Avenida de Belleza

Did you know my parents live on Avenida de Belleza. Literally translated from Spanish this is Street of Beauty, or Beautiful Street. Fitting.

Of course both of my parents are beautiful to the eye. But it is not their outer appearance that makes them that way. It contributes to it, but it is the Spirit inside them that really draws you to them and causes others to comment on their beauty.

Not long after we arrived in Arizona, my dad's school district lost a really important bond election that cost them not only necessary budget to maintain their stellar programs and facilities, but it put a real hiccup in all of forward momentum that they have been experiencing in the last several years. It is hard not to take something like this personally. Some of the staff members publicly aired their frustration and disappointment with the voters. The voters openly shared their disgust with Dad. So in the last months he has battled upset parents, deciding how they will determine who on the staff is terminated, keeping up a busy speaking schedule, and reigniting the positive spirit that is usually characteristic of employees and attendees. In the midst of that, he comes home to not just his lovely wife, but his daughter and her two kids. There are typically train tracks from one end of the living room to the other and an insistent little boy looking for a playing partner. Or there are metal airplanes hidden in the treads of the carpet, a hot zone for bare feet. Or there is a ramp set up with matchbox cars being catapulted into oblivion with all the necessary sound effects. Dinner was probably once very civilized and engaging. It now consists of Jewel squawking her demands for more food and drink, Silas sliding off the booth under the table, and me trying to referee the circus with dispersing nutrition and discipline in a constant stream. Let's face it, this is just scratching the surface. In spite of all of the chaos and change...we affectionately refer to Dad as Super-Grandpa for being the one to make sure there is always a kid in tow for the morning trip to get the newspaper. Jewel counts on a loud kiss and all the dramatics before bed time. Silas treasures his snuggle time during a National Geographic special, watching a show with Grandpa. Dad faithfully includes Silas in the chore of getting a fire started for Beppe (yes, we make fires in Arizona...they are not necessary for the temperature, but they are critical for the ambiance). Each morning before leaving for work he is sure to lovingly greet each member of my family and generously hand out affection. It's really beautiful. That's why God chose Avenida de Belleza for Dad to buy this house nearly 25 years ago.

Here is Super Grandpa, sharing a relaxing Sunday morning paper with Evie, Audrey, and Silas.

Less than a year ago my parents completed a beautiful remodel of the main living area at the house. It's like all of a sudden the house is an amazing representation of who my parents are. It beckons visitors to sit and stay for a while...or a night, or a week, or as long as they need. It has this glow of sunshine about it that provides a warmth to one's insides, even on a rare chilly day. It is an extension of who God created my Mom to be. Well, her most common visitors these days are little. They don't fully understand the "atmosphere", although they fully enjoy it. Part of enjoying it is removing all contents of any cupboard below the waist level, or making forts with the couch cushions. But the real challenge for Mom is being there so often with us. She experiences the gift of being Jewel's jungle gym, her clamoring for attention and affection and authority. The perk of a sweet baby girl reaching for her embrace. But then also the shrill cries of an overtired and frustrated 15 month old with few words. She is there to hear the silly things Silas says, the profound, the cute...and the nasty. She sacrifices morning quiet time to get chocolate milk and engage airplane jargon. She puts aside the to-do list to read books, give a bath, rock a sleepy baby, and jump on the trampoline. Once she tried to be discreet in spoiling them with treats, now she openly offers M&M's and Hersey Kisses. She gently encourages me to take breaks, walks, and naps. She brings a coffee on her way home, makes dinner in the midst of the evening crazy hours, and isn't phased by the melt downs and tears. Mine included. When I finally get my kids tucked in I come back to the kitchen cleaned, candle scents drifting, and offers for hot tea or chocolate. After being available to the kids, she invites me to soak in the hot tub...of course we always debrief and share. Oh Beppe...where would we be without you?

Here she is on the trampoline with the kids...


I was a bit nervous about nervous about living with my mom and dad while Jordan was gone. Selfishly I wondered how I would keep my schedule and routine and comforts...I don't think I really thought, seriously, about all the sacrifices my parents would beautifully make. They do it with beauty, here on Avenida de Belleza.

