Brandon is finally home!!!!! If you are wondering why I'm bothering to tell you that it's because he has spent the last year in Korea. Hopefully this explains my lack of posting and why he has been left out of photos, except Hawaii, and pretty much everything we have done over the last 12 months.

Last spring we thought we were staying in Florida and he was going to continue working, but on a different side, with the residency group he had just finished. Then around April everything changed. The military needed someone to work in Korea and in a place that family could not go with him. So... we loaded all our stuff into 3 different u-hauls and moved the kids and I back to Montgomery. Both of our parents live here or near here and our best friends, the Khans, do too. If it was just going to be a deployment I wouldn't have bothered moving, but since it was a year, I knew that I would really like being near family so they could help out.

I cannot tell you how amazing this year has been. Yes, it has been hard being away from Brandon, but just knowing that I have someone to call at the last minute, or in the middle of the night (thankfully I never had to), if anything ever came up gave me a peace I can't explain. And giving the kids a year with their grandparents and the Khans, well, I wouldn't trade that for anything! Don't get me wrong, I definitely had moments and days where I would have given anything to have Brandon back home, but I also had those kind of days when he was working nights or out of town. I just woke up every morning and pretended like he was going to be working nights. He was always gone by the time we woke up anyway.

The other positive (there's a positive?!?!?!?) to Brandon being away for a year? We talked more than we have in years! Since we have been married he has been either studying in medical school (remember, for the first two years of our marriage we pretty much only saw each other on Friday nights and Sunday mornings) or busy with crazy hours in residency and you will look forward to Skyping with him on a daily basis.

The final positive was that we got to see him 3 times this year. Most people who are "deployed" for a year only get 2 weeks of leave. Since Brandon was stationed in a remote area and not technically deployed he still got his regular amount of leave time. We decided to break that up. Hawaii was the halfway point. 

There were definitely some negatives, but I don't want to get into that. I think that you can pretty much figure out what those are for yourself. But like I said earlier, school and residency prepare you for deployments and getting used to taking care of things by yourself. All I care about right now is that he's home.

The best part? I had NO CLUE he was coming home!!! My sister was going to Atlanta with me today to drop off our van so it can be shipped to Guam and she told me that we had a little detour to make. It was to the airport to pick up Brandon. It was the greatest feeling in the world to see him again and knowing that it was for good this time.

Want to hear something funny? Christopher knew 2 WEEKS AGO that Brandon was coming home and is so good at keeping a secret he didn't tell anyone. Of course he didn't really know when the "12 days" were going to be up, but we couldn't believe he never said a word. Another funny thing about today? It's my brother-in-law's birthday and happens to be the exact day that Brandon left for Korea last year.

And I have to say a HUGE and even HUGE-R thank you to our parents and to our friends the Khans. I could not have done this year without them. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.......

We are headed out to dinner with Brandon's parents now so I better go. Korea isn't known for it's Mexican food, and what Daddy wants, Daddy gets. (Plus I don't have to cook!) See you later!!!! : )

Life at our house is crazy and busy right now. Preparing for a move overseas is many things, scary, overwhelming, fun, cleansing stressful, chaotic, frustrating, and the list goes on. I'm trying really hard to make lists and pace myself. Our house is going to be WAY smaller than the one we are in now and I'm completely ok with that. Problem is, I don't want everything we own to come with us. We have "junk" that has moved with us to four different cities in the last 8 years and I'm drawing the line very deep on this move.

Every time we move I tell myself, "I got this! It won't take that long to get ready" and then we end up drowning in stuff and feel so overwhelmed that I want to just throw it all on the curb and forget that it ever belonged to us. But this move is different. There will be three separate piles, move #1 - most everything, #2 - the rest of it, #3 - what we will need to keep with us until we fly out. Trust me, it's much easier to just have a "movers take all" pile and a "here's a couple changes of clothes until we get there" pile.

