Packing Up

In just a few short weeks Kevin will be graduating. His schooling process will be complete and we'll be able to move to the next plan He has for our lives. Since we are expecting baby #2, our process to go overseas will have to be delayed until January. So instead of sticking around in Texas, we wanted to move back close to family since we've been away for the last 5 years. So the weekend of graduation we're taking advantage of the free labor that will be in town and moving then.


This past week we've been starting the packing process. Each day we try to pack up a few boxes and go through things we want to sell in a yard sale. It's quite a process, especially with a 2-year-old, but she's been really good for us and hasn't caused too much of a mess.


Eliana has been learning more and more all the time. She's been surprising us with all the new words she says and sometimes we didn't even realize she knew what some words mean. I especially have been thrown off by the colors she says. Normally you would think that a child would first start saying blue, green and red, but not Eliana...her first was yellow, followed by white and now black. She even knows those colors a little more than blue, green and red.

It's a ..... GIRL!!!

Snow Days

We had some snow last week. I know, I know. Our friends and family up north got a lot more...but we take what we can get. This was the first time that classes have been canceled for 4 days straight and Kevin was taking advantage of his time off - spending time with his family. Eliana loved having him home and missed him when he went back on Monday.

Here are a few pictures from our time in the snow. At first Eliana did not like it at all...but as we let her stand there she soon got used to it and started to like it a little. Maybe if we get more snow tomorrow she will be more open to getting out into it again.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Eliana!

Eliana's Gonna Be a Big Sister!!

We'd like to announce the impending arrival of Baby Moots #2.

Due August 20th.

Merry Christmas!!

Saying Goodbye to Warmer Days

Well, I think this is it. The end of the warmer days are over and now we'll experience the Texas winter. We took advantage of the warm weather last Friday by going on campus to the fish pond and playing with friends. Here are some pictures from our nice day. Goodbye warm temps, hello winter!

6...

more months until GRADUATION DAY!!!

October and November

Can you tell we've been busy?

The last couple of months have flown by and our focus has been stolen away by so much going on. In September we met with someone about potentially what we could be doing after Kevin graduates. He has sent us some job requests for us to consider. It's exciting and kinda weird to be thinking in 5 more months Kevin will not be in school anymore. Our entire marriage he has been in school and we're ready for something new.

Along with job thoughts, we've had some financial issues - like our car. It needed some work, which cost almost $700. So we've been really tightening our purse strings in order to pay for it and still be able to pay other bills. But our Father is faithful and He has provided in amazing ways. When it looks like there is no hope, we put our hope in Him and He is faithful. He's teaching us a lot in these struggles and hopefully the result will be beautiful.

We enjoyed our Halloween Trunk or Treat. Eliana dressed up like a black cat and she was so cute! When we first got there she couldn't stop looking at the crowds of people all over the parking lot. She went through the candy lines, but really came alive once she got in the toddler bounce house. She loved it! At first Kevin and I were unsure about letting her get in there because most of the other kids were so much bigger than her, but she held her own. She even figured out how to walk around without falling. She thought it would hilarious when another kid would bounce next to her and make her fall down. It really taught us as parents to let go and not be so overprotective.


November flew by and we had a good Thanksgiving. We shared it with some friends and met new friends as well. Eliana was the only child there, but she soaked up all the attention she was getting. She loved the big house where we were and had fun running from room to room. She didn't get a nap that day but did so well without getting fussy or demanding. We had good food and watched some football. Before we left that morning we turned on the tv to let Eliana watch the parade. She really liked the bands. But she loves music!

Now we're heading into December and trying to complete some paperwork for the organization we're hoping to get a job with next summer. I got my autobiography finished (an 8-page paper!) and it took about 3 days to complete. I haven't written papers like that since college and boy were my hands tired from all the writing and typing. But now I need to finish two more pieces of information, which will probably still take up a couple days each. Kevin hasn't started on his yet because he needs to finish assignments for school. But over the break he'll get those done and then we'll wait for the next step.

Eliana sat on a wall, Eliana had a great fall

Fortunately, Mommy could put her back together again!


Last week Eliana took a tumble on the concrete stairs in front of our apartment and tore up her little head. Lots of tears and a few band-aids later she was playing again. Thankfully, she has healed quite nicely and is on the mend.

That little cutie is growing more and more and learning more words everyday. Recently she learned the word "no", which is a popular word in kiddie culture. But many more words are being said, including "book" and "amen". She continues to amaze us everyday with what all she learns and what she knows. She's so smart and fun. Pretty soon we will be moving to a toddler bed and potty training. So a busy household we will have!

This week we have to have our car fixed - rack and pinion. It will be the most expensive repair we've had to do on this car since we bought it in 2003. Hopefully, this car will last another 8-10 months. We think it will and we are trusting in Him to provide finances in order to pay for these repairs.

Kevin's classes are going well so far and he's still learning so much all the time. I (Mandy) am still watching our friend's little girl during the day and Eliana enjoys having a friend here to play with other than just mommy. We're thankful that this week has brought relief to the heat we've been having and look forward to Fall. Please remember to lift us up as we continue following His lead for our lives. Many important decisions are coming up. Thank you for your love and support of us.