Thank you Mom and Dad, a thousand times
We love you.

A Tender Heart

Silas rarely prays aloud.
Last week when we were driving in the car he announced that at Grammy's house, when we were eating dinner (which actually means lunch, or breakfast...but in this case, lunch) he was going to pray that everyone would have a Christmas tree. I told him that was a great idea.
Lunch time arrives in a rush of craziness at Grammy's house. It usually consists of my two plus Mandy's two boys (ages 3 and 5) with lots of joke telling and silliness. This particular time we added in Mandy's oldest daughter as well. With chaos in full swing, orders being called out, toys being confiscated, Silas stops and says "Wait, we didn't pray!" This is also highly unusual for him, but I asked if he wanted to pray for us and when he said yes... our car conversation came to mind right away.
"Dear Jesus, pleeaassee, I hope everyone can get their Christmas tree. Amen."
Return to chaos.
I thought about it several times more during the day, mostly because it is just so out of character for him to pray out loud at all, let alone at the busy lunch table with all the cousins. When I was tucking him in that night I told him I was proud of him for doing that. We talked about not having to wait until a meal time to pray, but as soon as you think of something you talk to God about it right then and there. He just listened. I asked him what made him think about Christmas trees. At this point all of the houses we frequent are decked out with tall green trees and decorations, so I was curious if he was thinking of someone specific.
"I think God just made my heart think about Christmas trees."
Wow. Ok. I am silent in amazement for a moment. I kiss him, sing with him, and when we pray I thank God that Silas is learning to hear His voice and that he is responding.
Four days later my dad asks if I know anyone who needs a Christmas tree. No, I don't. Why?
Because someone has donated 900 Christmas trees to the Tucson area, they are giving them away for free.
Providence is something incredible. When I was pregnant with Silas, I was doing a study on the story of Samuel. God laid it heavy on my heart to pray that story for Silas. I prayed daily that Silas would hear the voice of God, that Jordan and I could be like Elijah...pointing him in the right direction, and that he would soon learn to answer "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening."
Thank you, God, for glimpses of promises answered, for the small revelations you give us into your perfect plan, for the encouragement of these precious moments.

He's Got Moves

We've had a rough couple weeks.

When people ask how we are doing it is hard to say. It totally depends on the day, or the moment. Most of the time we are really doing well. Usually I feel like things are tough, but we can totally do it. Sure I am tired, but we are doing better than just surviving, there is fun and adventure and growth. Most of the time.

But this last two weeks has zapped me. It started with some behavior issues with kids, throw in some serious teething, inconsistent schedules, personal struggles with a friend, missed church services, missed opportunities to talk with Jordan, and sleep deprivation caused by all of the above, and I have just been over extended.

But God gave me a turning point.

I think it started on Tuesday night. My cousin Cole and his wife Melissa were at my mom and dad's for dinner. When we finished eating Cole took out his guitar and played several worship songs for us. It was just a small group, and most of the kids were still up, head-banging and leaping from one couch to the other...all worship I am sure. But, we sang some really good songs. I sat just a little bit away from everyone, and found myself blinking back tears as Cole strummed out praises. Music ministers to my soul. I had been really, really thirsty for singing after missing a couple Sundays at church. Later, Melissa and my mom helped me wrap a bunch of my Christmas presents. It was one of the only things I had been really able to cross of my list in a long time. It felt so good to accomplish something concrete that I could see. I ended up staying up really late taking care of other business type of needs. I also was able to send a letter to my friend that gave me incredible peace and freedom. The night was short and the morning early, but we had gotten my mom and dad a Christmas tree the day before and Silas was in heaven helping my mom decorate and the joy in him gave me energy for the morning. Then I finished this major project I had been working on for a very exciting Christmas present that I was so thrilled to get sent out. The kids and I headed out to Hessel and Heather's house. They are out of town for the next few days so we are staying here. Despite some major construction going on, my kids and I were all able to nap for 2 hours. Getting better...

