Ebbing

The excitement and adrenaline of our big cross-country move has finally started to ebb a bit today. I knew that the moment would come, but I was hoping that another surge of "new" would carry us on through the home stretch.

You know: New state. New job. New place to call home. (the flow)

Instead, we're still just waiting patiently. The job hunt wheels are turning-- and that is encouraging for sure. But as we wait, our family is all spread out. Peyton is staying with my mom and dad because of his allergies while we're hunkering down with Parker out at my grandparent's house. It's such a blessing, yet we're all a bit off-kilter. There's just something irreplaceable about a routine.

We started homeschooling just this morning, and I'll admit, while it went swimmingly, it was a bummer to not have access to my drawers of supplies, my dry-erase board, wall-calendar, etc. But we're trudging forward. This time I'm not waiting on all of the pieces to be in place before we keep marching on (in a good sort of way).

We walk by faith, right?! He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it. What an encouraging promise. Amen...let the river flow.

Thank You, Mr. Penske...See You Tomorrow

Tomorrow we're getting up bright and early to head in to Tyler and pick up the moving truck. Do I hear a hip-hip-hooray?!

I miss my daily blogging, and by no means have I decided to stop just because my 30 days ended, it's just been a lil' bizzy around these parts.

No need to fret. Tomorrow we load Mr. Penske truck and come Friday morning, we're hitting the open road and trekking the 893 miles back home. Yes, home. (Aside: Please refer me to this post come February when I'm tired of dressing up like an Eskimo and hibernating in my house. Also, please remind me that it's no different from hibernating in the air conditioning in summer when it's 113 degrees outside in Texas. Because really...you can add layers when it's cold, but even naked doesn't keep you cool when it's 113!)

Anyhow, I'll try to pick things back up when we get settled in. It'll be a few weeks of transition. We're staying with my grandparents until Jeremy has secured a position in Lafayette. Then, we'll be moving in to our new home-- which will deserve an entire blog post itself. Such a cool God-thing!

If you will, keep those prayers coming for our family. Jeremy has a few upcoming opportunities that we're cautiously optimistic about. It's honestly a beautiful thing to rest in God's perfect peace. We trust Him.

I can't wait to get up there and kiss my kiddos, pinch my nephew's sweet cheeks, schedule play-dates for my two peas, share my heart over coffee with friends, open our home to friends to watch some Colt's football, start a crafty-night with my cousin and some other precious friends, enjoy get-togethers with family...the list goes on and on and on...and it makes my heart overflow with gratitude.

I also can't wait for my niece to make her grand appearance. Little Miss Crosby, we're waiting. ;)


OK, enough rambling for tonight. It's time to get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a BIG day.

There's More Than Corn...

You know you're singing the song (if you're from):

INDIANA

That's right. Consider this the "official" announcement. This Thursday (yep, as in 1-2-3-FOUR days from now), we're packing up the Penkse. And first thing Friday morning, we're queuing up the iPod and cruising down the road from Lindale back home to Indiana.

We can't wait to soak in time with our family and friends. Oh sweet joy...

I'll keep posting more details as I can, but for now all that I know is that for the first time in my entire life, I'm ready to drink in the rain, let the cool breeze sweep my hair across my face and just sit and be still with the Lord in the peace of the Hoosier countryside.

God is molding and shaping my heart into a new vessel.  Ahhh...seasons. Sweet, sweet seasons.

The Next Big Step...

I had more words to share yesterday, so perhaps I should have simply posted this news then. But, as promised, although it may not come out so neatly packaged today, I'll share some big news with you.

Come the weekend after next, we're finally packing up and leaving Texas. It's been a long 16 months here, and we've been ready to transition for some time. In the end, we were obedient to come, but with much relief, it's time to move on to the next leg of the journey.

Obviously, the next question is "Where are you going?" 

Honestly, we're not 100% certain. There is an opportunity that we're exploring in Nashville, TN. But also, God has arranged some really incredible details for a move back home to Lafayette, IN too. We're just waiting, praying and believing that a door will fling wide open in short order-- and once it does, that we will make no mistakes in whether or not we need to walk through it.

We are weary, for sure. The last two years have taken a major toll on us, and we're ready to move on and settle in to life. I'm so thankful that we rest in the shadow of a God who gives us shelter from the storms, because it's been raining here for a long time. Now, we're anxiously awaiting the sun to peek out from behind the clouds. The rains that have poured down will undoubtedly nourish seeds that were planted in our spirits years ago. It's simply time to let the Farmer tend to them as they take root, sprout and grow under his skillful care.

More details will follow in time, but the time isn't yet. For now, we just need  a wonderfully suited job possibility to come available for Jeremy. He loved what he did in pharmaceutical sales, but the industry is highly volatile (and we're not so keen on volatility at the moment). His last year was spent as the Director of Marketing for a nationally known nonprofit. If you happen to be aware of anything on that front, or if you  would like more details about all that is going on, I am happy to share with you in a private email. Just click here to shoot me one, or you can email Jeremy here.

I think I started keeping up with my blog at just the perfect time. It's such a reflection of my daily heart. One moment carefree and filled with joy and encouragement-- the next moment cautious and withdrawn, apprehensive of the journey. No matter what, I commit to honesty.

I love you all tremendously. It blesses me to share our lives with you. Isn't that really what the church is after all? Bearing burdens, living life, loving with grace fully extended...thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

And while I never suspect that our lives will be boring, I sure hope that none of our future big news involves moving again for another...say...40 years. Can I get an "amen?"

Silence Rule {Day 7}

We do this little thing in the car. It's nothing short of a miracle, really.

When the kids start getting just a little too obnoxious annoying *ahem* loud, we just call out "SILENCE RULE!"

[crickets chirping]

[more crickets]

You get the point. They stop talking. It's magical. If only we could get that same reaction to spill over into every other parenting disciplinary approach, it would be a miracle.

In any case, I'm calling "Silence Rule" for myself today. Between blogging, writing, researching curricula for next year and sneaking in a little Pinterest (which honestly hasn't been very much because, quite frankly, it goes a little too slow sometimes and I get antsy), I'm going to take a day away from the computer.

My Aunt Angie is helping my dad with my parents' final move back to Indiana from San Antonio tomorrow. Mom is already up there, so my aunt graciously volunteered for moving duty. Bless her heart.

Anyhow, they are going to stop here in Lindale for the night, so I'm off to grocery shop and then do a little housework before they roll in. It'll be nice to step out of my everyday routine for a bit. Then, joy of all joys...my bestest friend from my TM year is moving to Dallas on Saturday. Of course, we have to go see her immediately! I'm SO SO thankful. God is precious. Sometimes I'm not so much [precious]. It's a good thing that one of us is always solid. ;)

Anyhow, signing off until Saturday. Have a joy-filled weekend!
~K