"Because that's who I am"

Any moms out there get tired of hearing the SAME thing in the car over and over and over??  My kids have been in a major Veggie Tales stage in the car.  My friend, Bri, gave us a copy of Pistachio.  I could probably recite it from memory at this point.  But not too long ago, we were listening to it when out of the blue a line stood out to me and brought tears to my eyes.  THIS IS NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR ME!!  Crying about Veggie Tales?!?  In the story, the dad is going after his son to rescue him, and he says, "Because that who I am, that's what I'm gonna do!"

I really relate to that little line.  Because sometimes I don't WANT to do the next thing.  I don't WANT to keep training my kids on something we've been working on for years and years.  I don't WANT to clean the same laundry again.  I don't WANT to leave friends.  Whatever the thing is that I'm not wanting, I love remembering that I do these things from a place of being loved and deep security.  Just typing that makes me take a deep breath, and I feel peace wash over me.  Where we are right now is a place that is beyond anything I could EVER do in my own strength.  But because God has called me, loved me, strengthens me, loves me, I'm gonna keep taking the next steps.  Who I am is a daughter of the King...so I'm free to move forward with peace and security!!

new family pics

My dear friend, Cecy, took pictures of our family.  It was SO fun.  I love that girl and am so thankful for her friendship.  If you live in Waco, check out Photography by Cecy!! 

Some kid stuff

As we wrapped up our time in Waco, we were also doing end of the year stuff with our big kids. 

Catie had a ballet recital/parent observation time.  It was so sweet!  Look at this girl!!

A highlight of the time was the dancing in the dark.  They gave all the girls glowsticks and turned off the lights!

Zach finished 2nd grade.  I don't really know how that's possible that he's about to turn 8, but it happened!  Here he is with his teacher.  This precious lady stretched him and helped him grow in so many ways this year.  We LOVE her!!

Here's Z on the stage at the end-of-the-year award ceremony.

Speaking of my kids, I have noticed myself being too grumpy and snappy lately.  And I hate that...cause that's not who I am, and that's not how I want to treat these precious kids.  I have been reading the most amazing parenting book.  Loving Your Kids on Purpose  For me it has been a game-changer.  Challenging, thought-provoking, and chasing the grumpies right out the window!

FRIENDS

Leaving our friends in Waco was/is hard!!  We LOVE our precious community there!  Thanks, guys, for all of the ways you loved us and poured into us.  We're just waiting for all of you to either 1. come visit us in our new country or 2. move there.  Your choice!  :)

I wish I had pictures of everyone, but here are a few fun ones...

Here's our Lifegroup.  WE MISS Y'ALL.  Thanks for serving us like crazy, loving us, encouraging us.  You guys are the BEST!  I can't imagine our time in Waco without each one of you!

Here are the LG kids...some of our kids' BEST friends!  I love these little people!

I met this dear friend in my first week in Waco.  I loved her right from the start.  Little did I know she would become one of my best friends.  Our sweet goodbye gift from her was a home-made Middle Eastern meal 2 nights before we left.  It's one of those meals that takes like 2 days of cooking.  It was one of the best meals of my life. 

See this girl right here?  I love her.  She's a sister and she truly changed my life...discipled me, loved me, prayed for me, encouraged me.

These folks were our family in Waco.  We went through Elevate together, watched each others' kids, hung out, celebrated holidays.  I think if I keep typing, I might cry.  Just kidding.  OK, not kidding!

If your picture's not here, it's probably because in the busyness I forgot to pull out my camera.  WE LOVE AND MISS YOU, WACO FRIENDS!  But we're so thankful to know we're still part of of you guys and can't wait to come back to visit!

wedding time!!!

Do y'all remember Mikayla...the precious girl who lived with our family this year?  She got married a couple weeks before we left Waco, and all 3 kids got to be in the wedding.  The ONLY time all 3 of them made it down the aisle was the real wedding...WHEW! 

Here are Mikayla and the kids eating breakfast on the wedding day!

 

 Catie's hair pinned up to make curls!

My dear friend Courtney did Mikayla's makeup, and here she is putting some makeup on the BEAUTIFUL flower girl!

Look how precious!!

We love this amazing woman of God and her husband SOOO much!

We miss you Ma-kay-kay/Miss Kayla!!!

Oh, ferrana with cheese on it!

That's what Catie says when she's annoyed...in her adorable little girl voice..."OH, FerrANa with cheese on it!!"  That's how I feel with myself...a little annoyed at my lack of blogging and keeping y'all up to date.  BUT...

Guess what?!?  We did it...by God's grace...we did it!  We sold our stuff (most of it, anyway), and we have moved.  I have been a terrible blogger but for a very good reason...we have been stretched!  On the days that were hard, this song by Kristene Mueller just blessed my heart SO much.  Sometimes while I was packing and working, I just put it on repeat over and over.


Our last weeks in Waco were PRECIOUS to my heart.  We were surrounded by AMAZING friends who helped us, loved us, served us, encouraged our socks of, and sent us out feeling strengthened and encouraged.  I've always looked at people moving to another country and wondered how in the world they did it.  And now I know...one step at a time with God and community and prayer.  That's how!

whoa, life...slow down a little!

Blogging has fallen down on my priority list.  Waaaay down.  Friends, I don't think I've ever been so busy in my life.  This week is our big garage sale, so we're getting ready to sell almost all of our stuff.  It's freeing and fun...except for coming up with prices for things.  I don't love that part and negotiating with people over prices.  Not fun!  I'd really appreciate your prayers! 

One thing I LOVE about Waco is that you can get just about anywhere in 10 minutes.  And traffic is basically non-existent.  I hope I can remember how to drive when we get back to Atlanta in a couple weeks.  I NEVER have to think about what time of day it is here or padding my trip for traffic.  In 2 years here, I think I've encountered 2 or 3 aggressive drivers.  It's one of the many things I love here. 

But it gets better...our neighborhood (while occasionally sketchy but always exciting!) is set up in blocks.  Which means I can constantly drive new ways to get places and see new houses.   These 3 doors are my favorite front doors in Waco.  They make me smile when I drive by, and I'm so thankful for these nice owners!  Maybe a turquoise door is in my future!!

I thought it was a great idea to snap pictures of these houses until Zach asked me, "Mom, is this legal?"  Then I felt slightly stalkerish, but it was worth it to remember some of my favorite views of Waco!!  I mean, something's gotta make up for the cars with male body parts hanging from back bumpers that I have to look at in the carpool line at Z's school!  :-) 

For mother's day, we visited some of my favorite spots in Waco, and it was a BLAST!!  We went to the farmer's market and got crepes.  If you haven't been, you've GOTTA go!  We also went to Homestead and walked around and enjoyed some outside time together.

It's bittersweet to leave here.  Such precious friendships and community.  This place is so dear to our hearts, and we look forward to getting to come back!  But it's sweet to look forward to Atlanta (traffic and all)!