Hessel and Heather just moved to the foothills area in Tucson. This means that their house is resting near the base of one of the mountain ranges on the north side of Tucson. The area has been masterfully constructed with each house elevated just enough above the one in front of it that many of them have breathtaking views of the city. The house itself is really nice. Some people get caught up in the homes here. They drive down the road and miss the mountain range, miss the city lights, and miss the sprawling sky (crazy, I know). But for me, especially for this time, I am taken away by God's incredible creation. When I step out on the back patio I want to throw my hands up in the air and sing at the top of my lungs. It is one of those settings that makes you change your thoughts from "Why is this happening God?", to "I trust and rest in You, O Lord." It makes you breathe in deeply this breath of life, and exhale out any kind of unsettled struggle within you.

There are no cameras that can actually capture the view...but mine did a particularly poor job this time. The dark part of this picture is the city of Tucson and the far mountain ranges.
After staring into the sunset, not wanting to miss a moment, the kids and I got a late dinner and came home for bed. I had a really encouraging and fun conversation with my cousin, Callie, and then snuggled into bed. Both kids slept until 7:30 (later for Silas and a little early for Jewel). We ate breakfast as we watched a storm come across the city. Clouds built and the wind blew. Silas and I sipped hot chocolate with our slippers on while Jewel took her morning nap. By mid afternoon we were getting poured on. It was our first taste of winter for the month of December. I had a very encouraging conversation with my friend, listened to the rain on the sky lights, we made Christmas cookies, listened to Christmas music, and had a long talk with Jordan while the kids played nicely together.
I debated putting a picture of the house, for reference, but really it's the love that is inside this house that is making our stay so sweet, and the creation of God that surrounds it that is the most incredible part.

Thank you for sharing your gift with us, Hessel and Heather. We feel spoiled.

Dear Aunt Kate...this is for you!

OK, I have really good reasons for not blogging...first of all WAY too much going on. Between squeezing in family time before Jordan left, dealing with him leaving, and surviving without him since I feel totally justified with that right there for my blogging absence. Also, I am now living with the very grandparents I was so committed to keeping updated. My mom doesn't actually need to see pictures of Silas playing in the sandbox or having a sleep over with his cousins...she watches it all first hand. Jordan's mom doesn't need to see pictures of Jewel toddling around our house, she is making mischief right in the Bury's living room! But, the biggest reason is because my PC is not compatible with my parent's internet for some reason. I can't load pictures from my computer onto my blog without using my Dad's aircard. And, when my dad is home, I mostly just want to be with him, not blogging away on the computer :)

But, I realize I have friends and other far away family (shout out to Aunt Kate...I saw your post on my wall that you were wanting news) that may be interested in how things are going here. So...here we go. This week I am staying at Hessel and Heather's house (a blog to come) and my internet works here! So, I'll fit in what I can, try to spread out the postings, and then pick up again after Christmas.

The month before Jordan left, he quit working the job he had been doing in order to spend as much time with us as he could. We essentially had a month long vacation as a family, for free, bouncing between his parent's house and mine. We had as many adventures as we could, snuggled as much as we could, and spent many late nights wondering what our new life in the Marshals would be like.

We took Mandy's kids and Heather's kids and our kids to Sabino Canyon to go hiking (minus Jewel and Abbie). It was one of those days that made me feel like Jordan and I could have 5 kids easily! We had so much fun, the kids were so good, Jordan is just super dad/uncle, creating adventure and fun around every corner (and in every cave). Consequently I am not feeling that way now as just my little 2 seem plenty to handle!
Riding the Sabino Canyon Tram
Some of the snuggles...

We took the kids to Mt. Lemon one day to play in the fall leaves and the boys rode on the ski lift. There are actually better pictures of that day...we went for a gorgeous hike, stopped at breath taking city views, and the kids slept in the car...but, I L.O.V.E. the way Jewel is looking at Silas in this picture. She really adores him. I need to learn to photoshop faces to get a cute one on Silas :)
We spend an amazing weekend up in Phoenix. The reason for our visit was to see our friends Ben and Genea and their kids. Ben and his Dad gave their testimony at Ben's church, it was incredible to see them sharing God's mighty hand in their lives. We stayed two nights at Uncle Mike and Aunt Sally's condo where we were able to swim, go for walks, and stroll across the street for bakery fresh meals and hot coffee.
We celebrated October birthdays with Mandy and her kids...
And my Dad (feeding the fish at his office)

