Change

As people often say "there is only one constant in life-change". Very true, things will always change.  It doesn't mean that it always gets better, but it does change.  So, what has changed since my last blog two years ago?  A LOT.....

I took a bit of a hiatus in an effort to focus on a few things we really wanted to get in order.  The first one was where to live.  We needed a support system to help us and knew living a little closer to family could help.  It also meant changing school systems (only one county over) but it was still a change.  With that came finding a house! We felt packed in our current home, and even though we knew we were beyond blessed to have the roof over our head, we did begin a search for a bigger home.  Lastly, our title...we are no longer a family of four but a family of five.  Nothing like changing things up by having just one more bundle of joy!!!

It will be two years ago this March that we moved into our dream home.  We were lucky enough to get a good deal on it but unfortunately that meant renting our current home.  Things went smoothly and two years later we are more than settled.  We have friends and family close by including my mother who moved just seven doors down.  You got it, seven glorious doors!!!! And I wouldn't change it for anything! Our old house is still being rented and we are scraping by till the economy gets good enough to sell it or refinance.

Along with that move came the change of a school system.  As I mentioned, change is not always good-but it's change.  We needed it more than ever and looking back it was by far one of the best choices we ever made.  While things have most certainly not been perfect, there definitely has been improvement.  Progress is always good, no matter how small the step.  And, with every step forward are a few steps back.  What I keep telling myself is that it's progress and each year progress is made.  I will post more on Trenton's progress in the near future.

Lucas also started kindergarten this year!! WOW, where has the time gone????

The boys! Age 13 and 5!*

Lastly, an addition to our family!  Shortly after we moved we found out we were pregnant! Both excited and nervous we decided to find out the sex of the baby (we didn't find out with Lucas).  I had thrown out most of my baby items and what I did have was mostly boy stuff-for obvious reasons.  Well much to MY surprise, we were having a girl.  So on January 15, 2013 God blessed us with our sweet baby girl-and yes her name starts with a J!!! (For any of you that are new to my blog you will have to go back in the archives to read about all the J's since you can tell T and L aren't J names).

9 Months Old*

So here we are! February of 2014 and I am ready to start blogging again.  My sister often requests and I just haven't had the time (can't imagine why). I think I can manage every now and then and I feel we have grown as a family (in more ways than one).  I read through some of the old comments and realized people actually read my blog.  I also realized that people continued to stumble across it or at least visit it every so often.  So, why not? What does it hurt to throw yourself out there and ask for advice from others?

I hope you join me on my adventure as our team of 5 continues through this crazy life!


*Photo Credit: Clover creek photography.  Amazing photographer in our area.  I highly recommend!! Visit her page at http://www.clovercreekphotography.com/