The End of the Year

What a year it has been! I must admit I don't remember too much before May. It was then that we started planning for the possibility of a move down to the lower 48. Things didn't really kick into gear until June, leaving me one month to pack. This was no ordinary move; it was the most mentally strenuous move I have made to date. Having three kids and being away from family willing to help was a challange. Praise God for the awesome friends from Anchorage First AG who stepped in to assist. Gil and Rosi took all three of my kids to McDonald's Playland for a few hours one day. Jeanna Allen took them to lunch and a park on another occasion, giving me an opportunity to pack unhindered. Gil and Rosi also came over to help move our stuff into storage, along with a co-worker of Nick's.

The most challenging part was figuring out what could be packed in the van to be shipped two weeks before the move....things that would be absolutely necessary when we arrived, but that we could do without for the last two weeks. (Not exactly an easy task.) Then I had to figure on what we could pack in two suitcases and four carry-ons, cramming every available inch (keeping the suitcases under 50 pounds). Everything else, except what we took to Goodwill, gave to friends, sold, or junked, was to be packed into storage until we could get it three months after we moved.

But since we have made the move, we have been able to attend and participate with our families in Angie and Steve's wedding, family reunion camping, Nick's and Ethan's birthday parties, Lisa and Brian's wedding, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! How wonderful, how indescribably awesome that has been.

Joey started Kindergarten in September and we both love his school and his teacher. He is blossoming in knowledge and quickly learning how to read and spell. In fact, Nick and I have to watch what we spell in his hearing, because he may just sound it out.

I know I haven't posted anything about Christmas yet...but it has taken me so long to recover. We were blessed to be able to spend time with both sides of the family all weekend long, and while we never really felt rushed, it was a lot of activity and heightened emotions, particularly for the boys. We are all suffering from some stage of a cold, which is also wiping out our energy. So forgive me for the delay in posting about our most wonderful holiday. Although it is now only 11:15pm, I am beyond exhausted. We let the two older boys stay up late to celebrate New Year's, so they just got in bed 30 minutes ago. I will have to keep this short, promise pictures at a later date, and head to bed myself.

I pray everyone has a blessed New Year.