Great Friends

I recently blogged about the hardest part of being away from family. But, what's really cool is that God has provided us with friends that are as good as family.

Last fall we knew our time in Chesapeake, VA was up. I won't dwell on the details of that... but it was painfully clear to us that it was time to move on. We thought we would be moving on to Michigan... but that didn't work out either. I'm a girl that likes a plan. So, when we found ourselves needing to move on, but not knowing where, I was a mess.

In October I came out to Las Vegas with some girlfriends to visit my good friend, Jen. Jen and her husband, Vince, and their two kids, Dawson and Marissa, had moved to Las Vegas in January 2009 to start a church called Verve for people who work on and live around The Strip. I was so proud of them. They had a pretty sweet life in Virginia Beach... and they decided to obey God and start all over in Las Vegas. I almost didn't go on that trip. Money was tight for us. We knew Chuck's job was coming to an end at the end of the year. The plan for moving to Michigan was falling apart over lack of funding. Our house had just been listed with a realtor after having no response trying to sell it For Sale By Owner. I didn't want to leave Chuck for 6 days with three little boys and the possibility of showing the house. The only reason I went on that trip was because Chuck was beginning to think about moving to Las Vegas to help start Verve.

I was opposed to moving to Las Vegas. Not because I don't like Las Vegas; it was moreso because I just felt like it was coming out of left field. We felt called to Michigan, but Michigan wasn't coming together. I thought that meant we should just stay in Virginia... even though I knew our time there was over. In fact, during the month of September Chuck pounded the pavement in search of employment in Virginia. And even though we are in hard economic times, between his experience, his disability rating (which puts him ahead of others for government positions), and the fact that there is an abundance of government work in the area we lived in... Chuck could not find a job. And when he did find jobs, they'd go on hiring freezes. It was just so apparent that we weren't supposed to be there, but I fought that for awhile.

During my visit in October, Jen and I had a heart to heart conversation one afternoon. By that point they had offered for our family to move out to Las Vegas and stay with them while Chuck raised support to work for the church or secured a job (it's almost impossible to get a job in Las Vegas if you don't live here). So, it was on that trip that I sought God's will and cried as I surrendered what I wanted to whatever He wanted. I won't say that I felt called to come here... it was more like God was okay with us coming here.

So, in December we packed up our stuff and stored it in Las Vegas and moved in with our friends. What a humbling experience. I remember telling Jen in October, "I just don't know how we got to this place." I was humbled by our circumstances, but even more humbled by the generosity of our friends. But the most humbling part of it all was how their two kids gave to us. As a family they discussed what would need to happen if our family moved in with theirs. Dawson (10), and Marissa (8), would give up their bedrooms and sleep on a futon in the loft. They were given the option of saying no to that before the offer was extended to us. And you know what? Those kids said yes, they would give up their bedrooms to help us out. They also gave up their bathroom and shared with their parents. I get teary-eyed just typing that. They are some tremendous kids with huge hearts. They were Jesus to our family during a really difficult time and I will never forget that.

Currently Chuck has a job offer as a police officer for Veteran's Affairs. He's jumped through nearly all their hoops to start in his position. He is waiting on his psych evaluation to be completed so that he can move on to the final step, the physical examination. Chuck's been working full time for Verve since the beginning of January and will continue working part time once his full time position begins (we are hoping that is around April 1st). At some point this summer he will need to go to Arkansas for 5 weeks to complete their police academy. I'm hoping some of my family can come visit us during that time (hint hint hint!).

We've been in our own place for almost two weeks now. And it feels wonderful to be in our own space, but we are totally missing our friends. The kids all miss each other. In fact, Dawson and Marissa gave up a pizza dinner the other night so they could come see our kids. They play with them and have such patience and grace with them. My kids might not get to live near their cousins, but God has given them really cool kids to hang out with. It's been hard for me to connect with other women here since I'm usually with the kids. I can't really have much of a conversation while trying to keep them out of harm's way. I'm so thankful for my friendship with Jen and that I already had a friend here when I arrived.

