From the Mountains to the Prairies...

Remember when I mentioned our life being far from boring? Well, we are on the brink of yet another new adventure! Next up? Moving to Woodward, Oklahoma! Yup... tornado alley. On Jeff's birthday, he accepted a job there as FBC's new Youth Pastor and on August 18 was voted on by the congregation as the new Youth Pastor. Shortly after that, the Air Force called to let Jeff know of his assigned base for reserve duty: Vance AFB; in OK, just an hour from Woodward! The movers will be here in less than two weeks and our first Sunday there will be September 15! It looks like I will be spending my birthday in a new state! Crazy.

Where did this come from? Really? From God. It seems like it came out of nowhere for us. First Baptist Woodward lost their youth pastor over a year ago and Tony actually mentioned it to Jeff suggesting he apply to it. Jeff kept saying, Nope, I'm still needed here in Woodland Park. I actually encouraged him to apply... just to see what would happen. Well, barely a month ago, they requested his resume and for some reason, he sent it. Just after that, we headed to northwest OK on a mission trip with our youth. That was when I was the one to question whether or not it was the right place for us... It was so hot! And bugs everywhere! I have definitely been spoiled for the last five years living in the beautiful, mosquito-free, amazing summers mountains. I asked Jeff if he was sure about this possible change... of course, he teased me because I was now the one second-guessing...

So here we are... our house is on the market, we are packing packing packing, and showing our home. We got our first offer barely 48 hours after our home went on the market, but the guy is proving to be super flaky, so I don't think that one will work out. Please pray that our home sells soon because we already put a contract on a cute, little home in Woodward. It should be completed in about 45 days so we need to get rid of this home first! Pray that our move and traveling goes smoothly. I'm so glad my mom came up to help us pack (and keep up with my baby)!

Jeff and I are so excited for this new adventure! We are a little nervous about the house thing, but trusting that God will have a hand in that. Being the introvert I am, I am of course a little nervous about making new friends, but that's just typical me. Just spending the weekend with some of those awesome First Baptist folk was so much fun. We are looking forward to getting to know the families and youth better!

On a Bennett note... He is everywhere! Crawling and pulling up on everything. The kid can't even walk and he is trying to climb on top of boxes! He has three little bruises/bumps on his head from standing up in his crib and trying to bounce. Oh little boys...











I am about to do a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.
                     - Isaiah 43:19

I'll Love You Long After You're Gone

Remember when I mentioned that we had a busy summer? Yup, it has certainly lived up to those expectations. So here is our life right now...







Jeff and I celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary! I am so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. My post-college plans I had before I met him would have been exciting, but very lonely. Since the day we said, "I do," our lives have been anything but boring and lonely, and we have still had the chance to travel! I can't wait to see what the next five, ten, and fifty years bring!

For our anniversary, we had some professional photos taken. A huge thank you to Rita and Pine Ridge Photography for capturing our adorable, little family at this chapter in our lives.

I also made Jeff a video of the last five years of our lives together! Check it out!

The week of our anniversary was also VBS at our church. Tony's church came up with a mission group to help us out. It was so fun to see Poppo and Bennett together again!

One week later... my sister flew in and we left for Oklahoma. First stop was Vici, OK where our youth group helped out at a camp. They cleaned, painted, and did yard work in the scorching summer heat of Northwest Oklahoma. It was a lot of fun to help out and watch the students work together. Check out the video I made for the trip! :)

Next up, Jeff took the group back home while Bennett, Autumn, and I drove to OKC! I got to hang out with my lovely college friends who came in from all over the US. They got to meet Bennett and we had a little baby shower for the gals who will be expecting soon! I am so glad I got to see these girls and that they got to meet the newest love of my life. I was truly blessed with some great friends while in college.

After that rockin' reunion, my mom met us in OKC and we drove up to Miami and Wyandotte to visit the family! Bennett got to meet his crazy cousins, aunts and uncles, and his great-grandparents! I just loved seeing him interact with his family and seeing my grandparents hold my little boy. Family is a beautiful thing. :)

We ate LOTS of Ku-Ku food. I let Bennett try his first french fry (no salt, of course), but he just wasn't ready for the chewing involved. No worries. We don't need french fries in our diet just yet.

I don't know if it was all the attention he got, but Bennett learned some new tricks while in Oklahoma! Yes, my baby boy is now crawling! He is getting into everything, but he is still such a good baby. He does so well just sitting and playing with his bucket of toys in the living room. It only lasts for so long, but he does well at entertaining himself. He also learned how to wave bye-bye! It is adorable. Period.

Last stop: Woodward, OK to see Poppo and the family! Jeff flew into OKC with Tony and we drove to Woodward for Jeff's 10-year high school reunion. Bennett got to play with his cousin Amelie and meet his Aunt Ashlie and Uncle Phillip for the first time! They are expecting their first little one in January, so Bennett will have another cousin close to his birthday. We can't wait to meet him or her!

Bennett's tour of Oklahoma was fun, but exhausting! It is nice to be back home and in our own beds (and the cooler climate). Jeff has had an accomplished summer so far. After he completed his Master's degree, he had to reappoint with the Air Force. While Bennett and I were still in Oklahoma, Jeff was promoted to 1st Lt and got his new rank and cross pinned on! So proud of him! We are just waiting to hear which base he will be assigned to for his reserve duty.

Jeff also celebrated his 29th birthday! We just went out to eat. Nothing too eventful. Bennett's present was the best: a blow-out diaper at the restaurant! Yay... mommy had to clean it up, of course.

Oh! Bennett turned seven months old AND he has started pulling up on things this last week... Oh boy. I'm excited for him to start walking because it is a big milestone, but I don't think I'm ready for an early walker. He'll do what he is going to do, but he is just growing up too fast for this mommy!

I think that's all for now (I told you we were busy!). We'll see what the next month has in store for our family!