... Up a Mountain, Through a Desert, into a Canyon, Across a River....

... that's exactly what I feel like is ahead of us for this semester. Brandon dropped two courses last spring because they were above his skill level (even though the college suggested he enroll in them). This semester we have to strive hard to make up the credit hours, even though he still has a 4.0 GPA he doesn't have the required number of hours to keep his scholarships next semester. Frustration! We enrolled him in 4 courses! Scary business. Not to mention my due date is about a month after he starts those 4 courses.
    On a brighter note, Brandon had his first medical evaluation for TSA  in June and passed everything except the hearing exam. He completed an audiology appointment last Friday and passed with flying colors. So now we are two steps away from the ready pool. We know that it is all in the Lord's hands.
   We have been attending church more faithfully and giving as much as we can. We have learned so much and Hunter is happy in his church class, in fact he takes off running when we go through the classroom door. Our church is celebrating 25 years this month, our 25th birthdays are in December so that will be an easy way to remember the age of the church.
   We have worked hard this summer with Hunter. He began sleeping in a twin bed the week before his birthday and we have now developed a system. He snuggles with us in our bed, falls asleep quickly and is deposited into his bed by Daddy. If he gets up during the night he comes to my side of the bed snuggles for a bit and falls back asleep and sleeps the remainder of the night in his bed. :-)
   Next adventure, potty training. He thinks its fun to use the toilet, but we aren't there yet. He has earned several stickers and servings of candy for using the toilet  but we don't stay dry on a regular basis unless Mama takes him every 30 minutes or so, which is sometimes hard to do with all the work we are doing around the house.
     The nursery is almost complete. Everything except the window treatment and wall decor to be exact. We will be so happy to bring home Aiden to our home, but we are certainly not rushing the two months we have left. Hunter knows things are different but he still refers to himself as the baby and also says his tummy is baby so he doesn't exactly get what's going on. Praying that we can keep his schedule as close to the same as possible once Aiden arrives. I don't want things to be more difficult for Hunter than they have to be.
   We start school in three weeks! I'll be working for about a month, maybe 5 or 6 weeks at most before my Maternity Leave. I'll be off for 6 weeks. Go back for a few before a week off for Thanksgiving, back to work for 3 weeks, and off for 2 1/2 for Christmas break. I think it'll be a smooth transition.
    While we are looking forward to what God has to offer on our journey this year and next, we are preparing for a ride!

... Even When the Going Gets Rough.

We recently announced that we are expecting our second child. We are thrilled to be carrying another blessing from God. We have a continual desire to do what is right and raise our children in God's ways, not in the world's. We want to set the example for our children, we want to provide the BEST that we can give our children. None of these things are possible without God.

Brandon has reapplied for the third time with TSA, and has made it further in the process than either of the other two times. He was told by a TSA employee that he is on the interview list. We know that this job will only pan out if it is from God. We are at a point financially where more income would be awesome, but if we receive more income it needs to be enough to pay for two in daycare, or to allow me to stay home. I would love to stay home, but once again that is something that is up to God.

Waiting games are no fun. But they are an opportunity to fully trust in and rely on God.

... into a New Year!

Welcome to 2012! Pursuing God has never been heavier on my heart. I have never desired God more than I do now. I want to know him. I want to feel his presence in every decision I make, every step I take. I love him more than I ever have loved. I trust him more than I have every trusted. I thank him for every undeserved blessing he has allowed me to experience. Being a wife and mother are such encouragement to do what is right. I pray that this year I will continue to whole-heartedly give my everything to God, to seek him in every decision, to follow his every direction, to listen to his every word, to live as an example to Hunter that being pleasing to Mama and Daddy is only important if you are pleasing God first. Thank you to each and every one of you that has put up with some sort of non-sense from me throughout my life. I genuinely hope that you will see how your perseverance in loving me has paid of as I can show love through my relationship with Christ. Looking forward to another year of blessings!