Chuck and I are sharing our van. I'm trying to make the best of being stuck home some days. The old Juli would really dwell on the question of, "When are we going to be able to get another vehicle?" but for the most part I have peace that God's going to take care of that in His perfect timing. Saturday night I went out to get some milk and decided to stop by our mailbox. I hadn't checked our mail since we'd moved in because I didn't get the key for our mailbox until Friday. I drove along sifting through a stack of bills, feeling the pit in my stomach grow. Chuck is making less money than we are used to and I wasn't sure we'd have enough money to pay everything on the 15th and everything was due before the 1st. I opened the last piece of mail and there was an encouraging card from a dear friend. And along with the card was a very generous check to help us with moving expenses. The tears flowed once again and I thanked God (and our friend!) for taking care of us yet again.

These past few months have been quite a valley for me (and how appropriate that we now live in the valley), but God had pointed my attention to the blessing of great friends and his provision. I don't quite feel like I'm on the other side yet, but my heart is at peace.

Twelve Years Ago Today...

I met Chuck.

I was not looking to meet anyone that night, but God had other plans :)

My, how time flies!

In those twelve years we've:

• Lived in 4 states
• Moved 8 times
• Owned two homes
• Had 10 vehicles
• Done countless road trips
• Had three kids, and lost one
• Met God

Chuck, I'm so thankful it's been with YOU that I've done all these things and more. I love you!

"A Captain Princess!"

In September Noah and Samuel where given a really cool pirate ship toy. It's the hull of a ship - they can fire cannons, drive the ship, and just be pirates. They love it.

It got packed away in late November and it just came back out yesterday. Today's the first time the boys have played pirates in months. They put on their pirate Halloween costumes and have fun.

Samuel also has an obsession with princesses. On the day we packed up our house in Virginia, all three boys spent about 8 hours with Noah and Samuel's best little girl friends, Lilly and Mya. Lilly and Mya are 4 and 3 and have loved our boys since before they came home from Haiti. They still ask about them. (This week their mommy is coming to Las Vegas and I know the boys are going to be so bummed when they see her and learn that her girls aren't here with her.) The day we packed up the house, Samuel was introduced to being a princess. He wore a tiara, had a wand and wore not one, but TWO skirts ALL DAY LONG. He cried his eyes out when I picked him up and he had to take the princess clothes off. Ever since that day he's been very into princesses.

While staying with our friends over the last few months, Samuel watched a few princess videos with Marissa. In particular, he loved the movie about the dancing princesses best.

So, today while playing pirates he was talking about princesses and I wanted to clarify - was he a princess or a captain (the boys talk about who is going to be the captain while playing). Samuel thought about it for a moment and exclaimed, "A captain princess!" Then he danced and twirled away.

Isn't four great - you can be anything you want to be, even a captain princess!

The Hardest Part

My new nephew, Judah. Is he cute or what?!

I've lived far away from my family for the last 10 years and the hardest part is not being able to be there for special occasions or when I know I could be of help.

In December I had to miss my sister's baby shower because we were moving. On February 12th she gave birth to a beautiful lil guy via c-section. His name is Judah Michael and I can't wait to meet him.

My sister is in that new-mom-not-so-sure stage (while recovering from major surgery), something I know a lot about since I did the new-mom-not-so-sure thing (while recovering from major surgery) with three kids instead of one. I understand how she feels and I just want to be there to encourage her and help her and cook and clean for her.

But I am here. And I can't be there right now because Chuck's schedule is crazy right now. Oh, and flights are insanely priced, too.

And that is the hardest part for me. Knowing I could help and encourage her and not being able to... ugh. It is hard.

I LOVE YOU, CHRISTI!!! You are a great mommy and it gets easier, I promise! :)

In

We are in the house. Last night was the first night in. The kids did great. I LOVE my bed and have missed it dearly. I am thankful to so many people for helping us get moved in!

No pictures yet. The boxes need to be gone before I post pictures.

We have the coolest view of the strip from our bedroom.

The kids are doing great. They like their new home, but are missing our friends.

Chuck and I both have done more than our backs can handle so the rest of the unpacking will be at a slower pace...

Thanks to anyone who has prayed for us over the last three months. I'm positive we were sustained by prayers.