We went for crazy rides in the jeep to the park, 4 wheeling in the wash, and just around town to enjoy the Arizona weather.
Then, we had to say goodbye. Actually, in the last few days, both Jordan and I commented that we were feeling ready. It had a been a month of "the last of this" and "our final that"...and he was anxious to get started (and get finished). The departure day was brutal. It's hard for the kids to understand the sadness and the tears and the forced affection...especially when there are things like escalators, conveyor belts and airplanes everywhere you turn. Thankfully the grownups can be gracious to that...even though it's tricky. Since then there have been short phone calls (we are both super busy and with the 2 hour time difference Jordan is getting into bed the same time I am putting the kids down, so we rarely talk without their interruptions), and some really great Skype times with Jordan and the kids. He will be home for 3 days over Christmas and arrives a week from today. HOORAY! We survived the first leg. Praise the Lord!!

cute little walker

Too long in the car

Proud

This is one little girl who is so proud of her Daddy. I found this onesie in a box of clothes we borrowed from Troy and Jen G. (our Portland Marshal friends). I gave all of her clothes back before we left, but with a prayer in my heart that my little Jewel would be able to show off this shirt one day, I tucked the onesie into my suitcase to come with us to Arizona. It is a 12-18 month, so it was a serious prayer as she is already wearing all 18-24 and some 2t. But, when we got our official call on Thursday morning, I ran to my room and dug under my box of sweatshirts and pulled it out. I put it on her right away and with tears in my eyes snapped each little snap successfully.

It was fun to snap pictures of her, fun to watch her toddle around with her sweet chunky little legs sticking out...but nothing was as sweet as watching Jordan come home and with shrieks of delight she walked over to him showing off her steps and her Daddy love. He is always excited to see her, always scoops her up and covers her with kisses, always squeezes her tightly. But when he saw her shirt, it was an even higher level of excitement. They just stood there together, giggling and laughing and hugging and celebrating.

Announcing...

On Tuesday of this week, Jordan came home from his job and had a goofy smile on his face. He did his normal thing of unpacking the car and his lunch box, checking his email, and getting ready to get cleaned up (he's working for a contracting company that cleans foreclosed homes...it's messy work). When I saw him he said "I had a neat day today".

I was glad to hear it and asked him to tell me about it. He was just getting started when we heard the garage door open and my mom's car pulling in. He said "I'll wait until your mom comes in". I started to get a racy heart...waiting for her means it is something big.

He started again, telling us about a raise they had given him in pay at work and they gave him extra hours to compensate him for the driving time he's done. I could tell there was more. Then he said "I also got a call from the Marshals today".

WHAT!!!???!!!

Well, the guy who facilitates the fitness tests in Portland called while he was working and left him a message to tell him that his fitness test results had expired (it's been 6 mos since he took it the first time), and he needed to come in on Thursday morning to take another test because it looks like they are going to try to get him into the academy coming up soon.

What does this mean? Do you have to go back to Portland to do it? What is 'soon'? They are going to try to get you in or you are in?

Don't know, Jordan called him back but he didn't answer. Can't celebrate just yet. Too many unknowns. We've been here before.

Wednesday he calls back. Yes, they can do the fitness test in Tucson, that would be fine. Friday morning at 7:30...the other side of town. Well, the facilitator can't really say anything, but he's heard that they are trying to get him into a camp in November or December because they have a job opening for him in Portland.

WHAT???!!!!????

Can't celebrate yet. It's not the official word. It's still just hearsay...he's not headquarters.

Wednesday night, Troy (our Portland Marshal friend) calls Jordan. Had Jordan heard the news? NO, PLEASE TELL US THE NEWS! Troy was in the meeting at the Portland office, Jordan got one of two spots in Portland. Troy thinks maybe academy will start in December.

WHAT???!!!????

Thursday morning, official call from Marshal Headquarters in DC. Offering Jordan a position. Academy starts November 17. It finishes April 1.

Jordan passed his fitness test with flying colors, superior in all categories. I am so proud of his dedication and hard work.

Is this for real? After all this waiting and changing and anticipating and waiting and hoping and wondering and doubting and PRAYING...are we finally actually in?