Can I tell you how good it feels to purge?!?!?! Oh my goodness!! I went through 2 rooms and a bathroom and had 2 yard bags + a box full of things to go to Goodwill, 2 1/2 trash bags of junk/no longer used/broken items, 3 of those space saving bags and a box barely full of things for the movers to pack. I had previously gone through the kids room and pulled out clothes they have out grown or won't need ever again and that filled up another yard bag, plus a trash bag that went to a friend. I have more for my niece. (Hope you don't mind, but it's headed your way Jennifer!)

I still have the downstairs to tackle and it's going to be ugly. Like, bad ugly. But it's going to feel oh, so good to have it done.

Oh, and the van. I have to clear EVERYTHING out of it (like nothing in any pockets or doors or bins, deep clean the inside and out (ok, maybe not "deep" clean, but it could use it), make copies of paperwork and then take it to Atlanta so it can be shipped. I'm least excited about not having "my brain" with me for a couple months, but I'd rather lose it on this end then be without it on the other end. Wouldn't you? I mean, I'm already crazy trying to deal with this stuff, I'd rather appear less crazy to our new friends that we will make over there. I can't think straight if we are in another car. I forget things. I store thing in my van and know exactly where they are.

While the kids are very excited about moving, I think Sophie is starting to have a little stress from all of the upcoming changes. She doesn't like to leave my side and has a meltdown if I leave her with anyone. And I don't leave her with just "anyone." It's either a grandparent or our best friends that she has know her whole life. So my plan of action is to work a little bit each day and then take the rest of the day to spend time with the kids. I hate to admit it, but it's hard to me to just stop and play with the kids or sit and watch a movie with them when I'm motivated to work. I know kids are strong and bounce back easy, but they are my first concern. I don't worry easy, but every time we move I worry about them and how they will react. So far they have done well each time we moved, but when we moved here to Montgomery, they had an adjustment period. I don't even think they realized it was happening to them, but I could see it. This time it's a little more emotional for them. So while I want to tackle this move head on, this momma bear is out in full force. I'm trying to not talk about the move as much. They know it's happening so I don't need to bring it up. Just pray for her. And pray for Christopher and his new school he will go to. He's not really shy, but he doesn't like school so going to another new one will be a battle for all of us.

I better get back to work. The kids are needing some attention and I need to make a plan for the next couple days. Hope you have a great weekend!! : )

We are getting ready to move again. But we knew that was coming. The shocker is that we aren't moving to where we thought we were moving. All year we had planned to move back to FL. But God had other plans. Instead of going back to a place that we love dearly (I already had us retiring there and we aren't anywhere close to retiring!), we are moving to Guam.

Brandon has been thinking of making a slight career change within the next couple years and the opportunity came up for him to make it now. We applied and he was accepted. We knew that would potentially mean we couldn't go back to our friends in FL, but we were willing to take that risk. We could always turn it down. But when it came down to it, we knew we had to take the job. We were given a list of places we could go, we told them our top pick. They came back with a different list and our top two were to either move 3 driving hours from home or 30 flying hours. I was praying, and telling everyone else to pray the same prayer I was, that we would NOT go to Guam. We had just days to decide. Basically, I went to bed Saturday night begging God to change Brandon's mind (he wasn't even sold on Guam yet, but he was at least considering it), but the part I added at the end of my prayer was what did it. I told God that if He really wanted us to go there He would have to completely change my heart and make it very clear. I woke up the next morning and He had done exactly that. Trust me, I am still a little shocked myself. It was our decision, but if you know me at all, this doesn't sound like me. That's why I'm telling you God had other plans. I told my sister several days later that I felt like Jonah. I was scared to think what would happen if I refused to follow God's plan for our family. 


We have been in touch with a few families that have lived there within the last couple years or are currently living there now (they sent us these photos). They have all had amazing things to say about it. My fears at first were that I was going to be stuck on an island and not be able to do anything or go anywhere. I'd only heard good things, but never heard specifics and when I googled it I didn't find any helpful information. So talking to these people really helped. They actually have malls and stores and restaurants that you are familiar with in the states. (I have to admit, this news REALLY helped!) There is no Target or Chick-fil-a, but I know people in the states who don't live near those places either so I figure I can survive.

