Progress...

We're almost there! We've made it to Paducah & will be here for the night. Then off to E-town in the morning. The trip was fast & easy (minus a screaming child at times) so there are no complaints, really.

I also wanted to let all of my blogger friends know that there will be a short (hopefully really short) silence in blogger world from me. We do not have internet set up (I know, what am I going to do?!) As soon as I have service, I will shout it to the world & let you know.

Dream come true

Today a dream of mine came true. It was my first day as an official stay at home mom!!!!! Honestly, after I had Sydney I didn't think this day would come. In this day in age, it is very difficult to be able to survive on one income. So, I am VERY thankful that we are fortunate enough for me to be able to stay home. WHOOHOO!!! Thank you God for providing this opportunity. Although the transition is hard, it is a dream come true.

Hard days

When we headed back to TX from KY at the beginning of this week, I knew the days that followed would be hard days. Boy, I didn’t realize just how hard they would be. Today is my last day at PRCC as an employee. That thought alone is hard to take in. The staff here has been so good to me and my family. They truly care about us & our lives. It is so amazing to be apart of this staff. But today, I’m saying good-bye. Ah…how incredibly hard.

I had a minister write in my birthday card that if our paths never cross again on this side of heaven, he looks forward to spending eternity with me & my family. Wow! It honestly had not entered my mind that some of these people I may never see again! I have been sad about my friends (who I will visit, email, call, & read blogs), but I had not thought about those that I just casually see on Sunday mornings, ministers who might move off one day, or ladies who made me feel so welcome when I first came to PRCC. I guess I thought that I would see them, too, when visiting. But just as easily as we are moving away, so could they. After I read his note, it took all I had not to just ball my eyes out! I am comforted that we will meet again though.

My mother was wonderful to tell me when I was small (and that is sincerity not sarcasm) that life is not fair & no one said life would be easy. I am very thankful to her for teaching me that at a young age. I’m not exactly sure why I take comfort in it, but I do. Life is not easy & it certainly isn’t fair. BUT, life is good. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful little girl, wonderful family, friends who I will love from a distance, money to keep food in our bellies & a roof over our head, and most importantly a god who loves me more than I can imagine.

So, this week is a hard one & I suspect the days ahead will get harder, but I am strong. I will make it & so will my friends. They are so much stronger than they give themselves credit for! I look forward to seeing how God uses this change for the better.

Apartment leased

We found a place to live!! Yay! We leased a 2br/2b apartment. We were hoping for a rental house, but didn't like any that we found. So, we're in an apartment for now. That's ok, though. It is a really nice apartment. I can't complain.

We went to E-town on Friday morning & had the apartment leased by 4!! Whoohoo! Since my mother-in-law was gracious enough to keep the little one, we decided to go ahead and spend the night in E-town & have a mini-vacation. It was SO nice!!! I didn't realize how much Ryan and I needed that time away. We laughed more in that day and a half than we have laughed in the last year! It was so, so, so great. Thanks, Babe!!

We have a week and a day left here in TX. I have such mixed feelings about it all. It is GREAT for Sydney to be close to her family & will probably be a better work environment for Ryan. Plus, I will get to stay at home with Sydney. BUT, for me on a personal level, it is bitter sweet. I want to stay home with her, but I do not want to leave my friends here. I'm trying to keep my chin up. And, I will do that. I've been through some pretty tough stuff in my lifetime. I'll make it.

Home Hunting

AH!...We leave tomorrow afternoon for Paducah. We're spending the night & dropping Sydney off there & then heading to E-town Friday morning. While I am extremely excited about having 2 days alone with Ryan, I am very nervous about our home hunting. God has made it very clear that he is in control of this move. It has his handprints all over it. So, I should be completely confident that we will find something, right?! Have I said that I'm a slow learner? I do believe that we will have a place to live when we get there on the 31st (yes, I'm moving on my birthday. FUN!). I'm just nervous about it all. Why can't I be more confident?? I am in prayer that my faith will be strenghtened, but I have to admit that I timidly say that prayer. I learn most during struggles. So asking God to teach me is scary territory!! Anyway, we head out tomorrow afternoon.

As I said earlier, I am completely excited about my 2 days with Ryan. I will miss Sydney, but this is much needed time together. We haven't had a date since the beginning of December!! Again, AH!! So, it will be weird I'm sure. BUT it will be nice to just be able to focus on each other. Love you, BABY!! I can't wait!! Even if this isn't a vacation b/c of stress. It is a little bit for me.

Thanks to my mother-in-law we are getting this time together. Plus, I know Sydney & Gran will have a great time together. Thanks!!!

Keep us in your prayers this weekend that we find a place & don't become too stressed & end up ruining our weekend together...that's more likely something I would do...not Ryan. :-/

Thanks Crysty!!

Thanks to a good friend, I was able to get some packing done tonight. I didn't get a ton accomplished but I got a really good start going!! It is so great to have friends who will help for no other reason other than helping!!

Now off to deal with a baby who has decided she doesn't want to sleep anymore! I'm not sure why she has had this change of heart, but I wish she would change back! I'm exhausted...

Quick post

Packing with a 5 month old goes ever so slowly!!!! Ah... I should probably be doing more before I go to bed but it is 10:45 & I have to work tomorrow. So, I'm heading to bed. Hopefully I will get done more tomorrow night. Maybe?!

Elizabethtown...The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

We found out today that Ryan is definitely being transferred to Elizabethtown, KY!!!! I am so excited & anxious. It will be so great to be 3 hours away from family. We will be able to get in for weekends & will be able to see our siblings when they are visiting parents. How great! I am thankful that Sydney will be closer to her family.

I am very anxious (in a bad way) about leaving my friends. I honestly have had better friends here in TX than I have had in my life! They allow me to be me & still like me! I can express my feelings and say what I think without fear of judgment. How amazing is that?! Plus, they are the most wonderful, kind-hearted Christian women. They are great examples how to be a Christian wife, mother, and friend.

To the three women who have been in my life to encourage me, strengthen me, laugh with me, and cry with me:

Thank you. You have made me a better person because of your faith in God & faith in me. I love each of you & it is going to break my heart to leave you. Maybe someday the universe will be kind & put us back together. Until then, know that you have been family to me (and I don’t use that word—family—lightly). You will always be seen as my sisters.

Now that the tears are streaming, I will ask for your prayers. Pray that God will have his hand on this move & his hand on our hearts as they are breaking.

Family pictures

We got our pictures made today. So many of them turned out great!!!! I couldn't believe it. Normally my pictures turn out horrible!! Anyway, I thought I would share some of them. If you want to view more, you can take a look at our website at www.ryanandlesli.com.