YES!!!!

God is so far beyond amazing. Of course his timing is perfect. Of course he is totally in control. Of course it is always easier to see it, marvel at it, rejoice in it, bask in it, praise him for it, and just giggle with delight about it when you are on the other side.

I can be a bit independent and self sufficient. I like to do things on my own and feel like I can handle life. I know that had this call come when we were still in Portland, I would not have come to Arizona. I maybe would have come for a visit, or asked my parents or Jordan's parents to come to me, but I would not have moved here for the duration of the academy. I was too set in my way of doing things in our house in our city in our comfort zone. Now that we are here and settled in I can see the immense blessing it is for me to be here. Of course everything up until now has been great, and it will continue to be that way until Jordan has to go, but after that I won't be great. I know it will be hard for me. I know I'll start getting into "survival mode". But, I'll already be here. My kids are already used to everything here. We are settled and safe. This is now "our" everything...here in Tucson where I can be taken care of and have help and support and encouragement. Our rooms, our suburban, our cousins, our grandparents, our backyard, our home.

I am overcome with the personal way God knows me and cares for me. Jordan was probably ready to go to camp months ago...but God knew what needed to be done for me. I feel like I can't believe he loves me so much, and is willing to be so specific in his attention to me. When I think about the details and the planning and the thought...it's just overwhelming to me. Breathtaking and precious. I am personally loved by a God who can orchestrate all of these things, and he orchestrates them with me on his mind. I don't know what else to say...I am bursting with praise and at the same time soaked in humility, I am just overcome by him and that is exactly where I want to be.

We will fill everyone in on more details when we have them. THANK YOU for praying with us and journeying with us. Thank you.

Boys and Girls

One of the greatest gifts in being here is time with my nieces and nephews. I took my kids to Hessel and Heather's house last week to hang out while Heather had some moving errands to run (I know how hard it is to do anything with moving with a 1 and a 3 year old, Heather has both and they are getting ready to make a move to another house in Tucson).

Silas and Audrey an impeccable illustration of male and female. It is so entertaining to watch them, and listen to their conversations.

While I was there, I treated the big kids to popsicles while the little ones napped.

Silas promptly sat down to get to work on eating that popsicle. Audrey was talking to him, well she was totally talking, I don't really know if it was to him or herself or if it was reciting a story.
She was very into her narration. Speaking dramatically and with gestures. Silas was very into his popsicle.
She began dancing around and talking less and singing a little more. Silas ate his popsicle.
She made an attempt to engage him. Beautifully sitting with feet crossed and toes pointed. He showed her the popsicle in his mouth. She was not impressed.
Oh boys. If you only knew all that you were missing out on...girls are far more entertaining than popsicles. (although, I know I will be shouting a different mantra ten years from now...or less...gulp)




This precious blond haired, brown eyed little lady...Silas is certainly not the only one she has eating out of her hand.

Grammy Turns 60 in Style

It's not very often as kids that we get to spoil our parents. This was one of those incredible times when all of the kids got a chance to show Jordan's mom how loved and appreciated and wonderful she is. It was her 60th birthday and Pops had been planning a surprise for a long time. Since our family and Mandy's family are all ready in town, we promised to all meet at their house on Thursday night to go to dinner together. We arrived...hugging and kissing Grammy for her birthday...she had no idea we also had the first surprise.
Look how excited Abbie and Pops are to get Grammy. Pops had flown Chris and Christine and Ellsie and Nixon down from California for the entire weekend. No planning or prep for Grammy. We were going to spoil her rotten while she played with her grandkids.
We ordered in Mexican food for dinner (welcome back to Arizona, the Mexican food is AMAZING) and did cake, ice cream and gifts.
We then proceeded for the next 24 hours to act as normal as possible. We told Grammy that we wanted to serve her. We would go to the grocery store and clean the house. All she had to do was relax and enjoy having her whole family together. So, in between furiously cleaning and whispering about plans, we tried to do the normal stuff.