If you are like me you know nothing about Guam. Here is the official website for Guam. The question we have been asked the most is, where is it? The easiest answer is between Japan and Australia. More specific, to the east of the Philippines and to the north of Papau New Guinea. How big is it? It's tiny people. It's only 30 miles long and 4-12 miles wide. The weather? It is typically in the mid-70s at night and the mid-80s during the day. Every day. They also don't have a time change during the year. What are you going to do? We plan on going to the beach. A lot. And hopefully travel.


So you are probably wondering when we will move. We aren't exactly sure yet. Brandon has several weeks of training that he has to complete before we can move and we are still in the beginning stages of it all. But since it's overseas, and there is training that needs to be done, it will push our moving date back. But we aren't complaining. It just means more time with family!

So, we get back from the beach on a Friday afternoon and we unload everything from the truck and set it all in the room right inside the door. Nothing goes past that room. Why? Because we were going to load it all up in the van the next morning and head to the lake for a week! Saturday morning the kids had their last soccer game of the season. (already posted about that, whew!) We didn't have single thing in the house to eat, so we got dressed, went to Publix and bought doughnuts and milk. I know, terrible breakfast before a game, but we weren't going to stay home and I didn't care. We got to the lake and my sister was already there with her kids for the weekend. My kids LOVE their cousins. ALL their cousins. They shriek when they find out they get to see any of them. I love that. Considering the fact they have never lived in the same town as any of them, I love that they love their cousins so much.

Sophie always wears one of the amazing princess costumes that my mom has made for the girls. She got Anne Morgan to join in. They even said the fort that is out in the trees was a castle for Sophie. (Anne Morgan adores Sophie. She will do just about anything Sophie does, but she knows how to put her foot down. And it's quite hilarious when that happens!)

We have been dying to get back to the beach all year and my in-laws couldn't wait to go themselves, so we decided to go together. It was fabulous!! I always thought I was a lake person and not a beach person, but after living in Florida for three years, I don't mind the sand one little bit. I hate to say that I only have photos from my phone because though I packed my camera, I never even pulled it out. Sorry to those who love great pics, you will never see them on here. In case you haven't noticed, you are lucky to even get a post from me! (All 8 of you who read this.)

We loaded up and left on a Friday afternoon. The plan? To get to Lulu's in time for dinner. If you have never been to Lulu's I want to tell you that you are seriously missing out on the greatest restaurant of all time. They have the BEST friend shrimp you will ever put in your mouth and an entire acre (yes, it is an acre) of sand right next to the tables for the kids to play in while you wait and/or eat. Our waitress said they actually had a groups come in and complain because they didn't have paper and crayons for the kids to color with. She said she just turned around and looked at the massive pile of sand, buckets and shovels everywhere, and turned around and looked at them speechless. You want a meal AND adult conversation, but can't find a sitter? Go here. And let go of the fact your child will be covered in sand when you leave. Sorry, they have live music too, but that's mostly in the evening. We ate way too much friend food, the kids barely ate, and then we headed to buy groceries and then off to the condo. It was 10:00 when we finally went to bed.

The next morning we couldn't wait to head to the beach. We loaded up, packed our lunches and hung out for a couple hours. It was really windy and the waves were pretty rough, not to mention the tide that would pull you out there in a heartbeat, so after we had lunch (and the adults were exhausted) we headed back to the pool. Our condo was on the bottom floor, right by the pool. It was awesome!!!

Last week a friend of mine passed away. She was my best friend Erin's big sister. She felt like my big sister. She was the kind of person everyone loved because she loved everyone. I don't ever remember her getting angry or mad or acting like she was too busy for me or anyone else. She was the perfect example of a Godly wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend and stranger. She always had a smile on her face and made you feel like you were the most important person in the room.

