I can't believe it's been so long since I blogged! Where to start? It has been a crazy couple weeks with traveling and working and the other "stuff" of life- oh yeah, and the stomach flu which made an unwelcome intrusion into our lives last week! Ugh! I still feel like I'm spinning my wheels but I'm still behind! But I'm determined to catch up on the blog tonight so that at least can stop hanging over my head!
We had a great visit to Virginia October 18-22. We had a wonderful time with our friends down there- it is amazing how these dear friends we met years ago in Phoenix when we were all newlyweds have continued to stay so close to our hearts even though we so rarely saw them until recently. We went to their small group Bible study and felt right at home, as though no time had passed at all. It is such a rare blessing to have friends like these.
Here is Brad with Chris LoGrasso and the girls (Carolyn and Grace- who is no longer the "Baby Grace" of our May posts!)
Carolyn had a great time riding in William Johnson's push wagon thing- we spent an evening with Luke and Cindy Johnson, our one-time small group leaders of "Plunge" fame (that was the name of our newly married Sunday School class when we first lived in Phoenix) and just loved that feeling of picking up right where we left off, even though it's been years since we lived anywhere near each other and so much has changed for us all.
Our kiddos: William Johnson, Carolyn Irving, and Grace LoGrasso. Who knew when they merged our pictures together for a "What if they reproduced" joke back six years ago that we would all have such actually attractive kids!
We truly do love the Northern Virginia area- the history is fascinating, the trees are beautiful, the big city amenities are really attractive. But unfortunately, not even Virginia, land of a thousand wonders, is immune to the Stomach Flu! We were supposed to spend a "fun day" just me and Brad on our last day there, and about halfway to DC on the Metro, Brad came down with it and we had to turn around and go back, disappointed and knowing that we'd all come down with it sooner or later. Ugh! That night Carolyn got sick and after we cleaned her up, Anne scoured all the toys and we laughed a this gruesome scene of "dead baby dolls" lying facedown in the kitchen. Brad felt like he should join in. :)
Many of you know that this trip was more than just a social occasion. We are seriously considering relocating to the area, and I had really hoped that after we went out there that we'd have a better idea of whether Virginia is in our future. Although I had a great time seeing friends, I have to admit I was disappointed at the end of the trip because I feel like I have no more answers than I did before- and in fact, even more questions! I thought it would be like a light bulb going on- like I "knew" that Brad would someday be my husband- but I didn't have any lightning flash experiences. Brad interviewed for a job that really is a viable option. There are lots of good things about the job and the interview went well. So from that perspective, the trip was a success.
Yet at the same time, I just don't feel like anything was "decided" and so we are still in limbo. In the last several weeks a couple of other options have surfaced that would keep us here in the Grand Rapids area, and although I'm truly not that attached to the land of endless Winter and hands down the food and entertainment is loads better out in VA, there is the warmth of family to brighten the long, cold days- and I am really loath to lose out on that. My sisters have both talked of moving here in the next couple of years and when I picture our families growing up together I find it very hard to think of moving somewhere else, even though I know in my heart that we would be happy there, once we adjusted. I think we could be happy either place, but for different reasons. Either situation offers pros and cons and it's really hard to know what to base this huge decision on.
I have no idea where God wants Brad to practice. We are earnestly seeking His will for us on this- but I have to admit, I'm a bit impatient to have more of the answers! Maybe it's the hormones, but I am just craving stability and constancy in my life right now; I just want to settle in somewhere and build a nest for my little girls! I guess what I need to remember is that my stability and security can never come from the things of this world: jobs, homes, any of that; it's all temporary and could change in a heartbeat- once again I have to lay down my tools to "build my own house" and let the Master Builder take over. I wish it were easier for me, but it never is.
Donuts were much appreciated.
Carolyn had fun climbing the steps and going down the slide.
I just loved all the crunchy, colorful leaves. If I had a better knack for getting Carolyn to look at the camera it would have been a wonderful opportunity for pictures.
We tried for a few- somehow this menacing, "don't take my leaves" look isn't quite what I had in mind for my wall. :)
In the end it's probably good that the battery died and we just had fun chasing Carolyn around in the leaves and watching her have a good time.
Fortunately the battery did not die until I had a chance to fulfill one of my un-met goals for the Fall season: taking pictures of some of the beautiful fall colors with the new camera that I am still LOVING.
These two pictures are actually the same picture, cropped two different ways. I can't believe how much detail I can capture just with pushing a button and how crisp it stays even when you crop it pretty small!
I love fall!