Aunt Mandy snuggled Jewel and read her books
Grammy got ample story time with her little girls (this may have been one of the only calm moments between Jewel and Ellsie...we are going to have some big adventures with these two in the coming years).
The girls played on the slide
Everyone went swimming
The three boys serenaded Ellsie with her song "5 Little Ducks"
Little did Grammy know, there was more of a surprise coming. Pops and Grammy's friends planned a huge surprise party. We told her that we were taking her out to eat for her birthday. But really there was a crowd coming to the house...

Jewel and I debated costume ideas the night before.
We had the entire house clean, we had taken Grammy shopping to get her out of the house so that the guys could do some final prep work, we got everyone ready to go out to dinner...we stalled, we took pictures of everyone getting ready to go out to dinner. Aunt Christine took a really long time nursing Nixon. We debated over car seat arrangements. We forgot things. WHERE WERE THE PARTY PEOPLE????

Jordan and I finally had to actually load all six cousins (minus Nixon) into the Bury 'Burb (which Jordan pointed out to me when it was full that we could easily fit 6 kids in the suburban...hint, hint) and drive away. We ran into the caravan of party-ers coming in together a few blocks down the street. We turned around, we stalled some more, we finally just waited at the top of the drive way. It was TOTALLY worth it. All of Grammy and Pops' friends arrived completely decked out in 60's and 70's attire. It was amazing. There were joints tucked behind ears, long beaded necklaces, bell bottom pants, protesting signs, and tie die every where you looked.
We even got the kids involved...is it just me or does it look like Ryan and Silas got a hold of a few too many party favors?
Actually everyone in this picture looks like they could have just come from Woodstock.
The party was a huge success. Pops made big points with his bride. We had a ton of fun, and were able to spend the next day and a half just enjoying each other.

When we left, every room in the house looked like this.
It was evidence of a fabulous time.

Happiest Birthday to our Amazing Grammy. You are such a gift to us! We love you.

Arizona

Arizona is all that we hoped and imagined that it would be, and more (and more and more and more).

I had a few fears and apprehensions as we planned this move. My parents have been empty nesters all summer, a luxury that they have been long awaiting. Before that, they hosted an array of visitors ranging in relation and reasons for coming and staying, but all of them over the age of 18. There is something different about hosting a 1 and 3 year old. They tend to "cramp your style" a little more. When we first arrived my parents were in Pennsylvania with my oldest brother and his family, so we had a couple days to organize all of our things, get settled in, and back on track with our schedules. The house was ready for us. A room for the kids decked out in Thomas the Train complete with the kids' names painted on the wall. Silas was delighted. A room for us with windows facing the rising sun and all the cozy, relaxed feelings that home provides. It didn't take long for us to embrace the gift God had given us.

Jordan quickly found the lawn mower and dusted off his yard keeping skills.

We started to get adjusted to the climate change. This picture doesn't show it well, but rosy red cheeks and sweaty brows are typical sights with the kids.

We were thrilled when my parents came back. My mom and I do things very similarly. I love that right around afternoon naps, we are both starting to wonder what we will do for dinner. I love that we can laugh about the creations we'll come up with from the fridge. I know we can share our plans, change our plans, include each other in our plans, and make our own plans as needed. She understands our need for independence and wants to help whenever she can. I understand their need for some quiet and space without toys strewn about. Some evenings we all wind up on the couch watching a movie or TV together. Other nights we gather on the front porch under the stars to catch up on our busy days. Sometimes we just do our own activities, enjoying the fact that we get to do them under the same roof. There is just a comfort and relaxation and peace here, so refreshing and calming...a huge need for us following the season of intensity we have been in for the last year.

The kids are feeling the same way...well, that's what I am guessing. They both really struggled to get into good sleeping habits when we got here. There have been many night time wakings, and very early morning rising. Jewel is getting back on track, Silas is still working out some kinks. Granted, we have been busy since we walked through the door. Not a bad busy, we have a lot of catching up to do with our family here, but still very busy.

Across the street my cousin Tasha and her family are living. She and her husband, Ryan, have two kids that are miraculously close in age to mine. Roderick is 5 and Avery almost 2. Many days start with Silas asking if Roderick can play. We spend many mornings listening to the boys play cars and airplanes, watching them build forts, and rolling our eyes at their wild and silly little boy humor at the table. Then at 10:50 Roderick has his farewell party at the end of the driveway as he heads off to kindergarten for the afternoon.

