I feel so behind and really just a plain ole' lack of motivation for blogging lately (ok, last 6 months).  Seems like I would need to catch up on everything from Thanksgiving to Christmas if I wanted to really get back on track...but I think instead I'll make a fresh start. 

  Another part of me thinks no one really reads this blog, especially with facebook (shout out to my loyal reader/ BFF Jodi!)  Then there's also a part of me that feels like God has worked so much in our family over the last few months and it feels so extremely personal that it's hard for me to share.  But if nothing else this blog gives me a little time to organize my thoughts and try to put in to words what our life is like. 

So.  I'll give you an update person by person, cause I know you're on the edge of your seat to know what each of us is up to.

NICK

  Here's the short version.   Nick starts a new job this week.  This is a big deal to our family, because Nick is the primary bread-winner for us.  He his so devoted to providing for us and I'm so proud of him for embarking on a new journey when he  could've stuck to what is comfortable and familiar.  We spent hours and hours in prayer trying to look for what God's plan was for us.  There were a few months that I really wanted to believe that God would move us back to our home state. There's so much that  you miss when raising your children away from your family and their grandparents and cousins.  Not to mention having some "back up" for respite care when you are raising small children!!  Between Nick and I we have a HUGE family, all special to us and would be great playmates and influences on Blake and Kate.  So we laid ourselves before the Lord and asked him to either provide a career for Nick back home or to change our hearts, because we both were ready to go back.  The Lord is so gracious in how he works.  Though we did not find a job that would support us in Arkansas and though I still mourn the girls not getting enough time with our extended family, the Lord has given me peace that we are where we are supposed to be.   We are growing sprititually and the Lord is providing more time for us to be together.   Nick's new job is very close to our house, which means he will be home earlier and even gets to work from home a bit. 

SARAH

I am feeling a deep peace that God has worked these changes we are going through in response to a prayer wrote in my bible several years ago.  I am in no way complaining about working, in fact I love being a nurse and having a real tangible way to minister to the sick and hurting and their families.  But we made a decision when Blake was born that we would do whatever it took to keep our kids at home with us and that meant me working long shifts on the weekends.  I don't think I could ever give up nursing completely, but at this stage in my life I'm happily working one shift a week.  This way we always have Sundays to go to church, have lunch and rest together that day as a family.  I can't tell you what a difference having that day together makes for us.  I feel rested and renewed and it gives me something to look forward to every week. 

Back to my job.  I know it may sound corny,but I LOVE being a nurse.  Really love it.  If you knew some of the details of what nurses do, you'd probably laugh at the absurdity of it and maybe even lose your lunch.  But I couln't be happier with my career choice.  Yes, sometimes doctors are completely rude and yes sometimes patients throw a punch at you.  But I get a real chance to show grace and to help someone that is sick or hurting.  There have been days when I realize it's 6:00 pm and all I had to drink was my coffee on the way to work, but you always get to clock out and come home and be thankful that you are healthy.

Since I have Sundays free we've been able to volunteer in Kate's bible class at church on Sundays.  Um. SO stinkin' sweet these kids are.  And it makes me fall even more in love with Nick to see him love on and care about these little ones.   So we get to play, sing songs, and help them learn how much Jesus loves them. 

BLAKE

Blake is four and is such a precious child.  She is happy and accomidating.  She is absolutely the BEST big sister I have ever seen.  She is so patient, shares anything, and helps me in any way I ask when it comes to Kate.  Just the other day Kate was driving me nuts while I was trying to cook dinner and Blake said "Mom, do you want me to take her for a while?"  I gave a quick "YES!!" and she came and took Kate's hand to help her find something they could play together.  Nick and I have so many moments where we look at each other with a look that says "Wow, she's amazing."  I'm so thankful I get another year with her before she goes to kingerdarten.  Here are some things Blake likes :  Our swing set (she can swing by herself now and loves to tell friends how "impressed" we are by it.), the sand box, ballet (she starts dance class this summer",  our school time (she's learning her alphabet in sign language recently), our dog Levi (she likes to have him dance with her as her "prince"), having friends over to play, going to preschool and church. 

Her favorite number is ONE trillion.  Someone told her that was the biggest number in the world. 

She only wants to wear dresses that will "twirl" so we are a bit limited in wardrobe choices. 

She loves to make up her own songs and sing them loudy.  I

n the bath tub the other day Kate was lying her head down acting like she was sleeping and Blake commented that "Kate was like Jesus when he slept in the boat during the storm". 

We get told atleast once a day that Blake looks just like me...and I love it.

KATE

Oh, dear Kate.  She is a wild one.  It's hard to remember if Blake was quite this wild at almost 2.  Maybe you just forget as they grow.  Kate is talking so much.  She'll say "I don't like it"  "What are  you doing?"  She spends a good portion of her day wanting me to do things for her, can you believe it?  She is a busy busy girl.  She loves to "roll" her own backpack in to church on preschool days which means a good 5 minute walk in and out of church.  She has big opinions on whether she wants to be buckled OR unbuckled from her carseat.  She has big opnions on what and where she wants to eat her meals. 

I hate to even say it outloud in fear that I may jinx things, but she's really doing well with potty training.  She's wearing pull ups and does this funny, leg-crossing potty dance that lets me know she needs to go. 

She still loves her Piggy the most.  Lord help us if we ever truly lose that pig. 

Kate hates to have her teeth brushed and will only willingly let Blake brush them.

She loves to have her bedtime routine. The reading books, singing, rocking.  (Oh and of course she has big opinions on what books and what songs. )

So there's your update on us. I've been terrible at getting pictures lately. Lazy really. But I did take these of Kate.  Such a cutie.