Elliot was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer back in September. Three weeks later it was Stage 4. She started chemo and saw numerous doctors. She smiled through the whole thing because she knew the whole time that God had His hands in all of it. For many months it looked like she was going to be just fine. She would have a few moments that looked tough, but would bounce back. Then about a month and a half ago things took a turn for the worse and never got better.

I've been trying to figure out how to even post about this because I can't just let it go. I can't not say anything about her. We may have lost touch over the years, but when we did see each other it was like we hadn't missed a day.

I remember spending the night with Erin and she would fall asleep before me so I would go into Elliot's room, climb in the bed with her and talk until it was way too late. I remember my brother passing away right before school started in 9th grade and she filled a void that I thought could never be filled (they had been in the same class since kindergarten). I remember finding out I had made the cheerleading squad (Erin did too) and running down the bleachers and jumping into Elliot's arms because we were so excited to get to cheer together the next year. I remember when she and her husband started dating. I remember going with her family to visit her at college. I remember her wedding day. I remember running into Erin and Elliot in Target randomly one day and finding out Elliot was going to have a baby. I remember going to her house for lunch when I was pregnant with my first child and seeing her for the first time as a wife and mom. I remember finding out she was going to have another baby, a little girl, and hoping she would be just as beautiful as her mommy. I remember seeing her at her nephew's birthday party, after she had started chemo,  being around her whole family for the first time in years and how happy everyone was and leaving with my own kids and breaking down because I missed all those great times we had growing up and knowing what could potentially happen to her. It was more than I could bear.

Elliot passed away a week ago today. I thought I had prepared myself for this kind of news. Things had been bad for a while. I'd suffered tragedy before. You still can't prepare for things like this. You can try, but it still hurts. I have cried off and on all week. On Thursday afternoon, Elliot's family had a Celebration Service for her. My mom and another best friend of mine went. We got there early. People were sitting in the choir loft and they had an overflow room for those who couldn't fit into the sanctuary. (The visitation the night before went on for 4 hours, and they still didn't get to visit with everyone that came, if that gives you any kind of hint as to how many lives she touched.) I held it together the best I could, but I want to just sob and not even care. I remember being her family and how children should never experience the pain of losing a loved one, whether a brother or a mommy. They had two of her best friend speak. Her dad spoke. I have no idea how he did it. Her pastor spoke.

I remember wishing that I could write all of everything that was said down so that I wouldn't forget it. But I couldn't think that clearly. But I found someone who did. And she did it beautifully. I asked for her permission to share it with you and she said sure. I beg you to read it. She also went to school with us. I did not know her nearly as well because we were in different grades, but knew of each other. Her blog will move you and challenge you. Here is her post about Elliot. She wrote several other posts about Elliot and I wish I could write like she does.

My two favorite things that were said about Elliot, by her friends that spoke were that Elliot was the perfect example of every one of the fruits of the Spirit. She most definitely was. My other favorite? Everyone needs to have an Elliot in their life. Yes they do.

Thank you Elliot for being exactly who God planned for you to be. Thank you for being my friend. I can't wait to see you again one day and to never have to say goodbye again!!

The kids played in their last soccer game a couple weekends ago. It was so miserably hot that the kids on both teams wanted to sit in the shade instead of play, so we were glad it was the last one. It has been a fun season having the 4 rascals on the same team and I told Burt he is getting extra points in Heaven for coaching all of them... again. It was fun to see Christopher and Nicholas get more competitive with each other at practice and during games. Sophie and Joshua, well, they did touch the ball and kick it. Most of the time it was from the sidelines when they had to throw/kick it in, but it was their first time playing and I think they both got a little shy once they were out there for all to see. I'm sure they will be more involved in the following seasons now that they have the "shock" out of their system. The older brothers were sort of the same way their first season. I didn't have a whole lot of photos from the season unfortunately, but mostly because we were busy either doing drinks/snacks (boy, those kids can eat!!) for whomever wasn't playing or yelling at the ones who were playing to go, go go!! But here are some pics from after the last game.