Silas loves his little cousin Avery, and sweetly says "Come on Avery-Girl, let's jump on the trampoline."
We are getting creative with water play...it is still summer time here!
The best part about this picture is that it will forever remind me of Jewel's first self tanning bust. The kids had been outside for a while, and I was all of sudden noticing pink shoulders and cheeks. It was our first week here, so I wasn't totally organized with my things nor did I totally know where all of my mom's things were. I did a quick search for some sunscreen, but I didn't find any and I didn't want to leave the kids outside alone. The only thing I could find was my Arbonne self tanner. It is SPF 15, so I figured that was better than burned babies. I gave everyone a quick spritz. Silas and Avery were fine, but not long after I gave Jewel her even coating, her big brother poured a cup of water on her head. It washed the self tanner off a portion of her back. She had a dark brown streak of tan across her back for a week. So, the moral of the story is, yes...Arbonne self tanning spray WORKS...but do not use it in wet conditions :)

The Trip- Heading South for the Winter

Things had been crazy, crazy busy before we left town. Between the needs of the house getting taken care of, good bye parties (LOVE MY FRIENDS!), last trips to everywhere we could think of, packing every last thing out of our house, and Jordan working up until three days before we drove out of Portland, we were swamped. In the midst of all of it, God had a really special gift for us, that we almost missed.

When we were selling the Altima, there was a guy who was interested in buying it who owned a suburban. Jordan commented when he came to look at the car that ONE DAY we would like to have a suburban. The guy joked back that maybe we could make a trade. The joking became a little more serious and Jordan ended up calling me to ask me what I thought of the idea. I didn't. I mean I didn't even think about it. We were supposed to be leaving in a week and we had way too much going on to be thinking about getting another car, and not a suburban...it is so unpractical! We don't need it. Don't even think about it. You are a little whacky. Goodbye. He agreed while we were talking, but a seed had been planted and his brain was working. He brought it up again later. I had a similar (and more detailed) response as to why it would not work. We accepted a down payment from a different buyer for the Altima and just let it go (well, I did). But, the guy came back to take a 2nd look at the Altima, hoping that if the other deal fell through we may still be interested in trading. I was upstairs cleaning and packing when he arrived and Jordan really wanted me to come and just look at the suburban. After refusing for quite some time, I relented and went down to see it. I have a thing for clean cars...this was NOT. There was gunk everywhere. I peeked in the doors, and walked around the suburban once to humor Jordan, but I had no intention of ever thinking of it again. Plus, what in the world would we do if we traded it. Then we would have a suburban and Jordan's Xterra. We did not have time to get his truck fixed up and ready to sell. It just wouldn't work.

Jordan agreed. I went back inside to continue working and Jordan was explaining our situation to the guy and telling him why it wouldn't work. Jokingly he said "I have an Xterra, you could trade me for my Xterra." Much to our surprise, he seemed interested. He told us to call him if the Altima didn't sell, he wanted to buy it regardless, and he would be thinking about the Xterra. The Altima sold to the other person, so Jordan left the guy a message telling him the Altima was gone. To our surprise he got a text back asking if we were still considering a trade with the Xterra. We had separate activities planned for the next couple hours, so Jordan said "just think about it and pray about it. If we don't want to do it we don't have to, but let's just ask God if this is the time he is wanting to give us our big family car." So, we did. As I was running my errands I am thinking about being in Arizona with all the cousins. We could all ride in the same car together. I could pick up all the kids to go and do something fun. When we have another baby, we wouldn't need to worry about getting another car, we'd already be set. I've always wanted a suburban. It could be cleaned up. Hmmmm....I am starting to want it. When I got home Jordan felt the opposite. We don't need it right now. Maybe it is too much to try to do all of this before we leave. I felt sad. I couldn't believe it. We decided that we would go ahead and meet the guy, do a simultaneous test drive, and if he wanted to do a straight across trade we would do it. But we would not buy the suburban and then try to sell the Xterra. The Xterra's AC was broken, the CD player didn't work, and there was a giant crack across the front windshield. It was a long shot. The suburban is older, but the miles were the same. On the test drive I was starting to get giddy...praying that the guy would want to trade. When we got back to the house, after some strange conversation (do you like my car? I like your car. Do you want my car? I want your car.), we signed titles over to each other and swapped cars!!

