also learned to value the wonderful programming of our local library.  This summer our limited budget has kept us from spending money to do things - so we are enjoying free writing classes for kids, art days, and science days at the library, as well as throwing ourselves into the joys of just being at the library (with its air conditioning, comfy chairs, and free computer access!).  The librarians are great gals (of all types of ages) and we are enjoying getting to know them.  Today I brought up the idea of them getting a die cut machine (which isn't really that expensive) to help them with the programming they do for kids.  I hope they get one - I would love to use it!  We have started all the kiddos in school - so we have a 1st grader, a 2nd grader and a 5th grader!  (I can't believe we have a 5th grader!)  The joy of having them is one of our favorites!  We have only one child in night time panties - another thing I was wondering if we would EVER have (there are days, with toddlers, that you wonder if you are going to get out of diapers... EVER).  This year our family has added a nephew (from Russia with love).  We have added a passle of new friends (something we weren't sure would happen!) and a new church (we love Christ Community Church).  Most of all our family has grown closer, we love each other more, and we treasure each day.  Tonight I sang "God is So Good" with my little one at bedtime... and He really is!