We are now the PROUD owners of a beautiful red suburban. Jordan scrubbed and cleaned it for me and it totally meets my standards. We filled the back to the VERY BRIM and hung our bikes on the rack. Off to Arizona we go. What an amazing gift with incredible timing. Thank you God!
The house had been looking like this before we left, and the kids were suspicious of what was happening to our things. No amount of explaining to Silas was getting the idea across. He reported to Lisa that many of his toys were lost. It was time to get going to the next phase. We found outstanding renters for our place, left the house in good hands, and took off.
Unfortunately our first set back was a big one. We had stayed the night with Kyle and Lisa the night before leaving. Jordan and I put our kids to bed and then went back to the house and cleaned well past midnight. We had finishing touches of packing and some errands to run (including a final stop at our beloved apple farm, looking like the Beverly Hillbillies) before heading out of town around 2 pm. We made it to Redding, California the first night and stopped to get some sleep. Jordan and I tend to take the cheapest route possible when it comes to hotels, but since we had our kids with us and all of the belongings we were taking to Arizona, we sprung for the higher grade. Sadly, so did the thieves who stole Jordan's bike AND our two seating bike trailer for the kids. Seriously, who steals a bike with a baby seat attached and a kid's bike trailer. It was a huge damper on things. Huge. We had just bought the trailer and Jordan had bought his mountain bike as a comfort toy after selling his motorcycle last summer. But, we packed up, counted our blessings that Silas' Strider bike was still there and that they didn't break into the Bury 'Burb to get anything else, and headed down to Orange County.
We stopped at a park for lunch. It was total dejavu for me as I watched Jordan run Silas all over, trying to get all of his energy out. It took me back to our family trips up to Washington when I was a kid, stopping at rest areas and my parents instructing us to run races, chase each other, or whatever it took to release the pent up car energy. I would make myself pee twice, worried that I would be the one to have to tell the family I had to go again. Then with hot lungs and tired legs we would get back into the car to continue the journey.

Jewel getting a break from her diaper, and seeing what the view is like from the front seat.
Praise the Lord we had a lot of this in the car (as opposed to the last AZ car trip when Silas slept a collective 3 hours in the 27 hours we were in the car).
And Jewel spent the rest of the time happy as could be (Silas was watching a lot of movies, I'll admit now that we were on the verge of brain rotting...but he survived. I didn't take any pictures though, because a three year old with blood shot eyes, not blinking while he watches his portable DVD player just isn't as cute as this). :)
And waiting for us in Orange County was Uncle Chris, Aunt Christine, Ellsie, and brand new baby Nixon. Chris totally spoiled us and got our family a room at a hotel that was right on the beach. I mean we literally walked out of our room, down the hall, and on to the sand. Talk about amazing. I love the ocean so, so much, and this was exactly what we needed. Thank you Uncle Chris and Aunt Christine for spoiling us. We love you guys.
Both mornings we ate breakfast at the Orange Inn, the same people were there both mornings, having the same breakfast. It was so fun to be a part of that world for just those few days...and the breakfasts were delish!

When we left California, reality started to set in. We no longer had a home in Portland, someone else is living there. We don't have our own home in Arizona, we are staying with my parents. There is no job. There is no for sure plan. We did not hear from the Marshals before we left, so the October academy is out of the question. How long will we be in Arizona? How hot will it be? Will we ever go back to Portland? Will the Marshals work out at all, or are we going to Arizona because God has something totally different in mind for us? The kids slept a lot the last leg of the trip. Jordan and I talked a lot about what we were hoping for our time in Arizona. Relaxation, a change of pace, spending time with family, enjoying each other, seeking God and loving him on a whole new level as we get to know him even better.

There were so many emotions, there still really are. We miss Portland so much. We miss our friends and our church and our beach and our hikes and our stores and our big green trees. We haven't yet experienced "our things" in Arizona. It's hard to look forward to an unknown. But we know we are loved, we know our family is there waiting for us...so we won't turn around, we'll trust and keep heading south.